WSFS FINANCIAL CORP
8-K, 1998-11-05
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                       FORM 8-K

                    CURRENT REPORT

          PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
          THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):October 20, 1998


                  WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


       DELAWARE                   0-16668           22-2866913
- ----------------------------    -----------     ----------------
(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission     (I.R.S. employer
    of incorporation)           file number)  identification no.)



838 MARKET STREET, WILMINGTON, DELAWARE                   19899
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:(302) 792-6000
                                                   --------------

                         Not Applicable
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


               Exhibit Index on Page 2
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS
- ---------------------

     On October 20, 1998, the Registrant announced its earnings
for the quarter ended September 30, 1998.  For additional
information, see the Registrant's earnings release which is
filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
         AND EXHIBITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------

     (a)  Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.  None
          -------------------------------------------

     (b)  Pro Forma Financial Information. None
          -------------------------------

     (c)  Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed as part
          --------  of this report on Form 8-K:

     
          EXHIBIT NO.              DESCRIPTION
          ----------               -----------

          99.1                     Earnings Release, dated
                                   October 20, 1998


<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                      SIGNATURES



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly author-
ized.

                              WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION



Date: November 5, 1998       BY:  /s/ Marvin N. Schoenhals
                                  -----------------------------
                                  Marvin N. Schoenhals
                                  Chairman, President
                                  and Chief Executive Officer



<PAGE>



For Release:October 20, 1998           Contact:  Mark A. Turner
                                                 (302) 571-7160

            WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES
      EARNINGS OF $.37 PER SHARE FOR THIRD QUARTER AND
             STATUS OF SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

     WSFS Financial Corporation (NASDAQ/NMS: WSFS), the parent
company of Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB (WSFS) reported
net income of $4.6 million or $0.37 per share (diluted), for the
third quarter of 1998.  These results represent an 8% increase
in net income and per share earnings over the $4.3 million and
$0.34 per share recorded in the third quarter of 1997.  Net
income for the nine months ending September 30, 1998 was $13.5
million or $1.07 per share (diluted) compared to $12.5 million
or $0.98 per share for the same period in 1997.  Net income
increased 8% and per share earnings increased 9% between
comparable nine month periods.

     Total net revenue (net interest income plus other income)
for the quarter of $15.5 million grew $351,000, or 2.3%, between
comparable three month periods in 1998 and 1997.  This increase
principally reflects volume growth in the operating lease
portfolio and automated teller machine (ATM) activity, offset in
part by a reduction in net interest income.

     The $39.3 million growth in the average operating lease
portfolio balance between the third quarter of 1997 and 1998 has
increased other (non-interest) income but, as expected, has also
depressed net interest income, as the income from operating
leases is classified in noninterest income while the related
funding costs flow through interest expense.  As a result of
                           (more)<PAGE>
<PAGE>
this required presentation, and also as a result of the mix of
earning assets favoring lower yielding securities; the current
interest rate environment (which reflects historically low
levels of interest rates and a relatively "flat" yield curve);
and the previously-reported attrition of large commercial loans
in the first six months of 1998, the net interest margin for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 1998 declined to 2.77%
and 2.93%, respectively, compared to 3.15% and 3.16% for the
same three and nine month periods in 1997.  Primarily as a
result of the current interest rate environment's effect on
earning asset volumes, yields and the net interest spread, the
Company expects continuing pressure on net interest income
growth in coming quarters.  Although the Company continues to
actively manage its exposure to changes in interest rates, the
Company does not consider it prudent at this point in the credit
cycle to compromise its underwriting standards or pricing
discipline in an effort to gather volumes sufficient to
completely mitigate the effect on the margin of this current
interest rate environment.

     Net loans and operating leases were $924 million at
September 30, 1998, as compared to $933 million as of September
30, 1997.  As previously reported, loan activity for the first
six months of 1998 included the prepayment of several large
commercial credits of the Bank, totaling $31 million.  This
attrition was consistent with the Bank's underwriting and
pricing discipline and had the desired effects of reducing
commercial real estate loan concentrations and  improving the
overall risk profile of the Company (more later).  On an
annualized basis, net loans and leases grew 6% from June 30,
1998 to September 30, 1998.

     Total nonperforming assets (NPAs) were $11.3 million at
September 30, 1998, an improvement of $1.4 million, or 12%, from
June 30, 1998 and $2.1 million, or 16%, from September 30, 1997. 
Restructured loans also improved 900,000 to $3.8 million at
September 30, 1998.  The 
                           (more)<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ratio of NPAs to total assets improved to .71% at September 30,
1998 compared to .82% at June 30, 1998 and .90% at September 30,
1997.  The allowance for loan, lease and ORE losses also
improved to 217% of total NPAs from 193% at June 30, 1998 and
183% at September 30, 1997. The allowance for nonaccruing loan
and lease losses improved to 297% of nonaccruing loans and
leases from 266% at June 30, 1998 and 243% at September 30,
1997.   The allowance for loan/lease losses was 2.63% of total
loans and leases at September 30, 1998.

     The increased fee income from ATMs reflects the growth in
the Bank's ATM activity.  At September 30, 1998 the Bank owned
and operated 111 ATMs, compared to 65 at September 30, 1997.  In
addition to the owned and operated ATMs, the Bank also provides
services to other ATM owners from which fees are earned. 
Including these other ATMs, the Bank derived fee income from a
total of 373 ATMs at September 30, 1998, all of which are
surcharge-free to WSFS cardholders.

     Total noninterest expenses increased $347,000, or 4%,
between the third quarter of 1998 and 1997.  This increase in
expenses reflects the Company's continued commitment to invest
in its franchise growth, offset in part by lower stock
appreciation rights' expense.  In addition to the previously
mentioned expansion of its ATM activity, in the quarter, WSFS
opened its third new branch this year.  That branch is located
in the Trabant Center at the University of Delaware and is the
physical cornerstone in the Company's on-campus banking
partnership with the University.  The Bank plans to open at
least six additional branches in Genuardi's supermarkets in
Pennsylvania and one in a Wal-Mart in Northern Delaware before
the end of 1999.  Furthermore, the Company has completed
approximately one-half of its 24 month technology upgrade of the
Bank.  The Company has already put in service a new wide area
computer network, voice communication system and business
on-line banking, and expects to deliver platform/customer call
center automation and offer internet banking by the first
quarter of 1999.  
                          (more)
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
As a result of these collective commitments to the long-term
growth of the franchise, core operating expenses are expected to
increase moderately in future periods.

     "These are exciting times at WSFS, as we move forward with
new initiatives and partnerships with the goal of serving our
customers better and enhancing the Bank's long-term
performance," said Marvin N. Schoenhals, Chairman, President and
CEO of WSFS Financial Corporation.

     On October 5, 1998, the U.S. Supreme Court denied an
appeal by a group of plaintiffs seeking a class action suit. 
The plaintiffs alleged violations of the Federal Truth in
Lending Act, among other things, in connection with the sale of
reverse mortgages between 1988 and 1994 by Providential Home
Income Plan, Inc., a company purchased by WSFS in November 1994. 
These plaintiffs may still make claims against the Company
individually, but only through separate cases in binding
arbitration and not as a single class-action case in federal
court. 

     Finally, since the end of the second quarter, the Company
has purchased 680,000, or 5.4% of its shares for treasury, under
its existing 10% share repurchase plan authorized by the Board
of Directors in April 1997.  Under this plan, the Company still
has the authority to repurchase an additional 450,000 shares, or
approximately 4% of the current shares outstanding.

     WSFS Financial Corporation is a $1.6 billion financial
services company.  Its principal subsidiary, WSFS, operates 19
retail banking offices in Northern and Central Delaware as well
as Southeastern Pennsylvania.  Other operating subsidiaries
include WSFS Credit Corporation; Community Credit Corporation;
and 838 Investment Group, Inc.  For more information, please
visit out website at www.wsfsbank.com.
                     ----------------
                            (more)<PAGE>
<PAGE>
     This release contains forward-looking statements, within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act,
that involve risk and uncertainty.  It should be noted that a
variety of factors could cause actual results to differ
materially from the anticipated results or other expectations
expressed in the Company's forward-looking statements.  The
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the
growth of the economy, interest rate movements, timely
development of technology enhancements for its products and
operating systems, the impact of competitive products, services
and pricing, customer-based requirements, Congressional
legislation, and similar matters.  Readers of this release are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements which are subject to influence by the named risk
factors and unanticipated future events.  Actual results,
accordingly, may differ materially from management expectations. 
WSFS Financial Corporation does not undertake and specifically
disclaims any obligation, to publicly release the result of any
revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to
reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or
circumstances after the date of such statements.

                            # # #
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          Three months ended September 30,     Nine months ended September 30,
                                          -------------------------------      ------------------------------
                                             1998                  1997          1998                  1997
                                          ---------             ---------      ---------             --------
<S>                                       <C>                    <C>           <C>                   <C> 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS:
                                                                  (Unaudited)
INTEREST INCOME:
Interest and fees on loans                $    16,957           $    18,061    $    51,586          $    53,951
Interest on mortgage-backed securities          7,496                 6,357         19,671               20,050
Interest and dividends on investment 
  securities                                      655                   710          2,385                1,963
Other interest income                           2,206                 2,813          7,675                6,678
                                          -----------           -----------    -----------          -----------
                                               27,314                27,941         81,317               82,642
                                          -----------           -----------    -----------          -----------
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Interest on deposits                            8,380                 7,950         24,237               23,522
Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank 
  advances                                      6,175                 5,962         17,675               16,667
Interest on federal funds purchased and 
  securities sold under agreements to 
  repurchase                                    2,730                 3,002          8,413                9,153
Interest on senior notes                          829                   829          2,486                2,486
Interest on other borrowed funds                   99                    98            263                  270
                                          -----------           -----------    -----------          -----------
                                               18,213                17,841         53,074               52,098
                                          -----------           -----------    -----------          -----------

Net interest income                             9,101                10,100         28,243               30,544
Provision for loan losses                         189                   400            938                1,073
                                          -----------           -----------    -----------          -----------
Net interest income after provision 
  for loan                                      8,912                 9,700         27,305               29,471
                                          -----------           -----------    -----------          -----------
OTHER INCOME:
Loan and lease servicing fees                     899                   799          2,596                2,383
Rental income on operating leases, net          2,997                 2,400          8,764                6,224
Deposit service charges                         1,104                 1,048          3,148                3,176
Credit/debit card and ATM income                  809                   416          2,034                  992
Securities gains                                    4                    94            280                   98
Loss on sale of investment in real estate                                             (218)
Other income                                      588                   294          1,657                  999
                                          -----------           -----------    -----------          -----------
                                                6,401                 5,051         18,261               13,872
                                          -----------           -----------    -----------          -----------
OTHER EXPENSES:
Salaries and other compensation                 2,998                 3,529          9,328                9,768
Employee benefits and other personnel 
  expense                                         857                   832          2,821                2,574
Equipment expense                                 527                   362          1,394                1,040
Data processing and operations expenses         1,297                 1,237          3,861                3,280
Occupancy expense                                 779                   688          2,226                2,055
Marketing expense                                 391                   270            938                  819
Professional fees                                 390                   307          1,243                  976
Net costs of assets acquired through 
  foreclosure                                       4                   127            510                  754
Other operating expense                         1,842                 1,386          5,008                4,365
                                          -----------           -----------    -----------          -----------
                                                9,085                 8,738         27,329               25,631
                                          -----------           -----------    -----------          -----------
Income before taxes                             6,228                 6,013         18,237               17,712
Income tax provision                            1,619                 1,733          4,741                5,195
                                          -----------           -----------    -----------          -----------
NET INCOME                                $     4,609           $     4,280    $    13,496          $    12,517
                                          ===========           ===========    ===========          ===========

EARNINGS PER SHARE:
    Basic                                 $      0.37           $      0.34    $      1.08          $      1.00
    Diluted                               $      0.37           $      0.34    $      1.07          $      0.98

Weighted average shares outstanding for 
  dilu1uted EPS                            12,560,785            12,630,525     12,634,799           12,717,686
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:

Net interest margin (1)(2)                       2.77%                 3.15%          2.93%                3.16%
Return on average assets (1)                     1.17                  1.15           1.17                 1.14
Return on average equity (1)                    19.04                 20.84          19.17                21.11
Efficiency ratio (3)                            57.44                 56.50          57.61                56.92
Overhead ratio (1)(4)                            2.28                  2.34           2.28                 2.29
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

</TABLE>

See "Notes"<PAGE>
<PAGE>
WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            September 30,  June 30,    September 30,
                                               1998          1998          1997
                                            ------------   ---------   ------------
                                            (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
<S>                                         <C>           <C>          <C>
SUMMARY STATEMENT OF CONDITION:

ASSETS:
- ------
Cash and due from banks                      $   36,485    $   34,667   $   20,651
Investment securities (5)                        41,254        41,676       44,074
Investment in reverse mortgages                  30,793        31,923       32,891
Other investments                                68,495        58,435       75,214
Mortgage-backed securities (5)                  458,624       440,173      354,266
Net loans(6)(7)(8)                              737,699       732,482      776,534
Vehicles under operating leases, net (8)        185,995       177,599      156,212
Other assets                                     36,347        34,676       35,767
                                             ----------    ----------   ----------
    Total assets                             $1,595,692    $1,551,631   $1,495,609
                                             ==========    ==========   ==========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
- ------------------------------------
Noninterest-bearing deposits                 $   87,992    $   98,389       73,525
Interest-bearing deposits                       737,149       687,822      664,267
                                             ----------    ----------   ----------
    Total deposits                              825,141       786,211      737,792
                                             ----------    ----------   ----------
FHLB advances                                   435,000       435,000      435,152
Other borrowings                                214,388       212,060      211,671
Other liabilities                                26,076        22,903       28,078
                                             ----------    ----------   ----------
    Total liabilities                         1,500,605     1,456,174    1,412,693
                                             ----------    ----------   ----------
Stockholders' equity                             95,087        95,457       82,916
                                             ----------    ----------   ----------
    Total liabilities and stockholders' 
     equity                                  $1,595,692    $1,551,631   $1,495,609
                                             ==========    ==========   ==========
____________________________________________________________________________________
CAPITAL RATIOS:

Equity to asset ratio                              5.96%         6.15%        5.54%
Core capital (9) (required:  4.00%)                7.26          7.37         6.76
Risk-based capital (9) (required:  8.00%)         12.19         12.28        10.73
____________________________________________________________________________________
ASSET QUALITY INDICATORS:

Nonperforming Assets:
Nonaccruing loans and nonperforming leases   $    8,101    $    9,214   $   10,113
Nonperforming investments in real estate             76            76          989
Assets acquired through foreclosure               3,128         3,417        2,302
                                             ----------    ----------   ----------
     Total nonperforming assets              $   11,305    $   12,707   $   13,404
                                             ==========    ==========   ==========
Restructured loans                           $    3,840    $    4,740   $    4,740
Past due loans (10)                               3,458         2,749          916

Allowance for loan and lease losses              25,017        25,675       25,722

Ratio of nonperforming assets to total 
  assets                                           0.71%         0.82%        0.90%
Ratio of allowance for loan/lease losses 
  to total gross loans/leases                      2.63          2.75         2.61
Ratio of allowance for loan/lease 
  losses to nonaccruing loans/leases (12)        297.11        266.05       242.87
Ratio of quarterly net charge-offs to 
  average gross loans/leases (1)(7)                0.52%         0.32%        0.27%
____________________________________________________________________________________
</TABLE>
See "Notes"
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
(Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                         -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     1998                             1997
                                         -----------------------------    ----------------------------
                                         AVERAGE               YIELD/     AVERAGE               YIELD/
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET:                   BALANCE   INTEREST   RATE (2)    BALANCE   INTEREST   RATE (2)
                                         -------   --------   --------    -------   --------   -------
                                                                    (Unaudited)
<S>                                      <C>        <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
ASSETS:
Interest-Earning Assets:
Loans: (6) (7)
  Real estate loans...............      $  504,116  $11,200     8.89%     $  578,624  $12,773     8.83%
  Commercial loans................          88,789    1,695     8.85          64,638    1,368    10.18
  Consumer Loans..................         162,057    3,997     9.79         156,027    3,882     9.87
                                        ----------  -------               ----------  -------

     Total loans..................         754,962   16,892     9.12         799,289   18,023     9.18
Mortgage-backed securities(5).....         465,335    7,496     6.44         372,684    6,357     6.82
Loans held for sale(7)............           3,310       65     7.85           2,005       38     7.58
Investment securities(5)..........          41,293      655     6.34          44,066      710     6.44
Other interest-earning assets.....          95,603    2,206     9.03         103,876    2,813    10.60
                                        ----------  -------               ----------  -------
     Total interest earning assets       1,360,503   27,314     8.12       1,321,920   27,941     8.55
                                                    -------                           -------

Allowance for loan losses.........         (24,491)                          (23,769)
Cash and due from banks...........          28,047                            17,036
Vehicles under operating lease, 
  net.............................         180,615                           141,348
Other noninterest-earning assets..          33,739                            36,633
                                        ----------                        ----------
     Total assets.................      $1,578,413                        $1,493,168
                                        ==========                        ==========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest bearing deposits:
   Money market and interest-
      bearing demand..............      $   60,921  $   393     2.56      $   57,814  $   380     2.61
   Savings........................         197,746    1,631     3.27         163,799    1,196     2.90
   Time...........................         452,869    6,356     5.57         446,692    6,374     5.66
                                        ----------  -------               ----------  -------
     Total interest-bearing 
       deposits...................         711,536    8,380     4.67         668,305    7,950     4.72
FHLB advances.....................         435,000    6,175     5.63         406,812    5,962     5.81
Senior Notes......................          29,100      829    11.39          29,100      829    11.39
Other borrowed funds..............         198,104    2,829     5.71         211,486    3,100     5.86
                                        ----------  -------               ----------  -------
     Total interest-bearing 
       liabilities................       1,373,740   18,213     5.30       1,315,703   17,841     5.42
                                                    -------                           -------

Non-interest bearing demand 
  deposits........................          86,118                            72,726
Other noninterest-bearing 
 liabilities......................          21,743                            22,576
Stockholders' equity..............          96,812                            82,163
                                        ----------                        ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
  equity..........................      $1,578,413                        $1,493,168
                                        ==========                        ==========
Excess (deficit) of interest-
  earning assets over
  interest-bearing liabilities...       $  (13,237)                       $    6,217
                                        ==========                        ==========
Net interest and dividend income.                   $ 9,101                           $10,100
                                                    =======                           =======
Interest rate spread.............                               2.82%                              3.13%
                                                                ====                               ====
Interest rate margin.............                               2.77%                              3.15%
                                                                ====                               ====
Net interest and dividend income 
  to total average assets........                               2.39%                              2.79%
                                                                ====                               ====
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
</TABLE>
See "Notes"
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                Three months ended             Nine months ended
                                             --------------------------   ----------------------------
                                             September 30 September 30,   September 30, September 30,
                                                1998            1997        1998                1997  
                                             ---------        ---------   ---------           --------
<S>                                          <C>              <C>         <C>                 <C>
STOCK INFORMATION:

Market price of common stock:
    High                                     $21.88           $19.25      $24.13             $19.25
    Low                                       15.38            13.50       15.38              10.13
    Close                                     16.06            18.38       16.06              18.38
Book value per share                           7.77             6.66
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:

One-year repricing gap to total assets (11)   (3.88)%          (1.13)%
Number of employees (FTEs)                       331             300
Number of branch offices                          19              16
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
</TABLE>

NOTES:

 (1)   Annualized.
 (2)   Computed on a fully tax-equivalent basis.
 (3)   Noninterest expense divided by (tax-equivalent) net
       interest income and other income.
 (4)   Noninterest expense as a percentage of total assets.
 (5)   Includes securities available-for-sale.
 (6)   Includes loans held for sale.
 (7)   Net of unearned income.
 (8)   Net of allowance for loan/lease losses.
 (9)   Represents capital ratios of Wilmington Savings Fund
       Society, FSB and subsidiaries.
(10)   Accruing loans/leases which are contractually past due 90
       days or more as to principal or interest.
(11)   The difference between projected amounts of
       interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive
       liabilities repricing within one year divided by total
       assets, based on a current interest rate scenario.
(12)   Includes general reserves only.



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