Item 1. Business
Queens County Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in the State of Delaware on July 20, 1993 to serve as the holding company for Queens County Savings Bank (the "Bank"). The Company acquired all of the stock of the Bank upon its conversion from a New York State-chartered mutual savings bank to a New York State-chartered stock savings bank on November 23, 1993. The information and consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K report relate principally to the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Queens County Savings Bank, through which the Company conducts its principal business activity.
Queens County Savings Bank was organized on April 14, 1859 as a New York State-chartered mutual savings bank and was the first savings bank chartered in the Borough of Queens, City of New York. The Bank is subject to regulation by the New York State Banking Department ("Banking Department") and its deposits are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund ("BIF"), as administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC").
General
The Bank's principal business is attracting retail deposits from the general public and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations, into the origination of mortgage loans on multi-family properties and one-to-four family homes. To a lesser extent, the Bank also originates commercial real estate loans, construction loans, home equity loans, and other consumer loans. In addition, the Bank invests in U.S. Treasury and Government agency securities. The Bank's revenues are derived primarily from interest on its mortgages and other loans, its mortgage-backed securities portfolio, and the interest and dividends earned on its securities. The Bank's primary sources of funds are deposits, amortization and prepayments of loans, and amortization, prepayments, and maturities of mortgage-backed and investment securities. In addition, the Company draws on its line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLB-NY") in times of above-average loan demand.
The Company's objective of enhancing the value of its shares has been accomplished through the implementation of stock repurchase programs, five stock splits, the payment of quarterly cash dividends to stockholders, and by maintaining a high level of asset quality and a strong capital position through the generation of stable earnings. Since October 1994, the Company has announced seven stock repurchase authorizations and increased its Treasury stock, net of options exercised, to 9,719,796, or 31.38% of the shares issued at its initial public offering on November 23, 1993. At March 15, 1999, the total number of shares outstanding was 21,572,374 as compared to 21,250,897 at December 31, 1998.
Market Area and Competition
The Bank is a community-oriented financial institution offering a wide variety of financial products and services to meet the needs of the communities it serves. Headquartered in the heart of Flushing, New York, in the Borough of Queens, the Bank currently operates nine branch offices and three customer service centers in Queens and a tenth branch office in Nassau County. The Bank's deposit gathering base is concentrated in the communities surrounding its offices, while its primary lending area extends throughout the greater New York metropolitan area. Most of the Bank's mortgage loans are secured by properties located in the New York City Boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, and in Nassau County.
The metropolitan area has historically been home to a significant number of corporations, including those within the manufacturing and financial services industries. Despite the ongoing trend toward corporate downsizing and bank consolidation, and the slow path of economic growth within the region as compared to the rest of the country, the Bank has managed to maintain a consistently high level of asset quality.
The Bank faces significant competition both in making loans and in attracting deposits. Its market area has a high density of financial institutions, many of which have greater financial resources than the Bank, and all of which are competitors of the Bank to varying degrees. The Bank's competition for loans comes principally from commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, mortgage banking companies and insurance companies. The Bank has recently faced increased competition for the origination of multi-family loans, which comprised 82.8% of the Bank's loan portfolio at year-end 1998. Management anticipates that competition for both multi-family and one-to-four family loans will continue to increase in the future. Thus, no assurances can be made that the Bank will be able to maintain its current level of lending activity.
The Bank's most direct competition for deposits has historically come from savings and loan associations, savings banks, commercial banks, and credit unions. The Bank faces additional competition for deposits from short-term money market funds and other corporate and government securities funds and from other financial institutions such as brokerage firms and insurance companies. Competition may also increase as a result of the lifting of restrictions on the interstate operations of financial institutions.
Lending Activities
Loan and Mortgage-backed Securities Portfolio Composition. The Bank's loan portfolio consists primarily of multi-family mortgage loans on both rental and cooperative apartment buildings, and conventional first mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family homes. To a lesser extent, the Bank also originates commercial real estate loans, construction loans, and home equity and other consumer loans. At December 31, 1998, the Bank's gross loan portfolio totaled $1,497.0 million, of which $1,239.1 million, or 82.8%, were multi-family mortgage loans, and $178.8 million, or 11.9%, were one-to-four family first mortgage loans. Of the total mortgage loan portfolio at year-end 1998, 92.0% were adjustable rate loans and 8.0% were fixed rate loans. The Bank's mortgage loan portfolio also included $67.5 million in commercial real estate loans, $1.9 million in construction loans. In addition, the bank has $4.8 million in cooperative apartment loans, $1.8 million in home equity loans generally secured by second liens on real property, and $2.8 million in other consumer loans at December 31, 1998.
The types of loans originated by the Bank are subject to Federal and State laws and regulations. Interest rates charged by the Bank on loans are affected principally by the demand for such loans, the supply of money available for lending purposes, and the rates offered by its competitors. These factors are, in turn, affected by general economic conditions, the monetary policy of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("Federal Reserve Board"), legislative tax policies, and governmental budgetary matters.
The Bank has invested in a variety of mortgage-backed securities, substantially all of which are directly or indirectly insured or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") or the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"). At December 31, 1998, mortgage-backed securities totaled $19.7 million, or 1.1% of total assets. The market value of such securities was approximately $20.3 million at December 31, 1998. All were held to maturity.
Loan Originations, Purchases, Sales, and Servicing. The Bank originates both adjustable rate mortgage ("ARM") loans and fixed rate loans, the amounts of which are dependent upon customer demand and market rates of interest. Generally, the Bank does not purchase whole mortgage loans or loan participations. It is the Bank's current policy to sell all newly originated fixed rate one-to-four family mortgage loans into the secondary market to its Savings Bank Life Insurance Department ("SBLI"), the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), the State of New York Mortgage Agency ("SONYMA"), and other secondary market purchasers. ARM loans are retained for the Bank's portfolio. For the fiscal years December 31, 1998 and 1997, originations of new ARM loans totaled $424.0 million and $388.7 million, respectively, or 93.09% and 95.53%, of all mortgage loan originations. Originations of fixed rate loans totaled $28.2 million and $6.8 million, respectively, for the same periods, while sales of ARM loans and fixed rate loans totaled $8.8 million and $3.2 million, respectively, for those periods. The Bank generally sells all loans without recourse and retains the servicing rights of such loans. As of December 31, 1998, the Bank was servicing $38.7 million in loans for others. The Bank is generally paid a fee of 0.25% for servicing loans sold.
Multi-Family Lending. The Bank originates multi-family loans (defined as loans on properties with five or more units) which are secured by rental or cooperative apartment buildings located primarily in the greater New York metropolitan area. At December 31, 1998, the Bank's portfolio of multi-family mortgage loans totaled $1,239.1 million, representing 82.8% of the total loan portfolio. Of the multi-family loan portfolio $751.6 million, or 60.6%, were secured by rental apartment buildings and $487.5 million, or 39.4%, were secured by underlying mortgages on cooperative apartment buildings.
Such loans are typically originated for terms of 10 years at a rate of interest that adjusts to the prime rate of interest, as reported in The New York Times, plus a margin of 100 basis points, in each of years six through ten. In 1998, the majority of the Bank's multi-family mortgage loan originations featured a fixed rate for the first five years of the credit; prepayment penalties range from five points to two over the first five years of the loan. At year-end 1998, 95.3% of the Bank's multi-family mortgage loans were adjustable rate credits, including $195.9 million that are due to step upward in 1999. Properties securing multi-family mortgage loans are appraised either by appraisers employed by the Bank or by independent appraisers approved by the Bank.
In originating such loans, the Bank bases its underwriting decisions primarily on the net operating income generated by the property in relation to the debt service. The Bank also considers the financial resources of the borrower, the borrower's experience in owning or managing similar property, the market value of the property, and the Bank's lending experience with the borrower. The Bank generally requires minimum debt service ratios of 120% on multi-family properties. In addition, the Bank requires a security interest in the personal property at the premises, and an assignment of rents.
The Bank's largest concentration of loans to one borrower at December 31, 1998 consisted of 17 loans secured by 17 multi-family properties located in the Bank's primary market area. These loans were made to several borrowers who are deemed to be related for regulatory purposes. As of December 31, 1998, the outstanding balance of these loans totaled $20.5 million and, as of such date, all such loans were performing in accordance with their terms. The Bank's concentration of such loans did not exceed its "loans-to-one-borrower" limitation. See "Loans to One Borrower Limitations."
Loans secured by multi-family properties are generally larger and involve a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Because payments on loans secured by multi-family buildings are often dependent on the successful operation or management of the properties, repayment of such loans may be subject to a greater extent to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the local economy. The Bank seeks to minimize these risks through its underwriting policies, which restrict new originations of such loans to the Bank's primary lending area and require such loans to be qualified on the basis of the property's net income and debt service ratio. Since 1988, one loan on a multi-family property outside of the primary lending area was foreclosed upon and subsequently sold.
