============================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-11595
MERCHANTS BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Incorporated in the State of Delaware Employer Identification No. 03-
0287342
164 College St., Burlington, Vermont 05401
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number: (802) 658-3400
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
(Not Applicable)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of Class: Common Stock (Par Value $.01 a share)
Name of Exchange on which listed: NASDAQ
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 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.
Contained herein X Not contained herein
----- -----
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates is
$85,831,729 as computed using the average bid and asked prices of stock, as
of February 29, 2000.
The number of shares outstanding for each of the registrant's classes of
common stock, as of February 29, 2000 is:
Class: Common stock, par value $.01 per share
Outstanding: 4,278,217 shares
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Proxy Statement to Shareholders for the year ended December
31, 1999 are incorporated herein by reference to Part III.
============================================================================
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
Independent Auditors' Report 3
Consolidated Balance Sheets 4
Consolidated Statements of Operations 5
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity 7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 9
Summary of Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information 31
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations 34
Form 10-K 51
Five Year Selected Financial Data 60
Signatures 64
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP [LETTERHEAD]
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
MERCHANTS BANCSHARES, INC.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Merchants
Bancshares, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December
31, 1999 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and
1998, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1999, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
January 18, 2000
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, December 31,
(In thousands except share and per share data) 1999 1998
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and Due from Banks $ 23,746 $ 30,528
Investments:
Debt Securities Available for Sale 72,229 72,205
Debt Securities Held to Maturity 126,281 103,851
(Fair Value of $122,305 and $105,717)
Trading Securities 1,075 1,095
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments 199,585 177,151
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans 453,692 405,492
Reserve for Possible Loan Losses 11,189 11,300
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Loans 442,503 394,192
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock 2,951 2,482
Bank Premises and Equipment, Net 13,175 13,185
Investment in Real Estate Limited Partnerships 2,751 2,860
Other Real Estate Owned 133 470
Other Assets 16,519 14,005
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets $701,363 $634,873
======================================================================================================
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Demand $ 86,160 $ 85,998
Savings, NOW and Money Market Accounts 369,929 309,897
Time Deposits $100 thousand and Greater 25,590 22,746
Other Time 131,564 131,821
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Deposits 613,243 550,462
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demand Note Due U.S. Treasury 4,000 283
Other Short-Term Borrowings 7,000 9,000
Other Liabilities 6,013 7,890
Long-Term Debt 6,371 6,409
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities 636,627 574,044
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock Class A Non-Voting Authorized-200,000, Outstanding 0 - -
Preferred Stock Class B Voting Authorized-1,500,000, Outstanding 0 - -
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value 44 44
Shares Authorized 7,500,000
Outstanding, Current Period 4,194,810
Prior Period 4,259,278
Capital in Excess of Par Value 33,072 33,073
Retained Earnings 35,368 28,308
Treasury Stock (At Cost) (4,699) (3,133)
Current Period 239,810
Prior Period 175,342
Deferred Compensation Arrangements 2,372 2,166
Unrealized Gains (losses) on Securities Available for Sale, Net (1,421) 371
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity 64,736 60,829
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $701,363 $634,873
======================================================================================================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands except per share data) 1999 1998 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME:
Interest and Fees on Loans $37,119 $36,796 $38,543
Interest and Dividends on Investments:
U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations 10,627 10,728 9,433
Other 1,475 499 182
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Interest and Dividend Income 49,221 48,023 48,158
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Savings, NOW and Money Market Accounts 10,171 9,175 8,403
Time Deposits $100 Thousand and Greater 1,418 1,566 1,428
Other Time Deposits 6,034 7,007 7,485
Other Borrowed Funds 536 322 509
Debt 468 460 413
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Interest Expense 18,627 18,530 18,238
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income 30,594 29,493 29,920
Provision for Possible Loan Losses (388) (1,737) (1,862)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income after Provision for Possible Loan Losses 30,982 31,230 31,782
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NONINTEREST INCOME:
Trust Company Income 1,802 1,790 1,635
Service Charges on Deposits 3,024 2,756 3,075
Settlement Proceeds 1,326 120 -
Gains on Sale of Investment Securities, Net - 44 784
Other 1,221 1,344 1,181
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Noninterest Income 7,373 6,054 6,675
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NONINTEREST EXPENSES:
Salaries and Wages 9,812 9,434 8,682
Employee Benefits 2,314 2,036 1,992
Occupancy Expense, Net 2,212 1,974 2,171
Equipment Expense 2,320 2,593 2,325
Legal and Professional Fees 1,780 2,447 3,888
Marketing 1,151 957 1,450
Provision for Impairment of Investment Security - - 229
Equity in Losses of Real Estate Limited Partnerships 562 379 641
Losses on and Writedowns of Other Real Estate Owned (13) 225 314
Loss on Disposition of Fixed Assets 30 127 1,088
Other 4,582 4,042 4,461
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Noninterest Expenses 24,750 24,214 27,241
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes 13,605 13,070 11,216
Provision for Income Taxes 3,155 3,248 2,383
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME $10,450 $ 9,822 $ 8,833
=============================================================================================
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE $ 2.39 $ 2.22 $ 2.00
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE 2.39 2.21 1.99
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
(In thou sands) 1999 1998 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Income as Reported $10,450 $9,822 $8,833
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Securities,
Net of Tax (1,167) 40 625
Less: Reclassification Adjustments for Securities Gains Included
in Net Income, Net of Taxes - 29 517
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive Income before transfers from Available
for Sale to Held to Maturity 9,283 9,833 8,941
Impact of transfer from Available for Sale to Held to Maturity (625) (2) 10
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive Income $ 8,658 $9,831 $8,951
==================================================================================================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
For Each of the Three Years in the Period Ended December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Net Unrealized
Appreciation
Capital in Deferred (Depreciation)
Common Excess of Retained Treasury Compensation of Investment
(In thousands) Stock Par Value Earnings Stock Arrangements Securities Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1996 $44 $33,155 $14,845 $(2,038) - $ 244 $46,250
Net Income - - 8,833 - - - 8,833
Purchase of Treasury Stock - - - (1,390) - - (1,390)
Sales of Treasury Stock - 219 - 1,015 - - 1,234
Issuance of Stock under
Employee Stock Option Plans - (151) - 193 - - 42
Dividends Paid - - (2,141) - - - (2,141)
Unearned Compensation-
Restricted Stock Awards - - - - (10) - (10)
Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation) of
Securities Available for Sale,
Net of Tax - - - - - 108 108
Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation of Securities
Transferred to the Held to
Maturity Portfolio, Net of Tax - - - - - 10 10
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1997 44 33,223 21,537 (2,220) (10) 362 52,936
Net Income - - 9,822 - - - 9,822
Purchase of Treasury Stock - - - (1,420) - - (1,420)
Issuance of Stock under
Employee Stock Option Plans - (210) - 374 - - 164
Tax Benefit Related to Stock
Option Exercises - 60 - - - - 60
Issuance of Stock under Deferred
Compensation Arrangements - - - 133 - - 133
Dividends Paid - - (3,051) - - - (3,051)
Unearned Compensation-
Restricted Stock Awards - - - - (20) - (20)
Deferred Compensation Arrangements - - - - 2,196 - 2,196
Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation) of
Securities Available for Sale,
Net of Tax - - - - - 11 11
Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation of Securities
Transferred to the Held to
Maturity Portfolio, Net of Tax - - - - - (2) (2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1998 44 33,073 28,308 (3,133) 2,166 371 60,829
Net Income - - 10,450 - - - 10,450
Purchase of Treasury Stock - - - (1,620) - - (1,620)
Issuance of Stock under
Employee Stock Option Plans - (1) - 23 - - 22
Issuance of Stock under Deferred
Compensation Arrangements - - - 31 (31) - -
Dividends Paid - - (3,390) - - - (3,390)
Unearned Compensation-
Restricted Stock Awards - - - - (14) - (14)
Deferred Compensation Arrangements - - - - 251 - 251
Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation) of
Securities Available for Sale,
Net of Tax - - - - - (1,167) (1,167)
Effect of transfers of Securities
Available for Sale to the Held to
Maturity Portfolio, Net of Tax - - - - - (665) (665)
Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation of Securities
Transferred to the Held to
Maturity Portfolio, Net of Tax - - - - - 40 40
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1999 $44 $33,072 $35,368 $(4,699) $2,372 $(1,421) $64,736
==============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income $ 10,450 $ 9,822 $ 8,833
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by
Operating Activities:
Provision for Possible Loan Losses (388) (1,737) (1,862)
Provision for Possible Losses on Other Real Estate Owned - 20 34
Provision for Impairment of Investment Security - - 229
Provision for Depreciation and Amortization 2,485 2,632 2,377
Net Gains on Sales of Investment Securities - (44) (784)
Net Gains on Sales of Loans and Leases - (213) (11)
Net Losses on Sales of Premises and Equipment 30 127 1,088
Net Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Real Estate Owned 329 101 (138)
Equity in Losses of Real Estate Limited Partnerships 562 379 641
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
Increase in Interest Receivable (164) (165) (63)
Increase (Decrease) in Interest Payable (291) 33 14
(Increase) Decrease in Other Assets (950) 698 (444)
Decrease in Other Liabilities (1,593) (1,004) (44)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 10,470 10,649 9,870
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net Proceeds from Branch Acquisition 1,567 - -
Proceeds from Sales of Investment Securities Available for Sale - 14,053 18,907
Proceeds from Maturities of Investment Securities 36,243 33,834 13,985
Proceeds from Sales of Loans and Leases 1,245 14,659 3,131
Redemptions (Purchases) of Federal Home Loan Bank Stock (468) (186) 545
Proceeds from Sales of Premises and Equipment - - 6
Proceeds from Sales of Other Real Estate Owned 995 1,179 2,112
Purchases of Available for Sale Investment Securities (35,307) (58,156) (10,005)
Purchases of Held to Maturity Investment Securities (26,311) (10,272) (33,278)
Loan Originations in Excess of Principal Payments (14,692) (32,990) (4,364)
Investments in Real Estate Limited Partnerships (476) (1,362) (102)
Purchases of Premises and Equipment (981) (2,607) (4,099)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Used by Investing Activities (38,185) (41,848) (13,162)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net Increase (Decrease) in Deposits 24,241 44,618 (2,436)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Other Borrowed Funds 1,717 1,283 (1,599)
Principal Payments on Debt (38) (6) (5)
Cash Dividends Paid (3,390) (3,051) (2,141)
Acquisition of Treasury Stock (1,620) (1,420) (1,390)
Proceeds From Sales of Treasury Stock - - 1,234
Proceeds From Exercise of Employee Stock Options 23 164 42
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Financing Activities 20,933 41,588 (6,295)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents (6,782) 10,389 (9,587)
Cash and Cash Equivalents Beginning of Year 30,528 20,139 29,726
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents End of Period $ 23,746 $ 30,528 $ 20,139
===========================================================================================================
Total Interest Payments $ 18,914 $ 18,498 $ 18,224
Total Income Tax Payments 4,525 2,170 3,820
Transfer of Loans and Premises to Other Real Estate Owned 286 954 515
Transfer of Securities Available for Sale to Held to Maturity Portfolio 26,481 - -
For information on other non-cash transactions see Note 2
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 1999
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") and its wholly owned
subsidiaries; Merchants Bank (the "Bank") including the Bank's wholly owned
subsidiaries Merchants Trust Company (the "Trust Company"), and certain
trusts; and Merchants Properties, Inc., after elimination of all material
intercompany accounts and transactions. The Bank and the Trust Company offer
a full range of deposit, loan, cash management and trust services to meet
the financial needs of individual consumers, businesses and municipalities
at 35 full-service banking locations throughout the State of Vermont.
Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the
reporting periods. Operating results in the future could vary from the
amounts derived from management's estimates and assumptions.
Investment Securities
The Company classifies certain of its investments in debt securities as held
to maturity, which are carried at amortized cost if the Company has the
positive intent and ability to hold such securities to maturity. Investments
in debt securities that are not classified as held to maturity and equity
securities that have readily determinable fair values are classified as
trading securities or available for sale securities. Trading securities are
investments purchased and held principally for the purpose of selling in the
near term; available for sale securities are investments not classified as
trading or held to maturity. Available for sale securities are carried at
fair value which is measured at each reporting date. The resulting
unrealized gain or loss is reflected in Comprehensive Income and
Stockholders' Equity net of the associated tax effect. Trading securities
are also carried at fair value; gains and losses are recognized through the
Statement of Operations.
Transfers from securities available for sale to securities held to maturity
are recorded at the securities' fair values on the date of the transfer. Any
net unrealized gains or losses continue to be reported as a separate
component of stockholders' equity, on a net of tax basis as long as the
securities are carried in the held to maturity portfolio, such amounts are
amortized over the estimated remaining life of the transferred securities as
an adjustment to yield in a manner consistent with the amortization of
premiums and discounts.
Dividend and interest income, including amortization of premiums and
discounts, is recorded in earnings for all categories of investment
securities. Discounts and premiums related to debt securities are amortized
using a method which approximates the level-yield method. The gain or loss
recognized on the sale of an investment security is based upon the adjusted
cost of the specific security.
Management reviews all reductions in fair value below book value to
determine whether the impairment is other than temporary. If the impairment
is determined to be other than temporary in nature, the carrying value of
the security is written down to the appropriate level by a charge to
earnings in the period of determination.
Loan Origination and Commitment Fees
Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination
costs are deferred and amortized over the lives of the related loans. Net
deferred origination fees were $709 thousand and $787 thousand at December
31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and
amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided using straight-line
and accelerated methods at rates that depreciate the original cost of the
premises and equipment over their estimated useful lives. Expenditures for
maintenance, repairs and renewals of minor items are generally charged to
expense as incurred. When premises and equipment are replaced, retired, or
deemed no longer useful they are valued at estimated selling price less
costs to sell, and to the extent the net book value exceeds this value the
difference is charged to current earnings.
Gains and Losses on Sales of Loans
Gains and losses on sales of loans are recognized based upon the difference
between the selling price and the carrying amount of loans sold. Gains and
losses are adjusted for excess servicing rights resulting from the sale of
certain loans with servicing rights retained. Origination fees collected,
net of commitment fees paid in connection with the sales of loans and net of
the direct cost of originating the loans, are recognized at the time such
loans are sold.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected at currently enacted
income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets
or liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax
laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted
through the provision for income taxes. Low-income housing tax credits are
recognized in the year in which they are earned.
Investments in Real Estate Limited Partnerships
The Bank has investments in various real estate limited partnerships that
acquire, develop, own and operate low and moderate-income housing. The
Bank's ownership interest in these limited partnerships varies from 35% to
99% as of December 31, 1999. The Company consolidates the financial
statements of the limited partnership in which the Company is the general
partner, actively involved in management and has a controlling interest. The
Bank accounts for its investments in limited partnerships, where the Bank
neither actively participates nor has a controlling interest, under the
equity method of accounting.
Management periodically reviews the results of operations of the various
real estate limited partnerships to determine if the partnerships generate
sufficient operating cash flow to fund their current obligations. In
addition, management reviews the current value of the underlying property
compared to the outstanding debt obligations. If it is determined that the
investment suffers from a permanent impairment, the carrying value is
written down to the estimated realizable value.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, amounts due from banks
and federal funds sold in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash
flows. At December 31, 1999 and 1998, amounts at the Federal Reserve Bank
included $412 thousand and $2.5 million, respectively, held to satisfy
certain reserve requirements of the Federal Reserve Bank.
Other Real Estate Owned
Collateral acquired through foreclosure is recorded at the lower of cost or
fair value, less estimated costs to sell, at the time of acquisition. Bank
premises held for sale are recorded at the lower of cost or market, less
estimated costs to sell, at the date of transfer. Subsequent changes in the
fair value of other real estate owned are reflected as a write-down and
charged to expense. Net operating income or expense related to foreclosed
property and Bank premises held for sale is included in noninterest expense
in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. There are
inherent uncertainties in the assumptions with respect to the estimated fair
value of other real estate owned. Because of these inherent uncertainties,
the amount ultimately realized on other real estate owned ("OREO") may
differ from the amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements.
The Bank recognized losses due to write downs of $20 thousand and $34
thousand during 1998 and 1997. At December 31, 1999, the balance in the OREO
portfolio, consisted of foreclosed real estate of $133 thousand. There were
no losses due to write downs of OREO during 1999.
Intangible Assets
Premiums paid for the purchase of core deposits are recorded as other assets
and amortized using straight-line and accelerated methods over 7 to 15
years. Management reviews the value of the intangible asset by comparing
purchased deposit levels to the current level of acquired deposits in the
branches purchased. If any significant deposit runoff has occurred and is
determined to be permanent in nature, the asset is written down accordingly.
Earnings Per Share
In 1997 the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" which establishes new standards for
computing and presenting earnings per share ("EPS"). SFAS No. 128 applies to
entities with publicly held common stock or potential common stock. This
statement requires dual presentation of basic and diluted EPS on the face of
the income statement for all entities with complex capital structures and
requires a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic
and diluted EPS computations for all prior-period EPS data presented. Refer
to Note 12 for additional information.
Comprehensive Income
In 1998 the Company adopted SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income".
This statement establishes standards for reporting and display of
comprehensive income and its components (revenues, expenses, gains and
losses). Components of comprehensive income are net income and all other
non-owner changes in equity. This statement requires that an enterprise (a)
classify items of other comprehensive income by their nature in a financial
statement and (b) display the accumulated balance of other comprehensive
income separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in capital in
the equity section of a statement of financial position. This statement is
effective, and has been adopted, for the Company's financial statements
issued for the year ended December 31, 1999.
Segment Information
In 1998 the Company adopted SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information". This statement establishes the
standards for reporting information about segments in annual and interim
financial statements. SFAS No. 131 introduces a new model for segment
reporting; the "management approach". The management approach is based on
the way the chief operating decision-maker organizes segments within a
company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable
segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure,
management structure - any manner in which management disaggregates a
company. Refer to Note 15 for additional information.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In June 1998 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS
No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities".
This statement establishes standards for reporting and accounting for
derivative instruments ("derivatives") and hedging activities. The statement
requires that derivatives be reported as assets or liabilities in the
consolidated balance sheets and that derivatives be reported at fair value.
The statement establishes criteria for accounting for changes in the fair
value of derivatives based on the intended use of the derivatives. The
statement, as amended by SFAS No. 137, is effective for all quarters of
years beginning after June 15, 1999. Based on the Bank's current and
anticipated investment and hedging activities the Company does not expect
the adoption of SFAS No. 133 to have a material impact on the Company's
financial position or results of operations.
Reclassification
Certain amounts reported for prior periods have been reclassified to be
consistent with the current period presentation.
(2) BRANCH ACQUISITION
On October 29, 1999, the Bank completed the purchase of two branches,
located in Bellows Falls, VT and Rutland, VT from Chittenden Corporation.
The purchase was made in connection with the branch divestiture required by
federal regulators with respect to Chittenden Corporation's completed merger
with Vermont Financial Services Corporation, the parent company of Vermont
National Bank. The transaction included two branches, one remote ATM site,
approximately $38.5 million in deposits, $20.8 million in commercial loans,
$13.6 million in residential and consumer loans, and certain fixed assets
associated with the branches. The Bank paid a deposit premium of 3.2% and
the assets were purchased at book value. A core deposit intangible asset of
$1.6 million was created in connection with the transaction, which is being
amortized over 7 years on an accelerated basis.
(3) INVESTMENT SECURITIES
Investments in debt securities are classified as trading, available for sale
or held to maturity as of December 31, 1999 and 1998. The amortized cost and
fair values of the debt securities classified as available for sale and held
to maturity as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, are as follows:
SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 (In thousands)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Agency Obligations $ 8,998 $ 44 $ - $ 9,042
Mortgage-backed Securities 38,274 17 552 37,739
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 26,353 - 905 25,448
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 73,625 $ 61 $1,457 $72,229
=======================================================================================
<CAPTION>
Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 (In thousands)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Agency Obligations $ 30,774 $ 481 $ 62 $31,193
Mortgage-backed Securities 41,058 130 176 41,012
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 71,832 $ 611 $ 238 $72,205
=======================================================================================
SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY:
<CAPTION>
Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 (In thousands)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Treasury Obligations $ 453 $ - $ 7 $ 446
U.S. Agency Obligations 34,000 - 1,186 32,814
Mortgage-backed Securities 91,828 - 2,783 89,545
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$126,281 $ - $3,976 $122,305
=======================================================================================
<CAPTION>
Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 (In thousands)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Treasury Obligations $ 452 $ 13 $ - $ 465
U.S. Agency Obligations 14,979 84 - 15,063
Mortgage-backed Securities 88,420 1,786 17 90,189
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$103,851 $1,883 $ 17 $105,717
=======================================================================================
</TABLE>
The fair value of securities held for trading was $1,075 thousand and $1,095
thousand at December 31, 1999 and 1998 respectively. Gains on securities
held for trading were $61 thousand and $331 thousand as of December 31, 1999
and 1998, respectively.
