United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
 
OR
o
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 000-51037

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

United States
 
20-2077715
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)

1614 Churchville Road, Bel Air, Maryland   21015
 (Address of principal executive offices)      (Zip Code)

(443) 265-5570
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock: par value $0.01 per share

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act.  Yes ¨       No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.
Yes ¨       No x

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 
 
Large accelerated filer ¨
 
Accelerated filer ¨
     
Non-accelerated filer  ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes    ¨   No   x

The aggregate market value of the common equity held by non-affiliates was $7,178,208 as of June 30, 2008, based on a sales price of $6.90 per share of Common Stock, which is the sales price at which shares of Common Stock were last sold in over the counter trading on June 24, 2008 (the last date on which the Common Stock had traded on June 30, 2008).

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock was 2,707,652 as of March 25, 2009.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2008, which is filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are incorporated by reference into Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of SFSB, Inc., to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

PART I

Item 1.  Business

BUSINESS OF SFSB, INC.

SFSB, Inc. is a federal corporation formed on December 30, 2004 for the purpose of acquiring all of the common stock of Slavie Federal Savings Bank (the “Bank”) concurrent with its mutual holding company reorganization. Pursuant to the reorganization, Slavie Federal Savings Bank converted from a mutual savings bank to a capital stock savings bank, with the concurrent formation of SFSB, Inc. as the stock, mid-tier holding company of Slavie Federal Savings Bank and the formation of Slavie Bancorp, MHC as a mutual holding company.  SFSB, Inc.’s executive office is located at 1614 Churchville Road, Bel Air, Maryland 21015, and its telephone number is (443) 265-5570.

As part of the reorganization, we issued, at a price of $10.00 per share, 1,222,401 shares of our common stock pursuant to a subscription offering to Slavie Federal Savings Bank’s depositors who held a deposit account at the Bank as of December 31, 2002 and 116,630 shares to the Slavie Federal Savings Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan, representing 45% of SFSB, Inc.’s outstanding common stock. The remaining 55% of SFSB, Inc.’s outstanding common stock is owned by Slavie Bancorp, MHC.  Of the approximately $13,390,000 of gross proceeds, approximately $6,355,000 was contributed to Slavie Federal Savings Bank.  So long as Slavie Bancorp, MHC exists, it will own a majority of the voting stock of SFSB, Inc.

Our cash flow depends on earnings from the investment of the net proceeds from the offering that we retained, and any dividends received from Slavie Federal Savings Bank.  Currently, SFSB, Inc. does not own or lease any property.  Instead, we use the premises, equipment and furniture of Slavie Federal Savings Bank.  At the present time, we employ only persons who are officers of Slavie Federal Savings Bank to serve as officers of SFSB, Inc.  We also use the support staff of Slavie Federal Savings Bank from time to time.  We have not separately compensated these persons. We may hire additional employees, as appropriate to the extent we expand our business in the future.

SFSB, Inc., as the holding company of Slavie Federal Savings Bank, is authorized to pursue other business activities permitted by applicable laws and regulations for savings and loan holding companies, which may include the acquisition of banking and financial services companies.

BUSINESS OF SLAVIE FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK

General

Our principal business consists of attracting deposits from the general public in our market area and investing those funds, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, in one- to four-family residential mortgage loans and commercial real estate loans.  We also invest in land and construction loans, home equity loans, non-real estate commercial loans and investment securities.

We derive our income primarily from interest earned on loans, mortgage-backed securities and investment securities and commissions from the sale of non-insured investment products earned through Slavie Financial Services.  Our principal expenses are interest expense on deposits and non-interest expenses, such as compensation and related expenses, occupancy expenses, deposit insurance expenses, regulatory assessments, advertising expenses, data processing expenses, furniture, fixtures and equipment expenses and other miscellaneous expenses.  Funds for these activities are provided primarily by deposits, repayments (including prepayments) of outstanding loans and mortgage-backed and investment securities, commissions from the sale of non-insured investment products, and operating revenue.

New products and services .  In 2008, we expanded our financial services operations, created in mid-year 2007, by hiring an investment planner, who sells a variety of non-insured investment products, and an administrative assistant to join our certified financial planner.  It has enabled us to provide comprehensive investing guidance and financial planning expertise to our customers and focus on their financial well being potential.  During 2008, we implemented remote deposit for commercial accountholders and check imaging services for our checking accountholders.  We expanded our Automated Teller Machine network to include access to more than 52,500 ATMs throughout the United States. We have begun to offer a thirteen month relationship certificate of deposit and a premium rate checking account with what we believe are attractive interest rates.  In addition, we implemented a Slavie credit card, foreign currency services and coin counting services.  We have informed our customers of the launching of these new products and services through the distribution of a quarterly newsletter, entitled Today’s Slavie.

 
1

 

Application to Participate in TARP .  We have applied to participate in the U.S. Treasury Department’s Capital Purchase Program under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) signed into law on October 3, 2008.  If we are approved to and elect to participate in TARP, we will issue shares of preferred stock to Treasury as well as a warrant to purchase our common stock.  The general terms for participating in the program are as follows: pay 5% dividends on the preferred stock for the first five years and 9% dividends thereafter; cannot increase common stock dividends for three years while Treasury is an investor without its permission; Treasury receives warrants entitling it to buy a participating company’s common stock equal to 15% of Treasury’s total initial investment in the participant; if the participating company fails to pay dividends due on the preferred stock for six quarters (these need not be consecutive), Treasury has the right to appoint two directors to the company’s board of directors; the participating company cannot repurchase its own shares of stock without Treasury’s permission; required compliance with certain executive compensation restrictions, including a prohibition on severance payments to certain executive officers and employees, restrictions on the amount of executive compensation and the amount that is tax deductible, limits on incentive compensation, and the participating company’s executives must agree to certain of the compensation restrictions; and other detailed terms and conditions.

Market Area

Currently, our primary market area is Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Harford County, Maryland.  We service this market area from two offices, one in Harford County, Maryland and one in northeast Baltimore City, near the Baltimore County border.

The primary market area reflects a diverse cross section of employment sectors, which partially mitigates the risk associated with a decline in any particular economic sector or industry.  Once the backbone of the region’s employment base, the manufacturing sector continues to contract with most of the job growth during the past few years occurring in services.  Government and finance/insurance/real estate-related employment also constitute major employment sectors in the market area.

The primary market area is characterized by two more populous but lower growth areas in Baltimore County and Baltimore City, and one smaller, but faster growth area in Harford County.  Over the last several years, Baltimore City has experienced a decline in population, reflecting the outmigration of population to the surrounding suburban markets, while the population has grown in Baltimore County (at a rate slower than comparable U.S. and Maryland growth rates) and Harford County (at rates well above the comparable U.S. and Maryland growth rates).  These trends reflect urban flight to suburban markets for better job opportunities, a lower cost of living and more affordable housing.

Income levels in the primary market area tend to reflect the nature of the markets served, with higher income levels in the more suburban markets.  The greater wealth of the suburban markets is consistent with national trends, in which the white collar professionals who work in the cities generally reside in the surrounding suburbs.  Additionally, much of the growth in white collar jobs has been occurring in suburban markets in the greater Baltimore area.

Competition

Our most direct competition for deposits has come historically from commercial banks, credit unions and other savings institutions located in our market area, including many large financial institutions which have greater financial and marketing resources than we have.  In addition, we face significant competition for investors’ funds from short-term money market securities, mutual funds and other corporate and government securities.  In the past, we relied upon the Slavic-American community in our market area for a material portion of our deposits.  Today, we believe that deposits from this group account for no more than 10% of our total deposits.  Our ability to attract and retain deposits depends on our ability to provide a rate of return, liquidity and risk comparable to that offered by competing investment opportunities.

 
2

 

Our competition for loans comes primarily from the same financial institutions that we compete with for deposits, mortgage companies and independent mortgage brokers.  We compete for loan originations primarily through the interest rates and loan fees we charge, and the efficiency and quality of services we provide customers.  Factors which affect competition include general and local economic conditions, current interest rate levels and volatility in the mortgage markets.

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

Lending Activities

General.   Our principal lending activity has been the origination of first mortgage loans for the purchase or refinancing of one- to four-family residential real property and the origination of commercial loans, both real estate mortgage loans and non-real estate loans.  Historically, we have retained the loans that we originated, but in our continued efforts to boost the yield of our interest earning assets during a period of net interest margin compression, management decided to sell a larger percentage of the Bank’s residential loan originations to facilitate our goal of increasing and diversifying the mix of commercial loans to residential loans in our portfolio.

Our net loan portfolio totaled $157,309,000 at December 31, 2008, representing 87.94% of total assets.  One- to four-family residential real estate mortgage loans represented $110,061,000, or 67.05%, of our total loan portfolio at December 31, 2008.  Other loans secured by real estate include commercial real estate loans, construction loans secured by single family properties and acquisition and development loans, which amounted to $19,408,000, $10,050,000 and $5,111,000, or 11.82%, 6.12% and 3.11% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2008.

Commercial non-mortgage loans amounted to $3,501,000, or 2.13% of our total loan portfolio at December 31, 2008.  The remainder of our portfolio was comprised of consumer loans, consisting primarily of home equity loans and lines of credit and other loans such as deposit account loans, home improvement loans, automobile loans and overdraft protection loans.  At December 31, 2008, home equity and other consumer loans totaled $15,586,000 and $447,000, respectively, or 9.50% and 0.27% of the total loan portfolio.

We believe that increasing loan diversification will increase our competitive profile and improve earnings through higher yields.  In that regard, we have and will continue to increase our commercial real estate loan portfolio and continue to grow our commercial business loan portfolio.  We focus our commercial lending activities on small to mid-size businesses in our market area and we seek to distinguish ourselves by providing responsive personal service and local decision making.

The types of loans that we may originate are subject to federal and state laws and regulations.  Interest rates charged on loans are affected principally by the demand for such loans, the supply of money available for lending purposes and the rates offered by our competitors.  These factors are, in turn, affected by general economic conditions, the monetary policy of the federal government, including the Federal Reserve Board, legislative and tax policies and governmental budgetary matters.

A savings bank generally may not make loans to one borrower and related entities in an amount which exceeds 15% of its unimpaired capital and surplus, and an additional amount equal to 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus if the loan is secured by readily marketable collateral (generally financial instruments, but not real estate).  At December 31, 2008, our regulatory limit on loans-to-one borrower was $2,417,000 and our five largest loans or groups of loans-to-one borrower, including related entities, aggregated $2,397,000, $2,206,000, $1,661,000, $1,547,000 and $1,536,000.  Each loan or groups of loans was performing in accordance with its terms at December 31, 2008, with the exception of one which was 30 days past due.

 
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Economic Conditions and Concentrations .  During 2008, the financial industry encountered significant volatility and stress as economic conditions worsened, unemployment increased and the effects of the “housing crisis” became more widespread.  While we did not have direct exposure to the subprime lending issues, the slowing economy, declines in housing construction and the related impact on contractors and other small and medium sized businesses, has had an adverse impact on our business, primarily increased levels of non-performing assets.  While management believes that we have taken adequate reserves for the problem assets in our loan portfolio at December 31, 2008, there can be no assurance that we will not be required to take additional charge-offs or make additional provisions for nonperforming loans or that currently performing loans will continue to perform.  Further, we have been increasing, and intend to continue to increase, our commercial real estate loan volume as a percentage of our loan portfolio, including an increase of 47.47% during 2008.  Given the current depressed and uncertain economic conditions, as well as the riskier nature of commercial real estate loans, we determined it would be prudent to consider what steps may be appropriate in this regard.  As a result, we conducted an analysis of our commercial real estate loan portfolio concentrations and management has set specific limits on certain riskier commercial real estate loan types, including those requiring the sale of the collateral property to pay down the loan and those loans relying on rental income from the property to repay the loan.

Loan Portfolio Composition.   The following table sets forth the composition of our loan portfolio by type of loan as of the dates indicated, including a reconciliation of gross loans receivable after consideration of the allowance for loan losses and net deferred fees.
   
At December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
         
(Dollars in Thousands)
       
Real Estate Loans:
                       
One- to four-family
  $ 110,061       67.05 %   $ 112,198       74.55 %
Commercial mortgage
    19,408       11.82       12,273       8.15  
Construction
    10,050       6.12       2,205       1.47  
Acquisition and development
    5,111       3.11       3,135       2.08  
                                 
Total real estate loans
    144,630       88.10       129,811       86.25  
                                 
Commercial non-real estate
    3,501       2.13       3,593       2.39  
Consumer Loans:
                               
Home equity
    15,586       9.50       16,670       11.08  
Other
    447       0.27       427       0.28  
                                 
Total consumer loans
    16,033       9.77       17,097       11.36  
                                 
Total loans receivable, gross
    164,164       100.0 %     150,501       100.0 %
                                 
Less:
                               
Loans in process
    (5,277 )             (1,538 )        
Allowance for loan losses
    (1,149 )             (972 )        
Deferred loan fees
    (429 )             (247 )        
                                 
Total loans receivable, net
  $ 157,309             $ 147,744          

 
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Maturity of Loan Portfolio.   The following tables present certain information at December 31, 2008 regarding the dollar amount of certain loans maturing in our portfolio based on their contractual terms to maturity or scheduled amortization, but does not include the effect of possible prepayments or due on sale clause payments.

   
One Year
 or less
   
More than 1
to 5 years
   
More than
 5 years
   
Totals
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
                         
Real Estate Loans:
                       
One- to four-family
  $ 901     $ 4,728     $ 104,432     $ 110,061  
Commercial mortgage
    11,377       6,355       1,676       19,408  
Construction
    6,405       3,645       -       10,050  
Acquisition and development
    1,860       3,251       -       5,111  
                                 
Total real estate loans
    20,543       17,979       106,108       144,630  
                                 
Commercial non-real estate
    1,287       1,582       632       3,501  
Consumer Loans:
                               
Home equity
    27       850       14,709       15,586  
Other
    183       264       -       447  
                                 
Total consumer loans
    210       1,114       14,709       16,033  
                                 
Total loans receivable, gross
  $ 22,040     $ 20,675     $ 121,449     $ 164,164  
                                 

   
One- to
four-
family
   
Commercial
Mortgage
   
Construction
   
Acquisition
 and
Development
   
Commercial
 Non R/E
   
Home
Equity
   
Other
Consumer
Loans
   
Totals
 
   
  (Dollars in Thousands)
 
Total due after one year with fixed interest rates
  $ 109,129     $ 8,031     $ -     $ 319     $ 2,214     $ 10,053     $ 264     $ 130,010  
Total due after one year with adjustable interest rates
  $ 31     $ -     $ 3,645     $ 2,932     $ -     $ 5,506     $ -     $ 12,114  

Scheduled contractual maturities of loans do not necessarily reflect the actual expected term of the loan portfolio.

