a50194971.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K

x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
 
OR
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number: 000-51996

CHICOPEE BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Massachusetts
 
20-4840562
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
   
70 Center Street, Chicopee, Massachusetts
 
01013
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number: (413) 594-6692
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 Title of each class    Name of each exchange on which registered
 Common Stock, no par value         NASDAQ Global Market
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.       YES___   NO  X

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  YES        NO  X   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES   X      NO ___

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.) YES  X        NO___

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ___


 
 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer     [    ]  Accelerated filer   [ X ]
Non-accelerated filer     [    ] Smaller reporting company   [    ]
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12(b)-2 of the Exchange Act). YES  ____NO    X  

On June 30, 2011, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates was $96,443,118.

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 6, 2012 was 5,609,914.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on May 30, 2012, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
 

 
 
INDEX
 
PART I
       
      Page No.  
         
   Item 1.
  2  
         
   Item 1A.
  19  
         
   Item 1B.
  22  
         
   Item 2.
  22  
         
   Item 3.
  23  
         
   Item 4.
  23  
         
PART II
       
         
   Item 5.
     
    24  
         
   Item 6.
  26  
         
   Item 7.
     
  Condition and Results of Operations   28  
         
   Item 7A.
  55  
         
   Item 8.
  55  
         
   Item 9.
     
  Accounting and Financial Disclosure   55  
         
   Item 9A.
  55  
         
   Item 9B.   55  
         
PART III
       
         
   Item 10.
  56  
         
   Item 11.  
  56  
         
   Item 12.  
     
    56  
         
   Item 13.  
  57  
         
   Item 14.
  57  
         
PART IV
       
         
   Item 15.
  58  
         
SIGNATURES     60  
 
 
 

 
 
PART I
 
Item 1. Business.

General

Chicopee Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Chicopee Bancorp”), a Massachusetts corporation, was formed on March 14, 2006 by Chicopee Savings Bank (the “Bank” or “Chicopee Savings Bank”) to become the holding company for the Bank upon completion of the Bank’s conversion from a mutual savings bank to a stock savings bank.  The conversion and the offering were completed on July 19, 2006.

The Bank, a Massachusetts stock savings bank, was organized in 1845 under the name Cabot Savings Bank and adopted its present name in 1854.  The Bank is a full-service, community oriented financial institution offering products and services to individuals and businesses through nine offices located in Western Massachusetts. The Bank’s deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and Depositor’s Insurance Fund (“DIF”) of Massachusetts. The Bank is also a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLB”) and is regulated by the FDIC and the Massachusetts Division of Banks. Chicopee Savings Bank’s business consists primarily of making loans to its customers, including residential mortgages, commercial real estate loans, commercial loans and consumer loans, including home equity loans, and investing in a variety of investments. The Bank funds these lending and investment activities with deposits from the general public, funds generated from operations and borrowings. The Bank also sells residential one-to-four family real estate loans to the secondary market to reduce interest rate risk.  The Bank’s revenues are derived from the generation of interest and fees on loans, interest and dividends on investment securities, fees from its retail banking operation, and investment management.  The Bank’s primary sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and investments, advances from the FHLB and proceeds from loan sales. The Bank also provides access to insurance and investment products through its Financial Services Division.

Available Information

The Company’s website is www.chicopeesavings.com.  The Company makes available free of charge, on or through its website, its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Information on the Company’s website shall not be considered part of this Form 10-K.

Market Area
 
Chicopee Savings Bank is headquartered in Chicopee, Massachusetts.  The Bank’s primary lending and deposit market areas include Hampden and Hampshire Counties in Western Massachusetts. Chicopee is located at the “Crossroads of New England”, the intersection of Interstate 91 and the Massachusetts Turnpike. Interstate 91 is the major north-south highway and Interstate 90 is the major east-west highway that crosses Massachusetts. The city is also bisected by several secondary highways, which include Routes 391, 116, 33 and 141. These roadways provide good access to major highways and centers of employment.  Chicopee is located approximately 90 miles west of Boston, Massachusetts, 80 miles southeast of Albany, New York and 30 miles north of Hartford, Connecticut.

Chicopee is an urban community, which serves as the home of the Westover Air Force Base, which is the nation’s largest Air Force Reserve Base and is a key part of the local economy. More than 2,700 military and civilian workers are assigned to Westover’s 439th Military Airlift Wing. A diversified mix of industry groups also operate within Hampden and Hampshire County, including manufacturing, health care, higher education, whole sale retail trade and service. The economy of our primary market area has benefited from the presence of large employers such as Baystate Health, Big Y Supermarkets, University of Massachusetts, Mass Mutual Financial Group, Hasbro Games, Peter Pan Bus Lines, Friendly’s Ice Cream Corporation, Sisters of Providence Health Systems, Westover Air Force Base, Smith and Wesson, Yankee Candle and Verizon. Other employment and economic activity is provided by financial institutions, nine other colleges and universities, eight other hospitals, and a variety of wholesale and retail trade business. Our market also enjoys a strong tourism business with attractions such as the Eastern States Exposition called the Big E, the largest fair in the northeast, the Basketball Hall of Fame and Six Flags New England.
 
 
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Competition

We face significant competition in attracting deposits and loans. Our most direct competition for deposits has historically come from the several financial institutions and credit unions operating in our market area and, to a lesser extent, from other financial service companies such as brokerage firms and insurance companies.  We also face competition for depositors’ funds from money market funds, mutual funds and other corporate and government securities.  At June 30, 2011, which is the most recent date for which data is available from the FDIC, we held approximately 4.86% of the deposits in Hampden County, which was the 8th largest market share out of the 20 banks and thrifts with offices in Hampden County.  This data does not include deposits held by one of our primary competitors, credit unions, which, as tax-exempt organizations, are able to offer higher rates on deposits than banks.  There are also 18 credit unions headquartered in Hampden County, some of the larger of which are headquartered in Chicopee, Massachusetts.  In addition, banks owned by large super-regional bank holding companies such as Bank of America Corporation, Sovereign Bancorp, Inc., Citizens Financial Group, First Niagara Financial Group, Inc., and TD Bank, Inc. also operate in our market area. These institutions are significantly larger than us and, therefore, have greater resources.

Our competition for loans comes primarily from financial institutions in our market areas, and, to a lesser extent, from other financial service providers such as mortgage companies and mortgage brokers. Competition for loans also comes from the increasing number of non-depository financial service companies entering the mortgage market such as insurance companies, securities companies and specialty finance companies.

We expect competition to increase in the future as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and the continuing trend of consolidation in the financial services industry. Technological advances, for example, have lowered the barriers to market entry, allowed banks and other lenders to expand their geographic reach by providing services over the Internet and made it possible for non-depository institutions to offer products and services that traditionally have been provided by banks.  Changes in federal laws permit affiliation among banks, securities firms and insurance companies, which promotes a competitive environment in the financial services industry. Competition for deposits and the origination of loans could limit our future growth.

Lending Activities

General. The Company’s loan portfolio totaled $447.1 million at December 31, 2011 compared to $433.8 million at December 31, 2010, representing 72.6% and 75.6% of total assets, respectively. In its lending activity, the Company originates one-to-four family real estate loans, commercial real estate loans, residential and commercial construction loans, commercial and industrial loans, home equity lines-of-credit, fixed rate home equity loans and other consumer loans. The Company does not originate loans that generally target 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. While the Company makes loans throughout Massachusetts, most of its lending activities are concentrated in Hampden and Hampshire counties. Loans originated totaled $143.4 million in fiscal year 2011 and $156.4 million in 2010, including residential mortgage loans sold to the secondary market of $18.0 million and $18.2 million, respectively. Servicing rights are retained on all loans originated and sold into the secondary market.

Residential Real Estate Loans. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the residential real estate loan portfolio totaled $123.3 million and $132.7 million, or 27.6% and 30.6% of the total loan portfolio, with an average yield of 5.08% and 5.28%, respectively. This yield calculation includes residential construction loan balances and interest income. Residential real estate loans originated totaled $37.9 million and $40.3 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively, including loans sold to the secondary market. Of the residential real estate loans outstanding at December 31, 2011, $103.9 million, or 84.3%, of the total residential real estate loan portfolio, were adjustable rate loans. Total loans serviced for others as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $80.7 million and $75.8 million, respectively. Residential real estate loans enable borrowers to purchase or refinance existing homes, most of which serve as the primary residence of the owner. We offer fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans with terms up to 30 years. Borrower demand for adjustable-rate loans versus fixed-rate loans is a function of the level of interest rates, the expectations of changes in the level of interest rates, and the difference between the interest rates and loan fees offered for fixed-rate mortgage loans and the initial period interest rates and loan fees for adjustable-rate loans. The relative amount of fixed-rate mortgage loans and adjustable-rate mortgage loans that can be originated at any time is largely determined by the demand for each in a competitive environment. The loan fees, interest rates and other provisions of mortgage loans are determined by the demand for each in a competitive environment.
 
 
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We offer fixed-rate residential real estate loans secured by one-to-four family residences with terms between 10 and 30 years. Management establishes the loan interest rates based on market conditions. Interest rates and payments on our adjustable-rate mortgage loans generally adjust annually after an initial fixed period that ranges from one to 10 years. Interest rates and payments on our adjustable-rate loans generally are adjusted to a rate typically equal to 3.50 percentage points above the one-year constant maturity Treasury index. The maximum amount by which the interest rate on our adjustable-rate mortgage loans may be increased or decreased is generally 2 percentage points per adjustment period and the lifetime interest rate cap is generally 6 percentage points over the initial interest rate of the loan. We also offer adjustable-rate mortgage loans that adjust every three years after an initial three-year fixed period and adjustable-rate mortgage loans that adjust every five years after an initial six-year fixed period. Interest rates and payments on these adjustable-rate loans generally are adjusted to a rate typically equal to 3.50 percentage points above the three- and five-year constant maturity Treasury index.

The largest owner-occupied residential real estate loan was $1.8 million and was performing according to its original terms as of December 31, 2011.

All adjustable-rate mortgage loans are underwritten taking the indexed rate into consideration at each adjustment period until the full cap is reached. A Mass Attorney General Important Disclosure (MA Chapter 93A-Determining Affordability of ARM Loans) is completed for each adjustable rate mortgage request, which calculates the overall debt to income based on the initial principal and interest payment along with real estate taxes, insurance, and other monthly payments due from the borrower and also includes the repricing of these payments at each adjustment up to the maximum caps allowed under the note. This process minimizes the risk of qualification at the time the loan reaches the maximum rate for that product.

Adjustable rate mortgage loans help decrease the risk associated with changes in market interest rates by periodically repricing.  However, upward adjustment of interest rates is limited by the maximum periodic and lifetime interest rate adjustments permitted by our loan documents.  In addition, adjustable rate mortgage loans may increase credit risk because, as interest rates increase, interest payments on adjustable rate loans increase, which increases the potential for defaults by our borrowers.  See “Loan Underwriting Risks” below.

While one-to-four-family residential real estate loans are normally originated with up to 30-year terms, such loans typically remain outstanding for substantially shorter periods because borrowers often prepay their loans in full upon sale of the property pledged as security or upon refinancing the original loan. Therefore, average loan maturity is a function of, among other factors, the level of purchase and sale activity in the real estate market, prevailing interest rates and the interest rates payable on outstanding loans.

We generally do not make conventional loans with loan-to-value ratios exceeding 95% at the time the loan is originated. Conventional loans with loan-to-value ratios in excess of 80% generally require private mortgage insurance or additional collateral. We require all properties securing mortgage loans to be appraised by a board-approved independent appraiser. We generally require title insurance on all first mortgage loans. Borrowers must obtain hazard insurance, and flood insurance for loans on properties located in a flood zone, before closing the loan.

In an effort to provide financing for first-time home buyers, we offer 30-year fixed-rate residential mortgage loans and 10/1 adjustable rate mortgage loans with loan-to-value ratios up to 97%. We offer mortgage loans through this program to qualified individuals and originate the loans using underwriting guidelines as set forth by the Company.

Commercial Real Estate Loans.  At December 31, 2011 and 2010, commercial real estate loans totaled $174.8 million and $162.1 million, or 39.1% and 37.4% of the total loan portfolio, with an average yield of 5.77% and 5.99%, respectively. This yield calculation includes commercial construction and residential investment loan balances and interest income. Our commercial real estate and residential investment loans are generally secured by apartment buildings and properties used for business purposes such as office buildings, industrial facilities and retail facilities. In addition to originating these loans, we also participate in loans with other financial institutions located primarily in Massachusetts.
 
 
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We originate a variety of fixed- and adjustable-rate commercial real estate and residential investment loans for terms up to 20 years. Interest rates and payments on our adjustable-rate loans adjust every one to ten years and generally are adjusted to a rate equal to 2.0% to 3.0% above the corresponding U.S. Treasury rate or FHLB rate. Most of our adjustable-rate commercial real estate and residential investment loans adjust every five years. There are no adjustment period or lifetime interest rate caps. Loan amounts generally do not exceed 80% of the property’s appraised value at the time the loan is originated.