The contractual maturities of all debt securities held at December 31, 1999
are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amortized Fair
(In thousands) Cost Value
---------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Due within one year $ 4,042 $ 4,054
Due after one year through five years 9,418 9,401
Due after five years through ten years 80,082 77,724
Due after ten years 106,364 103,355
---------------------------------------------------------------
$199,906 $194,534
===============================================================
</TABLE>
Proceeds from sales of available for sale debt securities were $14 million
during 1998. Gross gains of $44 thousand and $840 thousand and gross losses
of $0 and $56 thousand were realized from sales of securities in 1998 and
1997, respectively. There were no sales of securities during 1999.
On August 27, 1999, $27.5 million of securities available for sale were
transferred to the held to maturity portfolio. Net unrealized losses of $1.0
million associated with these securities are being amortized over the
remaining lives of the individual securities based on the level yield
method.
At December 31, 1999, securities with a face value of $15.1 million were
pledged to secure public deposits, and for other purposes required by law.
(4) LOANS
The composition of the loan portfolio at December 31, 1999 and 1998 is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Commercial, Financial and Agricultural $ 72,333 $ 63,953
Real Estate-Commercial 171,988 170,892
Real Estate-Residential 180,906 147,348
Real Estate-Construction 12,701 8,091
Installment Loans to individuals 15,313 14,676
All Other Loans (including overdrafts) 451 532
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total Loans $453,692 $405,492
==============================================================
</TABLE>
The Bank currently originates primarily residential real estate loans,
commercial and installment loans, and commercial real estate loans to
customers throughout the state of Vermont. There were no loans held for sale
at December 31, 1999 and 1998. Substantially all of the Bank's loan
portfolio is based in the state of Vermont. There are no known significant
industry concentrations in the loan portfolio. Loans serviced for others at
December 31, 1999 and 1998 amounted to $106 million and $160 million,
respectively.
The reserve for possible loan losses is based on management's estimate of
the amount required to cover the economic risks in the loan portfolio, based
on circumstances and conditions known at each reporting date. There are
inherent uncertainties with respect to the final outcome of certain of the
Bank's loans and nonperforming assets. Because of these inherent
uncertainties, actual losses may differ from the amounts reflected in these
consolidated financial statements. Factors considered in evaluating the
adequacy of the reserve include previous loss experience, current economic
conditions and their effect on the borrowers, the performance of individual
loans in relation to contract terms, and estimated fair values of properties
to be foreclosed. Losses are charged against the reserve for loan losses
when management believes that the collectibility of principal is doubtful.
To the extent management determines the level of anticipated losses in the
portfolio have significantly increased or diminished the reserve is adjusted
through current earnings.
Key elements of the above estimates, including those used in independent
appraisals, are dependent upon the economic conditions prevailing at the
time of the estimates. Accordingly, uncertainty exists as to the final
outcome of certain of the valuation judgments. The inherent uncertainties in
the assumptions relative to the projected sales prices or rental rates may
result in the ultimate realization of amounts on certain loans that are
different from the amounts reflected in these consolidated financial
statements.
An analysis of the reserve for possible loan losses for the years ended
December 31, 1999 and 1998 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998
--------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance, Beginning of Year $11,300 $15,831
Provision for Possible Loan Losses (388) (1,737)
Loans Charged Off (874) (3,935)
Recoveries 1,151 1,141
--------------------------------------------------------
Balance, End of Year $11,189 $11,300
========================================================
</TABLE>
The allowance for possible loan losses related to loans that are identified
as impaired is based on discounted cash flows using the loan's effective
interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral
dependent loans. The Company has determined that commercial and commercial
real estate loans recognized by the Company as nonaccrual, loans past due
over 90 days and still accruing, restructured troubled debt and certain
internally adversely classified loans are generally equivalent to impaired
loans.
The Bank's policy is to discontinue the accrual of interest, and to reverse
uncollected interest receivable on loans, when scheduled payments become
contractually past due in excess of 90 days or, in the judgment of
management, the ultimate collectibility of principal or interest becomes
doubtful.
Total impaired loans with a related allowance at December 31, 1999 and 1998
were $4.1 million and $3.9 million respectively, and the allowance
associated with such loans was $1.0 million and $400 thousand, respectively.
Interest payments on impaired loans are generally recorded as principal
reductions if the remaining loan balance is not expected to be paid in full.
If full collection of the remaining loan balance is expected interest income
is recognized on a cash basis. During 1999 and 1998, the Company recorded
interest income on impaired loans of approximately $120 thousand and $240
thousand, respectively. The average balance of impaired loans was $3.8
million in 1999 and $6.9 million in 1998.
Nonperforming assets at December 31, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998
--------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Nonaccrual loans $2,800 $2,103
Restructured Loans 689 320
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More
and Still Accruing Interest 199 170
--------------------------------------------------
Total Nonperforming Loans 3,688 2,593
Other Real Estate Owned, Net 133 470
--------------------------------------------------
Total Nonperforming Assets $3,821 $3,063
==================================================
</TABLE>
The Bank had $689 thousand and $320 thousand of restructured loans that were
performing in accordance with the modified agreement at December 31, 1999
and 1998, respectively.
The amount of interest which was not earned, but which would have been
earned had the nonaccrual and restructured loans performed in accordance
with their original terms and conditions, was approximately $207 thousand,
$441 thousand and $395 thousand in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
During 1998 the Bank consummated transactions involving sales of loans,
including certain impaired loans. The aggregate net book value of loans sold
was approximately $15.1 million. The Bank recognized total income of $357
thousand from the sale of these loans. All loans were sold without recourse.
An analysis of loans to directors, executive officers, and associates of
such persons for the year ended December 31, 1999 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands)
------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1998 $8,885
Additions 4,491
Repayments (3,574)
------------------------------------
Balance, December 31, 1999 $9,802
====================================
</TABLE>
It is the policy of the Bank to grant such loans on substantially the same
terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing for
comparable lending transactions with other persons. The December 31, 1999
balance has been adjusted to reflect changes in status of directors and
executive officers during 1999.
(5) PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
The components of premises and equipment included in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998
--------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Land and Buildings $13,484 $12,926
Leasehold Improvements 1,178 1,221
Furniture, Equipment, and Software 11,301 10,322
--------------------------------------------------------
25,963 24,469
Less: Accumulated Depreciation
and Amortization 12,787 11,284
--------------------------------------------------------
$13,176 $13,185
========================================================
</TABLE>
Depreciation and amortization expense related to premises and equipment
amounted to $1.9 million, $2.2 million and $2.0 million in 1999, 1998, and
1997, respectively.
The Bank leases certain properties for branch operations. Rent expense on
these properties totaled $571 thousand, $303 thousand and $263 thousand for
the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Minimum
lease payments for these properties subsequent to December 31, 1999 are as
follows: 2000-$396 thousand; 2001-$387 thousand; 2002-$344 thousand; 2003-
$282 thousand; 2004-$176 thousand and $273 thousand thereafter.
(6) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Pension Plan
Prior to January 1995, the Company maintained a noncontributory defined
benefit plan covering all eligible employees. The plan was a final average
pay plan with benefits based on the average salary rates over the five
consecutive plan years out of the last ten consecutive plan years that
produce the highest average. It was the Company's policy to fund the cost of
benefits expected to accrue during the year plus amortization of any
unfunded accrued liability that had accumulated prior to the valuation date
based on IRS regulations for funding. During 1994, the Company made the
decision to freeze the plan beginning on January 1, 1995. During 1995, the
plan was curtailed. Accordingly, all accrued benefits were fully vested and
no additional years of service or age will be accrued.
The plan's funded status and amounts recognized in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations as of December 31,
1999 and 1998, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998
---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Change in Projected Benefit Obligation
Projected Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year $7,073 $6,610
Interest Cost 459 465
Actuarial (Gain) Loss (779) 473
Benefits Paid (490) (475)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected Benefit Obligation at Year End $6,263 $7,073
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in Plan Assets
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year $7,699 $7,308
Actuarial Return on Plan Assets 937 866
Benefits Paid (490) (475)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Year End $8,146 $7,699
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Funded Status of the Plan
Amount Over Funded $1,883 $ 626
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrecognized Net Actuarial (Gain) Loss (349) 771
Unrecognized Prior Service Cost - (15)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Amount Recognized (349) 756
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Amounts Recognized in the Statements of
Financial Position Consist of the Following:
Prepaid Benefit Cost $1,534 $1,382
=====================================================================
</TABLE>
A summary of (income) expense relating to the Company's pension fund for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998, is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998 1997
------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Interest Cost on Projected Benefit
Obligation $ 459 $ 465 $ 452
Expected Return on Plan Assets (597) (530) (563)
Amortization of Unrecognized Transition
Asset (15) (39) (39)
Recognized Net Losses - 4 -
------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Periodic Pension Costs $(153) $(100) $(150)
==================================================================
</TABLE>
The actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation was
determined using a weighted average discount rate of 7.75%, 6.75% and 7% as
of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. For 1999, 1998 and 1997
there was no assumed rate of increase in future compensation due to the
freeze on plan benefits. The expected long-term rate of return on assets
used was 8% in 1999, 1998 and 1997.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan/401(k) Plan
Under the terms of the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP),
eligible employees are entitled to contribute up to 15% of their
compensation to the ESOP, and the Company contributes a percentage of the
amounts contributed by the employees, as authorized by the Company's Board
of Directors. The Company contributed approximately 126% and 128%,
respectively, of the amounts contributed by the employees (200% of up to
4.5% of individual employee compensation) in 1999 and 1998. Substantially
all employer contributions to the ESOP are funded with cash and are used to
purchase the Company's common stock.
Deferred Compensation Plans
Until July 1, 1997, Directors of the Bank were entitled to defer a portion
of their compensation into a Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors known
as the "Floating Growth (savings)" program. No additional compensation may
be deferred into the Floating Growth (savings) program. Benefits accrue
based on a monthly allowance for interest at a rate that is fixed from time
to time at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The benefits under the
Floating Growth (savings) program are generally payable starting on the
January 2 following a participant's 65th birthday or earlier death, and will
be distributed to the participant (or upon the participant's death, to the
participant's designated beneficiary) in accordance with the Plan.
A summary of (income) expense relating to the Company's various employee
benefit plans for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1999 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998 1997
--------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Pension Plan $(115) $(100) $(150)
Employee Stock Ownership
Plan/401(k) Plan 643 588 685
Deferred Compensation Plans 10 11 20
--------------------------------------------------------
Total $ 538 $ 499 $ 555
========================================================
</TABLE>
(7) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
Stock Option Plans
The Company has granted stock options to certain key employees. The options
granted vest after two years and are immediately exercisable upon vesting.
Nonqualified stock options may be granted at any price determined by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. All stock options have
been granted at or above fair market value at the date of grant.
A summary of the Company's stock option activity for each of the three years
for the period ended December 31, 1999 is as follows, with numbers of shares
in thousands:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Average Average Average
Number Exercise Number Exercise Number Exercise
of Price of Price of Price
Shares Per Share Shares Per Share Shares Per Share
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Options outstanding,
Beginning of year 138 $25.76 103 $21.88 50 $12.45
Granted 99 24.55 48 30.50 71 25.69
Exercised 1 10.00 13 12.61 18 10.72
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options outstanding,
end of year 236 $25.36 138 $25.76 103 $21.88
Options exercisable 89 $23.37 19 $13.98 22 $12.53
Weighted average fair value
per option of options
granted during year $ 6.64 $ 6.92 $ 6.71
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
As of December 31, 1999, the exercisable options outstanding were
exercisable at prices ranging from $10.00 to $27.75 and had a weighted-
average remaining contractual life of 5.92 years.
As permitted by SFAS No. 123, the Company has elected to continue to apply
APB No. 25 to account for its stock-based compensation plans. Had
compensation cost for awards under the Company's stock-based compensation
plans been determined consistent with the method set forth under SFAS No.
123, the effect on the Company's net income and earnings per share would
have been as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Reported Pro Forma As Reported Pro Forma As Reported Pro Forma
(In thousands except per share data)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Income $10,450 $10,233 $9,822 $9,712 $8,833 $8,679
Basic Earnings per Share $ 2.39 $ 2.34 $ 2.22 $ 2.19 $ 2.00 $ 1.97
Diluted Earnings per Share $ 2.39 $ 2.34 $ 2.21 $ 2.19 $ 1.99 $ 1.96
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Because the method prescribed by SFAS No. 123 has not been applied to
options granted prior to January 1, 1995, the resulting pro forma
compensation expense may not be representative of the amount to be expected
in future years. Pro forma compensation expense for options granted is
reflected over the vesting period; therefore, future pro forma compensation
expense may be greater as additional options are granted.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the grant date using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions for 1999, 1998, and 1997, respectively: Risk-free interest rates
of 4.53%, 4.59%, and 6.0%; expected lives of options of five years, five
years, and four years; expected volatility of stock of 32.76%, 30.05%, and
34.37%; rate of dividends of 3.31%, 2.53%, and 2.48%; resulting in pro forma
after tax compensation expense of $217 thousand for 1999, $110 thousand for
1998, and $308 thousand for 1997.
The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was developed for use in estimating
the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are
fully transferable. In addition, option-pricing models require the input of
highly subjective assumptions. Because the Company's employee stock options
have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options,
and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially
affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models
do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of
its employee stock options.
Deferred Compensation Plans
Through December 1995, the Bank maintained an Executive Salary Continuation
Plan and a Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors. In December 1995, in
satisfaction of all liabilities under those plans, the Bank agreed to make
payments to, or credits for, the participants. The Bank established several
plans (the "Plans") and established certain trusts (the "Trusts") with
Merchants Trust Company, to which it contributed an amount sufficient to
cover the Bank's obligations. The Plans used those payments, in part, to
purchase newly issued common stock of the Company at its market price. The
purchases have been accounted for as treasury stock transactions in the
Company's consolidated financial statements. The portions of the payments
made to the Plans that were not invested in the common stock of the Company
are included as investments in the consolidated financial statements and are
classified as trading. To the extent the obligations of the Bank under the
Plans are based on investments by the Plans in other than shares of the
Company, the investments are revalued at each reporting date with a
corresponding adjustment to compensation expense.
In July 1998, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") issued guidance on
Issue No. 97-14, "Accounting for Deferred Compensation Arrangements Where
Amounts Earned Are Held in a Rabbi Trust and Invested" (the "Guidance").
This Guidance establishes standards for reporting and accounting for certain
deferred compensation agreements between the Company and certain of its
directors. This Guidance requires that the deferred compensation obligation
be classified in the "Stockholders' Equity" section of the balance sheets.
These amounts were previously classified as other liabilities in the
"Liabilities" section of the balance sheets. The Company adopted this
guidance prospectively on September 30, 1998 and on that date reclassified
deferred compensation obligations totaling $2.13 million to a component
within Stockholders' Equity labeled "Deferred Compensation Arrangements".
Restricted Stock Plans
The Company and the Bank have compensation plans for non-employee directors.
Under the terms of the plans, participating directors may elect to have all
or a specified percentage of his or her compensation for a given year paid
in the form of cash or deferred in the form of shares of restricted common
stock of the Company. Directors who elect to have their compensation
deferred shall be credited with a number of shares of the Company's stock
equal in value to the amount of fees deferred plus a risk premium of not
more than 25% of the amount deferred. The participating director may not
generally sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of these shares, prior to the
fifth anniversary of the date of the grant of such shares. With respect to
shares of common stock issued or otherwise transferred to a participating
director, the participating director will have the right to vote the shares
and receive dividends or other distributions thereon. If a participating
director resigns under certain circumstances the director shall forfeit all
of his or her restricted shares, which are risk premium shares. During 1999,
5,855 shares of common stock of the Company were distributed to a trust
established under the terms of the new compensation plan. The "risk premium"
is reflected within a component of Stockholders' Equity labeled "Deferred
Compensation Arrangements" and will be recognized as an expense ratably over
the five-year restriction period.
(8) INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1999 consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998 1997
------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current $ 499 $3,065 $1,499
Deferred (Prepaid) 2,656 183 884
------------------------------------------------
$3,155 $3,248 $2,383
================================================
</TABLE>
Prepaid and deferred income taxes result from differences between the income
for financial reporting and tax reporting relating primarily to the
provision for possible loan losses. The net deferred tax asset amounted to
approximately $2.5 million and $4.3 million at December 31, 1999 and 1998,
respectively. This tax asset is included in other assets in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets.
The components of the net deferred tax asset as of December 31, 1999 and
1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998
---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Reserve for Possible Loan Losses $ 3,916 $ 4,064
Deferred Compensation 1,335 1,340
Unrealized Securities (Gains) Losses 743 (191)
Loan Fees 107 104
Depreciation (686) (876)
Accrued Liabilities (9) 46
Investments in Real Estate Limited Partnerships (1,242) (968)
Excess Servicing Right - (17)
Loan Market Adjustment (4,789) (2,932)
Other (1,091) (975)
Tax Credit Carryforwards 3,967 4,190
Core Deposit Intangible 267 472
---------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 2,518 $ 4,257
=====================================================================
</TABLE>
The following is a reconciliation of the federal income tax provision,
calculated at the statutory rate, to the recorded provision for income
taxes:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Applicable Statutory Federal Income
Tax $ 4,762 $ 4,444 $ 3,779
(Reduction) Increase in Taxes
Resulting From:
Loss on Investment Securities - - (134)
Tax-exempt Income (34) (41) (55)
Tax Credits (1,631) (1,328) (1,089)
Other, Net 58 173 (118)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 3,155 $ 3,248 $ 2,383
====================================================================
</TABLE>
The state of Vermont assesses a franchise tax for banks in lieu of income
tax. The franchise tax is assessed based on deposits and amounted to
approximately $627 thousand, $590 thousand, and $386 thousand in 1999, 1998,
and 1997, respectively. These amounts are included in other expenses in the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
(9) OTHER BORROWED FUNDS
Other borrowed funds consist of the following at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998
------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Treasury Tax and Loan Notes $ 4,000 $ 283
Short Term Borrowing 7,000 9,000
------------------------------------------------
$11,000 $9,283
================================================
</TABLE>
As of December 31, 1999, the Bank may borrow up to $40 million in overnight
funds on an unsecured basis.
The following table provides certain information regarding other borrowed
funds for the two years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Maximum Weighted
Month-End Average Average Rate Weighted
Amount Amount During Average Rate
(In thousands) Outstanding Outstanding the Year at Year End
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1999
Treasury Tax And Loan Notes $ 4,000 $1,823 4.75% 4.54%
Federal Funds Purchased 3,000 74 5.27% -
Short Term Borrowing 25,000 7,190 5.23% 5.88%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998
Treasury Tax And Loan Notes $ 4,000 $1,939 5.14% 4.12%
Federal Funds Purchased 6,000 730 5.70% -
Short Term Borrowing 20,000 2,986 5.68% 5.66%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(10) DEBT
Debt consists of the following at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
9% Note Payable, Monthly Installments of
$1.7 thousand (Principal and Interest), Annual
Installments of $30 Thousand (Principal only) , through
July 2003 $ 163 $ 197
8.75% Mortgage Note, payable in Monthly Installments of
$2.5 thousand (Principal and Interest) through 2039 1,178 1,182
Federal Home Loan Bank Notes Payable, Interest Rates
From 7.52% to 8.66% Due in 2001 5,030 5,030
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
$6,371 $6,409
============================================================================
</TABLE>
The 8.75% mortgage note relates to a low-income housing project. The monthly
installments are subsidized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which
pays amounts annually so as to reduce the monthly principal and interest
payments to an amount equivalent to a loan at a rate of 1%.
Maturities of debt subsequent to December 31, 1999 are as follows: 2000-$41
thousand; 2001-$5,075 thousand; 2002-$49 thousand; 2003-$44 thousand; 2004-
$5 thousand and $1,157 thousand thereafter.
As of December 31, 1999, the Company is in compliance with all of the
covenants of the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") agreements.
(11) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Vermont state law requires the Bank to appropriate a minimum of 10% of net
income to surplus until such time as appropriated amounts equal 10% of
deposits and other liabilities. The Company's stockholders' equity includes
$10.0 million as of December 31, 1999 and $9.0 million as of December 31,
1998 of such appropriations. Vermont state law also restricts the payment of
dividends under certain circumstances.
