FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP
10-Q, 1998-05-15
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                -----------------

                                    FORM 10-Q

                                   (Mark One)

[ X ]   Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
        Exchange Act of 1934

                         For Period Ended March 31, 1998


                                       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 number 0-26850

                         First Defiance Financial Corp.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Ohio                                         34-1803915
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                     (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                      Identification Number)

601 Clinton Street, Defiance, Ohio                          43512
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address or principal executive office)                   (Zip Code)

                                 (419) 782-5015
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

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

                Applicable Only to Issuers Involved in Bankruptcy
                   Proceedings During the Preceding Five Years

Indicate  by check mark  whether  the  registrant  has filed all  documents  and
reports  required  to be filed by  Sections  12, 13, or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the  distribution of securities  under a plan
confirmed by the court. Yes [   ] No [ ]

                      Applicable Only to Corporate Issuers

Indicate  the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuers  classes of
common stock, as of the latest  practical date.  Common Stock,  $.01 Par Value -
8,123,168 shares outstanding at May 11, 1998.
<PAGE>


                         FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.


                                      INDEX

                              
PART I.-FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 Item 1.           Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited):

                   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Financial
                   Condition - March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997          

                   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income -
                   Three months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997                

                   Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in
                   Stockholders' Equity - Three months ended
                   March 31, 1998                                            

                   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
                   - Three months ended Mach 31, 1998 and 1997               

                   Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements      

Item 2.            Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                   Condition and Results of Operations                       

PART II.           OTHER INFORMATION:

 Item 1.           Legal Proceedings                                         

 Item 2.           Changes in Securities                                     

 Item 3.           Defaults upon Senior Securities                           

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

 Item 5.           Other Information                                         

 Item 6.           Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                          

                   Signatures                                                


<PAGE>
PART 1-FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

                   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Financial Condition
                                         (UNAUDITED)
                        (Amounts in Thousands, except for share data)



                                                         March 31, 1998    December 31, 1997
                                                         --------------    -----------------
<S>                                                          <C>              <C>
ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents:
     Cash and amounts due from
         depository institutions ...................         $  5,387         $  8,149
     Interest-bearing deposits .....................            2,617              848
                                                             --------         --------
                                                                8,004            8,997
Securities:
     Available-for-sale, carried at fair value .....           71,813           82,436
     Held-to-maturity, carried at amortized cost
         (approximate fair value $20,201 and $21,370
         at March 31, 1998 and December 31,
         1997, respectively) .......................           19,745           20,953
                                                             --------         --------
                                                               91,558          103,389
Loans held for sale (at lower of cost or fair value,
     approximate  fair value $2,158 and $89 at March
     31, 1998 and December 31, 1997, respectively) .            2,140               88
Loans receivable, net ..............................          448,796          441,823
Accrued interest receivable ........................            3,429            3,480
Federal Home Loan Bank stock .......................            3,832            3,764
Premises and equipment .............................           17,820           16,799
Deferred federal income taxes ......................              371              415
Real estate, mobile homes and other
     assets held for sale ..........................              506              541
Other assets .......................................            1,015              402
                                                             --------         --------

                                                             $577,471         $579,698
                                                             ========         ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

                  Consolidated Condensed Statements of Financial Condition
                                         (UNAUDITED)
                        (Amounts in Thousands, except for share data)



                                                         March 31, 1998   December 31, 1997
                                                         --------------   -----------------
<S>                                                        <C>                <C>
LIABILITIES AND
     STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Deposits .........................................         $ 402,797          $ 395,322
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank .............            66,521             71,665
Other liabilities ................................             6,288              5,826
                                                           ---------          ---------
Total liabilities ................................           475,606            472,813

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Preferred stock, no par value per share:
     5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares
     issued ......................................              --                 --
Common stock, $.01 par value per share:
     20,000,000 shares authorized; 8,123,168 and
     and 8,529,686 shares outstanding at March 31,
     1998 and December 31, 1997, respectively ....                81                 85
Additional paid-in capital .......................            62,270             65,726
Stock acquired by ESOP ...........................            (4,302)            (4,534)
Stock acquired by Management
     Recognition Plan ............................            (1,260)            (1,387)
Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale
     securities, net of income taxes
     of $21 and $25 at March 31,1998
      and December 31, 1997, respectively ........               (41)               (50)
Retained earnings - substantially restricted .....            45,117             47,045
                                                           ---------          ---------
Total stockholders' equity .......................           101,865            106,885
                                                           ---------          ---------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity .......         $ 577,471          $ 579,698
                                                           =========          =========

</TABLE>
See accompanying notes
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

                   Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                  (Amounts in Thousands, except per share data)

                                                            Three Months Ended
                                                                  March 31
                                                           1998            1997
                                                         -------         -------
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>
Interest income:
      Loans ....................................         $ 9,753         $ 9,031
      Securities ...............................           1,580           1,558
      Interest-bearing deposits ................               9              11
                                                         -------         -------
Total interest income ..........................          11,342          10,601

Interest expense:
     Deposits ..................................           4,556           4,347
     Federal Home Loan Bank
       advances and other borrowings ...........             971             619
                                                         -------         -------
Total interest expense .........................           5,527           4,966
                                                         -------         -------

Net interest income ............................           5,815           5,635
Provision for loan losses ......................             448             365
                                                         -------         -------

Net interest income after provision
     for loan losses ...........................           5,367           5,270

Non-interest expense ...........................           3,559           3,254
Non-interest income ............................             484             336
                                                         -------         -------
Income before federal income taxes .............           2,292           2,352
Federal income taxes ...........................             784             795
                                                         -------         -------

Net income .....................................         $ 1,508         $ 1,557
                                                         =======         =======

Earnings Per Share: (Note 4)
     Basic .....................................         $   .20         $   .18
                                                         =======         =======
     Diluted ...................................         $   .19         $   .17
                                                         =======         =======

Dividends declared per share (Note 3) ..........         $   .09         $   .08
                                                         =======         =======
Average number of shares outstanding: (Note 4)
     Basic .....................................           7,606           8,597
                                                         =======         =======
     Diluted ...................................           7,985           8,911
                                                         =======         =======
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

                           Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
                                                       (UNAUDITED)
                                                 (Amounts in Thousands)



                                                                                                  Stock Acquired By
                                                                                             ---------------------------
                                                                           Additional                         Management
                                                          Common             Paid-in                         Recognition
                                                           Stock             Capital           ESOP              Plan
                                                         --------          --------          --------          -------- 
<S>                                                      <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Balance at December 31, 1997 ...................         $     85          $ 65,726          $ (4,534)         $ (1,387)

Comprehensive income:
   Net Income
   Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
           ESOP shares released ................                                180               232
           Change in unrealized losses
              net of income taxes of $4
           Amortization of deferred compensation
              of Management Recognition Plan ...                                                                   127
Total comprehensive income

Stock issued under Option Plan .................                                207

Purchase of common stock for
    treasury ...................................               (4)           (3,843)

Dividends declared (Note 3)
                                                         --------          --------          --------          -------- 


Balance at March 31, 1998 ......................         $     81          $ 62,270          $ (4,302)         $ (1,260)
                                                         ========          ========          ========          ======== 

</TABLE>
See accompanying notes
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

             Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Continued)
                                               (UNAUDITED)
                                         (Amounts in Thousands)



                                                    Net Unrealized
                                                        losses on                            Total
                                                      available-for-       Retained       Stockholders'
                                                     sale securities       Earnings          Equity
                                                     ---------------       --------          ------
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>               <C>
Balance at December 31, 1997 ..................         $    (50)         $ 47,045          $106,885

Comprehensive income:
   Net Income .................................                              1,508             1,508
   Other comprehensive income, net of tax:                                                          
          ESOP shares released ................                                                  412
          Change in unrealized losses                                                          
             net of income taxes of $4 ........               (9)                                 (9)
          Amortization of deferred compensation
             of Management Recognition Plan ...                                                  127 
Total comprehensive income ....................                                                2,038 
                                                                                                     
Stock issued under Option Plan ................                                                  207 
                                                                                                     
Purchase of common stock for                                                                         
    treasury ..................................                             (6,598)           (2,751)
                                                                                                     
Dividends declared (Note 3) ...................                               (685)             (685)
                                                        --------          --------          --------

Balance at March 31, 1998 .....................         $    (41)         $ 45,117          $101,865
                                                        ========          ========          ========

</TABLE>
See accompanying notes
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

                    Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
                                      (UNAUDITED)
                                (Amounts in Thousands)

                                                                     Three Months
                                                                    Ended March 31,
                                                                  1998          1997
                                                               --------      --------
<S>                                                            <C>           <C>
Operating Activities
Net income ...............................................     $  1,508      $  1,557
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
     provided by operating activities:
     Provision for loan losses ...........................          446           365
     Provision for depreciation, amortization of premiums
        and accretion of discounts on securities .........          257           109
     Gain on sale or call of available-for-sale securities         --              (7)
     Gain on sale of loans ...............................         (119)          (31)
     Amortization of Management Recognition Plan
        deferred compensation ............................          127           180
     Release of ESOP Shares ..............................          412           235
     Deferred federal income tax (credit) ................           40          (169)
     Proceeds from sale of loans .........................        7,486         2,027
     Originations of loans held for sale .................       (9,419)       (2,079)
     Increase in interest receivable and other assets ....         (562)         (195)
     Increase in other liabilities .......................          496           693
                                                               --------      --------
Net cash provided by operating activities ................          672         2,685

Investing activities
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities ..        1,193         1,216
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities        14,000         3,065
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities .....           48         1,100
Proceeds from sales of real estate, mobile homes, and
     other assets held for sale ..........................          603           306
Purchases of available-for-sale securities ...............       (3,398)          (50)
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock ................          (68)          (54)
Purchases of office properties and equipment .............       (1,276)       (1,992)
Net increase in loans receivable .........................       (7,988)       (6,106)
                                                               --------      --------
Net cash used in investing activities ....................        3,114        (2,515)

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
                Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
                                        (UNAUDITED)
                                  (Amounts in Thousands)


                                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                                           March 31,
                                                                        1998        1997
                                                                     -------      -------
<S>                                                                  <C>          <C> 
Financing Activities
Net increase (decrease) in deposits ............................       7,475       (4,264)
Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank long-term advances .........        (169)        (169)
Net increase (decrease) in Federal Home Loan Bank
     short-term advances .......................................      (4,975)       6,000
Purchase of common stock for treasury ..........................      (6,598)        (576)
Cash dividends paid ............................................        (719)        (709)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options ........................         207            5
                                                                     -------      -------
Net cash provided by financing activities ......................      (4,779)         287
                                                                     -------      -------
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ...............        (993)         457
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ...............       8,997        4,752
                                                                     -------      -------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period .....................     $ 8,004      $ 5,209
                                                                     =======      =======

Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid $ ................................................       5,773      $ 4,915
                                                                     =======      =======
Income taxes paid ..............................................     $  --        $  --
                                                                     =======      =======
Transfers from loans to real estate, mobile homes
     and other assets held for sale ............................     $   568      $   540
                                                                     =======      =======
Noncash operating activities:
Change in deferred tax established on net unrealized
     gain or loss on available-for-sale securities .............     $    (4)     $   160
                                                                     =======      =======
Noncash investing activities:
Decrease (increase) in net unrealized loss on available-for-sale
     securities ................................................     $    13      $  (466)
                                                                     =======      =======
Noncash financing activities:
Cash dividends declared but not paid ...........................     $   685      $   705
                                                                     =======      =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
<PAGE>
                         FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
              Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
                          (Unaudited at March 31, 1998)


1.   Principles of Consolidation

     The consolidated  condensed  financial  statements  include the accounts of
     First Defiance  Financial Corp. ("First Defiance" or "the Company") and its
     wholly  owned  savings and loan,  First  Federal  Savings and Loan  ("First
     Federal").  In the  opinion of  management,  all  significant  intercompany
     accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

2.   Basis of Presentation

     The consolidated condensed statement of financial condition at December 31,
     1997 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date.

     The accompanying  consolidated  condensed financial  statements as of March
     31, 1998 and for the three  month  periods  ending  March 31, 1998 and 1997
     have been  prepared  by First  Defiance  without  audit and do not  include
     information  or  footnotes  necessary  for  the  complete  presentation  of
     financial  condition,  results of operations,  and cash flows in conformity
     with generally accepted accounting  principles.  It is suggested that these
     consolidated condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the
     financial  statements and notes thereto included in First Defiance's annual
     report for the year ended  December  31, 1997.  However,  in the opinion of
     management,  all  adjustments,  consisting of only normal  recurring items,
     necessary for the fair  presentation of the financial  statements have been
     made.  The results of operations for the three month period ended March 31,
     1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for
     the entire year.

3.   Dividends on Common Stock

     As of March 31, 1998, First Defiance had declared a quarterly cash dividend
     of $.09 per share for the first quarter of 1998, payable April 23, 1998.

4.   Earnings Per Share

     Basic earnings per share as disclosed under Financial  Accounting  Standard
     ("FAS") No. 128 has been  calculated by dividing net income by the weighted
     average  number of shares of common stock  outstanding  for the three month
     periods  ended March 31, 1998 and 1997.  First  Defiance  accounts  for the
     shares issued to its Employee  Stock  Ownership Plan ("ESOP") in accordance
     with  Statement  of Position  93-6 of the  American  Institute of Certified
     Public Accountants  ("AICPA").  As a result,  shares controlled by the ESOP
     are not considered in the weighted average number of shares of common stock
     outstanding  until the shares are committed for allocation to an employee's
     individual  account. In the calculation of diluted earnings per share as of
     March 31, 1998 and 1997,  the effect of shares  issuable under stock option
     plans and unvested shares under the Management  Recognition  Plan have been
     accounted for using the Treasury Stock method.
<PAGE>
                         FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
        Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (continued)
                          (Unaudited at March 31, 1998)

4.   Earnings Per Share - continued

     The  following  table  sets  forth the  computation  of basic  and  diluted
     earnings per share:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Three Months Ended
                                                                  March 31,
                                                              1998         1997
                                                             ------       ------
<S>                                                          <C>          <C>
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per
  share - net income .................................       $1,508       $1,557
                                                             ------       ------
Denominator:
   Denominator for basic earnings per share -
     weighted average shares .........................        7,606        8,597
   Effect of dilutive securities:
     Employee stock options ..........................          268          218
     Unvested Management Recognition Plan stock ......          111           96
                                                             ------       ------
   Dilutive potential common shares ..................          379          314
                                                             ------       ------
   Denominator for diluted earnings per share -
     Adjusted weighted average shares and assumed
     Conversions .....................................        7,985        8,911
                                                             ------       ------
   Basic earnings per share ..........................       $  .20       $  .18
                                                             ------       ------
   Diluted earnings per share ........................       $  .19       $  .17
                                                             ------       ------
</TABLE>
5.   Stock Option Disclosures

     FAS Statement No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation." requires
     either:  (a) recognition of  compensation  cost in earnings for stock-based
     compensation   plans  based  upon  their  fair  value;  or  (b)  pro  forma
     disclosures  of what earnings and per share amounts would have been had the
     fair value  method been used for expense  recognition.  First  Defiance has
     elected to use the pro forma  disclosure  option.  As provided in Statement
     No.  123,  the  disclosure  provisions  for  companies  electing  pro forma
     disclosures  are not required to be applied in interim reports which do not
     include a complete set of financial statements.

6.    New Accounting Standard

     As  of  March  31,  1998  the  Company  adopted  FAS  No.  130,  "Reporting
     Comprehensive   Income".  This  statement  establishes  standards  for  the
     reporting and presentation of comprehensive  income and its components in a
     full set of financial  statements.  Comprehensive  income  encompasses  all
     changes in  shareholders'  equity  (except those arising from  transactions
     with  shareholders) and includes net income, net unrealized gains or losses
     on  available-for-sale   securities,   and  reductions  in  the  Management
     Recognition  Plan  ("MRP")  and  Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan  ("ESOP")
     suspense   accounts.   As  this  new  standard  only  requires   additional
     information in the financial  statements,  it does not affect the Company's
     financial position or results of operations.
<PAGE>
Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations

General
First Defiance is a holding company which conducts  business  through its wholly
owned  subsidiary,  First  Federal  Savings and Loan,  Defiance  Ohio,  which is
primarily  engaged in attracting  deposits from the general  public  through its
offices and using those and other available  sources of funds to originate loans
primarily  secured by  single-family  residences  primarily  located in the five
counties  in which its offices are  located  and in  contiguous  Putnam  County.
Single family residential  mortgage loans amounted to $262.5 million or 57.2% of
First  Defiance's  total loan  portfolio at March 31, 1998. To a lesser  extent,
First  Defiance  originates  other real estate loans secured by  non-residential
real estate and construction  loans,  which amounted to $39.9 million or 8.7% of
total loans at March 31, 1998.  Approximately  34.1% or $156.7  million of First
Defiance's  loan  portfolio as of March 31, 1998  consisted  of non-real  estate
loans  including  consumer  finance loans,  primarily  automobile  loans,  which
amounted  to $71.1  million  or 15.5% of the total  loan  portfolio,  commercial
loans,  which  amounted to $32.1 million or 7.0% of the total loan portfolio and
mobile  home loans  which  amounted  to $25.3  million or 5.5% of the total loan
portfolio.

First  Defiance  is an  authorized  seller/servicer  for the  Federal  Home Loan
Mortgage  Corporation  ("Freddie  Mac").  First  Defiance  sold 101 and 27 loans
during the three  months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997.  The Company  realized a
gain on sale of those  loans of  approximately  $119,000  and  $31,000 for three
months  ended  March 31,  1998 and 1997  respectively.  Fixed  rate loans with a
maturity  of 20 years which meet the Freddie  Mac  underwriting  guidelines  are
classified as  available-for-sale  loans.  First Defiance  retains the servicing
rights on all mortgage  loans sold.  Mortgage  servicing  rights  capitalized at
March 31, 1998 amounted to approximately $252,000.

First  Defiance  also  invests in U.S.  Treasury and federal  government  agency
obligations,  money  market  mutual funds which are  comprised of U.S.  Treasury
obligations,  obligations  of the State of Ohio and its political  subdivisions,
mortgage-backed securities which are issued by federal agencies, and to a lesser
extent,  collateralized  mortgage  obligations ("CMOs") and real estate mortgage
investment   conduits   ("REMICs").   Management   determines  the   appropriate
classification of all such securities at the time of purchase in accordance with
FASB Statement No. 115,  Accounting  for Certain  Investments in Debt and Equity
Securities.

Securities  are  classified  as  held-to-maturity  when  First  Federal  has the
positive  intent and ability to hold the security to maturity.  Held-to-maturity
securities  are  stated  at  amortized  cost and had a  recorded  value of $19.7
million at March 31, 1998.  Securities  not classified as  held-to-maturity  are
classified  as  available-for-sale,  which are  stated  at fair  value and had a
recorded  value of $71.8  million  at March  31,  1998.  The  available-for-sale
portfolio  consists  of  U.S.  Treasury   securities  and  obligations  of  U.S.
Government  corporations  and agencies ($45.9  million),  corporate bonds ($10.1
million), certain municipal obligations ($2.9 million), adjustable-rate mortgage
backed  security mutual funds ($8.9 million) and CMOs and REMICs ($4.0 million).
In accordance with FASB Statement No. 115,  unrealized  holding gains and losses
on  available-for-sale  securities  are  reported  in a  separate  component  of
stockholders'  equity and are not  reported  in  earnings  until  realized.  Net
unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities were $62,000 at March
31, 1998,  $41,000 after  considering the related deferred tax benefit.  For the
three months ended March 31, 1998,  unrealized  losses have decreased by $13,000
($9,000 after tax).
<PAGE>
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of  Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations -- Continued

The  profitability of First Defiance is primarily  dependent on its net interest
income,  which  is the  difference  between  interest  and  dividend  income  on
interest-earning assets,  principally loans and securities, and interest expense
on  interest-bearing  deposits  and  Federal  Home  Loan  Bank  advances.  First
Defiance's  earnings also depend,  to a lesser extent, on the provision for loan
losses, the level of its other income (including  servicing fees and other fees)
and its  non-interest  expenses,  such as employee  compensation  and  benefits,
occupancy and equipment expense,  deposit insurance premiums,  and miscellaneous
other expenses, as well as federal income tax expense.

Changes in Financial Condition
At March 31, 1998,  First Defiance's  total assets,  deposits and  stockholders'
equity  amounted  to  $577.5   million,   $402.8  million  and  $101.9  million,
respectively,  compared to $579.7  million,  $395.3 million and $106.9  million,
respectively,  at December 31, 1997.  Net loans  receivable  have increased from
$441.8  million at December 31, 1997 to $448.8  million at March 31, 1998.  This
increase was funded  primarily with maturing  securities.  Securities  decreased
from $103.4 million at December 31, 1997 to $91.6 million at March 31, 1998 as a
result of U.S. Agency  securities being called prior to maturity.  Proceeds from
those calls were used to fund loan growth and pay down advances from the Federal
Home Loan Bank  ("FHLB")  rather than being  reinvested at current  rates.  As a
result, FHLB advances decreased from $71.7 million at December 31, 1997 to $66.5
million  at  March  31,  1998.  First  Defiance  completed  its  sixth  5% stock
repurchase  during  the  first  quarter  of 1998.  As of March 31,  1998,  First
Defiance has repurchased 426,384 shares of its own stock during 1998 for a total
cost of $6.6 million, an average of $15.47 per share.
<PAGE>
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of  Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations -- Continued

Average Balances, Net Interest Income and Yields Earned and Rates Paid
The following  table presents for the periods  indicated the total dollar amount
of interest from average  interest-earning  assets and the resultant  yields, as
well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities,  expressed
both in thousands of dollars and rates, and the net interest  margin.  Dividends
received are included as interest income.  The table does not reflect any effect
of income taxes. All average balances are based on month-end balances.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Three Months Ended March 31,
                                      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1998                              1997
                                      -----------------------------      ----------------------------
                                       Average               Yield        Average              Yield
                                       Balance    Interest   Rate(1)      Balance   Interest   Rate(1)
                                       -------    --------   -------      -------   --------   -------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>       <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
Interest-earning assets:
   Loans receivable                    $445,502     $9,753    8.76%       $418,931   $9,031     8.62%
   Securities                            98,883      1,589    6.43         100,011    1,558     6.23
   Dividends on FHLB stock                3,765         67    7.12           2,982       54     7.24
                                       --------     ------                --------   ------          
   Total interest-earning assets        548,150     11,409    8.33         521,924   10,643     8.16
Non-interest-earning assets              27,622                             21,642
                                       --------                           --------
Total assets                           $575,772                           $543,566
                                       ========                           ========

Interest-bearing liabilities:
   Deposits                            $397,758     $4,556    4.58%       $378,124   $4,347     4.60%
   FHLB advances and other               66,797        971    5.81          43,795      619     5.65
                                       --------     ------                --------   ------ 
   Total interest-bearing liabilities   464,555      5,527    4.76         421,919    4,966     4.71
                                                    ------    ----                   ------     ----
Non-interest-bearing liabilities          5,783                              3,981
                                       --------                           --------
   Total liabilities                    470,338                            425,900
Stockholders' equity                    105,434                            117,590
                                       --------                           -------- 
   Total liabilities and stock-
      holders' equity                  $575,772                           $543,566
                                       ========                           ========
Net interest income; interest
   rate spread                                      $5,882    3.57%                  $5,677     3.45%
                                                    ======    =====                  ======     =====
Net interest margin (2)                                       4.29%                             4.35%
                                                              =====                             =====
Average interest-earning assets
   to average interest-bearing
   liabilities                                                 118%                              123%
                                                               ====                              ====
- --------------
</TABLE>
(1)  Annualized
(2)  Net  interest  margin is net interest  divided by average  interest-earning
     assets.
<PAGE>
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of  Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations -- Continued

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 1997

Net interest  income,  the difference  between  revenue  generated from interest
earning  assets  and the  interest  cost  of  funding  those  assets,  is  First
Defiance's  primary source of earnings.  For the three-month period ending March
31, 1998, net interest  income  increased to $5,815,000  from $5,635,000 for the
same period in 1997.  First  Defiance's  interest  rate  spread (the  difference
between  yield on  average  interest  earning  assets and the  interest  rate on
average  interest-bearing  liabilities)  for the 1998 first  quarter  was 3.57%,
which  was 12 basis  points  higher  than the 1997  level of 3.45%  for the same
quarter.

The  increase  in net  interest  income  was due  primarily  to a $26.6  million
increase in the average balance of loans  receivable for the quarter ended March
31, 1998  compared to the same period in 1997 and to an increase in the yield on
both loans and investment securities.  The yield on loans increased to 8.76% for
the quarter  ended March 31, 1998 compared to 8.62% for the same period in 1997.
During that same  period,  the yield on  investment  securities  increased by 20
basis  points to 6.43% from  6.23%.  Total  interest  income plus  dividends  on
Federal  Home Loan Bank stock was  $11,409,000  for the three months ended March
31,  1998,  a 7.2%  increase  from the same  period  in 1997  when the total was
$10,643,000.  Interest from loans  increased to $9,753,000  for the three months
ended March 31, 1998 from  $9,031,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1997,
an  increase  of 8.0%.  Because  of  higher  yields,  earnings  from  investment
securities  increased  slightly  during the period  compared to the year earlier
quarter  despite a $1.1  million  decline in the average  balance of  securities
outstanding  for the quarter  ended March 31, 1998 compared to the quarter ended
March 31, 1997.

Interest expense increased by $561,000 to $5,527,000 for the quarter ended March
31, 1998  compared to the same period in 1997.  This increase was due to a $23.0
million  increase  in the  average  balance of Federal  Home Loan Bank  advances
outstanding,  from $43.8  million for the three  months  ended March 31, 1997 to
$66.8  million for the same period in 1998.  These  advances,  which are used to
fund loan  growth,  as well as other cash  needs  including  stock  repurchases,
actually  decreased  from $71.7 million at December 31, 1997 to $66.5 million at
March 31, 1998. The decrease in advances between December 31, 1997 and March 31,
1998 is primarily  due to fact that the proceeds  from agency  securities  which
were  called  during  the  quarter  were  generally  used to pay down  advances.
Interest  expense  also  increased  due to an increase  in the average  deposits
outstanding,  which increased to $397.8 million for the three months ended March
31,  1998 from $378.1  million  for the same  period in 1997.  The cost of those
deposits  dropped  two  basis  points,  from an  average  of 4.60% in 1997 to an
average of 4.58% in 1998.

The increase in net interest  income for the 1998 first quarter  compared to the
same period in 1997 was partially  offset by an increase in the  provision  from
loan  losses,  which was  $448,000  for the three  months  ended  March 31, 1998
compared to $365,000  for the first three  months of 1997.  Provisions  for loan
losses are charged to earnings to bring the total  allowance to the level deemed
appropriate by management based on historical experience, the volume and type of
lending  conducted  by  First  Defiance,   industry  standards,  the  amount  of
non-performing assets and loan charge-off activity, general economic conditions,
particularly as they relate to First  Defiance's  market area, and other factors
related to the collectibility of First Defiance's loan portfolio.
<PAGE>
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of  Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations -- Continued

Non-performing  assets,  which  include  loans 90 days  past due,  loans  deemed
impaired and repossessed assets totaled $1.8 million at March 31, 1998, which is
 .31% of total  assets.  The allowance for loan losses at March 31, 1998 was $2.8
million  compared to $2.7 million at December 31,  1997.  For the quarter  ended
March 31,  1998,  First  Defiance  charged  off  $413,000  of loans  against its
allowance and realized  recoveries of $52,000 from loans previously charged off.
During the same quarter in 1997,  First  Defiance  charged off $285,000 in loans
and realized recoveries of $31,000.

Total  non-interest  expense  for the  quarter  ended  March  31,  1998 was $3.6
million,  compared  to $3.3  million  for the  quarter  ended  March  31,  1997.
Occupancy  costs  increased by $176,000 to $410,000 for the quarter  ended March
31,  1998 from  $234,000  for the same  period  in 1997.  The  increase  relates
primarily to depreciation expense on a major renovation to First Defiance's main
branch and headquarters  building in Defiance,  Ohio which was completed in June
of 1997. Also a new branch was opened in Hicksville,  Ohio in February, 1998 and
a temporary facility was operated in Paulding,  Ohio beginning in September 1997
while a new  permanent  branch in that  community  was being  constructed.  That
permanent branch was completed in April, 1998.

Other  significant  increases in  non-interest  expense were in mobile home loan
servicing,  which increased by $46,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1998
compared to the same period in 1997,  and SAIF  insurance  premiums,  which were
$48,000  higher in the first  quarter of 1998  compared to the first  quarter of
1997.  The increase in mobile home loan  servicing  was  primarily the result of
increased costs associated with repossessed mobile homes. The SAIF premiums were
higher in 1998 than in 1997 because of the realization in the 1997 first quarter
of credits for payments  made in the fourth  quarter of 1996.  Compensation  and
benefits for the period were $1.80  million for the three months ended March 31,
1998, a slight  decrease  from the year  earlier  period when  compensation  and
benefits totalled $1.82 million.  Compensation and benefits declined despite the
addition of the two new branches primarily because of lower contributions to the
Company's ESOP plan and the termination of the Company's defined benefit plan in
the fourth quarter of 1997.

Non-interest  income was $485,000 for the quarter  ended March 31, 1998 compared
to $336,000 during the comparable  period in 1997. Most of the increase  related
to gains on the sale of mortgage  loans,  which were  $119,000  during the first
quarter of 1998 compared to $31,000 in the first quarter of 1997. Also, loan and
deposit fees increased to $274,000 in the first three months of of 1998 compared
to $231,000 during the same period in 1997.

The Company has  computed  federal  income tax expense in  accordance  with FASB
Statement  No.  109 which  resulted  in an  effective  tax rate of 34.2% for the
quarter ended March 31, 1998 compared to 33.8% for the first quarter of 1997.

As a result of the above  factors,  net income for the  quarter  ended March 31,
1998 was $1,508,000 compared to $1,557,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 1997.
On a per share basis,  basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months
ended  March 31, 1998 was $.20 and $.19  respectively  compared to $.18 and $.17
for the same period in 1997. The increase in earnings per share is  attributable
to a  decrease  in the  average  shares  outstanding  as a result of three  five
percent stock buy backs  completed  since the beginning of 1997.  Average shares
outstanding for the basic and diluted  calculations were 7,606,000 and 7,985,000
respectively  for the quarter  ended March 31, 1998  compared to  8,597,000  and
8,911,000 respectively for the quarter ended March 31, 1997.
<PAGE>
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of  Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations -- Continued

First Defiance's board of directors declared a dividend of $.09 per common share
as of March 31, 1998. The dividend amounted to $731,085,  including dividends on
unallocated ESOP shares. It was paid on April 23, 1998. Dividends are subject to
determination  and  declaration by the board of directors,  which will take into
account First Defiance's financial condition and results of operations, economic
conditions,  industry  standards and regulatory  restrictions which affect First
Defiance's ability to pay dividends.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
First  Federal is required  under  applicable  federal  regulations  to maintain
specified  levels of "liquid"  investments in qualifying  types of United States
Government, federal agency and other investments having maturities of five years
or less.  Current OTS regulations  require that a savings  association  maintain
liquid  assets  of  not  less  than  5% of  its  average  daily  balance  of net
withdrawable  deposit  accounts and  borrowings  payable in one year or less, of
which  short-term  liquid  assets  must  consist  of not less than 1%.  Monetary
penalties may be imposed for failure to meet applicable liquidity  requirements.
First  Federal's   liquidity   substantially   exceeded   applicable   liquidity
requirements throughout the three-month period ended March 31, 1998.

First Defiance generated  $672,000 of cash from operating  activities during the
first three months of 1997. The Company's cash from operating activities results
from net income for the period,  adjusted for various non-cash items,  including
the  provision  for loan losses,  depreciation  and  amortization,  ESOP expense
related to release of shares, and changes in loans available for sale,  interest
receivable  and other  assets,  and other  liabilities.  The  primary  investing
activity of First  Defiance is  lending,  which is funded with cash  provided by
operations,  proceeds from the  amortization  and prepayments of existing loans,
proceeds  from the sale or  maturity  of  securities,  and  borrowings  from the
Federal Home Loan Bank.

At March 31, 1998, First Defiance had $21.5 million in outstanding mortgage loan
commitments  and loans in  process  to be funded  generally  within the next six
months and an additional  $25.4 million  committed  under existing  consumer and
commercial  lines of credit and  standby  letters of credit.  At that date,  the
total amount of  certificates  of deposit that are  scheduled to mature by March
31,  1999 is  $206.5  million.  First  Defiance  believes  that it has  adequate
resources to fund  commitments  as they arise and that it can adjust the rate on
savings  certificates to retain deposits in changing interest rate environments.
If First  Defiance  requires  funds  beyond its internal  funding  capabilities,
advances  from the FHLB of Cincinnati  are available as an additional  source of
borrowings.

Currently First Defiance invests in on-balance  sheet  derivative  securities as
part of the overall  asset and liability  management  process.  Such  derivative
securities include agency step-up,  REMIC and CMO investments.  Such investments
are not  classified  as high  risk at March  31,  1998 and do not  present  risk
significantly  different than other mortgage-backed or agency securities.  First
Defiance does not invest in off-balance sheet derivative securities.

First Federal is required to maintain  specified  amounts of capital pursuant to
regulations  promulgated by the OTS. The capital standards generally require the
maintenance  of  regulatory  capital  sufficient  to  meet  a  tangible  capital
requirement, a core capital requirement, and a risk-based capital requirement.
<PAGE>
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of  Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations -- Continued

The  following  table sets forth  First  Federal's  compliance  with each of the
capital requirements at March 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        Tangible        Core         Risk-Based
                                         Capital        Capital      Capital (1)
                                                 (Dollars in Thousands)
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>

Regulatory capital ................     $  82,191      $  82,191      $  84,511
Minimum required regulatory
   capital ........................        12,329         23,272         30,778
                                        ---------      ---------      ---------
Excess regulatory capital .........     $  69,862      $  58,919      $  53,733
                                        =========      =========      =========
Regulatory capital as a
   percentage of assets (2) .......          14.1%          14.1%          22.0%
Minimum capital required as
   a percentage ...................           1.5            4.0            8.0
                                        ---------      ---------      ---------
Excess regulatory capital as a
   percentage in excess of
   requirement ....................          12.6%          10.1%          14.0%
                                        =========      =========      =========
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1)  Reflects fully phased-in deductions from total capital.

(2)  Tangible and core capital are  computed as a percentage  of adjusted  total
     assets of $581.9 million. Risk-based capital is computed as a percentage of
     total risk-weighted assets of $384.7 million.


FDIC Insurance
The deposits of First Federal are currently  insured by the Savings  Association
Insurance  Fund  ("SAIF")  which is  administered  by the  FDIC.  The FDIC  also
administers the Bank Insurance Fund ("BIF") which generally  provides  insurance
for commercial  bank deposits.  Both the SAIF and the BIF are required by law to
attain  and  maintain  a  reserve  ratio  of 1.25% of  insured  deposits.  First
Federal's deposit insurance premiums for 1998 are approximately  $0.064 per $100
of deposits.
<PAGE>
                         FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.
                                 DEFIANCE, OHIO

PART II-OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings

          First  Defiance is not engaged in any legal  proceedings of a material
nature.

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

          At the  annual  meeting of  shareholders  held on April 22,  1998,  in
          Defiance,  Ohio the  shareholders  elected  directors and ratified the
          appointment  of  Ernst & Young  LLP as  First  Defiance's  independent
          auditors for 1998.  The  following is a tabulation of all votes timely
          cast in person or by prosy by  shareholders  of First Defiance for the
          annual meeting:

          To elect directors to three-year terms:

          NOMINEE                    FOR            WITHHELD
          Stephen L. Boomer        6,411,899         41,514
          William J. Small         6,409,706         43,197
          Peter A. Diehl           6,393,299         59,604

          To ratify  the  appointment  of Ernst & Young LLP as First  Defiance's
          independent auditor for 1998:

                       FOR                   6,422,427
                       AGAINST                   7,359
                       ABSTAIN                  23,117

Item 5.   Other Information

          Not applicable.
<PAGE>


Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

          a.   Reports on Form 8-K. On April 17, 1998, First Defiance  Financial
               Corp.  filed a current  report on Form 8-K dated April 17,  1998,
               reporting,  pursuant to Item 5 of such form,  that First Defiance
               Financial Corp. and its  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  First Federal
               Savings  and  Loan,  and The  Leader  Mortgage  Company,  an Ohio
               corporation, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
               which  provides for the  acquisition  of Leader by First Defiance
               through the reverse  merger of a subsidiary of First  Defiance or
               First   Federal  with  and  into  Leader  ("the   Merger").   The
               consummation  of the Merger is subject to a number of conditions,
               including,  but not limited to, the  approval of the  appropriate
               regulatory  agencies and the approval of the requisite  number of
               shareholders  of Leader.  The  Agreement may be terminated by the
               Board of Directors  of First  Defiance or Leader if the Merger is
               not consumated before December 31, 1998.


<PAGE>


                         FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.

                                               First Defiance Financial Corp.
                                               (Registrant)


Date:  May 12, 1998                            By:  /s/ Don C. Van Brackel
       ------------                                 ----------------------- 
                                                    Don C. Van Brackel
                                                    Chairman, President and
                                                    Chief Executive Officer


Date:  May 12, 1998                            By:  /s/ John C. Wahl
       ------------                                 ---------------- 
                                                    John C. Wahl
                                                    Senior Vice President, Chief
                                                    Financial Officer
Treasurer



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 9
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<CASH>                                           5,357
<INT-BEARING-DEPOSITS>                           2,617
<FED-FUNDS-SOLD>                                     0
<TRADING-ASSETS>                                     0
<INVESTMENTS-HELD-FOR-SALE>                     71,813
<INVESTMENTS-CARRYING>                          19,745
<INVESTMENTS-MARKET>                            20,201
<LOANS>                                        453,705
<ALLOWANCE>                                      2,772
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 511,471
<DEPOSITS>                                     402,797
<SHORT-TERM>                                    62,160
<LIABILITIES-OTHER>                              6,288
<LONG-TERM>                                      4,361
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            81
<OTHER-SE>                                     101,865
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES-AND-EQUITY>                 577,471
<INTEREST-LOAN>                                  9,753
<INTEREST-INVEST>                                1,580
<INTEREST-OTHER>                                     9
<INTEREST-TOTAL>                                11,342
<INTEREST-DEPOSIT>                               4,556
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,527
<INTEREST-INCOME-NET>                            5,527
<LOAN-LOSSES>                                      448
<SECURITIES-GAINS>                                   0
<EXPENSE-OTHER>                                  3,559
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,292
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                       2,292
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,505
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .20
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .19
<YIELD-ACTUAL>                                    8.33
<LOANS-NON>                                      1,263
<LOANS-PAST>                                         0
<LOANS-TROUBLED>                                     0
<LOANS-PROBLEM>                                      0
<ALLOWANCE-OPEN>                                 2,686
<CHARGE-OFFS>                                      413
<RECOVERIES>                                        52
<ALLOWANCE-CLOSE>                                2,772
<ALLOWANCE-DOMESTIC>                             2,772
<ALLOWANCE-FOREIGN>                                  0
<ALLOWANCE-UNALLOCATED>                              0
        

</TABLE>


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