At December 31, 2011, our largest commercial real estate loan was $4.8 million and was secured by an industrial building in Chicopee, Massachusetts. This loan was performing according to the original terms at December 31, 2011.

At December 31, 2011, our exposure to commercial real estate and commercial business loan participations purchased and sold totaled $16.0 million and $13.0 million, respectively. The properties securing these loans are located primarily in Massachusetts.

We also originate land loans primarily to local contractors and developers for making improvements on approved building lots. Such loans are generally written with a maximum 75% loan-to-value ratio based upon the appraised value or purchase price, whichever is less, for a term of up to three years. Interest rates on our land loans are fixed for three years. At December 31, 2011, we had eight land loans totaling $470,000.

Construction Loans. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had $37.3 million and $33.1 million of construction loans outstanding, representing 8.3% and 7.6% of the total loan portfolio, respectively. We originate fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans to individuals and builders to finance the construction of residential dwellings. We also make construction loans for commercial development projects, including apartment buildings, condominiums, small industrial buildings and retail and office buildings. Our construction loans generally provide for the payment of interest only during the construction phase, which is usually 12 to 36 months. At the end of the construction phase, the loan generally converts to a permanent mortgage loan. Loans generally can be made with a maximum loan to value ratio of 80% at the time the loan is originated. Before making a commitment to fund a construction loan, we require an appraisal of the property by an independent licensed appraiser. We also will require an inspection of the property before disbursement of funds during the term of the construction loan.

At December 31, 2011, our largest outstanding residential construction loan was $500,000, of which $480,000 was outstanding. At December 31, 2011, our largest outstanding commercial construction loan was $6.3 million, of which $305,000 was outstanding for the development of an office building. These loans were performing in accordance with their original terms at December 31, 2011.

Commercial and Industrial Loans.  The Company originated $39.0 million and $54.0 million in commercial loans in 2011 and 2010, respectively. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had $79.4 million and $72.8 million in commercial loans, representing 17.8% and 16.8% of the total loan portfolio, with an average yield of 4.39% and 4.59%, respectively. We make commercial business loans primarily in our market area to a variety of professionals, sole proprietorships and small businesses. Commercial lending products include term loans, revolving lines of credit and letters of credit loans. Commercial loans and lines of credit are made with either variable or fixed rates of interest. Variable rates are based on the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal, plus a margin. Fixed-rate business loans are generally indexed to a corresponding U.S. Treasury rate, plus margin, or FHLB, plus margin. The Company generally does not make unsecured commercial loans.

When making commercial loans, we consider the financial statements of the borrower, our lending history with the borrower, the debt service capabilities of the borrower, the projected cash flows of the business and the value of the collateral, primarily accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, and are supported by personal guarantees. Depending on the collateral used to secure the loans, commercial loans are made in amounts of up to 80% of the value of the collateral securing the loan. The collateral securing commercial loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value.  See “Loan Underwriting Risks” below.
 
At December 31, 2011, our largest commercial term loan was a $2.6 million loan secured by real estate located in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, including all assets of the borrower. The loan was performing according to its original terms at December 31, 2011. Our largest lending exposure was a $13.3 million commercial lending relationship, of which $10.0 million was outstanding at December 31, 2011. The loans that comprised this relationship are secured by the assets of the borrower, including commercial real estate. The loans were performing in accordance with their original terms at December 31, 2011.  
 
 
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Consumer Loans. The Company originated $9.3 million and $10.3 million of consumer loans in 2011 and 2010, respectively. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, consumer loans outstanding totaled $32.4 million and $33.1 million, or 7.3% and 7.6%, of the total loan portfolio, with an average yield of 4.52% and 4.85%, respectively. We offer a variety of consumer loans, primarily home equity loans and lines of credit, and, to a much lesser extent, loans secured by automobiles and recreational vehicles and pools and spas and home improvement loans.

The procedures for underwriting consumer loans include an assessment of the applicant’s payment history on other debts and ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan. Although the applicant’s creditworthiness is a primary consideration, the underwriting process also includes a comparison of the value of the collateral, if any, to the proposed loan amount.

We generally offer home equity loans with a maximum combined loan to value ratio of 80% and home equity lines of credit with a maximum combined loan to value ratio of 80%. Home equity lines of credit have adjustable rates of interest that are indexed to the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal. Home equity loans have fixed interest rates and terms that range from five to 20 years.

We offer automobile and recreational vehicle loans secured by new and used vehicles. These loans have fixed interest rates and generally have terms up to six years for new automobiles, five years for used automobiles and four years for recreational vehicles. We also offer fixed-rate pool and spa loans up to $10,000 for terms up to five years.

Loan Underwriting Risks

Adjustable-Rate Loans. While we anticipate adjustable-rate loans will better offset the potential adverse effects of an increase in interest rates as compared to fixed-rate mortgages, the increased mortgage payments required of adjustable-rate loan borrowers in a rising interest rate environment could cause an increase in delinquencies and defaults. The marketability of the underlying property also may be adversely affected in a high interest rate environment. In addition, although adjustable-rate mortgage loans help make our loan portfolio more responsive to changes in interest rates, the extent of this interest sensitivity is limited by the annual and lifetime interest rate adjustment limits.

Commercial Real Estate. Loans secured by commercial real estate and residential investment real estate generally have larger balances and involve a greater degree of risk than one-to four-family residential mortgage loans. Of primary concern in commercial real estate and residential investment lending is the borrower’s creditworthiness and the feasibility and cash flow potential of the project. Payments on loans secured by income properties often depend on successful operation and management of the properties. As a result, repayment of such loans may be subject to a greater extent than residential real estate loans to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. To monitor cash flows on income properties, we generally require borrowers and loan guarantors, if any, to provide annual financial statements and/or tax returns on commercial real estate and residential investment loans. In reaching a decision on whether to make a commercial real estate and residential investment loan, we consider the net operating income of the property, the borrower’s expertise, credit history and profitability and the value of the underlying property. We have generally required that the properties securing these real estate loans have debt service coverage ratios (the ratio of earnings before debt service to debt service) of at least 1.20x; however, this ratio can be lower depending on the amount and type of collateral. Environmental surveys and inspections are obtained when circumstances suggest the possibility of the presence of hazardous materials.
 
 
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We underwrite all loan participations to our own underwriting standards. In addition, we also consider the financial strength and reputation of the lead lender. To monitor cash flows on loan participations, we require the lead lender to provide annual financial statements for the borrower. Generally, we also conduct an annual internal loan review for loan participations.

Construction Loans. Construction financing is generally considered to involve a higher degree of risk of loss than long-term financing on improved, occupied real estate. Risk of loss on a construction loan depends largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction and the estimated cost (including interest) of construction. During the construction phase, a number of factors could result in delays and cost overruns. If the estimate of construction costs proves to be inaccurate, we may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed to permit completion of the building. If the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, we may be confronted, at or before the maturity of the loan, with a building having a value which is insufficient to assure full repayment. If we are forced to foreclose on a building before or at completion due to a default, there can be no assurance that we will be able to recover all of the unpaid balance of, and accrued interest on, the loan as well as related foreclosure and holding costs.

Commercial Loans. Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment or other income, and which are secured by real property the value of which tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial loans are of higher risk and typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial loans may depend substantially on the success of the business itself. Further, any collateral securing such loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value.

Consumer Loans. Consumer loans may entail greater risk than do residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured or secured by assets that depreciate rapidly. In such cases, repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment for the outstanding loan and the remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower. In addition, consumer loan collections depend on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and therefore are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount that can be recovered on such loans.

Loan Originations, Purchases, and Sales.  Loan originations come from a number of sources. The primary sources of loan originations are existing customers, walk-in traffic, advertising and referrals from customers. We advertise on television, on the radio and in newspapers that are widely circulated in Hampden and Hampshire Counties, both in Massachusetts. Accordingly, because our rates are competitive, we attract loans from throughout Hampden and Hampshire Counties. We occasionally purchase participation interests in loans to supplement our origination efforts.

We generally originate loans for our portfolio; however, we generally sell, prior to funding, to the secondary market all newly originated conforming fixed-rate, 10- to 30-year one-to-four-family residential real estate loans. Our decision to sell loans is based on prevailing market interest rate conditions and interest rate risk management. Generally, loans are sold to Freddie Mac with loan servicing retained. In addition, we sell participation interests in commercial real estate loans to local financial institutions, primarily on the portion of loans that exceed our borrowing limits.

Loan Approval Procedures and Authority. Our lending activities follow written, non-discriminatory, underwriting standards and loan origination procedures established by our board of directors and management. Our Board of Directors has granted loan approval authority to certain officers up to prescribed limits, depending on the officer’s experience, the type of loan and whether the loan is secured or unsecured. Loans in excess of the Senior Lending Officer limits ($500,000 for real estate loans, secured consumer loans, and secured and unsecured commercial loans; and $100,000 for unsecured consumer loans.) must be authorized by the President and the Executive Vice President of Lending up to 1.5 times the Senior Lending Officer lending limits. All other extensions of credit exceeding such limitations require the approval of the executive committee, a committee of the Board of Directors of the Bank.
 
 
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Loans to One Borrower. The maximum amount that we may lend to one borrower and the borrower’s related entities generally is limited, by statute, to 20% of our stated capital and reserves. At December 31, 2011, our general regulatory limit on loans to one borrower was $16.1 million. At December 31, 2011, our internal lending limit to one borrower was $8.0 million, unless approved in excess of this amount by the executive committee of the Board of Directors. Our largest lending exposure, as approved by the executive committee, was a $13.3 million commercial loan relationship, of which $10.0 million was outstanding at December 31, 2011. The loans that comprise this relationship were secured by the assets of the borrower, including commercial real estate, and were performing in accordance with their original terms at December 31, 2011. 
 
Loan Commitments. We issue commitments for fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgage loans conditioned upon the occurrence of certain events. Commitments to originate mortgage loans are legally binding agreements to lend to our customers. Generally, our mortgage loan commitments expire after 30 days.

Investment Activities

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 FHLB and certificates of deposit of federally insured institutions. We are also required to maintain an investment in FHLB stock. While we have the authority under applicable law to invest in derivative securities, our investment policy does not permit us to do so and we had no investments in derivative securities at December 31, 2011.

At December 31, 2011, our investment portfolio consisted primarily of short-term U.S Treasury securities, investment-grade corporate and tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds, certificates of deposit, collateralized mortgage obligations, and investment-grade marketable equity securities.

Our investment objectives are to provide and maintain liquidity, to establish an acceptable level of interest rate and credit risk, to provide an alternate source of low-risk investments when demand for loans is weak and to generate a favorable return. The Board of Directors of the Bank has the overall responsibility for approval of our investment policy. The Treasurer is responsible for the implementation of the investment policy. Individual investment transactions are reviewed and approved by our executive committee monthly while portfolio composition and performance are reviewed at least annually by the Board of Directors of the Bank.

Our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer is responsible for ensuring that the investment policy is followed and that all securities are considered prudent for investment. The Chief Financial Officer is authorized to execute transactions up to $3.0 million. All transactions exceeding $3.0 million, and up to $5.0 million maximum, must also be approved by the President and Chief Executive Officer. Any transaction exceeding $5.0 million will require the approval of the Executive Committee.

Deposit Activities and Other Sources of Funds

General.  Deposits, borrowings and loan repayments are the major sources of our funds for lending and other investment purposes. Loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows and loan prepayments are significantly influenced by general interest rates and money market conditions.

Deposits. Substantially all of our depositors are residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Deposits are attracted, by advertising and through our website, from within our market areas through the offering of a broad selection of deposit instruments, including non-interest-bearing demand accounts (such as checking accounts), interest-bearing accounts (such as NOW and money market deposit accounts), regular savings accounts (such as passbook accounts) and certificates of deposit. At December 31, 2011, $37.0 million, or 8.2% of our total deposits were municipal deposits, consisting of six individual municipalities, with an average life of 11.5 years. At December 31, 2011, we did not utilize brokered deposits. Deposit account terms vary according to the minimum balance required, the time periods the funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate, among other factors. In determining the terms of our deposit accounts, we consider the rates offered by our competition, our liquidity needs, profitability to us, matching deposit and loan products and customer preferences and concerns. We generally review our deposit mix and pricing weekly. Our current strategy is to offer competitive rates and price the deposit products depending on our needs for funds and rates on borrowings.  Deposit accounts at the Bank are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC, generally up to a maximum of $250,000 for each separately insured depositor and up to a maximum of $250,000 for self-directed retirement accounts. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, certain noninterest bearing checking accounts have unlimited coverage through December 31, 2012. In addition, as a Massachusetts-chartered savings bank, Chicopee Savings Bank is required to be member of the Massachusetts Depositors Insurance Fund (“DIF”), a corporation that insures savings bank deposits in excess of federal deposit insurance coverage. The combination of FDIC and DIF insurance provides customers of Massachusetts-chartered savings banks with full deposit insurance on all their deposits.
 