One- to Four-Family Residential Loans .  Our primary lending activity consists of the origination of one- to four-family residential mortgage loans that are primarily secured by properties located in the greater Baltimore metropolitan area.  At December 31, 2008, $110,061,000, or 67.05% of our total loan portfolio, consisted of one- to-four family residential loans.  Generally, one- to four-family residential mortgage loans are originated in amounts up to 80% of the lesser of the appraised value or purchase price of the property, with private mortgage insurance required on loans with a loan-to-value ratio in excess of 80%.  Fixed-rate loans are originated for terms of 10, 15, 20 and 30 years.  At December 31, 2008, $110,030,000, or 99.97% of our one- to four-family residential mortgage loans were fixed-rate loans.  Also, at December 31, 2008, our largest loan secured by one- to four-family real estate had a principal balance of $947,000 and was secured by a single-family residence.  This loan was performing in accordance with its terms at December 31, 2008.
 
We also offer adjustable-rate mortgage loans with a one year adjustment period based on changes in a designated United States Treasury index.  However, in the recent interest rate environment, there has been very limited demand for these loans.  We did not originate any adjustable rate one- to four-family residential loans during the year ended December 31, 2008.  Our adjustable rate mortgage loans provide for maximum rate adjustments of 200 basis points per adjustment, with a lifetime maximum adjustment of 600 basis points per term.  Our adjustable rate mortgage loans amortize over terms of up to 30 years.  At December 31, 2008, only $31,000 or 0.03% of our one- to four-family residential mortgage loans had adjustable rates of interest.

 
5

 

All one- to four-family residential mortgage loans that we originate include “due-on-sale” clauses, which give us the right to declare a loan immediately due and payable in the event that, among other things, the borrower sells or otherwise disposes of the real property subject to the mortgage and the loan is not repaid.
 
Regulations limit the amount that a savings bank may lend relative to the appraised value of the real estate securing the loan, as determined by an appraisal of the property at the time the loan is originated.  For all loans, we utilize outside independent appraisers approved by the board of directors.  All borrowers are required to obtain title insurance.  We also require homeowner’s insurance and fire and casualty insurance and, where circumstances warrant, flood insurance on properties securing real estate loans.

Currently, we do not hold any negative amortization or any type of option adjustable rate mortgage (option ARM) loans in our loan portfolio.  Also, the debt to income ratio on all adjustable rate loan products that are or will be held in our loan portfolio are or will be qualified by using a minimum of the fully indexed rate to determine the ability of the borrower to repay the loan.  We may originate these types of loans (option ARMs or loans where the borrower is not qualified by the fully indexed rate) and sell them to a correspondent lender.  In such a case, these loans are designated as held for sale and are delivered to the purchaser as soon as possible following settlement.

Commercial Real Estate Loans .  At December 31, 2008, $19,408,000, or 11.82% of our total loan portfolio, consisted of commercial real estate loans.  Commercial   real estate loans are secured by office buildings, mixed use properties and other commercial properties.  We generally originate commercial real estate loans with maximum terms of up to 30 years with a call feature. The maximum loan-to-value ratio of commercial real estate loans is 75%. At December 31, 2008, we had 99 commercial real estate loans with an average outstanding balance of $187,000.  At December 31, 2008, our largest loan secured by commercial real estate had an outstanding balance of $2,078,000.  At December 31, 2008, this loan was performing in accordance with its terms.

Commercial real estate lending entails significant additional risks as compared with one- to four-family residential property lending.  Commercial real estate loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers.  The payment experience on such loans typically is dependent on the successful operation of the real estate project, retail establishment or business.  These risks can be significantly impacted by supply and demand conditions in the market for office and retail space and, as such, may be subject to a greater extent to adverse conditions in the economy generally.  It is generally our policy to obtain annual financial statements on the borrower’s business or the project for which commercial real estate loans are originated.  In addition, in the case of commercial real estate loans made to a partnership, limited liability company or a corporation, we seek, whenever possible, to obtain personal guarantees and annual financial statements from the principals of the entity.  In general, prior to settlement of a commercial real estate loan, we require an appraisal and a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Report.

Multi-Family Loans.   We offer fixed-rate and adjustable rate multi-family real estate loans with amortization schedules of up to 30 years.  We generally lend up to 80% of the property’s appraised value.  Appraised values are typically determined by independent appraisers.  In deciding to originate a multi-family loan, we review the creditworthiness of the borrower, the expected cash flows from the property securing the loan, the cash flow requirements of the borrower, the value of the property and the quality of the management involved with the property.  We generally obtain the personal guarantee of the principals when originating multi-family real estate loans.  At December 31, 2008, we had three multi-family real estate loans with an average outstanding balance of $308,000 in our loan portfolio.  At December 31, 2008, our largest multi-family loan secured by real estate had an outstanding balance of $541,000.  At December 31, 2008, this loan was performing in accordance with its terms.

Multi-family real estate lending is generally considered to involve a higher degree of credit risk than one- to four-family residential lending.  Such lending may involve large loan balances concentrated on a single borrower or group of related borrowers.  We generally require a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Report on the property securing this type of financing.  In addition, the payment experience on loans secured by income producing properties typically depends on the successful operation of the related real estate project.  Consequently, the repayment of the loan may be subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy generally.

 
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 Construction Loans and Acquisition and Development Loans.   We originate loans to finance the construction of residential dwellings and loans to acquire and develop land on which to construct residential dwellings.  At December 31, 2008, $10,050,000, or 6.12% of our total loan portfolio, consisted of a commercial acquisition and development loan and eight residential construction loans, and $5,111,000, or 3.11% of our total loan portfolio, consisted of acquisition and development loans.  Of this amount, $464,000 constituted our interest in a loan participation.

Construction loans generally provide for interest-only payments at fixed-rates of interest, which are typically fixed at origination, and have terms of six to 12 months.  At the end of the construction period, the loan generally converts into a permanent loan at the same interest rate as the construction loan.  Construction loans generally may be considered for loan-to-value ratios of up to 80%.  Prior to committing to fund a construction loan, we require both an appraisal of the property and a study of projected construction costs.  Loan proceeds are disbursed in increments as construction progresses and as inspections warrant.  We generally use independent fee appraisers for construction disbursement purposes.

Acquisition and development loans typically are originated at the prime rate plus a negotiated margin and, generally, adjust at the effective date of any change in the Wall Street Journal published prime rate, with a term of up to 18 months plus any negotiated extensions.  In some instances, loan structure includes an interest reserve account, under which the borrower finances projected interest costs as part of the loan amount.  The bank draws this interest reserve account each month for the amount of interest owing until the project is completed.  Loan-to-value ratios generally do not exceed 75%.  Prior to settlement of an acquisition and development loan, we require an appraisal, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Report and a budget of the development costs.

Acquisition, development and construction financing is generally considered to involve a higher degree of risk of loss than long-term financing on improved, occupied real estate.  Risk of loss on such loans is dependent largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value at completion of development or construction and the estimated cost (including interest) of development or construction.  We attempt to mitigate this risk by closely monitoring construction of the project and granting funding draws only after periodic site inspections contracted by the bank and evidence of completed work is obtained.  During the development or construction phase, a number of factors could result in delays and cost overruns. If the estimate of costs proves to be inaccurate, we may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed to permit completion of the project.  If the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, we may be confronted, at or prior to the maturity of the loan, with a project having a value which is insufficient to assure full repayment.  As a result of the foregoing, this type of lending often involves the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment dependent, in part, on the success of the ultimate project rather than the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay principal and interest.  If we are forced to foreclose on a project prior to or at completion due to a default, there can be no assurance that we will be able to recover all of the unpaid balance of, and accrued interest on, the loan as well as related foreclosure and holding costs.

While some financial institutions have experienced increased defaults on acquisition, development and construction loans as a result of recent declines in the housing market and the attendant inability of the borrowers to sell the property after project completion or sell the property at an amount that will allow repayment of the loan, we have not experienced such an increase in defaults on these types of loans.  However, there can be no guarantee that defaults will not increase in this portfolio if declines in economic conditions and the housing market continue in our market areas.

Commercial Business Loans .  To diversify our loan portfolio, we have grown our commercial business loan portfolio.  We have focused our commercial business lending activities on small to mid-size businesses in our market area and the loans were made for working capital or equipment financing.  Typically, these loans are secured by equipment, machinery and other corporate assets and have terms from three to five years with either fixed rates or variable rates of interest.  Commercial business loans generally have higher interest rates and shorter terms than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, but they also may involve higher average balances, increased difficulty of loan monitoring and a higher risk of default since their repayment generally depends on the successful operation of the borrower’s business.  We attempt to minimize these risks by limiting these loans to viable businesses and by obtaining personal guarantees from the borrowers whenever possible.  At December 31, 2008, commercial business loans totaled $3,501,000, or 2.13% of the total loan portfolio.

 
7

 

Consumer Loans .  We are authorized to originate loans for a wide variety of personal and consumer purposes.  Consumer loans consist primarily of home equity loans and lines of credit, deposit account loans, home improvement loans, automobile loans and overdraft protection loans.  At December 31, 2008, consumer loans totaled $16,033,000 or 9.77% of the total loan portfolio.

Home equity loans and lines of credit are secured by a real estate mortgage with a security interest in the borrower’s primary residence.  These are fixed rate or variable rate loans indexed to the prime rate with terms of up to 20 years.  At December 31, 2008, home equity loans totaled $15,586,000 or 9.50% of the total loan portfolio.  At December 31, 2008, $10,080,000, or 64.67% of our home equity loans were fixed-rate loans and $5,506,000 or 35.33% of our home equity loans had adjustable rates of interest.

As indicated, we also offer deposit account loans for personal purposes, home improvement loans, automobile loans and overdraft protection loans.  At December 31, 2008, $262,000 or 0.16% of our total loan portfolio consisted of deposit account loans, $57,000 or 0.03% of our total loan portfolio consisted of home improvement loans, $79,000 or 0.05% of our total loan portfolio consisted of automobile loans and $49,000 or 0.03% of our total loan portfolio consisted of overdraft protection loans.

Consumer loans generally have shorter terms and higher interest rates than residential mortgage loans.  The procedures for underwriting consumer loans include an assessment of the applicant’s payment history on other debts and ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan.  The underwriting process also includes, particularly with respect to home equity loans, a comparison of the value of the collateral, if any, to the proposed loan amount.

Consumer loans entail greater risks than one to four-family residential mortgage loans, particularly consumer loans that are unsecured or that are secured by rapidly depreciable assets, such as automobiles.  In these cases, the repossessed collateral securing a defaulted loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding balance, since there is a greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation of the underlying collateral.  Further, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability and are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy.  For consumer loans secured by real estate, the risk is greater than that inherent in the one to four-family loan portfolio in that the security for home equity loans is generally not the first lien on the property and ultimate collection of the loan balance may be dependent on whether value remains after the collection by a holder with a higher lien.  Finally, the application of various federal and state laws may limit the amount recoverable in the event of a default of a consumer loan.

Origination and Servicing of Loans .  Loan origination activities are primarily concentrated in the greater Baltimore metropolitan area, and properties securing our real estate loans are primarily located in the greater Baltimore metropolitan area.  Currently, we sell most residential mortgage loans that we originate without retaining servicing rights.
 
New residential mortgage loans are generated primarily from current and former borrowers, walk-in customers, referrals from customer and realtors, as well as through several correspondent relationships we established with independent residential mortgage loan brokers who operate in our market area.
 
Construction and acquisition and development loan originations come from builders and the same channels as residential mortgage loans.  Similarly, commercial real estate loans are generated through contacts in the local community and the same channels as residential mortgage loans.  We have increased originations of commercial real estate and commercial business loans through established business relationships.  Consumer loans are primarily obtained from existing and walk-in customers.

Loan origination is further supported by advertising, cross-selling and community service by Slavie employees.  Also, from time to time, we will purchase loan participations which meet our underwriting criteria from other financial institutions in our market area.

Residential mortgage loans are typically underwritten to secondary market (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) standards to facilitate the ability to sell loans and thereby limit interest rate risk and meet loan portfolio objectives.  Historically, we have generally retained all originated loans in our portfolio.  Our growth strategy contemplates that we only retain for our portfolio those loans meeting our interest rate risk and balance sheet composition targets and sell the remaining loans in the secondary market on a servicing released basis.  Our goal continues to be to increase the number of fixed rate loans that we sell on the secondary market.  Over time, we may evaluate selling loans on a servicing retained basis.  During 2008, we sold five residential mortgage loans with a total principal balance of $843,000.  Our residential mortgage loan volume in 2008 was lower than we had anticipated due to the absence of a residential loan officer during the first half of 2008 and the rapid decline in residential home values, making it difficult for borrowers to attain acceptable loan-to-value ratios.  We hired an experienced residential loan officer in the first quarter of 2009 in anticipation of a refinance surge due to the current lower interest rates on this type of loan and we expect to sell a higher volume of loans during 2009.

 
8

 

Loan Approval Procedures and Authority .  The loan approval process is intended to assess the borrower’s ability to repay the loan, the viability of the loan, and the adequacy of the value of the property that will secure the loan.  To assess the borrower’s ability to repay, among other things, we review the employment and credit history and information on the historical and projected income and expenses of borrowers.  We have established a loan committee consisting of the president/chief executive officer, senior vice-president/chief lending officer, vice-president of lending and the assistant vice-president/loan administration.  Currently, any two members of this committee have the authority to approve loans up to $313,000; loan applications over $313,000 are submitted to the executive loan committee consisting of either the president/chief executive officer or the executive vice-president/chief lending officer and one non-management member of the board of directors for approval.  In addition, the board of directors ratifies all loans approved by the loan and executive loan committees.  With continued economic volatility, we have tightened our already stringent underwriting standards by reducing our maximum loan-to-value requirements.  All loan applications that we have the intention of selling are processed through Mortgage Department Services, a company in which we have a minor interest.  We have outsourced the loan processing, loan underwriting and other standards to the Mortgage Department Services (MDS) as a cost savings measure.  Using MDS to process our residential mortgage loans has allowed us to eliminate a full time position from our residential mortgage processing department and transfer an employee to a higher-volume area of the lending department.  We pay a flat fee to MDS for each loan settled and we receive a fee per loan in return for delivery of said loan to the secondary market.  MDS also processes loans which we choose to keep in our portfolio for a reduced per loan fee rate.  We ensure that the stringent underwriting standards we are accustomed to are adhered to by MDS by having an independent third party vendor conduct periodic quality control reviews on the loans processed by MDS on our behalf.  We process all home equity loans at our main office.
 
We require appraisals of all real property securing loans. Appraisals are performed by independent licensed appraisers.  All appraisers are approved by the board of directors annually.  We require fire and extended coverage insurance in amounts at least equal to the principal amount of the loan.

 
9

 

The following table shows our loan origination and repayment activities for the periods indicated.
 
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
             
Balance outstanding at beginning of period
  $ 147,744     $ 147,118  
                 
Originations by Type:
               
                 
Real Estate:
               
One- to four-family                                                               
    22,435       23,569  
Commercial-real estate                                                               
    15,609       4,585  
Commercial-non real estate                                                               
    250       -  
Construction(1)                                                               
    -       -  
Consumer loans:
               
Home equity                                                               
    2,003       3,296  
Other                                                               
    311       31  
                 
Total loans originated                                                               
    40,608       31,481  
Total loans purchased                                                               
    2,641       2,212  
                 
Less:
               
Total loans or participations sold                                                               
    1,990       7,602  
Principal repayments                                                               
    31,732       24,227  
Transfers to foreclosed real estate                                                               
    -       1,083  
Other(2)                                                               
    (38 )     155  
Total deductions
    33,684       33,067  
                 
Balance outstanding at end of period                                                               
  $ 157,309     $ 147,744  
 

 
(1)
Includes acquisition and development loans.
 
(2)
Includes deferred loan fees and allowance for loan loss reserves.

Loan Origination and Other Fees .  In addition to interest earned on loans, we may receive loan origination fees or “points” for originating loans.  Loan origination fees are a percentage of the principal amount of the mortgage loan and are charged to the borrower in connection with the origination of the loan.  We also receive fees in connection with loan modifications, late payments and miscellaneous services related to loans.

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 91, which pertains to the accounting for non-refundable fees and costs associated with originating or acquiring loans, our loan origination fees and certain related direct loan origination costs are offset, and the resulting net amount is deferred and amortized as interest income over the contractual life of the related loans as an adjustment to the yield of such loans.  At December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had $429,000 and $247,000 in net deferred loan fees, respectively.

Asset Quality
 
General .  One of our key operating objectives continues to be to maintain a high level of asset quality.  Through a variety of strategies, which include aggressive marketing of foreclosed properties and repossessed assets and borrower workout arrangements, we have been proactive in addressing problems with non-performing assets.  These strategies, as well as our past emphasis on originating relatively low risk one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, quality underwriting, maintenance of sound credit standards for new loan originations, even in these unfavorable real estate market conditions, have supported maintenance of low delinquency ratios.  Our balance of non-performing assets equaled $2,615,000 or 1.66% of total loans at December 31, 2008 and consisted of 13 non-accruing loans, of which 11 are secured by one- to four-family properties totaling $1,180,000, two are commercial real estate loans totaling $239,000 and one is a commercial non-real estate loan totaling $100,000, and $1,096,000 in foreclosed real estate.

 
10

 

Collection Procedures. After a loan becomes 15 days delinquent, we deliver a computer generated delinquency notice to the borrower.  A second delinquency notice is sent when the loan becomes 30 days delinquent.  Once a loan becomes 60 days delinquent, we send an additional delinquency notice to the borrower and attempt to make personal contact with the borrower by letter from the head of the collection department or telephone to establish an acceptable repayment schedule.  When a loan is 90 days delinquent and no acceptable resolution has been reached, we send the borrower a 15 day demand letter.  After those 15 days, we will generally refer the matter to our attorney, who is authorized to commence foreclosure proceedings.  Management is authorized to begin foreclosure proceedings on any loan after determining that it is prudent to do so.  In cases where the borrower is willing to cooperate and implement a payment plan, we may delay the decision to foreclose.
 
Non-performing Loans and Assets.   Loans are reviewed on a regular basis and are generally placed on non-accrual status when they become more than 90 days delinquent.  When we classify a loan as non-accrual, we no longer accrue interest on such loan and reverse any interest previously accrued but not collected.  Typically, payments received on a non-accrual loan are applied to the outstanding principal and interest as determined at the time of collection.  We return a non-accrual loan to accrual status when factors indicating doubtful collection no longer exist and the loan has been brought current.  We consider repossessed assets and loans that are 90 days or more past due to be non-performing assets.

Real estate and other assets that we acquire as a result of foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure or repossession on collateral-dependent loans are classified as real estate owned or other repossessed assets until sold.  Such assets are recorded at foreclosure or other repossession and updated quarterly at estimated fair value less estimated selling costs.  Any portion of the outstanding loan balance in excess of fair value is charged off against the allowance for loan losses.  If, upon ultimate disposition of the property, net sales proceeds exceed the net carrying value of the property, a gain on sale of real estate or other assets is recorded.  At December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had foreclosed real estate of $1,096,000 and $1,083,000, respectively, pursuant to the foreclosure of the property securing a commercial land acquisition and development participation loan.

Under current accounting guidelines, a loan is defined as impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  We consider one- to four-family mortgage loans and consumer installment loans to be homogeneous and, therefore, do not separately evaluate them for impairment.  All other loans are evaluated for impairment on an individual basis.  As of December 31, 2008, we had classified three non-accrual loans as impaired totaling $339,000 because, for reasons discussed below, we believe that we may not collect all outstanding balances due on these loans.

As of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we classified a $100,000 commercial non-real estate loan as impaired.  The corporate commercial loan borrower filed Chapter 7 corporate bankruptcy in the third quarter of 2006 and the principal of the borrower filed Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy in the second quarter of 2007.  We restructured the remaining debt to facilitate repayment of the loan in the third quarter of 2007 and the borrower has been making payments in accordance with the terms of the restructured loan agreement.  We also classified the two commercial real estate loans totaling $239,000 as impaired as of December 31, 2008.  In the first quarter of 2008, the borrowers of these loans filed Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy, which was denied and dismissed in the third quarter of 2008.  They filed Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy again near the end of the third quarter of 2008, which was converted to a Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy on October 3, 2008.  On November 19, 2008, our attorney filed an Order of Relief from Stay and he is currently in the process of sending a Notice of Intent to Foreclose with respect to the properties securing these loans.

 
11

 

The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of our non-performing assets at the dates indicated.  During the periods presented, we did not have any troubled debt restructurings.
 
   
At December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
             
Non-accruing real estate loans:
           
One- to four-family
  $ 1,180     $ 368  
Commercial real estate
    239       -  
Commercial non-real estate
    100       100  
Construction(1)
    -       -  
Non-accruing consumer loans:
               
Home equity
    -       -  
Other
    -       -  
Total non-accruing loans
  $ 1,519     $ 468  
Accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more
    -       -  
Total non-performing loans
    1,519       468  
Real estate owned
    1,096       1,083  
Total non-performing assets
  $ 2,615     $ 1,551  
                 
Total as a percentage of total assets
    1.46 %     0.90 %
Total as a percentage of total loans
    1.66 %     1.05 %
 

(1)           Includes acquisition and development loans.

For the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, gross interest income which would have been recorded had our non-accruing loans been current in accordance with their original terms amounted to $137,000 and $37,000 respectively.  Interest income recognized on such loans for the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 was $80,000 and $24,000, respectively.
 
Of the non-accrual loans, at December 31, 2008, $339,000 consisted of the three impaired loans discussed above and $1,180,000 consisted of one-to-four residential mortgage loans.  Non-accrual loans totaled 0.97% and 0.32% of net loans receivable at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. 

Our real estate owned includes a 19% participation (approximately $1,096,000 in unpaid principal balance) in a foreclosed real estate participation loan resulting from the foreclosure of an acquisition and development loan..

As we previously reported, the property securing this loan was sold at auction to the lead participating bank in the second quarter of 2007, at which time we reclassified the participation as foreclosed real estate.  As we previously disclosed, the foreclosed property had previously been under a sale contract that was subject to a feasibility study that expired on June 15, 2008.  The property is currently under a new purchase agreement contract.  The purchase agreement is subject to a feasibility study which allows the buyer to perform due diligence with regards to environmental approvals and permits and a zoning change that would allow strictly commercial zoning.  Once the zoning change is approved by the city’s council government, the buyer expects to settle on the subject property.  The zoning change approval is expected by June 2009, which is expected to coincide with the results of the environmental due diligence mentioned above.  We still believe that we will recover the carrying amount of the real estate pursuant to the sale of the property, although there can be no assurance that this will be the case.

Other than as disclosed in the table and paragraphs above, there are no other loans at December 31, 2008 about which management has serious doubts concerning the ability of the borrowers to comply with the present loan repayment terms.
 
Classified Assets. Federal regulations require that each insured savings institution classify its assets on a regular basis.  In addition, in connection with examinations of insured institutions, federal examiners have authority to identify problem assets and, if appropriate, classify them.  There are three classifications for problem assets: substandard, doubtful and loss.  Substandard assets have one or more defined weaknesses and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the insured institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Doubtful assets have the weaknesses of substandard assets with the additional characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values questionable, and there is a high possibility of loss.  An asset classified loss is considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as an asset of the institution is not warranted.  Another category designated “special mention” also must be established and maintained for assets which do not currently expose an insured institution to a sufficient degree of risk to warrant classification as substandard, doubtful or loss.

 
12

 

An insured institution is required to establish general allowances for loan losses in an amount deemed prudent by management for loans classified substandard or doubtful, as well as for other problem loans. General allowances represent loss allowances which have been established to recognize the inherent losses associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets.  When an insured institution classifies problem assets as “loss,” it is required either to establish a specific allowance for losses equal to 100% of the amount of the asset so classified or to charge off such amount.  An institution’s determination as to the classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances is subject to review by the Office of Thrift Supervision which can order the establishment of additional general or specific loss allowances.
 
On the basis of management’s review of our assets, at December 31, 2008, we had classified $2,515,000 of our assets as substandard (which consisted of 11 non-accruing loans secured by one- to four-family residential properties, two commercial real estate loans and foreclosed real estate).  At December 31, 2008, we had classified $100,000, or 100% of one loan as “loss” (which consisted of a commercial non-real estate loan).  At December 31, 2008, none of our assets were classified as special mention or doubtful.  The loan portfolio is reviewed on a monthly basis to determine whether any loans require classification in accordance with applicable regulations.  All classified assets are included in non-performing assets for all periods presented.
 
The following table shows the aggregate amounts of our classified assets at the dated indicated.

   
At December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Special mention assets
  $ -     $ -  
Substandard assets
    2,515       1,451  
Doubtful assets
    -       -  
Loss assets
    100       100  
                 
Total classified assets
  $ 2,615     $ 1,551  

 
13

 

 Delinquencies.   The following table sets forth information concerning delinquent loans at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, in dollar amounts and as a percentage of our total loan portfolio.

   
At December 31, 2008
   
At December 31, 2007
 
   
30-59 Days
   
60-89 Days
   
30-59 Days
   
60-89 Days
 
   
Principal
Balance of
Loans
   
% of
Total
Loans
   
Principal
Balance of
Loans
   
% of
Total
Loans
   
Principal
Balance of
Loans
   
% of
Total
Loans
   
Principal
Balance of
Loans
   
% of
Total
Loans
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
                                                 
Real estate loans:
                                               
One- to four-family
  $ 672       0.41 %   $ 718       0.44 %   $ 749       0.50 %   $ 361       0.24 %
Commercial real estate
    319       0.19       49       0.03       90       0.06       138       0.09  
Construction(1)
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial non-real estate:
    1,321       0.81       -       -       69       0.05       -       -  
Consumer loans:
                                                               
Home equity
    -       -       -       -       71       0.05       -       -  
Other
    16       0.01       7       -       49       0.03       4       -  
                                                                 
Total delinquent loans
  $ 2,328       1.42 %   $ 774       0.47 %   $ 1,028       0.69 %   $ 503       0.33 %
 

 (1)          Includes acquisition and development loans.

Allowance for Loan Losses

General.   The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio.  We evaluate the need to establish allowances against losses on loans on a monthly basis.  When additional allowances are necessary, a provision for loan losses is charged to earnings.
 
Our methodology for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses consists of three key elements: (1) specific allowances for identified problem loans, including primarily collateral-dependent loans; (2) a general valuation allowance on certain identified problem loans that do not meet the definition of impaired; and (3) a general valuation allowance on the remainder of the loan portfolio.
 
Specific Allowance on Identified Problem Loans. The loan portfolio is segregated first between loans that are on our “watch list” and loans that are not.  Our watch list includes:
 
 
·
loans 90 or more days delinquent;

 
·
loans with anticipated losses;

 
·
loans referred to attorneys for collection or in the process of foreclosure;

 
·
nonaccrual loans;

 
·
loans classified as substandard, doubtful or loss by either our internal classification system or by regulators during the course of their examination of us; and

 
·
troubled debt restructurings and other non-performing loans.

Two of our officers review each loan on the watch list and establish an individual allowance allocation on certain impaired loans based on such factors as: (1) the strength of the customer’s personal or business cash flow; (2) the availability of other sources of repayment; (3) the amount due or past due; (4) the type and value of collateral; (5) the strength of our collateral position; (6) the estimated cost to sell the collateral; and (7) the borrower’s effort to cure the delinquency.

 
14

 

The allowance for impaired loans is generally equal to the amounts by which the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) are lower than the carrying value of the loan.  Under current accounting guidelines, a loan is defined as impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement.   With respect to the $100,000 commercial non-real estate loan, we have made a provision for 100% of the loan balance because the collateral has no value.  Accordingly, we have established a specific allowance for this loan.  The reserve for this impaired loan is $100,000.

General Valuation Allowance on Certain Identified Problem Loans.   We also establish a general allowance for watch list loans that do not meet the definition of impaired and do not have an individual allowance.  We segregate these loans by loan category and assign allowance percentages to each category based on inherent losses associated with each type of lending and consideration that these loans, in the aggregate, represent an above-average credit risk and that more of these loans will prove to be uncollectible compared to loans in the general portfolio.
 
General Valuation Allowance on the Remainder of the Loan Portfolio.   We establish another general allowance for loans that are not on the watch list to recognize the inherent losses associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances and the general valuation on certain identified problem loans, has not been allocated to particular problem assets.  This general valuation allowance is determined by segregating the loans by loan category and assigning allowance percentages based on our historical loss experience and delinquency trends.  The allowance may be adjusted for significant factors that, in management’s judgment, affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation date.  These significant factors may include changes in lending policies and procedures, changes in existing general economic and business conditions affecting our primary lending areas, credit quality trends, collateral value, loan volumes and concentrations, seasoning of the loan portfolio, specific industry conditions within portfolio segments, recent loss experience in a particular segment of the portfolio, duration of the current business cycle and bank regulatory examination results. The applied loss factors are reevaluated annually to ensure their relevance in the current environment.

Although we believe that we use the best information available to establish the allowance for loan losses, the evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revisions as more information becomes available or as future events change.  If circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making our determinations, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary and our results of operations could be adversely affected.  In addition, the Office of Thrift Supervision, as an integral part of its examination process, periodically reviews our allowance for loan losses.  The Office of Thrift Supervision may require us to increase the allowance for loan losses based on its judgments about information available to it at the time of its examination, which would adversely affect our results of operations.

 
15

 

The following table analyzes changes in the allowance for the periods presented.
 
   
Years Ended
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
             
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 972     $ 850  
                 
Charge-offs(1)
    3       122  
Recoveries
    -       -  
Net charge-offs
    3       122  
Provision for loan losses
    180       244  
                 
Ending balance
  $ 1,149     $ 972  
                 
Ratio of net charge-offs during the period to average loans outstanding, net, during the period
    -       0.08 %
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans outstanding
    0.73 %     0.66 %
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total non-performing loans
    75.64 %     207.69 %
 

(1) Charge offs consisted of four overdraft protection lines of credit of $3,000 in 2008 and the principal loss of a commercial non-real estate loan of $120,000 and four overdraft protection lines of credit of $2,000 in 2007.

The following table sets forth information concerning the allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan category at the dates indicated.  The allocation of the allowance to each category is not necessarily indicative of future loss in any particular category and does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in other categories.  During 2008, based on the factors described above, we reallocated the allowance among our loan categories to reflect our current beliefs regarding the collectibility of loans in our portfolio.

   
At December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Amount of
Loan Loss
Allowance
   
Loan
amounts
by
Category
   
Percent of
Loans in
Each
Category to
Total Loans
   
Amount of
Loan Loss
Allowance
   
Loan
amounts
by
Category
   
Percent
of Loans
in Each
Category
to Total
Loans
 
               
(Dollars in Thousands)
             
                                     
One- to four-family
  $ 330     $ 110,061       67.05 %   $ 246     $ 112,198       74.55 %
Commercial real estate
    426       19,408       11.82       172       12,273       8.15  
Commercial non R/E
    170       3,501       2.13       338       3,593       2.39  
Construction
    139       10,050       6.12       102       2,205       1.47  
Acquisition and development
    20       5,111       3.11        35       3,135       2.08  
Home equity
    61       15,586       9.50       77       16,670       11.08  
Other consumer
    3       447       0.27       2       427       0.28  
                                                 
Total
  $ 1,149     $ 164,164       100.00 %   $ 972     $ 150,501       100.00 %

 
16

 


The following table sets forth information concerning the amount of the allowance for loan losses that is allocated to each of the three key components of the allowance: the specific allowance for impaired loans, the general allowance on certain identified problem loans that do not meet the definition of impaired and the general allowance on the remainder of the loan portfolio.

   
At December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Amount of
Allowance
   
Percent of
Allowance
   
Amount of 
Allowance
   
Percent of
Allowance
 
         
(Dollars in Thousands)
       
                         
Specific allowance
  $ 100       8.70 %   $ 100       10.29 %
General (identified problem loans)
    -       -       55       5.66  
General (all other loans)
    1,049       91.30       817       84.05  
                                 
Total
  $ 1,149       100.00 %   $ 972       100.00 %

Investments

General.   We have the authority to invest in various types of securities, including mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Treasury obligations, securities of various federal agencies and of state and municipal governments, certificates of deposit at federally-insured institutions, certain bankers’ acceptances and federal funds.  As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, we are required to maintain an investment in its stock based on percentages specified by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta on our outstanding advances.  Our investment strategy is established by our board of directors.

Our securities must be categorized as either “held to maturity,” “trading securities” or “available for sale,” based on management’s intent as to the ultimate disposition of each security.  Debt securities may be classified as “held to maturity” and reported in financial statements at amortized cost only if management has the positive intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity.  Securities that might be sold in response to changes in market interest rates, changes in the security’s prepayment risk, increases in loan demand, or other similar factors cannot be classified as “held to maturity.”  We do not currently use or maintain a trading account.  Debt and equity securities not classified as “held to maturity” are classified as “available for sale.”  These securities are reported at fair value, and unrealized gains and losses on the securities are excluded from earnings and reported, net of the related tax effect, as a separate component of equity until realized.  Unrealized losses on any securities are charged to earnings when, in management’s view, the impairment becomes other than temporary.

Our investment policy is designed to provide and maintain adequate liquidity and to generate favorable rates of return without incurring undue interest rate or credit risk.  From time to time, investment levels may be increased or decreased depending upon yields available on investment alternatives and management’s projections as to the demand for funds to be used in loan originations and other activities.

At December 31, 2008, our investment portfolio consisted of $7,040,000 in mutual fund securities (which invest in adjustable rate mortgages) classified as available for sale, $1,899,000 in Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta stock and $2,234,000 in other interest earning assets, consisting of federal funds sold.  We also invest in mortgage-backed securities, all of which are guaranteed by the United States Government or agencies thereof, and all of which are classified as held to maturity.  At December 31, 2008, our mortgage-backed securities totaled $1,552,000, consisting of $1,089,000 in fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), and $463,000 in adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae).  Management does not believe that the recent turmoil in the U.S. housing market will have an adverse affect on its securities as these are high quality investments with short to medium term maturities.

 
17

 

Mortgage-backed securities represent a participation interest in a pool of one- to four-family or multi-family mortgages.  The mortgage originators use intermediaries (generally U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises) to pool and repackage the participation interest in the form of securities, with investors receiving the principal and interest payments on the mortgages.  Such U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises guarantee the payment of principal and interest to investors.

Mortgage-backed securities are typically issued with stated principal amounts, and the securities are backed by pools of mortgages that have loans with interest rates that are within a range and have varying maturities.  The underlying pool of mortgages, i.e ., fixed-rate or adjustable rate, as well as prepayment risk, are passed on to the certificate holder.  The life of a mortgage-backed pass-through security approximates the life of the underlying mortgages.

As indicated above, our mortgage-backed securities consist of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae securities.  Fannie Mae is a private corporation chartered by the U.S. Congress with a mandate to establish a secondary market for mortgage loans.  Fannie Mae guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest on Fannie Mae securities.  Freddie Mac is a private corporation chartered by the U.S. Government.  Freddie Mac issues participation certificates backed principally by conventional mortgage loans.  Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest and the ultimate return of principal on participation certificates.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, but because Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, these securities are considered to be among the highest quality investments with minimal credit risks.  Ginnie Mae is a government agency within the Department of Housing and Urban Development which is intended to help finance government-assisted housing programs.  Ginnie Mae securities are backed by loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration.  The timely payment of principal and interest on Ginnie Mae securities is guaranteed by Ginnie Mae and backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

Mortgage-backed securities generally yield less than the loans which underlie such securities because of their payment guarantees or credit enhancements which offer nominal credit risk.  In addition, mortgage-backed securities are more liquid than individual mortgage loans and may be used to collateralize borrowings or other obligations of Slavie Federal Savings Bank.  In general, we had purchased mortgage-backed securities as a means to deploy excess liquidity at more favorable yields than other investment alternatives; we now purchase other investments for this same purpose.

Amortized Cost and Estimated Fair Value of Securities.   The following table sets forth information regarding the amortized cost and estimated fair values of our securities portfolio at the dates indicated.

   
At December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair
Value
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair 
Value
 
         
(Dollars in Thousands)
       
                         
Securities available for sale:
                       
ARM mutual fund
  $ 7,040     $ 7,040     $ 9,200     $ 8,942  
                                 
Total available for sale
  $ 7,040     $ 7,040     $ 9,200     $ 8,942  
                                 
Securities held to maturity:
                               
  United States government agency securities
  $ -     $ -     $ 3,000     $ 2,987  
                                 
  Mortgage-backed securities:
                               
     Ginnie Mae
    463       455       720       720  
     Fannie Mae
    71       71       172       174  
     Freddie Mac
    1,018       999       1,355       1,327  
  Total mortgage-backed securities
    1,552       1,525       2,247       2,221  
                                 
Total held to maturity
  $ 1,552     $ 1,525     $ 5,247     $ 5,208  

 
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We purchased Shay Asset Management Fund (AMF) Ultra Short Mortgage Fund, consisting primarily of short-term adjustable rate mortgage securities, to control our interest rate risk and to generate interest income. We purchased the mutual funds incrementally between 2001 and 2003. As of December 31, 2008, the mutual fund has a fair value of $7,040,000. Management has identified the Shay AMF Ultra Short Mortgage Fund as an impaired asset, meaning that the fair value is below the cost of the investment and these securities available for sale are carried at fair value. At the end of the third quarter of 2008, management identified the Shay AMF Ultra Short Mortgage Fund as being other-than-temporarily impaired and we realized an impairment loss of $1,678,000 on these securities. We realized an additional impairment loss of $799,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008, for a total impairment loss of $2,477,000 for 2008. The write-down is a result of declines in pricing levels differing from those existing at the time of the purchase of the fund due to the deterioration of the underlying collateral portfolio. The mutual funds have no stated maturity date.

 
19

 

The following table sets forth the maturities and weighted average yields of securities at December 31, 2008.  Adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities are included in the period in which interest rates are next scheduled to adjust.
 
   
Less than 1 Year
   
1 to 5 Years
   
5 to 10 Years
   
Over 10 Years
   
Total Securities
 
   
Carrying
Value
   
Weighted
Average
Yield
   
Carrying
Value
   
Weighted
Average
Yield
   
Carrying
Value
   
Weighted
Average
Yield
   
Carrying
Value
   
Weighted
Average
Yield
   
Carrying
Value
   
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Securities available for sale:
                                                           
ARM mutual fund(1)
  $ 7,040       4.73 %     -       -       -       -       -       -     $ 7,040       4.73 %
Total available for sale
    7,040       4.73       -       -       -       -       -       -       7,040       4.73  
                                                                                 
United States government agency securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Mortgage-backed securities:
                                                                               
Ginnie Mae
    463       5.12       -       -       -       -       -       -       463       5.12  
Fannie Mae
    71       5.50       -       -       -       -       -       -       71       5.50  
Freddie Mac
    337       4.50       681       4.50       -       -       -       -       1,018       4.50  
                                                                                 
Total mortgage-backed securities
    871       4.91       681       4.50       -       -       -       -       1,552       4.73  
                                                                                 
Total held to maturity
    871       4.91       681       4.50       -       -       -       -       1,552       4.73  
                                                                                 
Total
  $ 7,911       4.75 %   $ 681       4.50 %     -       -       -       -     $ 8,592       4.73 %


 (1) Mutual funds have no stated maturity, however they are included in maturities less than one year.

 
20

 

Sources of Funds

General .  Deposits have traditionally been our primary source of funds for use in lending and investment activities.  In addition to deposits, funds are derived from repayments (including prepayments) of outstanding loans and mortgage-backed and investment securities and operating revenue.  While scheduled loan payments and income on earning assets are relatively stable sources of funds, deposit inflows and outflows can vary widely and are influenced by various economic factors.  Borrowings are also used on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in the availability of funds, and on a longer term basis for general operational purposes.  Over the past four years, we heavily relied upon borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta to support loan growth.

Deposits .  We do not actively solicit deposits outside of the Baltimore metropolitan area, and substantially all of our depositors are persons who work or reside within Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Harford County, Maryland.  We offer a selection of deposit instruments, including demand deposits (non-interest bearing), NOW accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit.  Deposit account terms vary, with the principal differences being the minimum balance required, the amount of time the funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate.

We establish interest rates paid, maturity terms, service fees and withdrawal penalties on a periodic basis.  We base deposit rates and terms primarily on current operating strategies and market rates, liquidity requirements, rates paid by competitors and growth goals.  Management believes we price our deposits comparably to rates offered by our competitors.  We do not accept brokered deposits.

We rely substantially on competitive rates, customer service, convenience, advertising and long-standing relationships with customers to attract and retain deposits.  We believe the image of a full service, locally-based institution will continue to contribute to our ability to attract and retain deposits, particularly with respect to deposit run-off that results from bank consolidation in the local market.  We will also continue to evaluate opportunities to enhance deposit growth beyond what is currently projected, through such avenues as establishing additional branches or through acquisition of another financial institution or selected branches, although no such transactions are planned as of the date of this report.

To provide additional convenience to our customers, we are affiliated with an ATM network and offer online banking with bill paying capabilities as a convenience to our personal banking customers, as well as our commercial customers.  Affiliating with an Automated Teller Machine network allows our customers to have access to over 52,500 ATM machines without charge.  Currently, we have three ATM machines, two drive-up machines at each of our offices and a cash dispensing machine located inside our corporate headquarters building.

The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, changes in money market and other prevailing interest rates and levels of competition.  We believe the variety of deposit accounts we offer allows us to be competitive in obtaining funds and responding to changes in consumer demand.  Based on experience, management believes our deposits to be relatively stable.  However, the ability to attract and maintain certificates of deposit, and the rates paid on these deposits, has been and will continue to be significantly affected by market conditions.  At December 31, 2008, $97,245,000, or 78.93% of our deposit accounts were certificates of deposit, of which $61,909,000 have maturities of one year or less.
 
21

 
Deposit Accounts .  The following table sets forth the dollar amount of deposits in the various types of deposit accounts we offered as of the dates indicated.

   
At December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Weighted
Average
Rate
   
Amount
   
Weighted
Average
Rate
   
Amount
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
NOW & Money Market Demand
    1.43 %   $ 16,856       1.90 %   $ 15,390  
Savings deposits
    0.90       7,194       1.26       7,718  
Certificates of deposit
    4.15       97,245       4.95       89,675  
Accrued interest payable
    -       13       -       14  
Non-interest bearing deposits
    -       1,895       -       1,301  
                                 
Total
    3.50 %   $ 123,203       4.23 %   $ 114,098  

Deposit Activity . The following table sets forth the deposit activities for the periods indicated.
 
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
       
Beginning of period
  $ 114,098     $ 111,823  
Net deposits (withdrawals)
    4,592       (2,390 )
Interest credited on deposit accounts
    4,513       4,665  
Total increase in deposit accounts
    9,105       2,275  
Ending balance
  $ 123,203     $ 114,098  
Percent increase (decrease)
    7.98 %     2.03 %
 
Large Certificates of Deposits . The following table indicates the amount of certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2008, by time remaining until maturity.
 
   
Three months
or less
   
Over three
months to six
months
   
Over six 
months to
twelve months
   
Over
twelve
months
   
Total
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Certificates of deposit:
                             
Less than $100,000
  $ 14,311     $ 10,047     $ 17,787     $ 19,973     $ 62,118  
$100,000 or more
    4,751       3,602       11,411       15,363       35,127  
                                         
Total
  $ 19,062     $ 13,649     $ 29,198     $ 35,336     $ 97,245  

Borrowings .  Slavie Federal Savings Bank may obtain advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta upon the security of the common stock it owns in that bank and certain of its residential mortgage loans and mortgage-backed and other investment securities, provided certain standards related to creditworthiness have been met.  These advances are made pursuant to several credit programs, each of which has its own interest rate and range of maturities.  Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta advances are generally available to meet seasonal and other withdrawals of deposit accounts and to permit increased lending.

 
22

 

At December 31, 2008, Slavie Federal Savings Bank was permitted to borrow up to $53,665,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.  We had $35,300,000 and $34,000,000 of Federal Home Loan Bank advances as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, and we averaged $32,158,000 and $33,917,000 of Federal Home Loan Bank advances during the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.  During 2008, the increase in borrowings reflects $39,300,000 in short term borrowing as well as $36,500,000 in short term borrowing repayments.  There was $1,500,000 in long term borrowing repayments.  Total borrowings increased by $1,300,000 from the prior year.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Federal Home Loan Bank advances for the periods indicated.  The table indicates both long and short-term borrowings.

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
FHLB Advances:
           
Maximum month-end balance                                                                       
  $ 35,300     $ 34,000  
Balance at end of period                                                                       
    35,300       34,000  
Average balance                                                                       
    32,158       33,917  
                 
Weighted average interest rate at end of period
    2.96 %     3.47 %
Weighted average interest rate during period
    3.65 %     4.18 %

Personnel

As of December 31, 2008, we had 28 full-time employees and 11 part-time employees.  Our employees are not represented by any collective bargaining group.  Management believes that we have good relations with our employees.

Subsidiary Activities

Office of Thrift Supervision regulations permit federal savings banks to invest in the capital stock, obligations or other specified types of securities of subsidiaries (referred to as “service corporations”) and to make loans to such subsidiaries and joint ventures in which such subsidiaries are participants in an aggregate amount not exceeding 2% of the bank’s assets, plus an additional 1% of assets if the amount over 2% is used for specified community or inner-city development purposes.  In addition, federal regulations permit banks to make specified types of loans to such subsidiaries (other than special purpose finance subsidiaries) in which the bank owns more than 10% of the stock, in an aggregate amount not exceeding 50% of the bank’s regulatory capital if the bank’s regulatory capital is in compliance with applicable regulations.

Slavie Federal Savings Bank has one subsidiary, Slavie Holdings, LLC, which was formed as a Maryland limited liability company in August 1999 to acquire and manage the real property located at 1614 Churchville Road, Bel Air, Maryland.  The Churchville Road property houses our main office and corporate headquarters.  The property also houses mixed use office space, which is available for lease.

 
23

 

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

The following discussion of certain laws and regulations which are applicable to SFSB, Inc. and Slavie Federal Savings Bank, as well as descriptions of laws and regulations contained elsewhere in this Report, summarizes the aspects of such laws and regulations which are deemed to be material to SFSB, Inc. and Slavie Federal Savings Bank.  However, the summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to applicable laws and regulations.

General

Slavie Federal Savings Bank is examined and supervised by the Office of Thrift Supervision and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).  This regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework of activities in which an institution may engage and is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC’s deposit insurance funds and depositors and not stockholders.  Under this system of federal regulation, financial institutions are periodically examined to ensure that they satisfy applicable standards with respect to their capital adequacy, assets, management, earnings, liquidity and sensitivity to market interest rates.  Following completion of its examination, the federal agency critiques the institution’s operations and assigns its rating (known as an institution’s CAMELS rating).  Under federal law, an institution may not disclose its CAMELS rating to the public.  Slavie Federal Savings Bank also is regulated to a lesser extent by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”), governing reserves to be maintained against deposits and other matters.  The Office of Thrift Supervision examines Slavie Federal Savings Bank and prepares reports for the consideration of its board of directors on any operating deficiencies.  Slavie Federal Savings Bank’s relationship with its depositors and borrowers also is regulated to a great extent by both federal and state laws, especially in matters concerning the ownership of deposit accounts and the form and content of Slavie Federal Savings Bank’s mortgage documents.

Any change in these laws or regulations, whether by the FDIC, Office of Thrift Supervision, the Federal Reserve Board or Congress, could have a material adverse impact on SFSB, Inc. and Slavie Federal Savings Bank and their operations.

Federal Banking Regulation

Business Activities .  A federal savings bank derives its lending and investment powers from the Home Owners’ Loan Act and the regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision.  Under these laws and regulations, Slavie Federal Savings Bank may invest in mortgage loans secured by residential and commercial real estate, commercial business and consumer loans, certain types of debt securities and certain other assets.  Certain types of lending, such as commercial and consumer loans, are subject to an aggregate limit calculated as a specified percentage of Slavie Federal Savings Bank’s capital assets.  Slavie Federal Savings Bank also may establish subsidiaries that may engage in activities not otherwise permissible for Slavie Federal Savings Bank, including real estate investment and securities and insurance brokerage.

Capital Requirements .  Office of Thrift Supervision regulations require savings banks to meet three minimum capital standards: a 1.5% tangible capital ratio, a 4% leverage ratio (3% for banks receiving the highest rating on the CAMELS rating system) and an 8% risk-based capital ratio.  The prompt corrective action standards discussed below, in effect, establish a minimum 2% tangible capital standard.

The risk-based capital standard for savings banks requires the maintenance of Tier 1 (core) and total capital (which is defined as core capital and supplementary capital) to risk-weighted assets of at least 4% and 8%, respectively.  In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets, are multiplied by a risk-weight factor of 0% to 100%, assigned by the Office of Thrift Supervision based on the risks believed inherent in the type of asset.  Core capital is defined as common stockholders’ equity (including retained earnings), certain noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less intangibles other than certain mortgage servicing rights and credit card relationships.  The components of supplementary capital currently include cumulative preferred stock, long-term perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, subordinated debt and intermediate preferred stock, the allowance for loan and lease losses limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets and up to 45% of net unrealized gains on available-for-sale equity securities with readily determinable fair market values.  Overall, the amount of supplementary capital included as part of total capital cannot exceed 100% of core capital.

 
24

 

At December 31, 2008, Slavie Federal Savings Bank’s capital exceeded all applicable requirements.

Loans-to-One Borrower .  A federal savings bank generally may not make a loan or extend credit to a single or related group of borrowers in excess of 15% of unimpaired capital and surplus.  An additional amount may be loaned, equal to 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus, if the loan is secured by readily marketable collateral, which generally does not include real estate.  As of December 31, 2008, Slavie Federal Savings Bank was in compliance with the loans-to-one borrower limitations.

Qualified Thrift Lender Test .  As a federal savings bank, Slavie Federal Savings Bank is subject to a qualified thrift lender, or “QTL,” test.  Under the QTL test, Slavie Federal Savings Bank must maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets” in “qualified thrift investments” in at least nine months of the most recent 12-month period.  “Portfolio assets” generally means total assets of a savings institution, less the sum of specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, and the value of property used in the conduct of the savings bank’s business.

“Qualified thrift investments” includes various types of loans made for residential and housing purposes, investments related to such purposes, including certain mortgage-backed and related securities, and loans for personal, family, household and certain other purposes up to a limit of 20% of portfolio assets.  “Qualified thrift investments” also include 100% of an institution’s credit card loans, education loans and small business loans.  Slavie Federal Savings Bank also may satisfy the QTL test by qualifying as a “domestic building and loan association” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code.

A savings bank that fails the qualified thrift lender test must either convert to a bank charter or operate under specified restrictions.  At December 31, 2008, Slavie Federal Savings Bank maintained approximately 83.28% of its portfolio assets in qualified thrift investments.

Capital Distributions .  Office of Thrift Supervision regulations govern capital distributions by a federal savings bank, which include cash dividends, stock repurchases and other transactions charged to the capital account.  A savings bank must file an application for approval of a capital distribution if:

 
·
the total capital distributions for the applicable calendar year exceed the sum of the bank’s net income for that year to date plus the bank’s retained net income for the preceding two years;

 
·
the bank would not be at least adequately capitalized following the distribution;

 
·
the distribution would violate any applicable statute, regulation, agreement or Office of Thrift Supervision-imposed condition; or

 
·
the bank is not eligible for expedited treatment of its filings.

Even if an application is not otherwise required, every savings bank that is a subsidiary of a holding company must still file a notice with the Office of Thrift Supervision at least 30 days before the board of directors declares a dividend or approves a capital distribution.

The Office of Thrift Supervision may disapprove a notice or application if:

 
·
the bank would be undercapitalized following the distribution;

 
·
the proposed capital distribution raises safety and soundness concerns; or

 
25

 

 
·
the capital distribution would violate a prohibition contained in any statute, regulation or agreement.

In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act provides that an insured depository institution may not make any capital distribution, if after making such distribution, the institution would be undercapitalized.

Liquidity.   A federal savings bank is required to maintain a sufficient amount of liquid assets to ensure its safe and sound operation.

Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Laws .  All savings banks have a responsibility under the Community Reinvestment Act and related regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.  In connection with its examination of a federal savings bank, the Office of Thrift Supervision is required to assess the bank’s record of compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act.  In addition, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act prohibit lenders from discriminating in their lending practices on the basis of characteristics specified in those statutes.  A bank’s failure to comply with the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act could, at a minimum, result in denial of certain corporate applications such as branches or mergers or other restrictions on its activities.  The failure to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act could result in enforcement actions by the Office of Thrift Supervision, as well as other federal regulatory agencies and the Department of Justice.  Slavie Federal Savings Bank received an outstanding Community Reinvestment Act rating in its most recent federal examination.

Transactions with Related Parties .  A federal savings bank’s authority to engage in transactions with its “affiliates” is limited by Office of Thrift Supervision regulations and by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act (the “FRA”) and Regulation W of the Federal Reserve Board (collectively, “Regulation W”).  The term “affiliates” for these purposes generally means any company that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with an institution.  SFSB, Inc. is an affiliate of Slavie Federal Savings Bank.  In general, transactions with affiliates must be on terms that are as favorable to the bank as comparable transactions with non-affiliates.  In addition, certain types of these transactions are restricted to an aggregate percentage of the bank’s capital.  Collateral in specified amounts must usually be provided by affiliates in order to receive loans from the bank.  In addition, Office of Thrift Supervision regulations prohibit a savings bank from lending to any of its affiliates that are engaged in activities that are not permissible for bank holding companies and from purchasing the securities of any affiliate, other than a subsidiary.

In addition, under Regulation W:

 
·
a bank and its subsidiaries may not purchase a low-quality asset from an affiliate;
 
·
covered transactions and other specified transactions between a bank or its subsidiaries and an affiliate must be on terms and conditions that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices; and
 
·
with some exceptions, each loan or extension of credit by a bank to an affiliate must be secured by collateral with a market value ranging from 100% to 130%, depending on the type of collateral, of the amount of the loan or extension of credit.

Regulation W generally excludes all non-bank and non-savings association subsidiaries of banks from treatment as affiliates, except to the extent that the Federal Reserve Board decides to treat these subsidiaries as affiliates.

Slavie Federal Savings Bank’s authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons, is currently governed by the requirements of Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the FRA and Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board.  Among other things, these provisions require that extensions of credit to insiders be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons and that do not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.  However, there is an exception for loans made pursuant to a benefit or compensation program that is widely available to all employees of the institution and does not give preference to insiders over other employees.  These provisions also require that such extensions of credit not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of Slavie Federal Savings Bank’s capital.  In addition, extensions of credit in excess of certain limits must be approved by Slavie Federal Savings Bank’s board of directors (with any “interested” director not participating in the voting).

 
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Enforcement.   The Office of Thrift Supervision has primary enforcement responsibility over federal savings institutions and has the authority to bring enforcement action against all “institution-affiliated parties,” including stockholders, and attorneys, appraisers and accountants who knowingly or recklessly participate in wrongful action likely to have an adverse effect on an insured institution.  Formal enforcement action may range from the issuance of a capital directive or cease and desist order to removal of officers and/or directors of the institution, receivership, conservatorship or the termination of deposit insurance.  Civil penalties cover a wide range of violations and actions, and range up to $25,000 per day, unless a finding of reckless disregard is made, in which case penalties may be as high as $1 million per day.  The FDIC also has the authority to recommend to the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision that enforcement action be taken with respect to a particular savings institution.  If action is not taken by the Director, the FDIC has authority to take action under specified circumstances.

Standards for Safety and Soundness.   Federal law requires each federal banking agency to prescribe certain standards for all insured depository institutions.  These standards relate to, among other things, internal controls, information systems and audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, compensation, and other operational and managerial standards as the agency deems appropriate.  The federal banking agencies adopted Interagency Guidelines Prescribing Standards for Safety and Soundness to implement the safety and soundness standards required under federal law.  The guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired.  The guidelines address internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, credit underwriting, loan documentation, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits.  If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any standard prescribed by the guidelines, the agency may require the institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard.  If an institution fails to meet these standards, the appropriate federal banking agency may require the institution to submit a compliance plan.

Prompt Corrective Action Regulations .  Under the prompt corrective action regulations, the Office of Thrift Supervision is required and authorized to take supervisory actions against undercapitalized savings banks.  For this purpose, a savings bank is placed in one of the following five categories based on the bank’s capital:

 
·
well-capitalized (at least 5% leverage capital, 6% Tier 1 risk-based capital and 10% total risk-based capital);

 
·
adequately capitalized (at least 4% leverage capital, 4% Tier 1 risk-based capital and 8% total risk-based capital);

 
·
undercapitalized (less than 8% total risk-based capital, 4% Tier 1 risk-based capital or 3% leverage capital);

 
·
significantly undercapitalized (less than 6% total risk-based capital, 3% Tier 1 risk-based capital or 3% leverage capital); and

 
·
critically undercapitalized (less than 2% tangible capital).

Generally, the banking regulator is required to appoint a receiver or conservator for a bank that is “critically undercapitalized” within specific time frames.  The regulations also provide that a capital restoration plan must be filed with the Office of Thrift Supervision within 45 days of the date a bank receives notice that it is “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized,” the performance of which must be guaranteed by any company controlling the bank up to specified limits.  In addition, numerous mandatory supervisory actions become immediately applicable to the bank, including, but not limited to, restrictions on growth, investment activities, capital distributions and affiliate transactions.  The Office of Thrift Supervision may also take any one of a number of discretionary supervisory actions against undercapitalized banks, including the issuance of a capital directive and the replacement of senior executive officers and directors.

 
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At December 31, 2008, Slavie Federal Savings Bank met the criteria for being considered “well-capitalized.”

Insurance of Deposit Accounts .  Deposit accounts in Slavie Federal Savings Bank are insured by the FDIC, generally up to a maximum of $250,000 per separately insured depositor accounts through December 31, 2009.  Slavie Federal Savings Bank’s deposits therefore are subject to FDIC deposit insurance assessments.

The FDIC assesses insurance premiums based on risk, which allows it to tie each financial institution’s deposit insurance premiums to the risk it poses to the deposit insurance fund.  Under the risk-based assessment system, the FDIC evaluates the risk of each financial institution based on its supervisory rating, its financial ratios, and its long-term debt issuer rating.  The rates for nearly all of the financial institution industry vary between five and seven cents for every $100 of domestic deposits.  In 2008, the assessments paid by the Bank were offset by the allocation of $47,000 in credits from the FDIC for prior premiums paid by the Bank.  At December 31, 2008, there was no balance remaining to be allocated against future assessments.
 
In 2006, the FDIC merged the Bank Insurance Fund (“BIF”) and the Savings Association Insurance Fund (“SAIF”) into a single fund called the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) in accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 (the “Act”).  As a result of a merger, the BIF and the SAIF were abolished.  The merger of the BIF and the SAIF into the DIF does not affect the authority of the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) to impose and collect, with the approval of the FDIC, assessments for anticipated payments, issuance cost and custodial fees on bonds issued by the FICO in the 1980s to recapitalize the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation.  The bonds issued by the FICO are due to mature in 2017 through 2019.  For the quarter ended December 31, 2008, the annualized FICO assessment was equal to 1.04 basis points for each $100 in domestic deposits maintained at an institution.
 
The Act established a range of 1.15% to 1.50% within which the FDIC Board of Directors may set the Designated Reserve Ratio (“DRR”). Recent failures have resulted in a decline in the DRR to below 1.15%. Under the Act, the FDIC is required to establish and implement a restoration plan to restore the DRR to 1.15% within five years of the establishment of the plan. The FDIC adopted a final rule effective January 1, 2009, raising current rates uniformly by seven cents per $100 of domestic deposits for the first quarter of 2009 only.  Proposed rates beginning April 1, 2009, range from a minimum initial assessment rate of ten to 45 cents for every $100 of domestic deposits.  We anticipate the FDIC will increase our deposit insurance assessment in the second quarter of 2009 to 16 cents for every $100 of domestic deposits.
 
In addition to the increase in deposit insurance premiums, on February 27, 2009, the FDIC announced that it plans to impose a 20 basis point special emergency assessment, payable September 30, 2009, and it has the authority to implement an additional 10 basis point premium in any quarter.  Senate Banking Chairman, Christopher Dodd, subsequently introduced legislation in the Senate that would permanently raise the FDIC’s line of credit from Treasury to $100 billion and temporarily increase the borrowing authority to $500 billion until December 31, 2020.  The FDIC pledged to cut the 20 basis point emergency special assessment if Congress approves legislation expanding the agency’s line of credit.
 
The FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any insured depository institution, including Slavie Federal Savings Bank, if it determines after a hearing that the institution has engaged or is engaging in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, order or any condition imposed by an agreement with the FDIC. It also may suspend deposit insurance temporarily during the hearing process for the permanent termination of insurance, if the institution has no tangible capital. If insurance of accounts is terminated, the accounts at the institution at the time of the termination, less subsequent withdrawals, shall continue to be insured for a period of six months to two years, as determined by the FDIC.

 
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                 Prohibitions Against Tying Arrangements .  Federal savings banks are prohibited, subject to some exceptions, from extending credit to or offering any other service, or fixing or varying the consideration for such extension of credit or service, on the condition that the customer obtain some additional service from the institution or its affiliates or not obtain services of a competitor of the institution.

Federal Home Loan Bank System .  Slavie Federal Savings Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which consists of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks.  The Federal Home Loan Bank System provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions.  As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, Slavie Federal Savings Bank is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank in an amount at least equal to 1% of the aggregate principal amount of its unpaid residential mortgage loans and similar obligations at the beginning of each year, or 1/20 of its borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank, whichever is greater.  As of December 31, 2008, Slavie Federal Savings Bank was in compliance with this requirement.  In the first quarter of 2009, The Federal Home Loan Bank adjusted the membership stock requirement calculation.  The new calculation method uses .18% of our total assets with the addition of 4.50% of any outstanding advances.  The Bank was required to recalculate its membership stock requirement in the first quarter of 2009 based on the new calculation and we have determined that we will need to purchase an additional $12,600 in capital stock.

On March 25, 2009, the Federal Home Loan Bank’s Board of Directors announced that they will not pay a dividend on its membership stock for the fourth quarter of 2008.  An annualized dividend rate of 3.54% was paid in 2008.  We have not accrued interest for a stock dividend in the first quarter of 2009 in anticipation that the Federal Home Loan will not pay a stock dividend in this period primarily doe to the continued volatility in the financial markets.

Federal Reserve System

The Federal Reserve Board regulations require savings banks to maintain non-interest-earning reserves against their transaction accounts, such as negotiable order of withdrawal and regular checking accounts.  At December 31, 2008, Slavie Federal Savings Bank was in compliance with these reserve requirements.

Privacy Requirements of the GLBA
 
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 provided for sweeping financial modernization for commercial banks, savings banks, securities firms, insurance companies, and other financial institutions operating in the United States.  Among other provisions, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act places limitations on the sharing of consumer financial information with unaffiliated third parties.  Specifically, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires all financial institutions offering financial products or services to retail customers to provide such customers with the financial institution’s privacy policy and provide such customers the opportunity to “opt out” of the sharing of personal financial information with unaffiliated third parties.

The USA Patriot Act

Under the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, commonly referred to as the “Patriot Act”, financial institutions are subject to prohibitions against specified financial transactions and account relationships, as well as enhanced due diligence standards intended to detect, and prevent, the use of the United States financial system for money laundering and terrorist financing activities.  The Patriot Act requires financial institutions, including banks, to establish anti-money laundering programs, including employee training and independent audit requirements, meet minimum standards specified by the Act, follow minimum standards for customer identification and maintenance of customer identification records, and regularly compare customer lists against lists of suspected terrorists, terrorist organizations and money launderers.

The U.S. Treasury Department (“Treasury”) has issued a number of implementing regulations that apply to various requirements of the Patriot Act to financial institutions such as Slavie Federal Savings Bank.  Those regulations impose new obligations on financial institutions to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report money laundering and terrorist financing.

 
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Failure of a financial institution to comply with the Patriot Act’s requirements could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution.  We have adopted appropriate policies, procedures and controls to address compliance with the requirements of the Patriot Act under the existing regulations and will continue to revise and update our policies, procedures and controls to reflect changes required by the Patriot Act and Treasury’s regulations.

The costs or other effects of the compliance burdens imposed by the Patriot Act or future anti-terrorist, homeland security or anti-money laundering legislation or regulations cannot be predicted with certainty.

Check 21
 
The Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act, also known as “Check 21” gives “substitute checks,” such as a digital image of a check and copies made from that image, the same legal standing as the original paper check.  Some of the major provisions include:
 
 
·
allowing check truncation without making it mandatory;
 
·
requiring that every financial institution communicate to accountholders in writing a description of its substitute check processing program and their rights under the law;
 
·
retaining in place the previously mandated electronic collection and return of checks between financial institutions only when individual agreements are in place;
 
·
requiring that when accountholders request verification, financial institutions produce the original check (or a copy that accurately represents the original) and demonstrate that the account debit was accurate and valid; and
 
·
requiring recrediting of funds to an individual’s account on the next business day after a consumer proves that the financial institution has erred.

Consumer Credit Reporting

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act amended the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.  These amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (the “FCRA Amendments”) include, among other things:

 
·
requirements for financial institutions to develop policies and procedures to identify relevant patterns, practices, and specific forms of activity that are “red flags” signaling potential identity theft and, upon the request of a consumer, place a fraud alert in the consumer's credit file stating that the consumer may be the victim of identity theft or other fraud;
 
·
for entities that furnish information to consumer reporting agencies (which would include us), requirements to implement procedures and policies regarding the accuracy and integrity of the furnished information, and regarding the correction of previously furnished information that is later determined to be inaccurate; and
 
·
a requirement for mortgage lenders to disclose credit scores to consumers.
 
The FCRA Amendments also prohibit a business that receives consumer information from an affiliate from using that information for marketing purposes unless the consumer is first provided a notice and an opportunity to direct the business not to use the information for such marketing purposes (the “opt-out”), subject to certain exceptions.  We do not share consumer information among our affiliated companies for marketing purposes, except as allowed under exceptions to the notice and opt-out requirements.  Because none of our affiliates is currently sharing consumer information with any other affiliate for marketing purposes, the limitations on sharing of information for marketing purposes do not have a significant impact on us.

Other Regulations
 
Interest and other charges we collect or contract for are subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates.  For example, under the Service Members Civil Relief Act, which amended the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act of 1940, a lender is generally prohibited from charging an annual interest rate in excess of 6% on any obligation of a borrower who is on active duty with the United States military.

 
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Our loan operations are also subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as the following:
 
 
·
The Federal Truth-In-Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;
 
 
·
The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the community it serves;
 
 
·
The Fair Debt Collection Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies; and
 
 
·
The rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing these federal laws.
 
Our deposit operations are subject to the following:
 
 
·
The Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records; and
 
 
·
The Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E issued by the Federal Reserve Board to implement that Act, which govern automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers' rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services.
 
Proposed Legislation and Regulatory Actions
 
  New regulations and statutes are regularly proposed that contain wide-ranging proposals for altering the structures, regulations, and competitive relationships of the nation’s financial institutions.  We cannot predict whether or in what form any proposed regulation or statute will be adopted or the extent to which our business may be affected by any new regulation or statute.
 
Effect of Governmental Monetary Policies
 
Our earnings are affected by domestic economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government and its agencies.  The Federal Reserve Board’s monetary policies have had, and are likely to continue to have, an important impact on the operating results of financial institutions through its power to implement national monetary policy in order, among other things, to curb inflation or combat a recession.  The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board affect the levels of bank loans, investments and deposits through its control over the issuance of United States government securities, its regulation of the discount rate applicable to member banks and its influence over reserve requirements to which member banks are subject. We cannot predict the nature or impact of future changes in monetary and fiscal policies.
 
Holding Company Regulation

General .   Slavie Bancorp, MHC and SFSB, Inc. are nondiversified savings and loan holding companies within the meaning of the Home Owners’ Loan Act.  As such, Slavie Bancorp, MHC and SFSB, Inc. are registered with the Office of Thrift Supervision and are subject to Office of Thrift Supervision regulations, examinations, supervision and reporting requirements.  In addition, the Office of Thrift Supervision has enforcement authority over SFSB, Inc. and Slavie Bancorp MHC, and their subsidiaries.  Among other things, this authority permits the Office of Thrift Supervision to restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to be a serious risk to the subsidiary savings institution.  As federal corporations, SFSB, Inc. and Slavie Bancorp, MHC are generally not subject to state business organization laws.

 
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Permitted Activities .  Pursuant to Section 10(o) of the Home Owners’ Loan Act and Office of Thrift Supervision regulations and policy, a mutual holding company and a federally chartered mid-tier holding company such as SFSB, Inc. may engage in the following activities: (1) investing in the stock of a savings bank; (2) acquiring a mutual association through the merger of such association into a savings bank subsidiary of such holding company or an interim savings bank subsidiary of such holding company; (3) merging with or acquiring another holding company, one of whose subsidiaries is a savings bank; (4) investing in a corporation, the capital stock of which is available for purchase by a savings bank under federal law or under the law of any state where the subsidiary savings bank or banks share their home offices; (5) furnishing or performing management services for a savings bank subsidiary of such company; (6) holding, managing or liquidating assets owned or acquired from a savings subsidiary of such company; (7) holding or managing properties used or occupied by a savings bank subsidiary of such company; (8) acting as trustee under deeds of trust; (9) any other activity (a) that the Federal Reserve Board, by regulation, has determined to be permissible for bank holding companies under Section 4(c) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, unless the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, by regulation, prohibits or limits any such activity for savings and loan holding companies or (b) in which multiple savings and loan holding companies were authorized (by regulation) to directly engage on March 5, 1987; (10) any activity permissible for financial holding companies under Section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Company Act, including securities and insurance underwriting; and (11) purchasing, holding, or disposing of stock acquired in connection with a qualified stock issuance if the purchase of such stock by such savings and loan holding company is approved by the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision.  If a mutual holding company acquires or merges with another holding company, the holding company acquired or the holding company resulting from such merger or acquisition may only invest in assets and engage in activities listed in (1) through (11) above, and has a period of two years to cease any nonconforming activities and divest of any nonconforming investments.

The Home Owners’ Loan Act prohibits a savings and loan holding company, including SFSB, Inc. and Slavie Bancorp, MHC, directly or indirectly, or through one or more subsidiaries, from acquiring more than 5% of another savings institution or holding company thereof, without prior written approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision.  It also prohibits the acquisition or retention of, with certain exceptions, more than 5% of a nonsubsidiary company engaged in activities other than those permitted by the Home Owners’ Loan Act; or acquiring or retaining control of an institution that is not federally insured.  In evaluating applications by holding companies to acquire savings institutions, the Office of Thrift Supervision must consider the financial and managerial resources, future prospects of the company and institution involved, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the insurance fund, the convenience and needs of the community and competitive factors.

The Office of Thrift Supervision is prohibited from approving any acquisition that would result in a multiple savings and loan holding company controlling savings institutions in more than one state, subject to two exceptions: (1) the approval of interstate supervisory acquisitions by savings and loan holding companies and (2) the acquisition of a savings institution in another state if the laws of the state of the target savings institution specifically permit such acquisitions.  The states vary in the extent to which they permit interstate savings and loan holding company acquisitions.

Waivers of Dividends by Slavie Bancorp, MHC .  Office of Thrift Supervision regulations require Slavie Bancorp, MHC to notify the Office of Thrift Supervision of any proposed waiver of its receipt of dividends from SFSB, Inc.  The Office of Thrift Supervision reviews dividend waiver notices on a case-by-case basis, and, in general, does not object to any such waiver if: (1) the mutual holding company’s board of directors determines that such waiver is consistent with such directors’ fiduciary duties to the mutual holding company’s members; (2) for as long as the savings bank subsidiary is controlled by the mutual holding company, the dollar amount of dividends waived by the mutual holding company is considered as a restriction on the retained earnings of the savings bank, which restriction, if material, is disclosed in the public financial statements of the savings bank as a note to the financial statements; (3) the amount of any dividend waived by the mutual holding company is available for declaration as a dividend solely to the mutual holding company, and, in accordance with SFAS 5, where the savings bank determines that the payment of such dividend to the mutual holding company is probable, an appropriate dollar amount is recorded as a liability; and (4) the amount of any waived dividend is considered as having been paid by the savings bank in evaluating any proposed dividend under Office of Thrift Supervision capital distribution regulations.  We anticipate that Slavie Bancorp, MHC will waive dividends paid by SFSB, Inc.  SFSB, Inc. did not  declare any dividends in 2008 or 2007.

 
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Conversion of Slavie Bancorp, MHC to Stock Form .  Office of Thrift Supervision regulations permit Slavie Bancorp, MHC to convert from the mutual form of organization to the capital stock form of organization (a “Conversion Transaction”).  There can be no assurance when, if ever, a Conversion Transaction will occur, and the board of directors has no current intention or plan to undertake a Conversion Transaction.  In a Conversion Transaction a new holding company would be formed as the successor to SFSB, Inc. (the “New Holding Company”), Slavie Bancorp, MHC’s corporate existence would end, and certain depositors of Slavie Federal Savings Bank would receive the right to subscribe for additional shares of the New Holding Company.  In a Conversion Transaction, each share of common stock held by stockholders other than Slavie Bancorp, MHC (“Minority Stockholders”) would be automatically converted into a number of shares of common stock of the New Holding Company determined pursuant to an exchange ratio that ensures that Minority Stockholders own the same percentage of common stock in the New Holding Company as they owned in SFSB, Inc. immediately prior to the Conversion Transaction.  Under Office of Thrift Supervision regulations, Minority Stockholders would not be diluted because of any dividends waived by Slavie Bancorp, MHC (and waived dividends would not be considered in determining an appropriate exchange ratio), in the event Slavie Bancorp, MHC converts to stock form.  The total number of shares held by Minority Stockholders after a Conversion Transaction also would be increased by any purchases by Minority Stockholders in the offering conducted as part of the Conversion Transaction.

 
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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the matters discussed in this annual report and in the annual report to stockholders incorporated herein by reference, including under the captions “Business of SFSB, Inc.,” “Business of Slavie Federal Savings Bank,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations” and elsewhere include forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the development and introduction of new products and services, the allowance for loan losses, repayment of impaired loans, improvement in the value of the Shay AMF Ultra Short Mortgage Fund, retention of maturing certificates of deposit, liquidity management and the establishment of a liquidity plan in a distressed financial environment, funding of unused lines of credit, the impact on us of weakening economic conditions, potential increases in foreclosure rates, our holding of mortgage-backed securities, impact of recent housing market turmoil on our investment portfolio, sources of revenues or income, deposit retention and growth, capture of deposits from bank consolidation run-off, underwriting standards, cross-selling opportunities, interest rate sensitivity, loan mix and growth, growth strategy, expected recovery of the carrying amount of real estate in connection with foreclosed property, future additional branches, potential payment of dividends and Slavie Bancorp MHC’s waiver of its receipt of dividends, market risk and management of market risk, the expectation of increasing the volume of loans sold to the secondary market and financial and other goals.  Forward-looking statements often use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “project,” “contemplate,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” “intend,” or other words of similar meaning.  You can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.  When you read a forward-looking statement, you should keep in mind the risk factors described below and any other information contained in and incorporated into this annual report which identifies a risk or uncertainty.  SFSB, Inc.’s actual results and the actual outcome of SFSB, Inc.’s expectations and strategies could be different from that described in this annual report or the information incorporated into this annual report because of these risks and uncertainties and you should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this filing, and SFSB, Inc. undertakes no obligation to make any revisions to the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this filing or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

You should consider carefully the following risks, along with the other information contained in and incorporated into this annual report.  The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones that may affect us.  Additional risks and uncertainties also may adversely affect our business and operations.  If any of the following events actually occur, our business and financial results could be materially adversely affected.

If Economic Conditions Continue to Deteriorate, Our Results of Operations and Financial Condition Could be Adversely Affected as Borrowers’ Ability to Repay Loans Declines and the Value of the Collateral Securing Our Loans Decreases.

Our financial results may be adversely affected by changes in prevailing economic conditions, including decreases in real estate values, changes in interest rates which may cause a decrease in interest rate spreads, adverse employment conditions, the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government and other significant external events.  Because most of our loan portfolio is comprised of real estate related loans, continued decreases in real estate values could adversely affect the value of property used as collateral.  Although we have been required to write-down a portion of our investment portfolio in this regard, our business has not been impacted by recent adverse economic changes due to our strict underwriting standards; however, further adverse changes in the economy may have a negative effect on the ability of our borrowers to make timely repayments of their loans, which would increase the level of nonperforming loans and charge-offs, reduce loan demand and deposit growth, and otherwise, have an adverse impact on our earnings.

  Additionally, if economic conditions in our market areas deteriorate, or there is significant volatility or weakness in the economy or any significant sector of our market area’s economy, our ability to develop our business relationships may be diminished and loan demand may be reduced.  Although lending trends were positive in 2008 increasing 12% from 2007 to 2008 for banks headquartered in Maryland overall, and we were able to increase our lending during the past year as well, there can be no assurance that this trend will continue or will not reverse if economic conditions continue to deteriorate.

 
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Because Slavie Federal Savings Bank Currently Serves a Limited Market Area, We Could be More Adversely Affected by an Economic Downturn in Our Market Area Than Our Larger Competitors Which are More Geographically Diverse.

Currently, our primary market area is limited to Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Harford County, Maryland.  If these areas or the Baltimore metropolitan area generally suffers an economic downturn, our business and financial condition may be severely affected.  Overall, during 2008, the business environment negatively impacted many businesses and households in the United States and worldwide.  Although the economic decline has not impacted our target markets as severely as [some] other areas of the United States, it has caused an increase in unemployment and business failures and a decline in property values.  As a result, if our market area continues to suffer an economic downturn, it may more severely affect our business and financial condition than it affects larger bank competitors.  Our larger competitors serve a more geographically diverse market area, parts of which may not be affected by the same economic conditions that exist in our primary market area.  Further, unexpected changes in the national and local economy may adversely affect our ability to attract deposits and to make loans.  Such risks are beyond our control and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and, in turn, the value of our securities.

  If U.S. Credit Markets and Economic Conditions Continue to Deteriorate, Our Liquidity Could be Adversely Affected.

Our liquidity may be adversely affected by the current environment of economic uncertainty reducing business activity as a result of, among other factors, disruptions in the financial system in the recent past.  Dramatic declines in the housing market during the past year, with falling real estate prices and increased foreclosures and rising unemployment resulting in increased loan defaults, have resulted in significant asset value write-downs by financial institutions, including government-sponsored entities and investment banks.  These investment write-downs have caused financial institutions to seek additional capital.  Should we experience a substantial deterioration in our financial condition or should disruptions in the financial markets restrict our funding, it would negatively impact our liquidity.

We Operate in a Highly Regulated Environment and May be Adversely Affected by Changes in Laws and Regulations.

We are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the Office of Thrift Supervision, our chartering authority, and by the FDIC, as insurer of deposits.  Such regulation and supervision govern the activities in which a financial institution and its holding company may engage and are intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors as opposed to stockholders.  Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on the operation of an institution, the classification of assets by the institution and the adequacy of an institution’s allowance for loan losses.  Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, or legislation, may have a material impact on our operations.

We cannot predict the impact of recently enacted legislation, in particular the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and its implementing regulations, and actions by the FDIC, cannot be predicted at this time.

On October 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”).  The legislation was the result of a proposal by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to the U.S. Congress in response to the financial crises affecting the banking system and financial markets.  EESA increases the amount of deposits insured by the FDIC to $250,000.  On October 14, 2008, the FDIC announced a new program — the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program that provides unlimited deposit insurance on funds in noninterest-bearing transaction deposit accounts not otherwise covered by the existing deposit insurance limit of $250,000.  All eligible institutions were covered under the program until December 5, 2008 without incurring any costs, and institutions that desire to opt out of this coverage were required to do so prior to such date.  After the initial period, participating institutions will be assessed a 10 basis point surcharge on the additional insured deposits.  We elected not to participate in the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.  Additionally, the behavior of depositors in regard to the level of FDIC insurance could cause our existing customers to reduce the amount of deposits held at the Bank, and could cause new customers to open deposit accounts at the Bank. The level and composition of the Bank’s deposit portfolio directly impacts the Bank’s funding cost and net interest margin.

 
35

 

EESA also created the TARP program.  TARP gave Treasury authority to deploy up to $700 billion into the financial system with an objective of improving liquidity in capital markets.  As discussed above, we have applied to participate in TARP.  As discussed above, if we participate the terms of this preferred stock program could reduce investment returns to our current stockholders by restricting dividends to common stockholders, preventing us from repurchasing outstanding shares of common stock, diluting existing stockholders’ interests, and restricting capital management practices.  Further, we cannot ensure that additional restrictions will not be imposed on participating companies at a later date or that any such restrictions would not have a material adverse affect on our operations, revenues, income and financial condition.

Rising Interest Rates May Hurt Our Profits and Assets Value.

Interest rates are still at historically low levels.  As a result of low interest rates, we have experienced strong demand for fixed rate loans, and as of December 31, 2008, $133,692,000, or 84.99%, of our loans had fixed rates.  If interest rates rise, our net interest income and the value of our assets likely would be reduced because the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings, would increase more quickly than interest received on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments.  Our interest rate spread (the difference between the average yield earned on our interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on our interest-bearing liabilities) was 2.10% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 1.51% for the year ended December 31, 2007.  Our net interest margin (net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets) was 2.47% for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to 1.99% for the year ended December 31, 2007.  If interest rates rise, our interest rate spread and net interest margin could be compressed, which would have a negative effect on our profitability.

Changes in interest rates also affect the value of our interest-earning assets.  According to Office of Thrift Supervision calculations, as of December 31, 2008, if interest rates increase by 1%, the net value of our assets (our net portfolio value) will decrease by 1%.  If interest rates increase by 2%, the net value of our assets (our net portfolio value) will decrease by 12%.  For further discussion of how changes in interest rates could impact us, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition – Management of Market Risk” in our Annual Report to Stockholders.

Our Intended Increased Focus on Commercial Real Estate and Commercial Business Loans May Not be Successful.

We intend to grow our commercial loan portfolio in order to increase both our interest and non-interest income.  Even with the hiring of two experienced commercial lenders, we may not be successful in continuing to implement this strategy in a highly competitive market, where the larger commercial banks have refocused their marketing efforts to attract the smaller commercial customers we target.  As our commercial loan origination volume increases, there is an inherent increase to our exposure of greater loan default since a commercial loan repayment stream generally depends on the successful operation of the borrower’s business and, to a greater extent, may be adversely affected by economic conditions in general.  We attempt to minimize these risks by limiting these loans to viable businesses, by securing the loan with corporate assets, by monitoring loan activities closely and by obtaining personal guarantees from the borrowers whenever possible.

We Depend Heavily on our Key Personnel, and the Loss of Any of These Personnel Could Disrupt Our Operations and Our Business Could Suffer.

Mr. Logan is our chairman, president and chief executive officer, Mr. Wagner is our executive vice president, chief lending officer, secretary and a member of our board of directors, and Mrs. Wittelsberger is our vice president and chief financial officer.  Mr. Logan, Mr. Wagner and Mrs. Wittelsberger provide valuable services to us and would be difficult to replace.  We do not have employment agreements with Mr. Logan, Mr. Wagner or Mrs. Wittelsberger and they are therefore free to unilaterally terminate their employment with us; if any of Mr. Logan, Mr. Wagner or Mrs. Wittelsberger were to leave for any reason, our business could suffer.  Moreover, we do not maintain “key-man” life insurance on Messrs. Logan or Wagner or Mrs. Wittelsberger.

 
36

 

Strong Competition Within Our Market Area May Limit Our Growth and Profitability.

Competition in the banking and financial services industry is intense.  In our market area, we compete with, among others, commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage brokerage firms, credit unions, mutual funds and insurance companies operating locally and elsewhere.  Most of these competitors have substantially greater resources and lending limits than we have and offer certain services that we do not or cannot provide.  In addition, some of our competitors have recently offered loans with lower fixed rates and loans on more attractive terms than Slavie Federal Savings Bank has been willing to offer.  Our profitability depends upon our continued ability to successfully compete in our market area.  The greater resources and deposit and loan products offered by our competition may limit our ability to increase our interest earning assets.

Our Ability to Operate Profitably May Depend on our Ability to Implement Various Technologies into Our Operations.

The market for financial services, including banking services, is increasingly affected by advances in technology, including developments in telecommunications, data processing, computers, automation, Internet-based banking and telebanking.  Our ability to compete successfully in our markets may depend on the extent to which we are able to exploit such technological changes.  However, we cannot assure you that the development of these or any other new technologies, or our failure in anticipating or responding to such developments, will not materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.

If Our Allowance for Loan Losses is not Sufficient to Cover Actual Loan Losses, Our Earnings Could Decrease.

We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectibility of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans.  In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, we review, among other things, our loans and our loss and delinquency experience, and we evaluate economic conditions.  If our assumptions are incorrect, our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio, resulting in additions to our allowance.

We are particularly susceptible to this risk because a large portion of our loans are of relatively recent origin due to our growth over the past seven years.  In general, loans do not begin to show signs of credit deterioration or default until they have been outstanding for some period of time, a process we refer to as “seasoning.”  As a result, a portfolio of older loans will usually behave more predictably than a newer portfolio.  Because a large portion of our loan portfolio is relatively new, the current level of delinquencies and defaults may not be representative of the level that will prevail when the portfolio becomes more seasoned, which may be higher than current levels.  If delinquencies and defaults increase, we may be required to increase our provision for loan losses.

Material additions to our allowance would materially decrease our net income.  In addition, bank regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs.  Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our Profitability Depends On Interest Rates and Changes in Monetary Policy May Impact Us.

Our results of operations depend to a large extent on our “net interest income,” which is the difference between the interest expense incurred in connection with our interest-bearing liabilities, such as interest on deposit accounts, and the interest income received from our interest-earning assets, such as loans.  Interest rates, because they are influenced by, among other things, expectations about future events, including the level of economic activity, federal monetary and fiscal policy and geo-political stability, are not predictable or controllable.  In addition, competitive factors heavily influence the interest rates we can earn on our loan and investment portfolios and the interest rates we pay on our deposits.  Community banks are often at a competitive disadvantage in managing their cost of funds compared to the large regional, super-regional or national banks that have access to the national and international capital markets.  These factors influence our ability to maintain a stable interest margin.

 
37

 

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

 
38

 

Item 2.  Properties

We conduct our business through our main office and one branch office.  The net book value of our premises, land and equipment was $4,979,000 at December 31, 2008.  The following table provides certain information with respect to our offices as of December 31, 2008:
 
Location
 
Leased
or Owned
 
Year Acquired or
Leased
 
Net Book Value of Property 
and  Leasehold Improvements
   
Deposits at
December 31,
2008
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
                     
Main Office
 
Owned
 
2001
  $ 4,716     $ 31,162  
1614 Churchville Road
                       
Bel Air, MD 21015
                       
                         
Branch Office
 
Owned
 
1976
  $ 263     $ 92,041  
3700 East Northern Pkwy
                       
Baltimore, MD  21206
                       
 


Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

From time to time we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of the ordinary course of our business.  At December 31, 2008, we were not involved in any legal proceedings the outcome of which, in management’s opinion, would be material to our financial condition or results of operations.

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

No matter was submitted during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2008 to a vote of security holders of SFSB, Inc.

 
39

 

PART II

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

Common Stock

As of March 25, 2009, the number of holders of record of SFSB, Inc.’s common stock was approximately 135.  SFSB, Inc.’s common stock is traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”) under the symbol “SFBI.OB.”

The following table reflects the high and low sales information as reported on the OTCBB for the periods presented. Quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down, or commission and may not represent actual transactions.
 
   
2008
Bid Price Range
   
2007
Bid Price Range
 
Quarter
 
High
   
Low
   
High
   
Low
 
1 st
  $ 8.25     $ 6.50     $ 9.80     $ 9.15  
2 nd
    7.00       6.90       9.80       8.75  
3 rd
    7.00       6.25       9.25       7.50  
4 th
    6.45       5.80       8.65       8.10  

Dividends

To date, SFSB, Inc. has not declared or paid any dividends on its common stock.  We intend to begin paying cash dividends at some point in the future but our board of directors has not determined the amount that may be paid or when such payments may begin.  In determining whether to declare or pay any dividends, the board of directors will take into account, among other factors, our financial condition and results of operations, investment opportunities, expected growth and compliance with regulatory capital requirements, along with the prevailing economic, interest rate and stock market environments.  Our board of directors will also consider the regulatory restrictions discussed below that affect the payment of dividends by Slavie Federal Savings Bank to us.  We cannot guarantee that we will pay dividends or that, if paid, we will not subsequently reduce or eliminate dividends.

If we pay dividends to our stockholders, we also will be required to pay dividends to Slavie Bancorp, MHC, unless Slavie Bancorp, MHC elects to waive the receipt of dividends.  We anticipate that Slavie Bancorp, MHC would waive dividends payable by us.  Any such waiver of dividends would provide additional capital (in the amount of the waived dividend) that we would be able to use in our and/or Slavie Federal Savings Bank’s business.  Any decision to waive dividends will be subject to regulatory approval.  Under Office of Thrift Supervision regulations, public stockholders would not be diluted for any dividends waived by Slavie Bancorp, MHC in the event Slavie Bancorp, MHC converts to stock form.  See “Item 1. Business - Supervision and Regulation - Holding Company Regulation – Waivers of Dividends by Slavie Bancorp, MHC.”

Our payment of any dividends currently depends upon receipt of dividends from Slavie Federal Savings Bank because we currently have no source of income other than dividends from Slavie Federal Savings Bank, earnings from the investment of the net proceeds from the offering that we retain, and interest payments with respect to our loan to the employee stock ownership plan.  Office of Thrift Supervision regulations impose limitations on the amount of dividends that Slavie Federal Savings Bank can pay to us.

Any payment of dividends by Slavie Federal Savings Bank to us that would be deemed to be paid out of Slavie Federal Savings Bank’s bad debt reserves would require Slavie Federal Savings Bank to pay federal income taxes at the then current income tax rate on the amount deemed distributed.  We do not contemplate any distribution by Slavie Federal Savings Bank that would result in this type of tax liability.

 
40

 

Stock Repurchases

On November 18, 2005, SFSB, Inc.’s board of directors adopted a stock repurchase program to acquire up to 53,561 shares, or approximately 4% of its outstanding common stock held by persons other than Slavie Bancorp, MHC.  SFSB, Inc’s board of directors approved additional repurchases of up to an additional 66,951 shares on May 1, 2006, 62,334 shares on August 6, 2007, 59,052 shares on February 19, 2008, 59,022 on July 21, 2008 and 53,552 on December 15, 2008, in each case constituting approximately 5% of its outstanding common stock held by persons other than Slavie Bancorp, MHC at such time.  Stock purchases are made from time to time in the open market at the discretion of the management.  Any share repurchases under the repurchase program are dependent upon market conditions and other applicable legal requirements and must be undertaken within a 12-month period of the board’s authorization.  As of December 31, 2008, SFSB, Inc. had repurchased 300,920 shares on the open market at an average cost of $8.22 per share to fund a stock-based compensation plan.  In accordance with the terms of the stock repurchase program, SFSB, Inc. is currently authorized to purchase an additional 18,555 shares before December 15, 2009.

The table below summarizes our repurchases of equity securities during the fourth quarter of 2008.

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 
 
Period
 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
   
Average Price
Paid per
Share
   
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
   
Maximum Number
of Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plan or 
Programs
 
                                 
October 1-31, 2008
    0       n/a       0       46,441  
                                 
November 1-30, 2008
    33,000     $ 6.50       33,000       13,441  
                                 
December 1-31, 2008
    13,440     $ 6.50       13,440       53,553  
                                 
Total Fourth Quarter
    46,440     $ 6.50       46,440       53,553  

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

The information contained under the section captioned “Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data” of the Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.

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

The information contained under the section captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The information contained under the section captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Management of Market Risk” of the Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The information contained under the section captioned “Consolidated Financial Statements” of the Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.

 
41

 

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

There has been no occurrence requiring a response to this Item.

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K, SFSB, Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of SFSB, Inc.’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based upon that evaluation, SFSB, Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that SFSB, Inc.’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2008.  Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by SFSB, Inc. in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

In addition, there were no changes in SFSB, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended) during the quarter ended December 31, 2008, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, SFSB, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of SFSB, Inc. (“the Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.  The internal control over financial reporting has been designed under our supervision to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
Management has conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, utilizing the framework established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 is effective.
 
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

Item 9B.  Other Information

None

PART III.

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Code of Ethics

SFSB, Inc.’s Board of Directors has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.  That Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers has been posted on Slavie Federal Savings Bank’s internet website at www.slavie.com .

 
42

 

The remaining information required by this Item 10 is incorporated by reference from the information appearing under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Board Meetings and Committees,” “Executive Compensation – Information Regarding Executive Officers Who are Not Directors and Key Employees” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of SFSB, Inc.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated by reference from the information appearing under the captions “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” in the Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of SFSB, Inc.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by this Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the information appearing under the captions “Security Ownership of Management and Certain Security Holders” in the Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of SFSB, Inc.

 Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated by reference from the information appearing under the captions “Election of Directors” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of SFSB, Inc.

Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Audit and Non-Audit Fees
 
The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered by Beard Miller Company LLP for the audit of SFSB, Inc.’s annual consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, and fees billed for other services rendered by Beard Miller Company LLP during those periods.

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Audit Fees(1)
  $ 66,500     $ 53,904  
Audit Related Fees(2)
    2,245       400  
Tax Fees(3)
    6,750       9,946  
All Other Fees
    -       -  
Total
  $ 75,495     $ 64,250  

(1) Audit Fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of SFSB, Inc.’s consolidated annual financial statements and review of the interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports, and services that are normally provided by Beard Miller Company LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

(2)  Audit-Related Fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of  SFSB, Inc.’s consolidated (or Slavie Federal Savings Bank’s) financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.”

(3) Tax Fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for federal and state tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

 
43

 

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditor
 
Before the accountant is engaged by SFSB, Inc. or Slavie Federal Savings Bank to render any audit or non-audit services, the engagement is approved by SFSB, Inc.’s audit committee.

 
44

 

Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)(1)  Financial Statements.

The following are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements included in SFSB, Inc.’s Annual Report to Stockholders:

 
A.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
 
B.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
C.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
 
D.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(a)(1)  Schedules.

All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not required under the instructions or all the information required is set forth in the financial statements or notes thereto.

(a)(3)       Exhibits.

Exhibit No.
 
Description of Exhibits
     
2*
 
Slavie Federal Savings Bank Second Amended and Restated Plan of Reorganization from a Mutual Savings Bank to a Mutual Holding Company and Stock Issuance Plan
     
3.1*
 
Federal Stock Charter of SFSB, Inc.
     
3.2+
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of SFSB, Inc.
     
4*
 
Form of Common Stock certificate of SFSB, Inc.
     
4.1@
 
Advances and Security Agreement between Slavie Federal Savings Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta
     
10.1*
 
Form of Employee Stock Ownership Plan, as amended
     
10.2**
 
Loan Documents relating to Employee Stock Ownership Plan
     
10.3
 
Terms of Employment Arrangement between Slavie Federal Savings Bank and Philip E. Logan
     
10.4
 
Terms of Employment Arrangement between Slavie Federal Savings Bank and Charles E. Wagner, Jr.
     
10.5
 
Terms of Employment Arrangement between Slavie Federal Savings Bank and Sophie Torin Wittelsberger
     
10.8#
 
Terms of Retirement Benefit Paid to Former President Roger Schueler
     
10.9##
 
Form of 2005 Stock Option Plan
     
10.10##
 
Form of 2005 Recognition and Retention Plan
     
10.11##
 
Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement
     
10.12##
 
Form of Director Stock Option Agreement
     
 
 
45

 

10.13##
 
SFSB, Inc. and Slavie Federal Savings Bank Director Compensation Policy
     
10.14###
 
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement
     
13
 
Annual Report to Stockholders
     
21@
 
Subsidiaries of Registrant
     
23.1
 
Consent of Beard Miller Company LLP
     
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
     
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
     
32
 
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

The exhibits which are denominated with one asterisk (*) were previously filed by SFSB, Inc. as a part of, and are hereby incorporated by reference from, SFSB, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2, as amended, under the Securities Act of 1933, Registration Number 333-119128.

The exhibit which is denominated with two asterisks (**) was previously filed by SFSB, Inc. as a part of (and as Exhibit Number 99.1), and is hereby incorporated by reference from, SFSB, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2005.

The exhibit which is denominated with one plus sign (+) was previously filed by SFSB, Inc. as a part of, and is hereby incorporated by reference from, SFSB, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2008.

The exhibit which is denominated with one number sign (#) was previously filed by SFSB, Inc. as a part of, and is hereby incorporated by reference from, SFSB, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 30, 2005.

The exhibits which are denominated with two number signs (##) were previously filed by SFSB, Inc. as a part of, and are hereby incorporated by reference from, SFSB, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2005.

The exhibit which is denominated with three number signs (###) was previously filed by SFSB, Inc. as a part of, and is hereby incorporated by reference from, SFSB, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 26, 2005.

The exhibits which are denominated with the @ sign were previously filed by SFSB, Inc. as a part of, and are hereby incorporated by reference from, SFSB, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 30, 2006.

Note: Exhibits 10.8 through 10.14 relate to management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

 
46

 

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
SFSB, INC.
Date : March 26, 2009
   
 
By:
/s/ Philip E. Logan
 
Philip E. Logan
 
President, Chairman & CEO

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Name
 
Position
 
Date
         
/s/ Philip E. Logan
 
President, CEO, Chairman and
 
March 26, 2009
Philip E. Logan
 
Principal Executive Officer;
   
   
Director
   
         
   
Vice President and Chief
 
March 26, 2009
/s/ Sophie T. Wittelsberger
 
Financial Officer, Principal
   
Sophie T. Wittelsberger
 
Financial Officer and Principal
   
   
Accounting Officer
   
         
/s/ J. Benson Brown
 
Director
 
March 25, 2009
J. Benson Brown
       
         
/s/ Thomas J. Drechsler
 
Director
 
March 26, 2009
Thomas J. Drechsler
       
         
/s/ Robert M. Stahl, IV
 
Director
 
March 26, 2009
Robert M. Stahl, IV
       
         
/s/ James D. Wise
 
Director
 
March 25, 2009
James D. Wise
       
         
/s/ Charles E. Wagner, Jr.
 
Executive Vice President and
 
March 26, 2009
Charles E. Wagner, Jr.
 
Secretary; Director
   
 
 
47

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

2*
 
Slavie Federal Savings Bank Second Amended and Restated Plan of Reorganization from a Mutual Savings Bank to a Mutual Holding Company and Stock Issuance Plan
     
3.1*
 
Federal Stock Charter of SFSB, Inc.
     
3.2+
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of SFSB, Inc.
     
4*
 
Form of Common Stock certificate of SFSB, Inc.
     
4.1@
 
Advances and Security Agreement between Slavie Federal Savings Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta
     
10.1*
 
Form of Employee Stock Ownership Plan, as amended
     
10.2**
 
Loan Documents relating to Employee Stock Ownership Plan
     
10.3
 
Terms of Employment Arrangement between Slavie Federal Savings Bank and Philip E. Logan
     
10.4
 
Terms of Employment Arrangement between Slavie Federal Savings Bank and Charles E. Wagner, Jr.
     
10.5
 
Terms of Employment Arrangement between Slavie Federal Savings Bank and Sophie Torin Wittelsberger
     
10.8#
 
Terms of Retirement Benefit Paid to Former President Roger Schueler
     
10.9##
 
Form of 2005 Stock Option Plan
     
10.10##
 
Form of 2005 Recognition and Retention Plan
     
10.11##
 
Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement
     
10.12##
 
Form of Director Stock Option Agreement
     
10.13##
 
SFSB, Inc. and Slavie Federal Savings Bank Director Compensation Policy
     
10.14###
 
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement
     
13
 
Annual Report to Stockholders
     
21@
 
Subsidiaries of Registrant
     
23.1
 
Consent of Beard Miller Company LLP
     
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
     
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
     
32
 
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

The exhibits which are denominated with one asterisk (*) were previously filed by SFSB, Inc. as a part of, and are hereby incorporated by reference from, SFSB, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2, as amended, under the Securities Act of 1933, Registration Number 333-119128.

 
 

 

The exhibit which is denominated with one plus sign (+) was previously filed by SFSB, Inc. as a part of, and is hereby incorporated by reference from, SFSB, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2008.

The exhibit which is denominated with two asterisks (**) was previously filed by SFSB, Inc. as a part of, and is hereby incorporated by reference from, SFSB, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2005.

The exhibit which is denominated with one number sign (#) was previously filed by SFSB, Inc. as a part of, and is hereby incorporated by reference from, SFSB, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 30, 2005.

The exhibits which are denominated with two number signs (##) were previously filed by SFSB, Inc. as a part of, and are hereby incorporated by reference from, SFSB, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2005.

The exhibit which is denominated with three number signs (###) was previously filed by SFSB, Inc. as a part of, and is hereby incorporated by reference from, SFSB, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 26, 2005.

The exhibits which are denominated with the @ sign were previously filed by SFSB, Inc. as a part of, and are hereby incorporated by reference from, SFSB, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 30, 2006.

Note: Exhibits 10.8 through 10.14 relate to management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

 
 

 
 
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