(12) EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table presents a reconciliation of the calculations of basic
and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Per Share
1999 Income Shares Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands except share and per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Income Available to Common Shareholders $10,450 4,368,421 $2.39
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Options issued to Executives (See Note 7) - 6,950
Income available to Common Shareholders
Plus Assumed Conversions 10,450 4,375,371 $2.39
============================================================================================
<CAPTION>
Per Share
1998 Income Shares Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands except share and per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Income Available to Common Shareholders $9,822 4,425,031 $2.22
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Options issued to Executives (See Note 7) - 15,034
Income available to Common Shareholders
Plus Assumed Conversions $9,822 4,440,065 $2.21
============================================================================================
<CAPTION>
Per Share
1997 Income Shares Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands except share and per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Income Available to Common Shareholders $8,833 4,423,153 $2.00
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Options issued to Executives (See Note 7) - 23,256
Income available to Common Shareholders
Plus Assumed Conversions $8,833 4,446,409 $1.99
============================================================================================
</TABLE
Basic earnings per common share were computed by dividing net income by the
weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the
year.
(13) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Bank is a counterclaim defendant in a litigation entitled "Pasquale and
Vatsala Vescio, Counterclaim Plaintiffs v. The Merchants Bank, Counterclaim
Defendant", now pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
District of Vermont.
In this litigation, the Vescios have made a number of "lender liability"
claims dealing with a commercial development known as Brattleboro West in
Brattleboro, Vermont. The pending litigation arose out of a suit to
foreclose on several real estate mortgages and personal property delivered
to the Bank as collateral by the Vescios in connection with the financing of
a supermarket in the Brattleboro West project and various other projects.
Among other things, the Vescios have alleged that the Bank or its
representatives violated supposed oral promises in connection with the
origination and funding of the project, and have claimed that the Bank is
liable to them for damages based on the Bank's supposed "control" of the
project and its alleged breach of covenants of "good faith" which the
plaintiffs believe are to be implied from the loan documents. In addition,
the plaintiffs have contended that the Bank breached a duty of care they
believe it owed to them, and have claimed that the Bank should not have
exercised its contract rights when the loan went into default, but should
have resolved the default in a way that was more favorable to the borrowers.
Trial concluded in United States Bankruptcy Court in November 1998. In June
1999, before entry of any findings or a decision on the merits, the trial
judge recused himself from all cases involving the Bank. He completed his
term as bankruptcy judge on July 31, 1999. On September 30, 1999, United
States District Court Judge William Sessions withdrew the reference of the
case to the Bankruptcy Court and ruled that he would decide the case himself
on the basis of a combination of the Bankruptcy Court trial record and
rehearing certain testimony of certain witnesses. The parties subsequently
stipulated to waive any rehearing of testimony and submission of further
evidence and to submit the case to the District Court for a decision on the
merits based on the existing trial record. The timing of a decision on the
merits of the case at the trial level cannot be predicted at this time.
Although it is not possible at this stage to predict the outcome of this
litigation, the Bank believes that it has meritorious defenses to the
plaintiffs' allegations. The Bank intends to vigorously defend itself
against these claims.
On March 25, 1999, Merchants Trust Company received, as trustee, a recovery
of $4.8 million on account of settlement of a 1994 class action suit filed
in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. The Trust
Company's claims, and the class action, arose from investments made by the
Trust Company in the so-called Piper Jaffray Institutional Government Income
Portfolio ("Piper Jaffray") on behalf of the plaintiffs. In the first
quarter of 1999, the Company realized $1.3 million as a result of that
recovery. During the third quarter of 1999, the Trust Company disbursed the
recovery, partly to itself and the balance in accordance with instructions
provided by the Company's insurance carrier, pursuant to an agreement made
with the carrier in December 1994.
Lawyers representing the beneficiaries of five Trust Company accounts have
asserted that their clients (the "Named Customers") and others similarly
situated have not been fully reimbursed for damages allegedly suffered in
connection with certain investments made by the Trust Company during 1993
and 1994 in Piper Jaffray on their behalf. The Company believes full
reimbursement has been provided and that the Trust Company has no further
liability on account of the Piper Jaffray investment. On July 15, 1999, the
Trust Company filed an action with the United States District Court for the
District of Vermont seeking a declaratory judgement that the Trust Company
has no further liability to the Named Customers. The Named Customers filed a
Motion to Dismiss the Trust Company's action, and the District Court granted
that motion and declined to reconsider. The Trust Company intends to appeal
the District Court's Decision.
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in
various other legal proceedings arising from their normal business
activities. Although the amount of any ultimate liability with respect to
such proceedings cannot be determined, in the opinion of management, based
upon the opinion of counsel on the outcome of such proceedings, any such
liability will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial
position of the Company and its subsidiaries.
(14) PARENT COMPANY
The Parent Company's investments in its subsidiaries are recorded using the
equity method of accounting. Summarized financial information relative to
the Parent Company only balance sheets at December 31, 1999 and 1998 and
statements of operations and cashflows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1999 are as follows:
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Balance Sheets as of December 31,
(In thousands) 1999 1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Assets:
Investment in and Advances to Subsidiaries* $64,107 $60,677
Other Assets 638 163
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets $64,745 $60,840
===================================================================
Liabilities and Equity Capital:
Other Liabilities $ 9 $ 11
Equity Capital 64,736 60,829
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities and Equity Capital $64,745 $60,840
===================================================================
<CAPTION>
Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands) 1999 1998 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Dividends from Merchants Bank* $ 5,402 $4,000 $2,267
Equity in Undistributed Earnings of Subsidiaries 5,122 5,907 6,652
Other Expense, Net (112) (129) (130)
Benefit from Income Taxes 38 44 44
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $10,450 $9,822 $8,833
===============================================================================
<FN>
- --------------------
<F*> Account balances are partially or fully eliminated in consolidation.
</FN>
</TABLE>
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Income $10,450 $ 9,822 $ 8,833
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities:
Decrease in Miscellaneous Receivables 3 71 89
Increase (Decrease) in Miscellaneous Payables (1) (2) 40
Equity in Undistributed Income of Subsidiaries (5,122) (5,907) (6,652)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 5,330 3,984 2,310
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Sale of Treasury Stock - 80 1,234
Acquisition of Treasury Stock (1,620) (1,420) (1,390)
Proceeds from Exercise of Employee Stock Options 22 164 42
Tax Benefit from Employee Stock Option Exercise 1 60 -
Dividends Paid (3,390) (3,051) (2,217)
Other, Net 134 75 (35)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities (4,853) (4,092) (2,366)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents 477 (108) (56)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year 154 262 318
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year $ 631 $ 154 $ 262
===================================================================================
Total Interest Payments $ - $ - $ -
Taxes paid 4,525 2,170 3,820
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(15) BUSINESS SEGMENTS
On January 1, 1998 the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information" ("SFAS No. 131"). The adoption of SFAS No. 131 did not have a
material effect on the Company's primary financial statements.
The Company has identified Community Banking as its reportable operating
business segment. The Community Banking business segment consists of
commercial banking and retail banking. The Community Banking business
segment is managed as a single strategic unit which derives its revenues
from a wide range of banking services, including lending activities,
acceptance of demand, savings and time deposits, safe deposit facilities,
merchant card services and mortgage servicing income from investors.
Non-reportable operating segments of the Company's operations which do not
have similar characteristics to the Community Banking segment and do not
meet the quantitative thresholds requiring disclosure are included in the
Other category in the disclosure of business segments below. These non-
reportable segments include trust and investment services, as well as parent
company financial information (Note 14).
The following tables present the results of the Company's reportable
operating business segment results as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Community Consolidation
December 31, 1999 Banking Other Adjustment Consolidated
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest Income $ 49,221 $ - $ - $ 49,221
Interest Expense 18,599 28 - 18,627
Provision for Possible Loan Losses (388) - - (388)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income After Provi-
sion for Possible Loan Losses 31,010 (28) - 30,982
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest Income:
Trust Company Income - 1,802 - 1,802
Service Charges on Deposits 3,024 - - 3,024
Settlement Proceeds - 1,326 - 1,326
Other 1,099 122 - 1,221
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Noninterest Income 4,123 3,250 - 7,373
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest Expenses:
Salaries and Employee Benefits 11,486 640 - 12,126
Occupancy and Equipment 4,459 73 - 4,532
Legal and Professional 1,348 432 - 1,780
Marketing 1,116 35 - 1,151
Other Expenses 4,607 554 - 5,161
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Noninterest Expenses 23,016 1,734 - 24,750
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Before Provision For
Income Taxes 12,117 1,488 - 13,605
Provision for Income Taxes 2,556 599 - 3,155
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $ 9,561 $ 889 $ - $ 10,450
============================================================================================
End of Period Securities $198,510 $ 1,075 $ - $199,585
End of Period Net Loans 453,692 - - 453,692
End of Period Assets 699,787 74,297 (72,721) 701,363
End of Period Deposits 617,392 - (4,149) 613,243
End of Period Borrowings 16,456 1,178 - 17,634
End of Period Liabilities 638,366 4,827 (6,565) 636,628
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
Community Consolidation
December 31, 1998 Banking Other Adjustment Consolidated
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest Income $ 47,990 $ 33 $ - $ 48,023
Interest Expense 18,501 29 - 18,530
Provision for Possible Loan Losses (1,737) - - (1,737)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income After Provi-
sion for Possible Loan Losses 31,226 4 - 31,230
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest Income:
Trust Company Income - 1,790 - 1,910
Service Charges on Deposits 2,756 - - 2,756
Settlement Proceeds - 120 - 120
Other 1,260 128 - 1,388
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Noninterest Income 4,016 2,038 - 6,054
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest Expenses:
Salaries and Employee Benefits 10,780 690 - 11,470
Occupancy and Equipment 4,474 93 - 4,567
Legal and Professional 2,220 227 - 2,447
Marketing 1,115 35 - 1,150
Other Expenses 4,150 430 - 4,580
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Noninterest Expenses 22,739 1,475 - 24,214
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Before Provision For
Income Taxes 12,503 567 - 13,070
Provision for Income Taxes 2,994 254 - 3,248
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $ 9,509 $ 313 $ - $ 9,822
============================================================================================
End of Period Securities $178,539 $ 1,094 $ - $179,633
End of Period Net Loans 394,192 - - 394,192
End of Period Assets 632,613 67,280 (65,020) 634,873
End of Period Deposits 552,351 - (1,889) 550,462
End of Period Borrowings 14,510 1,182 - 15,692
End of Period Liabilities 573,394 2,539 (1,889) 574,044
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
Community Consolidation
December 31, 1997 Banking Other Adjustment Consolidated
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest Income $ 48,155 $ 3 $ - $ 48,158
Interest Expense 18,238 - - 18,238
Provision for Possible Loan Losses (1,862) - - (1,862)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income After Provi-
sion for Possible Loan Losses 31,779 3 - 31,782
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest Income:
Trust Company Income - 1,635 - 1,635
Service Charges on Deposits 3,075 - - 3,075
Other 1,895 70 - 1,965
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Noninterest Income 4,970 1,705 - 6,675
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noninterest Expenses
Salaries and Employee Benefits 9,967 707 - 10,674
Occupancy and Equipment 4,460 36 - 4,496
Legal and Professional 3,486 402 - 3,888
Marketing 1,431 19 - 1,450
Other Expenses 5,790 943 - 6,733
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Noninterest Expenses 25,134 2,107 - 27,241
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Before Provision For
Income Taxes 11,615 (399) - 11,216
Provision for Income Taxes 2,375 8 - 2,383
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $ 9,240 $ (407) $ - $ 8,833
============================================================================================
End of Period Securities $157,996 $ 1,030 $ - $159,026
End of Period Net Loans 374,557 - - 374,557
End of Period Assets 583,575 62,243 (61,566) 584,252
End of Period Deposits 508,778 - (2,934) 505,844
End of Period Borrowings 13,231 1,184 - 14,415
End of Period Liabilities 529,674 4,576 (2,934) 531,316
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(16) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK
Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Risk
The Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in
the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.
These financial instruments primarily include commitments to extend credit
and financial guarantees. Such instruments involve, to varying degrees,
elements of credit and interest rate risk that are not recognized in the
accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to
the financial instruments for commitments to extend credit and financial
guarantees written is represented by the contractual amount of those
instruments. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments as
it does for on-balance sheet instruments. The contractual amounts of these
financial instruments at December 31, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) Contractual Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
1999
Financial Instruments Whose Contract Amounts
Represent Credit Risk:
Commitments to Extend Credit $111,033
Standby Letters of Credit 7,170
Loans Sold with Recourse 76
------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) Contractual Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
1998
Financial Instruments Whose Contract Amounts
Represent Credit Risk:
Commitments to Extend Credit $105,112
Standby Letters of Credit 5,321
Loans Sold with Recourse 1,106
------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as
there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.
Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination
clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since a portion of the commitments
are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amount
does not necessarily represent a future cash requirement. The Bank evaluates
each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of
collateral obtained by the Bank upon extension of credit is based on
management's credit evaluation of the counterparty, and an appropriate
amount of real and/or personal property is obtained as collateral.
Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees written are conditional
commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee performance of a customer to a
third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and
private borrowing arrangements. Most guarantees extend for less than two
years, and approximately 90% are for less than $100 thousand. The credit
risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that
involved in extending loan facilities to customers. The Bank obtains real
and/or personal property as collateral for those commitments for which
collateral is deemed to be necessary.
The Bank may enter into commitments to sell loans, which involve market and
interest rate risk. There were no such commitments at December 31, 1999 or
1998.
Interest Rate Cap and Floor Contracts
Interest rate cap and floor transactions generally involve the exchange of
fixed and floating rate interest payments without the exchange of the
underlying principal amounts. The Company uses floor contracts to mitigate
the effects on net interest income in the event interest rates on floating
rate loans decline and uses cap contracts to mitigate the effects on net
interest income should interest rates on floating rate deposits increase.
The Company is exposed to risk should the counterparty default in its
responsibility to pay interest under the terms of the cap or floor
agreement, but minimizes this risk by performing normal credit reviews on
the counterparties, by limiting its exposure to any one counterparty, and by
utilizing well known national investment firms as counterparties. Notional
principal amounts are a measure of the volume of agreements transacted, but
the level of credit risk is significantly less. At December 31, 1999 and
December 31, 1998, the notional principal amounts of such contracts
outstanding was $60 million and $80 million respectively. At December 31,
1999 and December 31, 1998, the amortized cost of such contracts was $161
thousand and $302 thousand, respectively. $42 thousand of cash proceeds
were received during 1999 and $2 thousand of cash proceeds were received
during 1998 with respect to these contracts.
(17) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Investments
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash
and cash equivalents and stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston
approximate fair values. Fair value for investment securities is determined
from quoted market prices, when available. If quoted market prices are not
available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable
instruments.
An analysis of the fair value of the investment securities as of December
31, 1999 and 1998 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying Carrying
(In thousands) Amount Fair Value Amount Fair Value
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Securities Available for Sale $ 72,229 $ 72,229 $ 72,205 $ 72,205
Securities Held to Maturity 126,281 122,305 103,851 105,717
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$198,510 $194,534 $176,056 $177,922
=================================================================================
</TABLE>
Loans
The fair value of variable rate loans that reprice frequently and have no
significant credit risk is based on carrying values. The fair value for
other loans is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using interest
rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of
similar credit quality.
An analysis of the fair value of the loan portfolio as of December 31, 1999
and 1998 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying Carrying
(In thousands) Amount Fair Value Amount Fair Value
------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Loans $442,503 $433,332 $394,192 $400,469
-------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Deposits
The fair value of demand deposits approximates the amount reported in the
consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of variable rate, fixed term
certificates of deposit also approximate the carrying amount reported in the
consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of fixed rate and fixed term
certificates of deposit is estimated using a discounted cash flow which
applies interest rates currently being offered for deposits of similar
remaining maturities.
An analysis of the fair value of deposits as of December 31, 1999 and 1998
is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying Carrying
(In thousands) Amount Fair Value Amount Fair Value
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Demand Deposits $ 86,160 $ 86,160 $ 85,998 $ 85,998
Savings, NOW and
Money Market 369,929 369,935 309,897 311,453
Time Deposits $100 thousand
and greater 25,590 26,022 22,746 24,243
Other Time Deposits 131,564 131,868 131,821 131,915
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$613,243 $613,985 $550,462 $553,609
=================================================================================
</TABLE>
Debt
The fair value of debt is estimated using current market rates for
borrowings of similar remaining maturity.
An analysis of the fair value of the borrowings of the Company as of
December 31, 1999 and 1998 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying Carrying
(In thousands) Amount Fair Value Amount Fair Value
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Other Borrowed Funds $11,000 $11,000 $9,283 $9,283
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt 6,371 6,499 6,409 6,731
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Commitments to Extend Credit And Standby Letters Of Credit
The fair value of commitments to extend credit is estimated using the fees
currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the
remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the
counterparties. For fixed rate loan commitments, fair value also considers
the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed
rates. The fair value of financial standby letters of credit is based on
fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to
terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties.
The fair value of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit
is $69 thousand and $53 thousand as of December 31, 1999 and 1998,
respectively.
Interest Rate Caps and Floors
The fair value of the interest rate cap and floor contracts at December 31,
1999 was $402 thousand, the amortized cost was $161 thousand. Management
bases estimates on quotes, from qualified investment brokers, of the market
value of the cap or floor at the reporting date.
(18) SUMMARY OF UNAUDITED FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands except per share data) 1999 1998
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Year Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Year
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest and Fee
Income $13,090 $12,346 $11,919 $11,866 $49,221 $12,006 $11,969 $12,154 $11,894 $48,023
Interest Expense 5,013 4,567 4,529 4,518 18,627 4,629 4,687 4,663 4,551 18,530
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income 8,077 7,779 7,390 7,348 30,594 7,377 7,282 7,491 7,343 29,493
Provision for Possible
Loan Losses (1) (254) (134) - - (388) (1,618) - (119) - (1,737)
Noninterest Income (2) 1,648 1,525 1,517 2,683 7,373 1,490 1,418 1,662 1,484 6,054
Noninterest Expense 6,212 6,058 6,041 6,439 24,750 6,638 5,579 6,175 5,822 24,214
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Before Provision
for Income Taxes 3,767 3,380 2,866 3,592 13,605 3,847 3,121 3,097 3,005 13,070
Provision For Income
Taxes 906 779 601 869 3,155 911 789 789 759 3,248
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $ 2,861 $ 2,601 2,265 $ 2,723 $10,450 $ 2,936 $ 2,332 $ 2,308 $ 2,246 $ 9,822
============================================================================================================================
Basic Earnings Per
Share $ 0.66 $ 0.59 $ 0.52 $ 0.62 $ 2.39 $ 0.66 $ 0.53 $ 0.52 $ 0.51 $ 2.22
============================================================================================================================
Cash Dividends
Declared Per Share $ 0.21 $ 0.20 $ 0.20 $ 0.19 $ 0.80 $ 0.19 $ 0.18 $ 0.17 $ 0.17 $ 0.71
============================================================================================================================
<FN>
- --------------------
<F1> During the fourth quarter of 1998, the Bank reduced its reserve for
possible loan losses by approximately $1.6 million. The reduction is
primarily a result of management's determination that a lower requirement
was appropriate due to a changing mix of the loan portfolio, the impact
of conservative underwriting standards implemented in previous periods
and the favorable resolution of a significant troubled credit.
<F2> During the first quarter of 1999 the Bank recognized a $1.3 million
recovery arising from the resolution of certain litigation.
</FN>
</TABLE>
(19) REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital
requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Failure to meet
minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly
additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could
have a direct material effect on the Bank's and the Company's financial
statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines, the Company and the Bank must
meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the
Company's and the Bank's assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet
items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank is also
subject to the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action that
requires the Bank to meet specific capital guidelines to be considered well
capitalized. The Company's and the Bank's capital amounts and classification
are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about
components, risk weightings and other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy
require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum ratios (set forth in
the table below) of total and Tier-1 capital (as defined in the regulations)
to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier-1 capital (as defined) to
average assets (as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 1999,
that the Company and the Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to
which they are subject.
As of December 31, 1999, the most recent notification from the FDIC
categorized the Bank as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for
prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that
notification that management believes have changed the Bank's category. To
be considered well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt
corrective action, the Bank must maintain minimum Tier-1 Leverage, Tier-1
Risk-Based, and Total Risk-Based Capital ratios as set forth in the table
below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
To Be Well-
Capitalized Under
For Capital Prompt Corrective
(In thousands) Actual Adequacy Purposes Action Provisions
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount Percent Amount Percent Amount Percent
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
As of December 31, 1999:
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.:
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital $63,016 14.13% $17,837 4.00% N/A
Total Risk-Based Capital 68,677 15.40% 35,674 8.00% N/A
Tier 1 Leverage Capital 63,016 9.09% 27,715 4.00% N/A
Merchants Bank:
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital $62,454 13.96% $17,895 4.00% $26,842 6.00%
Total Risk-Based Capital 68,115 15.23% 35,789 8.00% 44,737 10.00%
Tier 1 Leverage Capital 62,454 9.00% 27,754 4.00% 34,692 5.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of December 31, 1998:
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.:
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital $58,677 14.45% $16,248 4.00% N/A
Total Risk-Based Capital 63,747 15.69% 32,496 8.00% N/A
Tier 1 Leverage Capital 58,677 9.49% 24,742 4.00% N/A
Merchants Bank:
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital $58,582 14.38% $16,295 4.00% $24,443 6.00%
Total Risk-Based Capital 63,652 15.62% 32,591 8.00% 40,738 10.00%
Tier 1 Leverage Capital 58,582 9.45% 24,791 4.00% 30,988 5.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Merchants Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Interest Management Analysis
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands, taxable equivalent) 1999 1998 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest % of Interest % of Interest % of
Income/ Average Income/ Average Income/ Average
Expense Assets Expense Assets Expense Assets
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET INTEREST INCOME:
Total Interest Income, Including
Fees on Loans $ 49,277 7.49% $ 48,098 7.97% $ 48,254 8.35%
Interest Expense 18,627 2.83 18,530 3.07 18,238 3.15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income Before Provision for
Possible Loan Losses 30,650 4.66 29,568 4.90 30,016 5.20
Provision for Possible Loan Losses (388) -0.06 (1,737) -0.29 (1,862) -0.32
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income $ 31,038 4.72% $ 31,305 5.19% $ 31,878 5.52%
===============================================================================================================
OPERATING EXPENSE ANALYSIS:
Noninterest Expense
Personnel $ 12,126 1.84% $ 11,470 1.90% $ 10,674 1.85%
Occupancy and Equipments Expense 4,532 0.69 4,567 0.76 4,496 0.78
Legal and Professional Fees 1,780 0.27 2,447 0.41 3,888 0.67
Marketing 1,151 0.18 957 0.16 1,450 0.25
Loss / (Gain) on Disposition of Fixed
Assets 30 0.00 127 0.02 1,088 0.19
Other 5,131 0.78 4,646 0.77 5,645 0.98
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Noninterest Expense 24,750 3.76 24,214 4.01 27,241 4.71
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less Noninterest Income
Service Charges on Deposits 3,024 0.46 2,756 0.46 3,075 0.53
Other, Including Securities Gains 4,349 0.66 3,298 0.55 3,600 0.62
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Noninterest Income 7,373 1.12 6,054 1.01 6,675 1.15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Operating Expense $ 17,377 2.64% $ 18,160 3.00% $ 20,566 3.56%
===============================================================================================================
SUMMARY:
Net Interest Income $ 31,038 4.72% $ 31,305 5.19% $ 31,878 5.52%
Less: Net Operating Expense 17,377 2.64 18,160 3.00 20,566 3.56
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit Before Taxes-
Taxable Equivalent Basis 13,661 2.08 13,145 2.19 11,312 1.96
Net Profit (Loss) After Taxes $ 10,450 1.59% $ 9,822 1.63% $ 8,833 1.53%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL AVERAGE ASSETS $657,523 $603,312 $578,090
===============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Except for the historical information contained herein, this Annual Report
on Form 10-K may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking
statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results of
operations may differ materially from those projected or suggested in the
forward-looking statements due to certain risks and uncertainties,
including, without limitation, (i) the fact that the Company's success is
dependent to a significant extent upon general economic conditions in
Vermont and Vermont's ability to attract new business, (ii) the fact that
the Company's earnings depend to a great extent upon the level of net
interest income (the difference between interest income earned on loans and
investments and the interest expense paid on deposits and other borrowings)
generated by the Bank, and thus the Bank's results of operations may be
adversely affected by increases or decreases in interest rates, (iii) the
fact that the banking business is highly competitive and the profitability
of the Company depends upon the Bank's ability to attract loans and deposits
in Vermont, where the Bank competes with a variety of traditional banking
and nontraditional institutions such as credit unions and finance companies,
and (iv) the fact that at December 31, 1999, approximately 50% of the
Company's loan portfolio was comprised of commercial loans, exposing the
Company to the risks inherent in financings based upon analyses of credit
risk, the value of underlying collateral, including real estate, and other
more intangible factors, which are considered in making commercial loans.
Accordingly, the Company's profitability may be negatively impacted by
errors in risk analyses, by loan defaults, and the ability of certain
borrowers to repay such loans may be adversely affected by any downturn in
general economic conditions. These factors, as well as general economic and
market conditions, may materially and adversely affect the market price of
shares of the Company's common stock. Because of these and other factors,
past financial performance should not be considered an indicator of future
performance. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the
Company's judgment as of the date of this Form 10-K, and the Company
cautions readers not to place undue reliance on such statements.
The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of
operations of the Company and its subsidiaries for the three years ended
December 31, 1999 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto and selected statistical information
appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The information is discussed on a
fully taxable equivalent basis. The financial condition and operating
results of the Company essentially reflect the operations of its principal
subsidiary, Merchants Bank.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS: OVERVIEW
The Company realized net income of $10.4 million for the year ended December
31, 1999, an increase of $628 thousand from 1998. One-time charges and
credits that influenced 1999 earnings included a $1.3 million recovery
arising from the resolution of certain legal matters. Conversely, the
Company incurred legal and professional expenses in conjunction with certain
legal matters totaling $551 thousand during 1999. For a more detailed
discussion of these legal matters see Part I, Item 3-"Legal Proceedings".
The Bank also realized settlements related to previously charged off
obligations and gains pursuant to the sale of certain foreclosed real estate
totaling $748 thousand during the year.
The Bank completed the purchase and integration of two new branches, located
in Bellows Falls and Rutland, Vermont during the fourth quarter of 1999. The
purchase was made in connection with the branch divestiture required by
federal regulators with respect to Chittenden Corporation's completed merger
with Vermont Financial Services Corporation, the parent company of Vermont
National Bank. The transaction increased year-end assets of the Company by
$35 million. Conversion costs incurred by the Bank in conjunction with this
acquisition totaled $258 thousand. See "Branch Acquisition" for a more
detailed discussion of this purchase.
Basic earnings per share were $2.39, $2.22, and $2.00 for the years ended
December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, respectively. Diluted earnings per share
were $2.39, $2.21, and $1.99 for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and
1997, respectively. The Company declared and distributed a total of $.80 per
share during 1999. In January 2000, the Company declared a dividend of $0.21
per share.
Net income as a percentage of average equity capital was 16.72%, 17.46% and
17.98% for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The ten-year average return on
equity was 7.79% at December 31, 1999. Net income as a percentage of average
assets was 1.59%, 1.63% and 1.53% in 1999, 1998 and 1997 respectively. The
ten-year average return on assets was .61% at December 31, 1999.
BRANCH ACQUISITION
On October 29, 1999, the Bank completed the purchase of two branches,
located in Bellows Falls, Vermont and Rutland, Vermont from Chittenden
Corporation. The purchase was made in connection with the branch divestiture
required by federal regulators with respect to Chittenden Corporation's
completed merger with Vermont Financial Services Corporation, the parent
company of Vermont National Bank. The transaction included two branches, one
remote ATM site, approximately $38.7 million in deposits, $21.1 million in
commercial loans, $13.6 million in residential and consumer loans, and
certain fixed assets associated with the branches. The Bank paid a deposit
premium of 3.2% and the assets were purchased at book value. A core deposit
intangible asset of $1.6 million was created in connection with the
transaction, which is being amortized over seven years on an accelerated
basis. The Bank has expanded the remote ATM site located on Woodstock Avenue
in Rutland to a drive-through facility staffed by a Bank employee. The Bank
anticipated, and experienced, some run-off in the newly acquired loans and
deposits. At year-end deposit balances in the two new locations were $35.1
million, year-end commercial loans were $11.1 million, and residential and
consumer loans were $13.3 million. Approximately $3 million of the decrease
in deposits was attributable to the Bank's cash management sweep product,
where customer balances are swept daily to an off balance sheet investment
product. Approximately $8.3 million of the decrease in loans was due to the
loss of one large relationship.
NET INTEREST INCOME
Net interest income increased by $1.1 million (3.7%) from 1998 to 1999.
Total interest and dividend income increased $1.2 million (2.5%), and total
interest expense increased by $97 thousand (.5%). The increase in net
interest income is primarily attributable to an overall increase in the size
of the Company's balance sheet. Total average interest earning assets
increased by $47.8 million from 1998 to 1999, and total average interest
bearing liabilities increased by $49.4 million during the same period.
Approximately $5.1 million of the increase in average interest earning
assets and $5 million of the increase in interest bearing liabilities was
due to the branch acquisition. The rate on interest earning assets decreased
47 basis points over the course of the year, from 8.50% for 1998 to 8.03%
for 1999; and the rate on average interest bearing liabilities decreased 37
basis points during the same period from 4.05% for 1998 to 3.68% for 1999.
The average interest rate earned on the loan portfolio decreased from 9.41%
in 1998 to 8.74% in 1999, while the average balances of loans increased
$33.5 million. The decrease in the average loan rate is attributable to an
overall lower interest rate environment during the early part of 1999 as
compared to 1998, the changing mix of the loan portfolio and continuing
decreases in fees charged relating to lending activities. The largest
increase in the loan portfolio was in residential real estate loans, which
accounted for $33.6 million or 70% of the increase. This change in the mix
of the loan portfolio was due, in large part, to the Bank's strategy to
deemphasize higher risk commercial real estate, while continuing to actively
pursue less risky and lower yielding residential real estate loans. The
Bank's fees on loans continued to decrease in 1999; decreasing $333 thousand
from 1998 to 1999. The Bank holds many of its originated mortgages in
portfolio rather than sell them in the secondary market. The Bank has
historically had a disproportionately low allocation of residential real
estate mortgages in its portfolio. Management believes the retention of
these credits in portfolio, while decreasing servicing revenue, will result
in higher interest revenue than could be earned in the Bank's investment
portfolio. The Bank continues to deploy excess funds in its investment
portfolio, the average balance of which increased by $18.7 million. The
average interest rate on those investments decreased by five basis points
from 1998 to 1999.
Average interest bearing deposits increased by $44.8 million during 1999,
and the average rate on those deposits decreased 39 basis points, from 3.99%
to 3.60%. The decrease in rates paid on deposits is attributable to the
overall lower interest rate environment during the year, and is also
attributable to a change in the mix of the deposit base. Average balances in
Savings, Money Market and NOW accounts increased by $54 million, at an
average interest rate for 1999 of 3.0%, while average balances in higher
cost time deposits decreased by $9.2 million, at an average interest rate of
4.96% for 1999.
Total interest and dividend income decreased $135 thousand from 1997 to 1998
(.3%) and total interest expense increased by $292 thousand (1.6%),
resulting in a decrease in net interest income of $427 thousand (1.4%). The
overall decrease in net interest income, and resultant decrease in net
interest margin is attributable to several factors. One of these is the flat
yield curve and lower interest rate environment that was prevalent during
1998. Many of the Bank's longer term assets are funded with short term, or
variable rate, liabilities. As the yield curve flattened over the course of
1998 loan and investment rates dropped more quickly than deposit rates.
Overall average earning assets increased by $25.3 million (4.6%) from $541
million to $566 million during 1998, but the average rate earned on those
assets decreased by 42 basis points from 8.92% to 8.50%. Changes in the mix
of earning assets accounted for a portion of this change. Average
investments, which generally have a lower yield than loans, grew by $23.7
million during 1998. Average loans decreased by $2.5 million during 1998,
and the loan mix changed as the Bank continued its strategy of moving higher
risk commercial real estate loans off the balance sheet. At the same time,
average interest bearing liabilities increased by $11.7 million from $446
million to $457 million (2.6%), while the average rate on those liabilities
decreased by only 4 basis points, from 4.09% to 4.05%.
The following table presents the condensed annual average balance sheets for
1999, 1998 and 1997. The total dollar amount of interest income from assets
and the subsequent yields are calculated on a taxable equivalent basis.
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity;
Interest Rates and Interest Differential
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxable Equivaent Interest Average Interest Average Interest Average
(In thousands) Average Income/ Yield/ Average Income/ Yield/ Average Income/ Yield/
ASSETS: Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense Rate Balance Expense Rate
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investment Securities:
U.S. Treasury and Agencies $164,831 $10,627 6.45% $165,071 $10,728 6.50% $142,070 $ 9,443 6.65%
Other, Including FHLB Stock 22,078 1,390 6.30% 3,098 161 5.20% 2,435 172 7.06%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investment Securities 186,909 12,017 6.43% 168,169 10,889 6.48% 144,505 9,615 6.65%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loans, Including Fees on Loans:
Commercial 70,935 6,465 9.11% 67,609 7,017 10.38% 68,036 7,479 10.99%
Real Estate 340,330 29,099 8.55% 309,534 28,095 9.08% 311,490 29,286 9.40%
Consumer 14,054 1,611 11.46% 14,671 1,759 11.99% 14,763 1,763 11.94%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Loans (a) (b) 425,319 37,175 8.74% 391,814 36,871 9.41% 394,289 38,528 9.77%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Funds Sold, Securities Sold
Under Agreements to Repurchase
and Interest Bearing Deposits
with Banks 1,718 85 4.95% 6,143 338 5.50% 2,036 111 5.45%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Earning Assets 613,946 49,277 8.03% 566,126 48,098 8.50% 540,830 48,254 8.92%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reserve for Possible Loan Losses (11,377) (14,790) (16,267)
Cash and Due From Banks 22,719 21,115 22,833
Premises and Equipment 12,852 13,358 14,513
Other Assets 19,383 17,503 16,182
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets $657,523 $603,312 $578,090
===================================================================================================================================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Interest Bearing Deposits:
Savings, Money Market & NOW
Accounts $339,520 $10,171 3.00% $285,489 $ 9,175 3.21% $265,578 $ 8,452 3.18%
Time Deposits 150,239 7,452 4.96% 159,430 8,573 5.38% 164,437 8,864 5.39%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Interest Bearing
Deposits 489,759 17,623 3.60% 444,919 17,748 3.99% 430,015 17,316 4.03%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Funds Purchased 1,408 74 5.26% 730 42 5.75% 906 54 5.96%
Demand Notes Due U.S. Treasury 1,821 87 4.78% 1,939 100 5.16% 2,463 130 5.28%
Other Short-Term Borrowings 7,205 376 5.22% 2,986 170 5.69% 5,925 307 5.18%
Long-Term Debt 6,649 467 7.02% 6,890 470 6.82% 6,417 431 6.72%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Interest Bearing
Liabilities 506,842 18,627 3.68% 457,464 18,530 4.05% 445,726 18,238 4.09%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demand Deposits 81,600 80,541 75,972
Other Liabilities 6,590 9,064 7,252
Stockholders' Equity 62,491 56,243 49,140
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities &
Stockholders' Equity $657,523 $603,312 $578,090
===================================================================================================================================
Net Interest Income (a) $30,650 $29,568 $30,016
===================================================================================================================================
Yield Spread 4.35% 4.45% 4.83%
===================================================================================================================================
NET INTEREST INCOME
TO EARNING ASSETS 4.99% 5.22% 5.55%
===================================================================================================================================
<FN>
<Fa> Tax exempt interest has been converted to a tax equivalent basis
using the Federal tax rate of 34%.
<Fb> Includes nonaccruing loans.
</FN>
</TABLE>
The following table sets forth, for each major category of interest earning
assets and interest bearing liabilities, the dollar amounts of fully taxable
equivalent interest income and interest expense and changes therein for 1999
as compared with 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 vs 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Due to (a)
Increase ------------------
(In thousands) 1999 1998 (Decrease) Volume Rate
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fully Taxable Equivalent Interest Income:
Loans (b) $37,175 $36,871 $ 304 $2,929 $(2,625)
Investments 12,017 10,889 1,128 1,205 (77)
Federal Funds Sold, Securities Sold Under
Agreements to Repurchase and Interest
Bearing Deposits with Banks 85 338 (253) (219) (34)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Interest Income 49,277 48,098 1,179 3,914 (2,735)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less Interest Expense:
Savings, Money Market & NOW
Accounts 10,171 9,175 996 1,619 (623)
Time Deposits 7,452 8,573 (1,121) (456) (665)
Federal Funds Purchased 74 42 32 36 (4)
Demand Note-U.S. Treasury 87 100 (13) (6) (7)
Debt and Other Borrowings 843 640 203 203 (0)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Interest Expense 18,627 18,530 97 1,396 (1,299)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income $30,650 $29,568 $ 1,082 $2,519 $(1,437)
=====================================================================================================
<CAPTION>
1998 vs 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Due to (a)
Increase ------------------
(In thousands) 1998 1997 (Decrease) Volume Rate
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fully Taxable Equivalent Interest Income:
Loans (b) $36,871 $38,528 $(1,561) $ 0 $(1,561)
Investments 10,889 9,615 1,879 (30) 1,909
Federal Funds Sold, Securities Sold Under
Agreements to Repurchase and Interest
Bearing Deposits with Banks 338 111 (204) - (204)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Interest Income 48,098 48,254 114 (30) 144
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less Interest Expense:
Savings, Money Market & NOW
Accounts 9,175 8,452 235 - 235
Time Deposits 8,573 8,864 644 18 662
Federal Funds Purchased 42 54 22 - 22
Demand Note-U.S. Treasury 100 130 22 12 10
Debt and Other Borrowings 640 738 (69) 106 (175)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Interest Expense 18,530 18,238 (434) 136 (570)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income $29,568 $30,016 $ 548 $ (167) $ 715
=====================================================================================================
<FN>
- --------------------
<Fa> The dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense
attributable to changes in rate and volume has been allocated between
rate and volume based upon the changes in rates times the first
year's volume and the changes in volume times the current year's
rate.
<Fb> Includes balances of non-accruing loans.
<FNote:> Included in Interest Income are fees on loans totaling $1,236,
$1,570 and $1,619 for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and
1997, respectively
</FN>
</TABLE>
RESERVE FOR POSSIBLE LOAN LOSSES
Continued success at recovering previously charged off obligations allowed
the Bank to cover charge off activity during 1999. Over the course of 1999
the Bank recorded $388 thousand in individual recoveries on previous
obligations, which were partially charged off, as a credit loan loss
provision. It is the Bank's practice to record significant recoveries as an
offset to the loan loss provision in the income statement. In the fourth
quarter of 1998, the Bank recorded a $1.6 million negative provision for
possible loan losses resulting in an overall negative provision of $1.7
million for 1998. The 1998 reduction of the loan loss reserve was primarily
the result of an internal review of the Bank's loan loss reserve
requirement, which considered the changing mix and improved quality of the
loan portfolio, the impact of conservative underwriting standards
implemented in prior periods, general economic conditions, and the
resolution of a significant troubled credit. The Bank's analysis was
substantiated by a comprehensive assessment of its loan portfolio and review
of its loan loss reserve requirement by its external loan review firm during
the fourth quarter of 1998. For a more detailed discussion of the Bank's
reserve for possible loan losses see "Credit Quality and Reserve for
Possible Loan Losses".
NONINTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSES
Excluding certain litigation settlement proceeds of $1.3 million in 1999 and
$120 thousand in 1998 (for more information on the Company's litigation see
Part I, Item 3-"Legal Proceedings"), and gains on sales of investment
securities of $44 thousand in 1998, noninterest income increased $157
thousand from 1998 to 1999. Service Charges on deposits increased $268
thousand from 1998 to 1999. The increase is primarily a result of increases
in the Bank's overdraft charges. The increase in the overdraft charges took
effect May 1, 1999; net overdraft revenue for 1999 was $390 thousand higher
than 1998. This increase was offset by continued decreases in the Bank's
monthly deposit service charge revenue, which decreased by $145 thousand
from 1998 to 1999. This decrease in service charge revenue is due primarily
to the success of the Bank's FreedomLYNX(R) checking account product, which
generally charges no monthly fees. The average interest cost for the Bank's
FreedomLYNX (R) accounts at December 31, 1999 was approximately 1.38% and
the average balance maintained by the customer is higher than a regular
checking account. This account is representative of a strategic decision
made by the Bank to de-emphasize fee income in favor of collecting low
interest checking account balances which will increase interest margin
income over time. Other Noninterest Income decreased by $123 thousand from
1998 to 1999. The Bank sold loans totaling $15.1 million during 1998 and
recognized a gain of $213 thousand on that sale; there were no gains on loan
sales during 1999. This decrease in revenue was offset by increased ATM and
debit card income. The Bank implemented an ATM surcharge for non-bank
customers during the fourth quarter of 1998. ATM and debit card fees were
$181 thousand higher in 1999 compared to 1998. The Bank changed its
reporting for its merchant credit card portfolio during 1999. The credit
card merchant discount fee income is presented net of assessment expenses,
and is included as a component of the "Other" line item in the non-interest
income section of the Consolidated Statement of Operations. All previous
periods have been reclassified for consistency.
Noninterest expenses increased $536 thousand (2.2%) from 1998 to 1999.
Compensation expenses increased $656 thousand (5.7%) from 1998 to 1999. The
increase is primarily a result of merit increases and increases in the costs
of certain employee benefits, as well as the addition of 11 new employees in
connection with the Bank's branch purchase discussed previously. The Company
continued its incentive program during 1999. The program is designed to
compensate employees based on their individual performance, as well as the
performance of their division. The program for 1999 focused on increased
sales and overall Bank performance for employees in the Bank's service
center, and on increased sales and individual branch and portfolio
profitability in the branches and sales divisions.
Occupancy and Equipment expenses decreased slightly from 1998 to 1999, while
legal and professional fees decreased $667 thousand. The decrease in legal
and professional fees is largely due to decreases in expenses incurred by
the Bank in connection with the litigation described in Part I, Item 3-
"Legal Proceedings". Other Noninterest expenses increased $540 thousand;
there are a number of items contributing to this increase. Costs incurred in
conjunction with the conversion of the branches acquired from Chittenden
totaled $258 thousand, $175 thousand of which were charged to legal and
professional, and $83 thousand of which are included in other noninterest
expenses. Amortization of the Bank's core deposit intangible increased by
$75 thousand, a result of the intangible asset created in conjunction with
the branch purchase mentioned previously. The cost of the Bank's
transportation costs increased $115 thousand during 1999 primarily as a
result of the outsourcing of certain of its courier services.
Excluding net gains on the sale of investment securities of $44 thousand in
1998 and $784 thousand in 1997 noninterest income increased $119 thousand
(2.0%) from 1997 to 1998. The increase was primarily the result of increases
in Trust Company income of $155 thousand, a 9.5% increase. Service charges
on deposits decreased $319 thousand during 1998, a 10.4% decrease. The
decrease in service charge revenue was primarily a result of the Bank's
continued FreedomLYNX(r) sales campaign. Other non-interest income increased
by $163 thousand during 1998, primarily due to the recognition of gains on
the sales of certain loans of $213 thousand (see Balance Sheet Analysis).
Noninterest expenses decreased $3.0 million (11.1%) from 1997 to 1998. A
significant contributing factor being a decrease of $1.4 million (37.1%) in
legal and professional fees, from $3.9 million for the year ended December
31, 1997 to $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1998. This decrease
was due primarily to a decrease in expenses incurred by the Bank in
connection with the litigation described in Part I, Item 3, Legal
Proceedings. Losses on the disposition of fixed assets also decreased $961
thousand (88%) during 1998, primarily a result of $400 thousand in expenses
recognized during 1997 related to the Company's conversion to the Windows NT
platform. Additionally, during 1997, the Bank wrote down its cost basis of
its branch in Brattleboro, Vermont by $478 thousand in conjunction with the
sale of the building. Substantially all of the 1998 expense was related to
the Bank's conversion of its teller system to the Windows NT platform during
1998. Salaries and wages increased by $752 thousand (8.7%) from 1997 to
1998. This increase is primarily attributable to the Company's incentive
program. Other noninterest expenses decreased by $419 thousand during 1998,
primarily the result of a decrease in the contribution made to the Merchants
Bank Foundation during 1998, from $400 thousand during 1997 to $150 thousand
during 1998. Finally, during 1997, an investment held by a subsidiary of the
Bank was written down by $229 thousand.
The Company recognized $1.6 million in low-income housing tax credits as a
reduction in the provision for income taxes during 1999 and $1.3 million
during 1998. As of December 31, 1999, the Company has a cumulative deferred
prepaid tax asset of approximately $5.3 million arising from timing
differences between the Company's book and tax reporting. The prepaid tax
asset is included in other assets.
BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS
The Company's year-end balance sheet grew by $66 million (10.47%) during
1999, while the Company's earning assets increased by $71.1 million (12.2%)
from $585.1 million to $656.2 million. The investment portfolio grew by
$22.4 million (12.7%) as the Bank continued to redeploy excess funds into
its investment portfolio, and the loan portfolio increased by $48.2 million
(11.9%). The changes in the composition of the Bank's loan portfolio during
1999 are shown in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of December 31,
Type of Loan 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Commercial, Financial &
Agricultural $ 72,333 $ 63,953 $ 73,523 $ 61,091 $ 76,925
Real Estate-Construction 12,701 8,091 8,695 3,420 9,644
Real Estate-Commercial 171,988 170,892 181,018 203,022 225,884
Real Estate-Residential 180,906 147,348 111,270 104,355 120,318
Installment 15,313 14,676 15,450 14,831 16,560
All Other Loan 451 532 432 534 393
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$453,692 $405,492 $390,388 $387,233 $449,724
=====================================================================================
</TABLE>
Year-end residential real estate loans increased by $33.6 million. $10.1
million of this increase is due to loans acquired with the branch purchase.
The Bank continued to promote its RealLYNX(TM) residential real estate loan
product during 1999. This product shortens the turnaround time on
residential mortgages by requiring reduced documentation from borrowers. The
product is priced at a slight premium to the market and requires a maximum
LTV of 80%. The popularity of this product coupled with the high volume of
refinancing of home mortgages during the low interest rate environment that
was prevalent during the early part of 1999 helped to fuel much of the
growth in the residential real estate portfolio. Substantially all of the
originations in the last two years were placed in the Bank's portfolio as
the Bank currently does not sell home mortgages on the secondary market. The
Bank currently services $106.1 million in residential mortgage loans for
other investors such as federal government agencies (FNMA and FHLMC) and for
financial investors such as insurance companies and pension funds located
outside Vermont.
Year-end commercial mortgage balances were $1.1 million higher at December
31, 1999 than at December 31, 1998. After netting out the $4.0 million in
commercial mortgages acquired in conjunction with the branch purchase from
the Chittenden Corporation, the commercial mortgage portfolio decreased by
$2.9 million from 1998 to 1999. This change reflects the Bank's continuing
strategy to deemphasize higher risk commercial real estate loans as it more
actively pursues small business and commercial credits, as well as
residential real estate loans. The Bank's commercial loan portfolio was $8.4
million higher at the end of 1999 than at the end of 1998. Excluding the
$7.1 million in commercial loans acquired in conjunction with the branch
purchase from the Chittenden Corporation, the commercial loan portfolio
increased by $1.2 million. The Bank introduced its new CommerceLYNX(tm)
program during 1999. CommerceLYNX(tm), directed at the small business
community, is a package of business banking services, including low cost
electronic checking, investment accounts, and a streamlined credit
application. The Bank's philosophy of simplifying product offerings and
minimizing fees has been applied to this program. Branch presidents are
trained to offer this service, leading with the introduction of small
business financing options and the value of utilizing the efficient
transaction accounts. CommerceLYNX(TM) was tested in seven pilot markets
throughout Vermont. The program has been enhanced and streamlined during
2000 to reflect market feedback and the arrival of technology options, and
has been expanded to include all 35 branches and 11 corporate banking
officers. The Bank also continues to participate in the U.S. Small Business
Administration guaranteed loan program. In 1999, the Bank's Asset and
Liability Management Committee ("ALCO") continued the strategy of holding
most of its originated loans in portfolio instead of selling them on the
secondary market.
The following table presents the distribution of the varying maturities or
repricing opportunities of the loan portfolio at December 31, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Over One
One Year Through Over Five
Type of Loan Or Less 5 Years Years Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Commercial Loans, Industrial
Revenue Bonds, Lease Financing
and All Other Loans $ 36,534 $ 25,942 $ 10,315 $ 72,791
Real Estate Loans 87,583 127,765 151,685 367,033
Installment Loans 3,487 5,331 5,050 13,868
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$127,604 $159,038 $167,050 $453,692
================================================================================
</TABLE>
Loans maturing or repricing after one year which have predetermined interest
rates totaled $322.9 million. Loans maturing or repricing after one year
which have floating or adjustable interest rates totaled $2.9 million.
The Company's interest bearing liabilities increased by $64.6 million
(13.4%) from $480.1 million to $544.7 million during 1999. $30.8 million of
this change is a result of the branch purchase. Excluding this branch
purchase the Bank's Savings, NOW and Money Market Accounts increased by
$42.9 million from $310 million at year-end 1998 to $353 million at year-end
1999, while the Bank's time deposits decreased by $11.1 million from $154.5
million at year-end 1998 to $143.4 million at year-end 1999. The Bank's
deposit mix has continued to change as the Bank has targeted its marketing
toward obtaining low cost transactional accounts. During 1999, the Bank
continued its FreedomLYNX(R) direct mail campaign, and offered the account
free for life over the course of the year. Additionally, the Bank continued
to market its new MoneyLYNX(TM) and CommerceLYNX(TM) money market accounts.
The balances pay interest at competitive rates based on a tiered balance
structure. The average cost of funds on these money market balances at
December 31, 1999 was 4.46%. Balances in these accounts totaled $138 million
at year-end 1999 versus $51 million at year-end 1998. Balances in the Bank's
FreedomLYNX(R) accounts continue to increase, with balances of $46.8 million
at December 31, 1999 versus $19.8 million at December 31, 1998. The
FreedomLYNX(R) account bears interest at a slight premium to the NOW rate on
balances over $1,500 and requires no minimum balance, the average cost of
these funds at year-end was 1.38%. The Bank introduced its new TimeLYNX(TM)
product in late 1999; this product allows the customer, subject to certain
restrictions, to make deposits to and withdrawals from their certificate of
deposit prior to maturity.
The following schedule shows the average balances of various classifications
of deposits:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Demand Deposits $ 81,600 $ 80,541 $ 75,972
Savings, Money Market and
Now Accounts 339,520 285,489 265,578
Time Deposits $100,000 and
Greater 23,469 24,130 19,750
Other Time Deposits 126,771 135,300 144,687
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total Average Deposits $571,360 $525,460 $505,987
==============================================================
</TABLE>
Time Deposits $100 thousand and greater at December 31, 1999 had the
following schedule of maturities:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands)
-----------------------------------
<S> <C>
Three Months or Less $ 5,371
Three to Six Months 6,199
Six to Twelve Months 4,541
Over Twelve Months 9,479
Over Five Years -
-----------------------------------
$25,590
===================================
</TABLE>
CREDIT QUALITY AND RESERVE FOR POSSIBLE LOAN LOSSES
Improving credit quality has been a major strategic focus of the Bank since
1994. The success of this program is evidenced by the Bank's aggressive
reduction in the level of problem assets over the prior four years. The
following tables summarize the Bank's nonperforming assets (NPAs) as of
December 31, 1995 through December 31, 1999. Nonperforming assets were up
slightly at December 31, 1999, after four years of decline. The increase was
primarily due to the transfer of one commercial real estate loan
relationship ($1.1 million outstanding) to nonaccrual. In general loan
quality remained strong, with year end delinquencies totaling 0.38% of total
loans.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Nonaccrual Loans $2,800 $2,103 $2,686 $4,091 $25,617
Loans Past Due 90 Days or
More and Still Accruing 199 170 403 216 237
Restructured Loans 689 320 215 2,403 1,430
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Nonperforming Loans: 3,688 2,593 3,304 6,710 27,284
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Real Estate Owned 133 470 591 1,925 7,772
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Nonperforming Assets: $3,821 $3,063 $3,895 $8,635 $35,056
====================================================================================
NPL to Total Loans 0.81% 0.64% 0.85% 1.70% 3.61%
NPA to Total Loans plus OREO 0.84% 0.75% 1.00% 2.20% 3.28%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Excluded from the 1999 balances above are approximately $4.0 million of
internally classified loans. Management believes that these loans have well-
defined weaknesses which, if left unattended, could lead to collection
problems. Management maintains an internal listing, which includes these
loans, which is reviewed and updated monthly. The oversight process on these
loans includes an active risk management approach. A management committee
reviews the status of these loans each quarter and determines or confirms
the appropriate risk rating and accrual status. The findings of this review
process are instrumental in determining the adequacy of the loan loss
reserve.
Discussion of 1999 Events affecting Nonperforming Assets
Historically, the Bank has worked closely with borrowers to collect
obligations and pursued more vigorous collection efforts where necessary.
The Bank's Credit Department and Loan Workout functions provide resources to
address collection strategies for nonperforming assets.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 12-31-99 9-30-99 6-30-99 3-31-99 12-31-98
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Nonaccrual Loans $2,800 $2,021 $1,979 $2,433 $2,103
Loans Past Due 90 Days or
More and Still Accruing 199 24 48 63 170
Restructured Loans 689 703 469 479 320
Other Real Estate Owned 133 28 198 57 470
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $3,821 $2,776 $2,694 $3,032 $3,063
==================================================================================
</TABLE>
Significant events affecting NPAs are discussed below.
Nonaccrual Loans
Nonaccrual loans increased from $2.1 million at December 31, 1998 to $2.8
million at December 31, 1999, with the addition of one commercial real
estate relationship ($1.1 million) to nonaccrual. During 1999, management
identified approximately $3.0 million in accounts it perceived as having
certain risks, which were transferred to nonaccrual status. These transfers
were offset by continued resolution of nonaccrual accounts. Approximately
$206 thousand in loans were returned to accrual status; principal payments
of approximately $1.0 million were collected; nonaccruing loans totaling
approximately $616 thousand were sold; and charge-offs totaling $495
thousand further decreased the balance of nonaccruing loans.
Loans Past Due 90 Days or More and Still Accruing Interest
The Bank generally places loans that become 90 or more days past due in
nonaccrual status. If, in the opinion of management, the ultimate
collectibility of principal and interest is assured, loans may continue to
accrue interest and be left in this category. Included in this category are
loans which have reached maturity and have not been renewed on a timely
basis, for reasons other than financial capacity to pay. Balances of loans
90 or more days past due increased $29 thousand from year-end 1998 to year-
end 1999, to $199 thousand.
Restructured Loans
Restructured loans (TDRs) increased from $320 thousand at December 31, 1998
to $689 thousand at December 31, 1999. One restructured commercial
relationship ($286 thousand) was the primary cause of the increase.
Other Real Estate Owned
The Bank continued its success in 1999 in disposing of Other Real Estate
Owned ("OREO") and continues to aggressively market remaining OREO. The
balance of OREO decreased from $470 thousand at December 31, 1998 to $133
thousand at December 31, 1999. During the year $286 thousand in loan
balances were transferred to OREO, offset by sale proceeds during 1999 of
$995 thousand, which included $329 thousand in gains.
Policies and Procedures Related to the Accrual of Interest Income
The Bank normally recognizes income on earning assets on the accrual basis,
which calls for the recognition of income as earned, rather than when it is
collected. The Bank's policy is to classify a loan 90 days or more past due
with respect to principal or interest as a nonaccruing loan, unless the
ultimate collectibility of principal and interest is assured. Income
accruals are suspended on all nonaccruing loans, and all previously accrued
and uncollected interest is typically charged against current income. A loan
remains in nonaccruing status until the factors which suggest doubtful
collectibility no longer exist, the loan is liquidated, or when the loan is
determined to be uncollectible and is charged off against the reserve for
possible loan losses. In those cases where a nonaccruing loan is secured by
real estate, the Bank can, and usually will, initiate foreclosure
proceedings. The result of such action will either be to cause repayment of
the loan with the proceeds of a foreclosure sale or to give the Bank
possession of the collateral in order to manage a future resale of the real
estate. Foreclosed property is recorded at the lower of its cost or
estimated fair value, less any estimated costs to sell. Any cost in excess
of the estimated fair value on the transfer date is charged to the reserve
for possible loan losses, while further declines in market values are
recorded as an expense in other noninterest expense in the statement of
operations.
Loan Portfolio Monitoring
The Bank's Board of Directors grants each loan officer the authority to
originate loans on behalf of the Bank. The Board of Directors also
establishes restrictions regarding the types of loans that may be granted
and the distribution of loan types within the Bank's portfolio, and sets
loan authority limits for each lender. These authorized lending limits are
established at least annually and are based upon the lender's knowledge and
experience. Loan requests that exceed a lender's authority are referred to
the Bank's credit department. All extensions of credit of $2.5 million or
greater to any one borrower, or related party interest, are reviewed and
approved by the Loan Committee of the Bank's Board of Directors.
Using a variety of management reports, the Bank's loan portfolio is
regularly monitored by the Board of Directors and credit department. The
loan portfolio as a whole, as well as individual loans, are reviewed for
loan performance, creditworthiness, and strength of documentation. The Bank
has hired an external loan review firm to assist in monitoring both the
commercial and residential loan portfolios. Credit risk ratings are assigned
to commercial loans and are routinely reviewed.
All loan officers are required to service their own loan portfolios and
account relationships. As necessary, loan officers or the loan workout
function takes remedial actions to assure full and timely payment of loan
balances.
Reserve for Possible Loan Losses
The Reserve for Possible Loan Losses ("RPLL") is based on management's
estimate of the amount required to reflect the risks in the loan portfolio,
based on circumstances and conditions known at each reporting date. The Bank
reviews the adequacy of the RPLL at least quarterly. Factors considered in
evaluating the adequacy of the reserve include previous loss experience,
current economic conditions and their effect on the borrowers, the
performance of individual loans in relation to contract terms and estimated
fair values of properties to be foreclosed. The method used in determining
the amount of the RPLL is not based on maintaining a specific percentage of
RPLL to total loans or total nonperforming assets. Rather, the methodology
is a comprehensive analytical process of assessing the credit risk inherent
in the loan portfolio. This assessment incorporates a broad range of
factors, which indicate both general and specific credit risk. Losses are
charged against the RPLL when management believes that the collectibility of
principal is doubtful. To the extent management determines the level of
anticipated losses in the portfolio has significantly increased or
diminished, the RPLL is adjusted through current earnings. As part of the
Bank's analysis of specific credit risk, detailed and extensive reviews are
done on larger credits and problematic credits identified on the watched
asset list, nonperforming asset listings and internal credit rating reports.
Loans deemed impaired at December 31, 1999 totaled $4.1 million. Impaired
loans have been allocated $1.0 million of the RPLL.
Overall, management believes that the RPLL is maintained at an adequate
level, in light of historical and current factors, to reflect the level of
credit risk in the loan portfolio. Loan loss experience and nonperforming
asset data are presented and discussed in relation to their impact on the
adequacy of the RPLL.
The following table reflects the Bank's loan loss experience and activity in
the RPLL for the past five years.
Loan Losses and Reserve for Possible Loan Losses Reconciliation
December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Average Loans Outstanding $425,319 $391,814 $394,289 $406,514 $481,047
RPLL Beginning of Year 11,300 15,831 15,700 16,234 19,929
Charge-Off:
Commercial, Lease Financing
and all Other Loans (363) (685) (483) (907) (3,671)
Real Estate-Construction 0 (18) (78) (602) (1,485)
Real Estate-Mortgage (347) (3,042) (763) (3,206) (12,942)
Installment & Credit Cards (164) (190) (372) (405) (263)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Loans Charged Off (875) (3,935) (1,696) (5,120) (18,361)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recoveries:
Commercial, Lease Financing
and all Other Loans 972 554 615 391 1,232
Real Estate-Construction 150 - - 63 32
Real Estate-Mortgage 92 451 2,996 856 1,224
Installment & Credit Cards 87 136 78 125 78
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Recoveries 1,151 1,141 3,689 1,435 2,566
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Loan Losses 277 (2,794) 1,993 (3,685) (15,795)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for Possible Loan Losses:
Charged to Operations (1) (388) (1,737) (1,862) 3,150 12,100
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPLL End of Year $ 11,189 $ 11,300 $ 15,831 $ 15,700 $ 16,234
===============================================================================================
RPLL to Total Loans 2.47% 2.79% 4.06% 4.05% 3.61%
Net Loan Losses to Average Loans 0.07% 0.71% 0.51% 0.91% 3.28%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
- --------------------
<F1> The loan loss provision is charged to operating expense. When actual
losses differ from these estimates, and if adjustments are considered
necessary, they are reported in operations in the periods in which they
become known.
</FN>
</TABLE>
As of December 31, 1999 the Company's reserve ratios were 293% of
nonperforming assets and 2.47% of total loans. The unallocated portion of
the RPLL was reduced to $548 thousand at December 31, 1999 as a result of
management's decision to increase the general reserve allocation for "Fair"
rated loans. Approximately $107 million of the Bank's commercial loans are
assigned this grade, which was introduced to the Bank's grading system in
1996, so it has yet to be tested by an economic downturn.
The level of the RPLL reflects management's current strategies and efforts
to maintain the reserve at a level adequate to provide for loan losses based
on an evaluation of known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio. Among
the factors that management considers in establishing the level of the
reserve are overall findings from an analysis of individual loans, the
overall risk characteristics and size of the loan portfolio, past credit
loss history, management's assessment of current economic and real estate
market conditions and estimates of the current value of the underlying
collateral.
The Company takes all appropriate measures to restore nonperforming assets
to performing status or otherwise liquidate these assets in an orderly
fashion so as to maximize their value to the Company. There can be no
assurances that the Bank will be able to complete the disposition of
nonperforming assets without incurring further losses, or that the Bank will
continue to recognize substantial recoveries such as those received during
1999 and 1998.
RISK MANAGEMENT
Management and the Board of Directors are committed to sound risk management
practices throughout the organization. The Company has developed and
implemented a centralized risk management monitoring program. Risks
associated with the Company's business activities and products are
identified and measured as to probability of occurrence and impact on the
Company (low, moderate or high), and the control or other activities in
place to manage those risks are identified and assessed. Periodically,
department-level and senior managers re-evaluate and report on the risk
management processes for which they are responsible. This documented program
provides management with a comprehensive framework for monitoring the
Company's risk profile from a macro perspective, while also serving as a
tool for assessing internal controls over financial reporting as required
under the FDIC Improvement Act.
Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from
adverse changes in market rates/prices such as interest rates, foreign
currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and equity prices. The Company's
primary market risk exposure is interest rate risk. The ongoing monitoring
and management of this risk is an important component of the Company's
asset/liability management process which is governed by policies established
by its Board of Directors that are reviewed and approved annually. The Board
of Directors delegates responsibility for carrying out the asset/liability
management policies to the ALCO. In this capacity the ALCO develops
guidelines and strategies impacting the Company's asset/liability management
related activities based upon estimated market risk sensitivity, policy
limits and overall market interest rate levels/trends.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the exposure to a movement in interest rates, which
could affect the Company's net interest income. It is the responsibility of
the Company's ALCO to manage interest rate risk which arises naturally from
imbalances in repricing, maturity and/or cash flow characteristics of the
Company's assets and liabilities. The ALCO is responsible for developing
asset/liability management strategies and tactics, and for ensuring that the
Board of Directors receives timely, accurate information regarding the
Bank's interest rate risk position at least quarterly. Techniques used by
the ALCO take into consideration the cash flow and repricing attributes of
balance sheet and off-balance sheet items and their relation to possible
changes in interest rates. The ALCO uses interest rate caps and floors to
help minimize the Bank's exposure to changes in interest rates. Through the
use of computerized modeling systems, and with the assistance of outside
consultants, the effect on the Company's net interest income of a possible
200 basis point change in interest rates, in rising and declining scenarios,
is determined and evaluated by management. The Bank has established a target
range for the change in net interest income, given a 200 basis point change
in interest rates, of zero to 7.5%. As of December 31, 1999, through the use
of such computer models, the change in net interest income for the 12 months
ending December 31, 2000 from the Company's expected or "most likely"
forecast is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Net Interest
Rate Change Income Sensitivity
-------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Up 200 basis points (2.17)%
Down 200 basis points 4.91%
-------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The preceding sensitivity analysis does not represent a Company forecast and
should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected operating results.
These hypothetical estimates are based upon numerous assumptions including:
the nature and timing of interest rate levels including yield curve shape,
prepayments on loans and securities, deposit run-off rates, pricing
decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment/replacement of asset and
liability cash flows, and others. While assumptions are developed based upon
current economic and local market conditions, the Company cannot make any
assurances as to the predictive nature of these assumptions including how
customer preferences or competitor influences might change.
Also, as market conditions vary from those assumed in the sensitivity
analysis, actual results will also differ due to: prepayment/refinancing
levels likely deviating from those assumed, the varying impact of interest
rate caps or floors on adjustable rate assets and liabilities, the potential
effect of changes in debt service levels of customers with adjustable rate
loans, depositor early withdrawals and product preference changes, and other
internal/external variables. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis does not
reflect all actions that ALCO might take in responding to or anticipating
changes in interest rates.
The model used to perform the simulation assumes a parallel shift of the
yield curve over twelve months and reprices every interest-bearing asset and
liability on the Bank's balance sheet. The model uses contractual repricing
dates for variable products, contractual maturities for fixed rate products,
and product-specific assumptions for deposits such as NOW accounts and Money
Market accounts which are subject to repricing based on current market
conditions. Investment securities with call provisions are examined on an
individual basis in each rate environment to estimate the likelihood of a
call. The model also assumes that the rate at which certain mortgage related
assets prepay will vary as rates rise and fall, prepayment estimates are
derived from the Office of Thrift Supervision Net Portfolio Value Model.
The Company has entered into interest rate cap and floor contracts to
mitigate the effects on net interest income in the event interest rates on
variable rate deposits rise or rates on variable rate loans decline. The
notional principal amounts of contracts outstanding were $60 million, the
amortized cost of such contracts was $161 thousand and the fair value of the
contracts was $402 thousand as of December 31, 1999. The Company will
receive payments under these contracts in the event of specified changes in
certain interest rates. As of December 31, 1999 interest rate caps with a
notional amount of $40 million were in the money. The interest rate caps
were sold in February of 2000, a gain of $345 thousand was realized, which
will be accreted into income over the remaining life of the caps that were
sold.
The Company's interest rate sensitivity gap ("gap") is pictured below. Gap
is defined as the difference between assets and liabilities repricing or
maturing within specified periods. An asset-sensitive position (positive
gap) indicates that there are more rate-sensitive assets than rate-sensitive
liabilities repricing or maturing within a specified time period, which
would imply a favorable impact on net interest income during periods of
rising interest rates. Conversely, a liability-sensitive position (negative
gap) generally implies a favorable impact on net interest income during
periods of falling interest rates. The Company's gap presentation may not
reflect the degrees to which interest earning assets and interest bearing
deposits respond to changes in market interest rates.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Repricing Date
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One Day Over Six One Year
To Six Months To To Five Over Five
(In thousands) Months One Year Years Years Total
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Assets
Loans $ 126,227 $ 38,120 $208,433 $ 69,723 $442,503
Mortgage Backed Securities
and Collateralized Mortgage
Obligations 12,192 17,530 68,212 57,081 155,015
US Treasury & Agency Securities 1,969 1,967 9,163 30,396 43,495
Other Securities 4,026 - - - 4,026
Other Assets - - - 56,324 56,324
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets $ 144,414 $ 57,617 $285,808 $213,524 $701,363
===================================================================================================
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Noninterest-bearing Deposits - - - $ 86,160 $ 86,160
Interest-bearing Deposits $ 292,846 $ 52,562 $174,917 6,758 527,083
Borrowed Funds 11,000 - - - 11,000
Other Liabilities - - 5,030 7,354 12,384
Stockholders' Equity - - - 64,736 64,736
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
Equity $ 303,846 $ 52,562 $179,947 $165,008 $701,363
===================================================================================================
Cumulative Gap $(159,432) $(154,377) $(48,516)
Gap as a % of Total Earning Assets (24.30)% (23.52)% (7.39)%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Based on historical experience and the Bank's internal repricing policies,
it is the Bank's practice to present repricing of statement savings, savings
deposits and NOW account balances in the "one to five year" category. The
Bank's experience has shown that the rates on these deposits tend to be less
rate-sensitive than other types of deposits.
Credit Risk
A network of loan officers manages credit risk, with review by the Bank's
Credit Department and oversight by the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors grants each loan officer the authority to originate loans on
behalf of the Bank and establishes policies regarding loan portfolio
diversification and loan officer lending limits. The Bank's loan portfolio
is continuously monitored, through the use of a variety of management
reports and with the assistance of an external loan review firm, for
performance, creditworthiness and strength of documentation. Credit ratings
are assigned to commercial loans and are routinely reviewed. When necessary,
loan officers or the loan workout function take remedial actions to assure
full and timely payment of loan balances. The Bank's policy is to
discontinue the accrual of interest on loans when scheduled payments become
contractually past due 90 or more days and the ultimate collectibility of
principal or interest becomes doubtful. Credit card balances 90 or more days
past due are charged off and consumer installment loans are charged off when
they reach 120 days past due.
Liquidity and Capital Resource Management
Liquidity, as it pertains to banking, can be defined as the ability to
generate cash in the most economical way to satisfy loan and deposit
withdrawal demand, and to meet other business opportunities that require
cash. Sources of liquidity for banks include short-term liquid assets, cash
generated from loan repayments and amortization, borrowing, deposit
generation and earnings. The Merchants Bank has a number of sources of
liquid funds, including $25 million in available Federal Funds lines of
credit with correspondent banks at year-end 1999; an overnight line of
credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") of $15 million; an estimated
additional borrowing capacity with the FHLB of $85 million; and the ability
to borrow approximately $60 million through the use of repurchase
agreements, collateralized by the Bank's investments, with certain approved
counterparties. Additionally, the Bank's investment portfolio is actively
managed by the ALCO and is a strong source of cash flow for the Bank. The
portfolio is fairly liquid, with a weighted average life of 5.5 years, and
is available to be used as a source of funds, if needed.
YEAR 2000
The Company, like most users of computers, computer software, and equipment
utilizing computer software, faced a critical challenge regarding the Year
2000 date change. The bank regulatory agencies which regulate the conduct of
the Company, the Bank and the Trust Company, through the auspices of the
Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) issued compliance
guidelines requiring financial institutions to develop and implement plans
to address the Year 2000 issue. During the past two and a half years, the
Company devoted substantial time and resources toward ensuring that the
Company's and its subsidiaries' operations would not be adversely impacted
by the pending date change. The Bank's primary regulator, the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation monitored the Bank's planning and
implementation process on a regular basis. The Company also contracted with
a national accounting firm to perform an independent review of the Company's
Year 2000 preparations. These reviews were completed during 1998 and 1999.
The Company is pleased to report that the Year 2000 date change was managed
with no reported problems. Computer systems all functioned as expected and
there were no interruptions in service. The Bank experienced no substantial
deposit run-off, and none of the Bank's contingency plans had to be
implemented. The Bank is not aware of any significant borrowers who have
been negatively impacted by the Year 2000 date change such that it would
impair their ability to repay their loans. The Bank's Year 2000 preparedness
plan includes monitoring certain key dates in 2000. The Bank has experienced
no problems to date.
The Company hired a full-time project coordinator to oversee the testing
phase of the Year 2000 project. Although there were no other staff
additions, the Committee estimates that approximately 30-35 people (about
10% of our staff) spent some portion of their time working on the Year 2000
project. Additionally, the Company hired a third party to evaluate the
Bank's loan loss reserve adequacy in light of Year 2000 concerns. The
Company replaced all of the Bank's ATMs and upgraded certain software and
equipment. Management of the Bank had approved the replacement of the ATMs
prior to Year 2000 budget planning since most were 15 to 20 years old. Out
of the total $1.16 million in capital costs, $835 thousand was spent to
upgrade the ATM network. These costs were capitalized and depreciated over
the estimated useful lives of the assets, as such assets represent
replacement of existing equipment, which were not mainly being remediated
for Year 2000. Direct (non-capital expenditures) Year 2000 expenses incurred
since the inception of the project total $318 thousand, of which $154
thousand were incurred during 1999, and have been charged to expense as
incurred.
CAPITAL RESOURCES
Capital growth is essential to support deposit and asset growth and to
ensure the strength and safety of the Company. Net income increased the
Company's capital by $10.5 million in 1999, $9.8 million in 1998, and $8.8
million in 1997.
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital
requirements administered by banking regulatory agencies. To be considered
adequately capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective
action, the Company and the Bank must maintain minimum Tier-1 Leverage,
Tier-1 Risk-Based and Total Risk-Based Capital. The Company and the Bank
were above all regulatory minimums and considered well capitalized by the
regulators at December 31, 1999. The ratios for the Company are set forth
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Minimum to be
Well-Capitalized
Under Regulatory
(In thousands) Amount Percentage Guidelines
----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Tier-1 Risk-Based Capital $63,016 14.13% 6.0%
Total Risk-Based Capital 68,677 15.40% 10.0%
Tier-1 Leverage Capital 63,016 9.09% 5.0%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
During the third quarter of 1999, the Company's Board of Directors approved
a stock repurchase program. Under the program, the Company is authorized to
repurchase, through October 21, 2000 up to 120 thousand shares of its own
common stock, approximately 3% of outstanding shares on the date of
announcement of the program. As of December 31, 1999 the Company had
purchased, under this program, 20,000 shares of stock on the open market, at
a total cost of $463 thousand. The Company has continued to purchase stock
during 2000, purchasing another 62,600 shares on the open market at a total
cost of approximately $1.3 million. During 1998, the Company adopted a stock
repurchase program pursuant to which, prior to its expiration on September
4, 1999, the Company repurchased 83,000 shares of its common stock at a
total cost of approximately $2.0 million.
In July 1998, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") issued guidance on
Issue No. 97-14, "Accounting for Deferred Compensation Arrangements Where
Amounts Earned Are Held in a Rabbi Trust and Invested" (the "Guidance").
This Guidance establishes standards for reporting and accounting for certain
deferred compensation agreements the Company and certain directors of the
Company. This Guidance requires that the deferred compensation obligation be
classified in the "Stockholders' Equity" section of the balance sheets.
These amounts were previously classified as other liabilities in the
"Liabilities" section of the Balance Sheets. The Company adopted this
guidance prospectively on September 30, 1998 and on that date reclassified
deferred compensation obligations totaling $2.13 million into the
Stockholders' Equity section of the balance sheet as required.
EFFECTS OF INFLATION
The financial nature of the Company's balance sheet and statement of
operations is more clearly affected by changes in interest rates than by
inflation, but inflation does affect the Company because as prices increase
the money supply tends to increase, the size of loans requested tends to
increase, total bank assets increase, and interest rates are affected by
inflationary expectations. In addition, operating expenses tend to increase
without a corresponding increase in productivity. There is no precise
method, however, to measure the effects of inflation on the Company's
financial statements. Accordingly, any examination or analysis of the
financial statements should take into consideration the possible effects of
inflation.
FORM 10-K
The following is a copy, except for the exhibits, of the Annual Report of
Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission").
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Part I Page Reference
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Item 1-Business 52-57
Item 2-Properties 57-58
Item 3-Legal Proceedings 58
Item 4-Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 59
Part II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 5-Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters 59
Item 6-Selected Financial Data 59
Item 7-Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 34-50
Item 7a-Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 46-48
Item 8-Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 3-33
Item 9-Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures 61
Part III *
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 10-Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 61
Item 11-Executive Compensation 61
Item 12-Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 61
Item 13-Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions 61
Part IV **
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 14-Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K 61-63
Signatures 64
<FN>
- --------------------
<F*> The information required by Part III is incorporated herein by
reference from the Company's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on April 25, 2000.
<F**> A list of exhibits in the Form 10-K is set forth on the Exhibit Index
included in the Form 10-K filed with the Commission and incorporated
herein by reference. Copies of any exhibit to the Form 10-K may be
obtained from the Company by contacting Shareholder Communications,
Merchants Bancshares, Inc., P.O. Box 1009, Burlington, VT 05402. All
financial statement schedules are omitted since the required information
is included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company and
notes thereto in the Annual Report.
</FN>
</TABLE>
PART I
ITEM 1-BUSINESS
Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") is a bank holding company
originally organized under Vermont law in 1983 (but reincorporated in
Delaware) for the purposes of owning all of the outstanding capital stock of
Merchants Bank (the "Bank") and providing greater flexibility in helping the
Bank achieve its business objectives. Merchants Bank, which is the Company's
primary subsidiary, is a Vermont commercial bank with 35 full-service
offices.
Merchants Bank was organized in 1849 and assumed a national bank charter in
1865, becoming The Merchants National Bank of Burlington, Vermont. On
September 6, 1974, the Bank converted its national charter to a Vermont
state commercial bank charter, adopting its current name, Merchants Bank.
Since 1971, the Bank has acquired by merger seven Vermont banking
institutions, and acquired the deposits of two other Vermont banks. As of
December 31, 1999 the Bank operated one of the largest commercial banking
operations in Vermont, with deposits totaling $613 million, loans of $454
million, and total assets of $701 million, on a consolidated basis. The Bank
is the largest independent banking company with offices exclusively in the
state of Vermont. The Bank is well positioned to build market share as a
result of the rapid consolidation of other banking companies currently
taking place.
The Bank designs its products to provide customers a clear alternative to
the local, regional and national financial service providers. The Bank's
simplified LYNX product line was developed using the image of the lynx
feline to connote speed and agility. Lynx also implies that customers
accounts can be linked and accessed via modern technology and a multi-
channel delivery system. The Bank's products have all been designed to be
easy for the customer to understand and for the Bank's staff to deliver.
On October 29, 1999, the Bank completed the purchase of two branches,
located in Bellows Falls, Vermont and Rutland, Vermont from Chittenden
Corporation. The purchase was made in connection with the branch divestiture
required by federal regulators with respect to Chittenden Corporation's
completed merger with Vermont Financial Services Corporation, the parent
company of Vermont National Bank. The transaction included two branches, one
remote ATM site, approximately $38.7 million in deposits, $21.1 million in
commercial loans, $13.6 million in residential and consumer loans, and
certain fixed assets associated with the branches. The Bank paid a deposit
premium of 3.2% and the assets were purchased at book value. A core deposit
intangible asset of $1.6 million was created in connection with the
transaction, which is being amortized over 7 years on an accelerated basis.
The Bank has also expanded the remote ATM site located on Woodstock Avenue
in Rutland to a drive-through facility staffed by a Bank employee.
Merchants Trust Company (the "Trust Company"), a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Bank, is a Vermont corporation chartered in 1870 for the purpose of
offering fiduciary services including estate settlement, testamentary trust,
guardianship, agency, intervivos trust and employee benefit plan services.
The Trust Company also operates a discount brokerage office through Olde
Discount Corporation, enabling investors to purchase or sell stocks and
bonds on a discounted commission schedule. As of December 31, 1999, the
Trust Company had fiduciary responsibilities for assets having a market
value in excess of $361 million, of which more than $211 million constituted
managed assets. Total revenue of the Trust Company for 1999 was $3,249
thousand; total expenses were $1,376 thousand resulting in pretax net income
of $1,873 thousand for the year. This net income is included in the
consolidated tax return of its parent company, the Merchants Bank.
Merchants Properties, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, was
organized for the purpose of developing and owning affordable rental housing
units throughout the state of Vermont. As of December 31, 1999, Merchants
Properties, Inc. owned one development located in Enosburg, Vermont,
consisting of a 24-unit low-income family rental housing project. Total
assets of this Merchants Properties, Inc. at December 31, 1999 were $1.2
million.
RETAIL SERVICES
The Bank offers a variety of consumer financial products and services
designed to satisfy the deposit and loan needs of its retail customers. The
Bank's retail products include interest bearing and non interest-bearing
checking accounts, money market accounts, club accounts, and short-term and
long-term certificates of deposit. The Bank also offers customary check
collection services, wire transfers, safe deposit box rentals, and automated
teller machine (ATM) cards and services. Credit programs include secured and
unsecured installment lending, credit cards, home equity lines of credit,
and home mortgages.
In 1997, the Bank extended its commitment to automation by introducing a
debit card and by expanding its automated overdraft protection. Using the
BankLYNXSM Check Card, in addition to standard ATM transactions, customers
can pay for purchases at locations that accept VISA(c) and can also use the
card for standard ATM transactions. With expanded automated overdraft
protection, customers can use a savings account and/or a home equity line of
credit as overdraft protection for a checking account. The customer may
choose either or both accounts to cover overdrafts.
During 1998 the Bank converted all of its passbook savings accounts to
statement savings accounts and introduced its MoneyLYNX(tm) Money Market
Account as its primary savings vehicle. MoneyLYNX(tm) pays interest at
tiered levels beginning with the first dollar in the account, and charges
fees only under limited circumstances. Passbook savings accounts and
statement savings accounts are no longer offered as new accounts.
FreedomLYNX(r) checking is available to all applicants of good standing, and
provides the benefits of being free of monthly service charges for the life
of the account. The only requirement is that the customer accepts check
truncation as a condition of holding the account. The account pays interest
on higher balances with a tiered rate structure. No minimum balance is
required. The Bank continues to offer Bottom Line Checking, an account that
provides for a flat service charge up to a maximum number of checks.
The Bank continues to offer ATM cards, debit cards, ATF (automatic transfer
of funds) to cover overdrafts, EFT (electronic funds transfer) to automate
transfers between accounts, and the PhoneLYNXSM telephone banking system. In
1999, the Bank introduced eLYNX(tm), an online banking service delivered via
the Internet. It has proven to be a popular channel addition. Presently, the
service is available only to retail customers. A commercial version is being
tested and is targeted for market introduction in 2000.
The Bank continues to provide strong customer service. Each of the Bank's 35
full-service branch offices is led by a branch president who has consumer
lending authority for the full range of retail credit services.
Additionally, the Bank operates 38 ATMs throughout Vermont, and maintains a
customer call center with expanded hours of operation.
COMMERCIAL SERVICES
Branch presidents are being trained for small business lending authority up
to a prescribed limit. The 11 corporate banking officers and ten corporate
banking administrators provide commercial credit services throughout the
state of Vermont to customers requiring business credit above the prescribed
authorities of the branch presidents.
In late 1998 the Bank developed a revitalized approach to small business
markets in the state of Vermont. The retail branch network services
approximately 75% of the commercial customers of the Bank. The Bank's
corporate sales staff services the balance, primarily larger enterprises.
Small business customers are being introduced to the Bank's new
CommerceLYNX(tm) program. CommerceLYNX(tm) is a package of business banking
services, including low cost electronic checking, investment accounts,
streamlined credit application, and small business "Health Check". The
Bank's philosophy of simplifying product offerings and minimizing fees has
been applied to this program. Branch presidents are trained to offer this
service, leading with the introduction of small business financing options
and the value of utilizing the efficient transaction accounts.
CommerceLYNX(tm) was tested in seven pilot markets throughout the state. The
program will be enhanced during 2000 to reflect market feedback and the
arrival of technology options.
The Bank offers a variety of commercial checking accounts. Commercial
Checking uses an earnings credit rate to help offset service charges. Small
Business Checking is designed for the smaller business carrying lower
balances and reduced account activity. Investment opportunities are
available to businesses in the form of savings accounts and money market
accounts. The Bank's cash management services provide additional investment
opportunities through the Cash Sweep Program. Other cash management services
include funds concentration. The Bank offers on-line banking services
through PCLYNX(r) Corporate and PCLYNX(r) Small Business. These products
allow businesses to view their account histories, order stop payments,
transfer between accounts, transmit ACH batches and order both domestic and
foreign wire transfers. An Internet-based automated banking solution is
targeted for a 2000 roll-out.
Other miscellaneous commercial banking services include night depository,
coin and currency handling, and balance reporting services. Employee
benefits management and related fiduciary services are available through the
Trust Company.
TYPES OF CREDIT OFFERINGS
Consumer Loans:
- ---------------
Financing is provided for new or used automobiles, boats, airplanes,
recreational vehicles and new mobile homes. Home improvement and home equity
lines of credit, Visa(c) and MasterCard(c) credit cards and various
collateral loans and personal loans are also available.
Real Estate Loans:
- ------------------
Financing is available for one-to-four-family residential mortgages;
multifamily mortgages; residential construction; mortgages for seasonal
dwellings; and commercial real estate mortgages. The Bank offers both fixed
rate and adjustable rate mortgages for residential properties. The
residential mortgage process and the product were streamlined early in 1998
to make the product easier to use and simpler for our 35 branch presidents
to deliver.
Commercial Loans:
- -----------------
Financing for business inventory, accounts receivable, fixed assets, lines
of credit for working capital, community development, irrevocable letters of
credit, business credit cards and U.S. Small Business Administration loans
are available. In 1999 increased emphasis was placed on small business loans
originated in our 35 branches. During the year nearly 150 loan requests,
totaling $4.7 million, were processed.
COMPETITION
The Bank competes for deposit and loan business with numerous other
commercial and savings banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions,
and other non-bank financial providers. As of December 31, 1999, there were
more than 25 state and national banking institutions operating in Vermont.
In addition, the number of other non-bank financial service providers
competing in Vermont has increased dramatically. As a bank holding company
and state-chartered bank, respectively, the Company and the Bank are subject
to extensive regulation and supervision, including, in many cases,
regulation that limits the type and scope of their activities. These non-
financial institutions which compete with the Company and the Bank are not
subject to such extensive regulation and supervision. Competition from
nationwide banks, as well as local institutions continues to be aggressive
The Bank is the largest independent banking company with offices exclusively
in the state of Vermont. Consolidation within the overall banking industry
nationally continues to change the competitive environment in which we
operate. The Bank is well positioned to build market share as a result of
the rapid consolidation of other banking companies currently taking place.
No material part of the Bank's business is dependent upon one, or a few,
customers, or upon a particular market segment, the loss of which would have
a materially adverse impact on the operations of the Bank.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1999, the Company had three officers: Joseph L. Boutin,
President and Chief Executive Officer; Janet Spitler, Treasurer; and
Jennifer L. Varin, Secretary. No officer of the Company is on a salary
basis.
As of December 31, 1999, the Bank employed 232 full-time and 40 part-time
employees, representing a full-time equivalent complement of 256 employees;
the Merchants Trust Company employed 14 full-time employees and 1 part-time
employee. The Bank and the Trust Company maintain comprehensive employee
benefits programs which provide major medical insurance, hospitalization,
dental insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, life
insurance and a 401(k) Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
REGULATION AND SUPERVISION
General
As a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of
1956, as amended (the "BHCA"), the Company is subject to substantial
regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve Board. As a state-
chartered bank, the Bank is subject to substantial regulation and
supervision by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") and by
applicable state regulatory agencies. To the extent that the following
information describes statutory or regulatory provisions, it is qualified in
its entirety by reference to those particular statutory provisions. Any
change in applicable law or regulation may have a material effect on the
business and prospects of the Company and the Bank.
Financial Services Modernization
On November 12, 1999, President Clinton signed into law The Gramm-Leach-
Bliley Act ("Gramm-Leach") which significantly altered banking laws in the
United States. Gramm-Leach enables combinations among banks, securities
firms and insurance companies beginning March 11, 2000. As a result of
Gramm-Leach, many of the depression-era laws which restricted these
affiliations and other activities which may be engaged in by banks and bank
holding companies, were repealed. Under Gramm-Leach, bank holding companies
are permitted to offer their customers virtually any type of financial
service that is financial in nature or incidental thereto, including
banking, securities underwriting, insurance (both underwriting and agency)
and merchant banking.
In order to engage in these new financial activities, a bank holding company
must qualify and register with the Federal Reserve Board as a "financial
holding company" by demonstrating that each of its bank subsidiaries is
"well capitalized," "well managed," and has at least a "satisfactory" rating
under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 ("CRA").
These new financial activities authorized by Gramm-Leach may also be engaged
in by a "financial subsidiary" of a national or state bank, except for
insurance or annuity underwriting, insurance company portfolio investments,
real estate investment and development and merchant banking, which must be
conducted in a financial holding company. In order for the new financial
activities to be engaged in by a financial subsidiary of a national or state
bank, Gramm-Leach requires each of the parent bank (and its sister-bank
affiliates) to be well capitalized and well managed; the aggregate
consolidated assets of all of that bank's financial subsidiaries may not
exceed the lesser of 45% of its consolidated total assets or $50 billion;
the bank must have at least a satisfactory CRA rating; and, if that bank is
one of the 100 largest national banks, it must meet certain financial rating
or other comparable requirements. Gramm-Leach establishes a system of
functional regulation, under which the federal banking agencies will
regulate the banking activities of financial holding companies and banks'
financial subsidiaries, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will
regulate their securities activities and state insurance regulators will
regulate their insurance activities. Gramm-Leach also provides new
protections against the transfer and use by financial institutions of
consumers' nonpublic, personal information.
Bank Holding Company Regulation
Although the Company may meet the qualifications for electing to become a
financial holding company under Gramm-Leach, the Company has elected to
retain its pre-Gramm-Leach status for the present time under the BHCA. The
Company is required by the BHCA to file with the Federal Reserve Board an
annual report and such additional reports as the Federal Reserve Board may
require. The Federal Reserve Board also makes periodic inspections of the
Company and its subsidiaries. The BHCA requires every bank holding company
to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board before it may
acquire substantially all of the assets of any bank, or ownership or control
of any voting shares of a bank, if, after such acquisition, it would own or
control, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the voting shares of such
bank. Additionally, as a bank holding company, the Company is prohibited
from acquiring ownership or control of 5% or more of any company not a bank
or from engaging in activities other than banking or controlling banks
except where the Federal Reserve Board has determined that such activities
are so closely related to banking as to be a "proper incident thereto."
Dividends
General. The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank
and its other non-bank subsidiaries. The revenue of the Company (on a parent
company only basis) is derived primarily from interest and dividends paid to
the corporation by its subsidiaries. The right of the Company, and
consequently the right of stockholders of the Company, to participate in any
distribution of the assets or earnings of any subsidiary through the payment
of such dividends or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior claims of
creditors of the subsidiary (including depositors, in the case of banking
subsidiaries), except to the extent that certain claims of the Company in a
creditor capacity may be recognized.
The payment of dividends by the Company is determined by its Board of
Directors based on the consolidated Company's liquidity, asset quality
profile, capital adequacy, and recent earnings history, as well as economic
conditions and other factors, including applicable government regulations
and policies and the amount of dividends payable to the Company by its
subsidiaries.
It is the policy of the Federal Reserve Board that banks and bank holding
companies, respectively, should pay dividends only out of current earnings
and only if after paying such dividends the bank or bank holding company
would remain adequately capitalized. Federal banking regulators also have
authority to prohibit banks and bank holding companies from paying dividends
if they deem such payment to be unsafe or unsound practice. In addition, it
is the position of the Federal Reserve Board that a bank holding company is
expected to act as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary banks.
State law requires the approval of state bank regulatory authorities if the
dividends declared by state banks exceed prescribed limits. The payment of
any dividends by the Company's subsidiaries will be determined based on a
number of factors, including the subsidiary's liquidity, asset quality
profile, capital adequacy and recent earnings history.
Capital Adequacy and Safety and Soundness
Capital Guidelines. Under the uniform capital guidelines adopted by the
federal banking agencies, a well-capitalized institution must have a minimum
ratio of total capital to risk-adjusted assets (including certain off-
balance sheet items, such as standby letters of credit) of 10%, a minimum
Tier 1 (comprised of common equity, retained earnings, minority interests in
the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries and a limited amount of
noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, less deductible intangibles)
capital-to-total risk based assets of 6% and a minimum leverage ratio (Tier
1 capital to average quarterly assets, net of goodwill), of 5%.
Under federal banking laws, failure to meet the minimum regulatory capital
requirements could subject a banking institution to a variety of enforcement
remedies available to federal regulatory authorities, including the
termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC and seizure of the institution.
Prompt Corrective Action. The FDICIA provides the federal banking agencies
with broad powers to take prompt corrective action to resolve problems of
insured depository institutions, depending upon a particular institution's
level of capital. The FDICIA establishes five tiers of capital measurement
for regulatory purposes ranging from "well-capitalized" to "critically
undercapitalized." A depository institution may be deemed to be in a
capitalization category that is lower than is indicated by its actual
capital position under certain circumstances. As of December 31, 1999, the
Bank was classified as "well-capitalized" under the applicable prompt
corrective action regulations.
Under the FDICIA, a depository institution that is well-capitalized may
accept brokered deposits. A depository institution that is adequately
capitalized may accept brokered deposits only if it obtains a waiver from
the FDIC, and may not offer interest rates on deposits "significantly
higher" than the prevailing rate in its market. An undercapitalized
depository institution may not accept brokered deposits.
Safety and Soundness Standards. The FDICIA, as amended, directs each federal
banking agency to prescribe safety and soundness standards for depository
institutions relating to internal controls, information systems, internal
audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate
exposure, asset growth, compensation, asset-quality, earnings and stock
valuation. The Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994
amended FDICIA by allowing federal banking activities to publish guidelines
rather than regulations concerning safety and soundness.
The Federal Reserve Board has finalized these safety and soundness
guidelines. These guidelines relate to the management policies of financial
institutions and are designed, in large part, to implement the safety and
soundness criteria outlined in FDICIA. These guidelines will be published
after the other federal bank regulatory agencies have developed their
guidelines. At this time, it is not known what effect the applicable
guidelines will have on the current practices of the Company or the Bank.
FDICIA also contains a variety of other provisions that may affect the
Company's and the Bank's operations, including reporting requirements,
regulatory guidelines for real estate lending, "truth in savings"
provisions, and the requirement that a depository institution give 90 days'
prior notice to customers and regulatory authorities before closing any
branch. Certain of the provisions in FDICIA have recently been or will be
implemented through the adoption of regulations by the various federal
banking agencies and, therefore, their precise impact cannot be assessed at
this time.
Community Investment Act
Pursuant to the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") and similar provisions of
Vermont law, regulatory authorities review the performance of the Company
and the Bank in meeting the credit needs of the communities served by the
Bank. The applicable regulatory authorities consider compliance with this
law in connection with the applications for, among other things, approval of
branches, branch relocations and acquisitions of banks and bank holding
companies. The Bank received a "satisfactory" rating at its most recent CRA
examination.
The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, as
amended (the "Interstate Banking Act") generally permits bank holding
companies to acquire banks in any state, and preempts all state laws
restricting the ownership by a bank holding company of banks in more than
one state. The Interstate Banking Act also permits a bank to merge with an
out-of-state bank and convert any offices into branches of the resulting
bank if both states have not opted out of interstate branching; permits a
bank to acquire branches from an out-of-state bank if the law of the state
where the branches are located permits the interstate branch acquisition;
and permits banks to establish and operate de novo interstate branches
whenever the host state opts-in to de novo branching. Bank holding companies
and banks seeking to engage in transactions authorized by the Interstate
Banking Act must be adequately capitalized and managed.
Other Proposals
Other legislative and regulatory proposals regarding changes in banking, and
the regulation of banks and other financial institutions, are regularly
considered by the executive branch of the federal government, Congress and
various state governments, including Vermont, and state and federal
regulatory authorities. It cannot be predicted what additional legislative
and/or regulatory proposals, if any, will be considered in the future,
whether any such proposals will be adopted or, if adopted, how any such
proposals would affect the Company or the Bank.
ITEM 2-PROPERTIES
A. SCHEDULE OF BANKING OFFICES BY LOCATION
As of December 31, 1999, Merchants Bank operated 35 full service banking
offices, and 38 ATMs throughout the state of Vermont. The Company's
headquarters are located at 164 College Street, Burlington, Vermont. The
Company's administrative offices and the operations data processing center
are located at 275 Kennedy Drive, South Burlington, Vermont.
The Bank leases certain premises from third parties under terms and
conditions considered by management to be favorable to the Company.
Additional information relating to the Company's properties is set forth in
Note 5 of the Company's annual report and incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 3-LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Bank is a counterclaim defendant in a litigation entitled "Pasquale and
Vatsala Vescio, Counterclaim Plaintiffs v. The Merchants Bank, Counterclaim
Defendant", now pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
District of Vermont.
In this litigation, the Vescios have made a number of "lender liability"
claims dealing with a commercial development known as Brattleboro West in
Brattleboro, Vermont. The pending litigation arose out of a suit to
foreclose on several real estate mortgages and personal property delivered
to the Bank as collateral by the Vescios in connection with the financing of
a supermarket in the Brattleboro West project and various other projects.
Among other things, the Vescios have alleged that the Bank or its
representatives violated supposed oral promises in connection with the
origination and funding of the project, and have claimed that the Bank is
liable to them for damages based on the Bank's supposed "control" of the
project and its alleged breach of covenants of "good faith" which the
plaintiffs believe are to be implied from the loan documents. In addition,
the plaintiffs have contended that the Bank breached a duty of care they
believe it owed to them, and have claimed that the Bank should not have
exercised its contract rights when the loan went into default, but should
have resolved the default in a way that was more favorable to the borrowers.
Trial concluded in United States Bankruptcy Court in November 1998. In June
1999, before entry of any findings or a decision on the merits, the trial
judge recused himself from all cases involving the Bank. He completed his
term as bankruptcy judge on July 31, 1999. On September 30, 1999, United
States District Court Judge William Sessions withdrew the reference of the
case to the Bankruptcy Court and ruled that he would decide the case himself
on the basis of a combination of the Bankruptcy Court trial record and
rehearing certain testimony of certain witnesses. The parties subsequently
stipulated to waive any rehearing of testimony and submission of further
evidence and to submit the case to the District Court for a decision on the
merits based on the existing trial record. The timing of a decision on the
merits of the case at the trial level cannot be predicted at this time.
Although it is not possible at this stage to predict the outcome of this
litigation, the Bank believes that it has meritorious defenses to the
plaintiffs' allegations. The Bank intends to vigorously defend itself
against these claims.
On March 25, 1999, Merchants Trust Company received, as trustee, a recovery
of $4.8 million on account of settlement of a 1994 class action suit filed
in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. The Trust
Company's claims, and the class action, arose from investments made by the
Trust Company in the so-called Piper Jaffray Institutional Government Income
Portfolio ("Piper Jaffray") on behalf of the plaintiffs. In the first
quarter of 1999, the Company realized $1.3 million as a result of that
recovery. During the third quarter of 1999, the Trust Company disbursed the
recovery, partly to itself and the balance in accordance with instructions
provided by the Company's insurance carrier, pursuant to an agreement made
with the carrier in December 1994.
Lawyers representing the beneficiaries of five Trust Company accounts have
asserted that their clients (the "Named Customers") and others similarly
situated have not been fully reimbursed for damages allegedly suffered in
connection with certain investments made by the Trust Company during 1993
and 1994 in Piper Jaffray on their behalf. The Company believes full
reimbursement has been provided and that the Trust Company has no further
liability on account of the Piper Jaffray investment. On July 15, 1999, the
Trust Company filed an action with the United States District Court for the
District of Vermont seeking a declaratory judgement that the Trust Company
has no further liability to the Named Customers. The Named Customers filed a
Motion to Dismiss the Trust Company's action, and the District Court granted
that motion and declined to reconsider. The Trust Company intends to appeal
the District Court's Decision.
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in
various other legal proceedings arising from their normal business
activities. Although the amount of any ultimate liability with respect to
such proceedings cannot be determined, in the opinion of management, based
upon the opinion of counsel on the outcome of such proceedings, any such
liability will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial
position of the Company and its subsidiaries.
ITEM 4-SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
During the fourth quarter of calendar year 1999, no matters were submitted
to a vote of security holders through a
solicitation of proxies or otherwise.
PART II
ITEM 5-MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
The common stock of the Company is traded on the over-the-counter market and
the price is quoted on the NASDAQ National Market Stock Exchange under the
trading symbol MBVT. Quarterly stock prices during the last eight quarters
are as indicated below based upon quotations as provided by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Prices of transactions between
private parties may vary from the ranges quoted below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Quarter Ended High Low
----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
December 31, 1999 $23.911 $20.750
September 30, 1999 24.500 23.000
June 30, 1999 24.250 21.185
March 31, 1999 26.250 20.500
December 31, 1998 26.500 17.000
September 30, 1998 34.625 21.250
June 30, 1998 34.875 32.000
March 31, 1998 34.625 30.750
----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
As of February 3, 2000, the Company had 1,189 registered shareholders. The
Company declared and distributed dividends totaling $0.80 per share during
1999. In January 2000 the Company declared a dividend of $0.21 per share.
Future dividends will depend upon the financial condition and earnings of
the Company and its subsidiaries, their need for funds and other factors,
including applicable government regulations.
ITEM 6-SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The supplementary financial data presented in the following table contains
information highlighting certain significant trends in the Company's
financial condition and results of operations over an extended period of
time.
The following information should be analyzed in conjunction with
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations and with the year-end audited consolidated financial statements
as contained in the 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders, a copy of which is
attached as an addendum to this Form 10-K.
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Five Year Summary of Operations
(Not Covered by Report of Independent Public Accountants)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands except per share data) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT
Interest and Investment Income $ 49,221 $ 48,023 $ 48,158 $ 48,004 $ 51,315
Interest Expense 18,627 18,530 18,238 18,672 23,002
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income 30,594 29,493 29,920 29,332 28,313
Provision for Possible Loan Losses (388) (1,737) (1,862) 3,150 12,100
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan
Losses 30,982 31,230 31,782 26,182 16,213
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Income 7,373 7,312 7,916 9,363 12,766
Other Expense 24,750 25,472 28,482 27,489 36,606
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES 13,605 13,070 11,216 8,056 (7,627)
Provision (benefit) for Income Taxes 3,155 3,248 2,383 1,832 (3,785)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 10,450 $ 9,822 $ 8,833 $ 6,224 $ (3,842)
=========================================================================================================
SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets $657,523 $603,312 $578,090 $580,860 $642,487
Average Earning Assets 613,946 566,126 540,830 533,192 575,551
Loans 425,319 391,814 394,289 406,514 481,047
Total Deposits 571,359 525,460 505,987 513,923 556,242
Long-Term Debt 6,649 6,890 6,417 8,925 28,707
Shareholders' Equity 62,491 56,243 49,140 43,111 40,848
Shareholders' Equity plus Loan Loss Reserve 73,868 71,033 65,407 59,094 58,794
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED RATIOS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income (Loss) to:
Average Shareholders' Equity 16.72% 17.46% 17.98% 14.44% (9.41)%
Average Assets 1.59 1.63 1.53 1.07 (0.60)
Average Shareholders' Equity to
Average Total Assets 9.50 9.32 8.50 7.42 6.36
Common Dividend Payout Ratio 33 32 25 - -
Loan Loss Reserve to Total Loans at Year End 2.47 2.79 4.06 4.05 3.61
Net Charge-Offs to Average Loans 0.66 0.71 (0.66) 1.26 3.28
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic Earnings per Common Share $ 2.39 $ 2.22 $ 2.00 $ 1.45 $ (0.90)
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share 2.39 2.21 1.99 1.45 (0.90)
Cash Dividends Paid 0.80 0.71 0.50 - -
Year End Book Value 14.92 13.84 11.95 10.78 9.38
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Dividends Paid $ 3,390 $ 3,051 $ 2,141 $ - $ -
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
ITEM 7-MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RE-
SULTS OF OPERATIONS
Please refer to pages 34-50 for Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
ITEM 8-FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The consolidated balance sheets of Merchants Bancshares, Inc. as of December
31, 1999 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 1999, together with the related notes and
the opinion of Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, all as
contained on pages 3 through 33 of the Company's 1999 Annual Report to
Shareholders on Form 10-K, are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9-CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
None.
PART III
ITEM 10-DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
ITEM 11-EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 12-SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
ITEM 13-CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Reference is hereby made to pages 2-5, pages 7-8, page 10 and pages 13-15 of
the Company's Proxy Statement to Shareholders dated March 24, 2000, wherein
pursuant to Regulation 14 A information concerning the above subjects (Items
10 through 13) is incorporated by reference.
Pursuant to Rule 12b-23, definitive copies of the Proxy Statement will be
filed within 120 days subsequent to the end of the Company's fiscal year
covered by Form 10-K.
PART IV
ITEM 14-EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(1) The following consolidated financial statements, as included in the
1999 Annual Report to Shareholders, are incorporated herein by reference:
Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998.
Consolidated Statements of Operations for years ended December 31,
1999, 1998 and 1997.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for years
ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
1999, 1998 and 1997.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 1999.
(2) The following exhibits are either filed or attached as part of this
report, or are incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibit Description
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for the
Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the Company, filed on
April 25, 1987)
3.2 Amended By-Laws of the Company (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit C to Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for the
Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the Company, filed on
April 25, 1987).
4 Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including
indentures:
4.1 Specimen of the Company's Common Stock Certificate
(Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 7 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-14 (Registration Number 2-
86108) filed on August 22, 1983)
4.2 Description of the rights of holders of the Company's Common
Stock (appearing on page 9 of the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-14 (Registration No. 2-86108) filed on
August 22, 1983)
10.1 Merchants Bancshares, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock
Purchase Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-20375) filed on January 22, 1997)
10.2 401(k) Employee Stock Ownership Plan of the Company, dated
January 1, 1990, as amended (Incorporated by reference to
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration
Number 33-3274) filed on November 16, 1989)
10.3 Amended and Restated Merchants Bank Pension Plan dated as of
January 1, 1994 (Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.6 to
Post-Effective Amendment Number 1 to Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (Registration Number 333-18845) filed on
December 26, 1996)
10.4 Form of Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1999, by and
between the Company and its Subsidiaries and certain of its
Executive Officers.
10.14 The Merchants Bank Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation
Plan for Directors (Incorporated by reference to the
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended
December 31, 1997)
10.14.1 Trust Under the Merchants Bank Amended and Restated
Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (Incorporated
by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 1997)
10.15 Agreement among the Merchants Bank and Kathryn T. Boardman,
Thomas R. Havers and Susan D. Struble dated as of December 20,
1995 (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 1996).
10.15.1 Trust Under the Agreement among the Merchants Bank
and Kathryn T. Boardman, Thomas R. Havers and Susan
D. Struble dated as of December 20, 1995
(Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 1996).
10.16 Agreement between the Merchants Bank and Dudley H. Davis dated
December 20, 1995 (Incorporated by reference to the
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended
December 31, 1996).
10.16.1 Fixed Trust under Agreement between the Merchants
Bank and Dudley H. Davis dated December 20, 1995
(Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31,
1996).
10.16.2 Variable Trust under Agreement between the Merchants
Bank and Dudley H. Davis dated December 21, 1995
(Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31,
1996).
11 Statement re: computation of per share earnings. See 1999
Annual Report to Shareholders Note 12.
13 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders
21 Subsidiaries of the Company
23 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
27 Financial Data Schedule
(3) Reports on Form 8-K: NONE
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirement of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on it's behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Date February 17, 2000 By /s/ JOSEPH L. BOUTIN
----------------------- -----------------------------------
Joseph L. Boutin, President & CEO
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of MERCHANTS
BANCSHARES, INC., and in the capacities and on the date as indicated.
By /s/ JOSEPH L. BOUTIN By /s/ RAYMOND C. PECOR, JR.
---------------------- -----------------------------------
Joseph L. Boutin, Director, Raymond C. Pecor, Jr. Director,
President & CEO of the Company Chairman of the Board of
and the Bank Directors
By /s/ PETER A. BOUYEA By /s/ CHARLES A. DAVIS
---------------------- -----------------------------------
Peter A. Bouyea, Director Charles A. Davis, Director
By /s/ ROBERT A. SKIFF By /s/ JEFFREY L. DAVIS
---------------------- -----------------------------------
Robert A. Skiff, Director Jeffrey L. Davis, Director
By /s/ MICHAEL G. FURLONG By /s/ PATRICK S. ROBINS
---------------------- -----------------------------------
Michael G. Furlong, Director Patrick S. Robins, Director
By /s/ LEO O'BRIEN, JR. By /s/ JANET P. SPITLER
---------------------- -----------------------------------
Leo O'Brien, Jr., Director Janet P. Spitler, Treasurer of
the Company, Vice President, CFO,
and Treasurer of the Bank
EXHIBIT 10.4
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
--------------------
THIS AGREEMENT is made effective as of the 1st day of January, 1999, by
and between MERCHANTS BANK, a state chartered bank, with principal offices at
275 Kennedy Drive, South Burlington, Vermont, (hereinafter collectively
referred to as "CORPORATION") and ____________, residing at _____________
(hereinafter referred to as "EMPLOYEE").
WITNESSETH
----------
In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties
agree as follows:
1. Employment: The CORPORATION hereby employs the EMPLOYEE, and the
EMPLOYEE hereby accepts employment.
2. Terms and Renewal: This Agreement shall be for a three-year term
beginning on January 1, 1999, and terminating on December 31, 2001.
On or before December 31, 2000, the CORPORATION shall notify EMPLOYEE if
CORPORATION do not intend to renew the Agreement for a one-year term following
its original term. In the event that the CORPORATION do not notify EMPLOYEE,
the Agreement shall renew for a one-year term following its original term.
Similarly, on each anniversary date thereafter the CORPORATION shall notify
EMPLOYEE if they do not intend to renew the Agreement, and upon a failure to
do so the Agreement shall automatically renew for an additional one-year term
following the then applicable term.
3. Termination:
3.1 Discharge: The CORPORATION has the right to discharge the
EMPLOYEE at any time with or without just cause, as herein defined. If
the EMPLOYEE is discharged without just cause, the CORPORATION agree to
pay in one lump sum the EMPLOYEE's salary for one year.
"Just cause" shall mean (a) misconduct connected with EMPLOYEE's
work, if and as defined in any written policy of the CORPORATION
covering all of the CORPORATION' officers or directors which is now, or
subsequently, in effect; or (b) the conviction of a felony which
precludes EMPLOYEE from performing all or an essential part of his
duties of employment, provided that, if such conviction is subsequently
reversed, rescinded or expunged, it shall not constitute just cause for
termination.
3.2 Disability: In cases of disability, either party may elect to
terminate the employment, subject to the following conditions: (i) the
EMPLOYEE shall receive the greater of: (a) the salary and other normal
benefits plus incentive payments which the EMPLOYEE would have received
had he been terminated without just cause; or (b) the benefits payable
to, and actually paid to, the EMPLOYEE arising out of any disability
insurance policy covering the EMPLOYEE, and paid for by the CORPORATION
(if said policy benefits are paid other than in a lump sum payment, the
value of the benefits, for purposes of this Agreement, shall be
calculated by using a present value of all payments to be made); and
(ii) EMPLOYEE has suffered a disability as defined below.
"Disability" shall mean mental or physical incapacity which shall
continue for six (6) months or longer after exhaustion of all sick leave
benefits, or a permanent mental or physical incapacity, either of which
makes the performance of substantially all of the EMPLOYEE's duties
impossible, as certified in writing by the EMPLOYEE's physician. The
CORPORATION, in the event of disagreement, may seek the opinion of a
qualified physician to determine if such disability exists; provided,
however, that such physician is Board Certified in the area of specialty
pertinent to the nature and extent of such disability. In the event of
further disagreement, the two physicians shall choose a third physician,
qualified as above, who shall make the determination, which shall be
binding upon the parties.
4. Resignation by the EMPLOYEE: The EMPLOYEE shall have the option of
terminating his employment with the CORPORATION provided he gives at least 60
days advance written notice to the CORPORATION. The EMPLOYEE shall not be
deemed to have resigned and, instead, shall have been deemed discharged by the
CORPORATION, without just cause, if the EMPLOYEE resigns as a result of: (i)
immoral, unethical or illegal acts or omissions committed by, or which
reasonably appear will be committed by, any director, officer, employee,
agent, or independent contractors of the CORPORATION (and the CORPORATION'S
Board of Directors shall not act, after his recommendation, to terminate the
offending party(s) or to cease and desist such offending activity); or (ii)
acts or omissions of any director, officer, employee, agent, or independent
contractors of the CORPORATION which could reasonably subject the EMPLOYEE to
personal liability from any Federal, State or local government or agency, or
any banking authority, including, but not limited to, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the Internal Revenue Service, or the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
5. Offices and Duties: The EMPLOYEE shall be appointed and/or
elected, and shall serve, as the _______________________of the CORPORATION for
the term of his employment hereunder. Should the CORPORATION decide to alter
the titles and/or positions, it must provide the EMPLOYEE with an essentially
equivalent or better position, with equivalent or better salary and benefits.
6. Efforts: The EMPLOYEE shall devote his full-time efforts and
energies to the business and affairs of the CORPORATION and shall use his best
efforts, skill and abilities to promote the CORPORATION'S interests.
7. Evaluation: The EMPLOYEE shall be evaluated annually by
____________________________ and shall receive a written copy of said
evaluation. Nothing herein shall allow the CORPORATION to reduce the salary,
incentive payments and other benefits provided for herein, nor shall this
provision be deemed to allow for the alteration of EMPLOYEE's duties and
authority otherwise set forth in this Agreement.
8. Salary and Increases: The CORPORATION shall pay the EMPLOYEE for
all services rendered an initial salary of __________ per annum, commencing
January 1, 1999, and payable on a bi-weekly basis. The annual salary will be
reviewed annually by the Board and may be increased but not decreased at the
discretion of the Board. The CORPORATION may also grant the EMPLOYEE such
other compensation, bonuses, benefits, etc., as they may deem proper from time
to time.
9. Annual Bonus: An annual bonus will be paid to the EMPLOYEE
provided the CORPORATION maintains a "CAMELS" rating of 2 or better, and the
CORPORATION achieves certain objectives.
10. Benefits: The CORPORATION shall provide the EMPLOYEE with all
fringe benefits (including but not limited to health, life, disability,
workers compensation insurance; vacation and sick pay; pension benefits)
offered to other employees of the CORPORATION in subordinate positions, but
shall provide EMPLOYEE with five (5) weeks per year of vacation.
11. Long Term Incentive/Stock Option Plan: Each year, the EMPLOYEE
will receive stock options with a "value" equal to 50% of his salary;
provided, however, that no stock options will be awarded to the EMPLOYEE which
would result in the EMPLOYEE holding unexercised stock options which exceed
____ of the issued and outstanding shares of Merchants Bancshares, Inc. The
stock value is determined by calculating the "Black-Scholes" value. The
exercise price will be determined annually by the CORPORATION'S Board of
Directors' Compensation Committee. It is intended that the Committee will set
the exercise price slightly above the then current market price for the stock
of Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
Options are exercisable at any time after two (2) years from their
original issue date. The term of the options will expire on the earlier of
(a) ten years from the issue date, while EMPLOYEE remains employed by the
CORPORATION, or (b) if EMPLOYEE's employment is terminated, then twelve months
after termination of employment.
If the EMPLOYEE is terminated without just cause or due to his
disability, or in the event that any transaction occurs which results in a
change of control of the CORPORATION from that existing on the date of this
Agreement, the EMPLOYEE may exercise these options immediately upon the
occurrence of any such event or at any other time permitted in the preceding
sub-paragraph. In the event that there is a split of the stock of Merchants
Bancshares, Inc., EMPLOYEE's stock options and option price shall be adjusted
accordingly, so as to leave EMPLOYEE in the same relative position as at the
time of commencement of this Agreement with regard to the issued and
outstanding shares of Merchants Bancshares, Inc., on the date such action is
taken. In the event there is a public offering of the stock of Merchants
Bancshares, Inc. other than pursuant to a stock option or an employee stock
ownership plan, at any time before the options granted hereby have been fully
exercised, then the number of shares subject to the options granted herein
shall be increased so that the total number of shares purchased and
purchasable under these options as increased will bear the same relationship
to the fully-diluted capitalization of Merchants Bancshares, Inc. immediately
after giving effect to completion of the public offering as the original
number of shares purchasable under these option does to the fully-diluted
capitalization of Merchants Bancshares, Inc. at the effective date hereof.
The purchase price for additional shares covered by these options as provided
in the preceding sentence shall be the greater of the purchase price provided
for herein or the purchase price paid by third parties purchasing stock in the
public offering.
If the CORPORATION is unable to deliver the shares upon which the
EMPLOYEE seeks to exercise his options, for any reason, then the CORPORATION
shall pay to the EMPLOYEE, on the date of exercise, the difference between the
exercise price and the trading price of Merchants Bancshares, Inc. shares on
that day, as traded on the exchange on which said shares are listed.
In the event that the EMPLOYEE shall become deceased during the period
in which the EMPLOYEE may exercise his stock options, as provided above, then
his Estate may exercise said options in the manner provided above; provided,
however, that said options are exercised within six (6) months after
EMPLOYEE'S demise.
12. Expenses: The EMPLOYEE shall be reimbursed for documented business
expense incurred or paid by the EMPLOYEE in connection with the performance of
his duties, in the manner currently required by corporate policy.
13. Indemnification: The CORPORATION agrees that, within the limits
set forth in the Vermont Business Corporations Law and Delaware General
Corporation Law, as applicable, they shall hold the EMPLOYEE harmless for any
actions taken by the EMPLOYEE in what he reasonably believes to be in the
CORPORATION'S interests or for his omission to so act or for his negligence in
connection with such employment. This indemnity shall include the EMPLOYEE's
reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in defending any such demands,
claims, or actions. The indemnity herein provided shall also include, but in
no way be limited to, claims of liability arising for or on account of those
acts or omissions of others described in Section 4 of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing and except to the extent insurance
provides such indemnity, the CORPORATION shall have no obligation to hold the
EMPLOYEE harmless from (i) any liability he may have to any governmental
entity with respect to personal taxes, interest or penalties, unless that
liability resulted from a liability of the CORPORATION; (ii) any claims
arising out of, based upon or attributable to the gaining in fact of any
personal profit or advantage to which the EMPLOYEE is not legally entitled; or
(iii) any claim arising out of, based upon or attributable to the committing
of any criminal or deliberately fraudulent act. Prior to receiving any
purported personal profit or advantage, EMPLOYEE is entitled to receive, at
the CORPORATION'S expense, an opinion of counsel that he is legally entitled
to receive it.
This Paragraph 13 shall not limit any immunity or indemnity provided
EMPLOYEE by law or by the Articles of Association or Bylaws of the
CORPORATION.
14. Binding Effect: This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the EMPLOYEE, his legal representatives, heirs, and
distributee(s), and upon the CORPORATION, their successors and assigns, and
also any subsidiary or affiliated corporation.
15. No Waiver: The waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement
shall not be deemed to constitute the waiver of any other term or condition.
16. Notices: All notices, elections hereunder and similar
communication(s) shall be in writing and shall be sufficient if addressed to
the EMPLOYEE at his address as shown above (or at any new address as he shall
advise the CORPORATION of in writing) and mailed by certified return receipt
with postage fully paid. All notices to the CORPORATION shall be given to the
presiding officer of their Boards of Directors.
17. Controlling Law and Attorneys' Fees: Notwithstanding the actual
place of execution, or the states of incorporation of the CORPORATION, this
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Vermont and the
parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction of the Courts of the State of
Vermont.
In the event of a breach of this Agreement, the non-breaching party
shall be entitled to recover its costs and attorneys' fees from the breaching
party.
18. Compliance with Law: Any and all provisions of this Agreement
shall be consistent and comply with applicable laws or regulations enacted or
promulgated both before and after the execution date of this Agreement, and to
the extent that any provision is inconsistent or does not comply with
applicable laws or regulations, that part which is inconsistent or does not
comply shall be modified to comply with the applicable law or regulation.
19. Prior Agreement Superseded: This Employment Agreement replaces
and supersedes an Amended Employment Agreement between the CORPORATION and
the EMPLOYEE dated effective as of _______.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the CORPORATION have caused this Agreement to be
executed by directors or officers thereunto duly authorized, and the EMPLOYEE
has hereunto set his hand and seal, all effective as of the day and year first
above written.
IN PRESENCE OF: CORPORATION
MERCHANTS BANK
BY:
- ----------------------------- ---------------------------------
MERCHANTS BANCSHARES, INC.
BY:
- ----------------------------- ---------------------------------
EMPLOYEE
- ----------------------------- ---------------------------------
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
1999 10-K Exhibit 21 - Subsidiaries of the Company
Merchants Bank
Merchants Trust Company
Merchants Properties, Inc.
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
of our report dated January 18, 2000 included in Merchants Bancshares,
Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 into
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.'s previously filed Registration Statement No.
333-41051 on Form S-3, Registration Statement No. 333-34869 on Form S-8,
Registration Statement No. 333-34871 on Form S-8 and Registration Statement
No. 333-18845 on Form S-8, as amended by Post Effective Amendment No. 1 on
Form S-8/A.
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
March 21, 2000
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 9
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999
<CASH> 23,636
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS> 110
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD> 0
<TRADING-ASSETS> 1,075
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE> 72,229
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING> 126,281
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET> 122,305
<LOANS> 453,692
<ALLOWANCE> 11,189
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 701,363
<DEPOSITS> 613,243
<SHORT-TERM> 11,000
<LIABILITIES-OTHER> 6,013
<LONG-TERM> 6,371
0
0
<COMMON> 44
<OTHER-SE> 64,692
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY> 701,363
<INTEREST-LOAN> 37,119
<INTEREST-INVEST> 10,627
<INTEREST-OTHER> 1,475
<INTEREST-TOTAL> 49,221
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT> 17,623
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,004
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET> 30,594
<LOAN-LOSSES> (388)
<SECURITIES-GAINS> 0
<EXPENSE-OTHER> 24,750
<INCOME-PRETAX> 13,605
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY> 10,450
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 10,450
<EPS-BASIC> 2.39
<EPS-DILUTED> 2.39
<YIELD-ACTUAL> 4.99
<LOANS-NON> 2,800
<LOANS-PAST> 199
<LOANS-TROUBLED> 689
<LOANS-PROBLEM> 4,015
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN> 11,300
<CHARGE-OFFS> 874
<RECOVERIES> 1,151
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE> 11,189
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC> 11,189
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN> 0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED> 548
</TABLE>