 
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Borrowed Funds. We may utilize advances from the FHLB to supplement our supply of investable funds. The FHLB functions as a central reserve bank providing credit for its member financial institutions. As a member, we are required to own capital stock in the FHLB and are authorized to apply for advances on the security of such stock and certain of our whole first real estate loans and other assets (principally securities which are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States), provided certain standards related to creditworthiness have been met. Advances are made under several different programs, each having its own interest rate and range of maturities. Depending on the program, limitations on the amount of advances are based either on a fixed percentage of an institution’s net worth or on the FHLB’s assessment of the institution’s creditworthiness.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are customer deposits that are invested overnight in U.S. Treasury securities. The customers, predominantly commercial customers, set a predetermined balance and deposits in excess of that amount are transferred into the repurchase account from each customer’s checking account. These types of accounts are often referred to as sweep accounts.

Financial Services

We have a partnership with a third-party registered broker-dealer, Linsco/Private Ledger. Through Linsco/Private Ledger, we offer customers a range of non-deposit investment products, including mutual funds, debt, equity and government securities, retirement accounts, insurance products and fixed and variable annuities. We receive a portion of the commissions generated by Linsco/Private Ledger from sales to customers. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we received fees of $232,000, $183,000 and $142,000, respectively, through our relationship with Linsco/Private Ledger.

Subsidiary Activities

Chicopee Bancorp, Inc. conducts its principal business activities through its two wholly-owned subsidiaries: Chicopee Savings Bank and Chicopee Funding Corporation.

Chicopee Funding Corporation. Chicopee Funding Corporation was incorporated in Massachusetts in 2006. Chicopee Bancorp, Inc. contributed funds to Chicopee Funding Corporation to enable it to make a 20-year loan to the employee stock ownership plan to allow it to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock as part of the initial public offering. The Employee Stock Ownership Plan purchased 595,149 shares in the initial public offering, or 8% of the 7,439,368 shares issued in connection with the Bank’s mutual-to-stock conversion.

The following are descriptions of Chicopee Savings Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries:

CSB Colts, Inc. CSB Colts, Inc. was formed in 2003 as a Massachusetts corporation to engage in buying, selling and holding securities on its own behalf. At December 31, 2011, CSB Colts had total assets of $34.3 million consisting primarily of tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds. CSB Colts’ net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $1.3 million. As a Massachusetts securities corporation, the income earned on CSB Colts’ investment securities is subject to a lower state tax rate than that assessed on income earned on investment securities maintained at Chicopee Savings Bank.

CSB Investment Corp. CSB Investment Corp. was formed in 2003 as a Massachusetts corporation to engage in buying, selling and holding securities on its own behalf. At December 31, 2011, CSB Investment had total assets of $10.1 million consisting primarily of certificates of deposit, U.S. Treasury securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, and marketable equity securities. CSB Investment’s net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $173,000. As a Massachusetts securities corporation, the income earned on CSB Investment’s investment securities is subject to a lower state tax rate than that assessed on income earned on investment securities maintained at Chicopee Savings Bank.
 
 
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Cabot Realty L.L.C. Cabot Realty L.L.C. was formed as a Massachusetts limited liability company to hold other real estate owned (“OREO”). At December 31, 2011, Cabot Realty had total assets of $1.3 million consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents of $314,000 and OREO of $913,000. Cabot Realty’s net loss for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $209,000. Cabot Management Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chicopee Savings Bank, has a 1% membership interest in, and Chicopee Savings Bank has a 99% membership interest in, Cabot Realty.

Cabot Management Corporation. Cabot Management Corporation was formed in 1979 as a Massachusetts corporation to acquire and manage interests in real property and to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, lease, finance and dispose of housing facilities. Cabot Management is currently inactive and at December 31, 2011 had total assets of $17,000.

Personnel
 
As of December 31, 2011, we had approximately 118 full-time employees and 12 part-time employees, none of whom is represented by a collective bargaining unit.  We believe we have a good relationship with our employees.

Regulation and Supervision

General

Chicopee Savings Bank is a Massachusetts-chartered stock savings bank and is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Chicopee Bancorp, a Massachusetts corporation and registered bank holding company. Chicopee Savings Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC and by the DIF of Massachusetts for amounts in excess of the FDIC insurance limits. Chicopee Savings Bank is subject to extensive regulation by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, as its chartering agency, and by the FDIC, as its primary federal regulator and deposit insurer. Chicopee Savings 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. As a registered bank holding company, Chicopee Bancorp is regulated by the Federal Reserve Board.  This regulation and supervision 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 with respect to the establishment of deposit insurance assessment fees, the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. Any change in such regulatory requirements and policies, whether by the Massachusetts legislature, the Massachusetts Commission of Banks, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board or Congress, could have a material adverse impact on the financial condition and results of operations of Chicopee Bancorp and Chicopee Savings Bank. As further described below under “The Dodd-Frank Act”, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”, or the “Act”), is significantly changing the bank regulatory structure and affecting the lending, investing, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies.
 
Set forth below is a brief description of certain regulatory requirements applicable to Chicopee Bancorp and Chicopee Savings Bank. The description below is limited to certain material aspects of the statutes and regulations addressed, and is not intended to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations and their effects on Chicopee Bancorp and Chicopee Savings Bank.

The Dodd-Frank Act
 
The Dodd-Frank Act, which became effective on July 21, 2010, is significantly changing the current bank regulatory structure.  As the Act is implemented, it is resulting in far-reaching changes across the financial regulatory landscape, including, among other things:
 
 
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A requirement that the Federal Reserve Board set minimum capital levels for bank holding companies that are as stringent as those required for insured depository institutions.  The Act also restricts the components of Tier 1 capital to instruments that are currently considered to be Tier 1 capital for insured depository institutions.
   
An exclusion of the proceeds of trust preferred securities from Tier 1 capital, unless such securities were issued prior to May 19, 2010 by bank or savings and loan holding companies with less than $15 billion of assets.
   
The establishment of a floor for capital of insured depository institutions that cannot be lower than the standards in effect on July 21, 2010, and a requirement that the federal banking regulators implement new leverage and capital requirements.  These new leverage and capital requirements must take into account off-balance sheet activities and other risks, including risks relating to securitized products and derivatives.
   
New rules promulgated by the FDIC under which assessments are based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution, rather than on deposits.
   
A permanent increase in the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2008, and unlimited deposit insurance on non-interest bearing transaction accounts through December 31, 2012.
   
A requirement that originators of certain securitized loans retain a portion of the credit risk.  The Act also established reforms on mortgage loan origination and mandated regulatory rate-setting for certain debit card interchange fees.
   
A repeal of a federal prohibition on the payment of interest on business transaction and other demand accounts.
   
Provisions increasing 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 Act also directs the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to bank holding company executives, regardless of whether the company is publicly traded.
   
The elimination of the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the regulation of federal savings associations by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the primary federal regulator for national banks). The Dodd-Frank Act also authorized the Federal Reserve Board to supervise and regulate all savings and loan holding companies.
   
The creation of a new agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, responsible for implementing, examining and enforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws and  having the authority to promulgate rules intended to protect consumers in the financial product and services market. Institutions under $10 billion in assets, such as Chicopee Savings Bank, will continue to be examined for consumer compliance by the primary banking regulatory.  However, the creation of this independent bureau could result in new regulatory requirements and raise the cost of regulatory compliance.
 
It is difficult to predict at this time the full impact the new legislation and implementing regulations will have on community banks such as Chicopee Savings Bank, including the lending and credit practices of such banks.  Moreover, many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act have delayed effective dates and the legislation requires various federal agencies to promulgate numerous and extensive implementing regulations over the next few years.  Although the full substance and scope of these regulations cannot be determined at this time, it is expected that the legislation and implementing regulations will increase our operating and compliance costs.
 
 
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Massachusetts Banking Laws and Supervision

General. As a Massachusetts-chartered stock savings bank, Chicopee Savings 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, Chicopee Savings Bank is subject to Massachusetts consumer protection and civil rights laws and regulations. The approval of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks or the Board of Bank Incorporation is required for a Massachusetts-chartered bank to establish or close branches, merge with other financial institutions, organize a holding company, issue stock and undertake certain other activities.

Massachusetts regulations generally allow Massachusetts banks to engage in activities permissible for federally chartered banks or banks chartered by another state. The Commissioner also has adopted procedures reducing regulatory burdens and expense and expediting branching by well-capitalized and well-managed banks.

Dividends. A Massachusetts stock bank may declare from net profits cash dividends not more frequently than quarterly and non-cash dividends at any time. No dividends may be declared, credited or paid if the bank’s capital stock is impaired. 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. Dividends from Chicopee Bancorp, Inc. may depend, in part, upon receipt of dividends from the Bank. The payment of dividends from the Bank to the Company may be additionally restricted if the payment of such dividends resulted in the Bank failing to meet regulatory capital requirements. At December 31, 2011, the Bank’s levels of capitalization were above the standards to be rated “well-capitalized” by regulatory authorities. There were no dividends declared from the Bank to the Company in 2011. As of December 31, 2010, a total of $8.0 million in dividends were declared from the Bank to the Company.

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 20 percent of the total of the bank’s capital and reserves.

Loans to a Bank’s Insiders. The Massachusetts banking laws prohibit any executive officer, director or trustee 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 or trustee of the bank who is not also an officer of the bank in an amount permissible under the bank’s 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 savings bank.

Investment Activities.  In general, Massachusetts-chartered savings 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 4.0% of the bank’s deposits. Federal law imposes additional restrictions on Chicopee Savings Bank’s investment activities.  See “—Federal Regulations—Investment Activities”.

Regulatory Enforcement Authority. Any Massachusetts 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 bank’s business in a manner which is unsafe, unsound 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. In addition, Massachusetts consumer protection and civil rights statutes applicable to Chicopee Savings 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 attorney’s fees in the case of certain violations of those statutes.
 
 
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Depositors Insurance Fund. All Massachusetts-chartered savings banks are required to be members of the DIF, a corporation that insures savings bank deposits in excess of federal deposit insurance coverage. The DIF is authorized to charge savings banks an annual assessment fee on deposit balances in excess of amounts insured by the FDIC.

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, discussed below under “—Federal Regulations—Privacy Regulations”, that require organizations to establish written information security programs to prevent identity theft. However, unlike federal regulations, 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 the federal provisions discussed below.

Federal Regulations

Capital Requirements. Under the FDIC’s regulations, federally insured state-chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System (“state non-member banks”), such as Chicopee Savings Bank, are required to comply with minimum leverage capital requirements. For an institution determined by the FDIC to not be anticipating or experiencing significant growth and to be, in general, a strong banking organization rated composite 1 under Uniform Financial Institutions Ranking System established by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, the minimum capital leverage requirement is a ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets of 3.0%. For all other institutions, the minimum leverage capital ratio is not less than 4.0%. Tier 1 capital is the sum of common stockholder’s equity, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock (including any related surplus) and minority investments in certain subsidiaries, less intangible assets (except for certain servicing rights and credit card relationships) and certain other specified items.

In addition, FDIC regulations require state non-member banks to maintain certain ratios of regulatory capital to regulatory risk-weighted assets, or “risk-based capital ratios.” Risk-based capital ratios are determined by allocating assets and specified off-balance sheet items to four risk-weighted categories ranging from 0.0% to 100.0%. State non-member banks must maintain a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, of which at least one-half must be Tier 1 capital. Total capital consists of Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 or supplementary capital items, which include allowances for loan losses in an amount of up to 1.25% of risk-weighted assets, cumulative preferred stock and certain other capital instruments, and a portion of the net unrealized gain on equity securities. The includable amount of Tier 2 capital cannot exceed the amount of the institution’s Tier 1 capital.
 
Standards for Safety and Soundness As required by statute, the federal banking agencies adopted final regulations and Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safety and Soundness to implement safety and soundness standards. The 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. The guidelines address internal controls and information systems, internal audit system, credit underwriting, loan documentation, interest rate exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings and compensation, fees and benefits. Most recently, the agencies have established standards for safeguarding customer information. 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.
 
Investment Activities.  Since the enactment of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act, all state-chartered FDIC-insured banks, including savings banks, have generally been limited in their investment activities to principal and equity investments of the type and in the amount authorized for national banks, notwithstanding state law. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act and the FDIC regulations permit exceptions to these limitations. For example, state chartered banks may, with FDIC approval, continue to exercise state authority to invest in common or preferred stocks listed on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ Global Market and in the shares of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The maximum permissible investment is 100.0% of Tier 1 Capital, as specified by the FDIC’s regulations, or the maximum amount permitted by Massachusetts law, whichever is less. Chicopee Savings Bank received approval from the FDIC to retain and acquire such equity instruments equal to the lesser of 100% of Chicopee Savings Banks’ Tier 1 capital or the maximum permissible amount specified by Massachusetts law. Any such grandfathered authority may be terminated upon the FDIC’s determination that such investments pose a safety and soundness risk or upon the occurrence of certain events such as the savings bank’s conversion to a different charter. In addition, the FDIC is authorized to permit such institutions 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 Bank 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 specifies that a non-member 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.
 