One-to-Four Family Mortgage Lending. The Bank offers first mortgage loans secured primarily by owner-occupied, one-to-four family residences, including condominium loans, located in its primary lending area. The Bank offers both fixed rate and ARM loans with maturities of up to 30 years, to a maximum amount of $500,000. The Bank's one-to-four family mortgage loan originations are generally made to existing or past customers and members of the local community, and through referrals from local attorneys, realtors, and independent mortgage brokers. With the exception of limited documentation loans, one-to-four family residential mortgage loans are generally underwritten to FNMA and other agency guidelines. At December 31, 1998, $178.8 million, or 11.9% of the Bank's loan portfolio, consisted of one-to-four family mortgage loans.
Since 1985, full documentation mortgage loans have been offered in amounts up to 75% of the lower of the appraised value or sales price of the property, or up to 85% with private mortgage insurance. The Bank has originated one-to-four family loans without verification of the borrower's level of income and, in many instances, without verification of financial assets, basing approval on a credit report and property appraisal alone. The Bank originates such limited documentation loans with full asset verification on properties located within its Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") market area with loan-to-value ratios of up to 75% of the lower of the appraised value or the sales price of the property. All other limited documentation loans are originated with loan-to-value ratios of up to 70% of the lower of the appraised value or sales price of the property. A majority of the Bank's one-to-four family loan originations during 1998 and 1997 were limited documentation loans. These loans involve a higher degree of risk of default as compared to full documentation one-to-four family mortgage loans. In recognition of this risk, the Bank is stringent in its review and verification of the borrower's credit. In addition, it primarily utilizes staff appraisers to perform real estate appraisals and charges a higher rate of interest on such loans. The Bank's $6.2 million in non-performing loans at December 31, 1998, was comprised of one-to-four family loans. Since 1990, the Bank has foreclosed on 46 one-to-four family residential properties; three of these properties with a carrying value of $419,000, remained in foreclosed real estate as of December 31, 1998.
The Bank currently offers ARM loans secured by one-to-four family residential properties that adjust every one, two, or three years. The interest rate on such loans fluctuates based upon a spread above either the Federal Housing Finance Board rate or the average yield on U. S. Treasury securities, adjusted to a constant maturity which corresponds to the adjustment period of the loan (the "U. S. Treasury constant maturity index"), as published weekly by the Federal Reserve Board. Rates on ARM loans are generally subject to limitations on interest rate increases to a 2% to 3% adjustment per period and an aggregate adjustment of 6% over the life of the loan. Accordingly, increases in interest rates and the resulting cost of funds in a rapidly rising interest rate environment could exceed the cap levels on these loans and negatively impact net interest income. In the year ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Bank originated $365,000 and $2.6 million, respectively, in one-to-four family ARM loans.
The volume and types of ARM loans originated by the Bank have been affected by such market factors as the level of interest rates, competition, consumer preferences, and availability of funds. During 1998, demand for ARM loans was impacted by the low interest rate environment and consumer preference for fixed rate loans. Accordingly, although the Bank will continue to offer ARM loans, there can be no assurance that the Bank will be able to originate a sufficient volume of ARM loans to increase or maintain the proportion that these loans bear to total loans in the future.
The retention of ARM loans in the Bank's loan portfolio, as opposed to fixed rate residential mortgage loans, helps reduce the Bank's exposure to increases in interest rates. However, ARM loans generally pose credit risks different from the risks inherent in fixed rate loans, primarily because, as interest rates rise, the underlying payments of the borrower rise, thereby increasing the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of the underlying property may be adversely affected. In order to minimize risk, borrowers of ARM loans are qualified at the Bank's current offering rate for fixed rate loans, but not less than 7.0%. The Bank has not originated in the past, nor does it currently originate, ARM loans that provide for negative amortization.
The Bank currently offers fixed rate mortgage loans with terms of 15 to 30 years secured by one-to-four family residences. Interest rates charged on fixed rate loans are competitively priced, based on market conditions. The Bank originates fixed rate loans for sale in amounts of up to 75% of the lower of the appraised value or the sales price of the property, with private mortgage insurance required for loans in excess of 80%. Fixed rate loans are made in amounts up to the maximum amount permitted by FNMA, FHLMC, and SONYMA guidelines. For the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Bank originated $3.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in fixed rate one-to-four family mortgage loans.
An origination fee of up to 2% may be charged on one-to-four family mortgage loans. Mortgage loans in the Bank's portfolio generally include due-on-sale clauses which provide the Bank with the contractual right to deem the loan immediately due and payable in the event that the borrower transfers ownership of the property without the Bank's consent. It is the Bank's policy to enforce due-on-sale provisions within the applicable regulations and guidelines imposed by New York law and secondary market purchasers.
The Bank generally sells its newly originated conforming fixed rate mortgage loans in the secondary market to SBLI and such Federal and State agencies as FNMA, SONYMA, and other secondary market purchasers, while retaining the servicing rights on all such loans sold. For the twelve months ended December 31, 1998, the Bank sold loans totaling $8.8 million. As of December 31, 1998, the Bank's portfolio of loans serviced for others totaled $38.7 million. The Bank intends to continue to sell all of its newly originated fixed rate one-to-four family mortgage loans as a means of managing its interest rate risk; however, no assurances can be made, that the Bank will be able to do so in the future.
Commercial Real Estate Lending. The Bank offers commercial real estate loans that are typically secured by office buildings, retail stores, medical offices, warehouses, and other non-residential buildings. At December 31, 1998, the Bank had loans secured by commercial real estate of $67.5 million, comprising 4.5% of the Bank's total loan portfolio. Commercial real estate loans may be originated in amounts of up to 65% of the appraised value of the mortgaged property. Such loans are typically made for terms of ten years with interest rates charged in the same manner as the Company's loans. To originate commercial real estate loans, the Bank requires one or more of the following: personal guarantees of the principals, a security interest in the personal property, and an assignment of rents and/or leases. Properties securing the loan are appraised either by appraisers employed by the Bank or by independent appraisers approved by the Bank. In recent years, the Bank has de-emphasized its origination of commercial real estate loans. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, such loans totaled $67.5 million and $61.7 million, respectively.
Loans secured by commercial real estate properties, like multi-family loans, are generally larger and involve a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Because payments on loans secured by commercial real estate properties are often dependent on the successful operation and management of the properties, repayment of such loans may be subject to a greater extent to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. The Bank seeks to minimize these risks through its lending policies and underwriting standards, which restrict new originations of such loans to the Bank's primary lending area and qualify such loans on the basis of the property's net income and debt service ratio.
Construction Lending. The Bank's construction loans primarily have been made to finance the construction of one-to-four family residential properties and, to a lesser extent, multi-family properties. The Bank's policies provide that construction loans may be made in amounts of up to 70% of the appraised value of the project. The maximum loan amount is $3.0 million. The Bank generally has provided construction loans only as an accommodation to existing customers and does not actively solicit such loans. The Bank generally requires personal guarantees and a permanent loan commitment. Construction loans are made with adjustable rate terms of up to 18 months. Loan proceeds are disbursed in increments as construction progresses and as inspections warrant. Construction loans are structured to be converted to permanent end loans originated by the Bank at the end of the construction period or upon the borrower receiving permanent financing from another financial institution. As of December 31, 1998, the Bank had $1.9 million, or 0.13%, of its total loan portfolio invested in construction loans. The Bank does not currently intend to increase the level or ratio of its construction loans to total loans.
Other Lending. The Bank also offers other full documentation loans, primarily cooperative apartment, home equity, student, and passbook loans. Other loans outstanding at December 31, 1998 totaled $9.8 million, or 0.66% of the Bank's loan portfolio and included cooperative apartment loans of $4.8 million, or 51.02%. The Bank's home equity loan extends a line of credit ranging from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $400,000. The credit line, when combined with the balance of the first mortgage lien, may not exceed 70% of the appraised value of the property at the time of the loan commitment. Home equity loans outstanding at December 31, 1998 totaled $1.8 million, against total available credit lines of $3.6 million.
Loan Approval Authority and Underwriting. The Board of Directors establishes lending authority for individual officers for its various loan products. For one-to-four family mortgage loans, including cooperative apartment and condominium loans, the Senior Vice President, Mortgages has the authority to approve loans in amounts of up to $300,000. Any two executive officers have the authority to issue commitments on one-to-four family loans in amounts up to $400,000. Any one-to-four family loan in excess of $400,000 must be approved by the Mortgage and Real Estate Committee. For multi-family and commercial real estate loans, the Mortgage and Real Estate Committee must approve all loans. A loan in excess of $3.0 million must be approved by the Executive Committee; as of December 31, 1998, the Bank had forty-seven loans in excess of $3.0 million, with the highest amount being $7.2 million.
For one-to-four family mortgage loans originated by the Bank, upon receipt of a completed loan application from a prospective borrower, a credit report is requested, and the borrower's income, assets, and certain other information are verified for full documentation loans; if necessary, additional financial information is requested. An appraisal of the real estate intended to secure the proposed loan is required, and currently is performed by staff or independent certified appraisers designated and approved by the Board of Directors. It is the Bank's policy to obtain appropriate insurance protection, including title insurance, on all real estate mortgage loans. Borrowers must also obtain hazard insurance prior to closing. Borrowers generally are required to advance funds for certain items such as real estate taxes, flood insurance, and private mortgage insurance, when applicable. Limited documentation loans are underwritten according to the same guidelines, except that no income and, in many instances, no financial asset verification is performed. The Bank has originated limited documentation loans in response to the characteristics and demands of its primary market area. The majority of such loans have been originated within the primary market area served by the Bank.
Non-performing Loans and Foreclosed Assets. The Bank had $6.2 million in loans 90 days or more delinquent at December 31, 1998, consisting of 56 one-to-four family mortgage loans with an average principal balance of approximately $111,127. Management does not expect to incur significant losses on its non-performing mortgage loans.
Management reviews non-performing loans on a regular basis and reports monthly to both the Mortgage and Real Estate Committee and the Executive Committee regarding delinquent loans. The Bank hires outside counsel experienced in foreclosure and bankruptcy to institute foreclosure and other proceedings on the Bank's delinquent loans.
With respect to one-to-four family mortgage loans, the Bank's collection procedures include sending a past due notice when the regular monthly payment is 17 days past due. In the event that payment is not received following notification, another notice is sent after the loan becomes 30 days delinquent. If payment is not received after the second notice is sent, personal contact with the borrower is attempted through additional letters and telephone calls. If a loan becomes 90 days delinquent, the Bank then issues a demand note and sends an inspector to the property. When contact is made with the borrower at any time prior to foreclosure, the Bank attempts to obtain full payment or to work out a repayment schedule with the borrower to avoid foreclosure. If a satisfactory repayment schedule is not worked out with the borrower, foreclosure actions are generally initiated prior to the loan becoming 120 days past due.
With respect to multi-family and commercial real estate loans, any loans that become 20 days delinquent are reported to the Senior Vice President, Mortgages. The Bank then attempts to contact such borrowers by telephone. Before a loan becomes 30 days past due, the Bank conducts a physical inspection of the property. Once contact is made with the borrower, the Bank attempts to obtain full payment or to work out a repayment schedule. If the Bank determines that successful repayment is unlikely, the Bank initiates foreclosure proceedings, typically before the loan becomes 60 days delinquent.
The Bank's policies provide that management reports monthly to the Mortgage and Real Estate Committee and Executive Committee regarding classified assets. The Bank reviews the problem loans in its portfolio on a monthly basis to determine whether any loans require classification in accordance with applicable regulatory guidelines and believes its classification policies are consistent with regulatory policies. All classified assets of the Bank are included in non-performing loans 90 days or more delinquent or foreclosed real estate.
When loans are designated as "in foreclosure", the accrual of interest and amortization of origination fees continues up to net realizable value less the transaction cost of disposition. During the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997, and 1996, the amounts of additional interest income that would have been recorded on mortgage loans in foreclosure, had they been current, totaled $150,000, $161,000, and $891,000 respectively. These amounts were not included in the Bank's interest income for the respective periods.
The following table sets forth information regarding all mortgage loans in foreclosure, loans which are 90 days or more delinquent, and foreclosed real estate at the dates indicated. At December 31, 1998, the Bank had no restructured loans within the meaning of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 15, "Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt Restructurings" as amended by SFAS No. 114.
Management monitors non-performing loans and, when deemed appropriate, writes down such loans to their current appraised values, less transaction costs. There can be no assurances that further write-downs will not occur with respect to such loans.
At December 31, 1998, foreclosed real estate was comprised of three residential properties with an aggregate carrying value of $419,000. The Bank generally conducts appraisals on all properties securing mortgage loans in foreclosure, and foreclosed real estate as deemed appropriate and, if necessary, charges off any declines in value at such times. Based upon management's estimates as to the timing of, and expected proceeds from, the disposition of these loans, no material loss is currently expected to be incurred.
Once a loan is placed in foreclosure, the Bank performs an appraisal of the property. In the event that the carrying balance of the loan exceeds the appraisal amount less transaction costs, a charge-off is recognized. It is the Bank's general policy to dispose of properties acquired through foreclosure or by deed in lieu thereof as quickly and as prudently as possible, in consideration of market conditions and the condition of such property. Foreclosed real estate is titled in the name of the Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary, Main Omni Realty Corp., which manages the property while it is offered for sale.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses based on management's evaluation of the risks inherent in its loan portfolio and the regional and national economies. Such evaluation, which includes a review of all loans on which full collectibility may not be reasonably assured, considers, among other matters, the fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an adequate loan loss allowance. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank's allowance for loan losses and the valuation of foreclosed real estate. In recent periods, regulatory authorities have applied a greater level of scrutiny to the loan portfolios of financial institutions and more conservative criteria in evaluating real estate market values, which the Bank believes has resulted in significantly increased provisions for loan losses for financial institutions generally. While the Bank considers this conservative approach when evaluating the adequacy of its loan loss allowance, such authorities may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations.
When the Bank determines that an asset should be classified, it generally does not establish a specific allowance for such asset unless it determines that such asset may result in a loss. The Bank may, however, increase its general valuation allowance in an amount deemed prudent. General valuation allowances represent loss allowances which have been established to recognize the inherent risk associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets. The Bank's determination as to the classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances are subject to review by the FDIC and the Banking Department, which can order the establishment of additional general or specific loss allowances.
At December 31, 1998, the total allowance remained at $9.4 million, which amounted to 152.28% of non-performing loans and 142.63% of non-performing assets. For the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Bank had no net charge-offs against this allowance. The Bank will continue to monitor and modify the level of its allowance for loan losses in order to maintain such allowance at a level which management considers adequate. See Statistical Data-A, B, C, and D for components of the Bank's mortgage loan portfolio, maturity and repricing, and for a summary of the allowance for loan losses.
Mortgage-Backed Securities
All of the Bank's mortgage-backed securities are directly or indirectly insured or guaranteed by the FHLMC or GNMA. At December 31, 1998, mortgage-backed securities totaled $19.7 million, or 1.1% of total assets, and were classified by the Bank as held to maturity. Because a majority of the Bank's mortgage-backed securities are either adjustable rate or are FHLMC five-year term securities, the Bank anticipates that all of its mortgage-backed securities will prepay or reprice within five years. At December 31, 1998, the mortgage-backed securities portfolio had a weighted average interest rate of 7.38% and a market value of approximately $20.3 million. See Statistical Data-E for components of the mortgage-backed securities portfolio.
Investment Activities
General. The investment policy of the Bank, which is established by the Board of Directors and implemented by the Real Estate and Mortgage Committee and the Investment Committee and certain executive officers of the Bank, is designed primarily to provide and maintain liquidity, to generate a favorable return on investments without incurring undue interest rate and credit risk, and to complement the Bank's lending activities. The Bank's current securities investment policy permits investments in various types of liquid assets, including U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of various Federal agencies, bankers' acceptances of other Board approved financial institutions, investment grade corporate securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and Federal funds. The Bank currently does not participate in hedging programs or interest rate swaps and does not invest in non-investment grade bonds or high risk mortgage derivatives. See Statistical Data-E, "Securities, Money Market Investments, and Mortgage-Backed Securities."
Sources of Funds
General. Deposits, repayments of loans and mortgage-backed securities, and maturities and redemptions of investment securities are the Bank's primary sources of funds for lending, investing, and other general purposes. Borrowings from the FHLB in times of heavy loan demand complement these sources of funds.
Deposits. The Bank offers a variety of deposit accounts with a range of interest rates and terms. The Bank's deposits principally consist of certificates of deposit ("CDs") and savings accounts, together with money market accounts, demand deposits, and NOW accounts. The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, the restructuring of the banking industry, changes in money market and prevailing interest rates, and competition with other financial institutions. The Bank's deposits are typically obtained from the area in which its offices are located. The Bank relies primarily on long-standing relationships with customers to retain these deposits. At December 31, 1998, $180.4 million, or 16.4% of the Bank's gross deposit balance, consisted of CDs with a balance of $100,000 or more.
Borrowings. The Bank is a member of the FHLB-NY, and had a $698.8 million line of credit at December 31, 1998. To supplement its funding source in a year of increased lending, the Company drew on its line of credit with the FHLB in 1998. Borrowings, which are used to finance loan production, totaled $439.1 million at December 31, 1998. A $10.0 million line of credit with a correspondent financial institution is also available to the Bank. At December 31, 1998, the Bank also had an outstanding loan in the amount of $12.8 million from the Company to fund the Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") and $9.5 million in inter-company demand loans at a fixed rate of 6%.
Subsidiary Activities
Under its New York State leeway authority, the Bank has formed three wholly-owned subsidiary corporations. M.F.O. Holding Corp. ("MFO") holds title to banking premises; Main Omni Realty Corp's purpose is to hold, operate, and maintain real estate acquired by the Bank as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu; and Queens Realty Trust, Inc. holds a pool of qualifying mortgage loans for investment purposes.
Savings Bank Life Insurance
As an issuing bank, the Bank offers Savings Bank Life Insurance ("SBLI") to its customers up to the legal maximum of $50,000 per insured individual and, as a trustee bank, offers an additional $350,000 in group coverage per insured under SBLI's Financial Institution Group Life Insurance policy. The SBLI Department's activities are separate from the Bank's and, while they do not materially affect the Bank's earnings, management believes that offering SBLI is beneficial to the Bank's relationship with its depositors and the general public. The SBLI Department pays its own expenses and reimburses the Bank for expenses incurred on its behalf.
Personnel
At December 31, 1998, the number of full-time equivalent employees was 278. The Bank's employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit, and the Bank considers its relationship with its employees to be good.
FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL TAXATION
Federal Taxation
General. The Company and the Bank report their income on a consolidated basis using a calendar year on the accrual method of accounting, and are subject to Federal income taxation in the same manner as other corporations with some exceptions, including, particularly, the Bank's addition to its reserve for bad debts, as discussed below. The following discussion of tax matters is intended only as a summary and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of the tax rules applicable to the Bank or the Company.
Bad Debt Reserves. The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 (the "1996 Act"), which was enacted on August 20, 1996, made significant changes to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") relating to a savings institution's use of bad debt reserves for Federal income tax purposes and requires such institutions to recapture (i.e. take into income) certain portions of their accumulated bad debt reserves. The effect of the 1996 Act on the Bank is discussed below. Prior to the enactment of the 1996 Act, the Bank was permitted to establish tax reserves for bad debts and to make annual additions thereto, which additions, within specified formula limits, were deducted in arriving at the Bank's taxable income. The Bank's deduction with respect to "qualifying loans," which are generally loans secured by certain interests in real property could be computed using an amount based on a six-year moving average of the Bank's actual loss experience (the "Experience Method"), or a percentage equal to 8% of the Bank's taxable income (the "PTI Method"), computed without regard to this deduction and with additional modifications, and reduced by the amount of any permitted addition to the non-qualifying reserve.
The 1996 Act. Under the 1996 Act, for its current and future taxable years, the Bank is not permitted to make additions to its tax bad debt reserves. In addition, the Bank is required to recapture (i.e. take into income) over a six-year period the excess of the balance of its tax bad debt reserves as of December 31, 1995 over the balance of such reserves as of December 31, 1987. The amount subject to recapture is approximately $7.4 million.
Distributions. To the extent that the Bank makes "non-dividend distributions" to stockholders that are considered to result in distributions from the excess bad debt reserve, i.e., that portion, if any, of the balance of the reserve for qualifying real property loans attributable to certain deductions under the percentage of taxable income method, or the supplemental reserve for losses on loans ("Excess Distributions"), then an amount based on the distribution will be included in the Bank's taxable income.
Non-dividend distributions include distributions in excess of the Bank's current and accumulated earnings and profits, distributions in redemption of stock, and distributions in partial or complete liquidation. However, dividends paid out of the Bank's current or accumulated earnings and profits, as calculated for Federal income tax purposes, will not be considered to result in a distribution from the Bank's bad debt reserves. Thus, any dividends to the Company that would reduce amounts appropriated to the Bank's bad debt reserves and deducted for Federal income tax purposes would create a tax liability for the Bank.
The amount of additional taxable income created from an Excess Distribution is an amount that, when reduced by the tax attributable to the income, is equal to the amount of the distribution. Thus, the additional taxable income would be an amount equal to approximately one and one-half times the amount of the Excess Distribution, assuming a 35% corporate income tax rate (exclusive of state taxes). See "Regulation and Supervision" for limits on the payment of dividends by the Bank. The Bank does not intend to pay dividends that would result in a recapture of any portion of its bad debt reserves.
Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax. The Code imposes a tax on Alternative Minimum Taxable Income ("AMTI") at a rate of 20%. Only 90% of AMTI can be offset by net operating loss carryovers. The adjustment to AMTI based on adjusted current earnings is an amount equal to 75% of the amount by which a corporation's adjusted current earnings exceeds its AMTI (determined without regard to this preference and prior to reduction for net operating losses). In addition, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986, and before January 1, 1996, an environmental tax of 0.12% of the excess of AMTI (with certain modifications) over $2.0 million is imposed on corporations, including the Bank, whether or not an Alternative
Minimum Tax ("AMT") is paid. The Bank does not expect to be subject to the AMT. The Bank was subject to an environmental tax liability for the year ended December 31, 1995 which was not material.
Dividends Received Deduction and Other Matters. The Company may exclude from its income 100% of dividends received from the Bank as a member of the same affiliated group of corporations. The corporate dividends received deduction is generally 70% in the case of dividends received from unaffiliated corporations with which the Company and the Bank will not file a consolidated tax return, except that if the Company and the Bank own more than 20% of the stock of the corporation distributing a dividend, then 80% of any dividends received may be deducted.
State and Local Taxation
The Bank is subject to the New York State Franchise Tax on Banking Corporations in an annual amount equal to the greater of (i) 9% of the Bank's "entire net income" allocable to New York State during the taxable year, or (ii) the applicable alternative minimum tax. The alternative minimum tax is generally the greatest of (a) 0.01% of the value of the Bank's assets allocable to New York State with certain modifications, (b) 3% of the Bank's "alternative entire net income" allocable to New York State, or (c) $250. Entire net income is similar to Federal taxable income, subject to certain modifications (including the fact that net operating losses cannot be carried back or carried forward) and alternative entire net income is equal to entire net income without certain deductions. The Bank is also subject to a similarly calculated New York City tax of 9% on income allocated to New York City and similar alternative taxes.
A temporary Metropolitan Transportation Business Tax Surcharge on banking corporations doing business in the metropolitan district has been applied since 1982. The Bank does all of its business within this District and is subject to this surcharge rate of 17.00%.
Delaware State Taxation. As a Delaware business corporation, the Company is required to file annual returns and pay annual fees and an annual franchise tax to the State of Delaware. These taxes and fees were not material in 1996.
REGULATION AND SUPERVISION
General
The Bank is a New York State-chartered stock form savings bank and its deposit accounts are insured under the BIF up to applicable limits by the FDIC. The Bank is subject to extensive regulation and supervision by the New York State Banking Department ("Banking Department"), as its chartering agency, and by the FDIC, as the deposit insurer. The Bank must file reports with the Banking Department and the FDIC concerning its activities and financial condition, in addition to obtaining regulatory approvals prior to entering into certain transactions such as mergers with, or acquisitions of, other depository institutions. There are periodic examinations by the Banking Department and the FDIC to assess the Bank's compliance with various regulatory requirements. This regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework of activities in which a savings bank can engage and is intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors. The regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss allowances for regulatory purposes. Any change in such regulation, whether by the Banking Department, the FDIC, or through legislation, could have a material adverse impact on the Company and the Bank and their operations, and the Company's stockholders. The Company is required to file certain reports, and otherwise comply with the rules and regulations of the Federal Reserve Board and the Banking Department and of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under Federal securities laws. Certain of the regulatory requirements applicable to the Bank and to the Company are referred to below or elsewhere herein.
New York Law
The Bank derives its lending, investment, and other authority primarily from the applicable provisions of Banking Law and the regulations of the Banking Department, as limited by FDIC regulations. See "Restrictions on Certain Activities." Under these laws and regulations, savings banks, including the Bank, may invest in real estate mortgages, consumer and commercial loans, certain types of debt securities (including certain corporate debt securities and obligations of Federal, state, and local governments and agencies), certain types of corporate equity securities and certain other assets. Under the statutory authority for investing in equity securities, a savings bank may directly invest up to 7.5% of its assets in certain corporate stock, and may also invest up to 7.5% of its assets in certain mutual fund securities. Investment in the stock of a single corporation is limited to the lesser of 2% of the outstanding stock of such corporation or 1% of the savings bank's assets, except as set forth below. Such equity securities must meet certain earnings ratios and other tests of financial performance. A savings bank's lending powers are not subject to percentage of asset limitations, although there are limits applicable to single borrowers. A savings bank may also, pursuant to the "leeway" power, make investments not otherwise permitted under the New York State Banking Law. This power permits investments in otherwise impermissible investments of up to 1% of assets in any single investment, subject to certain restrictions and to an aggregate limit for all such investments of up to 5% of assets. Additionally, savings banks are authorized to elect to invest under a "prudent person" standard in a wide range of debt and equity securities in lieu of investing in such securities in accordance with and reliance upon the specific investment authority set forth in the New York State Banking Law. Although the "prudent person" standard may expand a savings bank's authority, in the event a savings bank elects to utilize the "prudent person" standard, it will be unable to avail itself of the other provisions of the New York State Banking Law and regulations which set forth specific investment authority. A savings bank may also exercise trust powers upon approval of the Banking Department.
New York savings banks may also invest in subsidiaries under a service corporation power. A savings bank may use this power to invest in corporations that engage in various activities authorized for savings banks, plus any additional activities which may be authorized by the Banking Department. Investment by a savings bank in the stock, capital notes, and debentures of its service corporations is limited to 3% of the savings bank's assets, and such investments, together with the savings bank's loans to its service corporations, may not exceed 10% of the savings bank's assets.
The exercise by an FDIC-insured savings bank of the lending and investment powers of a savings bank under the New York Banking Law is limited by FDIC regulations and other Federal law and regulations. In particular, the applicable provisions of New York State Banking Law and regulations governing the investment authority and activities of an FDIC-insured state-chartered savings bank have been effectively limited by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA") and the FDIC regulations issued pursuant thereto. See "Restrictions on Certain Activities."
With certain limited exceptions, a New York State chartered savings bank may not make loans or extend credit for commercial, corporate, or business purposes (including lease financing) to a single borrower, the aggregate amount of which would be in excess of 15% of the bank's net worth. The Bank currently complies with all applicable loans-to-one-borrower limitations.
Under New York State Banking Law, a New York State chartered stock savings bank may declare and pay dividends out of its net profits, unless there is an impairment of capital, but approval of the Superintendent is required if the total of all dividends declared in a calendar year would exceed the total of its net profits for that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years, subject to certain adjustments.
Under New York State Banking Law, the Superintendent of Banks may issue an order to a New York State-chartered banking institution to appear and explain an apparent violation of law, to discontinue unauthorized or unsafe practices, and to keep prescribed books and accounts. Upon a finding by the Banking Department that any director, trustee, or officer of any banking organization has violated any law, or has continued unauthorized or unsafe practices in conducting the business of the banking organization after having been notified by the Superintendent to discontinue such practices, such director, trustee, or officer may be removed from office after notice and an opportunity to be heard. The Bank does not know of any past or current practice, condition, or violation that might lead to any proceeding by the Superintendent or the Banking Department against the Bank or any of its Directors or officers.
FDIC Regulations
Capital Requirements. The FDIC has adopted risk-based capital guidelines to which the Bank is subject. The guidelines establish a systematic analytical framework that makes regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banking organizations. The Bank is required to maintain certain levels of regulatory capital in relation to regulatory risk-weighted assets. The ratio of such regulatory capital to regulatory risk-weighted assets is referred to as the Bank's "risk-based capital ratio." Risk-based capital ratios are determined by allocating assets and specified off-balance sheet items to four risk-weighted categories ranging from 0% to 100%, with higher levels of capital being required for the categories perceived as representing greater risk.
These guidelines divide a savings bank's capital into two tiers. The first tier ("Tier I") includes common equity, retained earnings, certain non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock (excluding auction rate issues) and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less goodwill and other intangible assets (except mortgage servicing rights and purchased credit card relationships subject to certain limitations). Supplementary ("Tier II") capital includes, among other items, cumulative perpetual and long-term limited-life preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, certain hybrid capital instruments, term subordinated debt and the allowance for loan and lease losses, subject to certain limitations, less required deductions. Savings banks are required to maintain a total risk-based capital ratio of 8%, of which at least 4% must be Tier I capital.
In addition, the FDIC has established regulations prescribing a minimum Tier I leverage capital ratio (Tier I capital to adjusted total assets as specified in the regulations). These regulations provide for a minimum Tier I leverage capital ratio of 3% for banks that meet certain specified criteria, including that they have the highest examination rating and are not experiencing or anticipating significant growth. All other banks are required to maintain a Tier I leverage capital ratio of 3% plus an additional cushion of at least 100 to 200 basis points. The FDIC may, however, set higher leverage and risk-based capital requirements on individual institutions when particular circumstances warrant. Savings banks experiencing or anticipating significant growth are expected to maintain capital ratios, including tangible capital positions, well above the minimum levels.
The following is a summary of the Bank's regulatory capital at December 31, 1998:
GAAP Capital to Total Leverage Assets 9.40% Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets 16.12% Tier I Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets 15.23%
In August 1995, the FDIC, along with the other Federal banking agencies, adopted a regulation providing that the agencies will take account of the exposure of a bank's capital and economic value to changes in interest rate risk in assessing a bank's capital adequacy. According to the agencies, applicable considerations include the quality of the bank's interest rate risk management process, the overall financial condition of the bank and the level of other risks at the bank for which capital is needed. Institutions with significant interest rate risk may be required to hold additional capital. The agencies recently issued a joint policy statement providing guidance on interest rate risk management, including a discussion of the critical factors affecting the agencies' evaluation of interest rate risk in connection with capital adequacy. The agencies have determined not to proceed with a previously issued proposal to develop a supervisory framework for measuring interest rate risk and an explicit capital component for interest rate risk.
Standards for Safety and Soundness. Federal law requires each Federal banking agency to prescribe for depository institutions under its jurisdiction standards relating to, among other things, internal controls; information systems and audit systems; loan documentation; credit underwriting; interest rate risk exposure; asset growth; compensation; fees and benefits; and such other operational and managerial standards as the agency deems appropriate. The Federal banking agencies adopted final regulations and Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safety and Soundness (the "Guidelines") to implement these safety and soundness standards. 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 system; credit underwriting; loan documentation; interest rate risk exposure; asset growth; asset quality; earnings and 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, as required by the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended, ("FDI Act"). The final regulation establishes deadlines for the submission and review of such safety and soundness compliance plans.
Real Estate Lending Standards. The FDIC and the other Federal banking agencies have adopted regulations that prescribe standards for extensions of credit that (i) are secured by real estate or (ii) are made for the purpose of financing the construction or improvements on real estate. The FDIC regulations require each savings association to establish and maintain written internal real estate lending standards that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices and appropriate to the size of the association and the nature and scope of its real estate lending activities. The standards also must be consistent with accompanying FDIC Guidelines, which include loan-to-value limitations for the different types of real estate loans. Associations are also permitted to make a limited amount of loans that do not conform to the proposed loan-to-value limitations so long as such exceptions are reviewed and justified appropriately. The guidelines also list a number of lending situations in which exceptions to the loan-to-value standard are justified.
Dividend Limitations. The FDIC has authority to use its enforcement powers to prohibit a savings bank from paying dividends, if in its opinion, the payment of dividends would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice. Federal law prohibits the payment of dividends by a bank that will result in the bank failing to meet applicable capital requirements on a pro forma basis. The Bank is also subject to dividend declaration restrictions imposed by New York law.
Investments and Activities
Since the enactment of FDICIA, all state-chartered financial institutions, including savings banks and their subsidiaries, have generally been limited to activities as principal and equity investments of the type and in the amount authorized for national banks, notwithstanding state law, FDICIA and the FDIC regulations thereunder permit certain exceptions to these limitations. For example, certain state chartered banks, such as the Bank, may, with FDIC approval, continue to exercise state authority to invest in common or preferred stocks listed on a national securities exchange or the National Market System of NASDAQ and in the shares of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Such banks may also continue to sell savings bank life insurance. In addition, the FDIC is authorized to permit such institutions to engage in state authorized activities or investments that do not meet this standard (other than non-subsidiary equity investments) for institutions that meet all applicable capital requirements if it is determined that such activities or investments do not pose a significant risk to the BIF. The FDIC has recently proposed revisions to its regulations governing the procedures for institutions seeking approval to engage in such activities or investments. These proposed revisions would, among other things, streamline certain application procedures for healthy banks and impose certain quantitative and qualitative restrictions on a bank's dealing with its subsidiaries engaged in activities not permitted for national bank subsidiaries. All non-subsidiary equity investments, unless otherwise authorized or approved by the FDIC, must have been divested by December 19, 1996, pursuant to a FDIC-approved divestiture plan unless such investments were grandfathered by the FDIC. The Bank received grandfathering authority from the FDIC in February 1993 to invest in listed stock and/or registered shares subject to the maximum permissible investments of 100% of Tier 1 Capital, as specified by the FDIC's regulations, or the maximum amount permitted by New York State Banking Law, whichever is less. Such grandfathering authority is subject to termination upon the FDIC's determination that such investments pose a safety and soundness risk to the Bank or in the event the Bank converts its charter or undergoes a change in control. As of December 31, 1998, the Bank had $4.7 million of such investments.
Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action
Federal law requires, among other things, that Federal bank regulatory authorities take "prompt corrective action" with respect to banks that do not meet minimum capital requirements. For these purposes, the law establishes five capital tiers: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized.
The FDIC has adopted regulations to implement the prompt corrective action legislation. Among other things, the regulations define the relevant capital measures for the five capital categories. An institution is deemed to be "well capitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6% or greater, and a leverage ratio of 5% or greater, and is not subject to a regulatory order, agreement, or directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure. An institution is deemed to be "adequately capitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8%
or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4% or greater, and generally a leverage ratio of 4% or greater. An institution is deemed to be "undercapitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4%, or generally a leverage capital ratio of less than 4%. An institution is deemed to be "significantly undercapitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3%, or a leverage ratio of less than 3%. An institution is deemed to be "critically undercapitalized" if it has a ratio of tangible equity (as defined in the regulations) to total assets that is equal to or less than 2%.
"Undercapitalized" banks are subject to growth, capital distribution (including dividend) and other limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan. A bank's compliance with such plan is required to be guaranteed by any company that controls the undercapitalized institution in an amount equal to the lesser of 5.0% of the bank's total assets when deemed undercapitalized or the amount necessary to achieve the status of adequately capitalized. If an "undercapitalized" bank fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is "significantly undercapitalized." "Significantly undercapitalized" banks are subject to one or more of a number of additional restrictions, including but not limited to an order by the FDIC to sell sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized, requirements to reduce total assets and cease receipt of deposits from correspondent banks or dismiss directors or officers, and restrictions on interest rates paid on deposits, compensation of executive officers and capital distributions by the parent holding company. "Critically undercapitalized" institutions also may not, beginning 60 days after becoming "critically undercapitalized," make any payment of principal or interest on certain subordinated debt or extend credit for a highly leveraged transaction or enter into any material transaction outside the ordinary course of business. In addition, "critically undercapitalized" institutions are subject to appointment of a receiver or conservator. Generally, subject to a narrow exception, the appointment of a receiver or conservator is required for a "critically undercapitalized" institutions within 270 days after it obtains such status.
Transactions with Affiliates
Under current Federal law, transactions between depository institutions and their affiliates are governed by Section 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. An affiliate of a savings bank is any company or entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the savings bank, other than a subsidiary. In a holding company context, at a minimum, the parent holding company of a savings bank and any companies which are controlled by such parent holding company are affiliates of the savings bank. The Federal Reserve Board ("FRB") has proposed regulations that would treat as an affiliate any subsidiary of a savings bank that engages in activities not permissible for the parent savings bank to engage in directly. Generally, Section 23A limits the extent to which the savings bank or its subsidiaries may engage in "covered transactions" with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10% of such savings bank's capital stock and surplus, and contains an aggregate limit on all such transaction with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20% of such capital stock and surplus. The term "covered transaction" includes the making of loans or other extensions of credit to an affiliate; the purchase of assets from an affiliate, the purchase of, or an investment in, the securities of an affiliate; the acceptance of securities of an affiliate as collateral for a loan or extension of credit to any person; or issuance of a guarantee, acceptance, or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate. Section 23A also establishes specific collateral requirements for loans or extensions of credit to, or guarantees, acceptances on letters of credit issued on behalf of an affiliate. Section 23B requires that covered transactions and a broad list of other specified transactions be on term substantially the same, or no less favorable, to the savings bank or its subsidiary as similar transactions with nonaffiliates.
Further, Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act restricts a savings bank with respect to loans to directors, executive officers, and principal stockholders. Under Section 22(h), loans to directors, executive officers and stockholders who control, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of voting securities of a savings bank, and certain related interests of any of the foregoing, may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such persons and affiliated entities, the savings bank's total capital and surplus. Section 22(h) also prohibits loans above amounts prescribed by the appropriate Federal banking agency to directors, executive officers, and shareholders who control 10% or more of voting securities of a stock savings bank, and their respective related interests, unless such loan is approved in advance by a majority of the board of directors of the savings bank. Any "interested" director may not participate in the voting. The loan amount (which includes all other outstanding loans to such person) as to which such prior board of director approval is required, is the greater of $25,000 or 5% of capital and surplus or any loans over $500,000. Further, pursuant to Section 22(h), loans to directors, executive officers, and principal shareholders must be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to other persons. Recent legislation created 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 executive officers over other employees. Section 22(g) of the Federal Reserve Act places additional limitations on loans to executive officers.
Enforcement
The FDIC has extensive enforcement authority over insured savings banks, including the Bank. This enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease and desist orders, and to remove directors and officers. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated in response to violations of laws and regulations and to unsafe or unsound practices.
The FDIC has authority under Federal law to appoint a conservator or receiver for an insured savings bank under certain circumstances. The FDIC is required, with certain exceptions, to appoint a receiver or conservator for an insured state savings bank if that savings bank was "critically undercapitalized" on average during the calendar quarter beginning 270 days after the date on which the savings bank became "critically undercapitalized." For this purpose, "critically undercapitalized" means having a ratio of tangible equity to total assets of less than 2%. See "Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action." The FDIC may also appoint a conservator or receiver for a state savings bank on the basis of the institution's financial condition or upon the occurrence of certain events, including: (i) insolvency (whereby the assets of the savings bank are less than its liabilities to depositors and others); (ii) substantial dissipation of assets or earnings through violations of law or unsafe or unsound practices; (iii) existence of an unsafe or unsound condition to transact business; (iv) likelihood that the savings bank will be unable to meet the demands of its depositors or to pay its obligations in the normal course of business; and (v) insufficient capital, or the incurring or likely incurring of losses that will deplete substantially all of the institution's capital with no reasonable prospect of replenishment of capital without Federal assistance.
Insurance of Deposit Accounts
The FDIC has adopted a risk-based insurance assessment system. The FDIC assigns an institution to one of three capital categories based on the institution's financial information, as of the reporting period ending seven months before the assessment period, consisting of (1) well capitalized, (2) adequately capitalized, or (3) undercapitalized, and one of three supervisory subcategories within each capital group. The supervisory subgroup to which an institution is assigned is based on the supervisory evaluation provided to the FDIC by the institution's primary Federal regulator, and information which the FDIC determines to be relevant to the institution's financial condition and the risk posed to the deposit insurance funds. An institution's assessment rate depends on the capital category and supervisory category to which it is assigned. Assessment rates for BIF deposits are determined semiannually by the FDIC and currently range from 0 basis points to 27 basis points. The FDIC is authorized to raise the assessment rates in certain circumstances, including to maintain or achieve the designated reserve ratio of 1.25%, which requirement the BIF currently meets. On September 30, 1996, the President signed into law the Deposit Insurance Funds Act of 1996 (the "Funds Act") which, among other things, spreads the obligations for payment of the financing Corporation ("FICO") bonds across all SAIF and BIF members. Based on current estimates by the FDIC, BIF deposits will be assessed a FICO payment of 1.3 basis points, while SAIF deposits will pay an estimated 6.4 basis points on the FICO bonds. Full pro rata sharing of the FICO payments between BIF and SAIF members will occur on the earlier of January 1, 2000 or the date BIF and SAIF are merged.
Under the FDI Act, insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order, or condition imposed by the FDIC. The management of the Bank does not know of any practice, condition, or violation that might lead to the termination of deposit insurance.
Loans-to-One-Borrower Limitations
With certain limited exceptions, a New York State chartered savings bank may not make loans or extend credit for commercial, corporate, or business purposes (including lease financing) to a single borrower, the aggregate amount of which would be in excess of 15% of the bank's capital. The Bank currently complies with all applicable loans-to-one-borrower limitations.
Community Reinvestment Act
Federal Regulation. Under the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA"), as implemented by FDIC regulations, a savings institution has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution's discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with CRA. CRA requires the FDIC, in connection with its examination of a savings institution, to assess the institution's record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by such institution. CRA requires public disclosure of an institution's CRA rating and further requires the FDIC to provide a written evaluation of an institution's CRA performance utilizing a four-tiered descriptive rating system. The Bank's latest CRA rating, received from the FDIC in July 1997, was "satisfactory."
New York Regulation. The Bank is also subject to provisions of the New York Banking Law which impose continuing and affirmative obligations upon banking institutions organized in New York to serve the credit needs of its local community ("NYCRA"), which are substantially similar to those imposed by the CRA. Pursuant to the NYCRA, a bank must file an annual NYCRA report and copies of all Federal CRA reports with the Banking Department. The NYCRA requires the Banking Department to make an annual written assessment of a bank's compliance with the NYCRA, utilizing a four-tiered rating system, and make such assessment available to the public. The NYCRA also requires the Superintendent to consider a bank's NYCRA rating when reviewing a bank's application to engage in certain transactions, including mergers, asset purchases, and the establishment of branch offices or ATMs, and provides that such assessment may serve as a basis for the denial of any such application. The Banking Department has adopted, effective December 3, 1997, new regulations to implement the NYCRA. The Banking Department replaced its process-focused regulations with performance-focused regulations that are intended to parallel current CRA regulations of federal banking agencies and to promote consistency in CRA evaluations by considering more objective criteria. The new regulations require a biennial assessment of a bank's compliance with the NYCRA, utilizing a four-tiered rating system, and require the Banking Department to make available to the public such rating and a written summary of the results. The Bank's latest NYCRA rating, received from the Banking Department in March 1999, was a "2" or "satisfactory."
Federal Reserve System
Under Federal Reserve Board ("FRB") regulations, the Bank is required to maintain non-interest-earning reserves against its transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts). The Federal Reserve Board regulations generally require that reserves be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts as follows: for that portion of transaction accounts aggregating $47.8 million or less (subject to adjustment by the Federal Reserve Board) the reserve requirement is 3%; and for accounts greater than $47.8 million, the reserve requirements is $1.43 million plus 10% (subject to adjustment by the Federal Reserve Board between 8% and 14% against that portion of total transaction accounts in excess of $47.8 million. The first $4.7 million of otherwise reservable balances (subject to adjustments by the Federal Reserve Board) are exempted from the reserve requirements. The Bank is in compliance with the foregoing requirements. Because required reserves must be maintained in the form of either vault cash, a non-interest-bearing account at a Federal Reserve Bank or a pass-through account as defined by the Federal Reserve Board, the effect of this reserve requirement is to reduce the Bank's interest-earning assets. FHLB System members are also authorized to borrow from the Federal Reserve "discount window," but Federal Reserve Board regulations require institutions to exhaust all FHLB sources before borrowing from a Federal Reserve Bank.
Federal Home Loan Bank System
The Bank is a member of the FHLB System, which consists of 12 regional FHLBs. The FHLB provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions. The Bank, as a member of the FHLB-NY, is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in that FHLB 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 advances (borrowings) from the FHLB-NY, whichever is greater. The Bank was in compliance with this requirement, with an investment in FHLB-NY stock at December 31, 1998 of $22.4 million. FHLB advances must be secured by specified types of collateral and may be obtained primarily for the purpose of providing funds for residential housing finance.
The FHLBs are required to provide funds to cover certain obligations on bonds issued to fund the resolution of insolvent thrifts and to contribute funds for affordable housing programs. These requirements could reduce the amount of dividends that the FHLBs pay to their members and could also result in the FHLBs imposing a higher rate of interest on advances to their members. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 1998, 1997, and 1996, dividends from the FHLB-NY to the Bank amounted to $1.5 million, $822,000 and $665,000, respectively. If dividends were reduced, or interest on future FHLB advances increased, the Bank's net interest income might also be reduced.
Holding Company Regulation
Federal Regulation. The Company currently is subject to examination, regulation, and periodic reporting under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended ("BHCA"), as administered by the FRB. The FRB has adopted capital adequacy guidelines for bank holding companies (on a consolidated basis) substantially similar to those maintained by the FDIC for the Bank.
The Company is required to obtain the prior approval of the FRB to acquire all, or substantially all, of the assets of any bank or bank holding company. Prior FRB approval will be required for the Company to acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting securities of any bank or bank holding company if, after giving effect to such acquisition, it would, directly or indirectly, own or control more than 5% of any class of voting shares of such bank or bank holding company. In addition to the approval of the FRB, before any bank acquisition can be completed, prior approval thereof may also be required to be obtained from other agencies having supervisory jurisdiction over the bank to be acquired, including the Banking Department.
A bank holding company is generally prohibited from engaging in, or acquiring direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the voting securities of any company engaged in non-banking activities. One of the principal exceptions to this prohibition is for activities found by the FRB to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Some of the principal activities that the FRB has determined by regulation to be so closely related to banking are: (i) making or servicing loans; (ii) performing certain data processing services; (iii) providing discount brokerage services; (iv) acting as fiduciary, investment or financial advisor; (v) leasing personal or real property; (vi) making investments in corporations or projects designed primarily to promote community welfare; and (vii) acquiring a savings and loan association.
The FRB has adopted capital adequacy guidelines for bank holding companies (on a consolidated basis) substantially similar to those of the FDIC for the Bank. See "Capital Maintenance." The Company's total and Tier 1 capital exceed these requirements.
Bank holding companies are generally required to give the FRB prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more of the Company's consolidated net worth. The FRB may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe and unsound practice, or would violate any law, regulation, FRB order or directive, or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the FRB. The FRB has now adopted an exception to this approval requirement for well-capitalized bank holding companies that meet certain other conditions.
The FRB has issued a policy statement regarding the payment of dividends by bank holding companies. In general, the FRB's policies provide that dividends should be paid only out of current earnings and only if the prospective rate of earnings retention by the bank holding company appears consistent with the organization's capital needs, asset quality, and overall financial condition. The FRB's policies also require that a bank holding company serve as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary banks by standing ready to use available resources to provide adequate capital funds to those banks during periods of financial stress or adversity and by maintaining the financial flexibility and capital-raising capacity to obtain additional resources for assisting its subsidiary banks where necessary. These regulatory policies could affect the ability of the Company to pay dividends or otherwise engage in capital distributions.
The status of the Company as a registered bank holding company under the BHCA does not exempt it from certain Federal and state laws and regulations applicable to corporations generally, including, without limitation, certain provisions of the Federal securities laws.
Under the FDI Act, depository institutions are liable to the FDIC for losses suffered or anticipated by the FDIC in connection with the default of a commonly controlled depository institution or any assistance provided by the FDIC to such an institution in danger of default. This law would have potential applicability if the Company ever acquired as a separate subsidiary a depository institution in addition to the Bank.
Subsidiary banks of a bank holding company are subject to certain quantitative and qualitative restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on any extension of credit to, or purchase of assets from, or issuance of letters of credit on behalf of, the bank holding company or its subsidiaries, and on the investment in or acceptance of stocks or securities of such holding company or its subsidiaries as collateral for loans. In addition, provisions of the Federal Reserve Act and FRB regulations limit the amounts of, and establish required procedures and credit standards with respect to, loans and other extensions of credit to officers, directors, and principal shareholders of the Bank, the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, and related interests of such persons. Moreover, subsidiaries of bank holding companies are prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements (with the Holding Company or any of its subsidiaries) in connection with any extension of credit, lease, or sale of property or furnishing of services.
The Company and the Bank, will be affected by the monetary and fiscal policies of various agencies of the United States Government, including the Federal Reserve System. In view of changing conditions in the national economy and in the money markets, it is impossible for the management of the Company to accurately predict future changes in monetary policy or the effect of such changes on the business or financial condition of the Company or the Bank.
Acquisition of the Holding Company
Federal Restrictions. Under the Federal Change in Bank Control Act ("CIBCA"), a notice must be submitted to the FRB if any person (including a company), or group acting in concert, seeks to acquire 10% or more of the Company's shares of Common Stock outstanding, unless the FRB has found that the acquisition will not result in a change in control of the Company. Under the CIBCA, the FRB has 60 days within which to act on such notices, taking into consideration certain factors, including the financial and managerial resources of the acquirer, the convenience and needs of the communities served by the Company and the Bank, and the anti-trust effects of the acquisition. Under the BHCA, any company would be required to obtain prior approval from the FRB before it may obtain "control" of the Company within the meaning of the BHCA. Control generally is defined to mean the ownership or power to vote 25% or more of any class of voting securities of the Company or the ability to control in any manner the election of a majority of the Company's directors. An existing bank holding company would be required to obtain the FRB's prior approval under the BHCA before acquiring more than 5% of the Company's voting stock. See "Holding Company Regulation." Approval of the Banking Department may also be required for acquisition of the Company.
New York Change in Control Restrictions. In addition to the CIBCA and the BHCA, the New York Banking Law generally requires prior approval of the New York Banking Board before any action is taken that causes any company to acquire direct or indirect control of a banking institution which is organized in New York.
Federal Securities Laws
The Company's common stock is registered with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The Company is subject to the information and proxy solicitation requirements, insider trading restrictions, and other requirements under the Exchange Act.
Registration of the shares of the Common Stock that were issued in the Bank's conversion from mutual to stock form under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), does not cover the resale of such shares. Shares of the common stock purchased by persons who are not affiliates of the Company may be resold without registration. Shares purchased by an affiliate of the Company will be subject to the resale restrictions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. If the Company meets the current public information requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, each affiliate of the Company who complies with the other conditions of Rule 144 (including those that require the affiliate's sale to be aggregated with those of certain other persons) would be able to sell in the public market, without registration, a number of shares not to exceed in any three-month period the greater of (i) 1% of the outstanding shares of the Company or (ii) the average weekly volume of trading in such shares during the preceding four calendar weeks. Provision may be made in the future by the Company to permit affiliates to have their shares registered for sale under the Securities Act under certain circumstances.
STATISTICAL DATA
The detailed statistical data that follows is being presented in accordance with Guide 3, prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This data should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes and the discussion included in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations that are indexed on the Form 10-K Cross Reference Index.
A. Mortgage and Other Lending Activities
The following table sets forth the Bank's loan originations and mortgage-backed securities, including purchases, sales, and principal repayments, for the periods indicated:
For the Years Ended December 31, ------------------------ (dollars in thousands) 1998 1997 1996 ---------- ---------- ---------- Mortgage loans (gross): At beginning of period $1,394,939 $1,144,317 $ 993,242 Mortgage loans originated: One-to-four family 7,473 22,914 11,150 Multi-family 409,800 418,869 273,421 Commercial real estate 32,826 10,248 17,438 Construction 2,091 1,089 1,214 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total mortgage loans originated 452,190 453,120 303,223 Principal repayments 349,952 185,033 151,391 Mortgage loans sold 8,647 16,060 350 Mortgage loans transferred to foreclosed real estate 1,274 1,405 406 ---------- ---------- ---------- At end of period 1,487,256 1,394,939 1,144,318 Other loans (gross): At beginning of period 10,795 12,275 13,861 Other loans originated 2,008 1,375 1,471 Principal repayments 3,053 2,843 2,975 Student loans sold -- 12 82 ---------- ---------- ---------- At end of period 9,750 10,795 12,275 ---------- ---------- ----------
Total loans $1,497,006 $1,405,734 $1,156,593 ========== ========== ========== Mortgage-backed securities: At beginning of period $ 49,781 $ 73,732 $ 92,868 Principal repayments 30,101 23,951 19,136 ---------- ---------- ---------- At end of period $ 19,680 $ 49,781 $ 73,732 ========== ========== ==========
B. Loan Maturity and Repricing
The following table shows the maturity or period to repricing of the Bank's loan portfolio at December 31, 1998. Loans that have adjustable rates are shown as being due in the period during which the interest rates are next subject to change. The table does not include prepayments or scheduled principal amortization. Prepayments and scheduled principal amortization on mortgage loans totaled $147.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 1998.
The following table sets forth, at December 31, 1998, the dollar amount of all loans due after December 31, 1999, and indicates whether such loans have fixed or adjustable interest rates.
Due after December 31, 1999 ------------------------------------------ (dollars in thousands) Fixed Adjustable Total -------- ---------- ----------
Mortgage loans: One-to-four family $ 33,168 $ 21,576 $ 54,744 Multi-family 55,829 969,629 1,025,458 Commercial real estate 21,794 21,855 43,649 -------- ---------- ----------
Total mortgage loans $110,791 $1,013,060 $1,123,851 Other loans 2,322 727 3,049 -------- ---------- ---------- Total loans $113,113 $1,013,787 $1,126,900 ======== ========== ==========
C. Summary of the Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 1998, 1997, and 1996 was allocated as follows:
The allocation above is based upon an estimate at a given point in time, based on various factors, including local economic conditions. A different allocation methodology may be deemed to be more appropriate in the future.
D. Composition of Mortgage and Other Loan Portfolio
The following table sets forth the composition of the Bank's portfolio of mortgage and other loans in dollar amounts and in percentages at the dates indicated.
E. Securities, Money Market Investments, and Mortgage-backed Securities
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the carrying and market values of the Bank's securities, money market investments, and mortgage-backed securities portfolios at the dates indicated:
Item 2.
Item 2. PROPERTIES
The Bank conducts its business through ten full-service offices, two customer service centers and one mortgage service center. The Bank's main office is located at 38-25 Main Street, Flushing, New York. The Bank believes that its current facilities are adequate to meet the present and immediately foreseeable needs of the Bank and the Company.
- ----------
(1) The Bank commenced operations in 1859 at a location near its current headquarters which it has occupied since approximately 1911. The Bank owns additional office space adjacent to its Main Office which is used for administrative operations, the net book value of which is included in the amount shown.
(2) This branch office replaced another branch office, formerly located at 31-02 Steinway Street, Astoria, which was closed as of June 28, 1993. The vacated space, which is owned by the Bank, has a net book value of $1.2 million and has subsequently been leased.
(3) The Bank currently leases to unrelated tenants a majority of the office space at this location.
Item 3.
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Bank is involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of its business. All such actions, in the aggregate, involve amounts which are believed by management to be immaterial to the financial condition and results of operations of the Bank.
Item 4.
Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company's common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market and quoted under the symbol "QCSB".
Information regarding the Company's common stock and its price during 1998 fiscal year appears on page 29 of the 1998 Annual Report under the caption "Market Price and Dividends Paid per Common Share" and is incorporated herein by this reference.
As of March 5, 1999 the Company had approximately 700 shareholders of record, not including the number of persons or entities holding stock in nominee or street name through various brokers and banks.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Information regarding selected financial data appears on page 1 of the 1998 Annual Report under the caption "Financial Highlights" and is incorporated herein by this reference.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Information regarding management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appears on pages 10 through 29 of the 1998 Annual Report under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and is incorporated herein by this reference.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Information regarding quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk appears on pages 16 through 18 of the 1998 Annual Report under the caption "Market Risk and Interest Rate Sensitivity" and is incorporated herein by this reference.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Information regarding the financial statements and the Independent Auditors' Report appears on pages 30 through 51 of the 1998 Annual Report and is incorporated herein by this reference.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Information regarding the directors and executive officers of the Registrant appears on pages 4 through 7 of the Company's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 21, 1999, under the caption "Information with Respect to Nominees and Continuing Directors" and is incorporated herein by this reference.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information regarding executive compensation appears on pages 10 through 19 of the Company's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 21, 1999, and is incorporated herein by this reference.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners appears on page 3 of the Company's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 21, 1999, under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners" and is incorporated herein by this reference.
Information regarding security ownership of management appears on pages 4 through 7 of the Company's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 21, 1999, under the caption "Information with Respect to the Nominees, Continuing Directors, and Executive Officers" and is incorporated herein by this reference.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions appears on page 20 of the Company's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 21, 1999 under the caption "Transactions with Certain Related Persons" and is incorporated herein by this reference.
PART IV
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) 1. Financial Statements
The following financial statements are included in the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1998 and are incorporated by this reference:
- Consolidated Statements of Condition at December 31,1998 and 1997; - Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998; - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998; - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998; - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Management's Responsibility for Financial Reporting - Independent Auditors' Report
The remaining information appearing in the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders is not deemed to be filed as a part of this report, except as expressly provided herein.
2. Financial Statement Schedules
Financial Statement Schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K filed during the last quarter of 1998
On November 20, 1998, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K regarding the date of the Company's 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the related voting record date.
(c) Exhibits Required by Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K
Exhibit Number ------ 3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Queens County Bancorp, Inc.(1) 3.2 Bylaws of Queens County Bancorp, Inc. 10.1 Form of Employment Agreement between Queens County Savings Bank and Certain Officers (1) 10.2 Form of Employment Agreement between Queens County Bancorp, Inc. and Certain Officers (1) 10.3 Form of Change in Control Agreements among the Company, the Bank, and Certain Officers (1) 10.4 Form of Queens County Savings Bank Recognition and Retention Plan for Outside Directors (1) 10.5 Form of Queens County Savings Bank Recognition and Retention Plan for Officers (1) 10.6 Form of Queens County Bancorp, Inc. 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan (2) 10.7 Form of Queens County Bancorp, Inc. 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors (2) 10.8 Form of Queens County Savings Bank Employee Severance Compensation Plan (1) 10.9 Form of Queens County Savings Bank Outside Directors' Consultation and Retirement Plan (1) 10.10 Form of Queens County Bancorp, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust (1) 10.11 ESOP Loan Documents (1) 10.12 Incentive Savings Plan of Queens County Savings Bank (3) 10.13 Retirement Plan of Queens County Savings Bank (1) 10.14 Supplemental Benefits Plan of Queens County Savings Bank (4) 10.15 Excess Retirement Benefits Plan of Queens County Savings Bank (1) 10.16 Queens County Savings Bank Directors' Deferred Fee Stock Unit Plan (1) 10.17 Queens County Bancorp, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan (5) 11.0 Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings 13.0 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders 21.0 Subsidiaries information incorporated herein by reference to Part I, "Subsidiaries" 23.0 Consent of KPMG LLP, dated March 17, 1999 99.0 Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 21, 1999
(1) Incorporated by reference to Exhibits filed with the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-66852 (2) Incorporated herein by reference into this document from the Exhibits to Form S-8, Registration Statement, filed on October 27, 1994, Registration No. 33-85684. (3) Incorporated herein by reference into this document from the Exhibits to Form S-8, Registration Statement, filed on October 27, 1994, Registration No. 33-85682. (4) Incorporated by reference to Exhibits filed with the 1995 Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 19, 1995. (5) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with the 1997 Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on April 16, 1997.
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.
Queens County Bancorp, Inc. --------------------------- (Registrant)
/s/ Joseph R. Ficalora 03/16/99 ----------------------------- -------- Joseph R. Ficalora Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
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: