PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORP
10QSB, 1997-05-09
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                                   FORM 10-QSB

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
     ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1997

                                       OR

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

For the transition period from ______________ to _____________

Commission File No. 0-28838

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
      _____________________________________________________________________
        (Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

             Ohio                                       34-1822228
_______________________________                    ______________________
(State or other jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation of organization)                     Identification Number)

211 Lincoln Way East
Massillon, Ohio                                           44646
_____________________                                   __________
(Address of principal                                   (Zip Code)
executive office)

Issuer's telephone number, including area code: (330) 832-7441

Check  whether  the issuer  (1) has filed all  reports  required  to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Exchange  Act during the past 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 _____


As of May 2, 1997, the latest  practicable date,  1,491,012 common shares of the
registrant, no par value, were issued and outstanding.



                               Page 1 of 20 Pages

<PAGE>


                                      INDEX

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                                                                           Page


PART I   -   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

             Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition ................ 3
             Consolidated Statements of Earnings ........................... 4
             Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ......................... 5
             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements .................... 7
             Management's Discussion and Analysis of                   
             Financial Condition and Results of Operations ................ 11
                                                               
PART II  -   OTHER INFORMATION ............................................ 18

SIGNATURES ................................................................ 20



                               Page 2 of 20 Pages


<PAGE>

<TABLE>

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                        (In thousands, except share data)

                                                                                   MARCH 31,        SEPTEMBER 30,
ASSETS                                                                               1997               1996
                                                                               ----------------    ---------------
<S>                                                                               <C>                <C>     
Cash and due from banks                                                           $    245           $    276
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions                            6,113             12,257
                                                                                  --------           --------
                     Cash and cash equivalents                                       6,358             12,533

Investment securities designated as available
   for sale - at market                                                              6,551              5,087
Investment securities - at cost, approximate market value
   of $2,000 and $1,712 as of March 31, 1997 and
   September 30, 1996                                                                1,977              1,688
Mortgage-backed and related securities designated
   as available for sale - at market                                                16,232             14,113
Mortgage-backed and related securities - at amortized cost,
   approximate market value of $7,938 and $9,011 as of
   March 31, 1997 and September 30, 1996                                             7,774              8,875
Loans receivable - net                                                              48,047             44,206
Office premises and equipment - at depreciated cost                                  1,467              1,515
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank  - at cost                                             774                748
Accrued interest receivable                                                            362                397
Prepaid expenses and other assets                                                      145                 95
                                                                                  --------           --------
                              Total assets                                        $ 89,687           $ 89,257
                                                                                  ========           ========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Deposits                                                                          $ 64,632           $ 64,355
Other liabilities                                                                      201                667
Accrued federal income taxes                                                            17                 32
Deferred federal income taxes                                                          709                497
                                                                                  --------           --------
                              Total liabilities                                     65,559             65,551

Shareholders' equity:
   Preferred stock - authorized 1,000,000 shares without par
      value; no shares issued                                                         --                 --
   Common stock - authorized 6,000,000 shares without par
     or stated  value; 1,491,012 shares issued and outstanding                        --                 --
   Additional paid-in capital                                                       14,203             14,203
   Retained earnings - restricted                                                    9,782              9,455
   Unrealized gains on securities designated as available
      for sale, net of related tax effects                                             740                645
   Shares acquired by Employee Stock Ownership Plan                                   (597)              (597)
                                                                                  --------           --------
                              Total shareholders' equity                            24,128             23,706
                                                                                  --------           --------

                              Total liabilities and shareholders' equity          $ 89,687           $ 89,257
                                                                                  ========           ========

</TABLE>

                               Page 3 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>


<TABLE>

                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                        (In thousands, except share data)


                                                                THREE MONTHS ENDED         SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                      MARCH 31,                 MARCH 31,         
                                                               ----------------------    -------------------
                                                                  1997         1996       1997        1996    
                                                                 ------       ------     ------      ------
<S>                                                            <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>    
Interest income
   Loans                                                       $   941      $   773      $1,881     $ 1,568
   Mortgage-backed and related securities                          390          400         791         807
   Investment securities                                           126          133         234         270
   Interest-bearing deposits and other                              88           61         205         102
                                                               -------      -------      ------     -------
           Total interest income                                 1,545        1,367       3,111       2,747
Interest expense on deposit accounts                               757          851       1,539       1,721
                                                               -------      -------      ------     -------
           Net interest income                                     788          516       1,572       1,026
Provision for losses on loans                                        3         --             6         105
                                                               -------      -------      ------     -------
            Net interest income after
             provision for losses on loans                         785          516       1,566         921
Other operating income                                               7            6          21          12
                                                               -------      -------      ------     -------
                                                                   792          522       1,587         933
General, administrative and other expense
   Employee compensation and benefits                              237          174         449         351
   Occupancy and equipment                                          54           49         113         106
   Franchise taxes                                                  66           37         102          54
   Federal deposit insurance premiums                               14           38          37          76
   Data processing                                                  19           16          38          32
   Advertising                                                       9            6          20          19
   Other operating                                                  97           66         166         135
                                                               -------      -------      ------     -------
           Total general, administrative and other expense         496          386         925         773
                                                               -------      -------      ------     -------
           Earnings before income taxes                            296          136         662         160
Federal income taxes
   Current                                                         (52)         (21)         60         (17)
   Deferred                                                        153           64         163          65
                                                               -------      -------      ------     -------
           Total federal income taxes                              101           43         223          48
                                                               -------      -------      ------     -------
           Net earnings                                        $   195      $    93      $  439     $   112
                                                               =======      =======      ======     =======


           Earnings per share                                  $  0.14          N/A      $ 0.31         N/A
                                                               =======      =======      ======     =======

</TABLE>


                               Page 4 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                                 (In thousands)

                                                                                    SIX MONTHS ENDED          
                                                                                        MARCH 31,       
                                                                                 ---------------------
                                                                                  1997          1996    
                                                                                  ----          ----  
<S>                                                                           <C>             <C>    
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
  Net earnings for the period                                                 $    439        $   112
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
  cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
    Depreciation of premises and equipment                                          51             45
    Amortization of premiums and discounts on investment securities and
      mortgage-backed securities, net                                               24             30
    Amortization of deferred loan costs                                           --               13
    Provision for losses on loans                                                    6            105
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends                                         (26)           (37)
  Increase (decrease) in cash due to changes in:
    Accrued interest receivable                                                     35             20
    Prepaid expenses and other assets                                              (51)          (125)
    Other liabilities                                                             (470)          (266)
    Accrued interest payable                                                         5             (2)
    Federal income taxes:
      Current                                                                      (15)           (90)
      Deferred                                                                     163             65
                                                                              --------        -------
       Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                         161           (130)

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
  Purchase of mortgage-backed and related securities designated as
    available for sale                                                          (3,499)          --   
  Principal repayments on mortgage-backed and related securities                 2,490          2,581
  Purchase of investment securities                                             (1,000)          --
  Purchase of investment securities designated as available for sale            (1,500)          --
  Principal repayments and maturities of investment securities                     859            481
  Loan principal repayments                                                      7,372          3,515
  Loan disbursements                                                           (11,220)        (3,920)
  Purchase of office premises and equipment                                         (2)            (6)
                                                                              --------        -------
       Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                      (6,500)         2,651

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
  Net increase in deposit accounts                                                 276            811
  Cash dividends paid                                                             (112)          --   
                                                                              --------        -------
       Net cash provided by financing activities                                   164            811
                                                                              --------        -------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                            (6,175)         3,332

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                12,533          1,864
                                                                              --------        -------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                    $  6,358        $ 5,196
                                                                              ========        =======


</TABLE>

                               Page 5 of 20 Pages

<PAGE>


               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

                         PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                                 (In thousands)

                                                                SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                    MARCH 31,
                                                                 1997      1996
                                                                ------    ------
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
   Cash paid during the period for:
     Federal income taxes                                       $   75    $   73
                                                                ======    ======
     Interest on deposits                                       $1,534    $1,724
                                                                ======    ======

Supplemental disclosure of non cash investing activities:
   Unrealized gains on securities designated as available
     for sale, net of related tax effects                       $   95    $   57
                                                                ======    ======


                               Page 6 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>



                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                   For the three- and six-month periods ended
                             March 31, 1997 and 1996



On October 16, 1995, the Board of Directors of Peoples  Federal Savings and Loan
Association of Massillon ("Peoples Federal" or the "Association") adopted a Plan
of Conversion  (the "Plan")  whereby  Peoples Federal would convert to the stock
form of  ownership  and issue all of Peoples  Federal's  outstanding  stock to a
newly formed holding company, Peoples Financial Corporation ("PFC"). Pursuant to
the  Plan,  PFC  offered  for sale up to  1,495,000  common  shares  to  certain
depositors of Peoples  Federal and members of the community.  The conversion was
completed  on  September  12,  1996,  and  resulted in the issuance of 1,491,012
common shares of PFC, which,  after  consideration of offering expenses totaling
approximately $707,000, and share purchases by the Peoples Financial Corporation
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP")  totaling  $597,000,  resulted in net
equity proceeds of $13.6 million.

1.   Basis of Presentation

The accompanying  unaudited  consolidated  financial statements were prepared in
accordance  with  instructions  for Form 10-QSB and,  therefore,  do not include
information  or footnotes  necessary  for a complete  presentation  of financial
position,  results of  operations  and cash flows in conformity  with  generally
accepted accounting principles.  Accordingly,  these financial statements should
be read in  conjunction  with the  consolidated  financial  statements and notes
thereto of Peoples Financial  Corporation for the year ended September 30, 1996.
However,  in the opinion of  management,  all  adjustments  (consisting  of only
normal  recurring  accruals) which are necessary for a fair  presentation of the
consolidated  financial statements have been included. The results of operations
for the  three-and  six-month  periods  ended March 31,  1997 and 1996,  are not
necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected for an entire fiscal
year.


2.   Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying  consolidated  financial statements include the accounts of PFC
and Peoples Federal. All significant intercompany items have been eliminated.



                               Page 7 of 20 Pages

<PAGE>


             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                   For the three- and six-month periods ended
                             March 31, 1997 and 1996



3.   Approval of Peoples  Financial  Corporation 1997 Stock Option and Incentive
     Plan and Peoples Financial  Corporation  Recognition and Retention Plan and
     Trust Agreement.

On March 19, 1997, the shareholders  approved the Peoples Financial  Corporation
Stock Option and Incentive Plan ("Stock Option Plan") and the Peoples  Financial
Corporation Recognition and Retention Plan and Trust Agreement ("Recognition and
Retention  Plan").  Under the Stock Option Plan,  options to purchase a total of
104,371  shares were granted to  directors,  officers and  employees.  Under the
Recognition  and  Retention  Plan,  47,712  shares  were  awarded to  directors,
officers and other key employees.


4.   Effects of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In October 1995, the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board (the "FASB") issued
Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards ("SFAS") No. 123,  "Accounting for
Stock-Based  Compensation",  establishing  financial  accounting  and  reporting
standards for stock-based  employee  compensation plans. SFAS No. 123 encourages
all entities to adopt a new method of  accounting to measure  compensation  cost
for all employee stock  compensation  plans based on the estimated fair value of
the award at the date it is granted.  Companies are, however allowed to continue
to measure  compensation  cost for those plans using the  intrinsic  value based
method of accounting,  which generally does not result in  compensation  expense
recognition  for most plans.  Companies  that elect to remain with the  existing
accounting  are required to disclose in a footnote to the  financial  statements
pro forma net earnings and, if presented, earnings per share, as if SFAS No. 123
had been adopted. The accounting  requirements of SFAS No. 123 are effective for
transactions  entered  into during  fiscal  years that begin after  December 15,
1995, although companies are required to disclose information for awards granted
in their first fiscal year  beginning  after  December 15, 1994.  Management has
determined  that PFC will  continue  to  account  for  stock-based  compensation
pursuant  to  Accounting  Principles  Board  Opinion No. 25, and  therefore  the
disclosure  provisions  of SFAS No. 123 will have no effect on its  consolidated
financial position or results of operations.


                               Page 8 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>


             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                   For the three- and six-month periods ended
                             March 31, 1997 and 1996



4.   Effects of Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued)

In June 1996,  the FASB  issued  SFAS No.  125,  "Accounting  for  Transfers  of
Financial Assets,  Servicing Rights,  and  Extinguishment of Liabilities",  that
provides  accounting  guidance on transfers of  financial  assets,  servicing of
financial assets, and extinguishment of liabilities.  SFAS No. 125 introduces an
approach to accounting  for transfers of financial  assets that provides a means
of dealing with more complex transactions in which the seller disposes of only a
partial  interest in the assets,  retains  rights or  obligations,  makes use of
special  purpose  entities  in the  transaction,  or  otherwise  has  continuing
involvement with the transferred assets. The new accounting method,  referred to
as the financial components  approach,  provides that the carrying amount of the
financial assets transferred be allocated to components of the transaction based
on their relative fair values.  SFAS No. 125 provides  criteria for  determining
whether control of assets has been relinquished and whether a sale has occurred.
If the transfer  does not qualify as a sale,  it is  accounted  for as a secured
borrowing. Transactions subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 125 include, among
others, transfers involving repurchase agreements,  securitizations of financial
assets,  loan   participations,   factoring   arrangements,   and  transfers  of
receivables with recourse.

An entity that undertakes an obligation to service  financial assets  recognizes
either a servicing asset or liability for the servicing contract (unless related
to a securitization of assets,  and all the securitized  assets are retained and
classified  as  held-to-maturity).  A  servicing  asset  or  liability  that  is
purchased or assumed is initially recognized at its fair value. Servicing assets
and  liabilities are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated
net  servicing  income  or net  servicing  loss and are  subject  to  subsequent
assessments for impairment based on fair value.

SFAS No. 125 provides that a liability is removed from the balance sheet only if
the debtor  either pays the creditor and is relieved of its  obligation  for the
liability or is legally released from being the primary obligor.

SFAS No. 125 is effective for  transfers  and servicing of financial  assets and
extinguishment  of liabilities  occurring  after December 31, 1996, and is to be
applied  prospectively.  Earlier or  retroactive  application  is not permitted.
Management  does not believe that  adoption of SFAS No. 125 will have a material
adverse  effect  on  PFC's   consolidated   financial  position  or  results  of
operations.

                               Page 9 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>


             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                   For the three- and six-month periods ended
                             March 31, 1997 and 1996



4.   Effects of Recent Accounting Pronouncements (continued)

In February  1997,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 128,  "Earnings  Per Share",  which
requires  companies  to present  basic  earnings  per share and, if  applicable,
diluted  earnings per share,  instead of primary and fully diluted  earnings per
share,  respectively.  Basic  earnings per share is computed  without  including
potential common shares, i.e., no dilutive effect. Diluted earnings per share is
computed  taking into  consideration  common  shares  outstanding  and  dilutive
potential common shares, including options, warrants, convertible securities and
contingent stock agreements.  SFAS No. 128 is effective for periods ending after
December 15, 1997. Early application is not permitted. Based upon the provisions
of SFAS NO. 128, the PFC's basic and diluted earnings per share for the six- and
three-month  periods  ended  March  31,  1997  would  have  been  $.31 and $.14,
respectively.


5.   Pending Legislative Changes

Congress  has  enacted  legislation  that would  merge the  Savings  Association
Insurance  Fund (the "SAIF") and the Bank  Insurance Fund (the "BIF") on January
1, 1999. The  legislation  currently  provides for the elimination of the thrift
charter or separate thrift  regulation  under federal law prior to the merger of
the deposit  insurance funds.  Peoples Federal would then be regulated as a bank
under federal law and subject to the more restrictive activity limits imposed on
national banks.


6.   Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share for the three and six months  ended March 31, 1997,  is based
upon the  weighted-average  shares  outstanding during the period less shares in
the ESOP that are unallocated and not committed to be released. Weighted-average
common shares deemed outstanding,  which gives effect to 59,678 unallocated ESOP
shares, totaled 1,431,334 for the three and six months ended March 31, 1997.

The  provisions of  Accounting  Principles  Board Opinion No. 15,  "Earnings per
Share" are not  applicable  to the  three- and  six-month  periods  ended  March
31,1996, as the Corporation  completed its conversion to stock form in September
1996.


                               Page 10 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>


           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                            AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                    Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements



In addition to historical information contained herein, the following discussion
contains  forward-looking  statements  that  involve  risks  and  uncertainties.
Economic  circumstances,  PFC's operations and PFC's actual results could differ
significantly from those discussed in the  forward-looking  statements.  Some of
the factors that could cause or  contribute  to such  differences  are discussed
herein but also include  changes in the economy and interest rates in the nation
and PFC's market area  generally.  See Exhibit 99 hereto,  which is incorporated
herein by reference.

Some of the  forward-looking  statements  included  herein  are  the  statements
regarding  management's  determination  of the amount of allowance for losses on
loans,  legislative  changes with respect to the federal  thrift charter and the
effect of certain accounting pronouncements.



                 Discussion of Financial Condition Changes from
                       September 30, 1996 to March 31,1997

PFC's  assets  totaled  $89.7  million  as of March 31,  1997,  an  increase  of
$430,000,  or .5% over the September 30, 1996 total. Changes in operating assets
from  September  30, 1996  levels  consisted  of  increases  of $1.8  million in
investment  securities,  $1.0  million in  mortgage-backed  securities  and $3.8
million in net loans  receivable,  which were  offset by a decrease  in cash and
cash  equivalents of $6.2 million.  This increase in assets was funded by growth
in deposits of $277,000 and undistributed net earnings of $327,000.

Cash and cash equivalents  totaled $6.4 million at March 31, 1997, a decrease of
$6.2 million,  or 49.3%, from the total at September 30, 1996. Excess funds were
redeployed primarily to higher-yielding  investment securities,  mortgage-backed
securities and loans.

Investment  securities  totaled $8.5  million at March 31, 1997,  an increase of
$1.8  million,  or 25.9%,  over the total at September  30, 1996.  This increase
resulted   primarily   from  purchases  of  $2.5  million  and  net  fair  value
appreciation  of  $112,000,  offset by  maturities  of  $712,000  and  principal
repayments of $147,000.

Mortgage-backed  securities totaled $24.0 million at March 31, 1997, an increase
of $1.0 million,  or 4.4%,  over the total at September 30, 1996.  This increase
resulted   primarily   from  purchases  of  $3.5  million  and  net  fair  value
appreciation of $32,000,  which were partially offset by principal repayments of
$2.5 million.

                               Page 11 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>


           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                      AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                 Discussion of Financial Condition Changes from
                 September 30, 1996 to March 31,1997 (continued)



Net loans  receivable  totaled  $48.0  million at March 31, 1997, an increase of
$3.8  million,  or 8.7%,  over the September  30, 1996,  total.  The increase is
attributed to Peoples  Federal's  continued  focus on its  marketing  program to
originate  new  mortgage and home equity loans at the main office and the branch
lending  office.  The  allowance for loan losses  totaled  $199,000 at March 31,
1997,  an  increase  of $6,000  over the  balance at  September  30,  1996.  The
allowance  represented  .4% of total  loans at March  31,  1997 and  1715.4%  of
nonperforming  loans at that date,  as compared to .4% of total loans and 772.0%
of  nonperforming  loans at September  30,  1996.  Nonperforming  loans  totaled
$12,000 and $25,000 at March 31, 1997 and September 30, 1996, respectively.

Deposits  totaled $64.6  million at March 31, 1997, an increase of $277,000,  or
..4%, over the September 30, 1996, amount.  During the six months ended March 31,
1997,  Peoples Federal offered deposits at interest rates designed to reduce the
cost of funds,  while  management  monitors  deposit levels to minimize  deposit
outflows.

Peoples  Federal is required  to meet each of three  minimum  capital  standards
promulgated  by the  Office  of  Thrift  Supervision  (the  "OTS"),  hereinafter
described as the tangible capital requirement,  the core capital requirement and
the risk-based capital  requirement.  The tangible capital requirement  provides
for the maintenance of shareholders'  equity less all intangible assets equal to
1.5% of adjusted  total assets.  The core capital  requirement  provides for the
maintenance of tangible capital plus certain forms of supervisory goodwill equal
to 3% of  adjusted  total  assets,  while  the  risk-based  capital  requirement
mandates  maintenance of core capital plus general loan loss allowances equal to
8% of risk-weighted assets as defined by OTS regulations.  As of March 31, 1997,
the  Association's  tangible and core capital  totaled $15.6 million,  or 19.2%,
which  exceeded  the minimum  requirements  of $1.2  million and $2.4 million by
$14.4  million  and  $13.2  million,  respectively.  As of March 31,  1997,  the
Association's  risk-based  capital was $15.8 million,  or 46.0% of risk-weighted
assets, exceeding the minimum requirement by $13.1 million.


                               Page 12 of 20 Pages

<PAGE>


           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                      AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

            Comparison of Operating Results for the Six-Month Periods
                         Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996.



General

Net earnings for the six months ended March 31, 1997, totaled $439,000, compared
to $112,000 for the same period in 1996, an increase of $327,000, or 292.0%. The
primary  reasons  for the  increase  in net  earnings  were an  increase  in net
interest income of $546,000, or 53.2%, and a decrease in provision for losses on
loans of  $99,000,  or 94.3%,  which were  partially  offset by an  increase  in
general,  administrative and other expense of $152,000, or 19.7% and an increase
in the federal income tax provision of $175,000.


Net Interest Income

Interest  income on loans for the six months ended March 31, 1997,  increased by
$313,000,  or 20.0%,  over the 1996 period.  This increase resulted from an $8.5
million increase in the average portfolio balance outstanding,  partially offset
by a decrease in weighted average yield.  Interest income on mortgage-backed and
related securities,  investment securities and deposits increased by $51,000, or
4.3%, over the 1996 period.  This increase resulted from a $2.5 million increase
in average  portfolio  balances  outstanding,  partially offset by a decrease in
weighted average yield.

Interest expense on deposits decreased by $182,000, or 10.6%, for the six months
ended March 31, 1997, as compared to 1996.  This  decrease  resulted from a $3.2
million  decline in average  deposit  balances  and a .32%  decrease in weighted
average cost of funds.

As a result of the  foregoing,  net interest  income  increased by $546,000,  or
53.2%,  for the six months ended March 31, 1997,  compared to 1996. The interest
rate  spread  increased  to 2.34% for the six months  ended March 31,  1997,  as
compared to 2.10% for the  comparable  1996 six-month  period.  The net interest
margin increased to 3.62% for the three months ended March 31, 1997, as compared
to 2.70% for the comparable 1996 period.


                               Page 13 of 20 Pages

<PAGE>


           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                      AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                Comparison of Operating Results for the Six-Month
                Periods Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 (continued)



Allowance for Losses on Loans

It is the  Association's  policy to provide  valuation  allowances for estimated
losses on loans based on past loan loss  experience,  changes in the composition
of the loan  portfolio,  trends in the level of  delinquent  and problem  loans,
adverse  situations  that may  affect  the  borrower's  ability  to  repay,  the
estimated  value  of any  underlying  collateral  and  current  and  anticipated
economic  conditions in the primary  lending area. The allowance for loan losses
is  increased  by charges to  earnings  and  decreased  by  charge-offs  (net of
recoveries).  After  considering  the above  guidelines,  management  decided to
increase the allowance for losses on loans by $6,000 during the six months ended
March 31, 1997.  The provision  for the  six-month  period ended March 31, 1996,
totaled  $105,000.  This increase during the six months ended March 31, 1996 was
primarily due to the fact that 90-day  delinquent  loans  increased by $681,000.
The  properties  securing  these loans were sold at a sheriff's sale in October,
1996, with Peoples Federal  receiving full repayment in December 1996. There can
be no assurance  that the allowance for losses on loans of Peoples  Federal will
be adequate to cover losses on nonperforming loans in the future.

Other Operating Income

Other  operating  income was $21,000 for the six months ended March 31, 1997, an
increase of $9,000 over the 1996 amount.  The increase was primarily due to late
payment fees on the delinquent  loans  collected in December 1996. Also included
in other  operating  income are safe  deposit box rentals,  negotiable  order of
withdrawal account fees and service fees.


                               Page 14 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>


           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                      AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                Comparison of Operating Results for the Six-Month
                Periods Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 (continued)



General, Administrative and Other Expense

General,  administrative and other expense increased by $152,000,  or 19.7%, for
the six months  ended March 31, 1997,  compared to the same period in 1996.  The
principal  increases  for 1997 over 1996 were  $98,000,  or 27.9%,  in  employee
compensation  and  benefits,  due to the hiring of new  employees  and for costs
accrued  relative to stock benefit plans,  $48,000,  or 88.9%, in Ohio franchise
taxes,  based on increased  capital from the conversion,  $31,000,  or 23.0%, in
other operating expenses,  from costs of compliance reporting  requirements of a
publicly  owned  corporation,  modification  of an  employee  benefit  plan  and
operation of PFC. Federal deposit insurance  premiums  decreased by $39,000,  or
51.3%, as a result of the decrease in premium rates after the special assessment
by the Federal Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  ("FDIC") recorded in the quarter
ended September 30, 1996.


Federal Income Taxes

Federal income taxes are based on earnings before taxes for the six months ended
March 31, 1997 and 1996.  The increase of $175,000 in the  provision  for income
taxes resulted  primarily from the $502,000  increase in earnings  before income
taxes. The effective tax rates were 33.7% for 1997, and 30.0% for 1996.



                               Page 15 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>


           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                      AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

           Comparison of Operating Results for the Three-Month Periods
                         Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996.



General

Net  earnings  for the three  months  ended March 31,  1997,  totaled  $195,000,
compared to $93,000 for the same period in 1996,  an increase of  $102,000.  The
primary  reasons  for the  increase  in net  earnings  were an  increase  in net
interest income of $272,000, or 52.7%, which was partially offset by an increase
in  general,  administrative  and other  expense  of  $110,000,  or 28.5% and an
increase in the federal income tax provision of $58,000.


Net Interest Income

Interest income on loans for the three months ended March 31, 1997, increased by
$168,000,  or 21.7%,  over the 1996 period.  This increase  resulted from a $9.3
million increase in average portfolio balance outstanding, partially offset by a
..20% decrease in weighted average yield.  Interest income on mortgage-backed and
related securities,  investment securities and deposits increased by $10,000, or
1.7%, over the 1996 period.  This increase resulted from a $1.7 million increase
in average portfolio balances  outstanding,  partially offset by a .16% decrease
in weighted average yield.

Interest  paid on deposits  decreased by $94,000,  or 11.0%,  for the six months
ended March 31, 1997.  This  decrease  resulted  from a $3.2 million  decline in
average deposit balances and a .34% decrease in weighted average cost of funds.

As a result of the  foregoing,  net interest  income  increased by $272,000,  or
52.7%, for the three months ended March 31, 1997, compared to 1996. The interest
rate spread  increased to 2.37% for the three  months  ended March 31, 1997,  as
compared to 2.14% for the comparable 1996 three-month  period.  The net interest
margin increased to 3.63% for the three months ended March 31, 1997, as compared
to 2.72% for the comparable 1996 period.



                               Page 16 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>



           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                      AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

               Comparison of Operating Results for the Three-Month
                Periods Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 (continued)



Allowance for Losses on Loans

As the loan portfolio continues to increase,  a provision for losses on loans of
$3,000 was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 1997.  No provision was
recorded for the comparable three-month 1996 period.


Other Operating Income

Other operating income was $7,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1997, and
$6,000 for 1996. Other operating  income is comprised  primarily of late payment
fees on loans, safe deposit box rentals,  negotiable order of withdrawal account
fees, and service fees.


General, Administrative and Other Expense

General,  administrative and other expense increased by $110,000,  or 28.5%, for
the three months ended March 31, 1997,  compared to the same period in 1996. The
principal  increases  for 1997 over 1996 were  $63,000,  or 36.2%,  in  employee
compensation  and benefits,  primarily  due to costs  accrued  relative to stock
benefit plans,  $29,000,  or 78.4%, in Ohio franchise taxes,  based on increased
capital from the conversion,  $31,000,  or 47.0%,  in other operating  expenses,
from costs of compliance reporting requirements of a publicly owned corporation,
modification of an employee  benefit plan and operation of PFC.  Federal deposit
insurance premiums  decreased by $24,000,  or 63.2%, as a result of the decrease
in premium rates after the FDIC special assessment.


Federal Income Taxes

Federal  income  taxes are based on earnings  before  taxes for the three months
ended March 31, 1997 and 1996.  The  increase  of $58,000 in the  provision  for
income taxes resulted  primarily from the $160,000  increase in earnings  before
income taxes. The effective tax rates were 34.1% for 1997, and 31.6% for 1996.


                               Page 17 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>

                                     PART II

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION



ITEM 1.     Legal Proceedings
                   Not applicable

ITEM 2.     Changes in Securities
                   Not applicable

ITEM 3.     Defaults Upon Senior Securities
                   Not applicable

ITEM 4.     Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

                    On March 19, 1997, the Annual Meeting of PFC's  Shareholders
                    was held. Each of the three directors nominated were elected
                    to terms expiring in 1999 by the following votes:

                    Victor C. Baker          For: 1,332,082      Withheld 42,784
                    Vincent G. Matecheck     For: 1,332,282      Withheld 42,584
                    Paul von Gunten          For: 1,340,782      Withheld 34,084

                    Three other matters were submitted to the shareholders,  for
                    which the following votes were cast:

                    1)   Approval  of  the  adoption  of the  Peoples  Financial
                         Corporation 1997 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.

                         For: 1,084,579     Against:  98,519     Abstain:    825


                    2)   Approval  of  the  adoption  of the  Peoples  Financial
                         Corporation  Recognition  and Retention  Plan and Trust
                         Agreement.

                         For: 1,033,644     Against: 148,254     Abstain:  2,025

                    3)   Approval  of the  selection  of Grant  Thornton  LLP as
                         independent   auditors  of  PFC  for  the  year  ending
                         September 30, 1997.

                         For: 1,340,150     Against:  23,692     Abstain: 11,024

ITEM 5.     Other Materially Important Events
                   Not applicable


                               Page 18 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>


                               PART II (Continued)

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION




ITEM 6.     Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
            (a) Exhibits

                    3.1  Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to
                         Pre-Effective  Amendment  No.  1  to  the  Registration
                         Statement  on  Form  S-1  filed  by  Peoples  Financial
                         Corporation  ("PFC") with the  Securities  and Exchange
                         Commission on June 28, 1996 (the "S-1"), Exhibit 3.1).

                    3.2  Code  of  Regulations  (Incorporated  by  reference  to
                         Exhibit 3.2 of the S-1).


                    10.1 Peoples  Financial  Corporation  1997 Stock  Option and
                         Incentive  Plan  (Incorporated  by  reference  to Proxy
                         Statement for 1997 Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  of
                         PFC, Exhibit A).

                    10.2 Peoples Financial Corporation Recognition and Retention
                         Plan and Trust Agreement  (Incorporated by reference to
                         Proxy Statement for 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
                         of PFC, Exhibit B).

                    27   Financial  data schedule for the six months ended March
                         31, 1997.

                    99   Safe  Harbor  under the Private  Securities  Litigation
                         Reform Act of 1995.


            (b) Reports on Form 8-K
                Not applicable


                               Page 19 of 20 Pages
<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

                          PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION




Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


Date: May 8, 1997                By: /s/ Paul von Gunten
                                         _______________________________________
                                         Paul von Gunten, President and
                                         Chief Executive Officer



Date: May 8, 1997                By: /s/ James R. Rinehart
                                         _______________________________________
                                         James R. Rinehart, Treasurer




                               Page 20 of 20 Pages


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE> 9
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             OCT-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                             245
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           6,113
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     22,783
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                           9,751
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                             9,938
<LOANS>                                         48,047
<ALLOWANCE>                                        199
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  89,687
<DEPOSITS>                                      64,632
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                                927
<LONG-TERM>                                          0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        14,203
<OTHER-SE>                                       9,925
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                  89,687
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  1,881
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,025
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                   205
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                 3,111
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               1,539
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,539
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            1,572
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                        6
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                    925
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                    662
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                         439
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       439
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .31
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .31
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    3.62
<LOANS-NON>                                         33
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                   193
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                        0
<RECOVERIES>                                         0
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                  199
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                                 0
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                            199
        


</TABLE>



     Safe Harbor Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995


     The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act") provides a
"safe harbor" for  forward-looking  statements to encourage companies to provide
prospective  information about their companies,  so long as those statements are
identified as  forward-looking  and are  accompanied  by  meaningful  cautionary
statements  identifying  important  factors that could cause  actual  results to
differ  materially  from those  discussed in the  statement.  Peoples  Financial
Corporation ("PFC") desires to take advantage of the "safe harbor" provisions of
the Act. Certain information, particularly information regarding future economic
performance  and finances and plans and objectives of  management,  contained or
incorporated  by reference in PFC's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for fiscal year
1996 is forward-looking.  In some cases, information regarding certain important
factors  that could  cause  actual  results of  operations  or outcomes of other
events to  differ  materially  from any such  forward-looking  statement  appear
together  with such  statement.  In  addition,  forward-looking  statements  are
subject to other risks and  uncertainties  affecting the financial  institutions
industry, including, but not limited to, the following:


Interest Rate Risk

     PFC's  operating  results are dependent to a significant  degree on its net
interest  income,  which is the difference  between  interest income from loans,
investments and other interest-earning  assets and interest expense on deposits,
borrowings  and other  interest-bearing  liabilities.  The  interest  income and
interest expense of PFC change as the interest rates on interest-earning  assets
and  interest-bearing  liabilities change.  Interest rates may change because of
general economic conditions,  the policies of various regulatory authorities and
other factors beyond PFC's control. In a rising interest rate environment, loans
tend to prepay  slowly  and new loans at higher  rates  increase  slowly,  while
interest  paid on deposits  increases  rapidly  because the terms to maturity of
deposits  tend to be shorter than the terms to maturity or  prepayment of loans.
Such  differences in the adjustment of interest rates on assets and  liabilities
may negatively affect PFC's income.


Possible Inadequacy of the Allowance for Loan Losses

     PFC  maintains an allowance for loan losses based upon a number of relevant
factors,  including,  but not limited to,  trends in the level of  nonperforming
assets and classified loans,  current and anticipated economic conditions in the
primary  lending  area,  past loss  experience,  possible  losses  arising  from
specific  problem loans and changes in the  composition  of the loan  portfolio.
While the Board of Directors of PFC believes  that it uses the best  information
available  to  determine  the  allowance  for  loan  losses,  unforeseen  market
conditions  could  result in material  adjustments,  and net  earnings  could be
significantly  adversely affected if circumstances differ substantially from the
assumptions used in making the final determination.

     Loans not  secured  by one- to  four-family  residential  real  estate  are
generally  considered to involve greater risk of loss than loans secured by one-
to four-family  residential  real estate due, in part, to the effects of general
economic conditions. The repayment of multifamily residential and nonresidential
real estate loans generally depends upon the cash flow from the operation of the
property,  which may be  negatively  affected  by  national  and local  economic
conditions.  Construction loans may also be negatively affected by such economic
conditions,  particularly loans made to developers who do not have a buyer for a
property  before  the  loan is made.  The  risk of  default  on  consumer  loans
increases  during  periods of  recession,  high  unemployment  and other adverse
economic  conditions.  When consumers have trouble paying their bills,  they are
more  likely to pay  mortgage  loans  than  consumer  loans.  In  addition,  the
collateral  securing such loans, if any, may decrease in value more rapidly than
the outstanding balance of the loan.

<PAGE>



Competition

     Peoples  Federal  Savings  and  Loan  Association  of  Massillon  ("Peoples
Federal")  competes for deposits  with other  savings  associations,  commercial
banks and credit  unions and issuers of commercial  paper and other  securities,
such as shares in money market  mutual funds.  The primary  factors in competing
for deposits are interest rates and  convenience of office  location.  In making
loans,  Peoples  Federal  competes with other savings  associations,  commercial
banks, consumer finance companies,  credit unions,  leasing companies,  mortgage
companies and other lenders. Competition is affected by, among other things, the
general  availability of lendable funds,  general and local economic conditions,
current   interest   rate  levels  and  other  factors  which  are  not  readily
predictable.  The size of financial  institutions competing with Peoples Federal
is likely to  increase  as a result  of  changes  in  statutes  and  regulations
eliminating various restrictions on interstate and inter-industry  branching and
acquisitions. Such increased competition may have an adverse effect upon PFC.


Legislation and Regulation that may Adversely Affect PFC's Earnings

     Peoples Federal is subject to extensive  regulation by the Office of Thrift
Supervision  (the  "OTS") and the Federal  Deposit  Insurance  Corporation  (the
"FDIC")  and is  periodically  examined  by  such  regulatory  agencies  to test
compliance with various regulatory  requirements.  As a savings and loan holding
company,  PFC is also subject to  regulation  and  examination  by the OTS. Such
supervision and regulation of Peoples Federal and PFC are intended primarily for
the protection of depositors and not for the  maximization of shareholder  value
and may  affect  the  ability  of the  company  to  engage in  various  business
activities.  The  assessments,  filing  fees and  other  costs  associated  with
reports,  examinations and other regulatory matters are significant and may have
an adverse effect on PFC's net earnings.

     The FDIC is authorized to establish  separate annual  assessment  rates for
deposit  insurance  of members of the Bank  Insurance  fund (the  "BIF") and the
Savings  Association  Insurance  Fund (the "SAIF").  The FDIC has  established a
risk-based  assessment system for both SAIF and BIF members.  Under such system,
assessments may vary depending on the risk the institution  poses to its deposit
insurance fund. Such risk level is determined by reference to the  institution's
capital level and the FDIC's level of supervisory concern about the institution.

     The recapitalization  plan also provides for the merger of the SAIF and BIF
effective  January 1, 1999,  assuming  there are no savings  associations  under
federal law. Under separate  proposed  legislation,  Congress is considering the
elimination of the federal thrift charter and the separate federal regulation of
thrifts.  As a result,  Peoples  Federal  would have to  convert to a  different
financial  institution charter. In addition,  Peoples Federal would be regulated
under  federal law as a bank and would,  therefore,  become  subject to the more
restrictive activity limitations imposed on national banks.  Moreover, PFC might
become  subject to more  restrictive  holding  company  requirements,  including
activity  limits and capital  requirements  similar to those  imposed on Peoples
Federal.  PFC cannot predict the impact of the conversion of Peoples Federal to,
or regulation of Peoples Federal as, a bank until the legislation requiring such
change is enacted.




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