 
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Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action. Federal law requires, among other things, that federal bank regulatory authorities take “prompt corrective action” with respect to banks that do not meet minimum capital requirements. For these purposes, the law establishes five capital categories: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized.

The FDIC has adopted regulations to implement the prompt corrective action legislation. An institution is deemed to be “well capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater and a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater. An institution is “adequately capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or greater, and generally a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater. An institution is “undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0%, or generally a leverage ratio of less than 4.0%. An institution is deemed to be “significantly undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3.0%, or a leverage ratio of less than 3.0%. An institution is considered to be “critically undercapitalized” if it has a ratio of tangible equity (as defined in the regulations) to total assets that is equal to or less than 2.0%.

“Undercapitalized” banks must adhere to growth, capital distribution (including dividend) and other limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan. A bank’s compliance with such a plan is required to be guaranteed by any company that controls the undercapitalized institution in an amount equal to the lesser of 5.0% of the institution’s total assets when deemed undercapitalized or the amount necessary to achieve the status of adequately capitalized. If an “undercapitalized” bank fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is “significantly undercapitalized.” “Significantly undercapitalized” banks must comply with one or more of a number of additional restrictions, including but not limited to an order by the FDIC to sell sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized, requirements to reduce total assets, cease receipt of deposits from correspondent banks or dismiss directors or officers, and restrictions on interest rates paid on deposits, compensation of executive officers and capital distributions by the parent holding company. “Critically undercapitalized” institutions are subject to additional measures including, subject to a narrow exception, the appointment of a receiver or conservator within 270 days after it obtains such status.

Transactions with Affiliates. Transactions between banks and their related parties or affiliates are limited by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. An affiliate of a bank is any company or entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the bank. In a holding company context, the parent bank holding company and any companies which are controlled by such parent holding company are affiliates of the bank. Generally, Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation W (i) limit the extent to which the bank or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10.0% of such institution’s capital stock and surplus, and contain an aggregate limit on all such transactions with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20.0% of such institution’s capital stock and surplus and (ii) require that all such transactions be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable, to the institution or subsidiary as those provided to non-affiliates. The term “covered transaction” includes the making of loans, purchase of assets, issuance of a guarantee and other similar transactions. In addition, loans or other extensions of credit by the financial institution to the affiliate are required to be collateralized in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 generally prohibits loans by a company to its executive officers and directors. However, the law contains a specific exception for loans by a depository institution to its executive officers and directors in compliance with federal banking laws assuming such loans are also permitted under the law of the institution’s chartering state. Under such laws, the Bank’s authority to extend credit to executive officers, directors and 10% shareholders (“insiders”), as well as entities such person’s control, is limited. The law limits both the individual and aggregate amount of loans the Bank may make to insiders based, in part, on the Bank’s capital position and requires certain board approval procedures to be followed. Such loans are required to be made on terms substantially the same as those offered to unaffiliated individuals and not involve more than the normal risk of repayment. There is an exception for loans made pursuant to a benefit or compensation program that is widely available to all employees of the institution and does not give preference to insiders over other employees. Loans to executive officers are further limited by specific categories.
 
 
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Enforcement. The FDIC has extensive enforcement authority over insured state savings banks, including Chicopee Savings Bank. This enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, issue cease and desist orders and remove directors and officers. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated in response to violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices. The FDIC has authority under federal law to appoint a conservator or receiver for an insured bank under limited circumstances. 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 institution under specific circumstances on the basis of the institution’s financial condition or upon the occurrence of other events, 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; and (4) insufficient capital, or the incurring of losses that will deplete substantially all of the institution’s capital with no reasonable prospect of replenishment without federal assistance.

Federal Insurance of Deposit Accounts. Deposit accounts at Chicopee Savings Bank are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC, generally up to a maximum of $250,000 for each separately insured depositor and up to a maximum of $250,000 for self-directed retirement accounts.  Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, certain noninterest bearing checking accounts have unlimited coverage through December 31, 2012.
 
The FDIC imposes an assessment for deposit insurance on all depository institutions.  Under the FDIC’s risk-based assessment system, insured institutions are assigned to risk categories based on supervisory evaluations, regulatory capital levels and certain other factors.  An institution’s assessment rate depends upon the category to which it is assigned and certain adjustments specified by FDIC regulations, with institutions deemed less risky paying lower rates.  Assessment rates (inclusive of possible adjustments) currently range from 2½ to 45 basis points of each institution’s total assets less tangible capital.  The FDIC may revise the scale uniformly, except that no adjustment can deviate more than two basis points from the base scale without notice and comment rulemaking.  The FDIC’s current system represents a change, required by the Dodd-Frank Act, from its prior practice of basing the assessment on an institution’s volume of deposits.
 
In 2009, the FDIC, in response to pressures on the Deposit Insurance Fund caused by bank and savings association failures, required all insured depository institutions to prepay their estimated assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012.  On December 31, 2009, Chicopee Savings bank prepaid $1.8 million in estimated fees for 2010 through 2012.  The prepayment was recorded as a prepaid expense at December 31, 2009 and is being amortized to expense over three years.  Any unused prepaid assessments would be returned to the institution in June 2013.
 
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 FDIC and the FDIC has exercised that discretion by establishing a long term fund ratio of 2%.
 
 
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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 Chicopee Savings Bank.  Management cannot predict what assessment rates will be in the future.
 
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. During the year ended December 31, 2011, Chicopee Savings Bank paid $39,000 in fees related to the FICO.

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 know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of Chicopee Savings Bank’s deposit insurance.

Privacy Regulations. Pursuant to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the FDIC has published final regulations implementing the privacy protection provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The regulations generally require that Chicopee Savings Bank disclose its privacy policy, including identifying with whom it shares a customer’s “non-public personal information,” to customers at the time of establishing the customer relationship and annually thereafter. In addition, Chicopee Savings Bank is required to provide its customers with the ability to “opt-out” of having their personal information shared with unaffiliated third parties and not to disclose account numbers or access codes to non-affiliated third parties for marketing purposes. Chicopee Savings Bank currently has a privacy protection policy in place and believes that such policy is in compliance with the regulations.

Community Reinvestment Act. Under the Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, as amended and as implemented by FDIC regulations, a bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with its safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s 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 bank, to assess the institution’s 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 institution’s CRA performance utilizing a four-tiered descriptive rating system. Chicopee Savings Bank’s latest FDIC CRA rating was “Outstanding.”

Massachusetts has its own statutory counterpart to the CRA which is also applicable to Chicopee Savings 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 bank’s 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. Chicopee Savings Bank’s most recent rating under Massachusetts law was “Outstanding.”

Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Board regulations require savings institutions to maintain non-interest earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (NOW) and regular checking accounts).  The regulations generally provide that reserves be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts as follows: a 3% reserve ratio is assessed on net transaction accounts up to and including $71.0 million; a 10% reserve ratio is applied above $71.0 million.  The first $11.5 million of otherwise reservable balances are exempt from the reserve requirements.  The amounts are adjusted annually.  Chicopee Savings Bank complies with the foregoing requirements.
 
 
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Federal Home Loan Bank System.  Chicopee Savings 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, Chicopee Savings Bank is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank.  As of December 31, 2011, Chicopee Savings Bank was in compliance with this requirement with an investment in stock of the FHLB at December 31, 2011 of $4.5 million.
 
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston suspended its dividend payment for the first quarter of 2009 until the first quarter of 2011. During the second quarter of 2011 the FHLB announced that the dividends suspension would cease and dividends would be paid to shareholders throughout 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company received $13,000 in dividend income from its FHLB stock investment.
 
Holding Company Regulation

Federal Bank Holding Company Regulation.  Chicopee Bancorp is subject to examination, regulation, and periodic reporting under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, as administered by the Federal Reserve Board. Chicopee 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 would be required for Chicopee 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 addition to the approval of the Federal Reserve Board, before any bank acquisition can be completed, prior approval may also be required to be obtained from other agencies having supervisory jurisdiction over the bank to be acquired.

A bank holding company is generally prohibited from engaging in, 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.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 authorizes a bank holding company that meets specified conditions, including being “well capitalized” and “well managed,” to opt to become a “financial holding company” and thereby engage in a broader array of financial activities than previously permitted. Such activities can include insurance underwriting and investment banking.

Chicopee Bancorp is subject to the Federal Reserve Board’s capital adequacy guidelines for bank holding companies (on a consolidated basis) structured similarly to those of the FDIC for Chicopee Savings Bank.  The capital adequacy guidelines for bank holding companies have historically allowed certain instruments to be included in Tier 1 capital that are not includable in Tier 1 capital at the bank level.  The Dodd-Frank Act requires the Federal Reserve Board to revise their holding company capital standards so that they are no less stringent than those applicable to the subsidiary financial institutions themselves, including restricting Tier 1 Capital instruments to those permissible for the institution.  The Federal Reserve Board has not yet adopted the revised standards.

A bank holding company is generally required to give the Federal Reserve Board prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of then outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more of the company’s consolidated net worth. The Federal Reserve Board may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe and unsound practice, or would violate any law, regulation, Federal Reserve Board order or directive, or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board has adopted an exception to this approval requirement for well-capitalized bank holding companies that meet certain other conditions.
 
 
17

 

In addition, the Federal Reserve Board has issued a policy statement regarding the payment of dividends by bank holding companies. In general, the Federal Reserve Board’s policies provide that dividends should be paid only out of current earnings and only if the prospective rate of earnings retention by the bank holding company appears consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. The Federal Reserve Board’s policies also require that a bank holding company serve as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary banks by standing ready to use available resources to provide adequate capital funds to those banks during periods of financial stress or adversity and by maintaining the financial flexibility and capital-raising capacity to obtain additional resources for assisting its subsidiary banks where necessary. Under the prompt corrective action laws, the ability of a bank holding company to pay dividends may be restricted if a subsidiary bank becomes undercapitalized. These regulatory policies could affect the ability of Chicopee Bancorp to pay dividends or otherwise engage in capital distributions.

Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, depository institutions are liable to the FDIC for losses suffered or anticipated by the FDIC in connection with the default of a commonly controlled depository institution or any assistance provided by the FDIC to such an institution in danger of default. This law would have potential applicability if Chicopee Bancorp ever held as a separate subsidiary a depository institution in addition to Chicopee Savings Bank.

Chicopee Bancorp and Chicopee Savings Bank will be affected by the monetary and fiscal policies of various agencies of the United States Government, including the Federal Reserve System. In view of changing conditions in the national economy and in the money markets, it is impossible for management to accurately predict future changes in monetary policy or the effect of such changes on the business or financial condition of Chicopee Bancorp or Chicopee Savings Bank.

The status of Chicopee Bancorp as a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act will not exempt it from certain federal and state laws and regulations applicable to corporations generally, including, without limitation, certain provisions of the federal securities laws.

Massachusetts Holding Company Regulation.  Under the Massachusetts banking laws, a company owning or controlling two or more banking institutions, including a savings 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 Division; and (iii) is subject to examination by the Division. Chicopee Bancorp would become a Massachusetts bank holding company if it acquires a second banking institution and holds and operates it separately from Chicopee Savings Bank.
 
Federal Securities Laws. Our common stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We are subject to information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions, and other requirements under the Exchange Act.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Name
Principal Position
 
     
William J. Wagner
President and Chief Executive Officer of Chicopee Bancorp and Chicopee Savings Bank
 
     
Guida R. Sajdak
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Chicopee Bancorp and Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Chicopee Savings Bank
 
     
Russell J. Omer
Executive Vice President of Chicopee Bancorp and Executive Vice President, Lending, of Chicopee Savings Bank
 
 
Below is information regarding our executive officers who are not also Directors.  Unless otherwise stated, each executive officer has held his or her position for at least the last five years.  Ages presented are as of December 31, 2011.
 
 
18

 

Russell J. Omer has served as Executive Vice President of Chicopee Bancorp since December 2008, and Senior Vice President of Chicopee Bancorp since 2006, and Senior Vice President, Lending, since 1998. Age 61.

Guida R. Sajdak was appointed Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company and Bank effective July 1, 2010.  Ms. Sajdak has been employed by the Bank since 1989. Prior to her most recent appointment, Ms. Sajdak held the title of Senior Vice President of Finance. Age 38.
 
Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

Our increased emphasis on commercial real estate and commercial business lending may expose us to increased lending risks. At December 31, 2011, our loan portfolio included $174.8 million of commercial real estate loans, equaling 39.1% of total loans, and $79.4 million of commercial business loans, equaling 17.8% of total loans. We have grown these loan portfolios in recent years and intend to continue to grow commercial real estate and commercial loans. These types of loans generally expose a lender to greater risk of non-payment and loss than one-to-four-family residential real estate loans because repayment of the loans often depends on the successful operation of the property and the income stream of the borrowers. Such loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers compared to one-to-four-family residential real estate loans. Commercial business loans expose us to additional risks since they typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayments from the cash flow of the borrower’s business and are secured by non-real estate collateral that may depreciate over time. In addition, since such loans generally entail greater risk than one-to-four-family residential real estate loans, we may need to increase our allowance for loan losses in the future to account for the likely increase in probable credit losses associated with the growth of such loans. Also, many of our commercial borrowers have more than one loan outstanding with us. Consequently, an adverse development with respect to one loan or one credit relationship can expose us to a significantly greater risk of loss compared to an adverse development with respect to a one-to-four-family residential mortgage loan.

The Dodd-Frank Act, among other things, tightened capital standards, created a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and will continue to result in new rules and regulations that are expected to increase our costs of operations.  The Dodd-Frank Act is significantly changing the current bank regulatory structure and affecting the lending, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies.  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 insured depository institutions, and the components of Tier 1 capital must be restricted to capital instruments that are currently considered to be Tier 1 capital for insured depository institutions.  Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the proceeds of trust preferred securities are excluded from Tier 1 capital unless such securities were issued prior to May 19, 2010 by bank or savings and loan holding companies with less than $15 billion of assets.  The legislation also established a floor for capital of insured depository institutions that cannot be lower than the standards in effect today.  It also directs 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 also creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws.  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions such as Chicopee Savings Bank, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices.  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 will be examined by their applicable bank regulators.  The new legislation also weakens the federal preemption available for national banks and federal savings banks, and gives state attorneys general the ability to enforce applicable federal consumer protection laws.  For additional changes under the Dodd-Frank Act, see “Regulation and Supervision—The Dodd-Frank Act.
 
It is difficult to predict at this time the full impact that the Dodd-Frank Act and its implementing regulations will have on community banks, including the lending and credit practices of such banks.  Moreover, many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act are not yet in effect, and the legislation requires various federal agencies to promulgate numerous and extensive implementing regulations over the next few years.  Although the substance and scope of these regulations cannot be determined at this time, it is expected that the legislation and implementing regulations may materially increase our operating and compliance costs.
 
 
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Negative developments in the financial industry and the domestic and international credit markets may adversely affect our operations and results.  Since the latter half of 2007, negative developments in the global credit and securitization markets have resulted in uncertainty in the financial markets and a general economic downturn which has continued into 2011.  The economic downturn was accompanied by deteriorated loan portfolio quality at many institutions, including Chicopee Savings Bank.  In addition, the value of real estate collateral supporting many home mortgages has declined and may continue to decline.  Bank and bank holding company stock prices have been negatively affected, as has the ability of banks and bank holding companies to raise capital or borrow in the debt markets. These negative developments along with the turmoil and uncertainties that have accompanied them have heavily influenced the formulation and enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act, along with its implications as described elsewhere in this “Risk Factors” section.  In addition to the many future implementing rules and regulations of the Dodd-Frank Act, the potential exists for other new federal or state laws and regulations regarding lending and funding practices and liquidity standards to be enacted. Bank regulatory agencies are expected to continue to be active in responding to concerns and trends identified in examinations. Negative developments in the financial industry and the domestic and international credit markets, and the impact of new legislation in response to those developments, may negatively impact our operations by increasing our costs, restricting our business operations, including our ability to originate or sell loans, and adversely impact our financial performance. In addition, these risks could affect the value of our loan portfolio as well as the value of our investment portfolio, which would also negatively affect our financial performance.

A downturn in the local economy or a decline in real estate values could decrease our profits. Nearly all of our real estate loans are secured by real estate in Hampden County. As a result of this concentration, a downturn in the local economy could cause significant increases in non-performing loans, which would decrease our profits. Additionally, a decrease in asset quality could require additions to our allowance for loan losses through increased provisions for loan losses, which would hurt our profits. A continued decline in real estate values could cause some of our mortgage loans to become inadequately collateralized, which would expose us to a greater risk of loss. In addition, because we have a significant amount of commercial real estate loans, decreases in tenant occupancy may also have a negative effect on the ability of many of our borrowers to make timely repayments on their loans, which would have an adverse impact on our earnings.

The building of market share through our branching strategy could cause our expenses to increase faster than revenues. We intend to continue to build market share in Hampden County, Massachusetts and surrounding areas through our branching strategy. Our business plan currently contemplates that we will establish additional branches, if market conditions are favorable. There are considerable costs involved in opening branches and new branches generally require a period of time to generate the necessary revenues to offset their costs, especially in areas in which we do not have an established presence. Accordingly, any new branch can be expected to negatively impact our earnings for some period of time until the branch reaches certain economies of scale. Our expenses could be further increased if we encounter delays in the opening of any of our new branches. Finally, we have no assurance our new branches will be successful even after they have been established.

Changes in interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.  Our results of operations and financial condition are significantly affected by changes in interest rates.  Our results of operations depend substantially on our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and the interest expense we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings.  Because our interest-earning assets generally reprice or mature more quickly than our interest-bearing liabilities, an increase in interest rates generally would tend to result in an increase in net interest income.

Changes in interest rates may also affect the average life of loans and mortgage-related securities. Decreases in interest rates can result in increased prepayments of loans and mortgage-related securities, as borrowers refinance to reduce their borrowing costs.  Under these circumstances, we are subject to reinvestment risk to the extent that we are unable to reinvest the cash received from such prepayments at rates that are comparable to the rates on existing loans and securities. Additionally, increases in interest rates may decrease loan demand and make it more difficult for borrowers to repay adjustable rate loans. Also, increases in interest rates may extend the life of fixed-rate assets, which would restrict our ability to reinvest in higher yielding alternatives, and may result in customers withdrawing certificates of deposit early so long as the early withdrawal penalty is less than the interest they could receive as a result of the higher interest rates.

Changes in interest rates also affect the current fair value of our interest-earning securities portfolio.  Generally, the value of securities moves inversely with changes in interest rates.
 
 
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Additionally, a majority of our single-family mortgage loans held for investment are adjustable-rate loans.  Any rise in market interest rates may result in increased payments for borrowers who have adjustable rate mortgage loans, increasing the possibility of default.

For further discussion of how changes in interest rates could impact us, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Risk Management—Interest Rate Risk Management.”

Historically low interest rates may adversely affect our net interest income and profitability. During the past three years it has been the policy of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve Board”) to maintain interest rates at historically low levels through its targeted federal funds rate and the purchase of mortgage-backed securities. As a result, market rates on the loans we have originated and the yields on securities we have purchased have been at lower levels than available prior to 2008. As a general matter, our interest-bearing liabilities reprice or mature more quickly than our interest-earning assets, which has resulted in increases in net interest income as interest rates decreased. However, our ability to lower our interest expense is limited at these interest rate levels while the average yield on our interest-earning assets may continue to decrease. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has indicated its intention to maintain low interest rates until at least late 2014. Accordingly, our net interest income (the difference between interest income earned on assets and interest expense paid on liabilities) may be adversely affected and may even decrease, which may have an adverse effect on our profitability.

If our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings will decrease. We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans.  In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, we review our loans and our loss and delinquency experience, and we evaluate economic conditions.  If our assumptions are incorrect, our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover probable losses in our loan portfolio, resulting in additions to our allowance.  Our allowance for loan losses was 1.02% of total loans at December 31, 2011. Material additions to our allowance could materially decrease our net income. In addition, bank regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs.  Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs as required by these regulatory authorities might have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Strong competition within our market area could hurt our profits and slow growth. We face intense competition both in making loans and attracting deposits. This competition has made it more difficult for us to make new loans and attract deposits. Price competition for loans and deposits might result in us earning less on our loans and paying more on our deposits, which reduces net interest income. As of June 30, 2011, we held 4.86% of the deposits in Hampden County, which was the 8th largest market share of deposits out of the 20 financial institutions in the county. This data does not include deposits held by one of our primary competitors, credit unions, which, as tax-exempt organizations, are able to offer higher rates on retail deposits than banks. There are 18 credit unions headquartered in Hampden County, some of the larger of which are headquartered in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Some of the institutions with which we compete have substantially greater resources and lending limits than we have and may offer services that we do not provide. We expect competition to increase in the future as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and the continuing trend of consolidation in the financial services industry. Our profitability depends upon our continued ability to compete successfully in our market area.

Our low return on equity may negatively affect our stock price. Net income divided by average equity, known as “return on equity,” is a ratio many investors use to compare the performance of a financial institution to its peers. Our return on equity was reduced due to the large amount of capital that we raised in our 2006 stock offering and to expenses we will incur in pursuing our growth strategies, the costs of being a public company and added expenses associated with our employee stock ownership plan and equity incentive plan. Until we can increase our net interest income and non-interest income, we expect our return on equity to be below that of our peers, which may negatively affect the value of our common stock.  For the twelve months ended December 31, 2011, our return on average equity was 1.20%.
 
 
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Our contribution to Chicopee Savings Charitable Foundation may not be fully tax deductible, which could decrease our profits. We made a contribution to the Chicopee Savings Charitable Foundation (“the Foundation”) valued at $5.5 million, pre-tax, at the time of our initial public offering. The Internal Revenue Service has granted tax-exempt status to the Foundation. The amount of the tax deduction related to the Foundation is limited to 10% of taxable income each year, but can be carried forward until 2012. We may not have sufficient income to be able to fully deduct the contribution. As a result of our analysis of whether it is “more likely than not” we will be unable to fully deduct the contribution, we have established a valuation allowance of $1.7 million, or $1.8 million including a capital loss carryforward valuation allowance related to the deferred tax asset that has been recorded for this contribution. As of December 31, 2011, the contribution carryforward from 2006 expired and the associated deferred tax asset and related valuation reserve were reversed.

Our information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security.  We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. Any failure, interruption, or breach in security or operational integrity of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in our customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan, and other systems. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption, or security breach of our information systems, we cannot assure you that any such failures, interruptions, or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions, or security breaches of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our earnings have been negatively affected by the reduction in dividends paid by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. The Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Boston did not pay any dividends during the years 2009 and 2010. Although the FHLB of Boston began paying a dividend again in 2011, the dividends paid for 2011 were equal to annualized rate of 30 basis points per share, far below the dividend paid by the FHLB of Boston prior to 2009. The failure of the FHLB of Boston to pay full dividends for any quarter will reduce our earnings during that quarter.


Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments.

Not applicable.

Item 2. Properties.

We conduct our business through our main office in Chicopee, Massachusetts, eight full service branch offices and our lending and operation center. Of our nine locations, we own six and lease three of the buildings. We also own the land for the five of the six buildings we own. For one of our branches we own the building and lease the land. The net book value of our land, buildings, and improvements was $8.9 million at December 31, 2011. The following table sets forth ownership and lease information for the Company’s offices as of December 31, 2011:
 
 
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Location
 
Year Opened
   
Lease Expires
 
Owned
               
 
Main Office:
             
   
70 Center Street
 
1973
       
   
Chicopee, MA 01013
           
 
Branch Offices:
             
   
39 Morgan Road
 
2005
       
   
West Springfield, MA 01089
           
                 
   
569 East Street
 
1976
       
   
Chicopee, MA 01020
           
                 
   
435 Burnett Road
 
1990
       
   
Chicopee, MA 01020
           
                 
   
219/229 Exchange Street
  2009/1998        
   
Chicopee, MA 01013
           
                 
Leased
               
   
599 Memorial Drive
  1977     2012 (1)  
   
Chicopee, MA 01020
           
                 
   
477A Center Street
  2002     2022  
   
Ludlow, MA 01056
           
                 
   
350 Palmer Road
  2009     2027  
   
Ware, MA 01082
           
                 
   
32 Willimansett Street
  2008     2027 (2)  
   
South Hadley, MA 01075
           
 
(1) Chicopee Savings Bank has renewed for an additional five years.
(2) The lease is for the land only, the building is owned by Chicopee Savings Bank.
 
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

Periodically, we are involved in routine litigation incidental to our business, such as claims to enforce liens and contracts, condemnation proceedings on properties in which we hold security interests, claims involving the making and servicing of real property loans and other issues incident to our business. We are not a party to any pending legal proceedings that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

           Not applicable.
 
 
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PART II

Item 5.  Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

On July 20, 2006, Chicopee Bancorp, Inc. common stock commenced trading on the NASDAQ Global Market (“NASDAQ”). Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol “CBNK.”  The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices of the common stock for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, as reported by NASDAQ. The Company did not pay any dividend to shareholders during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
 
   
High
   
Low
     
High
   
Low
 
                           
2011
           
2010
           
First Quarter
  $ 14.45     $ 12.60  
First Quarter
  $ 12.95     $ 11.85  
Second Quarter
    14.69       13.91  
Second Quarter
    13.10       11.01  
Third Quarter
    14.38       12.58  
Third Quarter
    11.45       10.79  
Fourth Quarter
    14.10       13.00  
Fourth Quarter
    12.73       11.25  
 
Chicopee Bancorp’s ability to pay dividends is dependent on dividends received from Chicopee Savings Bank. For a discussion of restrictions on the payment of cash dividends by Chicopee Savings Bank, see “Business—Regulation and Supervision—Massachusetts Banking Laws and Supervision—Dividends” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on Chicopee Bancorp common stock with the cumulative total return on the NASDAQ Index (U.S. Companies) and with the SNL Thrift <$500M Index.  The graph assumes $100 was invested at the close of business on December 31, 2006.
 
   Chart

 
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Shareholders and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

As of March 6, 2012, the Company had approximately 686 registered holders of record of the Company’s common stock.

The following table provides information regarding the Company’s purchase of its equity securities during the three months ended December 31, 2011.
 
               
(c)
   
(d)
 
               
Total Number of
   
Maximum Number
 
               
Shares
   
(or Approximate
 
   
(a)
   
(b)
   
(or Units)
   
Dollar Value) of
 
   
Total Number
   
Average Price
   
Purchased as Part
   
Shares (or Units) that
 
   
of Shares
   
Paid Per
   
of Publicly
   
May Yet Be
 
   
(or Units)
   
Share
   
Announced Plans
   
Purchased Under the
 
Period
 
Purchased
   
(or Unit)
   
or Programs (1)
   
Plans or Programs
 
                         
October 1 -31, 2011
    8,404     $ 13.49       301,604       288,400  
                                 
November 1 - 30, 2011
    1,400       13.92       303,004       287,000  
                                 
December 1 -31, 2011
    3,600       14.00       306,604       283,400  
                                 
Total
    13,404     $ 13.67                  


(1) 
On September 30, 2011, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a sixth Stock Repurchase Program for the purchase of up to 287,000, or 5%, shares of the Company's common stock outstanding upon the completion of the fifth Stock Repurchase Program. On November 3, 2011, the Company announced that it had completed its fifth Stock Repurchase Program for the purchase of 303,004 shares, at an average price per share of $13.84. During the fourth quarter, the Company repurchased 13,404 shares of Company stock, at an average price per share of $13.67. The Company intends to repurchase its shares from time to time at prevailing prices in the open market, in block transactions or in privately negotiated transactions. Repurchases will be made under rule 10b-5(1) repurchase plans. The repurchased shares will be held by the Company as treasury stock and will be available for general corporate purposes. A total of 283,400 shares are authorized to be repurchased under the current stock repurchase program.
 
 
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Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.

We have derived the following selected consolidated financial and other data of the Company in part from our consolidated financial statements and notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
 
   
At December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Selected Financial Data:
                             
   Total assets
  $ 616,306     $ 573,704     $ 544,150     $ 527,699     $ 463,456  
   Cash and cash equivalents
    61,122       35,873       20,075       23,100       23,521  
   Loans, net
    443,471       430,307       424,655       416,076       379,868  
   Securities available-for-sale
    613       362       503       5,268       7,681  
   Securities held-to-maturity
    73,852       69,713       62,983       49,662       27,324  
   Deposits
    453,377       391,937       365,498       334,767       324,971  
   Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank
    59,265       71,615       63,675       76,567       17,774  
   Total stockholders' equity
    90,782       91,882       94,172       94,017       104,299  
   Nonperforming assets
    5,624       6,756       4,924       3,185       1,014  
                                         
                                         
    2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  
   
(In Thousands)
 
                                         
Selected Operating Data:
                                       
   Interest and dividend income
  $ 24,850     $ 24,857     $ 24,514     $ 25,783     $ 26,305  
   Interest expense
    6,902       8,016       9,107       11,189       11,783  
      Net interest and dividend income
    17,948       16,841       15,407       14,594       14,522  
   Provision for loan losses
    842       1,223       897       315       223  
      Net interest income after provision
                                       
        for loan losses
    17,106       15,618       14,510       14,279       14,299  
   Non-interest income
    2,650       2,626       1,312       2,001       2,521  
   Non-interest expense
    18,734       18,009       18,045       15,882       14,202  
                                         
   Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
    1,022       235       (2,223 )     398       2,618  
   Income tax (benefit) expense
    (78 )     (230 )     (627 )     376       1,018  
         Net income (loss)
  $ 1,100     $ 465     $ (1,596 )   $ 22     $ 1,600  
                                         
   Earnings (loss) per share
                                       
     Basic
  $ 0.21     $ 0.08     $ (0.28 )   $ -     $ 0.24  
     Diluted
  $ 0.21     $ 0.08     $ (0.28 )   $ -     $ 0.24  
 
 
26

 
 
   
At or For the Years Ended December 31,
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                               
Selected Operating Ratios and Other Data:
                             
Performance Ratios:
                             
 Average yield on interest-earning assets (1)
    4.73 %     4.96 %     5.03 %     5.53 %     6.13 %
 Average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities
    1.57 %     1.91 %     2.26 %     3.02 %     3.63 %
 Average interest rate spread (2)
    3.16 %     3.05 %     2.77 %     2.51 %     2.50 %
 Net interest margin (3)
    3.47 %     3.40 %     3.18 %     3.15 %     3.40 %
 Ratio of interest-earning assets to
                                       
  interest-bearing liabilities
    124.18 %     122.61 %     121.58 %     126.71 %     132.66 %
 Non-interest expenses as a percent of
                                       
    average assets
    3.21 %     3.24 %     3.39 %     3.19 %     3.10 %
 Return on average assets
    0.19 %     0.08 %     (0.30 %)     -       0.35 %
 Return on average equity
    1.20 %     0.49 %     (1.69 %)     0.02 %     1.48 %
 Ratio of average equity to average assets
    15.72 %     17.04 %     17.76 %     19.85 %     23.57 %
    Efficiency ratio (4)
    88.06 %     91.59 %     102.74 %     94.56 %     87.01 %
                                         
Regulatory Capital Ratios:
                                       
 Total capital to risk-weighted assets
    19.6 %     20.7 %     23.4 %     23.6 %     28.6 %
 Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
    18.7 %     19.7 %     22.4 %     22.8 %     27.7 %
 Tier 1 capital to average assets
    14.8 %     16.1 %     17.4 %     18.4 %     22.7 %
                                         
Asset Quality Ratios:
                                       
 Nonperforming loans as a
                                       
  percent of total loans
    1.05 %     1.49 %     1.13 %     0.69 %     0.26 %
 Nonperforming assets as a
                                       
  percent of total assets
    0.91 %     1.18 %     0.90 %     0.60 %     0.22 %
 Allowance for loan losses as a percent
                                       
    of total loans
    1.02 %     1.02 %     0.95 %     0.79 %     0.80 %
 Allowance for loan losses as a percent of
                                       
  nonperforming loans and troubled debt
                                       
    restructurings
    97.13 %     68.49 %     84.17 %     114.30 %     303.35 %
 Net loans charged-off to average interest-
                                       
    earning loans
    0.16 %     0.20 %     0.04 %     0.01 %     0.01 %
                                         
Other Data:
                                       
 Banking offices at end of year
    9       9       9       8       7  
 
(1)
Municipal securities income and net interest income are presented on a tax equivalent basis using a tax rate of 41%. The tax
 
equivalent adjustment is deducted from the tax equivalent net interest income to agree to the amount reported on the income statement.
(2)
Tax equivalent net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets
 
and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(3) 
Tax equivalent net interest margin represents tax equivalent net interest income divided by total average interest-earning assets.
(4)  
The efficiency ratio represents the ratio of non-interest expenses divided by the sum of tax equivalent net interest income and non-interest income.
 
This ratio excludes gains (losses) on sales of investment securities, property, loans and other, net. At December 31, 2011 the ratio is calculated
 
as follows (in thousands):
 
  Non-interest expenses
  $ 18,734  
  Tax equivalent net interest income
  $ 18,884  
Non-interest income
    2,650  
     Add back:
       
          Loan sales and servicing, net
    (373 )
          Net gain on sales of securities available-for-sale
    (12 )
          Loss on sale of other real estate owned
    126  
     Total income included in calculation
  $ 21,275  
  Non-interest expenses divided by total income
    88.06 %
 
 
27

 
 
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the “Selected Financial Data” and the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto, each appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is including this statement for purposes of these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company, are generally identified by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain.

By identifying these forward-looking statements for you in this manner, we are alerting you to the possibility that our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements.  Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to these risk factors, there are other factors that may impact any public company, including ours, which could have a material adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries. These additional factors include, but are not limited to: (1) changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; (2) the financial health of certain entities, including government sponsored enterprises, the securities of which are owned or acquired by the Company; (3) adverse changes in the securities market; and (4) the costs, effects and outcomes of existing of future litigation. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

Overview

Income. Our primary source of pre-tax income is net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income, which is the income that we earn on our loans and securities, and interest expense, which is the interest that we pay on our deposits and borrowings. Other significant sources of pre-tax income are service charges fees and commissions, which include service charges on deposit accounts, brokerage fee income and other loan fees (including loan brokerage fees and late charges), income from bank-owned life insurance and income from loan sales and servicing. In addition, we recognize income or losses from the sale of securities available for sale in years that we have such sales.

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance to cover the inherent probable losses in the loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, information about specific borrower situations, estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors. Allocation of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off.
 
Expenses. The non-interest expenses we incur in operating our business consist of salaries and employee benefits expenses, occupancy expenses, furniture and equipment expenses, data processing expenses and various other miscellaneous expenses.

Critical Accounting Policies

We consider accounting policies involving significant judgments and assumptions by management that have, or could have, a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets or on income to be critical accounting policies. We consider the following to be our critical accounting policies:
 
 
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 Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
 
 Management believes the allowance for loan losses requires the most significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. The allowance for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of the level of the allowance required in relation to the probable loss exposure in the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management. Qualitative factors, or risks considered in evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses for all loan classes include historical loss experience; levels and trends in delinquencies, nonaccrual loans, impaired loans and net charge-offs; the character and size of the loan portfolio; effects of any changes in underwriting policies; experience of management and staff; current economic conditions and their effect on borrowers; effects of changes in credit concentrations, and management’s estimation of probable losses. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.
 
 The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as doubtful, substandard, or special mention. For such loans that are also classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.
 
 Loans considered for impairment include all loan classes of commercial and residential, as well as home equity loans. The classes are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.
 
 Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
 
 Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer loans for impairment evaluation, except for home equity loans.
 
Although we believe that we use the best information available to establish the allowance for loan losses, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if economic conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the evaluation. In addition, our banking regulators, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review our allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require us to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on its judgments about information available to it at the time of its examination. A large loss could deplete the allowance and require increased provisions to replenish the allowance, which would negatively affect earnings.

Deferred Income Taxes. We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes as prescribed in “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. If current available information raises doubt as to the realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance is established. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. We exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting tax liabilities and assets. These judgments require us to make projections of future taxable income. The judgments and estimates we make in determining our deferred tax assets, which are inherently subjective, are reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. Any reduction in estimated future taxable income may require us to record a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance would result in additional income tax expense in the period, which would negatively affect earnings.
 
 
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Mortgage Servicing Rights. Mortgage servicing rights associated with loans originated and sold, where servicing is retained, are capitalized and included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Mortgage servicing rights are amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets. Mortgage servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. The value of the capitalized servicing rights represents the present value of the future servicing fees arising from the right to service loans in the portfolio. Critical accounting policies for mortgage servicing rights relate to the initial valuation and subsequent impairment tests. The methodology used to determine the valuation of mortgage servicing rights requires the development and use of a number of estimates, including anticipated principal amortization and prepayments of that principal balance. Events that may significantly affect the estimates used are changes in interest rates, mortgage loan prepayment speeds and the payment performance of the underlying loans. The carrying value of the mortgage servicing rights is periodically reviewed for impairment based on a determination of fair value. Impairment, if any, is recognized through a valuation allowance and is recorded as a component of non-interest expense.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment. “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Benefits,” and “Noncurrent Marketable Equity Securities,” require companies to perform periodic reviews of individual securities in their investment portfolios to determine whether decline in the value of a security is other than temporary. A review of other-than-temporary impairment requires companies to make certain judgments regarding the materiality of the decline, its effect on the financial statements and the probability, extent and timing of a valuation recovery and the company’s intent and ability to hold the security. Pursuant to these requirements, we assess valuation declines to determine the extent to which such changes are attributable to (1) fundamental factors specific to the issuer, such as financial condition, business prospects or other factors or (2) market-related factors, such as interest rates or equity market declines. Declines in the fair value of securities below their costs that are deemed to be other than temporary are recorded in earnings as realized losses. For declines in the fair value of individual debt securities available-for-sale below their cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary, where the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the other-than-temporary decline in the fair value of the debt security related to 1) credit loss is recognized in earnings and 2) other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income or loss. Credit loss is determined to exist if the present value of expected future cash flows using the effective rate at acquisition is less than the amortized cost basis of the debt security. For individual debt securities where the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, the other-than-temporary impairment is recognized in earnings equal to the difference between the security’s cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.
 
Operating Strategy

Our mission is to operate and grow a profitable community-oriented financial institution serving primarily retail customers and businesses in our market areas. We plan to continue our strategy of:
 
 
increasing our commercial relationships in our expanding market area;
     
 
increasing our deposit market share in our expanding market area;
     
 
increasing our sale of non-deposit investment products;
     
 
improving operating efficiency and cost control; and
     
 
applying disciplined underwriting practices to maintain the high quality of our loan portfolio.
 
 
30

 
 
Continuing to increase our commercial relationships in our expanding market area. We have diversified our loan portfolio beyond residential loans by increasing our commercial relationships. Our commercial real estate, commercial construction and commercial and industrial loan portfolio has increased $90.2 million, or 46.1%, from $195.7 million, or 51.2% of the total loan portfolio, at December 31, 2007 to $285.9 million, or 64.0% of the total loan portfolio, at December 31, 2011. Business deposit accounts have increased $29.9 million, or 128.3%, from $23.3 million at December 31, 2007 to $53.2 million at December 31, 2011. In order to support the growth in the commercial loan portfolio, we have also increased the number of commercial lenders and commercial lending administrative staff.

Increasing our deposit market share in our expanding market area. Retail deposits are our primary source of funds for investing and lending. By offering a variety of deposit products, special and tiered pricing, and superior customer service, we will seek to retain and expand existing customer relationships as well as attract new deposit customers. Personalized service and flexibility with regard to customer needs will continue to be augmented with a full array of delivery channels to maximize customer convenience. These include drive-up banking, ATMs, internet banking, automated bill payment, remote capture, and telephone banking. Through our continued focus on these deposit-gathering efforts in existing branch locations, couple with our plans for geographic expansion, we expect to increase the overall level of deposits and our market share in the markets we serve.

In addition, historically, one of our primary competitors for retail deposits in the Chicopee market area has been credit unions. Credit unions are formidable competitors since, as tax-exempt organizations, they are able to offer higher rates on retail deposits than banks. By expanding our market area beyond the immediate Chicopee market area, and beyond the market areas of our larger credit union competitors, we intend to increase our overall deposit market share of Hampden County.

Increasing our sale of non-deposit investment products. Our profits rely heavily on the spread between the interest earned on loans and securities and interest paid on deposits and borrowings. In order to decrease our reliance on interest rate spread income we have pursued initiatives to increase non-interest income. We offer non-deposit investment products, including mutual funds, annuities, pension plans, life insurance, long-term care and 529 college savings plans through a third party registered broker-dealer, Linsco/Private Ledger. This initiative generated $232,000, $183,000 and $142,000 of non-interest income during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. In connection with our expanding branch network, we intend to continue to increase our sale of non-deposit investment products by engaging one additional retail investment employee to serve customers of our anticipated branch expansion.

Improving operating efficiency and cost control. Non-interest expense increased $725,000, or 4.0%, from $18.0 million, or 3.24% of average total assets, at December 31, 2010 to $18.7 million, or 3.21% of average total assets, at December 31, 2011. The increase in expenses was largely due to the increase in salaries and benefits of $488,000, or 4.7%, and an increase in FDIC insurance premium fees of $115,000, or 27.3%. In 2011, despite the 4.0% increase in non-interest expense, we were able to decrease the non-interest expense ratio as a percentage of average assets from 3.24% at December 31, 2010 to 3.21% at December 31, 2011 due to the increase in average assets. We recognize that our growth strategies have required greater investments in personnel, marketing, premises and equipment which have had a negative impact on our expense ratio over the short term. Our non-interest expenses are also impacted as a result of the financial, accounting, legal and compliance and other additional expenses usually associated with operating as a public company. We will also recognize additional annual employee compensation and benefit expenses stemming from our employee stock ownership plan and options and restricted stock granted to employees and executives. These additional expenses adversely affect our profitability. We recognize expenses for our employee stock ownership plan when shares are committed to be released to participants’ accounts and recognize expenses for restricted stock awards and stock options over the vesting period of awards made to recipients pursuant to our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan.

Applying disciplined underwriting practices to maintain the high quality of our loan portfolio. We believe that high asset quality is a key to long-term financial success. We have sought to grow and diversify the loan portfolio, while maintaining a high level of asset quality and moderate credit risk, using underwriting standards that we believe are conservative and diligent monitoring and collection efforts. At December 31, 2011, our ratio of nonperforming loans (loans which are 90 or more days delinquent) to total loans was 1.05% of our total loan portfolio. Although we intend to continue our efforts to originate commercial real estate, commercial business and construction loans, we intend to continue our philosophy of managing large loan exposures through our conservative approach to lending.
 
 
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Balance Sheet Analysis

Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010
 
Total Assets. Total assets increased $42.6 million, or 7.4%, from $573.7 million at December 31, 2010 to $616.3 million at December 31, 2011.  The increase was primarily due to a $25.3 million, or 70.4%, increase in cash and cash equivalents, an increase in net loans of $13.2 million, or 3.1%, and an increase in investments of $4.4 million, or 6.3%.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents.  Cash, including correspondent bank balances and federal funds sold, increased $25.3 million, or 70.4%, from $35.9 million at December 31, 2010 to $61.1 million at December 31, 2011.
 
Investments. The investment securities portfolio, including held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities, increased $4.4 million, or 6.3%, from $70.1 million at December 31, 2010 to $74.5 million at December 31, 2011. The increase in investments was primarily due an increase of $8.2 million, or 35.2%, in tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds, a $1.5 million, or 12.6%, and increase in certificates of deposit held for investment. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in U.S. Treasury securities of $3.8 million, or 12.4%, and a decrease of $1.8 million, or 45.9%, in collateralized mortgage obligations.
 
Net Loans. Net loans increased $13.2 million, or 3.1%, from $430.3 million at December 31, 2010 to $443.5 million at December 31, 2011. Commercial real estate loans increased $12.7 million, or 7.8%, commercial and industrial loans increased $6.6 million, or 9.0%, and commercial construction loans increased $5.1 million, or 19.0%. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in one-to four-family residential loans of $9.4 million, or 7.1%,  a decrease in residential construction loans of $831,000, or 12.9%, a decrease of $599,000, or 18.9%, in consumer loans and a decrease of $143,000, or 0.5%, in home equity loans. The decrease in residential real estate loans was primarily due to prepayments and refinancing activity attributed to the decline in interest rates to historically low levels. The residential construction portfolio decreased as borrowers completed construction projects and the demand for construction loans decreased due to the economy. In accordance with the Company’s asset/liability management strategy and in an effort to reduce interest rate risk, the Company sold $18.0 million fixed rate, low coupon residential real estate loans originated in 2011 to the secondary market. The Company currently services $80.7 million in loans sold to the secondary market. Servicing rights will continue to be retained on all loans originated and sold in the secondary market.
 
Deposits and Borrowed Funds. Total deposits increased $61.4 million, or 15.7%, from $391.9 million at December 31, 2010 to $453.4 million at December 31, 2011. NOW accounts increased $12.2 million, or 83.6%, to $26.8 million, money market accounts increased $31.4 million, or 47.4%, to $97.6 million, demand accounts increased $20.5 million, or 42.4%, to $68.8 million and regular savings accounts increased $2.9 million, or 6.6%, to $47.1 million. These increases were offset by a decrease in certificate of deposits of $5.5 million, or 2.5%, to $213.1 million.  The decrease in certificates of deposits was mainly attributed to the strategic run-off of high cost accounts as a result of management’s focus to lower the cost of deposits and allow higher cost, short-term time deposits to mature without renewals. The $5.5 million, or 2.5%, decrease in certificates of deposit was offset by the $67.0 million, or 38.6%, increase in low cost relationship focused transaction and savings accounts.
 
Total borrowings, including securities sold under agreement to repurchase of $12.3 million and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances of $59.3 million, decreased $18.0 million, or 20.1%, to $71.6 million at December 31, 2011. FHLB advances decreased $12.4 million, or 17.3%. On August 11, 2011, the Bank restructured $6.6 million of FHLB advances. Prior to this restructuring, these advances had a weighted average cost of 3.56% and a weighted average maturity term of 32.8 months. After this restructuring, the weighted average cost was reduced by 1.16% to 2.40% and the weighted average maturity term was reduced to 26.7 months. In an effort to decrease the Bank’s interest rate risk from rising interest rates, the Bank took advantage of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s program to restructure outstanding advances. Repurchase agreements decreased $5.6 million, or 31.3%, from $18.0 million at December 31, 2010 to $12.4 million at December 31, 2011.
 
 
32

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity. Total stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2011 was $90.8 million compared to $91.9 million at December 31, 2010. The decrease was primarily attributed to the Company’s stock repurchase plan of $3.9 million, partially offset by an increase in stock-based compensation of $1.7 million,  and net income of $1.1 million. In 2011, the Company purchased 275,675 shares of the Company’s common stock at a cost of $3.9 million and an average per share price of $14.13. Our capital management strategies allowed us to increase our book value per share by $0.55, or 3.6%, to $15.83 at December 31, 2011 compared to $15.28 at December 31, 2010.

Loans. Our primary lending activity is the origination of loans secured by real estate. We originate one-to-four-family residential loans, commercial real estate loans and commercial business loans. To a lesser extent, we originate residential investment, construction and consumer loans.

The size of our residential real estate loan portfolio has decreased from $132.7 million at December 31, 2010 to $123.3 million at December 31, 2011, primarily due to prepayments and refinancing activity attributed to the decline in interest rates to historically low levels. In accordance with the Company’s asset/liability management strategy and in an effort to reduce interest rate risk, the Company sold $18.0 million of fixed rate, low coupon residential real estate loans originated in 2011 to the secondary market. Servicing rights will continue to be retained on all loans originated and sold in the secondary market.

The commercial real estate and residential investment portfolio increased $12.7 million, or 7.8%, from $162.1 million at December 31, 2010 to $174.8 million at December 31, 2011 as a result of new commercial loan relationships.

Commercial and industrial loans increased from $72.8 million at December 31, 2010 to $79.4 million at December 31, 2011 as a result of new commercial relationships due to increased marketing efforts and offering a wider variety of services for commercial borrowers, including cash management products.

The construction loan portfolio increased from $33.1 million at December 31, 2010 to $37.3 million at December 31, 2011. Commercial construction increased $5.1 million, or 19.0%, from $26.6 million at December 31, 2010 to $31.7 million at December 31, 2011 due to two commercial construction projects to existing borrowers. Residential construction decreased $831,000, or 12.9%, as borrowers completed existing projects and the demand for new construction loans decreased.

The consumer and home equity loan portfolio decreased $742,000, or 2.3%, from $33.1 million at December 31, 2010 to $32.4 million at December 31, 2011, primarily due to prepayments and refinancing activity attributed to the decline in interest rates to historically low levels.
 
 
33

 

Loan Portfolio Composition. The following table sets forth the composition of the Company's loan portfolio in dollar amounts and as a percentage of the respective portfolio at the dates indicated.
 
   
At December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
         
Percent
         
Percent
         
Percent
         
Percent
         
Percent
 
   
Amount
   
of Total
   
Amount
   
of Total
   
Amount
   
of Total
   
Amount
   
of Total
   
Amount
   
of Total
 
               
(Dollars In Thousands)
 
                                                             
Real estate loans:
                                                           
Residential real estate
  $ 123,294       27.6 %   $ 132,670       30.6 %   $ 139,937       32.7 %   $ 157,208       37.6 %   $ 147,771       38.7 %
Home equity
    29,790       6.7 %     29,933       6.9 %     29,320       6.9 %     27,184       6.5 %     22,704       5.9 %
Commercial
    174,761       39.0 %     162,107       37.4 %     147,255       34.4 %     134,085       32.0 %     121,253       31.7 %
Total real estate loans
    327,845       73.3 %     324,710       74.9 %     316,512       74.0 %     318,477       76.1 %     291,728       76.3 %
Construction loans:
                                                                               
Residential
    5,597       1.3 %     6,428       1.5 %     9,192       2.1 %     8,431       2.0 %     11,827       3.1 %
Commercial
    31,706       7.0 %     26,643       6.1 %     29,121       6.9 %     33,198       7.9 %     28,567       7.5 %
Total construction loans
    37,303       8.3 %     33,071       7.6 %     38,313       9.0 %     41,629       9.9 %     40,394       10.6 %
Total real estate and construction loans
    365,148       81.6 %     357,781       82.5 %     354,825       83.0 %     360,106       86.0 %     332,122       86.9 %
Consumer loans
    2,566       0.6 %     3,165       0.7 %     4,390       1.0 %     4,045       1.0 %     4,111       1.1 %
Commercial loans
    79,412       17.8 %     72,847       16.8 %     68,552       16.0 %     54,255       13.0 %     45,815       12.0 %
Total loans
    447,126       100.0 %     433,793       100.0 %     427,767       100.0 %     418,406       100.0 %     382,048       100.0 %
Deferred loan origination costs, net
    921               945               965               1,003               896          
Allowance for loan losses
    (4,576 )             (4,431 )             (4,077 )             (3,333 )             (3,076 )        
                                                                                 
Loans, net
  $ 443,471             $ 430,307             $ 424,655             $ 416,076             $ 379,868          

Loan Maturity. The following table sets forth certain information at December 31, 2011 regarding the dollar amount of loan principal repayments becoming due during the periods indicated. The table does not include any estimate of prepayments which significantly shorten the average life of all loans and may cause our actual repayment experience to differ from that shown. Demand loans having no stated schedule of repayments and no stated maturity are reported as due in one year or less. Real estate mortgage loans include residential and commercial real estate loans and home equity loans.
 
   
Real Estate
                     
Total
 
   
Mortgage
   
Construction
   
Commercial
   
Consumer
   
Loans
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Amounts due:
                             
One year or less
  $ 1,665     $ 19,084     $ 49,387     $ 251     $ 70,387  
More than one year to five years
    10,349       10,761       22,826       1,868       45,804  
More than five years
    315,831       7,458       7,199       447       330,935  
                                         
Total amount due
  $ 327,845     $ 37,303     $ 79,412     $ 2,566     $ 447,126  
 
The following table sets forth the dollar amount of all loans at December 31, 2011 that are due after December 31, 2012 that have either fixed interest rates or adjustable interest rates.  The amounts shown below exclude unearned interest on consumer loans and deferred loan origination costs. Real estate loans include residential and commercial real estate loans. Consumer loans include home equity loans.
 
 
34

 
 
   
Due After December 31, 2012
 
   
Fixed
   
Adjustable
   
Total
 
    (In Thousands)  
                   
Real estate loans
  $ 34,192     $ 291,989     $ 326,181  
Construction
    9,812       8,407       18,219  
Commercial
    21,721       8,304       30,025  
Consumer
    2,196       119       2,315  
                         
Total loans
  $ 67,921     $ 308,819     $ 376,740  

Securities. The securities portfolio consists primarily of tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds, U.S. Treasury securities and certificates of deposit. Total securities increased $4.4 million, or 6.3%, from $70.1 million at December 31, 2010 to $74.5 million at December 31, 2011. The increase was primarily due to purchases of U.S Treasury securities of $58.0 million, tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds of $8.9 million and $32.0 million in certificates of deposit. These increases were partially offset by maturities of U.S. Treasury securities of $61.8 million, maturities of certificates of deposit of $30.5 million, and maturities of collateralized mortgage obligations of $1.8 million.

Total securities increased $6.6 million, or 10.5%, from $63.4 million at December 31, 2009 to $70.1 million at December 31, 2010. The increase was primarily due to purchases of U.S. Treasury securities of $90.4 million, tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds of $11.9 million and purchases of certificates of deposit of $11.7 million, partially offset by maturities of U.S. Treasury securities of $102.7 million, a maturity of a debt security of U.S. Government sponsored enterprises of $2.0 million and pay downs and maturities of collateralized mortgage obligations and bonds of $2.3 million.

Total securities increased $8.6 million, or 15.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to December 31, 2008. The increase in 2009 is primarily due to purchases of U.S. Treasury securities and an $8.3 million industrial revenue bond, partially offset by maturities of U.S. government sponsored enterprises and the sale of most of the equity securities portfolio.

All of our collateralized mortgage obligations were issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

The following table sets forth, at the dates indicated, information regarding the amortized cost and market values of the Company's investment securities.
 
 
35

 
 
   
At December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                                     
Available-for-sale securities
                                   
    Marketable equity securities¹
  $ 618     $ 613     $ 319     $ 362     $ 402     $ 503  
         Total available-for-sale securities
  $ 618     $ 613     $ 319     $ 362     $ 402     $ 503  
                                                 
Held-to-maturity securities
                                               
    Debt securities of U.S. Government
                                               
         sponsored enterprises
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 1,999     $ 1,999  
    U.S. Treasury securities
    26,998       26,998       30,817       30,816       43,118       43,117  
    Corporate and industrial revenue bonds
    31,576       38,219       23,348       26,950       12,109       12,109  
    Certificates of deposit
    13,206       13,213       11,725       11,749       -       -  
    Collateralized mortgage obligations
    2,072       2,177       3,823       4,023       5,757       5,905  
         Total held-to-maturity securities
  $ 73,852     $ 80,607     $ 69,713     $ 73,538     $ 62,983     $ 63,130  
                                                 
Total securities
  $ 74,470     $ 81,220     $ 70,032     $ 73,900     $ 63,385     $ 63,633  
¹ Does not include investments in FHLB stock or Banker’s Bank stock totaling $4.5 million and $183,000 at December 31, 2011, and 2010 and $4.3 million and $183,000 at December 31, 2009.

The amortized cost of securities available-for-sale increased $299,000, or 93.7%, from $319,000 at December 31, 2010 to $618,000 at December 31, 2011, primarily due to a purchase of securities in the financial industry. The fair value of securities available-for-sale increased $251,000, or 69.3%, from $362,000 at December 31, 2010 to $613,000 at December 31, 2011 primarily due to the aforementioned purchases of securities and by increases in market values of the remaining equity portfolio.

The amortized cost of securities available-for-sale decreased $83,000, or 20.6%, to $319,000 at December 31, 2010 compared to $402,000 at December 31, 2009, primarily due to a partial sale of a security, reducing the book value of that security by $70,000. Also contributing to the decrease was an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charge of $13,000. The fair value of securities available-for-sale decreased $141,000, or 28.0%, to $362,000 at December 31, 2010 from December 31, 2009, primarily due to the partial sale of a security that resulted in a gain of $158,000 and a reduction in fair value of $228,000, partially offset by increases in market values of the remaining equity portfolio.

The amortized cost of held-to-maturity securities increased $4.1 million, or 5.9%, to $73.9 million at December 31, 2011, compared to $69.7 million at December 31, 2010, primarily due to purchases of U.S. Treasury securities of $58.0 million, tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds of $8.9 million and certificates of deposit of $32.0 million, partially offset by maturities of U.S. Treasury securities of $61.8 million, maturities of certificates of deposit of $30.5 million and maturities of collateralized mortgage obligations and bonds of $2.4 million.

At December 31, 2010 the amortized cost of held-to-maturity securities increased $6.7 million, or 10.7%, to $69.7 million compared to $63.0 million at December 31, 2009, primarily due to purchases of U.S. Treasury securities of $90.4 million, tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds of $11.9 million and certificates of deposit of $11.7 million, partially offset by maturities of U.S. Treasury securities of $102.7 million, a maturity of debt security of U.S. Government sponsored enterprises of $2.0 million and pay downs and maturities of collateralized mortgage obligations and bonds of $2.3 million.

At December 31, 2011, our marketable equity securities had an unrealized gain of $28,000 offset by an unrealized loss of $33,000. The unrealized losses within the marketable equity securities category at December 31, 2011 related to three securities issued by one company in the financial industry. During the year ended December 31, 2011, none of the three securities with unrealized losses had losses for more than 12 months. Management evaluated the securities according to the Company’s OTTI policy and determined the there were no other-than-temporary impairment write-downs required.
 
 
36

 
 
At December 31, 2010, our marketable equity securities had a net unrealized gain of $43,000 and no unrealized losses. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded an OTTI charge of $13,000. Management evaluated the security according to the Company’s OTTI policy and determined the decline in value to be other-than-temporary.

The Company sold $5.9 million of its equity securities during the fourth quarter of 2009. As a result, the Company had a remaining equity portfolio with a fair value of $503,000 at December 31, 2009. The sales of equity securities during the fourth quarter of 2009 reflected management's determination to revise its investment strategy and reduce its overall level of investment in equity securities and overall risk in the equities markets. As part of this revised strategy, it was determined to sell most of the equity securities in the portfolio. The Company expects to continue to hold the remaining equity securities. The Company's equity securities portfolio was primarily designed to assist the Company in managing its liquidity and interest rate risk on a long-term basis. However, due to the unprecedented decline in the stock market over the past two years, the value of such portfolio has been significantly reduced which resulted in management's reevaluation of the investment strategy, including the Company’s reliance on its equity portfolio for liquidity.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company sold OTTI securities at a loss of $241,000. These securities were sold due to company specific information that suggested the cost of the shares were not likely to be recovered.

At December 31, 2009, our marketable equity securities had gross unrealized losses of approximately $15,000.  These investments are in highly traded stocks.  During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded an other-than-temporary impairment write-down of $1.4 million, representing 30 companies, or 56 individual issues. Management evaluated these securities according to the Company’s OTTI policy and determined the decline in value to be other-than-temporary.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no investments in a single company or entity (other than the U.S. Government) that had an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of our equity.

The table below sets forth the stated maturities and weighted average yields of debt securities at December 31, 2011.  Weighted average yields on tax-exempt securities are not presented on a tax equivalent basis because the impact would be insignificant.
 
               
More than One Year
   
More than Five Years
   
More than Ten
             
   
Less than One Year
   
to Five Years
   
to Ten Years
   
Years
   
Total
 
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
   
Amortized
   
Average
   
Amortized
   
Average
   
Amortized
   
Average
   
Amortized
   
Average
   
Amortized
   
Average
 
   
Cost
   
Yield
   
Cost
   
Yield
   
Cost
   
Yield
   
Cost
   
Yield
   
Cost
   
Yield
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
                                                             
Held-to-maturity securities
                                                           
    U.S. Treasury securities
  $ 26,998       0.03 %   $ -       -     $ -       -     $ -       -     $ 26,998       0.03 %
    Corporate and industrial revenue bonds
    -       -       3,026       5.22 %     8,300       4.47 %     20,250       4.49 %     31,576       4.55 %
    Certificates of deposit
    13,206       0.47 %     -       -       -       -       -       -       13,206       0.47 %
    Collateralized mortgage obligations
    -       -       -       -       2,072       4.58 %     -       -       2,072       4.58 %
       Total held-to-maturity securities
  $ 40,204       0.17 %   $ 3,026       5.22 %   $ 10,372       4.49 %   $ 20,250       4.49 %   $ 73,852       2.17 %

Restricted Equity Securities. At December 31, 2011, the Company held $4.5 million of FHLB stock. This stock is restricted and must be held as a condition of membership in the FHLB and as a condition for the Bank to borrow from the FHLB. On February 26, 2009, the FHLB’s board of directors (i) announced that they were suspending dividends and (ii) issued a moratorium on the redemption of FHLB stock. The FHLB’s board of directors declared dividends in 2011 at a rate of 0.30%. The Company periodically evaluates its investment in FHLB stock for impairment based on, among other factors, the capital adequacy of the FHLB and its overall financial condition. No impairment losses have been recorded through December 31, 2011. The Company will continue to monitor its investment in FHLB stock. For additional information regarding our FHLB stock, see Note 3 to the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
37

 

Deposits. Our primary source of funds are deposits, which are comprised of certificates of deposit, money market deposit accounts, demand deposits, passbook accounts, and NOW accounts. These deposits are provided primarily by individuals and businesses within our market areas. At December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, we did not use brokered deposits as a source of funding.

At December 31, 2011, deposits increased $61.4 million, or 15.7%, to $453.4 million from $391.9 million at December 31, 2010. The increase was primarily due to increases in NOW accounts of $12.2 million, or 83.6%, money market accounts of $31.4 million, or 47.4%, demand accounts of $20.5 million, or 42.4% and savings accounts of $2.9 million, or 6.6%. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in certificates of deposit of $5.5 million, or 2.5%. The decrease in certificates of deposits was mainly attributed to the strategic run-off of high cost accounts as a result of management’s focus to lower the cost of deposits and allow higher cost, short-term time deposits to mature without renewals. Money market and demand accounts increased due to increases in municipal and commercial accounts as well as an increase in low cost relationship focused transaction and savings accounts.
 
Deposits increased $26.4 million, or 7.2% to $391.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $365.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increase was primarily due to increases in certificates of deposits of $12.4 million, or 6.0%, money market accounts of $10.9 million, or 19.8%, demand accounts of $5.7 million, or 13.3% and savings accounts of $1.3 million, or 3.1%, partially offset by a decrease in NOW accounts of $3.9 million, or 21.1%. Certificates of deposit increased due to marketing and promotions. Money market and demand accounts increased due to increases in municipal and commercial accounts.

Deposits increased $30.7 million, or 9.2% to $365.5 for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $334.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was mostly due to the increase in demand accounts of $12.6 million, or 40.9%, money market accounts of $7.7 million, or 16.2%, and certificates of deposit of $5.4 million, or 2.7%. The increase in demand and money market accounts was directly related to the increase in commercial relationships.

The following table sets forth the distribution of the Company's deposit accounts for the periods indicated.
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Demand
  $ 68,799     $ 48,302     $ 42,629  
Savings
    47,122       44,215       42,875  
Money market
    97,606       66,218       55,293  
NOW
    26,747       14,572       18,466  
Certificates of deposit
    213,103       218,630       206,235  
Total deposits
  $ 453,377     $ 391,937     $ 365,498  

The following table indicates the amount of jumbo certificates of deposit by time remaining until maturity as of December 31, 2011.  Jumbo certificates of deposit require minimum deposits of $100,000.

         
Weighted
 
         
Average
 
Maturity Period
 
Amount
   
Rate
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
             
Three months or less
  $ 9,521       1.20 %
Over three months through six months
    14,266       1.03 %
Over six months through 12 months
    23,608       1.49 %
Over 12 months
    61,932       2.82 %
Total
  $ 109,327       2.16 %
 
 
38

 
 
Borrowings. The Company utilizes borrowings from a variety of sources to supplement our supply of funds for loans and investments.
 
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Maximum amount of advances outstanding at any month-end during the year: