-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, QciIgNn8j4KvwE6DVlagVVbbIJyX00RItHZRZ8QW0JKipfWMvbA/JXMOec+z5+r8 9ue4+u/yBVxdsY5dFCkYag== 0001188112-10-002076.txt : 20101005 0001188112-10-002076.hdr.sgml : 20101005 20100811110203 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001188112-10-002076 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-1/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 26 FILED AS OF DATE: 20100811 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100812 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHARTER FINANCIAL CORP/GA CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001136796 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED [6035] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-1/A SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-167634 FILM NUMBER: 101006940 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 600 THIRD AVENUE CITY: WEST POINT STATE: GA ZIP: 31833 BUSINESS PHONE: 7066451391 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 600 THIRD AVENUE CITY: WEST POINT STATE: GA ZIP: 31833 S-1/A 1 t68481_s1a.htm FORM S-1 (AMENDMENT NO. 1) t68481_s1a.htm


As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11 , 2010
Registration No. 333-167634
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.  2 TO THE
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
Charter Financial Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Federal
6712
58-2659667
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
(Primary Standard Industrial
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)
Classification Code Number)
Identification Number)
 
1233 O.G. Skinner Drive
West Point, Georgia 31833
(706) 645-1391
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of
Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
 
Mr. Robert L. Johnson
President and Chief Executive Officer
1233 O.G. Skinner Drive
West Point, Georgia 31833
(706) 645-1391
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of
Agent for Service)
 
Copies to:
Eric Luse, Esq.
Robert B. Pomerenk, Esq.
Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C.
5335 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 780
Washington, D.C. 20015
(202) 274-2000
 
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.
 
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box:  x
 
If this Form is filed to register additional shares for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  o
 
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  o
 
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
     
Large accelerated filer   o   Accelerated filer   o
Non-accelerated filer    x   Smaller reporting company   o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
   
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
Title of each class of
securities to be registered
Amount to be
registered
Proposed maximum
offering price per share
Proposed maximum
aggregate offering price
Amount of
registration fee
 
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
5,961,573 Shares
$10.52
$62,715,747 (1)
$4,472 (2)
 
(1)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
(2)
A fee off $4,833 was previously paid.
 
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
 
 
 

 
PROSPECTUS
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Up to 5,961,573 shares of common stock
 
Charter Financial Corporation is offering shares of its common stock for sale pursuant to a stock issuance plan.  We are the majority-owned subsidiary of First Charter, MHC which, as of March 31, 2010, owned 15,857,924 shares, or 84.9% of the 18,672,361 shares of our common stock outstanding.  We are offering between 4,281,060 and 5,961,573 shares of our common stock, which represent between 22.9% and 31.9% of our outstanding shares of common stock.  Shares subscribed for in the stock offering will be issued from our treasury stock or from authorized but unissued common stock.  At the conclusion of the stock offering, we will cancel a number of shares of our common stock held by First Charter, MHC equal to the number of shares that we sell in the stock offering.  Accordingly, the total number of outstanding shares of Charter Financial Corporation common stock will not change as a result of the stock offering, and the percentage of our outstanding common stock held by our current shareholders will not be diluted.  Following the stock offering, First Charter, MHC’s total ownership interest in Charter Financial Corporation common stock will decrease to between 53.0% and 62.0%, and the remaining 47.0% to 38.0% will be owned by the public.
 
We are offering shares of our common stock at a maximum price of $ 10.52 per share.  We may decrease the offering price to as low as $7.78 per share due to demand for the common stock, changes in the market for the stock of financial institutions or regulatory considerations, without resoliciting persons who submitted orders.  The actual price per share at which the shares of common stock will be sold will be determined by us prior to the completion of the stock offering.  All shares sold in the offering will be sold at a uniform price.   If the actual price at which shares are sold is less than $10.52, the difference will be refunded or the withdrawal authorization reduced, except for subscribers who have elected on their order forms to have such difference applied to the purchase of additional whole shares to the extent available.
 
Our shares of common stock are currently traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “CHFN.OB.”  Upon completion of the stock offering, we expect that our shares of common stock will trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CHFN.”  On __________, 2010, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $_____ per share.   It is possible that the actual price at which shares of common stock are sold in the offering will be higher than the price at which our common stock is trading on the OTC Bulletin Board at the time the offering is consummated .
 
If you are or were a depositor of CharterBank, McIntosh Commercial Bank or Neighborhood Community Bank, or if you are a borrower of CharterBank, you may have priority rights to purchase shares of common stock.
 
If you are a resident of Alabama or Georgia, or if you are currently a shareholder of Charter Financial Corporation, you may be able to purchase shares of common stock in the stock offering after priority orders are filled.
 
If you do not fit any of the categories above, but are interested in purchasing shares of our common stock, you may be able to purchase shares of common stock after orders in the preceding categories are filled.
 
The price per share at which we sell the shares of common stock and the number of shares we sell will result in gross stock offering proceeds of not less than $ 33.3 million nor more than $67.8 million.  We must raise gross proceeds of at least $ 33.3 million in order to complete the stock offering.  The minimum number of shares of common stock you may subscribe for in the offering is 25 shares.  Accordingly, your order must be for at least $ 263.00 of common stock to be accepted.  The offering is expected to terminate at 2:00 p.m. Georgia time, on September 13, 2010.  We may extend this termination date without notice to you until [offering expiration date - extended].  Once submitted, orders are irrevocable unless the stock offering is terminated or extended beyond [offering expiration date - extended].  If the stock offering is extended beyond [offering expiration date - extended] or there is a change in the offering price range, we will be required to resolicit subscribers who ordered shares of common stock, and they will have the opportunity to maintain, change or cancel their orders.  No extension will last longer than 90 days, and in no event will the stock offering extend beyond [offering expiration date - final extended].  Funds received prior to completion of the stock offering will be held in a segregated account at CharterBank and will earn interest at CharterBank’s passbook rate, which is currently ___%.
 
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated will assist us in our selling efforts, but is not required to purchase any shares of the common stock that are being offered for sale.  Shares of common stock not purchased in the subscription offering may be offered for sale to the general public in a community offering, with a preference given first to natural persons residing in the States of Georgia and Alabama, and then to Charter Financial Corporation public shareholders.  The community offering, if held, may begin concurrently with, during or promptly after the subscription offering as we may determine at any time.  We also may offer for sale shares of common stock not purchased in the subscription offering or community offering through a syndicated community offering managed by Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated.  Purchasers will not pay a commission to purchase shares of common stock in the stock offering.
 
OFFERING SUMMARY
 
   
4,281,060 Shares
   
5,961,573 Shares
 
   
Minimum Price
   
Maximum Price
   
Minimum Price
   
Maximum Price
 
Price per share                                                    
  $ 7.78     $ 10.52     $ 7.78     $ 10.52  
Gross offering proceeds (1)                                                     
  $ 33,306,647     $ 45,036,751     $ 46,381,038     $ 62,715,748  
Estimated offering expenses, excluding selling
    agent commissions and expenses
  $ 1,770,000     $ 1,770,000     $ 1,770,000     $ 1,770,000  
Estimated selling agent fees and expenses ( 2 )( 3 )
  $ 1,803,799     $ 2,331,654     $ 2,392,147     $ 3,127,209  
Estimated net proceeds                                                    
  $ 29,732,848     $ 40,935,097     $ 42,218,891     $ 57,818,539  
Estimated net proceeds per share                                                     
  $ 6.95     $ 9.56     $ 7.08     $ 9.70  
 
 
 

 
 

(1) Determined in accordance with an independent appraisal prepared by RP Financial, LC. dated May 21, 2010, which stated that the pro forma market value of Charter Financial, on a fully converted basis , ranged from $145.3 million to $196.4 million, or $7.78 to $10.52 per share.  The price of $10.52 per share is the amount to be paid initially for each share of common stock subscribed for in the subscription and community offerings.  All shares of common stock sold in the offering will be sold at a uniform price.  In the event that any of the common stock is sold in a syndicated community offering, the price for the common stock purchased in the subscription offering and, if held, the community offering will be the same as the price in the syndicated community offering.  See “The Stock Offering .”
(2) Includes (i) selling commissions payable by us to Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated in connection with the subscription and community offerings equal to the greater of $125,000 or 1.0% of the aggregate amount of common stock sold in the subscription and community offerings (less shares purchased by our directors, officers and employees and their immediate families and by our employee stock ownership plan), assuming that 25% of the shares are sold in the subscription and community offerings; (ii) fees and selling commissions payable by us to Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated and any other broker-dealers participating in the syndicated community offering equal to 6.0% of the aggregate amount of common stock sold in the syndicated community offering, assuming that 75% of the shares are sold in the syndicated community offering; and (iii) other expenses of the stock offering payable to Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated estimated to be $180,000.  For additional information regarding selling agent fees and expenses, see “The Conversion and Offering—Marketing Arrangements.”
( 3 ) If the maximum number of shares offered is sold, and all shares are sold in the syndicated community offering, the selling agent commissions and expenses would be approximately $ 1.8 million and $3.1 million at the minimum and maximum of the offering price range, respectively.

These securities are not deposits or savings accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
 
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Office of Thrift Supervision, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, nor any state securities regulator has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is accurate or complete.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
 
This investment involves a degree of risk, including the possible loss of principal.
 
Please read “Risk Factors” beginning on page 16.
 
 
STIFEL NICOLAUS

The date of this prospectus is __________, 2010
 
 
 

 
 
[MAP OF BRANCH NETWORK APPEARS ON THIS PAGE]
 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
     
 
1
 
16
 
31
 
34
 
41
 
42
 
44
 
45
 
46
 
47
 
49
 
55
 
97
 
105
 
113
 
115
 
141
 
142
 
159
 
160
 
160
 
160
 
161
 
F-1
 
G-1
 
 
 

 
 
 
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. Because this is a summary, it may not contain all of the information that is important to you. Therefore, you should also read the more detailed information set forth in this prospectus and our consolidated financial statements before making a decision to invest in our common stock. The words “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Charter Financial Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, CharterBank, unless we indicate otherwise.

Charter Financial Corporation

Charter Financial Corporation, or “Charter Financial,” is a federally chartered corporation that owns all of the outstanding shares of common stock of CharterBank.  At March 31, 2010, Charter Financial had consolidated assets of $1.2 billion, deposits of $906.6 million and stockholders’ equity of $110.7 million.

CharterBank became the wholly owned subsidiary of Charter Financial in October 2001 when CharterBank reorganized from a federally chartered mutual savings and loan association into the two-tiered mutual holding company structure.  In connection with the reorganization, Charter Financial sold 3,964,481 shares of its common stock to the public, representing 20% of the outstanding shares at $10.00 per share, and received net proceeds of $37.2 million. An additional 15,857,924 shares, or 80% of the outstanding shares of Charter Financial, were issued to First Charter, MHC. As part of the reorganization and offering, we established an employee stock ownership plan that purchased 317,158 shares of Charter Financial common stock in the offering, financed by a loan from Charter Financial.

In January 2007, Charter Financial repurchased 508,842 shares of its common stock at $52.00 per share through a self-tender offer.  Following the stock repurchase, Charter Financial delisted its common stock from the Nasdaq Global Market and deregistered its common stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Charter Financial’s common stock is currently quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “CHFN.OB.”  Since January 2007, Charter Financial has repurchased 678,016 additional shares of its common stock.  As of March 31, 2010, Charter Financial had 18,672,361 shares of common stock outstanding.  As of that date, First Charter, MHC owned 15,857,924 shares of Charter Financial common stock, representing 84.9% of the outstanding shares of common stock.  The remaining 2,814,437 shares of common stock, or 15.1% of the outstanding shares of common stock, were held by the public.

Charter Financial’s Internet address is www.charterbank.net.  Information on this website is not and should not be considered to be a part of this prospectus.  Charter Financial’s principal executive office is located at 1233 O.G. Skinner Drive, P.O. Box 472, West Point, Georgia 31833, and its telephone number at that address is (706) 645-1391.

CharterBank
 
CharterBank is a federally chartered stock savings bank headquartered in West Point, Georgia. CharterBank was originally founded in 1954 as a federally chartered mutual savings and loan association.  In 2001, CharterBank converted to a federally chartered stock bank and reorganized from the mutual to the two-tiered mutual holding company form of organization.

CharterBank’s principal business consists of attracting retail deposits from the general public in the areas surrounding its administrative office in West Point, Georgia and its 16 branch offices located in west-central Georgia and east-central Alabama, and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations, in investment securities, commercial real estate loans, one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, construction loans and, to a lesser extent, commercial business loans, home equity loans and lines of credit and other consumer loans.  In addition to its 16 branch offices in West Point, Bremen, Carrollton, LaGrange, Newnan and Peachtree City, Georgia and Auburn, Opelika and Valley, Alabama, CharterBank operates a loan origination office in Norcross, Georgia.

CharterBank is subject to comprehensive regulation and examination by the Office of Thrift Supervision.
 
 
 

 
 
CharterBank’s executive offices are located at 1233 O.G. Skinner Dr., West Point, Georgia 31833.  Its telephone number at that address is (706) 645-1391.

First Charter, MHC
 
First Charter, MHC is the federally chartered mutual holding company of Charter Financial.  First Charter, MHC’s principal business activity is the ownership of 15,857,924 shares of common stock of Charter Financial, or 84.9% of Charter Financial’s outstanding shares as of March 31, 2010.

First Charter, MHC’s executive offices are located at 1233 O.G. Skinner Dr., West Point, Georgia 31833.  Its telephone number at this address is (706) 645-1391.

FDIC-Assisted Acquisitions

Neighborhood Community Bank.  On June 26, 2009, CharterBank entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) to acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Neighborhood Community Bank, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Newnan, Georgia (“NCB”).  CharterBank assumed $195.3 million of NCB’s liabilities, including $181.3 million of deposits, with no deposit premium paid. CharterBank also acquired $202.8 million of NCB assets, including $159.9 million of loans, net of unearned income, and $17.7 million of real estate owned, at a discount to book value of $26.9 million.  The acquisition agreement with the FDIC included loss-sharing agreements pursuant to which the FDIC will assume 80% of losses and share 80% of loss recoveries on the first $82 million of losses on acquired loans and real estate owned, and assume 95% of losses and share 95% of loss recoveries on losses exceeding $82 million.  Loans and other real estate owned that are covered under the loss-sharing agreements are referred to in this prospectus as “covered loans” and “covered other real estate,” respectively.  Collectively, these are referred to as “covered assets.”  Loans, other real estate and assets that are not covered by loss sharing agreements are referred to as “non-covered” loans, other real estate and assets.

It is expected that CharterBank will have sufficient non-accretable discounts and allowances for loan losses to cover its 20% share of any losses on the NCB covered loans and covered other real estate. Given the foregoing and as a result of the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC on these assets, we do not expect to incur significant losses.  In addition, CharterBank expects to have accretable discounts to provide for market yields on the NCB covered non-impaired loans.

McIntosh Commercial Bank. On March 26, 2010, CharterBank entered into an acquisition agreement with the FDIC to acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of McIntosh Commercial Bank, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Carrollton, Georgia (“MCB”).  CharterBank assumed $306.2 million of MCB’s liabilities, including $295.3 million of deposits, with no deposit premium paid. CharterBank also acquired $322.6 million of MCB assets, including $207.6 million of loans, net of unearned income, and $55.3 million of real estate owned, at a discount to book value of $53.0 million.  The purchase and assumption agreement with the FDIC included loss-sharing agreements pursuant to which the FDIC will assume 80% of losses and share 80% of loss recoveries on the first $106 million of losses on acquired loans and real estate owned, and assume 95% of losses and share 95% of loss recoveries on losses exceeding $106 million.

CharterBank recorded in noninterest income approximately $15.6 million in pre-tax acquisition gain, or negative goodwill, in connection with the MCB transaction, which represents the excess of the estimated fair value of the assets acquired over the fair value of the liabilities assumed.  In addition, it is expected that CharterBank will have sufficient credit risk related (non-accretable) discounts to cover its 20% share of any losses on the MCB covered loans and covered other real estate.  It is also expected that CharterBank will have accretable discounts to provide for market yields on the MCB covered non-impaired and impaired loans.

For more information regarding CharterBank’s FDIC-assisted acquisitions, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—FDIC-Assisted Acquisitions.”

 
2

 

Our Current Organizational Structure
 
The following diagram shows our organizational structure, which is commonly referred to as the “two-tier” mutual holding company structure:

 graphic
 
Under the terms of our stock issuance plan, the total number of outstanding shares of common stock of Charter Financial will not change.  Instead, First Charter, MHC’s ownership of Charter Financial common stock will be decreased by one share for each share that is sold in the stock offering.  At the completion of the stock offering, the number of shares of common stock owned by First Charter, MHC will decrease to between 9,896,351 shares and 11,576,864 shares, or approximately 53.0% and 62.0%, respectively, of the 18,672,361 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2010, from 15,857,924 shares, or approximately 84.9% of the outstanding shares of our common stock as of such date.  In addition, shares of Charter Financial common stock held by public shareholders will increase to between 7,095,497 and 8,776,010 shares, or approximately 38.0% and 47.0%, respectively, of the shares of our outstanding common stock as of March 31, 2010.  For more information regarding the terms of the stock offering, see “The Stock Offering.”

Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to operate a well-capitalized and profitable community bank dedicated to providing exceptional personal service to our individual and business customers. We believe that we have a competitive advantage in the markets we serve, given our intimate knowledge of the local marketplace and our longstanding history of providing superior, relationship-based customer service.  This 56-year history of service to the community, combined with management’s extensive experience and adherence to conservative underwriting standards through various business cycles, has enabled us to maintain a strong capital position despite the recent economic recession.

We believe that the current economic and financial services environment presents a significant opportunity for us to grow our retail banking operations both organically, as many competing financial institutions have scaled back lending and other activities, and through FDIC-assisted acquisitions of troubled financial institutions, such as our acquisitions of NCB in June 2009 and MCB in March 2010.  We anticipate that the prevailing weakness in the banking sector and the potential weakness of any economic recovery will provide additional opportunities for us to participate in FDIC-assisted transactions.  We believe these transactions present attractive opportunities in part due to the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC, which limit the acquiring institution’s risk of loss on the assets acquired.
 
 
3

 

From January 1, 2009 through July 30, 2010, 248 banking institutions failed in the United States, including 36 failures in the state of Georgia.  We believe that purchasing distressed banking assets from the FDIC provides us with a low-risk opportunity to enhance our banking franchise, and we intend to evaluate such opportunities as they may arise.  We believe that there are numerous banks within or adjacent to our target market areas that are subject to various enforcement actions and that exhibit increasing levels of non-performing assets and declining capital levels.  Our knowledge of the marketplace and our experienced management team, together with our experience in managing problem assets acquired from the FDIC in the NCB and MCB transactions, position us to take advantage of future opportunities to acquire troubled financial institutions in our market area.

Key aspects of our business strategy include the following:

 
Raising additional capital and leveraging our capital base and acquisition experience to pursue additional strategic growth opportunities, especially FDIC-assisted acquisitions, such as NCB and MCB.

 
Growing our retail banking presence throughout the markets within west-central Georgia and east-central Alabama, including our expanded retail footprint resulting from the NCB and MCB acquisitions, while continuing to reduce our emphasis on wholesale banking.

 
Continuing to emphasize convenience for our customers by offering extended hours at most of our offices, alternative bank delivery systems that allow customers to pay bills, transfer funds and monitor account balances at any time, as well as products and services designed to meet the changing needs of our customers, such as our Rewards checking program.

 
Reducing our nonperforming assets and classified assets through diligent monitoring and resolution efforts, including problem assets acquired in the NCB and MCB acquisitions.

 
Continuing to integrate the assets and liabilities we acquired from NCB in June 2009 and MCB in March 2010, achieving operational efficiencies through the consolidation or relocation of our branches and building on the NCB and MCB franchises by offering expanded products and services.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Business Strategy” for a more complete discussion of our business strategy.

The Stock Issuance Plan, Reasons for the Stock Offering and Potential “Second-Step Conversion”

Our Board of Directors adopted the stock issuance plan on April 20, 2010 and amended the plan on June 7, 2010 and August 9, 2010 .  In adopting the stock issuance plan, our Board of Directors determined that the stock offering is in the best interests of all of our shareholders, including First Charter, MHC.  In ratifying the stock issuance plan, First Charter, MHC’s Board of Directors determined that the stock offering is in the best interests of First Charter, MHC and its members.  The proceeds of the stock offering will add to our financial strength on a consolidated basis.  The stock offering will enhance our ability to serve as a source of strength to CharterBank, and the increase in our capital and the capital of our banking subsidiary will provide us with greater capital resources to effect future corporate transactions, including acquisitions, and will enable us to grow internally and offer expanded services to customers in the communities that we serve.  Specifically, the increased capital resources that will result from the sale of common stock in the stock offering will facilitate the implementation of our business strategy by:

 
supporting internal growth through increased lending in the communities we serve, including our new markets resulting from the NCB and MCB acquisitions;
 
 
providing capital to support acquisitions of financial institutions as opportunities arise, especially troubled financial institutions with FDIC assistance, although we do not currently have any agreements to acquire a financial institution or other entity;
 
 
improving our capital position during a period of significant economic, regulatory and political uncertainty, especially for the financial services industry;
 
 
enabling us to enhance existing products and services to meet the needs of our marketplace;
 
 
4

 
 
 
assisting us in managing interest rate risk; and
 
 
improving the liquidity of our shares of common stock and enhancing shareholder returns through more flexible capital management strategies.
 
We expect that the proceeds from the stock offering will provide us with the necessary capital to pursue additional acquisitions, including FDIC-assisted transactions.  However, we intend to continue to raise capital after this stock offering as necessary to take advantage of attractive acquisition opportunities.  Future capital raises could involve what is commonly referred to as a “second-step conversion” in which (i) a new holding company would be formed as the successor to Charter Financial, (ii) First Charter, MHC’s corporate existence would end, and (iii) certain members of First Charter, MHC would receive the right to subscribe for shares of common stock of the new holding company.

In addition, we may pursue a second-step conversion if changes to regulations governing mutual holding companies, and particularly changes in the treatment of dividends waived by mutual holding companies, result in a second-step conversion being in the best interests of our shareholders.

In a second-step conversion, each share of Charter Financial common stock held by public shareholders would be automatically converted into a number of shares of common stock of the new holding company determined pursuant to an exchange ratio intended to maintain the ownership interests of public shareholders in Charter Financial.  A second-step conversion would require the approval of Charter Financial’s public shareholders, as well as the members of First Charter, MHC.
 
Terms of the Stock Offering

We are offering between $ 33.3 million and $ 60.0 million in shares of common stock to eligible depositors of CharterBank, eligible depositors of the former Neighborhood Community Bank and McIntosh Commercial Bank, our tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans, eligible borrowers of CharterBank, and to the extent shares remain available, residents of Alabama and Georgia, our shareholders other than First Charter, MHC and the general public.  The shares are being offered at a maximum price of $10.52 per share.  We may decrease the offering price to as low as $7.78  per share due to demand for the common stock, changes in the market for the stock of financial institutions, or regulatory considerations, without resoliciting subscribers.   All shares of common stock sold in the offering will be sold at a uniform price.   Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, however, is not obligated to purchase any shares in the stock offering.

Under the terms of the stock issuance plan, at the conclusion of the stock offering, we will cancel a number of shares of our common stock held by First Charter, MHC equal to the number of shares we sell in the stock offering.  Accordingly, the total number of outstanding shares of common stock of Charter Financial will not change as a result of the stock offering.  The number of shares of common stock owned by First Charter, MHC will decrease to between 9,896,351 shares and 11,576,864 shares, or 53.0% and 62.0%, respectively, of the 18,672,361 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2010, from 15,857,924 shares, or 84.9% of the shares of our common stock outstanding as of such date.

For more information regarding the terms of the stock offering, see “The Stock Offering.”
 
 
5

 
 
How We Determined the Price

The price at which we are offering our common stock is based on an independent appraisal of the estimated market value of Charter Financial.  RP Financial, LC., our independent appraiser, has estimated that as of May 21, 2010, the market value of Charter Financial, on a fully converted basis, was $1 70.9 million.  Pursuant to Office of Thrift Supervision regulations, the pro forma market value forms the midpoint of a range with a minimum of $ 145.3 million and a maximum of $ 196.4 million .  The term “fully converted” means that RP Financial assumed that 100% of our common stock had been sold to the public, rather than the 22.9% to 31.9% of our common stock that will be sold in the stock offering.  Based on this valuation, the maximum purchase price of the common stock being offered for sale is $10.52 per share .  

The appraisal is based in part on Charter Financial’s financial condition and results of operations, the pro forma effect of the additional capital raised by the sale of shares of common stock in the stock offering, and an analysis of a peer group of ten publicly traded financial institutions in the mutual holding company structure that RP Financial considered comparable to Charter Financial.

The estimated appraised value also took into consideration the trading price of Charter Financial common stock. The closing price of the common stock as quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board was $10.50 per share on April 20, 2010, the last trading day immediately preceding the announcement of the stock offering, and $9.85 per share on May 21, 2010, the effective date of the appraisal.  Regulatory appraisal guidelines require a fundamental analysis in the determination of pro forma market value.  Although it is an indicator of market value, the trading price of Charter Financial’s common stock is affected by a lack of liquidity, past and current dividend policies and the relatively small public float outstanding, which reduces the reliability of the current trading price as a determinate of market value for the stock offering.  Acccordingly, the trading value of Charter Financial’s common stock was considered one indicator of value, and not the primary valuation method.

Additional factors considered by RP Financial are discussed under “The Stock Offering—Stock Pricing and Number of Shares Issued.”

The following table presents a summary of selected pricing ratios for the ten peer group companies and Charter Financial (on a pro forma basis) on a fully-converted equivalent basis, based on annualized earnings and other information as of and for the twelve months ended March 31, 2010 and stock price information for the peer group companies as of May 21, 2010 as reflected in the appraisal report.  Compared to the average pricing of the peer group, our pro forma pricing ratios at the maximum of the offering price range indicated a discount of 22.4 % on a price-to-earnings basis, a premium of 403.5 % on a core price-to-earnings basis, a discount of 1.5 % on a price-to-book basis and a discount of 1.1 % on a price-to-tangible book basis.

   
Selected Pricing Ratios on a Fully-Converted Basis
 
   
Price-to-earnings
multiple   (1)
   
Core Price-to-
earnings
multiple (1)
   
Price-to-book
value ratio
   
Price-to-
tangible
book value ratio
 
Charter Financial (on a pro forma basis,
                       
assuming completion of the stock offering)
                       
Maximum
    18.26 x     123.62 x     74.73 %     76.31 %
Midpoint
    16.31 x     130.77 x     70.30 %     71.99 %
Minimum
    14.25 x     141.87 x     65.25 %     66.87 %
                                 
Valuation of peer group companies (on an historical basis)
                               
Averages
    23.5 4 x     24.55 x     75.89 %     77.17 %
Medians
    25.38 x     24.25 x     76.40 %     80.41 %


(1)
Price-to-earnings multiples calculated by RP Financial in the independent appraisal are based on trailing twelve month earnings through March 31, 2010.  Core price-to-earnings are based on estimates by RP Financial of recurring earnings, which are different than those presented in “Pro Forma Data.”

 
6

 
 
The following table presents a summary of the same selected pricing ratios as shown in the table above for the ten peer group companies and Charter Financial (on a pro forma basis), except that the pricing ratios have not been adjusted to the hypothetical case of being fully converted.

   
Price-to-earnings
multiple (1)
   
Price-to-book
value ratio
   
Price-to-tangible
book value ratio
 
   
4,281,060
Shares Sold
   
5,961,573
Shares Sold
   
4,281,060
Shares Sold
   
5,961,573
Shares Sold
   
4,281,060
Shares Sold
   
5,961,573
Shares Sold
 
Charter Financial (on a pro forma basis,
                                   
assuming completion of the stock offering)
                                   
Maximum
    21.97 x     21.34 x     133.20 %     119.44 %     138.09 %     123.50 %
Midpoint
    19.21 x     18.72 x     119.92 %     108.67 %     124.66 %     112.54 %
Minimum
    16.41 x     16.06 x     105.67 %     96.86 %     110.01 %     100.48 %
                                                 
Valuation of peer group companies (on an
                                               
historical basis) (2)
                                               
Averages
    25.69 x     25.69 x     128.16 %     128.16 %     132.40 %     132.40 %
Medians
    21.12 x     21.12 x     130.73 %     130.73 %     134.71 %     134.71 %
 

(1)
Price-to-earnings multiples calculated by RP Financial in the independent appraisal are based on trailing twelve month reported earnings through March 31, 2010.  These ratios are different than those presented in “Pro Forma Data.”  Price-to-earnings ratios calculated based on estimated core earnings are not meaningful and were omitted from this table.
(2)
The information for publicly traded mutual holding companies may not be meaningful for investors because it presents average and median information for mutual holding companies that issued a different percentage of their stock in their offerings than the 22.9% to 31.9% that we are issuing to the public if we sell the minimum and maximum number of shares we are offering.  In addition, the effect of stock repurchases also affects the ratios to a greater or lesser degree depending upon repurchase activity.

Our Board of Directors, in reviewing and approving the appraisal, considered the range of price-to-earnings multiples and the range of price-to-book value and price-to-tangible book value ratios at the different prices of shares to be sold in the offering, and did not consider one of these valuation approaches to be more important than the others.  Instead, in approving the appraisal, the board concluded that these ranges represented the appropriate balance of the different approaches to establishing our valuation and the price of shares to be sold in comparison to the peer group institutions.  The estimated appraised value took into consideration the potential financial impact of the stock offering as well as the trading price of Charter Financial common stock. The closing price of the common stock as quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board was $10.50 per share on April 20, 2010, the last trading day immediately preceding the announcement of the stock offering, and $9.85 per share on May 21, 2010, the effective date of the appraisal.

The independent appraisal does not indicate market value.  Do not assume or expect that our valuation as indicated in the appraisal means that after the stock offering the shares of our common stock will trade at or above the $ 10.52 per share purchase price.  Furthermore, the pricing ratios presented in the appraisal were utilized by RP Financial to estimate our market value and not to compare the relative value of shares of our common stock with the value of the capital stock of the peer group.  The value of the capital stock of a particular company may be affected by a number of factors such as financial performance, asset size and market location.

The independent appraisal will be updated prior to the completion of the stock offering. If the appraised value of Charter Financial changes to either below $ 145.3 million or above $ 196.4 million, we will resolicit persons who submitted stock orders as described under “The Stock Offering—Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued.”
 
 
7

 
 
How We Will Determine the Actual Purchase Price Per Share

All shares of common stock will be sold in the stock offering at the same price per share, which we refer to as the actual purchase price.  The actual purchase price will be determined by us after September 13, 2010, but prior to the completion of the stock offering, based on the independent appraisal and in conjunction with our financial advisor based on then-existing market and financial conditions.  Since the outcome of the stock offering relates in large measure to market conditions at the time of sale, it is not possible to determine the actual purchase price at this time.

If the actual purchase price at which shares are sold is less than $10.52 per share, the difference will be refunded or the withdrawal authorization reduced, except for subscribers who have elected on their order forms to have such difference applied to the purchase of additional whole shares to the extent available.  In the event that any of the common stock is sold in a syndicated community offering, the price per share for the common stock purchased in the subscription offering and, if held, the community offering will be the same as the price per share in the syndicated community offering.
 
Although no assurances can be given, the actual purchase price per share is expected to be within the offering price range.  If the actual purchase price per share is not within the offering price range, we may terminate the stock offering, or we may decide to continue the stock offering.  If we decide to continue the stock offering, we will with regulatory approval establish a new purchase price range, extend the offering period and resolicit persons who submitted stock order forms as described under “The Stock Offering—Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued.”  We may also take other actions as permitted by the Office of Thrift Supervision in order to complete the offering.

How We Intend to Use the Proceeds From the Stock Offering

We estimate net proceeds from the offering will be between $ 29.7 million and $ 57.8 million .  Charter Financial intends to retain between $ 12.5 million and $ 25.8 million of the net proceeds.  Approximately $ 14.9 million to $ 28.9 million of the net proceeds   will be invested in CharterBank.
 
A portion of the net proceeds retained by Charter Financial will be loaned to our employee stock ownership plan to fund its purchase of shares of common stock in the offering, which is expected to be 300,000 shares.

The remainder of the net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including paying cash dividends and repurchasing shares of our common stock.  Funds invested in CharterBank will be used to increase capital levels, reduce wholesale funding and support increased lending and new products and services.  The net proceeds retained by Charter Financial and CharterBank also may be used to expand our retail banking franchise by acquiring new branches or by acquiring other financial institutions, especially troubled financial institutions such as NCB and MCB, or other financial services companies as opportunities arise, although we do not currently have any agreements or understandings regarding any acquisition transaction and it is impossible to determine when, if ever, such opportunities may arise. Initially, a substantial portion of the net proceeds will be invested in short-term investments, investment-grade debt obligations and mortgage-backed securities.

Please see the section of this prospectus entitled “How We Intend to Use the Proceeds from the Offering” for more information on our proposed use of the proceeds from the offering.

Our Dividend Policy

Charter Financial has paid a quarterly cash dividend since September 2002.  Beginning with the dividend paid in May 2010, we reduced our quarterly dividend from $0.25 per share to $0.05 per share.  The reduction of the dividend to $0.05 per share reflects our decision to pursue strategic opportunities for deployment of capital in FDIC-assisted transactions such as the NCB and MCB acquisitions.  We currently intend to continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share in the future.  This dividend represents a 2.6 % and 1.9 % annual yield assuming a share price of $ 7.78 and $ 10.52 , respectively.  However, the dividend rate and the continued payment of dividends will primarily depend on our earnings, alternative uses for capital, such as FDIC-assisted transactions and other acquisition opportunities, capital requirements, and our financial condition and results of operations, and, to a lesser extent, statutory and regulatory limitations affecting dividends and dividend waivers by mutual holding companies, tax considerations and general economic conditions.  See “Our Dividend Policy” and “Market for Our Common Stock” for more information regarding our dividend policy and our historical dividend payments.
 
 
8

 
 
Purchases by Officers and Directors

We expect our directors and executive officers, together with their associates, to subscribe for 45,000 shares   of common stock in the stock offering.  The purchase price paid by them will be the same per share price paid by all other persons who purchase shares of common stock in the stock offering.  Following the stock offering, our directors and executive officers, together with their associates, are expected to own approximately 474,162   shares of common stock, which would equal 2.5 % of our total outstanding shares of common stock after the stock offering. Our directors and officers are not obligated to purchase any common stock in the offering.

Benefits to Management and Potential Dilution to Shareholders Resulting from the Stock Offering

Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  Our employee stock ownership plan is permitted by regulation to purchase in the stock offering a number of shares equal to up to 4.9% of the shares of common stock outstanding upon completion of the stock offering, subject to downward adjustment as may be required by Office of Thrift Supervision regulations or policy to reflect shares of common stock previously acquired by the employee stock ownership plan.  We intend for our employee stock ownership plan to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock in the stock offering, which, when combined with shares previously acquired by the employee stock ownership plan, will equal approximately 3.3% of the shares of common stock outstanding upon completion of the stock offering.  However, we reserve the right to have the employee stock ownership plan purchase more than 300,000 shares of common stock in the stock offering (up to the 4.9% regulatory limit, as adjusted) if necessary to complete the stock offering at the minimum of the offering range.

Our employee stock ownership plan reserves the right to purchase all or a portion of its shares in the open market following the stock offering, subject to regulatory approval, as applicable.

Assuming the employee stock ownership plan purchases 300,000 shares in the stock offering at the  $ 10.52 per share price , we will recognize additional compensation expense of approximately $ 105,000   annually (or approximately $ 65,000 after tax) over a 30-year period, assuming the loan to the employee stock ownership plan has a 30-year term and an interest rate equal to the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal, and that the shares of common stock have a fair market value of $ 10.52 per share for the full 30-year period.  If, in the future, the shares of common stock have a fair market value greater or less than $ 10.52 per share, the compensation expense will increase or decrease accordingly.

Stock-Based Incentive Plan. We also intend to implement a new stock-based incentive plan no earlier than six months after completion of the stock offering.  This plan must be approved by shareholders.  If implemented within twelve months following the completion of the stock offering, the stock-based incentive plan may reserve for awards of restricted stock to key employees and directors, at no cost to the recipients, a number of shares equal to up to 1.96% of the shares of common stock outstanding upon completion of the stock offering (assuming that CharterBank’s tangible capital is at least 10% at the time the plan is implemented), subject to downward adjustment as may be required by Office of Thrift Supervision regulations or policy to reflect restricted stock awards previously made by Charter Financial or CharterBank.  Charter Financial currently intends to reserve 82,000 shares of common stock for issuance of awards of restricted stock under the new stock-based incentive plan.  If such shares are drawn from authorized but unissued shares of common stock, shareholders would experience dilution of up to approximately 0.44% in their ownership interest in Charter Financial.

In addition, if implemented within twelve months following the completion of the offering, the stock-based incentive plan may reserve a number of shares equal to up to 4.9% of the shares of common stock outstanding upon completion of the stock offering for issuance pursuant to grants of stock options to key employees and directors, subject to downward adjustment as may be required by Office of Thrift Supervision regulations or policy to reflect stock options previously granted by Charter Financial and CharterBank.  Charter Financial currently intends to reserve 207,000 shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to grants of stock options under the new stock-based incentive plan.  If such shares are drawn from authorized but unissued shares of common stock, shareholders would experience dilution of up to 1.10% in their ownership interest in Charter Financial.

 
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Restricted stock awards and stock option grants made pursuant to a plan implemented within twelve months following the completion of the stock offering would be subject to Office of Thrift Supervision regulations, including a requirement that stock awards and stock options vest over a period of not less than five years.  If the stock-based incentive plan is adopted more than one year after the completion of the stock offering, shares reserved for awards of restricted stock or grants of stock options under the plan may exceed the percentage limitations set forth above, provided shares used to fund the plans in excess of these limits come from repurchased shares.  For a description of our current stock-based incentive plans, see “Management—Benefit Plans.”

The following table summarizes the number of shares of common stock and the aggregate dollar value of grants that are expected under the new stock-based incentive plan as a result of the stock offering.  The table also shows the dilution to shareholders if all such shares are issued from authorized but unissued shares, instead of shares purchased in the open market.  A portion of the stock grants shown in the table below may be made to non-management employees.
 
 
     
Shares to be Granted or Purchased (1)
                 
     
Number of
Shares
     
As a Percentage
 of Common
Stock Sold in
the Offering (2)
     
As a Percentage
of Common
Stock
 Outstanding
Upon
Completion of
the Offering
     
Dilution
Resulting
From Issuance
of Shares for
Stock-Based
Incentive
Plans (3)
     
Value of
Grants, in
thousands (4)
 
                                         
Employee stock ownership plan
    300,000       5.03 %     1.61 %     N/A     $ 2,967  
Restricted stock awards
    82,000       1.38 %     0.44 %     0.44 %     811  
Stock options
    207,000       3.47 %     1.11 %     1.10 %     453  
Total
    589,000       9.88 %     3.15 %     1.52 %   $ 4,231  

(1)
The table assumes that the stock-based incentive plan is implemented within twelve months after the completion of the stock offering, and that CharterBank’s tangible capital is at least 10% at the time the plan is implemented.  If the stock-based incentive plan is implemented more than twelve months after the completion of the stock offering, grants of options and restricted stock may exceed these percentage limitations, provided shares used to fund the plan in excess of these limits come from repurchased shares.
(2)
Assumes that the maximum number of shares offered, or 5,961,573 shares, are sold in the stock offering.
(3)
No dilution is reflected for the employee stock ownership plan because such shares are assumed to be purchased in the stock offering.
(4)
Assumes that shares are sold at $ 10.52 per share.  The actual value of restricted stock awards will be determined based on their fair value as of the date grants are made.  For purposes of this table, fair value for stock awards is assumed to be $ 10.52 per share.  The fair value of stock options has been estimated at $2.19 per option using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following assumptions: a grant-date share price and option exercise price of $ 10.52 ; an expected option life of eight years; a dividend yield of 2.0% equal to the average dividend yield of publicly-traded thrifts; an interest rate of 3.16%; and a volatility rate of 25.0% based on an index of publicly traded institutions in the mutual holding company structure. The actual value of option grants will be determined by the grant-date fair value of the options, which will depend on a number of factors, including the valuation assumptions used in the option pricing model ultimately adopted.

We may fund our stock-based incentive plan through open market purchases, as opposed to new issuances of stock; however, if any options previously granted under our existing 2001 Stock Option Plan are exercised during the first year following completion of the stock offering, they will be funded with newly issued shares because Office of Thrift Supervision regulations do not permit us to repurchase our shares during the first year following the completion of this stock offering except to fund the grants of restricted stock under our stock-based incentive plan or under extraordinary circumstances.
 
 
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The following table presents information as of March 31, 2010 regarding our employee stock ownership plan, our 2001 Stock Option Plan, our 2001 Recognition and Retention Plan, and our proposed stock-based incentive plan.  The table also assumes that all shares are sold at the maximum per share price, or $ 10.52 per share.

Existing and New Stock Benefit Plans
 
Participants
 
Shares
   
Estimated Value of
Shares
   
Percentage of Shares
Outstanding Upon
Completion of the
Offering (1)
 
                       
Employee Stock Ownership Plan:
 
Employees
                 
Shares purchased in 2001 offering
        317,158 (2)   $ 3,336,502       1.70 %
Shares to be purchased in this offering
        300,000       3,156,000       1.61  
Total employee stock ownership plan shares
        617,158     $ 6,492,502       3.31 %
                             
Restricted Stock Awards:
 
Directors, Officers and Employees
                       
2001 Recognition and Retention Plan
        283,177 (3)   $ 2,979,022 (4)     1.52 %
New shares of restricted stock
        82,000       862,640 (4)     0.44  
Total shares of restricted stock
        365,177     $ 3,841,662       1.96 %
                             
Stock Options:
 
Directors, Officers and Employees
                       
2001 Stock Option Plan
        707,943 (5)   $ 1,645,909       3.79 %
New stock options
        207,000       481,258 (6)     1.11  
Total stock options
        914,943     $ 2,127,167       4.90 %
                             
Total of stock benefit plans
        1,897,278     12,461,331       10.16
 

(1)
Percentages are based on 18,672,361 shares outstanding upon completion of the stock offering, which includes 154,699 shares held by the employee stock ownership plan that have not been allocated and 93,505 shares reserved for issuance as restricted stock awards under the 2001 Recognition and Retention Plan.
(2)
As of March 31, 2010, 162,459 of these shares have been allocated.
(3)
As of March 31, 2010, 222,788 of these shares have been awarded, and 189,672 shares have vested.
(4)
The value of restricted stock awards is determined based on their fair value as of the date grants are made.  For purposes of this table, the fair value of awards under the new stock-based incentive plan is assumed to be $ 10.52 , the maximum per share offering price for the stock offering.
(5)
As of March 31, 2010, options to purchase 412,425 of these shares have been awarded, and options to purchase 295,518 of these shares remain available for future grants.
(6)
The weighted-average fair value of stock options has been estimated at $ 2.32 per option using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following assumptions: a grant-date share price and option exercise price of $ 10.52 , the maximum per share offering price for the stock offering; an expected option life of eight years; a dividend yield of 2.0% equal to the average dividend yield of publicly-traded thrifts; an interest rate of 3.16%; and a volatility rate of 25.0% based on an index of publicly traded institutions in the mutual holding company structure.

Persons Who May Order Shares of Common Stock in the Offering

We are offering the shares of common stock in a “subscription offering” in the following descending order of priority:

 
(i)
First, to depositors with accounts at CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank or McIntosh Commercial Bank with combined aggregate balances of at least $50 at the close of business on December 31, 2008;
 
 
(ii)
Second, to our tax-qualified employee benefit plans, including CharterBank’s employee stock ownership plan;
 
 
(iii)
Third, to depositors with accounts at CharterBank with aggregate balances of at least $50 at the close of business on [SERD]; and
 
 
(iv)
Fourth, to borrowers of CharterBank as of October 16, 2001 whose borrowings remained outstanding at the close of business on [SERD].
 
 
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Shares of common stock not purchased in the subscription offering may be offered for sale to the general public in a “community offering,” with a preference given first to natural persons (including trusts of natural persons) residing in the States of Alabama and Georgia, and then to Charter Financial public shareholders.  The community offering, if held, may begin concurrently with, during or promptly after the subscription offering as we may determine at any time.  We also may offer for sale shares of common stock not purchased in the subscription offering or community offering through a “syndicated community offering” managed by Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated.  We have the right to accept or reject, in our sole discretion, orders received in the community offering or syndicated community offering.  Any determination to accept or reject orders in the community offering and the syndicated community offering will be based on the facts and circumstances available to management at the time of the determination.

If we receive orders for more shares than we are offering, we may not be able to fully or partially fill your order.  Shares will be allocated first to categories in the subscription offering.  A detailed description of share allocation procedures can be found in the section of this prospectus entitled See “The Stock Offering—Subscription Offering and Subscription Rights”, and “—Community Offering.”

Limits on the Amount of Common Stock You May Purchase

The minimum number of shares of common stock for which any person may subscribe in the stock offering is 25 shares.  Accordingly, if the per share price is $11.37, your order must be for at least $ 263.00 of common stock to be accepted.

If you are not currently a Charter Financial Corporation shareholder.  No individual may purchase more than $1.5 million of common stock.  If any of the following persons purchases shares of common stock, their purchases, in all categories of the offering, when combined with your purchases, cannot exceed 5% of the shares of common stock issued in the stock offering:
 
 
your spouse or relatives of you or your spouse living in your house;
 
 
most companies, trusts or other entities in which you are a trustee, have a substantial beneficial interest or hold a senior position; or
 
 
other persons who may be your associates or persons acting in concert with you.
 
Unless we determine otherwise, persons having the same address and persons exercising subscription rights through qualifying accounts registered to the same address will be subject to the overall purchase limitation of 5% of the shares of common stock issued in the stock offering.

See the detailed description of “acting in concert” and “associate” in the section of this prospectus headed “The Stock Offering—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases.”

If you are currently a Charter Financial Corporation shareholder.  In addition to the above purchase limitations, there is an ownership limitation for shareholders other than our employee stock ownership plan.  Shares of common stock that you purchase in the offering individually and together with persons described above, plus any shares of Charter Financial common stock that you and they own as of [SERD], may not exceed 5% of the shares of common stock issued in the stock offering.

Subject to Office of Thrift Supervision approval, we may increase or decrease the purchase and ownership limitations at any time.
 
How You May Purchase Shares of Common Stock in the Subscription and Community Offerings

All persons ordering stock in the subscription and community offerings must order a specific number of shares at the per share of $10.52 .  The minimum number of shares of common stock that any person may order is 25 shares.  Accordingly, your order must be for at least  $ 263.00 of common stock to be accepted.   If the actual price at which shares are sold is less than the $10.52 subscription price, the difference will be refunded or the withdrawal authorization reduced, except for subscribers who have elected on their order forms to have such difference applied to the purchase of additional whole shares to the extent available.   Fractional shares will not be issued; instead, we will refund, with interest at CharterBank’s passbook rate, the amount that is insufficient to purchase a whole share of common stock. The total number of shares of common stock that will be issued to a subscriber is subject to the applicable purchase limitations and allocation procedures in the stock offering in the event of an oversubscription.  See “The Stock Offering.”
 
 
12

 

In the subscription offering and community offering, you may pay for your shares only by:
 
 
(i)
personal check, bank check or money order made payable directly to Charter Financial Corporation; or
 
 
(ii)
authorizing us to withdraw funds from the types of CharterBank deposit accounts designated on the stock order form.

CharterBank is not permitted to lend funds to anyone for the purpose of purchasing shares of common stock in the offering.  Additionally, you may not use a CharterBank line of credit check or third party check to pay for shares of common stock.  Please do not submit cash.  You may not designate a withdrawal from CharterBank accounts with check-writing privileges.  Please provide a check instead.  You may not designate a withdrawal from a CharterBank retirement account.  If you wish to use funds in such an account, please see “—Using IRA Funds,” below.

You can subscribe for shares of common stock in the offering by delivering a signed and completed original stock order form, together with full payment payable to Charter Financial Corporation or authorization to withdraw funds from one or more of your CharterBank deposit accounts, provided that we receive the stock order form before 2:00 p.m., Georgia Time, on [expiration date], which is the end of the offering period.  If you order stock by providing a personal check, the funds must be in your account when your stock order is received.  Checks and money orders will be deposited with CharterBank.  We will pay interest at CharterBank’s passbook rate from the date funds are processed until completion or termination of the offering, at which time subscribers will receive interest checks.

Withdrawals from certificates of deposit to purchase shares of common stock in the offering may be made without incurring an early withdrawal penalty.  If a withdrawal results in a certificate account with a balance less than the applicable minimum balance requirement, the certificate will be canceled at the time of withdrawal without penalty and the remaining balance will earn interest at the current passbook rate subsequent to the withdrawal.

All funds authorized for withdrawal from deposit accounts at CharterBank must be in the accounts at the time the stock order is received. However, funds will not be withdrawn from the accounts until the completion of the offering and will earn interest within the account at the applicable deposit account rate until that time.  A hold will be placed on those funds when your stock order is received, making the designated funds unavailable to you.

By signing the stock order form, you are acknowledging both receipt of this prospectus and that the shares of common stock are not deposits or savings accounts that are federally insured or otherwise guaranteed by CharterBank, Charter Financial or the federal government.  After a stock order form is submitted, the order cannot be cancelled or changed without our approval, unless the stock offering is extended beyond [offering expiration date – extended].

Using IRA Funds to Purchase Stock

You may be able to subscribe for shares of common stock using funds in your individual retirement account (“IRA”), or other retirement account.  However, shares of common stock must be held in a self-directed retirement account, such as those offered by a brokerage firm. By regulation, CharterBank’s retirement accounts are not self-directed, so they cannot be invested in our common stock. If you wish to use some or all of the funds in your CharterBank IRA or other retirement account, the applicable funds must first be transferred to a self-directed account maintained by an independent trustee, such as a brokerage firm. If you do not have such an account, you will need to establish one before placing your stock order. An annual administrative fee may be payable to the independent trustee. Because individual circumstances differ and processing of retirement fund orders takes additional time, we recommend that you contact our Stock Information Center promptly, preferably at least two weeks before the [expiration date] offering deadline, for assistance with purchases using your IRA or other retirement account that you may have at CharterBank or elsewhere.  Whether you may use such funds for the purchase of shares in the stock offering may depend on timing constraints and, possibly, limitations imposed by the institution where the funds are held.
 
 
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Delivery of Stock Certificates in the Subscription and Community Offerings

Certificates representing shares of common stock sold in the subscription offering and community offering will be mailed to the persons entitled thereto at the certificate registration address noted by them on the stock order form, as soon as practicable following consummation of the stock offering.  It is possible that until certificates for the common stock are delivered to purchasers, purchasers might not be able to sell the shares of common stock that they ordered, even though trading of the new shares of common stock will already have started.  Your ability to sell shares of common stock before you receive stock certificates will depend upon the arrangements you may make with your brokerage firm.

You May Not Sell or Transfer Your Subscription Rights

Office of Thrift Supervision regulations prohibit you from transferring your subscription rights.  If you order shares of common stock in the subscription offering, you will be required to acknowledge in writing that you are purchasing the common stock for yourself and that you have no agreement or understanding to sell or transfer your subscription rights.  We intend to take legal action, including reporting persons to federal agencies, against anyone who we believe has sold or transferred his or her subscription rights.  We will not accept your order if we have reason to believe that you have sold or transferred your subscription rights.  On the stock order form, you may not add the names of others for joint stock registration who do not have subscription rights or who qualify only in a lower subscription offering priority than you do.  In addition, the stock order form requires that you list all accounts, giving all names on each account and the account number at the applicable eligibility date.  Failure to provide this information, or providing incomplete or incorrect information, may result in a loss of part or all of your share allocation, if there is an oversubscription.

Deadline for Placing an Order in the Subscription and Community Offerings

If you wish to purchase shares of common stock, a properly completed and signed original stock order form, together with full payment for the shares of common stock, must be received (not postmarked) by no later than 2:00 p.m., Georgia time, on [expiration date], unless we extend this deadline.  You may submit your stock order form by mail using the stock order reply envelope provided, by overnight courier to the Stock Information Center address indicated on the stock order form, or by hand-delivery to  CharterBank’s executive office, 1233 O.G. Skinner Drive, West Point, Georgia. Hand delivered order forms will only be accepted at this location. Our banking offices will not accept stock order forms.  Please do not mail stock order forms to CharterBank.  Once submitted, your order is irrevocable unless the offering is terminated or extended beyond [extension date].

Although we will make reasonable attempts to provide this prospectus and offering materials to holders of subscription rights, the subscription offering and all subscription rights will expire at 2:00 p.m., Georgia time, on [expiration date], whether or not we have been able to locate each person entitled to subscription rights.

TO ENSURE THAT EACH PERSON RECEIVES A PROSPECTUS AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE OF [EXPIRATION DATE] IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW, NO PROSPECTUS WILL BE MAILED ANY LATER THAN FIVE DAYS PRIOR TO [EXPIRATION DATE] OR HAND-DELIVERED ANY LATER THAN TWO DAYS PRIOR TO [EXPIRATION DATE].

Steps We May Take if We Do Not Receive Orders for the Minimum Gross Proceeds

If we do not receive orders for at least $ 33.3 million of common stock, we may take several steps in order to sell the minimum amount of common stock in the offering range.  Specifically, we may: (i) increase the purchase and ownership limitations; (ii) seek regulatory approval to extend the offering beyond the [extension date] expiration date, provided that any such extension will require us to resolicit subscriptions received in the offering; and/or (iii) increase the purchase of shares by the employee stock ownership plan.

 
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Market for Common Stock

The publicly held shares of Charter Financial’s common stock are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “CHFN.OB.” Upon completion of the stock offering, we expect that Charter Financial’s common stock will trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CHFN.” In order to list our stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we are required to have at least three broker-dealers who will make a market in our common stock.  Charter Financial currently has more than three market makers, including Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated.  Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated has advised us that it intends to make a market in our common stock following the offering, but it is under no obligation to do so.

There can be no assurance that persons purchasing our shares of common stock will be able to sell their shares of common stock at or above the actual per share purchase price in the offering. Purchasers of our common stock should have a long-term investment intent and should recognize that there may be a limited trading market in the common stock.

How You Can Obtain Additional Information—Stock Information Center

Our banking personnel may not, by law, assist with investment-related questions about the offering.  If you have any questions regarding the stock offering, please call our Stock Information Center, toll free, at 1-________.  The Stock Information Center is open Monday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Georgia time.  The Stock Information Center will be closed weekends and bank holidays.  Our banking offices will not have offering materials and will not accept stock order forms.

 
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You should consider carefully the following risk factors in evaluating an investment in the shares of common stock.

Risks Related to Our Business

The United States economy remains weak and unemployment levels are high.  A prolonged economic downturn, especially one affecting our geographic market area, will adversely affect our business and financial results.

The United States experienced a severe economic recession in 2008 and 2009.  While economic growth has resumed recently, the rate of growth has been slow and unemployment remains at very high levels and is not expected to improve in the near future.  Loan portfolio quality has deteriorated at many financial institutions reflecting, in part, the weak U.S. economy and high unemployment.  In addition, the values of real estate collateral supporting many commercial loans and home mortgages have declined and may continue to decline.  The continuing weakness in real estate markets also has resulted in reduced demand for the construction of new housing and increased delinquencies in construction, residential and commercial mortgage loans. Bank and bank holding company stock prices have declined substantially from their levels in 2007, and it is significantly more difficult for banks and bank holding companies to raise capital or borrow in the debt markets.

The FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile has reported that nonperforming assets as a percentage of assets for FDIC-insured financial institutions rose to 3.43% as of March 31, 2010, compared to 0.95% as of December 31, 2007.  For the calendar year ended March 31, 2010, the FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile has reported that annualized return on average assets was 0.54% for FDIC-insured financial institutions compared to 0.81% for the year ended December 31, 2007.  The NASDAQ Bank Index declined 29.9% between December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2010. At March 31, 2010, our non-covered nonperforming assets as a percentage of non-covered assets was 2.28%, and our annualized return on average assets was 1.63% for the six months ended March 31, 2010.  At that date, our covered nonperforming assets as a percentage of covered assets was 43.3%, and our FDIC loss sharing coverage plus nonaccretable discount was 85.63% of covered assets.  A substantial portion of our return on average assets during this period was due to our pre-tax acquisition gain of $15.6 million related to the MCB acquisition.

Continued negative developments in the financial services industry and the domestic and international credit markets may significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the market for and value of our loans and investments, and our ongoing operations, costs and profitability.  Moreover, continued declines in the stock market in general, or stock values of financial institutions and their holding companies specifically, could adversely affect our stock performance.

Changes in interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Our results of operations and financial condition are significantly affected by changes in interest rates.  Our results of operations depend substantially on our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and the interest expense we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings.  Because our interest-bearing liabilities generally reprice or mature more quickly than our interest-earning assets, a sustained increase in interest rates generally would tend to result in a decrease in net interest income.

Changes in interest rates may also affect the average life of loans and mortgage-related securities. Decreases in interest rates can result in increased prepayments of loans and mortgage-related securities, as borrowers refinance to reduce their borrowing costs.  Under these circumstances, we are subject to reinvestment risk to the extent that we are unable to reinvest the cash received from such prepayments at rates that are comparable to the rates on existing loans and securities. Additionally, increases in interest rates may decrease loan demand and make it more difficult for borrowers to repay adjustable rate loans. Also, increases in interest rates may extend the life of fixed-rate assets, which would restrict our ability to reinvest in higher yielding alternatives, and may result in customers withdrawing certificates of deposit early so long as the early withdrawal penalty is less than the interest they could receive as a result of the higher interest rates.
 
 
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Changes in interest rates also affect the current fair value of our interest-earning securities portfolio.  Generally, the value of securities moves inversely with changes in interest rates.  At March 31, 2010, the fair value of our portfolio of investment securities, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations totaled $205.5 million.  Net unrealized losses on these securities totaled $4.6 million at March 31, 2010.
 
At March 31, 2010, the Office of Thrift Supervision’s simulation model indicated that our net portfolio value would decrease by 5% if there was an instantaneous parallel 200 basis point increase in market interest rates.  See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Management of Market Risk.”

Additionally, a majority of our single-family mortgage loan portfolio is comprised of adjustable-rate loans.  Any rise in market interest rates may result in increased payments for borrowers who have adjustable rate mortgage loans, increasing the possibility of default.

Our business may be adversely affected by credit risk associated with residential property.
 
As of March 31, 2010, non-covered residential mortgage loans totaled $114.4 million, or 24.0% of total non-covered loans.  Residential mortgage loans are generally sensitive to regional and local economic conditions that may significantly affect the ability of borrowers to meet their loan payment obligations, making loss levels difficult to predict. The decline in residential real estate values resulting from the downturn in the Georgia and Alabama housing markets has reduced the value of the real estate collateral securing the majority of our loans and has increased the risk that we would incur losses if borrowers default on their loans. Continued declines in both the volume of real estate sales and the sales prices, coupled with the current weak economic conditions and the associated increases in unemployment, may result in higher loan delinquencies or problem assets, a decline in demand for our products and services, or a decrease in our deposits. These potential negative events may cause us to incur losses, which would adversely affect our capital and liquidity and damage our financial condition and business operations. These declines may have a greater impact on our earnings and capital than on the earnings and capital of financial institutions that have more diversified loan portfolios. Many of our loans do not conform to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac underwriting guidelines as a result of characteristics of the borrower or property, the loan terms, loan size or exceptions from agency underwriting guidelines.  In exchange for the additional risk associated with these loans, they generally have a higher interest rate, and depending on the borrower’s credit history, a lower loan-to-value ratio than conforming loans.  For example, our one- to four-family residential mortgage loans had an average loan to value ratio of approximately 68% at March 31, 2010, based on appraisals at the time of the origination of the loans.
 
Our non-conforming one- to four-family residential mortgage loans include interest-only loans, and loans to borrowers with a FICO score below 660 (these loans are considered subprime by the Office of Thrift Supervision). As of March 31, 2010, interest-only loans totaled $20.7 million, of which $2.6 million had FICO scores under 660.  This $2.6 million portion of our loan portfolio consists of loans with either mortgage insurance or loan to value ratios under 80%. We consider "subprime" loans to be loans originated to borrowers having credit scores below 580 at the time of origination.  At June 30, 2010, we had $1.5 million in such loans.
 
In the case of interest-only loans, a borrower’s monthly payment is subject to change when the loan converts to fully-amortizing status.  Since the borrower’s monthly payment may increase substantially even without an increase in prevailing market interest rates, there is no assurance that the borrower will be able to afford the increased monthly payment at the time the loan becomes fully-amortizing.
 
Non-conforming one- to four-family residential mortgage loans are considered to have a greater risk of delinquency, default or foreclosure than conforming loans.  Furthermore, non-conforming loans are not as readily saleable as loans that conform to agency guidelines, and often can be sold only after discounting the amortized value of the loan.
 
 
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Our non-covered non-residential loans increase our exposure to credit risks.

Over the last several years, we have increased our non-residential lending in order to improve the yield and reduce the average duration of our assets.  At March 31, 2010, our portfolio of non-covered commercial real estate, real estate construction, commercial business, and other non-covered non-residential loans totaled $361.8 million, or 76.0% of total non-covered loans, compared to $215.4 million, or 59.2% of total loans (all of which were non-covered) at September 30, 2005.  At March 31, 2010, the amount of covered non-performing non-residential loans was $ 62.7 million and the amount of non-covered non-performing non-residential loans was $9.7 million.  At March 31, 2010 , our three largest non-residential real estate borrowing relationships consisted of a $ 13.1 million relationship with a residential builder with collateral including subdivisions, completed apartment buildings and, to a limited extent, construction projects, a $ 13.0 million relationship with a commercial real estate developer with collateral including the cash flow from shopping centers and apartments, and a $9.8 million relationship with investors holding land for development.  These loans may expose us to a greater risk of non-payment and loss than residential real estate loans because, in the case of commercial loans, repayment often depends on the successful operations and earnings of the borrowers and, in the case of consumer loans, the applicable collateral is subject to rapid depreciation.  Additionally, commercial loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers compared to residential real estate loans.  If loans that are collateralized by real estate become troubled and the value of the real estate has been significantly impaired, then we may not be able to recover the full contractual amount of principal and interest due on the loan, which could cause us to increase our provision for loan losses and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

If the allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings could decrease.

Our customers may not repay their loans according to the original terms, and the collateral, if any, securing the payment of these loans may be insufficient to pay any remaining loan balance.  We may experience significant loan losses, which may have a material adverse effect on our operating results.  We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of the loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of loans.  If our assumptions are incorrect, the allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio, which would require additions to the allowance.  Additions to the allowance would decrease our net income. At June 30, 2010, our allowance for loan losses was $9.5 million, or 2.0% of total non-covered loans and 72.2 % of non-covered non-performing loans, compared to $9.3 million, or 1.98% of total non-covered loans and 70.1% of non-covered non-performing loans at September 30, 2009. At June 30, 2010 there were $12.9 million in nonperforming loans that were not covered by loss sharing.  There were also $281.2 million in covered loans (contractual balance), and $124.7 million in nonperforming covered loans (contractual balance), with $79.7 million in related nonaccretable differences and allowances.

Our level of commercial real estate, real estate construction and commercial business loans is one of the more significant factors in evaluating the allowance for loan losses.  These loans may require increased provisions for loan losses in the future, which would decrease our earnings.

Bank regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require an increase to the provision for loan losses or further loan charge-offs. Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs as required by these regulatory authorities may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

We could record future losses on our securities portfolio.
 
For the six months ended March 31, 2010, we have recorded $2.5 million in other than temporary impairment charges on non-government agency collateralized mortgage obligations and an additional $1.0 million impairment charge on an equity investment.  At March 31, 2010, our securities portfolio totaled $205.5 million, which included $52.7 million of non-government agency collateralized mortgage obligations with net unrealized losses of $6.7 million.  A number of factors or combinations of factors could require us to conclude in one or more future reporting periods that an unrealized loss that exists with respect to these securities constitutes an impairment that is other than temporary, which would result in additional losses that could be material.  These factors include, but are not limited to, a continued failure by the issuer to make scheduled interest payments, an increase in the severity of the unrealized loss on a particular security, an increase in the continuous duration of the unrealized loss without an improvement in value or changes in market conditions and/or industry or issuer specific factors that would render us unable to forecast a full recovery in value.  In addition, the fair values of securities could decline if the overall economy and the financial condition of some of the underlying borrowers deteriorate. There remains limited liquidity for these securities and additional impairment charges may be required in future periods.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Balance Sheet Analysis—Securities” for a discussion of our securities portfolio and the unrealized losses related to the portfolio.
 
 
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Higher FDIC insurance premiums and special assessments will adversely affect our earnings.
 
As part of a plan to restore the reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund, the FDIC imposed a special assessment equal to five basis points of assets less Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009, which was payable on September 30, 2009.  We recorded an expense of $448,000 during the quarter ended June 30, 2009, to reflect the special assessment.  The FDIC has also increased its maximum quarterly assessment rates and changed the method by which rates are calculated.  Quarterly assessments paid by CharterBank for 2010 equaled $446,400, compared to $399,900 for 2009.  Any further special assessments or increases to quarterly assessment rates will adversely affect our earnings. Moreover, under the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), the minimum statutory reserve ratio for the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund has been increased from 1.15% to 1.35% of insurable deposits by September 30, 2020, although banks with assets under $10 billion are exempt from any FDIC assessments necessary to increase the Deposit Insurance Fund above 1.15%.
 
In addition, in November 2009 the FDIC adopted a rule requiring insured depository institutions to prepay, on December 30, 2009, their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011, and 2012.  The assessment rate for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for 2010 was based on each institution’s total base assessment rate for the third quarter of 2009, modified to assume that the assessment rate in effect on September 30, 2009 had been in effect for the entire third quarter, and the assessment rate for 2011 and 2012 was equal to the modified third quarter assessment rate plus an additional three basis points.  Each institution’s base assessment rate for each period was calculated using its third quarter assessment base, adjusted quarterly for an estimated 5% annual growth rate in the assessment base through the end of 2012.  On December 30, 2009, CharterBank prepaid approximately $3.1 million in estimated quarterly assessment fees for the fourth quarter of 2009 through the fourth quarter of 2012.  Since prepaying our estimated FDIC assessments through 2012, the amount of our deposits has increased significantly due to our acquisition of MCB.  As a result, our 3-year FDIC assessment prepayment will likely be amortized and replenished over a shorter time period.
 
Because the prepaid assessments represent the prepayment of future expense, they do not affect CharterBank’s capital or tax obligations.
 
Our business may continue to be adversely affected by downturns in our national and local economies.
 
Our operations are significantly affected by national and local economic conditions. Substantially all of our loans are to businesses and individuals in west-central Georgia and east-central Alabama. All of our branches and most of our deposit customers are also located in these two states. A continuing decline in the economies in which we operate could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In particular, Georgia and Alabama have experienced home price declines, increased foreclosures and high unemployment rates.
 
A further deterioration in economic conditions in the market areas we serve could result in the following consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations:

 
demand for our loans, deposits and services may decline;

 
loan delinquencies, problem assets and foreclosures may increase;

 
collateral for our loans may decline further in value; and

 
the amount of our low-cost or non-interest bearing deposits may decrease.
 
 
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Our market area has traditionally depended on the textile industry as a source of employment; however, textile manufacturing and jobs associated with it have almost completely disappeared from our market in recent years.  Our local economy has adapted to include other trade sectors, including a new Kia Motor Corporation automotive assembly and manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia, and a military base realignment that will significantly increase employment in the Columbus, Georgia area near Fort Benning.  However, our local economy did not experience the same growth as other nearby regions prior to the current economic recession.  While we anticipate addressing this economic risk by expanding our retail delivery systems into other nearby markets, we cannot guarantee that we will be successful or that a downturn in our local economy will not have a negative impact on our earnings.
 
 
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If our non-performing assets increase, our earnings will decrease.

At March 31, 2010, our non-performing assets (which consist of non-accrual loans, loans 90 days or more delinquent, and foreclosed real estate assets) not covered by loss sharing agreements totaled $20.5 million, which is an increase of $2.4 million, or 13.3%, over non-performing assets not covered by loss sharing agreements at September 30, 2009.  At March 31, 2010 nonperforming assets covered by FDIC loss sharing totaled $107.9 million (net of related nonaccreatable differences and allowances). Our non-performing assets adversely affect our net income in various ways. We do not record interest income on non-accrual loans or real estate owned.  Based on our estimate of the level of allowance for loan losses required, we record a provision for loan losses as a charge to earnings to maintain the allowance for loan losses at an appropriate level.  From time to time, we also write down the value of properties in our other real estate owned portfolio to reflect changing market values.  Additionally, there are legal fees associated with the resolution of problem assets as well as carrying costs such as taxes, insurance and maintenance related to our other real estate owned.  Further, the resolution of non-performing assets requires the active involvement of management, which could detract from the overall supervision of our operations.  Finally, if our estimate of the allowance for loan losses is inadequate, we will have to increase the allowance accordingly.

We may incur higher than expected loan charge-offs with respect to assets acquired in the Neighborhood Community Bank and McIntosh Commercial Bank acquisitions, all of which may not be supported by our loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC.

We acquired approximately $202.8 million and $322.6 million of assets in connection with the NCB and MCB acquisitions, respectively. We marked down these assets to fair value at the date of acquisition, but there is no assurance that these acquired assets will not suffer further deterioration in value, which would require additional charge-offs. We entered into loss sharing agreements with the FDIC that provide that 80% of losses related to the acquired loans and other real estate owned (“covered assets”), up to $82 million in losses with respect to the $177.6 million of NCB covered assets and up to $106 million in losses with respect to the $262.9 million of MCB covered assets, will be borne by the FDIC and thereafter the FDIC will bear 95% of losses on NCB and MCB covered assets.  However, we are not protected from all losses resulting from charge-offs with respect to such covered assets. Further, the loss sharing agreements have limited terms ranging from five years for commercial loans to ten years for residential mortgage loans. Therefore, any charge-offs or related losses that we experience after the expiration of the loss sharing agreements will not be reimbursed by the FDIC and would reduce our net income. Finally, if we fail to comply with the terms of the loss sharing agreements, we could lose the right to receive payments on a covered asset from the FDIC under the agreements.  See “—Our ability to continue to receive benefits of our loss share arrangements with the FDIC is conditioned upon our compliance with certain requirements under the agreements,” below.

Our ability to continue to receive the benefits of our loss share arrangements with the FDIC is conditioned upon our compliance with certain requirements under the agreements.

Our ability to recover a portion of our losses and retain the loss share protection is subject to our compliance with certain requirements imposed on us in the loss share agreements with the FDIC.  These requirements relate primarily to our administration of the assets covered by the agreements, as well as our obtaining the consent of the FDIC to engage in certain corporate transactions that may be deemed under the agreements to constitute a transfer of the loss share benefits. For example, any merger or consolidation of CharterBank with another financial institution would require the consent of the FDIC under the loss share agreements relating to both the NCB and MCB transactions.  In addition, certain public or private offerings of common stock by us that would increase our outstanding shares by more than 9 % would require the consent of the FDIC under the MCB loss share agreements.

In instances where the FDIC’s consent is required under the loss share agreements, the FDIC may withhold its consent to such transactions or may condition its consent on terms that we do not find acceptable. While we obtained the FDIC’s consent in connection with this offering without paying a consent fee, there can be no assurance that in the future the FDIC will grant its consent or condition its consent on terms that we find acceptable.  If the FDIC does not grant its consent to a transaction we would like to pursue, or conditions its consent on terms that we do not find acceptable, this may cause us not to engage in a corporate transaction that might otherwise benefit our shareholders or we may elect to pursue such a transaction without obtaining the FDIC’s consent, which could result in termination of our loss share agreements with the FDIC.
 
 
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We may fail to realize any benefits and may incur unanticipated losses related to the assets we acquired and liabilities we assumed from Neighborhood Community Bank and McIntosh Commercial Bank.

The success of the NCB and MCB acquisitions will depend, in part, on our ability to successfully combine the businesses and assets we acquired with our business, and our ability to successfully manage the significant loan portfolios that were acquired. It may take longer to successfully liquidate the nonperforming assets that were acquired in the NCB and MCB transactions.  As with any acquisition involving a financial institution, there may also be business and service changes and disruptions that result in the loss of customers or cause customers to close their accounts and move their business to competing financial institutions.  It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of ongoing business, or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with clients, customers, depositors and employees, or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the transactions.  Successful integration may also be hampered by differences between our organization and the NCB and MCB organizations.  The loss of key employees of NCB and/or MCB could adversely affect our ability to successfully conduct business in the markets in which NCB and MCB operated, which could adversely affect our financial results.  Integration efforts will also divert attention and resources from our management.  In addition, general market and economic conditions or governmental actions affecting the financial industry generally may inhibit our ability to successfully integrate these operations.  If we experience difficulties with the integration process, the anticipated benefits of the transactions may not be realized fully, or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected.  Finally, any cost savings that are realized may be offset by losses in revenues or other charges to earnings.

FDIC-assisted acquisition opportunities may not become available and increased competition may make it more difficult for us to successfully bid on failed bank transactions on terms we consider acceptable.

Our near-term business strategy includes the pursuit of potential acquisitions of failing banks that the FDIC plans to place in receivership. The FDIC may not place banks that meet our strategic objectives into receivership. Failed bank transactions are attractive opportunities in part because of loss-sharing arrangements with the FDIC that limit the acquirer’s risk of loss on the purchased loan portfolio and, apart from our assumption of deposit liabilities, we have significant discretion as to the nondeposit liabilities that we assume.  In addition, assets purchased from the FDIC are marked to their fair value and in many cases there is little or no addition to goodwill arising from an FDIC-assisted transaction. The bidding process for failing banks could become very competitive, and the increased competition may make it more difficult for us to bid on terms we consider to be acceptable.  We expect increased competition from private equity groups and foreign banks, among others.  Many of these competing bidders will have more capital and other resources than CharterBank.

The FDIC could condition our ability to acquire a failed depository institution on compliance by us with additional requirements.

We may seek to acquire one or more failed depository institutions from the FDIC.  As the agency responsible for resolving failed depository institutions, the FDIC has the discretion to determine whether a party is qualified to bid on a failed institution.  On August 26, 2009, the FDIC adopted a Statement of Policy on Qualifications for Failed Bank Acquisitions that sets forth a number of significant restrictions and requirements as a condition to the participation by certain “private investors” and institutions in the acquisition of failed depository institutions from the FDIC.  Among the requirements would be that CharterBank maintain higher capital ratios for a three-year period following the acquisition of a failed depository institution from the FDIC, which would impair our ability to grow in the future without obtaining additional capital.  Based on our understanding of current interpretations of the Statement of Policy, we do not believe the provisions of the Statement of Policy would apply to us.  However, if the FDIC were to adopt similar provisions that would apply to us, and we were unwilling to comply with such conditions, then we would not be permitted to acquire failed institutions from the FDIC.
 
 
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Acquisitions, including any additional FDIC-assisted acquisitions, could disrupt our business and adversely affect our operating results.

On June 26, 2009 we entered into an agreement with the FDIC to acquire assets with a fair value of approximately $196.7 million and assume liabilities with a fair value of approximately $196.7 million from Neighborhood Community Bank.  We also acquired four branches of NCB in the transaction, one of which has been closed.  On March 26, 2010, we entered into an agreement with the FDIC to acquire assets with a fair value of approximately $322.5 million and assume liabilities with a fair value of approximately $312.9 million from McIntosh Commercial Bank.  We also acquired four branches of MCB in the transaction, one of which has been closed.  We expect to continue to grow by acquiring other financial institutions, related businesses or branches of other financial institutions that we believe provide a strategic fit with our business. To the extent that we grow through acquisitions, we may not be able to adequately or profitably manage this growth.  In addition, such acquisitions may involve the issuance of securities, which may have a dilutive effect on earnings per share.  Acquiring banks, bank branches or businesses involves risks commonly associated with acquisitions, including:

 
Potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities we acquire;
 
 
Exposure to potential asset quality issues of the acquired financial institutions, businesses or branches;
 
 
Difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of financial institutions, businesses or branches we acquire;
 
 
Potential diversion of our management’s time and attention;
 
 
The possible loss of key employees and customers of financial institutions, businesses or branches we acquire;
 
 
Difficulty in estimating the value of the financial institutions, businesses or branches to be acquired; and
 
 
Potential changes in banking or tax laws or regulations that may affect the financial institutions or businesses to be acquired.
 
Our continued growth through acquisitions may require us to raise additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available when it is needed.

We are required by federal regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. We anticipate that our existing capital resources will satisfy our capital requirements for the foreseeable future. However, we may at some point need to raise additional capital to support continued growth, both internally and through acquisitions.

Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside our control, and on our financial performance. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of our ability to raise additional capital if needed or on terms acceptable to us. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, our ability to further expand our operations through internal growth and acquisitions could be materially impaired.

Strong competition may limit growth and profitability.

Competition in the banking and financial services industry is intense.  We compete with commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage brokerage firms, credit unions, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, and brokerage and investment banking firms operating locally and elsewhere.  Many of these competitors (whether regional or national institutions) have substantially greater resources and lending limits than we have and may offer certain services that we do not or cannot provide.  Our profitability depends upon our ability to successfully compete in our market areas.
 
 
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The recently enacted financial reform legislation may have an adverse effect on our ability to pay dividends, which would adversely affect the value of our common stock. 

The value of Charter Financial’s common stock is significantly affected by our ability to pay dividends to our public shareholders.  Charter Financial’s ability to pay dividends to our shareholders is subject to the ability of CharterBank to make capital distributions to Charter Financial, and also to the availability of cash at the holding company level in the event earnings are not sufficient to pay dividends.  Moreover, our ability to pay dividends and the amount of such dividends is affected by the ability of First Charter, MHC, our mutual holding company, to waive the receipt of dividends declared by Charter Financial.  First Charter, MHC currently waives its right to receive most of its dividends on its shares of Charter Financial, which means that Charter Financial has more cash resources to pay dividends to our public stockholders than if First Charter, MHC accepted such dividends.  First Charter, MHC is required to obtain Office of Thrift Supervision approval before it may waive its receipt of dividends, and the current dividend waiver approval is effective through December 31, 2010.  It is expected that First Charter, MHC will continue to waive the receipt of future dividends except to the extent dividends are needed to fund its continuing operations.

Office of Thrift Supervision regulations allow federally chartered mutual holding companies to waive dividends without taking into account the amount of waived dividends in determining an appropriate exchange ratio in the event of a conversion of a mutual holding company to stock form.  However, under the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Act, the powers and duties of the Office of Thrift Supervision relating to mutual holding companies will be transferred to the Federal Reserve Board within one year of the enactment of the legislation (subject to an extension of up to six months), and the Office of Thrift Supervision will be eliminated.  Accordingly, the Federal Reserve Board will become the new regulator of Charter Financial and First Charter, MHC.  The Dodd-Frank Act also provides that a mutual holding company will be required to give the Federal Reserve Board notice before waiving the receipt of dividends, and sets forth the standards for granting a waiver, including a requirement that waived dividends be considered in determining an appropriate exchange ratio in the event of a conversion of the mutual holding company to stock form.  The Dodd-Frank Act, however, further provides that the Federal Reserve Board may not consider waived dividends in determining an appropriate exchange ratio in a conversion to stock form by any federal mutual holding company, such as First Charter, MHC, that have waived dividends prior to December 1, 2009.  The Federal Reserve Board historically has generally not allowed mutual holding companies to waive the receipt of dividends, and there can be no assurance as to the conditions, if any, the Federal Reserve Board will place on future dividend waiver requests by grandfathered mutual holding companies such as First Charter, MHC.
 
Government responses to economic conditions may adversely affect our operations, financial condition and earnings.
 
New financial reform legislation has been enacted by Congress that will change the bank regulatory framework, create an independent consumer protection bureau that will assume the consumer protection responsibilities of the various federal banking agencies, and establish more stringent capital standards for banks and bank holding companies.  The legislation will also result in new regulations affecting the lending, funding, trading and investment activities of banks and bank holding companies.  Bank regulatory agencies also have been responding aggressively to concerns and adverse trends identified in examinations.  Ongoing uncertainty and adverse developments in the financial services industry and the domestic and international credit markets, and the effect of new legislation and regulatory actions in response to these conditions, may adversely affect our operations by restricting our business activities, including our ability to originate or sell loans, modify loan terms, or foreclose on property securing loans.  These measures are likely to increase our costs of doing business and may have a significant adverse effect on our lending activities, financial performance and operating flexibility.  In addition, these risks could affect the performance and value of our loan and investment securities portfolios, which also would negatively affect our financial performance.
 
Furthermore, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in an attempt to help the overall economy, has, among other things, kept interest rates low through its targeted federal funds rate and the purchase of mortgage-backed securities.  If the Federal Reserve increases the federal funds rate, overall interest rates will likely rise, which may negatively impact the housing markets and the U.S. economic recovery.  In addition, deflationary pressures, while possibly lowering our operating costs, could have a significant negative effect on our borrowers, especially our business borrowers, and the values of underlying collateral securing loans, which could negatively affect our financial performance.
 
 
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Financial reform legislation recently enacted by Congress will, among other things, eliminate the Office of Thrift Supervision, tighten capital standards, create a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and result in new laws and regulations that are expected to increase our costs of operations.
 
The recently enacted Dodd-Frank Act will significantly change the current bank regulatory structure and affect the lending, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies.  The Dodd-Frank Act will eliminate our current primary federal regulator, the Office of Thrift Supervision, and require CharterBank to be regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the primary federal regulator for national banks). The Dodd-Frank Act also authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to supervise and regulate all savings and loan holding companies, including mutual holding companies, like Charter Financial and First Charter, MHC, in addition to bank holding companies that it currently regulates.  As a result, the Federal Reserve Board’s current regulations applicable to bank holding companies, including holding company capital requirements, will apply to savings and loan holding companies like Charter Financial and First Charter, MHC.  These capital requirements are substantially similar to the capital requirements currently applicable to CharterBank, as described in “Supervision and Regulation—Federal Banking Regulation—Capital Requirements.”  Moreover, First Charter, MHC will require the approval of the Federal Reserve Board before it may waive the receipt of any dividends from Charter Financial, and there is no assurance that the Federal Reserve Board will approve future dividend waivers or what conditions it may impose on such waivers.  See “—The recently enacted financial reform legislation may have an adverse effect on our ability to pay dividends, which would adversely affect the value of our common stock.”  The Dodd-Frank Act also requires the Federal Reserve Board to set minimum capital levels for bank holding companies that are as stringent as those required for the insured depository subsidiaries, and the components of Tier 1 capital would be restricted to capital instruments that are currently considered to be Tier 1 capital for insured depository institutions.  Bank holding companies with assets of less than $500 million are exempt from these capital requirements.  Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the proceeds of trust preferred securities are excluded from Tier 1 capital unless such securities were issued prior to May 19, 2010 by bank or savings and loan holding companies with less than $15 billion of assets.  The legislation also establishes a floor for capital of insured depository institutions that cannot be lower than the standards in effect today, and directs the federal banking regulators to implement new leverage and capital requirements within 18 months that take into account off-balance sheet activities and other risks, including risks relating to securitized products and derivatives.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act also creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws.  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions such as CharterBank, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices.  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets.  Banks and savings institutions with $10 billion or less in assets will be examined by their applicable bank regulators.  The new legislation also weakens the federal preemption available for national banks and federal savings associations, and gives state attorneys general the ability to enforce applicable federal consumer protection laws.
 
The legislation also broadens the base for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance assessments. Assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution.  The Dodd-Frank Act also permanently increases the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2008, and non-interest bearing transaction accounts have unlimited deposit insurance through December 31, 2013.  Lastly, the Dodd-Frank Act will increase stockholder influence over boards of directors by requiring companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation and so-called “golden parachute” payments, and by authorizing the Securities and Exchange Commission to promulgate rules that would allow stockholders to nominate their own candidates using a company’s proxy materials.  The legislation also directs the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to bank holding company executives, regardless of whether the company is publicly traded or not.
 
 
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It is difficult to predict at this time what impact the new legislation and implementing regulations will have on community banks, including the lending and credit practices of such banks.  Moreover, many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will not take effect for at least a year, and the legislation requires various federal agencies to promulgate numerous and extensive implementing regulations over the next several years.  Although the substance and scope of these regulations cannot be determined at this time, it is expected that the legislation and implementing regulations, particularly those provisions relating to the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and mutual holding company dividend waivers, will increase our operating and compliance costs and restrict our ability to pay dividends.
 
Changes in laws and regulations and the cost of regulatory compliance with new laws and regulations may adversely affect our operations and our income.

In response to the financial crisis of 2008 and early 2009, Congress has taken actions that are intended to strengthen confidence and encourage liquidity in financial institutions, and the FDIC has taken actions to increase insurance coverage on deposit accounts. In addition, there have been proposals made by members of Congress and others that would reduce the amount delinquent borrowers are otherwise contractually obligated to pay on their mortgage loans and limit an institution’s ability to foreclose on mortgage collateral.

Moreover, bank regulatory agencies have responded aggressively to concerns and trends identified in examinations, and have issued many formal enforcement orders requiring capital ratios in excess of regulatory requirements. Bank regulatory agencies, such as the Office of Thrift Supervision and the FDIC, govern the activities in which we may engage, primarily for the protection of depositors, and not for the protection or benefit of potential investors. In addition, new laws and regulations may increase our costs of regulatory compliance and of doing business, and otherwise affect our operations. New laws and regulations may significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the markets for and value of our loans and investments, the fees we can charge, and our ongoing operations, costs and profitability. For example, recent legislative proposals would require changes to our overdraft protection programs that could decrease the amount of fees we receive for these services. For the year ended September 30, 2009, and the six months ended March 31, 2010, overdraft protection fees totaled $2.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively.  Further, legislative proposals limiting our rights as a creditor could result in credit losses or increased expense in pursuing our remedies as a creditor.

We hold certain intangible assets that in the future could be classified as either partially or fully impaired, which would reduce our earnings and the book values of these assets.
 
Pursuant to applicable accounting requirements, we are required to periodically test our goodwill and core deposit intangible assets for impairment.  The impairment testing process considers a variety of factors, including the current market price of our common shares, the estimated net present value of our assets and liabilities and information concerning the terminal valuation of similarly situated insured depository institutions.  Future impairment testing may result in a partial or full impairment of the value of our goodwill or core deposit intangible assets, or both.  If an impairment determination is made in a future reporting period, our earnings and the book value of these intangible assets will be reduced by the amount of the impairment.  If an impairment loss is recorded, it will have little or no impact on the tangible book value of our shares of common stock, our liquidity or our regulatory capital levels.
 
If the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta continues to pay a reduced dividend, our earnings and stockholders’ equity could decrease.

We are required to own common stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta to qualify for membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank System and to be eligible to borrow funds under the Federal Home Loan Bank’s advance program.  The aggregate cost of our Federal Home Loan Bank common stock as of March 31, 2010 was $15.2 million.  Federal Home Loan Bank common stock is not a marketable security and can only be redeemed by the Federal Home Loan Bank.  However, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta is currently not repurchasing excess stock outstanding.
 
 
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The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta did not pay a dividend on its common stock for the fourth quarter of 2008 or the first quarter of 2009, and the dividends paid since that time have been greatly reduced.  If the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta continues to pay a reduced dividend, our earnings will be adversely affected.

Our operations may be adversely affected if we are unable to hire and retain qualified employees.

Our performance is largely dependent on the talents and efforts of skilled individuals. Our continued ability to compete effectively in our businesses, to manage our business effectively and to expand into new businesses and geographic regions depends on our ability to attract new employees and to retain and motivate our existing employees. Competition for qualified employees is often intense. In addition, in 2008 the market price of our common stock declined significantly, which may lower the value, or perceived value, of our equity awards, which is a means for us to compensate and retain qualified employees. Moreover, future laws or regulations limiting the amount of compensation financial institutions may pay to senior management could adversely affect our ability to hire and retain qualified employees.

System failure or breaches of our network security could subject us to increased operating costs as well as litigation and other liabilities.

The computer systems and network infrastructure we use could be vulnerable to unforeseen problems. Our operations are dependent upon our ability to protect our computer equipment against damage from physical theft, fire, power loss, telecommunications failure or a similar catastrophic event, as well as from security breaches, denial of service attacks, viruses, worms and other disruptive problems caused by hackers. Any damage or failure that causes an interruption in our operations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Computer break-ins, phishing and other disruptions could also jeopardize the security of information stored in and transmitted through our computer systems and network infrastructure, which may result in significant liability to us and may cause existing and potential customers to refrain from doing business with us. Although we, with the help of third-party service providers, intend to continue to implement security technology and establish operational procedures to prevent such damage, there can be no assurance that these security measures will be successful. In addition, advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other developments could result in a compromise or breach of the algorithms we and our third-party service providers use to encrypt and protect customer transaction data. A failure of such security measures could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Various factors may make takeover attempts more difficult to achieve.

Our Board of Directors has no current intention to sell control of Charter Financial. Provisions of our charter and bylaws, federal regulations and various other factors may make it more difficult for companies or persons to acquire control of us without the consent of our Board of Directors. It is possible, however, that you would want a takeover attempt to succeed because, for example, a potential acquiror could offer a premium over the then-prevailing price of our common stock. The factors that may discourage takeover attempts or make them more difficult include:

 
Mutual holding company structure.  Under federal law, at least 50.1% of our voting stock must be owned by First Charter, MHC, which is controlled by its Board of Directors, who are currently the members of our Board of Directors. First Charter, MHC, acting through its Board of Directors, is able to control our business and operations, and is able to prevent any challenge to the control of Charter Financial by public shareholders. In addition, a corporation in the mutual holding company structure cannot be acquired by a stock financial institution or its stock holding company, but can only be acquired by a mutual institution or a corporation in the mutual holding company structure.

 
Bylaw and statutory provisions. Provisions of our bylaws and federal law may make it more difficult and expensive to pursue a takeover attempt that management opposes. These provisions also make more difficult the removal of our current Board of Directors or management, or the appointment of new directors. These provisions include supermajority voting requirements for certain business combinations and the election of directors to staggered terms of three years. Our bylaws also contain provisions regarding the timing and content of shareholder proposals and nominations.
 
 
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Risks Related to the Offering

Our shares of common stock are being offered for sale at a subscription price of $ 10.52 per share, the maximum of the offering range. It is possible that the actual price at which shares of common stock are sold in the offering will be higher than the trading price of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board at the time the offering is consummated.

The shares of common stock are being offered at a subscription price of $10.52 per share.  When a subscriber submits his or her stock order form, he or she is irrevocably offering to purchase a number of shares of common stock at the purchase price of $10.52 per share.  Although the actual purchase price at which the common stock will be sold could be as low as $7.78, the actual purchase price will not be determined until after the end of the offering period.  Subscribers should not assume that the actual purchase price will be less than $10.52 per share.

On August ___, 2010, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $_____ per share.  It is possible that the actual price at which shares of common stock are sold in the offering will be higher than the price at which our common stock is trading on the OTC Bulletin Board at the time the offering is consummated.
 
You may not be able to resell the common stock until the issuance and receipt of certificates.

Until certificates for shares of common stock are delivered to purchasers, purchasers may not be able to sell the shares of common stock for which they subscribe, although the shares of common stock issued in the stock offering will have begun trading. Accordingly, during such period, subscribers will bear the risk of any decline in the market price in our common stock. We intend to mail the certificates representing common stock issued in the stock offering promptly following consummation of the stock offering. See “The Stock Offering—Procedure for Purchasing Shares in Subscription and Community Offering.”

The market price of our common stock may decline after the stock offering.

The price per share at which we sell the common stock may be more or less than the market price of our common stock on the date the stock offering is consummated.  If the actual purchase price is less than the market price for the shares of common stock, some purchasers in the stock offering may be inclined to immediately sell shares of common stock to attempt to realize a profit.  Any such sales, depending on the volume and timing, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.  Additionally, because stock prices generally fluctuate over time, there is no assurance that purchasers of common stock in the stock offering will be able to sell shares after the stock offering at a price that is equal to or greater than the actual purchase price. The trading price of our common stock will be determined by the marketplace, and may be influenced by many factors, including prevailing interest rates, the overall performance of the economy, investor perceptions of Charter Financial and the outlook for the financial services industry in general.  Price fluctuations may be unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies.

There is currently no active trading market for our common stock.

Currently, there is no active public trading market for Charter Financial’s common stock, and we cannot assure you that one will develop or be sustained for the common stock of Charter Financial after this offering.  Charter Financial’s common stock is currently quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board.  Upon completion of the stock offering, we expect that the common stock of Charter Financial will be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market.  However, we do not know whether third parties will find our common stock to be attractive or whether firms will be interested in making a market in our common stock.
 
 
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Our failure to effectively deploy the net proceeds of the stock offering may have an adverse impact on our financial performance and the value of our common stock.

Charter Financial intends to invest between $ 14.9 million and $ 28.9 million of the net proceeds of the offering in CharterBank.  Charter Financial may use the remaining net proceeds to invest in short-term investments, repurchase shares of common stock, pay dividends or for other general corporate purposes.  Charter Financial also expects to use a portion of the net proceeds it retains to fund a loan for the purchase of shares of common stock in the offering by our employee stock ownership plan.  CharterBank may use the net proceeds it receives to fund new loans, purchase investment securities, acquire financial institutions or financial services companies, including troubled financial institutions, build new branches or acquire branches, or for other general corporate purposes.  Our preference is to leverage the capital through additional FDIC-assisted acquisitions, and our failure to complete such acquisitions could adversely impact our financial performance and the value of our common stock.  However, with the exception of the loan to our employee stock ownership plan, we have not allocated specific amounts of the net proceeds for any of these purposes, and we will have significant flexibility in determining the amount of the net proceeds we apply to different uses and the timing of such applications. We have not established a timetable for reinvesting of the net proceeds, and we cannot predict how long we will require to reinvest the net proceeds.

Our return on equity will be low following the stock offering.  This could negatively affect the trading price of our shares of common stock.

Net income divided by average equity, known as “return on equity,” is a ratio many investors use to compare the performance of a financial institution to its peers. Following the stock offering, we expect our consolidated equity to increase from $110.7 million at March 31, 2010, to be between $ 137.4 million and $ 164.5 million, depending on the number of shares sold and the purchase price.  Based upon our pro forma income for the year ended September 30, 2009, and these pro forma equity levels, our return on equity would be 1.9% and 1.8% at the minimum and maximum of gross offering proceeds, respectively.  We expect our return on equity to remain low until we are able to leverage the additional capital we receive from the stock offering. Although we will be able to increase net interest income using proceeds of the stock offering, our return on equity will be negatively affected by higher expenses from the costs of being a public company and added expenses associated with our employee stock ownership plan and the stock-based benefit plan we intend to adopt. Until we can increase our net interest income and non-interest income and leverage the capital raised in the stock offering, we expect our return on equity to remain low, which may reduce the market price of our shares of common stock.

The implementation of the stock-based incentive plan may dilute your ownership interest.

We intend to adopt a new stock-based incentive plan following the offering, subject to receipt of shareholder approval. If the new stock-based incentive plan is adopted within twelve months of the stock offering, we intend to reserve 207,000 shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to grants of stock options and 82,000 shares of common stock for issuance of awards of restricted stock.  This stock-based incentive plan may be funded either through open market purchases or from the issuance of authorized but unissued shares of common stock of Charter Financial. While we may fund the new plan through open market purchases, shareholders would experience a 1.52% reduction in ownership interest in the event newly issued shares of our common stock are used to fund these stock options and shares of restricted stock under the plan. If the stock-based incentive plan is adopted more than one year after the completion of the offering, shares reserved for awards of restricted stock or grants of stock options under the plan may be increased, and the reduction in ownership interest in the event newly issued shares are used to fund the awards would increase accordingly.
 
 
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Implementing the stock-based incentive plan would increase our compensation and benefit expenses and adversely affect our profitability.

We intend to adopt a new stock-based incentive plan after the offering, subject to shareholder approval, which would increase our annual employee compensation and benefit expenses related to the stock options and shares granted to participants under our stock-based incentive plan.  The actual amount of these new stock-related compensation and benefit expenses will depend on the number of options and stock awards actually granted under the plan, the fair market value of our stock or options on the date of grant, the vesting period and other factors which we cannot predict at this time.  If the stock-based incentive plan is implemented within one year of the completion of the offering, the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance for awards of restricted stock or grants of options under such stock-based incentive plan may not exceed 1.96% and 4.9%, respectively, of the shares outstanding upon completion of the stock offering, subject to downward adjustment as may be required by Office of Thrift Supervision regulations or policy to reflect stock options or restricted stock previously granted by Charter Financial or CharterBank.  If we award restricted shares of common stock or grant options in excess of these amounts under a stock-based incentive plan adopted more than one year after the completion of the offering, our costs would increase further.
 
In addition, we will recognize expense for our employee stock ownership plan when shares are committed to be released to participants’ accounts (i.e., as the loan used to acquire these shares is repaid), and we will recognize expense for restricted stock awards and stock options over the vesting period of awards made to recipients.  The expense for these three plans in the first year following the offering has been estimated to be approximately $ 374,000 ($ 257,000 after tax) assuming we sell the maximum number of shares we propose to offer and the other assumptions set forth in the pro forma financial information under “Pro Forma Data.” Actual expenses, however, may be higher or lower, depending on the price of our common stock.  For further discussion of our proposed stock-based plans, see “Management—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Long-Term Stock-Based Compensation.”
 
We will need to implement additional finance and accounting systems, procedures and controls in order to satisfy public company reporting requirements, which will increase our operating expenses.

In connection with the offering, we will become a public reporting company.  The federal securities laws and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission require that we file annual, quarterly and current reports and that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.  We expect that the obligations of being a public reporting company, including substantial public reporting obligations, will require significant expenditures and place additional demands on our management team.  These obligations will increase our operating expenses and could divert our management’s attention from our operations.  Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission will require us to certify the adequacy of our internal controls and procedures, which will require us to upgrade our accounting systems, which will increase our operating costs.  In addition, such requirements may cause us to hire additional accounting, internal audit and/or compliance personnel.

The integration of acquired assets and assumed liabilities from the NCB and MCB acquisitions may make it more difficult to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting.  Integration of these assets and liabilities may place significant stress on our systems and may require changes to our internal control over financial reporting that we may not discover or make in a timely manner, thus resulting in material weaknesses.

The distribution of subscription rights could have adverse income tax consequences.

If the subscription rights granted to certain depositors and borrowers of CharterBank and certain depositors of Neighborhood Community Bank and McIntosh Commercial Bank are deemed to have an ascertainable value, receipt of such rights may be taxable in an amount equal to such value.  Whether subscription rights are considered to have ascertainable value is an inherently factual determination.  We have received an opinion from RP Financial, LC that such rights have no value; however, such opinion is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service.
 
 
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The summary financial information presented below is derived in part from the consolidated financial statements of Charter Financial.  The following is only a summary and you should read it in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes beginning on page F-1.  The information at September 30, 2009 and 2008 and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007 is derived in part from the audited consolidated financial statements of Charter Financial that appear in this prospectus.  The information at September 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 is derived in part from audited consolidated financial statements that do not appear in this prospectus.  The information at March 31, 2010 and for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited and reflects all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented.  The results of operations for the six months ended March 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved for the remainder of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010 or any other period.
 
   
At March 31,
   
At September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Selected Financial Condition Data:
                                   
                                                 
Total assets                                      
  $ 1,242,740     $ 936,880     $ 801,501     $ 1,021,856     $ 1,097,321     $ 1,050,570  
Non-covered loans receivable, net (1)
    463,934       462,786       428,472       405,553       374,726       356,808  
Covered loans receivable, net (2)
    213,755       89,764                          
Investment and mortgage securities available for sale (3)
    205,546       206,061       277,139       295,143       345,732       376,173  
Freddie Mac common stock
                      200,782       294,339       254,776  
Retail deposits (4)
    737,036       463,566       356,237       378,463       321,279       250,391  
Total deposits
    906,580       597,634       420,175       430,683       372,057       320,129  
Deferred income taxes
    419       7,289       6,872       72,503       108,186       93,271  
Total borrowings
    212,232       227,000       267,000       272,058       337,928       382,336  
Total retained earnings
    109,148       102,215       103,301       99,926       63,548       63,790  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    (3,031 )     (8,277 )     (6,849 )     116,886       172,489       149,405  
Total equity
    110,673       98,257       102,302       225,072       267,709       243,230  
 
   
For the Six Months Ended
March 31,
   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Selected Operating Data:
                                         
Interest and dividend income
  $ 22,274     $ 19,229     $ 40,559     $ 46,377     $ 54,646     $ 53,802     $ 44,689  
Interest expense
    10,378       11,336       22,599       26,771       29,827       27,801       21,782  
Net interest income
    11,896       7,893       17,960       19,606       24,819       26,001       22,907  
Provision for loan losses
    3,800       2,550       4,550       3,250                   75  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    8,096       5,343       13,410       16,356       24,819       26,001       22,832  
Total noninterest income
    17,415       5,894       11,792       18,950       76,924       10,827       10,966  
Total noninterest expenses
    13,349       9,389       22,581       20,284       21,926       21,130       18,269  
Income before provision for income taxes
    12,162       1,848       2,621       15,022       79,817       15,698       15,529  
Income tax expense
    4,428       419       306       4,491       28,877       2,353       4,116  
Net income   $ 7,734     $ 1,429     $ 2,315     $ 10,531     $ 50,940     $ 13,345     $ 11,413  
                                                         
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.42     $ 0.08     $ 0.13     $ 0.55     $ 2.67     $ 0.69     $ 0.58  
Fully diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.42     $ 0.08     $ 0.12     $ 0.55     $ 2.65     $ 0.68     $ 0.58  
Dividends declared per share
  $ 0.25     $ 0.50     $ 1.00     $ 1.75     $ 4.45     $ 3.80     $ 3.20  


(1)  
Excludes “covered loans” acquired from the FDIC subject to loss-sharing agreements.  See Note 3 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus, and the Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed beginning on page G-1 of this prospectus.  Loans shown are net of deferred loan (fees) costs and allowance for loan losses and exclude loans held for sale.
(2)  
Consists of loans acquired from the FDIC subject to loss sharing agreements.  See Note 3 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus, and the Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed beginning on page G-1 of this prospectus.
(3)  
Includes all CharterBank investment and mortgage securities available for sale, excluding Freddie Mac common stock.
(4)  
Retail deposits include core deposits and certificates of deposit other than brokered and wholesale certificates of deposit.
 
 
31

 
 
   
At or For the Six Months
Ended March 31,
   
At or For the Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                                           
Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data:
                                         
                                           
Performance Ratios:
                                         
Return on average assets (ratio of net income to average total assets)
    1.63 %     0.36 %     0.27 %     1.16 %     4.81 %     1.22 %     1.06 %
Return on average equity (ratio of net income to average equity)
    15.23 %     2.80 %     2.25 %     6.23 %     20.30 %     5.18 %     4.23 %
Interest rate spread (1)
    2.83 %     1.80 %     2.08 %     1.47 %     1.00 %     1.10 %     0.96 %
Net interest margin (2)
    2.91 %     2.15 %     2.35 %     2.32 %     2.46 %     2.48 %     2.18 %
Efficiency ratio (3)
    45.54 %     68.10 %     75.90 %     52.61 %     21.55 %     57.73 %     53.93 %
Non-interest expense to average total assets
    2.82 %     2.35 %     2.68 %     2.23 %     2.07 %     1.94 %     1.69 %
Average interest-earning assets as a ratio of average interest-bearing liabilities
    1.02 x     1.10 x     1.09 x     1.27 x     1.50 x     1.52 x     1.59 x
Average equity to average total assets
    10.74 %     12.78 %     12.12 %     18.56 %     23.70 %     23.60 %     24.97 %
Dividend payout ratio (7)
    10.14 %     93.39 %     153.79 %     66.97 %     27.83 %     101.81 %     98.56 %
                                                         
Asset Quality Ratios (4) (5):
                                                       
                                                         
Covered Assets:
                                                       
Non-performing loans to covered loans
    22.57 %     N/A       19.60 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
FDIC loss-sharing coverage plus non-accretable credit risk discounts as a percentage of covered assets
    85.24 %     N/A       85.93 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
Non-performing assets to total covered assets
    30.35 %     N/A       25.72 %     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
                                                         
Non-covered Assets (4):
                                                       
Non-performing assets to total assets
    2.06 %     2.65 %     2.16 %     1.63 %     0.72 %     0.30 %     0.49 %
Non-performing loans to total loans
    2.76 %     3.48 %     2.82 %     2.35 %     1.74 %     0.74 %     1.12 %
Allowance for loan losses as a ratio of non-performing loans
    0.87 x     0.57 x     0.70 x     0.80 x     0.84 x     2.15 x     1.51 x
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
    2.40 %     1.99 %     1.98 %     1.89 %     1.46 %     1.59 %     1.69 %
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average non-covered loans outstanding
    0.30 %     0.36 %     0.71 %     0.24 %     0.02 %     0.02 %     0.16 %
                                                         
Bank Regulatory Capital Ratios:
                                                       
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    16.53 %     17.80 %     15.71 %     18.15 %     24.18 %     26.21 %     27.62 %
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    16.51 %     16.57 %     14.65 %     16.90 %     12.57 %     13.11 %     14.69 %
Tier I capital (to average assets)
    8.27 %     10.78 %     9.30 %     10.51 %     9.43 %     9.71 %     9.86 %
                                                         
Consolidated Capital Ratio:
                                                       
Total equity to total assets
    8.91 %     12.88 %     10.49 %     12.76 %     22.03 %     24.40 %     23.15 %
Tangible total equity to total assets
    8.51 %     12.30 %     9.99 %     12.18 %     21.61 %     24.01 %     22.73 %
                                                         
Other Data:
                                                       
Number of full service offices
    16       14       14       10       9       9       9  
Full time equivalent employees (6)
    212       174       209       178       173       179       169  


(1)
The interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted- average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the period.
(2)
The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the period.
(3)
The efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.
(4)
Covered assets consist of assets of Neighborhood Community Bank (“NCB”) and McIntosh Commercial Bank (“MCB”) acquired from the FDIC subject to loss sharing agreements.  Non-covered assets consist of assets other than covered assets.  See Note 3 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus, and the Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed beginning on page G-1 of this prospectus.
 
(footnotes continued on following page)
 
 
32

 
 
(continued from previous page)
 
(5)
These ratios has been computed based on a minimum 80% FDIC loss sharing coverage for covered assets related to both NCB and MCB. If cumulative losses with respect to covered assets related to NCB exceed $82 million, FDIC loss sharing coverage will increase to 95% of losses on NCB related covered assets exceeding $82 million.  If cumulative losses with respect to covered assets related to MCB exceed $106 million, FDIC loss sharing coverage will increase to 95% of losses on MCB related covered assets exceeding $106 million.  If the recovery of losses on covered assets related to NCB and MCB was limited solely to amounts to be received under the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, we have estimated that our maximum loss exposure, net of established non-accretable discounts, as of March 31, 2010, would approximate $5.5 million with respect to NCB, and $9.5 million with respect to MCB.  At such date, remaining accretable discounts for NCB and MCB exceeded such estimated maximum loss exposures for both NCB and MCB, respectively.
(6)
Does not reflect employees that will be retained in connection with the acquisition of McIntosh Commercial Bank
(7)
The dividend payout ratio represents dividends declared per share divided by net income per share. The following table sets forth the aggregate cash dividends paid per period and the amount of dividends paid to public shareholders and to First Charter, MHC:
 
   
For the Six Months Ended
March 31,
   
For the Year Ended September 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Dividends paid to public stockholders
  $ 650,908     $ 1,355,559     $ 2,651,554     $ 5,656,953     $ 14,562,112     $ 13,586,605     $ 11,248,779  
Dividends paid to First Charter, MHC
    150,000             750,000       1,500,000                    
    Total dividends paid     800,908       1,355,559       3,401,554       7,156,953       14,562,112       13,586,605       11,248,779  
 
 
First Charter, MHC waived dividends of $3.8 million and $7.9 million during the six month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and waived dividends of $28.7 million, $26.3 million, $70.6 million, $60.3 million and $50.7 million during the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
 
 
33

 
 
 
The following tables set forth certain financial and other data of Charter Financial at and for the periods indicated. The information at September 30, 2009 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Charter Financial and subsidiaries and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Charter Financial and subsidiaries and notes thereto presented elsewhere in this prospectus. The information at and for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 was derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Charter Financial and subsidiaries which, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of such information. The results of operations and ratios and other data presented for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the year ending September 30, 2010.
 
   
At June 30,
   
At September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Selected Financial Condition Data:
           
Total assets                                                                                     
  $ 1,146,076     $ 936,880  
Non-covered loans receivable, net (1)
    463,725       462,786  
Covered loans receivable, net (2)
    201,673       89,764  
Investment and mortgage securities available for sale (3)
    160,328       206,061  
                 
Retail deposits (4)
    710,620       463,587  
Total deposits
    811,058       597,634  
Total borrowings
    212,175       227,000  
Total equity
    112,513       98,257  
 
   
For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Selected Operating Data:
                       
Interest and dividend income
  $ 14,354     $ 9,141     $ 36,628     $ 28,370  
Interest expense 
    6,193       5,346       16,572       16,681  
Net interest income 
    8,161       3,795       20,056       11,689  
Provision for loan losses
    1,300       600       5,100       3,150  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    6,861       3,195       14,956       8,539  
Total noninterest income
    2,844       2,418       20,259       8,312  
Total noninterest expenses
    8,038       5,388       21,387       14,777  
Income before provision for income taxes
    1,667       225       13,828       2,074  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    553       (151 )     4,981       268  
    Net income   $ 1,114     $ 376     $ 8,847     $ 1,806  
                                 
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.06     $ 0.02     $ 0.48     $ 0.10  
Fully diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.06     $ 0.02     $ 0.48     $ 0.10  
Dividends declared per share
  $ 0.10     $ 0.25     $ 0.35     $ 0.75  
 

(1)  
Excludes “covered loans” acquired from the FDIC subject to loss-sharing agreements.  See Note 3 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus, and the Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed beginning on page G-1 of this prospectus.  Loans shown are net of deferred loan (fees) costs and allowance for loan losses and exclude loans held for sale.
(2)  
Consists of loans acquired from the FDIC subject to loss sharing agreements.  See Note 3 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus, and the Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed beginning on page G-1 of this prospectus.
(3)  
Includes all CharterBank investment and mortgage securities available for sale.
(4)  
Retail deposits include core deposits and certificates of deposit other than brokered and wholesale certificates of deposit.
 
 
34

 
 
   
At or For the Three Months Ended June 30,
   
At or For the Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data:
                       
                         
Performance Ratios:
                       
Return on average assets (ratio of net income to average total assets)
    0.38 %     0.19 %     1.16 %     0.30 %
Return on average equity (ratio of net income to average equity)
    3.92 %     1.46 %     11.19 %     2.31 %
Interest rate spread (1)
    3.52 %     1.82 %     3.12 %     1.81 %
Net interest margin (2)
    3.42 %     2.08 %     3.12 %     2.13 %
Efficiency ratio (3)
    73.04 %     86.71 %     53.05 %     73.88 %
Non-interest expense to average total assets (annualized)
    2.75 %     2.67 %     2.79 %     2.44 %
Average interest-earning assets as a ratio of average interest-bearing liabilities
    0.96 x     1.09 x     1.00 x     1.10 x
Average equity to average total assets
    9.67 %     12.74 %     10.33 %     12.94 %
Dividend payout ratio (7)
    49.99 %     329.89 %     15.16 %     142.68 %
                                 
Asset Quality Ratios (4) (5):
                               
                                 
Covered Assets:
                               
Non-performing loans to covered loans
    44.33 %     40.31 %     44.33 %     40.31 %
FDIC loss-sharing coverage plus non-accretable credit risk discounts as a percentage of covered assets
    85.79 %     94.17 %     85.79 %     94.17 %
Non-performing assets to total covered assets
    50.99 %     44.80 %     50.99 %     44.80 %
                                 
Non-covered Assets (4):
                               
Non-performing assets to total assets
    2.64 %     2.18 %     2.64 %     2.18 %
Non-performing loans to total loans
    2.72 %     2.93 %     2.72 %     2.93 %
Allowance for loan losses as a ratio of non-performing loans
    0.73 x     0.62 x     0.73 x     0.62 x
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
    2.00 %     1.81 %     2.00 %     1.81 %
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average non-covered loans outstanding
    2.70 %     1.19 %     1.24 %     0.90 %
                                 
Bank Regulatory Capital Ratios:
                               
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    18.99 %     17.80 %     18.99 %     17.80 %
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    19.77 %     16.57 %     19.77 %     16.57 %
Tier I capital (to total assets)
    9.11 %     10.78 %     9.11 %     10.78 %
                                 
Consolidated Capital Ratio:
                               
Total equity to total assets
    9.82 %     9.96 %     9.82 %     9.96 %
Tangible total equity to total assets
    9.40 %     9.47 %     9.40 %     9.47 %
                                 
Other Data:
                               
Number of full service offices
    16       14       16       14  
Full time equivalent employees (6)
    254       177       254       177  
 

(1)
The interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted- average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the period.
(2)
The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the period.
(3)
The efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.
(4)
Covered assets consist of assets of Neighborhood Community Bank (“NCB”) and McIntosh Commercial Bank (“MCB”) acquired from the FDIC subject to loss sharing agreements.  Non-covered assets consist of assets other than covered assets.  See Note 3 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus, and the Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed beginning on page G-1 of this prospectus.
 
(footnotes continued on following page)
 
 
35

 
 
(continued from previous page)
 
(5)
These ratios have been computed based on a minimum 80% FDIC loss sharing coverage for covered assets related to both NCB and MCB. If cumulative losses with respect to covered assets related to NCB exceed $82 million, FDIC loss sharing coverage will increase to 95% of losses on NCB related covered assets exceeding $82 million.  If cumulative losses with respect to covered assets related to MCB exceed $106 million, FDIC loss sharing coverage will increase to 95% of losses on MCB related covered assets exceeding $106 million.
(6)
Does not reflect employees that will be retained in connection with the acquisition of McIntosh Commercial Bank.
(7)
The dividend payout ratio represents dividends declared per share divided by net income per share.
 
Comparison of Financial Condition at June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009
 
Assets.  Total assets increased by $209.2 million, or 22.3%, to $1.1 billion at June 30, 2010 from $936.9 million at September 30, 2009.  The increase was due primarily to our acquisition of $322.5 million of assets of MCB from the FDIC, partially offset by purchase discounts and immediate repayment of wholesale liabilities.
 
Loans.  At June 30, 2010, total loans were $665.4 million, or 58.1% of total assets.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2010, the total loan portfolio increased $112.8 million, or 20.4%, due primarily to the acquisition of $132.2 million of loans at fair value in the MCB transaction.  At June 30, 2010 compared to September 30, 2009, our one- to four-family residential real estate loans decreased 3.3% to $121.9 million, commercial real estate loans increased 29.8% to $423.9 million, real estate construction loans increased 1.0% to $60.4 million, commercial loans increased 110.7% to $69.8 million and consumer and other loans were unchanged at $34.3 million.  At June 30, 2010, our covered loans amounted to $201.7 million, or 30.4% of our total loan portfolio.
 
Investment and Mortgage Securities Portfolio.  At June 30, 2010, our investment and mortgage securities portfolio totaled $160.3 million, compared to $206.1 million at September 30, 2009.  The decrease reflected normal amortization in our mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligation portfolios.  The decrease also reflected the sale of certain securities, including the sale of about half the securities received in the MCB acquisition and the sale during the three months ended June 30, 2010 of six private-label mortgage securities with an aggregate book value of $19.3 million for a gain of approximately $165,000.  The decrease also reflected unrealized losses on certain collateralized mortgage obligations due to liquidity risk, changes in interest rates and other market uncertainties.  These securities were not considered to be other than temporarily impaired at June 30, 2010 based on our assessment of the sufficiency of future cash flows, and because we believe there is sufficient underlying credit support from other less senior tranches to our positions in the securities.  The foregoing decreases in our portfolio more than offset the receipt of approximately $24.7 million of investments and mortgage securities in the MCB acquisition.
 
Our sale during the three months ended June 30, 2010 of the private-label mortgage securities (referred to above) resulted from our reevaluation of the private-label mortgage securities portfolio in light of the changing circumstances that led to the OTTI charge in the three months ended March 31, 2010.  Notwithstanding the sale, however, we are reaffirming our intent and ability to hold the rest of the securities in this portfolio. As indicated by the gain on the securities sold, these sold securities had generally maintained their market values, but they had long cash flows and/or had been downgraded by one or more rating agencies.  The securities that we did not sell either had short cash flows or prices that had deteriorated due to illiquidity of the market and related market uncertainties about default rates, and we believe the cash flows will exceed the current market value.
 
Bank Owned Life Insurance.  The total cash surrender value of our bank owned life insurance at June 30, 2010 was $31.4 million, an increase of $1.2 million compared to the cash surrender value of $30.2 million at September 30, 2009.
 
Deposits.  Total deposits increased by $213.4 million, or 35.7%, to $811.0 million at June 30, 2010 from $597.6 million at September 30, 2009.  The increase was due primarily to the assumption of $296.0 million of deposits in the MCB transaction, partially offset by the payoff of wholesale certificates of deposit acquired in the MCB transaction.  The increase also reflected the implementation of our new Rewards checking program.  At June 30, 2010, $710.6 million of our deposits were retail deposits and $100.5 million were brokered and other wholesale deposits.
 
 
36

 
 
Borrowings.  Borrowings decreased $14.8 million to $212.2 million at June 30, 2010 from $227.0 million at September 30, 2009.  The decrease reflected our focus on decreasing wholesale funding and the payoff of maturing Federal Home Loan Bank advances.  At June 30, 2010, we had access to additional Federal Home Loan Bank advances of up to $245.9 million.  However, based upon available investment and loan collateral, additional advances at June 30, 2010 would have been limited to $19.1 million.
 
Equity.  At June 30, 2010, our total equity equaled $112.5 million (or $6.11 per share), a $14.3 million increase from September 30, 2009.  The increase was primarily due to net income of $8.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 and a $9.6 million decrease in unrealized losses on securities available for sale, net of tax.
 
Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009
 
General.  Net income increased $737,000, or 196.0%, to $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from $376,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The increase reflected earnings on the assets and liabilities acquired in the MCB acquisition.  Net interest income increased to $8.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from $3.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009, reflecting our improved interest rate spread and net interest margin.
 
Interest and Dividend Income.  Total interest and dividend income increased $5.2 million, or 57.0%, to $14.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from $9.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009.  Interest on loans increased $6.1 million, or 94.1%, to $12.5 million as a result of a $239.9 million or 51.5%, increase in the average balance of loans receivable to $705.8 million and a 156 basis point increase in the average yield on loans.  The increase in the average balance was primarily the result of the acquisition of $207.6 million of loans in the MCB and NCB transactions and the related discount accretion.  The increase in the average yield on loans reflected a $197.1 million, or 80.9%, increase in the average balance of higher yielding commercial real estate loans to $440.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from $243.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009.  The increase in the average balance of commercial real estate loans resulted primarily from the acquisition of $115.6 million of commercial real estate loans in the MCB acquisition, as well as our continued emphasis on the origination of these higher yielding loans for our loan portfolio.
 
Interest and dividend income on securities decreased $1.0 million, or 65.6%, to $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009.  The decrease reflected a $42.8 million, or 19.0%, decrease in the average balance of securities to $182.7 million and an 87 basis point decrease in the average yield on securities in the generally lower market interest rate environment.  The decrease in average balance of securities reflected the sale of securities to generate liquidity for the prepayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances.  Interest on mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations decreased by $900,000, or 34.4%, to $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009, reflecting a $36.8 million, or 17.1%, decrease in the average balance of such securities to $178.6 million and a 101 basis point decrease in average yield.
 
Interest Expense. Total interest expense increased $848,000, or 15.9%, to $6.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from $5.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009.  The increase reflected a $327.5 million, or 49.0%, increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities to $996.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, from $668.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009, which more than offset a 71 basis point, or 22.2%, decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 2.5% from 3.2%, reflecting declining market interest rates.  The increase in the average balance was primarily due to the assumption of approximately $296.0 million of deposits of MCB on March 26, 2010 and $182.2 million of deposits of NCB on June 26, 2009, partially offset by the immediate retirement of the wholesale portion of the MCB and NCB deposits using cash received in the transactions.
 
Interest expense on deposits increased $1.4 million, or 65.0%, to $3.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010. The increase was due to an increase in the average balance of interest bearing deposits resulting from the assumption of the MCB and NCB deposits to $784.1 million from $411.3 million.  The increase was partially offset by a 28 basis point, or 13.3%, decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 1.8% from 2.1%, largely due to lower market interest rates, the higher proportion of our lower cost short term brokered deposits and the immediate retirement of the wholesale portion of the MCB and NCB deposits using cash received in the MCB and NCB transactions.  Interest expense on certificates of deposit increased $801,000 to $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, from $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009, as the decrease in the average cost of these deposits to 2.07% from 2.9% was more than offset by the $258.8 million, or 97.1%, increase in the average balance of such deposits. Interest expense on Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased $558,000 to $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, due to a decrease of $45.4 million, or 17.6%, in the average balance of advances.
 
 
37

 
 
Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $4.4 million, or 115.0%, to $8.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, from $3.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The increase primarily reflected the $6.1 million, or 94.1%, increase in interest income on loans combined with the 71 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by a $327.5 million, or 49.0%, increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities for the three-month period in 2010 compared to 2009.   Our net interest margin increased 134 basis points to 3.4% for the 2010 period from 2.1% for the 2009 period, while our net interest rate spread increased 170 basis points to 3.5% from 1.8%.  Lower deposit costs and accretion of purchase discounts from the NCB and MCB acquisitions contributed to the improved net interest margin and net interest rate spread.
 
Provision for Loan Losses.  The provision for loan losses for the three months ended June 30, 2010 was $1.3 million, compared to a provision of $600,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2009.  The increase in the provision reflects refined evaluations and in some cases the charge off of previously identified troubled credits.  Net charge-offs during the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased to $3.2 million, from $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009.  The allowance for loan losses for non-covered loans was $9.5 million, or 2.0% of total non-covered loans receivable, at June 30, 2010. At June 30, 2010 there were $281.2 million in covered loans (contractual balance), and $124.7 million in nonperforming covered loans (contractual balance), with $79.7 million in related nonaccretable differences and allowances.
 
Noninterest Income.  Noninterest income increased $426,000, or 17.6%, to $2.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The increase was primarily due to accretion of the discount on the FDIC receivables from the NCB and MCB acquisitions.
 
Noninterest Expense. Total noninterest expense increased $2.7 million, or 49.2%, to $8.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared to $5.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009.  The increase was due primarily to increases of: $1.6 million, or 68.0%, in salaries and employee benefits resulting from our acquisitions of MCB and NCB; $497,000, or 54.3%, in occupancy costs from the acquisitions; approximately $700,000 in costs relating to the acquisition and integration of the acquired assets and liabilities; $275,000 in legal and professional fees, reflecting litigation costs, foreclosure efforts, and taxes and other maintenance costs associated with foreclosed properties; and $76,000 in the net cost of operations of real estate owned, reflecting higher foreclosures in the fiscal 2010 period.
 
Income Taxes. Income tax expense was $553,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to a benefit of $151,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2009, reflecting higher taxable income. Our effective tax rate was 33.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared to a benefit of 66.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The increase in the effective tax rate for the 2010 period was due to higher pretax income, which reduced the impact of tax advantaged investments such as bank owned life insurance.
 
Comparison of Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009
 
General.  Net income increased $7.0 million, or 389.9%, to $8.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 from $1.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009.  The increase was primarily due to the $15.6 million pre-tax acquisition gain on the assets and liabilities of MCB acquired from the FDIC on March 26, 2010.  The acquisition gain represented the amount by which the estimated fair value of the assets acquired exceeded the fair value of the liabilities assumed.  The increase in net income also reflected earnings on the assets and liabilities acquired in the MCB acquisition.  Net interest income increased to $20.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 from $ 12.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, reflecting improved interest rate spreads and net interest margins.
 
 
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Interest and Dividend Income.  Total interest and dividend income increased $8.2 million, or 29.1%, to $36.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 from $28.4 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009.  Interest on loans increased $11.1 million, or 56.7%, to $30.7 million as a result of a $164.9 million, or 36.3%, increase in the average balance of loans receivable to $619.1 million and an 86 basis point increase in the average yield on loans.  The increase in the average balance was primarily the result of the acquisition of $227.0 million of loans in the MCB and NCB transactions.  The increase in the average yield on loans reflected the accretion of purchase discounts on the acquired loans as well as an increase in the average balance of higher yielding commercial real estate loans in the MCB and NCB acquisitions.
 
Interest and dividend income on securities decreased $2.9 million, or 33.4%, to $5.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 from $8.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009.  The decrease reflected a $60.6 million, or 76.0%, decrease in the average balance of securities to $191.5 million and a 147 basis point decrease in the average yield on securities in the generally lower market interest rate environment.  The decrease in the average balance of securities reflected the sale of securities to generate liquidity for the prepayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances.  Interest on mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations decreased by $2.7 million to $5.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 from $8.4 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, reflecting a $42.5 million, or 18.5%, decrease in the average balance of such securities to $187.3 million and an 82 basis point decrease in average yield.
 
Interest Expense. Total interest expense decreased $110,000, or 0.7%, to $16.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 from $16.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009.  The decrease was primarily due to a 78 basis point, or 23.3%, decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 2.6% from 3.4%, reflecting declining market interest rates.  The decrease in average cost more than offset a $197.6 million, or 29.87%, increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities to $861.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 from $663.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009. The increase in the average balance was primarily due to the assumption of approximately $467.2 million of deposits of MCB and NCB, partially offset by the immediate retirement of the wholesale portion of the acquired deposits using cash received in the transactions.
 
Interest expense on deposits increased $1.3 million, or 17.6%, to $8.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010. The increase was due to a $244.9 million, or 61.2%, increase in the average balance of interest bearing deposits resulting from the assumption of the MCB and NCB deposits, partially offset by a 66 basis point, or 26.8%, decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 1.8% from 2.5%.  The decrease in the average cost of deposits was largely due to lower market interest rates, the higher proportion of our lower cost short term brokered deposits, and the immediate retirement of the wholesale portion of the MCB and NCB deposits using cash received in the transactions.  Interest expense on certificates of deposit increased $400,000 to $6.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010, from $6.4 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, reflecting the $174.3 million, or 67.1%, increase in the average balance of such deposits, which more than offset the 120 basis points decrease in the average cost of such deposits, to 2.1% from 3.3% in the lower market interest rate environment. Interest expense on Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased $1.4 million to $7.9 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010, due to a decrease of $47.3 million, or 18.0%, in the average balance of advances, partially offset by an increase of 16 basis points in average cost of advances.
 
Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $8.4 million, or 71.6%, to $20.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010, from $11.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009. The increase primarily reflected the $11.1 million, or 56.7%, increase in interest income on loans combined with the 78 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by a $197.6 million, or 29.8%, increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities for the nine-month period in 2010 compared to 2009.   Our net interest margin increased 99 basis points to 3.1% for the 2010 period from 2.1% for the 2009 period, while our net interest rate spread increased 131 basis points to 3.1% from 1.8%.  Lower deposit costs and accretion of purchase discounts from the NCB and MCB acquisitions contributed to the improved net interest margin and net interest rate spread.
 
Provision for Loan Losses.  The provision for loan losses for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 was $5.1 million, compared to a provision of $3.2 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009.  The increase in the provision reflects increased nonperforming loans and net charge-offs.  Net charge-offs during the nine months ended June 30, 2010 increased to $5.0 million, from $3.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009.  The allowance for loan losses for non-covered loans was $9.5 million, or 2.0% of total non-covered loans receivable, at June 30, 2010. At June 30, 2010 there were $281.2 million in covered loans (contractual balance), and $124.7 million in nonperforming covered loans (contractual balance), with $79.7 million in related nonaccretable differences and allowances.
 
 
39

 
 
Noninterest Income.  Noninterest income increased $11.9 million, or 143.7%, to $20.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010 from $8.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009. The increase was primarily due to the $15.6 million purchase gain on the assets and liabilities of MCB acquired from the FDIC on March 26, 2010, partially offset by $3.5 million in other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charges during the nine months ended June 30, 2010.  Of the impairment charges, $1.0 million related to our entire investment in an unaffiliated Georgia community bank.  The remaining $2.5 million related to our investment in private-label mortgage securities.
 
Noninterest Expense. Total noninterest expense increased $6.6 million, or 44.7%, to $21.4 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010, compared to $14.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2009. The increase was due primarily to increases of: $3.1 million, or 43.4%, in salaries and employee benefits resulting from our acquisitions of MCB and NCB; $1.5 million, or 54.5%, in occupancy costs from the acquisitions; approximately $500,000 in costs relating to the acquisition and integration of the acquired assets and liabilities; $811,000 in legal and professional fees, reflecting litigation costs, foreclosure efforts, and acquisition assistance; and $556,000 in the net cost of operations of real estate owned, reflecting higher foreclosures in the fiscal 2010 period.
 
Income Taxes. Income taxes increased to $5.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2010, from $268,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2009, reflecting the $11.8 million increase in net income before income taxes. Our effective tax rate was 36.0% for the nine months ended June 30, 2010, compared to 12.9% for the fiscal 2009 period. The increase in the effective tax rate for the 2010 period was due to higher pretax income, which reduced the impact of tax advantaged investments such as bank owned life insurance.
 
 
40

 
 
 
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect” and words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

 
statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;
 
 
statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies;
 
 
statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and
 
 
estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.
 
These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change.
 
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements:

 
general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected;
 
 
competition among depository and other financial institutions;
 
 
changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments;
 
 
adverse changes in the securities markets;
 
 
changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements;
 
 
our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities;
 
 
our ability to successfully integrate acquired entities;
 
 
our incurring higher than expected loan charge-offs with respect to assets acquired in FDIC-assisted acquisitions;
 
 
changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;
 
 
changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies and the Financial Accounting Standards Board; and
 
 
changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans.
 
Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements.  Please see “Risk Factors” beginning on page 16.
 
 
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HOW WE INTEND TO USE THE PROCEEDS FROM THE OFFERING
 
Although we cannot determine what the actual net proceeds from the sale of the common stock in the stock offering will be until the stock offering is completed, we anticipate that the net proceeds will be between $ 29.7 million and $ 57.8 million .  We estimate that we will invest in CharterBank between $ 14.9 million and $ 28.9 million .  Between $2. 3 million and $3. 2 million will be used for the loan to the employee stock ownership plan to fund its purchase of shares of common stock in the offering. After funding the loan to the employee stock ownership plan, we intend to retain between $ 12.5 million and $ 25.8 million of the net proceeds.

A summary of the anticipated net proceeds of the stock offering and anticipated distribution of the net proceeds is as follows:

     
Gross Stock Offering Proceeds
 
     
$ 33.3 million (1)
   
$ 62.7 million ( 2 )
 
     
(In thousands)
 
               
 
Offering proceeds                                             
  $ 33,307     $ 62,716  
 
Less: offering expenses
  $ 3,574     $ 4,897  
 
Net offering proceeds                                             
  $ 29,733     $ 57,819  
                   
 
Distribution of proceeds to CharterBank
  $ 14,866     $ 28,909  
 
Proceeds used for loan to employee
    stock ownership plan
  $ 2,334     $ 3,156  
 
Retained by Charter Financial
  $ 12,533     $ 25,754  
_______________________
(1)
Based on 4,281,060 shares sold at $ 7.78 per share.
(2)
Based on 5,961,573 shares sold at $ 10.52 per share.

Payments for shares made through withdrawals from existing deposit accounts will not result in the receipt of new funds for investment but will result in a reduction in deposits of CharterBank.  The net proceeds may vary because total expenses relating to the offering may be more or less than our estimates.  For example, our expenses would increase if a syndicated community offering were used to sell shares of common stock not purchased in the subscription offering and community offering.

Charter Financial May Use the Proceeds it Retains From the Offering:
 
 
to fund a loan to our employee stock ownership plan to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock in the offering at a cost of $2. 3 million assuming a per share price of $ 7.78 and the sale of 4,281,060 shares, and $3. 2 million assuming a per share price of $ 10.52 and the sale of 5,961,573 shares;
 
 
to finance the acquisition of financial institutions, especially troubled institutions with FDIC assistance, or other financial services companies as opportunities arise, although we do not currently have any agreements or understandings regarding any specific acquisition transaction;
 
 
to pay cash dividends to shareholders;
 
 
to repurchase shares of our common stock;
 
 
to invest in securities; and
 
 
for other general corporate purposes.
 
Initially, a substantial portion of the net proceeds will be invested in short-term investments, investment-grade debt obligations and mortgage-backed securities.
 
 
42

 
 
Under current Office of Thrift Supervision regulations, we may not repurchase shares of our common stock during the first year following the completion of the stock offering, except when extraordinary circumstances exist and with prior regulatory approval.
 
CharterBank May Use the Net Proceeds it Receives From the Offering:
 
 
to fund new loans, including one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate and commercial business loans, real estate construction loans and consumer loans;
 
 
to expand its retail banking franchise by acquiring new branches or by acquiring other financial institutions, especially troubled institutions with FDIC assistance, or other financial services companies as opportunities arise, although we do not currently have any agreements to acquire a financial institution or other entity;
 
 
to enhance existing products and services and to support the development of new products and services;
 
 
to reduce wholesale funding;
 
 
to invest in securities; and
 
 
for other general corporate purposes.
 
Initially, a substantial portion of the net proceeds will be invested in short-term investments, investment-grade debt obligations and mortgage-backed securities.
 
We expect our return on equity to decrease as compared to our performance in recent years, until we are able to reinvest effectively the additional capital raised in the offering.  Until we can increase our net interest income and non-interest income, our return on equity may be below the industry average, which may negatively affect the value of our common stock. See “Risk Factors—Our failure to effectively deploy the net proceeds may have an adverse impact on our financial performance and the value of our common stock.”
 
 
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           Charter Financial has paid a quarterly cash dividend since September 2002.  Beginning with the dividend paid for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, we reduced our quarterly dividend from $0.25 per share to $0.05 per share.  The reduction of the dividend reflects our decision to pursue opportunities for deployment of capital in FDIC-assisted transactions such as the Neighborhood Community Bank and McIntosh Commercial Bank transactions.  We currently intend to pay a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share in the future.  This would represent a 2.6 % and 1.9 % annual yield assuming a share price of $ 7.78  and $ 10.52 , respectively.  However, the dividend rate and the continued payment of dividends will primarily depend on our earnings, alternative uses for capital, such as FDIC-assisted transactions, capital requirements, acquisition opportunities, and our financial condition and results of operations, the Federal Reserve Board’s policies regarding dividend waivers by federal mutual holding companies, like First Charter, MHC, that waived dividends prior to December 1, 2009, and, to a lesser extent, statutory and regulatory limitations, tax considerations and general economic conditions.  See “Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data” and “Market for Our Common Stock” for information regarding our historical dividend payments.

Under the rules of the Office of Thrift Supervision, CharterBank is not permitted to make a capital distribution if, after making such distribution, it would be undercapitalized.  For information concerning additional federal laws and regulations regarding the ability of CharterBank to make capital distributions, including the payment of dividends to Charter Financial, see “Taxation—Federal Taxation” and “Supervision and Regulation—Federal Banking Regulation.”

Unlike CharterBank, Charter Financial is not restricted by Office of Thrift Supervision regulations on the payment of dividends to its shareholders, although the source of dividends will depend on the net proceeds retained by us and earnings thereon, and dividends from CharterBank. When Charter Financial pays dividends on its common stock to public shareholders, it is also required to pay dividends to First Charter, MHC, unless First Charter, MHC elects to waive the receipt of dividends.  First Charter, MHC owns approximately 84.9% of Charter Financial’s outstanding common stock and is expected to own between 53.0% and 62.0% of our outstanding common stock upon completion of the offering.  Subject to Office of Thrift Supervision approval, First Charter, MHC has generally waived, and we expect that it will continue to waive, its right to dividends on the shares of Charter Financial that it owns, which means that Charter Financial will have more cash resources to pay dividends to our public shareholders than if First Charter, MHC accepted such dividends.

The Office of Thrift Supervision allows mutual holding companies to waive the receipt of dividends without taking waived dividends into account in determining an appropriate exchange ratio in the event of a conversion of the mutual holding company to stock form.  However, the Dodd-Frank Act transfers the authority to review and approve mutual holding company dividend waivers to the Federal Reserve Board and sets forth standards for Federal Reserve Board approval, including that waived dividends will be taken into account in determining an appropriate exchange ratio in a conversion of a mutual holding company to stock form.  The Dodd-Frank Act further provides that the Federal Reserve Board may not consider waived dividends in determining an appropriate exchange ratio in the event of a mutual-to-stock conversion of a federal mutual holding company, such as First Charter, MHC, that has waived dividends prior to December 1, 2009.  The Federal Reserve Board historically has generally not allowed mutual holding companies to waive the receipt of dividends, and there can be no assurance as to the conditions, if any, the Federal Reserve Board will place on future dividend waiver requests by grandfathered mutual holding companies such as First Charter, MHC.  See “The recently enacted financial reform legislation may have an adverse effect on our ability to pay dividends which would adversely affect the value of our common stock,” in the Risk Factors section of this prospectus.

In addition, pursuant to Office of Thrift Supervision regulations, during the three-year period following the stock offering, we will not take any action to declare an extraordinary dividend to shareholders that would be treated by recipients as a tax-free return of capital for federal income tax purposes.
 
 
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Charter Financial’s common stock is currently quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “CHFN.OB.” Upon completion of the offering, we expect that our stock will trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CHFN.”  In order to list our stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we are required to have at least three broker-dealers who will make a market in our common stock.  Charter Financial currently has more than three market makers, including Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated.  Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated has advised us that it intends to make a market in our common stock following the offering, but it is under no obligation to do so.
 
The development of a public market having the desirable characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends on the existence of willing buyers and sellers, the presence of which is not within our control or that of any market maker.  The number of active buyers and sellers of our common stock at any particular time may be limited, which may have an adverse effect on the price at which our common stock can be sold.  There can be no assurance that persons purchasing the common stock will be able to sell their shares at or above the per share purchase price at which stock is sold in the stock offering.  Purchasers of our common stock should have a long-term investment intent and should recognize that there may be a limited trading market in our common stock.

The following table sets forth the high and low  bid prices for shares of Charter Financial common stock and cash dividends paid per share for the periods indicated, as quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board.  As of _________, 2010, there were ____________ total shares of Charter Financial common stock outstanding, including shares held by First Charter, MHC and ____ publicly held shares of Charter Financial common stock issued and outstanding, excluding shares held by First Charter, MHC.  See “The Stock Offering.”

At the close of business on ________, 2010, there were ____________ shares outstanding.  The high and low closing prices for the quarterly periods noted below were obtained from the OTC Bulletin Board.

   
Price Per Share
    Cash
Dividend Declared
 
   
High
   
Low
     
Fiscal 2010
                 
                   
Fourth quarter (through _______________)
  $       $       $    
Third quarter     11.00       9.62       0.10 *
Second quarter
    10.70       9.25       *
First quarter
    12.30       8.65     $ 0.25  
                         
Fiscal 2009
                       
                         
Fourth quarter
  $ 17.00     $ 11.75     $ 0.25  
Third quarter
    14.50       8.26       0.25  
Second quarter
    10.94       7.30       0.25  
First quarter
    11.00       6.00       0.25  
                         
Fiscal 2008
                       
                         
Fourth quarter
  $ 14.70     $ 8.50     $ 0.25  
Third quarter
    32.00       24.00       0.50  
Second quarter
    40.90       26.00       0.50  
First quarter
    53.85       30.75       0.50  
 

*
The cash dividend with respect to the second quarter of fiscal 2010 was delayed until the third fiscal quarter.

On April 20, 2010, the business day immediately preceding the public announcement of the offering, and on ________________, the closing prices of Charter Financial common stock as reported on the OTC Bulletin Board were $10.50 per share and $_____ per share, respectively.  At _____________, Charter Financial had approximately ______ shareholders of record.
 
 
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HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA REGULATORY CAPITAL COMPLIANCE
 
At March 31, 2010, CharterBank exceeded all of the applicable regulatory capital requirements and was considered “well capitalized.” The table below sets forth the historical equity capital and regulatory capital of CharterBank at March 31, 2010, and the pro forma regulatory capital of CharterBank assuming we raise the indicated gross stock offering proceeds as of such date and assuming CharterBank received 50% of the net proceeds of the stock offering.
 
   
CharterBank Historical
at
March 31, 2010
   
Pro Forma at March 31, 2010, Assuming Gross Stock
Offering Proceeds of
 
         
$ 33.3 million (1)
   
$ 62.7 million (2)
 
   
Amount
   
Percent of Assets ( 3 )
   
Amount
   
Percent of Assets ( 3 )
   
Amount
   
Percent of Assets ( 3 )
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Equity capital
  $ 105,188       8.45 %   $ 117,082       9.30 %   $ 130,079       10. 22 %
                                                 
Tier 1 risk-based capital ( 4 )( 5 )
  $ 102,848       16.51 %   $ 114,74 2       18. 33 %   $ 127,739       20. 32 %
Tier 1 risk-based requirement
    37,373       6 .00       37,551       6 .00       37,720       6 .00  
Excess
  $ 65,475       10.51 %   $ 77,191       12.33 %   $ 90,019       14.32 %
                                                 
Core (leverage) capital ( 4 )( 5 )
  $ 102,848       8.27 %   $ 114,742       9. 12 %   $ 127,739       10.04 %
Core (leverage) requirement
    62,170       5 .00       62, 913       5 .00       63,615       5 .00  
Excess
  $ 40,678       3.27 %   $ 51, 829       4.12 %   $ 64,124       5.04 %
                                                 
Total risk-based capital ( 4 )( 5 )
  $ 102,932       16.53 %   $ 114, 826       18. 35 %   $ 127,823       20.33 %
Risk-based requirement
    62,288       10 .00       62, 586       10 .00       62,866       10 .00  
Excess
  $ 40,644       6 .53 %   $ 52,240       8.35 %   $ 64,957       10.33 %
                                                 
Net Proceeds Infused
                  $ 14,866             $ 28,909          
Less: ESOP
                    (2, 334 )             ( 3,156 )        
Less: stock-based incentive plan
                    ( 638 )             ( 863 )        
Pro Forma Increase
                  $ 11, 894             $ 24,890          
 

(1)
Based on 4,281,060 shares sold at $ 7.78 per share.
(2)
Based on 5,961,573 shares sold at $ 10.52 per share.
(3)
Core capital levels are shown as a percentage of total adjusted assets. Risk-based capital levels are shown as a percentage of risk-weighted assets.
(4)
Pro forma capital levels assume that the employee stock ownership plan purchases 300,000 shares of common stock with funds borrowed from Charter Financial.  Pro forma GAAP and regulatory capital have been reduced by the amount required to fund this plan.  See “Management” for a discussion of the employee stock ownership plan.
(5)
Pro forma amounts and percentages assume net proceeds are invested in assets that carry a 20% risk weighting.
 
 
46

 
 
CAPITALIZATION
 
The following table sets forth the historical consolidated capitalization of Charter Financial at March 31, 2010 on an actual basis and on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the stock offering, based upon the assumptions set forth in “Pro Forma Data.”
 
           
Pro Forma Consolidated Capitalization,
Assuming Gross Stock Offering
Proceeds of
 
   
Historical
Capitalization
   
$ 33.3 million (1)
   
$ 62.7 million (2)
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Deposits ( 3 )                                              
  $ 906,580     $ 906,580     $ 906,580  
Borrowed funds
    212,232       212,232       212,232  
Total deposits and borrowed funds
  $ 1,118,812     $ 1,118,812     $ 1,118,812  
                         
Stockholders’ equity:
                       
Preferred stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized (post-offering)
                       
Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized (post-offering); shares
    to be issued as reflected ( 4 )
  $ 199     $ 199     $ 199  
Additional paid-in capital
    42,807       72,540       100,626  
Retained earnings ( 5 ) 
    109,148       109,148       109,148  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (3,031 )     (3,031 )     (3,031 )
Less:
                       
Treasury stock
    (36,903 )     (36,903 )     (36,903 )
Common stock held by employee stock ownership plan ( 6 )
    (1,547 )     (3, 881 )     (4, 703 )
Common stock acquired by stock-based incentive plans ( 7 )
          ( 638 )     (8 63 )
Total stockholders’ equity
  $ 110,673     $ 13 7,434     $ 16 4,473  
                         
Pro Forma Shares Outstanding:
                       
Total shares outstanding
    18,672,361       18,672,361       18,672,361  
Shares held by First Charter, MHC
    15,857,924       11,576,864       9,896,351  
Shares held by shareholders other than
First Charter, MHC
    2,814,437       2,814,437       2,814,437  
Shares sold in stock offering
          4,281,060       5,961,573  
                         
Total shareholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets
    8.91 %     10.8 3 %     12. 6 9 %
Total tangible shareholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets
    8. 51 %     10. 40 %     12. 27 %
 

(1)
Based on 4,281,060 shares sold at $ 7.78 per share.
(2)
Based on 5,961,573 shares sold at $ 10.52 per share.
(3)
Does not reflect withdrawals from deposit accounts for the purchase of shares of common stock in the stock offering. These withdrawals would reduce pro forma deposits and assets by the amount of the withdrawals.
(4)
No effect has been given to the issuance of additional shares of common stock as restricted stock awards or pursuant to the exercise of options under one or more stock-based benefit plans. If the plans are implemented within the first year after the closing of the stock offering, the plans will reserve up to 82,000 shares of common stock for issuance as restricted stock awards and 207,000 shares of common stock for issuance upon the exercise of options. No effect has been given to the exercise of options currently outstanding. See “Management.”
(5)
The retained earnings of Charter Financial are substantially restricted due to regulatory capital requirements applicable to CharterBank.
(6)
Assumes that the employee stock ownership plan purchases 300,000 shares of common stock with funds borrowed from Charter Financial.  The cost of common stock that may be acquired by the employee stock ownership plan is reflected as a reduction of shareholders’ equity.
 
(footnotes continue on following page)
 
 
47

 

(continued from previous page)
 
(7)
Assumes that a stock-based incentive plan is implemented within the first year after the closing of the offering and that we reserve 82,000 shares of common stock for issuance as restricted stock awards and 207,000 shares of common stock for issuance upon the exercise of options.  The dollar amount of common stock to be purchased is based on an assumed fair value for stock awards of $ 10.52 per share, the maximum per share offering price for the stock offering.  The fair value of stock options has been estimated at $ 2.32 per option using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following assumptions: a grant-date share price and option exercise price of $ 10.52 , the maximum per share offering price for the stock offering; an expected option life of eight years; a dividend yield of 2.0% equal to the average dividend yield of publicly-traded thrifts; an interest rate of 3.16%; and a volatility rate of 25.0% based on an index of publicly traded institutions in the mutual holding company structure. The actual value of option grants will be determined by the grant-date fair value of the options, which will depend on a number of factors, including the valuation assumptions used in the option pricing model ultimately adopted.  The actual value of restricted stock awards will be determined based on their fair value as of the date grants are made.  As the Company accrues compensation expense to reflect the vesting of shares pursuant to the stock-based benefit plans, the credit to equity will be offset by a charge to noninterest expense. The funds to be used by the stock-based benefit plans will be provided by the Company.
 
 
48

 
 

 
PRO FORMA DATA
 
The actual net proceeds from the sale of the common stock cannot be determined until the stock offering is completed. However, net proceeds are currently estimated to be between $ 29.7 million and $ 57.8 million. The estimated net proceeds have been calculated based upon the following assumptions:

 
(i)
the employee stock ownership plan will purchase 300,000 shares of common stock in the stock offering (although it is not required to do so);

 
(ii)
officers, directors, and employees of Charter Financial and CharterBank and their immediate families will purchase in the aggregate $300,000 of common stock;

 
(iii)
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated will receive a fee equal to the greater of $125,000 or 1.0% of the dollar amount of shares of common stock sold in the subscription offering and 6.0% of the dollar amount of shares sold in the syndicated offering and 25% of the total shares will be subscribed for in the subscription offering.  No fee will be paid with respect to shares of common stock purchased by our qualified and non-qualified employee stock benefit plans, or stock purchased by our officers, directors and employees, and their immediate families; and

 
(iv)
total expenses of the offering, including the marketing fees to be paid to Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, will be between $3. 6 million at the minimum of the offering range and $ 4.9 million at the maximum of the offering range.

We calculated pro forma consolidated net earnings for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 as if the estimated net proceeds we received had been invested at the beginning of each period at an assumed interest rate of 2.55% (1.57% on an after-tax basis), which assumed that the net proceeds were invested to yield the five year treasury rate at March 31, 2010 and an effective tax rate of 38.6%.  This method reflects the approximate use of proceeds anticipated by Charter Financial.  The effect of withdrawals from deposit accounts for the purchase of shares of common stock has not been reflected.  Historical and pro forma per share amounts have been calculated by dividing historical and pro forma amounts by the indicated number of shares of common stock. No effect has been given in the pro forma stockholders’ equity calculations for the assumed earnings on the net proceeds. It is assumed that Charter Financial will retain between $ 12.5 million and $ 25.8 million of the estimated net proceeds of the offering. The actual net proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock will not be determined until the offering is completed.  However, we currently estimate the net proceeds to be between $ 29.7 million if we sell the minimum number of shares proposed to be offered at the minimum price per share, and $ 57.8 million if we sell the maximum number of shares proposed to be offered at the maximum price per share .

The following pro forma information of Charter Financial may not be representative of the financial effects of the offering at the dates on which the offering actually occurs, and should not be taken as indicative of future results of operations. Pro forma consolidated stockholders’ equity represents the difference between the stated amounts of our assets and liabilities.  The pro forma stockholders’ equity is not intended to represent the fair market value of the shares of common stock.
 
 
49

 
 
   
At or For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2010
 
   
Minimum Shares Offered (4,281,060 Shares)
 
   
$7.78 Per
Share
   
$9.15 Per
Share
   
$10.52 Per
Share
 
   
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
                   
Pro forma shares owned by public stockholders
    7,095,497       7,095,497       7,095,497  
Pro forma shares owned by First Charter, MHC
    11,576,864       11,576,854       11,576,864  
Total shares outstanding
    18,672,361       18,672,361       18,672,361  
Pro forma ownership percentage of public stockholders
    38.0 %     38.0 %     38.0 %
Gross proceeds
  $ 33,307     $ 39,172     $ 45,037  
Less: Stock offering expenses and commissions
    3,574       3,838       4,102  
Estimated net proceeds
    29,733       35,334       40,935  
Less: Common stock purchased by employee
    stock ownership plan
    (2,334 )     (2,745 )     (3,156 )
Common stock purchased by restricted stock
    plans
    (638 )     (750 )     (863 )
Investable net proceeds
  $ 26,761     $ 31,839     $ 36,916  
Consolidated net income:
                       
Historical
  $ 7,734     $ 7,734     $ 7,734  
Pro forma income on net proceeds, net of tax
    210       249       289  
Pro forma employee stock ownership plan
   adjustment, net of tax (1)
    (24 )     (28 )     (32 )
Pro forma restricted stock plan adjustment, net of tax (2)
    (39 )     (46 )     (53 )
Pro forma stock option plan adjustment, net of tax (3)
    (32 )     (38 )     (44 )
Pro forma net income
  $ 7,848     $ 7,871     $ 7,894  
Diluted net income per share (4):
                       
Historical, as adjusted
  $ 0.42     $ 0.42     $ 0.42  
Pro forma income on net proceeds
    0.01       0.01       0.02  
Pro forma employee stock ownership plan
   adjustment (1)
                 
Pro forma restricted stock plan adjustment (2)
                 
Pro forma stock option plan adjustment (3)
                 
Pro forma diluted net income per share
  $ 0.43     $ 0.43     $ 0.44  
Stock price as a multiple of pro forma earnings per share (5)
    9.05 x     10.64 x     11.95 x
Shares used for calculating pro forma earnings per share
    18,121,507       18,121,507       18,121,507  
Stockholders’ equity:
                       
Historical:
  $ 110,673     $ 110,673     $ 110,673  
Estimated net proceeds
    29,733       35,334       40,935  
Less: Common stock acquired by employee
    stock ownership plan (1)
    (2,334 )     (2,745 )     (3,156 )
Less: Common stock acquired by restricted
    stock plan (2)
    (638 )     (750 )     (863 )
Pro forma stockholders’ equity
    137,434       142,512       147,590  
Less: Intangible assets
    (5,372 )     (5,372 )     (5,372 )
Pro forma tangible stockholders’ equity
  $ 132,062     $ 137,140     $ 142,218  
Stockholders’ equity per share (4):
                       
Historical
  $ 5.92     $ 5.93     $ 5.93  
Estimated net proceeds
    1.59       1.89       2.19  
Less: Common stock acquired by employee
    stock ownership plan (1)
    (0.12 )     (0.15 )     (0.17 )
Less: Common stock acquired by restricted
    stock plan (2)
    (0.03 )     (0.04 )     (0.05 )
Pro forma stockholders’ equity per share
  $ 7.36     $ 7.63     $ 7.90  
Intangible assets
    (0.29 )     (0.29 )     (0.29 )
Pro forma tangible stockholders’ equity per share
  $ 7.07     $ 7.34     $ 7.61  
Offering price as a percentage of pro forma stockholders’ equity per share
    105.71 %     119.92 %     133.16 %
Offering price as a percentage of pro forma tangible stockholders’ equity per share
    110.04 %     124.66 %     138.24 %
Number of shares outstanding for pro forma book value per share calculations
    18,672,361       18,672,361       18,672,361  
 

Footnotes on page 54.
 
 
50

 
 
   
At or For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2010
 
   
Maximum Shares Offered (5,961,573 Shares)
 
   
$7.78 Per
Share
   
$9.15 Per
Share
   
$10.52 Per
Share
 
   
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
                   
Pro forma shares owned by public stockholders
    8,776,010       8,776,010       8,776,010  
Pro forma shares owned by First Charter, MHC
    9,896,351       9,896,351       9,896,351  
Total shares outstanding
    18,672,361       18,672,361       18,672,361  
Pro forma ownership percentage of public stockholders
    47.0 %     47.0 %     47.0 %
Gross proceeds
  $ 46,381     $ 54,548     $ 62,716  
Less: Stock offering expenses and commissions
    4,162       4,530       4,897  
Estimated net proceeds
    42,219       50,019       57,819  
Less: Common stock purchased by employee
    stock ownership plan
    (2,334 )     (2,745 )     (3,156 )
 Common stock purchased by restricted stock
    plans
    (638 )     (705 )     (863 )
Investable net proceeds
  $ 39,247     $ 46,523     $ 53,800  
Consolidated net income:
                       
Historical
  $ 7,734     $ 7,734     $ 7,734  
Pro forma income on net proceeds, net of tax
    307       364       421  
Pro forma employee stock ownership plan
   adjustment, net of tax (1)
    (24 )     (28 )     (32 )
Pro forma restricted stock plan adjustment, net of tax (2)
    (39 )     (46 )     (53 )
Pro forma stock option plan adjustment, net of tax (3)
    (32 )     (38 )     (44 )
Pro forma net income
  $ 7,946     $ 7,986     $ 8,026  
Diluted net income per share (4):
                       
Historical, as adjusted
  $ 0.42     $ 0.42     $ 0.42  
Pro forma income on net proceeds
    0.02       0.02       0.02  
Pro forma employee stock ownership plan
   adjustment (1)
                 
Pro forma restricted stock plan adjustment (2)
                 
Pro forma stock option plan adjustment (3)
                 
Pro forma diluted net income per share
  $ 0.44     $ 0.44     $ 0.44  
Stock price as a multiple of pro forma earnings per share (5)
    8.84 x     10.40 x     11.95 x
Shares used for calculating pro forma earnings per share
    18,121,507       18,121,507       18,121,507  
Stockholders’ equity:
                       
Historical:
  $ 110,673     $ 110,673     $ 110,673  
Estimated net proceeds
    42,219       50,019       57,819  
Less: Common stock acquired by employee
    stock ownership plan (1)
    (2,334 )     (2,745 )     (3,156 )
Less: Common stock acquired by restricted
    stock plan (2)
    (638 )     (705 )     (863 )
Pro forma stockholders’ equity
    149,920       157,196       164,473  
Less: Intangible assets
    (5,372 )     (5,372 )     (5,372 )
Pro forma tangible stockholders’ equity
  $ 144,548     $ 151,824     $ 159,101  
Stockholders’ equity per share (4):
                       
Historical
  $ 5.92     $ 5.93     $ 5.93  
Estimated net proceeds
    2.26       2.68       3.10  
Less: Common stock acquired by employee
    stock ownership plan (1)
    (0.12 )     (0.15 )     (0.17 )
Less: Common stock acquired by restricted
    stock plan (2)
    (0.03 )     (0.04 )     (0.05 )
Pro forma stockholders’ equity per share
  $ 8.03     $ 8.42     $ 8.81  
Intangible assets
    (0.29 )     (0.29 )     (0.29 )
Pro forma tangible stockholders’ equity per share
  $ 7.74     $ 8.13     $ 8.52  
Offering price as a percentage of pro forma stockholders’ equity per share
    96.89 %     108.67 %     119.41 %
Offering price as a percentage of pro forma tangible stockholders’ equity per share
    100.52 %     112.55 %     123.47 %
Number of shares outstanding for pro forma book value per share calculations
    18,672,361       18,672,361       18,672,361  


Footnotes on page 54.
 
 
51

 
 
   
At or For the Year Ended September 30, 2009
 
   
Minimum Shares Offered (4,281,066 Shares)
 
   
$7.78 Per
Share
   
$9.15 Per
Share
   
$10.52 Per
Share
 
   
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
                   
Pro forma shares owned by public stockholders
    7,095,497       7,095,497       7,095,497  
Pro forma shares owned by First Charter, MHC
    11,576,864       11,576,864       11,576,864  
Total shares outstanding
    18,672,361       18,672,361       18,672,361  
Pro forma ownership percentage of public stockholders
    38.0 %     38.0 %     38.0 %
Gross proceeds
  $ 33,307     $ 39,172     $ 45,037  
Less: Stock offering expenses and commissions
    3,574       3,838       4,102  
Estimated net proceeds
    29,733       35,334       40,935  
Less: Common stock purchased by employee
    stock ownership plan
    (2,334 )     (2,745 )     (3,156 )
Common stock purchased by restricted stock
    plans
    (638 )     (705 )     (863 )
Investable net proceeds
  $ 26,761     $ 31,839     $ 36,916  
Consolidated net income:
                       
Historical
  $ 2,315     $ 2,315     $ 2,315  
Pro forma income on net proceeds, net of tax
    419       499       578  
Pro forma employee stock ownership plan
   adjustment, net of tax (1)
    (48 )     (56 )     (65 )
Pro forma restricted stock plan adjustment, net of tax (2)
    (78 )     (92 )     (106 )
Pro forma stock option plan adjustment, net of tax (3)
    (64 )     (76 )     (87 )
Pro forma net income
  $ 2,544     $ 2,590     $ 2,636  
Diluted net income per share (4):
                       
Historical, as adjusted
  $ 0.12     $ 0.12     $ 0.12  
Pro forma income on net proceeds
    0.02       0.03       0.03  
Pro forma employee stock ownership plan
   adjustment (1)
                 
Pro forma restricted stock plan adjustment (2)
          (0.01 )     (0.01 )
Pro forma stock option plan adjustment (3)
                 
Pro forma diluted net income per share
  $ 0.14     $ 0.14     $ 0.14  
Stock price as a multiple of pro forma earnings per share
    55.57 x     65.36 x     75.14 x
Shares used for calculating pro forma earnings per share
    18,189,297       18,189,297       18,189,297  
Stockholders’ equity:
                       
Historical:
  $ 98,257     $ 98,257     $ 98,257  
Estimated net proceeds
    29,733       35,334       40,935  
Less: Common stock acquired by employee
    stock ownership plan (1)
    (2,334 )     (2,745 )     (3,156 )
Less: Common stock acquired by restricted
    stock plan (2)
    (638 )     (750 )     (863 )
Pro forma stockholders’ equity
    125,018       130,096       135,174  
Less: Intangible assets
    (5,180 )     (5,180 )     (5,180 )
Pro forma tangible stockholders’ equity
  $ 119,838     $ 124,916     $ 129,994  
Stockholders’ equity per share (4):
                       
Historical
  $ 5.26     $ 5.27     $ 5.27  
Estimated net proceeds
    1.59       1.89       2.19  
Less: Common stock acquired by employee
    stock ownership plan (1)
    (0.12 )     (0.15 )     (0.17 )
Less: Common stock acquired by restricted
    stock plan (2)
    (0.03 )     (0.04 )     (0.05 )
Pro forma stockholders’ equity per share
  $ 6.70     $ 6.97     $ 7.24  
Intangible assets
    (0.28 )     (0.28 )     (0.28 )
Pro forma tangible stockholders’ equity per share
  $ 6.42     $ 6.69     $ 6.96  
Offering price as a percentage of pro forma stockholders’ equity per share
    116.12 %     131.28 %     145.30 %
Offering price as a percentage of pro forma tangible stockholders’ equity per share
    121.18 %     136.77 %     151.15 %
Number of shares outstanding for pro forma book value per share calculations
    18,672,361       18,672,361       18,672,361  

Footnotes on page 54.
 
 
52

 

   
At or For the Year Ended September 30, 2009
 
   
Minimum Shares Offered (5,961,573 Shares)
 
   
$7.78 Per
Share
   
$9.15 Per
Share
   
$10.52 Per
Share
 
   
(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
                   
Pro forma shares owned by public stockholders
    8,776,010       8,776,010       8,776,010  
Pro forma shares owned by First Charter, MHC
    9,896,351       9,896,351       9,896,351  
Total shares outstanding
    18,672,361       18,672,361       18,672,361  
Pro forma ownership percentage of public stockholders
    47.0 %     47.0 %     47.0 %
Gross proceeds
  $ 46,381     $ 54,548     $ 62,716  
Less: Stock offering expenses and commissions
    4,162       4,530       4,897  
Estimated net proceeds
    42,219       50,019       57,819  
Less: Common stock purchased by employee
    stock ownership plan
    (2,334 )     (2,745 )     (3,156 )
 Common stock purchased by restricted stock
    plans
    (638 )     (750 )     (863 )
Investable net proceeds
  $ 39,247     $ 46,523     $ 53,800  
Consolidated net income:
                       
Historical
  $ 2,315     $ 2,315     $ 2,315  
Pro forma income on net proceeds, net of tax
    615       728       842  
Pro forma employee stock ownership plan
   adjustment, net of tax (1)
    (48 )     (56 )     (65 )
Pro forma restricted stock plan adjustment, net of tax (2)
    (78 )     (92 )     (106 )
Pro forma stock option plan adjustment, net of tax (3)
    (64 )     (76 )     (87 )
Pro forma net income
  $ 2,739     $ 2,819     $ 2,900  
Diluted net income per share (4):
                       
Historical, as adjusted
  $ 0.12     $ 0.13     $ 0.12  
Pro forma income on net proceeds
    0.03       0.04       0.05  
Pro forma employee stock ownership plan
   adjustment (1)
                 
Pro forma restricted stock plan adjustment (2)
          (0.01 )     (0.01 )
Pro forma stock option plan adjustment (3)
                 
Pro forma diluted net income per share
  $ 0.15     $ 0.16     $ 0.16  
Stock price as a multiple of pro forma earnings per share
    51.87 x     57.19 x     65.75 x
Shares used for calculating pro forma earnings per share
    18,189,297       18,189,297       18,189,297  
Stockholders’ equity:
                       
Historical:
  $ 98,257     $ 98,257     $ 98,257  
Estimated net proceeds
    42,219       50,019       57,819  
Less: Common stock acquired by employee
    stock ownership plan (1)
    (2,334 )     (2,745 )     (3,156 )
Less: Common stock acquired by restricted
    stock plan (2)
    (638 )     (750 )     (863 )
Pro forma stockholders’ equity
    137,504       144,780       152,057  
Less: Intangible assets
    (5,180 )     (5,180 )     (5,180 )
Pro forma tangible stockholders’ equity
  $ 132,324     $ 139,600     $ 146,877  
Stockholders’ equity per share (4):
                       
Historical
  $ 5.26     $ 5.26     $ 5.26  
Estimated net proceeds
    2.26       2.68       3.10  
Less: Common stock acquired by employee
    stock ownership plan (1)
    (0.12 )     (0.15 )     (0.17 )
Less: Common stock acquired by restricted
    stock plan (2)
    (0.03 )     (0.04 )     (0.05 )
Pro forma stockholders’ equity per share
  $ 7.36     $ 7.75     $ 8.14  
Intangible assets
    (0.28 )     (0.28 )     (0.28 )
Pro forma tangible stockholders’ equity per share
  $ 7.08     $ 7.47     $ 7.86  
Offering price as a percentage of pro forma stockholders’ equity per share
    105.71 %     118.06 %     129.24 %
Offering price as a percentage of pro forma tangible stockholders’ equity per share
    109.89 %     122.49 %     133.84 %
Number of shares outstanding for pro forma book value per share calculations
    18,672,361       18,672,361       18,672,361  


Footnotes on following page.
 
 
53

 
 
(1)
Assumes that 300,000 shares of the common stock sold in the offering will be purchased by the employee stock ownership plan, and that the funds used to acquire these shares will be borrowed from Charter Financial  The employee stock ownership plan loan is assumed to be repaid in 30 equal annual installments of principal and shares are to be released to plan participants ratably as the employee stock ownership plan repays the loan.  Statement of Position 93-6 requires that an employer record compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the shares committed to be released to the employees.  The pro forma net income assumes that: (i) 1.67% of the employee stock ownership plan shares were committed to be released during the six months ended March 31, 2010, and 3.33% were committed to be released during fiscal 2009 at an average fair value assumed to be the price at which the shares are sold in the stock offering, (ii) dividends on shares not released to the participants were used to fund debt service payments and (iii) Charter Financial made no other contributions to the employee stock ownership plan.  If the shares were to appreciate in value over time, compensation expense relating to the employee stock ownership plan would increase.  The cost of the shares issued to the employee stock ownership plan is reflected as a reduction of stockholders’ equity.
(2)
If approved by our shareholders within one year after the stock offering, we expect that the new stock recognition and retention plan will purchase 82,000 shares of common stock. Shareholder approval of the stock recognition and retention plan and purchases by the stock recognition and retention plan may not occur earlier than six months after the completion of the stock offering. The shares may be acquired directly from Charter Financial or through open market purchases.  The funds to be used by the stock recognition and retention plan to purchase the shares will be provided by Charter Financial  The table assumes that (i) the stock recognition and retention plan acquires the shares through open market purchases at the price per share at which the shares of common stock are sold in the stock offering, (ii) 10% of the amount contributed to the stock recognition and retention plan was amortized as an expense during the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 20% was amortized as an expense during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 and (iii) the stock recognition and retention plan expense reflects a marginal combined federal and state tax rate of 38.60%.
(3)
If approved by our shareholders within one year after the stock offering, we expect that the stock option plan will reserve 207,000 shares of common stock for issuance upon the exercise of options.  Shareholder approval of the stock option plan may not occur earlier than six months after the completion of the stock offering.  In calculating the pro forma effect of the stock options, the fair value of options was estimated at $ 2.32 per option using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following assumptions: a grant-date share price and option exercise price of $ 10.52 , the maximum per share offering price for the stock offering; an expected option life of eight years; a dividend yield of 2.0% equal to the average dividend yield of publicly-traded thrifts; an interest rate of 3.16%; and a volatility rate of 25.0% based on an index of publicly traded institutions in the mutual holding company structure.  The actual expense of the stock option plan will be determined by the grant-date fair value of the options, which will depend on a number of factors, including the valuation assumptions used in the option pricing model ultimately adopted.  As the Company accrues compensation expense to reflect the vesting of shares pursuant to the stock-based benefit plans, the credit to equity will be offset by a charge to noninterest expense. The funds to be used by the stock-based benefit plans will be provided by the Company.
(4)
Diluted net income per share data is based on 18,416,507 and 18,479,297 weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and the year ended September 30, 2009, respetively, adjusted for employee stock ownership plan shares assumed to be acquired and committed to be released during the period.  Pro forma adjustments to diluted net income per share data are calculated in the same manner.  Historical and pro forma stockholders’ equity per share amounts are based on the 18,672,361 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2010.  No effect has been given to the issuance of shares of common stock under the stock option plan we intend to adopt following the stock offering.
(5)
Annualized.

 
54

 

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
This discussion and analysis reflects our consolidated financial statements and other relevant statistical data, and is intended to enhance your understanding of our financial condition and results of operations.  The information in this section has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements, which appear beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus.  You should read the information in this section in conjunction with the business and financial information regarding Charter Financial provided in this prospectus.

Overview
 
Our results of operations depend primarily on our net interest income.  Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, consisting primarily of loans, investment securities, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and other interest-earning assets (primarily cash and cash equivalents), and the interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings.

In past years, because of the very high interest rates offered by many of our competitors on retail deposits, we have funded our operations with borrowings and brokered or credit union certificates of deposit, which has increased the cost of our interest bearing liabilities.  Similarly, in past years, as a result of the highly competitive market for loans in our market area, we have originated relatively fewer loans and have invested a relatively large portion of our assets in investment securities and mortgage-related securities, including a large investment in Freddie Mac common stock.  The recession has affected our operations and earnings as the collapse of Freddie Mac and its ensuing conservatorship resulted in a $123.7 million decrease in unrecognized gains on Freddie Mac common stock during fiscal 2008. The collapse of Freddie Mac also eliminated significant annual dividends on our holdings of Freddie Mac common stock which averaged approximately $6.4 million from fiscal years 2003 to 2007.  However, as a result of our loan underwriting policies, management believes that we have not suffered the same level of loan losses during the current recession as many financial institutions in our market area.  Consequently, we have recently been able to take advantage of attractive low-risk opportunities to enhance our banking franchise through the purchase of distressed banking franchises from the FDIC.

Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to operate as a well-capitalized and profitable community bank dedicated to providing exceptional personal service to our individual and business customers.  We believe that we have a competitive advantage in the markets we serve because of our knowledge of the local marketplace and longstanding history of providing superior, relationship-based customer service. Our 56-year history in the community, combined with management’s extensive experience and adherence to conservative underwriting standards through various business cycles, has enabled us to maintain a strong capital position despite the economic downturn.

We believe that the current economic and financial services environment presents a significant opportunity for us to grow our retail banking operations both organically, as many competing financial institutions have scaled back lending and other activities, and through FDIC-assisted acquisitions of troubled financial institutions, such as our acquisition of NCB and MCB in June 2009 and March 2010, respectively.  Through the NCB and MCB transactions, CharterBank acquired eight full-service branch offices of which five will be retained.  We also acquired retail deposits of $335.5 million in the two transactions, a substantial portion of which have remained at CharterBank following the transactions.  In each of the FDIC-assisted acquisitions, we participated in a competitive bid process in which we offered a negative bid on net assets acquired ($26.9 million in the NCB transaction and $53 million in the MCB transaction) and no deposit premium.  We also entered into loss sharing agreements with FDIC which cover a majority of the assets acquired (referred to as “covered assets”).  See “FDIC-Assisted Acquisitions” below.  We anticipate that the prevailing weakness in the banking sector and the potential weakness of any economic recovery will provide additional opportunities for us to participate in FDIC-assisted transactions.
 
 
55

 

From January 1, 2009 through July 30, 2010, 248 banking institutions failed in the United States, including 36 failures that have occurred in the state of Georgia.  We believe that purchasing distressed banking assets from the FDIC provides us with a low-risk opportunity to enhance our banking franchise, and we intend to evaluate such opportunities as they arise.  We believe that there are numerous banks within or adjacent to our target market areas that are subject to various enforcement actions and that have increasing levels of non-performing assets and declining capital levels.  Our knowledge of the marketplace and our experienced management team, together with our experience in managing problem assets acquired from the FDIC, position us to take advantage of future opportunities to acquire troubled financial institutions in our market area.

Key aspects of our business strategy include the following:
 
 
Raising additional capital and leveraging our capital base and acquisition experience to pursue additional strategic growth opportunities, especially FDIC-assisted acquisitions, such as NCB and MCB. As a result of the NCB and MCB acquisitions, we have broader market coverage, particularly in west-central Georgia.  Moreover, we expect that the high level of service and expanded product offerings we are providing to the former NCB and MCB customers will facilitate growth.

 
Growing our retail banking presence throughout the markets in west-central Georgia and east-central Alabama, including the expanded retail footprint resulting from the NCB and MCB acquisitions, while reducing our emphasis on wholesale banking.  We have paid off all borrowings acquired in the NCB acquisition and at March 31, 2010, 100% of NCB’s wholesale deposits had been eliminated.  Since acquiring MCB, we have paid off $9.3 million of borrowings acquired in the MCB acquisition and,  subsequent to  March 31, 2010, more than 36.6% of MCB’s wholesale deposits were eliminated.  We intend to build a diversified balance sheet, positioning CharterBank as a full-service community bank that offers both retail and commercial loan and deposit products to all markets within the I-85 corridor and the adjacent markets resulting from our acquisitions of NCB and MCB.

 
Continuing to emphasize convenience for our customers by offering extended hours at the majority of our offices, alternative banking delivery systems that allow customers to pay bills, transfer funds and monitor account balances at any time, as well as products and services designed to meet the changing needs of our customers, such as our Rewards checking program discussed under the heading “Business of Charter Financial Corporation and CharterBank—Sources of Funds.”

 
Reducing our nonperforming assets and classified assets through our diligent monitoring and resolution efforts, including problem assets of NCB and MCB.  As of March 31, 2010, we had $85.3 million of non-performing loans and loans 90 days or more delinquent as well as $43.1 million of real estate owned, of which $72.2 million and $35.7 million, respectively, related to covered assets acquired from NCB and MCB.  We have established problem asset resolution teams to resolve nonperforming assets and classified assets acquired in the NCB and MCB transactions.  While the majority of these nonperforming assets do not pose a significant credit risk because they are covered under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, reducing the amount of non-performing assets acquired in the NCB and MCB acquisitions will reduce the cost of carrying these assets.  See “Asset Quality.”

 
Integrating the assets and liabilities we acquired from NCB in June 2009 and from MCB in March 2010, achieving operational efficiencies through the consolidation or relocation of our branches, and building on the NCB and MCB franchises through expanded products and services.
 
 
56

 
 
FDIC-Assisted Acquisitions

Neighborhood Community Bank. On June 26, 2009, CharterBank entered into an agreement with the FDIC, as receiver, to acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Neighborhood Community Bank, a full service commercial bank headquartered in Newnan, Georgia.  The NCB acquisition extended CharterBank’s retail branch footprint as part of our efforts to increase our retail deposits and reduce our reliance on brokered deposits and borrowings as a significant source of funds.  The acquisition of NCB’s four full-service branches, one of which has been closed, has expanded CharterBank’s market presence in west central Georgia within the I-85 corridor region in which CharterBank is seeking to expand.

CharterBank assumed $195.3 million of liabilities, including $137.0 million of retail deposits and $44.0 million of wholesale deposits with no deposit premium paid.  The liabilities assumed by CharterBank also included $13.0 million of Federal Home Loan Bank advances and $981,000 of other liabilities.  CharterBank acquired approximately $202.8 million of NCB’s assets, including $159.9 million in loans, net of unearned income, and $17.7 million of real estate owned at a discount of $26.9 million of fair value and other adjustments.  The assets acquired also included $44.6 million of cash and cash equivalents, securities, Federal Home Loan Bank stock and other assets, including $19.4 million in cash that was received from the FDIC.

Under agreements with the FDIC, the FDIC will assume 80% of losses and share 80% of loss recoveries on the first $82.0 million of losses on the acquired loans and other real estate owned, and assume 95% of losses and share 95% of loss recoveries on losses exceeding $82.0 million. Loans, including commitments and other real estate owned covered under the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC are referred to in this prospectus as “covered loans” and “covered other real estate,” respectively.  The loss sharing agreements cover losses on single-family residential mortgage loans for ten years and all other losses for five years. In addition to the $26.9 million of fair value discounts, CharterBank recorded an indemnification asset from the FDIC in the amount of $50.0 million as part of the loss sharing agreements, of which $36.6 million was received in cash prior to March 31, 2010.

CharterBank determined current fair value accounting estimates of the acquired assets and liabilities in accordance with accounting requirements for acquisition transactions. It is expected that CharterBank will have sufficient non-accretable discounts (discounts representing amounts that are not expected to be collected from the customer, liquidation of collateral, or under the FDIC loss sharing agreements) to cover its 20% share of any losses on the covered loans and other real estate.  Furthermore, CharterBank expects to have accretable discounts (discounts representing the excess of a loan’s cash flows expected to be collected over the initial investment in the loan) to provide for market yields on the covered loans.  No goodwill or bargain purchase gain was recorded in the transaction.    

 
57

 

The following table shows adjustments to the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired and other acquisition accounting adjustments and the resulting gain from the NCB acquisition as of June 26, 2009.
 
   
As Recorded
by NCB
   
Aggregate fair
value and other
acquisition
accounting
adjustments
   
As Recorded by
CharterBank
 
Assets:
                 
Cash and due from banks
  $ 10,602,000     $ 19,415,000   (1)   $ 30,017,000  
Securities
    12,763,000       (14,000 ) (2)     12,749,000  
FHLB stock
    1,158,000             1,158,000  
Loans, net of unearned income
    159,901,000       (65,195,000 ) (3)     94,706,000  
Other real estate owned
    17,676,000       (10,240,000 ) (4)     7,436,000  
FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements
          49,991,000   (6)     49,991,000  
Other assets
    692,000             692,000  
Total assets acquired
  $ 202,792,000     $ (6,043,000 )   $ 196,749,000  (5)
                         
Liabilities:
                       
Deposits
  $ 181,326,000     $ 912,000   (7)   $ 182,238,000  
FHLB advances
    13,000,000       77,000   (8)     13,077,000  
Other liabilities
    981,000       453,000   (9)     1,434,000  
Total liabilities assumed
    195,307,000       1,442,000       196,749,000  
Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed
  $ 7,485,000                  
Aggregate fair value and other acquisition accounting adjustments
          $ 7,485,000          
 

(1)
Reflects the initial funds received from the FDIC on the acquisition date.
(2)
Reflects fair value adjustments based on CharterBank’s evaluation of the acquired investment securities portfolio.
(3)
Reflects fair value adjustments based on CharterBank’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio.  The fair value adjustment includes adjustments for estimated credit losses, liquidity, market yield and servicing costs.
(4)
Reflects the estimated other real estate owned losses based on CharterBank’s evaluation of the acquired other real estate owned portfolio.
(5)
The carrying value of certain long-term assets, primarily the estimated fair value of acquired core deposit intangible of $1.1 million, was reduced to zero by the excess of the fair value of net assets acquired over liabilities assumed in the acquisition.
(6)
Reflects the estimated fair value of payments CharterBank will receive from the FDIC under the loss sharing agreements.
(7)
Reflects fair value adjustments based on CharterBank’s evaluation of the acquired time deposit portfolio.
(8)
This adjustment is required because rates on Federal Home Loan Bank advances were higher than rates available on similar borrowings as of the acquisition date.
(9)
Adjustments reflect estimated qualifying acquisition costs in the transaction.

Accounting standards prohibit carrying over an allowance for loan losses for impaired loans purchased in the NCB acquisition.  On the June 26, 2009 acquisition date, the preliminary estimate of the contractually required principal payments receivable for all impaired loans acquired from NCB was $51.0 million, and the estimated fair value of such loans was $20.0 million.  The impaired NCB loans were valued based on the liquidation value of the underlying collateral because the timing and amount of the expected cash flows could not be reasonably estimated.  As a result, we have no accretable discount on these impaired loans.  We established a credit risk discount (non-accretable) of $31.0 million on the acquisition date relating to these impaired loans, reflected in the recorded net fair value of the impaired loans.  Our preliminary estimate on the acquisition date of the contractually required principal payments receivable for all other loans acquired in the NCB acquisition was $108.9 million, and the estimated fair value of the loans was $74.7 million.  At such date, we established an allowance for loan losses of $23.8 million on these loans representing amounts which are not expected to be collected from the customer nor from liquidation of collateral.  In our estimate of cash flows for the non-impaired NCB loans, we also recorded an accretable discount of $10.4 million relating to the loans that will be recognized on a level yield basis over the life of the loans because accretable yield represents the undiscounted cash flows expected to be collected in excess of the estimated fair value of the acquired loans.  As of the acquisition date, we also recorded a net FDIC receivable of $50.0 million, representing FDIC indemnification under the loss sharing agreements for covered loans and other real estate.  Such receivable has been discounted by $2.0 million for the expected timing and receipt of these cash flows.  The ultimate collectibility of the FDIC receivable is dependent on the performance of the underlying covered assets, the passage of time and claims paid by FDIC.
 
 
58

 

The loss sharing agreements will likely have a material impact on our cash flows and operating results in both the short term and the long term. In the short term, it is likely that a significant amount of the covered loans will become delinquent or will have inadequate collateral to repay the loans. In such instances, we will stop accruing interest on the loans, which will affect operating results, and we will likely stop recognizing receipt of payments on these loans, which will affect cash flows.  However, if a loan is subsequently charged off or written down after we exhaust our best efforts at collection, the loss sharing agreement will cover a substantial portion of the loss associated with the loans.  Management believes that it has established sufficient non-accretable discounts on covered assets representing its 20% loss sharing risk on estimated potential losses compared to their acquired contractual payment amounts.  As a result, the Company’s operating results would only be adversely affected by loan losses on covered assets to the extent that such losses exceed the expected losses reflected in the fair value of the covered assets at the acquisition date.  Non-accretable discounts were also established within loans for any amounts expected to be recovered from the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC because such amounts are disclosed within the FDIC receivable.

The effects of the loss sharing agreements on cash flows and operating results in the long term will be similar to the short-term effects described above. The long-term effects will depend primarily on the ability of borrowers to make required payments over time. As the loss sharing agreements cover up to a 10-year period (5 years for loans other than single family residential mortgage loans), changing economic conditions will likely affect the timing of future charge-offs and the resulting reimbursements from the FDIC. We believe that any recapture of interest income and recognition of cash flows from borrowers or amounts received from the FDIC (as part of the FDIC indemnification asset) may be recognized unevenly over this period, as we exhaust our collection efforts under our normal practices. In addition, we recorded substantial discounts related to the purchase of covered loans and assets. A portion of these discounts will be accretable to income over the term of the loss sharing agreements and will be dependent upon the timing and success of our collection efforts on the covered loans.

The former NCB franchise is currently operating under the CharterBank name.  Since the acquisition, retail customer deposits have increased slightly through March 31, 2010, which significantly exceeds the pre-acquisition planning targets. CharterBank converted operational systems at the former NCB branches in November 2009.  

McIntosh Commercial Bank.  On March 26, 2010, CharterBank entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with the FDIC, as receiver, to acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of McIntosh Commercial Bank, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Carrollton, Georgia.  The MCB acquisition extended CharterBank’s retail branch footprint as part of our efforts to increase our retail deposits and reduce our reliance on brokered deposits and borrowings as a significant source of our funds.  The retention of two of MCB’s four full-service branches has expanded CharterBank’s market presence in west central Georgia within the I-85 corridor region and adjacent areas in which CharterBank is seeking to expand.

CharterBank assumed $306.2 million of liabilities, including $198.5 million of retail deposits and $96.8 million of wholesale deposits with no deposit premium paid.  The liabilities assumed by CharterBank also included $9.5 million of FHLB advances and other borrowings and $1.4 million of other liabilities.  CharterBank acquired approximately $322.6 million of MCB’s assets, including $207.6 million in loans, net of unearned income, and $55.3 million of real estate owned at a discount of $53.0 million.  The assets acquired also included $68.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and $27.4 million of securities and other assets.

Under agreements with the FDIC, the FDIC will assume 80% of losses and share 80% of loss recoveries on the first $106.0 million of losses on the acquired loans and other real estate owned, and assume 95% of losses and share 95% of loss recoveries on losses exceeding $106.0 million. Loans, including commitments and other real estate owned covered under the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC are referred to in this prospectus as “covered loans” and “covered other real estate,” respectively.  The loss sharing agreements cover losses on single-family residential mortgage loans for ten years and all other losses for five years. In addition to the $53.0 million of fair value discounts, CharterBank recorded an indemnification asset from the FDIC in the amount of $70.7 million as part of the loss sharing agreements.
 
 
59

 
 
CharterBank determined current fair value accounting estimates of the acquired assets and liabilities in accordance with new accounting requirements for business combinations under which the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values.  The fair value estimates of MCB’s assets and liabilities acquired from the FDIC are preliminary and subject to refinement as additional information becomes available.  Under current accounting principles, information regarding the Company’s estimates of fair value may be adjusted for a period of up to one year.  It is expected that CharterBank will have sufficient non-accretable discounts (discounts representing amounts that are not expected to be collected from the customer, liquidation of collateral, or under the FDIC loss sharing agreements) to cover its 20% share of any losses on the covered loans and other real estate.  Furthermore, CharterBank expects to have accretable discounts (discounts representing the excess of a loan’s cash flows expected to be collected over the initial investment in the loan) to provide for market yields on the covered loans.  In addition, CharterBank recorded in noninterest income approximately $15.6 million in a pre-tax acquisition gain, or negative goodwill, as a result of the MCB transaction which represents the excess of the estimated fair value of the assets acquired over the fair value of the liabilities assumed.

The following table shows adjustments to the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired and the resulting gain from the MCB acquisition as of March 26, 2010.
 
   
As Recorded by
MCB
   
Fair Value
Adjustments
   
As Recorded by
CharterBank
 
Assets:
                 
Cash and due from banks
  $ 32,285,757     $ 36,629,236   (1)  $ 68,914,993  
FHLB and other bank stock
    1,321,710       (200,410 ) (2)    1,121,300  
Investment securities
    24,744,318       (75,028 ) (2)    24,669,290  
Loans, net of unearned income
    207,644,252       (75,396,640 ) (3)    132,247,612  
Other real estate owned
    55,267,968       (31,618,504 ) (4)    23,649,464  
FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements
          70,746,613   (5)    70,746,613  
Core deposit intangible
          258,811   (6)    258,811  
Other assets
    1,313,923       (427,702 ) (7)    886,221  
Total assets acquired
  $ 322,577,928     $ (83,624 )   $ 322,494,304  
                         
Liabilities:
                       
Deposits:
                       
Noninterest-bearing
  $ 5,443,673     $     $ 5,443,673  
Interest-bearing
    289,862,953       683,100   (8)    290,546,053  
Total Deposits
    295,306,626       683,100       295,989,726  
FHLB advances
    9,491,486             9,491,486  
Deferred tax liability
          5,998,193   (9)    5,998,193  
Other liabilities
    1,409,052             1,409,052  
Total liabilities assumed
    306,207,164       6,681,293     $ 312,888,457  
Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed
  $ 16,370,764 (10)                
Aggregate fair value adjustments
          $ (6,764,917 )        
Net assets of MCB acquired
                  $ 9,605,847  
 

(1)
Reflects the initial funds received from the FDIC on the acquisition date.
(2)
Reflects fair value adjustments based on CharterBank’s evaluation of the acquired investment securities portfolio.
(3)
Reflects fair value adjustments based on CharterBank’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio.  The fair value adjustment includes adjustments for estimated credit losses, liquidity and servicing costs.
(4)
Reflects the estimated other real estate owned losses based on CharterBank’s evaluation of the acquired other real estate owned portfolio.
(5)
The estimated fair value of payments CharterBank will receive from the FDIC under the loss sharing agreements.
(6)
The estimated fair value of acquired core deposit intangible.
(7)
Reflects the estimated fair value adjustment of other assets.
(8)
Reflects fair value adjustments based on CharterBank’s evaluation of the acquired time deposit portfolio.
(9)
Adjustment reflects differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
(10)
Represents the excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed; since the asset discount bid of $53 million exceeded this amount, the difference resulted in a cash settlement from the FDIC on the acquisition date.
 
 
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Accounting standards prohibit carrying over an allowance for loan losses for loans purchased in the MCB acquisition as uncertainty regarding collectibility of future contracted payments are incorporated into the fair value measurement.  On the March 26, 2010 acquisition date, the preliminary estimate of the contractually required principal payments receivable for all impaired loans acquired from MCB was $111.0 million, and the estimated fair value of such loans was $50.2 million.  The impaired MCB loans were generally valued based on the liquidation value of the underlying collateral because most of the loans are collateral dependent.  On the acquisition date, we estimated that $38.6 million would ultimately be collected from the FDIC relating to these impaired loans in accordance with applicable loss sharing agreements.  We established credit risk related discounts (non-accretable) of $50.6 million on the acquisition date relating to these impaired loans, reflected in the recorded net fair value of the impaired loans.  Our preliminary estimate on the acquisition date of the contractually required principal payments receivable for all other loans acquired in the MCB acquisition was $96.7 million, and the estimated fair value of the loans was $82.0 million.  We estimated on the acquisition date that $5.9 million would ultimately be collected from the FDIC under the loss sharing agreements relating to these non-impaired loans based upon their potential default in the future.  We established credit risk related discounts of $7.4 million on these non-impaired loans.  In our estimate of cash flows for the MCB loans, we also recorded accretable discounts of $17.4 million relating to the loans that will be recognized on a level yield basis over the life of the loans because accretable yield represents cash flows expected to be collected.  As of the acquisition date, we also recorded a net FDIC receivable of $70.7 million, representing FDIC indemnification under the loss sharing agreements for covered loans and other real estate.  Such receivable has been discounted by $953,468 for the expected timing of receipt of these cash flows.

The loss sharing agreements will likely have a material impact on our cash flows and operating results in both the short term and the long term. In the short term, it is likely that a significant amount of the covered loans will become delinquent or will have inadequate collateral to repay the loans. In such instances, we will stop accruing interest on the loans, which will affect operating results, and we will likely stop recognizing receipt of payments on these loans, which will affect cash flows.  However, if a loan is subsequently charged off or written down after we exhaust our best efforts at collection, the loss sharing agreement will cover a substantial portion of the loss associated with the loans.  Management believes that it has established sufficient non-accretable discounts on covered assets representing expected credit losses.  Non-accretable discounts were also established within loans for any amounts expected to be recovered from the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC because such amounts are disclosed separately within the FDIC receivable.

The effects of the loss sharing agreements on cash flows and operating results in the long term will be similar to the short-term effects described above. The long-term effects will depend primarily on the ability of borrowers to make required payments over time. As the loss sharing agreements cover up to a 10-year period (5 years for loans other than single family residential mortgage loans), changing economic conditions will likely affect the timing of future charge-offs and the resulting reimbursements from the FDIC. We believe that any recapture of interest income and recognition of cash flows from borrowers or amounts received from the FDIC (as part of the FDIC indemnification asset) may be recognized unevenly over this period, as we exhaust our collection efforts under our normal practices. In addition, we recorded substantial discounts related to the purchase of covered loans and assets. A portion of these discounts will be accretable to income over the term of the loss sharing agreements and will be dependent upon the timing and success of our collection efforts on the covered loans.   

Expected Increase in Non-Interest Expense as a Result of the Offering
 
Following the completion of the stock offering, our non-interest expense is expected to increase because of the increased compensation expenses associated with the purchase of shares of common stock by our employee stock ownership plan and the possible implementation of a stock-based incentive plan, if approved by our shareholders.
 
Assuming that 5,961,573 shares are sold in the offering:
 
 
(i)
the employee stock ownership plan will acquire 300,000 shares of common stock with a $3.0 million loan that is expected to be repaid over 30 years, resulting in an annual pre-tax expense of approximately $ 105,000 (assuming that the shares of common stock are sold at and maintain a value of $ 10.52 per share); and
 
 
(ii)
the new stock-based incentive plan would award 82,000 shares of restricted stock to eligible participants, and such awards would be expensed as the awards vest.  Assuming all shares are awarded under the plan at a price of $ 10.52 per share, and that the awards vest over five years, the corresponding annual pre-tax expense associated with shares awarded under the plan would be approximately $ 172,500 ; and
 
 
(iii)
the new stock-based incentive plan would award options to purchase 207,000 shares of common stock to eligible participants, and such options would be expensed as the options vest.  Assuming all options are awarded under the stock-based incentive plan at a price of $ 10.52 per share, and that the options vest over a minimum of five years, the corresponding annual pre-tax expense associated with options awarded under the stock-based incentive plan would be approximately $ 96,300 (assuming a grant-date fair value of $ 2.32 per option, using the Black-Scholes option valuation methodology).
 
 
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The actual expense that will be recorded for the employee stock ownership plan will be determined by the market value of the shares of common stock as they are released to employees over the term of the loan, and whether the loan is repaid faster than its contractual term.  Accordingly, increases in the stock price above the assumed $ 10.52 per share will increase the total employee stock ownership plan expense, and accelerated repayment of the loan will increase the employee stock ownership plan expense for those periods in which accelerated or larger loan repayments are made.  Further, the actual expense of the shares awarded under the stock-based incentive plan will be determined by the fair market value of the stock on the grant date, which might be greater than the assumed price of $ 10.52 per share.

Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are those that involve significant judgments and assumptions by management and that have, or could have, a material impact on our income or the carrying value of our assets.  They require management to make difficult, complex or subjective judgments, some of which may relate to matters that are inherently uncertain. The following are the accounting policies that we believe are critical.  For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 1 of the Notes to our Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus.

Allowance for Loan Losses.  The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that the collectibility of the principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are added to the allowance. The allowance is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb losses on existing loans that become uncollectible, based on evaluations of the collectibility of loans. The evaluations take into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, historical loss rates, overall portfolio quality, review of specific problem loans, and current economic conditions and trends that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay.

Charter Financial segments its allowance for loan losses into the following four major categories:  (1) specific reserves; (2) general allowances for Classified/Watch loans; (3) general allowances for loans with satisfactory ratings; and (4) an unallocated amount. Risk ratings are initially assigned in accordance with CharterBank’s loan and collection policy. An organizationally independent department reviews risk grade assignments on an ongoing basis. Management reviews current information and events regarding a borrowers’ financial condition and strengths, cash flows available for debt repayment, the related collateral supporting the loan and the effects of known and expected economic conditions. When the evaluation reflects a greater than normal risk associated with the individual loan, management classifies the loan accordingly. If the loan is determined to be impaired, management allocates a portion of the allowance for loan losses for that loan based on the fair value of the collateral as the measure for the amount of the impairment. Impaired and Classified/Watch loans are aggressively monitored. The allowances for loans rated satisfactory are further subdivided into various types of loans as defined by loan type. Charter Financial has developed specific quantitative allowance factors to apply to each individual component of the allowance and considers loan charge-off experience over the most recent two years. These quantitative allowance factors are based upon economic, market and industry conditions that are specific to Charter Financial’s local markets. These quantitative allowance factors consider, but are not limited to, national and local economic conditions, bankruptcy trends, unemployment trends, loan concentrations, dependency upon government installations and facilities, and competitive factors in the local market. These allocations for the quantitative allowance factors are included in the various individual components of the allowance for loan losses. In addition, we use some qualitative allowance factors that are subjective in nature and require considerable judgment on the part of management. However, it is management’s opinion that these items do represent uncertainties in CharterBank’s business environment that must be factored into CharterBank’s analysis of the allowance for loan losses. The unallocated component of the allowance is established for losses that specifically exist in the remainder of the portfolio, but have yet to be identified.
 
 
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While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions or reductions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions or changes in accounting guidance on reserves. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review our allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require us to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.  During fiscal year 2009, we changed our methodology for determining the loan loss allowance to use a loan loss history of two years rather than ten years.  This change was made upon discussion with the Office of Thrift Supervision, our primary federal regulator.

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses for loans is adequate. At March 31, 2010, Charter Financial had 95.2% of its total noncovered loan portfolio secured by real estate, with one- to four-residential mortgage loans comprising 24% of the total noncovered loan portfolio, commercial real estate loans comprising 56.9% of the total noncovered loan portfolio, and construction loans comprising 10.6% of the total noncovered loan portfolio. Charter Financial carefully monitors its commercial real estate loans since the repayment of these loans is generally dependent upon earnings from the collateral real estate or the liquidation of the real estate and is affected by national and local economic conditions. The residential category represents those loans Charter Financial chooses to maintain in its portfolio rather than selling into the secondary market. The residential loans held for sale category comprises loans that are in the process of being sold into the secondary market. The credit has been approved by the investor and the interest rate and purchase price fixed so Charter Financial takes no credit or interest rate risk with respect to these loans.

Through the FDIC-assisted acquisition of the assets of NCB, we acquired an allowance for loan losses for non-impaired loans covered by loss-sharing agreements and such allowance for loan losses was $19.1 million at March 31, 2010.  Management believes this allowance for non-impaired covered loans is adequate. The NCB acquisition was completed under previously applicable accounting pronouncements related to business combinations.
 
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Investment Securities. A decline in the market value of any available for sale security below cost that is deemed other-than-temporary results in a charge to earnings and the establishment of a new cost basis for that security.  In connection with the assessment for other than temporary impairment of investment securities, mortgage-backed securities, and collateralized mortgage obligations, management obtains fair value estimates by independent quotations, assesses current credit ratings and related trends, reviews relevant delinquency and default information, assesses expected cash flows and coverage ratios, reviews average credit score data of underlying mortgagees, and assesses other current data.  The severity and duration of an impairment and the likelihood of potential recovery of an impairment is considered along with the intent and ability to hold any impaired security to maturity or recovery of carrying value.

See “Risk Factors—We could record future losses on our securities portfolio.”
 
Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired through foreclosure, consisting of properties obtained through foreclosure proceedings or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, is reported on an individual asset basis at the lower of cost or fair value, less disposal costs. Fair value is determined on the basis of current appraisals, comparable sales, and other estimates of value obtained principally from independent sources. When properties are acquired through foreclosure, any excess of the loan balance at the time of foreclosure over the fair value of the real estate held as collateral is recognized and charged to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent write downs are charged to a separate allowance for losses pertaining to real estate owned, established through provisions for estimated losses on real estate owned which are charged to expense. Based upon management’s evaluation of the real estate acquired through foreclosure, additional expense is recorded when necessary in an amount sufficient to reflect any declines in estimated fair value. Gains recognized on the disposition of the properties are recorded in other income in the consolidated statements of income.

Mortgage Banking Activities.  As a part of normal business operations, CharterBank originates residential mortgage loans that have been pre-approved for sale to secondary investors.  The terms of the loans are set by the secondary investors, and the purchase price that the investor will pay for the loan is agreed to before CharterBank agrees to originate the loan.  Generally within three weeks after funding, the loans are transferred to the investor in accordance with the agreed-upon terms.  CharterBank records gains from the sale of these loans on the settlement date of the sale equal to the difference between the proceeds received and the carrying amount of the loan.  The gain generally represents the portion of the proceeds attributed to service release premiums received from the investors and the realization of origination fees received from borrowers that were deferred as part of the carrying amount of the loan.  Between the initial funding of the loans by CharterBank and the subsequent reimbursement by the investors, CharterBank carries the loans on its balance sheet at the lower of cost or market value.  Fees for servicing loans for investors are based on the outstanding principal balance of the loans serviced and are recognized as income when earned.
 
 
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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Intangible assets include costs in excess of net assets acquired and deposit premiums recorded in connection with the acquisitions.  In accordance with accounting requirements, we test our goodwill for impairment annually during our fiscal fourth quarter or more frequently as circumstances and events may warrant. No impairment charges have been recognized through March 31, 2010.
 
Deferred Income Taxes. Management estimates income tax expense using the asset and liability method.  Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future income tax consequences attributable to differences between the amount of assets and liabilities reported in the consolidated financial statements and their respective tax bases.  In estimating the liabilities and corresponding expense related to income taxes, management assesses the relative merits and risks of various tax positions considering statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance.  Because of the complexity of tax laws and regulations, interpretation is difficult and subject to differing judgments.   Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Management’s determination of the realization of the net deferred tax asset is based upon management’s judgment of various future events and uncertainties, including the timing and amount of future income, reversing temporary differences which may offset, and the implementation of various tax plans to maximize realization of the deferred tax asset.   Management has determined that no valuation allowances were necessary relating to the realization of its deferred tax assets.
 
Changes in the estimate of income tax liabilities occur periodically due to changes in actual or estimated future tax rates and projections of taxable income, interpretations of tax laws, the complexities of multi-state income tax reporting, the status of examinations being conducted by various taxing authorities and the impact of newly enacted legislation or guidance as well as income tax accounting pronouncements.
 
Receivable from FDIC Under Loss Sharing Agreements.  Under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, we recorded a receivable from the FDIC equal to 80 percent of the estimated losses in the covered loans and other real estate acquired in a FDIC-assisted transaction.  The receivable was recorded at the present value of the estimated cash flows at the date of the acquisition and will be reviewed and updated prospectively as loss estimates related to covered loans and other real estate acquired through foreclosure change.  Most third party expenses on other acquired real estate and covered impaired loans are covered under the loss sharing agreements and the cash flows from the reimbursable portion are included in the estimate of cash flows.
 
Estimation of Fair Value.  The estimation of fair value is significant to certain of our assets, including investment securities available for sale, other real estate owned, mortgage servicing rights and the value of loan collateral for impaired loans.  These are all recorded at either fair value or the lower of cost or fair value. Fair values are determined based on third party sources, when available.  Furthermore, generally accepted accounting principles require disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments as a part of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.  Fair values may be influenced by a number of factors, including market interest rates, prepayment speeds, discount rates and the shape of yield curves.  For additional information relating to the fair value of our financial instruments, see Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008

Assets. Total assets increased by $305.8 million, or 32.6%, to $1.2 billion at March 31, 2010 from $936.9 million at September 30, 2009.  The increase was due primarily to our acquisition of $322.5 million of assets of MCB from the FDIC, partially offset by purchase discounts and a reduction in cash used for the immediate repayment of wholesale liabilities.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, total assets increased $135.4 million, or 16.9%, to $936.9 million at September 30, 2009 from $801.5 million at September 30, 2008.  The increase was due primarily to our acquisition of $202.8 million of assets of NCB from the FDIC, which increase was partially offset by a $71.1 million decrease in securities available for sale.

Loans.  At March 31, 2010, total loans were $689.1 million, or 55.4% of total assets.  During the six months ended March 31, 2010, our loan portfolio increased by $127.2 million, or 22.6%.  The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of $132.2 million of loans at fair value in the MCB transaction. Of the $689.1 million in loans as of March 31, 2010, $213.8 million were covered by FDIC loss sharing agreements.
 
 
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At September 30, 2009, total loans were $561.9 million, or 59.9% of total assets.  During the year ended September 30, 2009, our loan portfolio increased by $125.2 million, or 28.7%, primarily due to our acquisition of $94.7 million of loans at fair value in the NCB transaction.  Of the $561.9 million of loans at September 30, 2009, $129.5 million were covered by FDIC loss sharing agreements.
 
 
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Loan Portfolio Composition. The following table sets forth the composition of our loan portfolio at the dates indicated.

   
At March 31,
   
At September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                                                                         
One- to four-family residential real estate (1)
  $ 114,406       14.4 %   $ 126,097       20.9 %   $ 138,205       31.6 %   $ 138,528       33.6 %   $ 143,888       37.7 %   $ 148,466       40.8 %
Commercial real estate
    270,786       34.0       270,062       44.8       222,056       50.8       181,585       44.0       158,003       41.4       150,993       41.5  
Real estate construction (2)
    50,248       6.3       43,965       7.3       39,563       9.0       52,040       12.6       43,655       11.5       32,163       8.8  
Commercial
    18,331       2.3       10,466       1.7       15,543       3.6       18,999       4.6       16,921       4.4       13,490       3.7  
Consumer and other loans (3)
    22,458       2.8       22,715       3.7       22,154       5.0       21,267       5.2       19,255       5.0       18,787       5.2  
Covered loans (4)
    319,827       40.2       129,197       21.6                                                  
                                                                                                 
Total loans
    796,056       100.00 %     602,502       100.0 %     437,521       100.0 %     412,419       100.0 %     381,722       100.0 %     363,899       100.0 %
                                                                                                 
Other items:
                                                                                               
Net deferred loan (fees)
    (898 )             (857 )             (804 )             (852 )             (909 )             (931 )        
Allowance for loan losses-noncovered loans
    (11,397 )             (9,332 )             (8,244 )             (6,013 )             (6,086 )             (6,160 )        
Allowance for loan losses-covered loans (5)
    (19,113 )             (23,832 )                                                                
Accretable discount (5)
    (23,583 )             (8,794 )                                                                
Non-accretable discount (5)
    (63,376 )             (7,137 )                                                                
                                                                                                 
Loans receivable, net
  $ 677,689             $ 552,550             $ 428,473             $ 405,554             $ 374,727             $ 356,808          
 

(1)
Excludes loans held for sale of $690 at March 31, 2010, and $1,123, $1,292, $921, $909 and $1,234 at September 30, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
(2)
Net of undisbursed proceeds on loans-in-process.
(3)
Includes home equity loans, lines of credit and second mortgages.
(4)
Consists of loans and commitments acquired in the NCB and MCB acquisitions that are covered by loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.
(5)
See Note 3 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus, and the Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed beginning on page G-1 of this prospectus.
 
 
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Loan Portfolio Maturities and Yields. The following table summarizes the scheduled repayments of our loan portfolio at September 30, 2009.  Demand loans, loans having no stated repayment schedule or maturity, and overdraft loans are reported as being due in one year or less.

   
One- to four-family
residential real estate (1)
   
Commercial
real estate(2)
   
Real estate
Construction (3)
 
   
Amount
   
Weighted
Average
 Rate
   
Amount
   
Weighted
Average
Rate
   
Amount
   
Weighted
Average
Rate
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Due During the Years
Ending September 30,
                                   
2010
  $ 1,701       6.41 %   $ 107,146       4.85 %   $ 36,882       4.20 %
2011
    283       5.31       35,351       5.15       5,478       5.86  
2012
    228       6.92       46,523       5.41       —         
2013 to 2014
    2,955       5.78       33,426       5.71       1,605       5.85  
2015 to 2019
    18,984       5.21       20,945       6.02              
2020 to 2024
    17,840       6.06       35,486       6.08              
2025 and beyond
    84,106       5.62       86,084       6.40              
                                                 
Total
  $ 126,097       5.63 %   $ 364,960       5.74 %   $ 43,965       4.47 %

   
Commercial (4)
   
Consumer and
other loans (5)
   
Total
 
   
Amount
   
Weighted
Average
Rate
   
Amount
   
Weighted
Average
Rate
   
Amount
   
Weighted
Average
Rate
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Due During the Years
Ending September 30,
                                   
2010
  $ 11,052       5.10 %   $ 3,600       2.92 %   $ 160,381       4.66 %
2011
    3,204       5.10       1,602       7.29       45,918       5.34  
2012
    9,817       6.82       3,070       5.70       59,638       5.46  
2013 to 2014
    4,038       6.21       4,711       5.21       46,735       5.69  
2015 to 2019
    3,253       3.45       20,655       5.13       63,837       5.39  
2020 to 2024
    1,038       6.07       499       8.41       54,863       6.09  
2025 and beyond
    730       7.00       211       6.69       171,130       6.02  
                                                 
Total
  $ 33,132       5.02 %   $ 34,348       5.54 %   $ 602,502       5.57 %
 

(1)
Includes $0 of covered loans.
(2)
Includes $94,898 of covered loans.
(3)
Includes $0 of covered loans. Presented net of undisbursed proceeds on loans-in-progress.
(4)
Includes $22,666 of covered loans.
(5)
Includes $11,633 of covered loans.

The following table sets forth the scheduled repayments of fixed- and adjustable-rate loans at September 30, 2009 that are contractually due after September 30, 2010.

     
Due After September 30, 2010
 
     
Fixed
   
Adjustable
   
Total
 
     
(In thousands)
 
                     
 
One- to four-family residential real estate
  $ 42,852     $ 81,544     $ 124,396  
 
Commercial real estate
    68,339       189,475       257,814  
 
Real estate construction
     5,903          1,180        7,083  
 
Commercial
    8,721       13,359       22,080  
 
Consumer and other loans                                                      
    5,769       24,979       30,748  
                           
 
Total loans                                           
  $ 131,584     $ 310,537     $ 442,121  
 
 
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Investment and Mortgage Securities Portfolio. At March 31, 2010, our investment and mortgage securities portfolio totaled $205.5 million, compared to $206.1 million at September 30, 2009.  The decrease reflected normal amortization of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, as well as sales of securities during the six months ended March 31, 2010, which more than offset the receipt of approximately $24.7 million of such investments and mortgage securities in the MCB acquisition.  The decrease also reflected unrealized losses on certain collateralized mortgage obligations, due to liquidity risk, interest rates and other market uncertainty.  The losses reflect market illiquidity and possible credit deterioration and the securities are not considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired because we believe there is sufficient underlying credit support from other less senior tranches to our positions in these securities.  We have further assessed the sufficiency of future cash flows in making our assessment of any potential other than temporary impairment.  Based on that assessment, we recorded $2.5 million in other than temporary impairment on certain non-agency mortgage securities during the six months ended March 31, 2010.  Finally, the decrease reflected our decision to treat as impaired the entirety of our $1.0 million investment in the common stock of an unaffiliated Georgia community bank, which reflected negative trends in its overall financial condition, the illiquidity of its common stock, and the recent issuance to this community bank of a consent order by the FDIC and the Georgia Department of Banking and Insurance.
 
Our investment and mortgage securities portfolio decreased by $71.1 million, or 25.6%, to $206.1 million at September 30, 2009, from $277.1 million at September 30, 2008.  The decrease reflected normal amortization of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, as well as sales of securities during the year.  The proceeds from securities sold have been used to reduce borrowings, accumulated in interest-bearing deposits or invested in originated mortgage loans.  The decrease also reflected unrealized losses on certain collateralized mortgage obligations, due to liquidity risk, interest rates and other market uncertainty.  The losses reflect limited credit deterioration and the securities are not considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired because we believe there is sufficient underlying credit support from other less senior tranches to our positions in these securities.  We have further assessed the sufficiency of future cash flows in making our assessment of any potential other than temporary impairment.
 
We review our investment portfolio on a quarterly basis for indications of impairment.  In addition to management’s intent and ability to hold the investments to maturity or recovery of carrying value, the review for impairment includes analyzing the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been lower than the cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, including any specific events which may influence the operations of the issuer.  Our review of mortgage securities includes loan geography, loan to value ratios, credit scores, types of loans, loan vintage, credit ratings, loss coverage and cash flow analysis. Our investments are evaluated using our best estimate of future cash flows.  If, based on our estimate of cash flows, we determine that an adverse change has occurred, other-than-temporary impairment would be recognized for the credit loss.  At March 31, 2010, we held no securities in our investment portfolio with other-than-temporary impairment, except for our investment in the common stock of an unaffiliated Georgia community bank (discussed above) and two non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations, which are discussed further below.  At March 31, 2010, these two securities had a combined book value of $4.6 million and combined unrecognized losses of $1.7 million.
 
 
68

 

The following table sets forth the composition of our investment and mortgage securities portfolio at the dates indicated.  At March 31, 2010, all investment and mortgage securities were classified as available for sale.
                         
    At March 31,     At September 30,  
    2010    
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                                                 
Investment securities:
                                               
U.S. Government sponsored
  $ 3,743     $ 3,962     $ 4,157     $ 4,435     $ 34,351     $ 34,291     $ 30,879     $ 30,785  
Municipal bonds
                                        1,001       1,007  
Total investment securities
    3,743       3,962       4,157       4,435       34,351       34,291       31,880       31,792  
                                                                 
Mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities:
                                                               
Fannie Mae
    45,411       46,115       53,593       53,975       95,183       94,669       87,996       85,471  
Ginnie Mae
    13,743       13,985       5,745       5,979       9,323       9,378       10,676       10,794  
Freddie Mac
    30,424       31,015       27,438       27,679       6,384       6,358       9,451       9,350  
Total mortgage-backed and mortgage- related securities
    89,578       91,115       86,776       87,633       110,890       110,405       108,123       105,615  
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                                                               
Fannie Mae
    27,911       28,101       37,302       37,706       20,786       20,055       35,370       34,003  
Ginnie Mae
    15,530       15,533                   998       999       997       972  
Freddie Mac
    13,986       14,122       19,206       19,380       28,712       28,213       33,846       33,068  
Other
    59,390       52,713       71,160       56,908       92,529       83,176       90,919       89,693  
Total collateralized mortgage obligations
    116,817       110,469       127,668       113,994       143,025       132,443       161,132       157,736  
                                                                 
Total  mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations
    206,395       201,584       214,444       201,627       253,915       242,848       269,255       263,351  
                                                                 
Freddie Mac common stock
                                        4,725       200,782  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 210,138     $ 205,546     $ 218,601     $ 206,062     $ 288,266     $ 277,139     $ 305,860     $ 495,925  

We analyze our non-agency collateralized mortgage securities for other than temporary impairment at least quarterly.  We use a multi-step approach using Bloomberg analytics considering market price, ratings, ratings changes, and underlying mortgage performance including delinquencies, foreclosures, deal structure, underlying collateral losses, prepayments, loan-to-value ratios, credit scores, and loan structure and underwriting, among other factors.  Our first test is to consider loss coverage of greater than five times losses (assumes loss of 40% of balance and defaults of 60% on 60-day delinquencies, 70% on 90-day delinquencies, 100% on foreclosures and other real estate owned).  If a bond passes this test, we consider it not other than temporarily impaired.  For bonds that do not pass the first test, we apply the Bloomberg default model, and if the bond shows no losses we consider it not other than temporarily impaired.  If a bond shows material losses or a break in yield with the Bloomberg default model,  we create a probable vector of loss severities and defaults.
 
 
69

 
 
The following table shows issuer-specific information, book value, fair value and unrealized losses for our portfolio of non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations as of March 31, 2010.  At March 31, 2010, we had recorded $1.9 million of other than temporary impairment charges with respect to CWALT 2005-63 2A2, and $649,000 of other than temporary impairment charges with respect to SARM 2005-15 2A2. No other mortgage securities in our investment portfolio were other than temporarily impaired at March 31, 2010.
 
Description (Ticker) (1)
 
Credit Ratings (2)
 
Geography (3)
 
Book Value
   
Market Value
   
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
AMAC 2003-10 A1 (WHARM) (4)
 
Aa3
 
CA 31.8
  $ 1,744,352     $ 1,781,521     $ 37,169  
CWALT 2005-63 2A2 (ALTARM) (5)(6)
   C  
CA 19.9
    809,625       605,550       (204,075 )
CMSI 1993-14 A3 (WHARM)
 
Aaa
 
NY 89.6
    244,346       232,244       (12,102 )
CMLTI 2004-HYB1 A31 (WHARM)
 
Aaa
 
CA 50.0
    2,129,034       1,831,504       (297,530 )
FHASI 2003-8 1A21 (WH15)
 
Aaa
 
CA 30.3
    1,709,737       1,566,513       (143,224 )
GMACM 2003-J9 A2 (WH30)
 
Aaa
 
CA 29.6
    66,802       66,857       55  
GMACM 2003-AR1 A5 (WH30) (4)
 
Aaa
 
CA 25.6
    6,186,078       6,130,642       (55,436 )
GSR 2003-4F 1A2 (WH30)
 
AAA
 
OH 43.4
    1,797,390       1,814,784       17,394  
GSR 2005-2F 1A2 (WHARM)
 
AAA
 
CA 48.4
    2,729,372       2,496,354       (233,018 )
MASTR 2003-8 4A1 (WH15)
 
Aaa
 
CA 100.0
    2,191,357       2,208,370       17,013  
MARM 2004-7 5A1 (WH15)
 
Aa2
 
CA 45.4
    7,402,357       6,866,660       (535,697 )
MARM 2004-13 B1 (WHARM) (6)
  B+  
CA 86.7
    7,701,452       5,065,872       (2,635,580 )
MARM 2004-15 4A1 (WHARM)
 
Baa2
 
CA 49.7
    3,661,843       3,191,742       (470,101 )
MALT 2004-1 4A1 (WH15) (4)
 
AAA
 
CA 39.2
    3,979,536       3,936,773       (42,763 )
RFMSI 2006-S10 2A1 (WH15) (4)
 
CCC
 
CA 19.0
    3,038,336       2,981,221       (57,115 )
RFMSI 2006-S12 1A1 (WH30) (4)
   B1  
CA 16.4
    2,114,184       2,066,044       (48,140 )
SARM 2005-15 2A2 (WHARM) (5)(6)
 
CCC
 
CA 26.0
    3,801,406       2,352,612       (1,448,794 )
SARM 2004-6 3A3 (WH15)
 
AAA
 
CA 58.8
    1,591,289       1,163,971       (427,318 )
WFMBS 2003-F A1 (WHARM) (4)
 
Aaa
 
CA 41.2
    2,939,202       2,825,673       (113,529 )
WFMBS 2003-2 A6 (WH15)
 
Aaa
 
CA 25.5
    168,807       168,529       (278 )
WFMBS 2006-12 A1 (ALTARM)
 
Baa2
 
CA 34.1
    3,383,789       3,360,037       (23,752 )
   Total
          $ 59,390,294     $ 52,713,473     $ (6,676,821 )
 

(1)
“Ticker” indicates the nature of the underlying collateral for the security, with WH15 representing 15 year fixed rate whole loans, WH30 representing 30 year fixed rate whole loans, AltA 30 representing 30 year ALT-A loans, WHARM representing adjustable rate whole loans and ALTARM represents Alt-A adjustable rate loans.  None of the underlying loans have negative amortization.
(2)
Represents the lowest credit rating.
(3)
Represents the amount of loans in the state with the highest amount of loans collateralizing the security, as a percentage of the amount of all loans providing collateral.
(4)
These securities were sold after March 31, 2010.
(5)
Net of other than temporary impairment charges.
(6)
The following information is provided with respect to the security listed in the table above with the highest unrealized loss and the two securities listed in the table above with other-than-temporary impairment.

MARM 2004-13 B1. There are minimal losses in the underlying loans.  The loans have an average amortized loan to value ratio of 54.4% and average FICO credit score of 737.  The credit support (the percent of principal that subordinate tranches provide to support the credit of this tranche) has increased from the original 0.9% to 1.817%.  While this bond provides credit support to other tranches, current rates of default and severity of losses would have to increase for this bond to be other than temporarily impaired.  The current yield on this bond is 2.871%.

CWALT 2005-63 2A2.  The credit support in this bond has dropped from the original 6.25% to 2.10%.  There are cumulative losses in the collateral of 2.94% and delinquencies of 60 days or more of 25.90%.  There is one remaining tranche subordinate to this tranche.  If the severity of losses and default rates in the underlying collateral continues for some time, there will be losses in this bond.  We have recorded approximately $1.9 million in OTTI with respect to this bond.  The current yield on this bond is 3.727%.

SARM 2005-15 2A2.  The credit support for this bond has increased from the original 5.506% to 6.455%, but has dropped in the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  There have been no losses in the collateral for this tranche, but there are 2.046% losses in the entire bond and therefore the tranches subordinate to this tranche have had losses.  Unless both the severity of losses and default rates moderate quickly, there will be losses in this bond.  We have recorded approximately $649,000 in OTTI with respect to this bond.  The current yield on this bond is 4.062%.
 
 
70

 
 
Amortized loan to value ratios in the above descriptions are based on current loan balance and appraisal at time of origination.  Original credit support is at time of issuance of the bond and current credit support is as of March 31, 2010.

Cash flow analysis indicates that the yields on all of the securities listed in the table are maintained.  The unrealized losses shown may relate to general market liquidity and, in the securities with the larger unrealized losses, weakness in the underlying collateral, market concerns over foreclosure levels, and geographic concentration. We consider these unrealized losses to be temporary impairment losses primarily because cash flow analysis indicates that there are continued sufficient levels of credit enhancements and credit coverage levels of less senior tranches.  As of March 31, 2010, the securities above were classified as available for sale and $2.5 million had been recognized as impairment through net income. Based on the analysis performed by management as of March 31, 2010, the company deemed it probable that all contractual principal and interest payments on the above securities, other than the two securities identified above as being other than temporarily impaired, will be collected and therefore there is no other than temporary impairment.
 
         We reevaluated our private label mortgage securities in light of the changing circumstances that created the OTTI charge in the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  As a result, subsequent to March 31, 2010, we sold six private label mortgage securities with an aggregate book value of $20.0 million for a gain of approximately $165,000.  We are reaffirming our intent and ability to hold the rest of the securities. As indicated by the gain on the securities sold, the prices on these securities had held up well, but they had long cash flows and/or had been downgraded by one or more rating agencies.  The securities that we did not sell either had short cash flows or prices that had deteriorated due to illiquidity of the market and related market uncertainties about default rates, and we feel the cash flows will exceed the current market value.
 
 
71

 
 
Securities Portfolio Maturities and Yields. The composition and maturities of the securities portfolio at March 31, 2010 are summarized in the following table.  Maturities are based on the final contractual payment dates, and do not reflect scheduled amortization or the impact of prepayments or redemptions that may occur.
 
   
Less than One Year
   
More than One Year
through Five Years
   
More than Five Years
through Ten Years
   
More than Ten Years
   
Total Securities
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Weighted
Average
Yield
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Weighted
Average
Yield
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Weighted
Average
Yield
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Weighted
Average
Yield
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair
Value
   
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                                                                   
Investment securities:
                                                                 
U.S. Governmental sponsored
  $       %   $       %   $ 3,742,722       4.97 %   $       %   $ 3,742,722     $ 3,962,010       4.97 %
Municipal bonds
                                                                 
   Total investment securities
                            3,742,722       4.97                   3,742,722       3,962,010       4.97  
                                                                                         
Mortgage-backed securities:
                                                                                       
Fannie Mae
                1,442,363       4.04       30,245,165       3.26       13,723,655       3.16       45,411,183       46,115,358       3.26  
Ginnie Mae
                1,849,262       6.19       8,557,663       2.67       3,335,992       5.65       13,742,917       13,984,438       3.87  
Freddie Mac
                            14,878,469       4.02       15,545,214       3.21       30,423,683       31,014,466       3.66  
Total  mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities
                3,291,625       5.25       53,681,297       3.38       32,604,861       3.44       89,577,783       91,114,262       3.49  
                                                                                         
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                                                                                       
Fannie Mae
                            1,795,326       4.07       26,115,625       3.79       27,910,951       28,101,313       3.81  
Ginnie Mae
                  1,702,244       2.11                   13,828,160       2.84       15,530,404       15,532,862       2.76  
Freddie Mac
    720,175       2.05       2,980,935       .58       2,168,501       4.44       8,116,196       2.84       13,985,807       14,121,789       2.60  
Other
                              11,298,772       5.51       48,091,522       3.88       59,390,294       52,713,471       4.19  
Total collateralized mortgage obligations
    720,175       2.05       4,683,179       1.14       15,262,599       5.19       96,151,503       3.62       116,817,456       110,469,435       3.69  
                                                                                         
Total
  $ 720,175       2.05 %   $ 7,974,804       2.83 %   $ 72,686,618       3.84 %   $ 128,756,364       3.57 %   $ 210,137,961     $ 205,545,707       3.63 %
 
 
72

 

Bank Owned Life Insurance.  We invest in bank owned life insurance to provide us with a funding source for our benefit plan obligations.  Bank owned life insurance also generally provides us non-interest income that is non-taxable.  The total cash surrender values of such policies at March 31, 2010, September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 were $31.1 million, $30.2 million and $28.9 million, respectively.  During fiscal 2008, we invested in an additional $15.0 million of bank owned life insurance.
 
Deposits.  Total deposits increased $308.9 million, or 51.7%, to $906.6 million at March 31, 2010 from $597.6 million at September 30, 2009.  The increase was caused primarily by the assumption of $295.3 of deposits in the MCB transaction, partially offset by the payoff of wholesale CDs acquired in the MCB transaction.  At March 31, 2010, $737.0 million of deposits were retail deposits and $169.5 million were brokered and other wholesale deposits.  Funds on deposit from credit unions and brokered deposits are known as wholesale deposits.

At September 30, 2009, our deposits totaled $597.6 million, of which $470.5 million were retail deposits and $127.1 million were brokered and other wholesale deposits. At September 30, 2008, our total deposits were $420.2 million, our retail deposits totaled $356.2 million, and our wholesale deposits totaled $63.9 million. The $107.3 million increase in retail deposits during 2009 was primarily due to our assumption of $181.3 million of deposits in connection with the NCB acquisition.

The following tables set forth the distribution of total deposit accounts, by account type, for the periods indicated.
 
   
For the Six Months Ended March 31,
   
For the Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
Average
Balance
   
Percent
   
Weighted
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Percent
   
Weighted
Average
Rate
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                                     
Deposit type:
                                   
Savings accounts
  $ 16,231       2.6 %     0.25 %   $ 12,842       2.7 %     0.25 %
Certificates of deposit
    388,219       62.8       2.32       291,760       61.3       2.46  
Money market
    79,455       12.8       0.74       80,759       17.0       5.55  
Demand and NOW
    134,611       21.8       1.36       90,445       19.0       0.31  
                                                 
Total deposits
  $ 618,516       100.0 %     1.90 %   $ 475,806       100.0 %     2.55 %
 
   
For the Years Ended September 30
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Average
Balance
   
Percent
   
Weighted
Average
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Percent
   
Weighted
Average
Rate
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                                     
Deposit type:
                                   
Savings accounts
  $ 11,616       2.6 %     0.25 %   $ 12,571       3.2 %     0.25 %
Certificates of deposit
    256,037       57.7       3.60       207,068       52.5       4.41  
Money market
    94,838       21.4       1.06       94,810       24.1       1.21  
Demand and NOW
    81,110       18.3       0.30       79,744       20.2       0.51  
                                                 
Total deposits        
  $ 443,601       100.0 %     2.37 %   $ 394,193       100.0 %     2.71 %
 
 
73

 

The following table sets forth certificates of deposit classified by interest rate as of the dates indicated.

   
At March 31
   
At September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                         
Interest Rate:
                       
Less than 2.00%
  $ 180,476     $ 125,167     $ 4,409     $ 222  
2.00% to 2.99%
    309,282       108,007       32,539       25,716  
3.00% to 3.99%
    60,747       85,961       104,867       13,047  
4.00% to 4.99%
    18,750       45,922       63,765       11,347  
5.00% to 5.99%
    17,497       15,675       45,093       176,927  
6.00% to 6.99%
                2       46  
                                 
Total                    
  $ 586,752     $ 380,732     $ 250,675     $ 227,305  

The following table sets forth, by interest rate ranges, information concerning our certificates of deposit.
 
    At March 31, 2010  
    Period to Maturity  
   
Less Than or Equal to
One Year
   
More Than
One to
Two Years
   
More Than
Two to
Three Years
   
More Than
Three Years
    Total    
Percent of
Total
 
    (Dollars in thousands)  
                                                 
Interest Rate Range:                                                
2.99% and below
  $ 413,806     $ 52,874     $ 15,974     $ 7,104     $ 489,758       83.5 %
3.00% to 3.99%
    17,324       17,018       1,424       24,981       60,747       10.4  
4.00% to 4.99%
    12,569       3,790       1,463       928       18,750       3.2  
5.00% to 5.99%
    12,106       2,852       2,539             17,497       2.9  
                                                 
Total
  $ 455,805     $ 76,534     $ 21,400     $ 33,013     $ 586,752       100.0 %

As of March 31, 2010, the aggregate amount of outstanding certificates of deposit in amounts greater than or equal to $100,000 was approximately $283.1 million.  The following table sets forth the maturity of those certificates as of March 31, 2010.

   
At March 31, 2010
 
   
Retail (1)
   
Wholesale (2)
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Three months or less                                           
  $ 26,396     $ 27,452  
Over three months through six months
    25,736       22,419  
Over six months through one year
    67,263       39,117  
Over one year to three years
    28,429       24,621  
Over three years                                           
    16,458       5,201  
                 
Total                                           
  $ 164,282     $ 118,810  
 

(1)
Retail certificates of deposit consist of deposits held directly by customers.  The weighted average interest rate for all retail certificates of deposit at March 31, 2010, was 2.52%.
(2)
Wholesale certificates of deposit include brokered deposits and deposits from other financial institutions.  The weighted average interest rate for all wholesale certificates of deposit at March 31, 2010, was 1.93%. After March 31, 2010, CharterBank reduced the interest rate on approximately $60 million of MCB’s wholesale deposits to 15 basis points, which resulted in the withdrawal of essentially all of these deposits.

Borrowings.  Our borrowings consist of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.  In the past, our borrowings also have included securities sold under agreements to repurchase.  At March 31, 2010, borrowings equaled $212.2 million, a decrease of $14.8 million from September 30, 2009.  The decrease was primarily due to the payoff of maturing Federal Home Loan Bank advances.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, borrowings decreased $40.0 million, or 15.0%, to $227.0 million at September 30, 2009 from $267.0 million at September 30, 2008.  Borrowings were reduced using proceeds from the sale of securities as part of our strategy to reduce wholesale funding.   This lowered our cost of funds, since our deposits generally have lower interest rates than Federal Home Loan Bank advances.
 
 
74

 

At March 31, 2010, we had access to additional Federal Home Loan Bank advances of up to $285.4 million.  However, based upon available investment and loan collateral, additional advances at March 31, 2010, would have been limited to $15.0 million.  The following table sets forth information concerning balances and interest rates on our Federal Home Loan Bank advances at the dates and for the periods indicated.

   
At or For the
Six Months
Ended
March 31,
   
At or For the Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                         
Balance at end of year
  $ 212,000     $ 227,000     $ 267,000     $ 272,058  
Average balance during year
  $ 218,009     $ 260,158     $ 255,740     $ 304,077  
Maximum outstanding at any month end
  $ 217,000     $ 275,500     $ 267,000     $ 312,000  
Weighted average interest rate at end of year
    4.91 %     4.82 %     4.65 %     4.83 %
Average interest rate during year
    4.82 %     4.80 %     4.79 %     4.50 %

The following table sets forth information concerning balances and interest rates on our securities sold under agreements to repurchase at the dates and for the periods indicated.  At March 31, 2010, approximately $29.2 million of credit was available to us at the Federal Reserve Bank based on loan collateral pledged.

   
At or For the
Six Months
Ended
March 31,
   
At or For the Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                         
Balance at end of year
  $ 232     $     $     $ 10,058  
Average balance during year
  $ 5     $     $ 4,713       17,377  
Maximum outstanding at any month end
  $ 232     $     $ 9,935       18,598  
Weighted average interest rate at end of year
    0.87 %     %     %     5.19 %
Average interest rate during year
    0.87 %     %     4.67 %     5.52 %

The following table sets forth information concerning balances and interest rates on our credit line at the Federal Reserve Bank at the dates and for the periods indicated.

   
At or For the
Six Months
Ended
March 31,
   
At or For the Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                         
Balance at end of year
  $     $     $     $  
Average balance during year
  $     $ 100,000     $     $  
Maximum outstanding at any month end
  $     $ 10,000,000     $     $  
Weighted average interest rate at end of year
      %     %     %     %
Average interest rate during year
      %     0.30 %     %     %

Equity. At March 31, 2010, total equity equaled $110.7 million (or $6.01 per share), a $12.4 million increase from September 30, 2009.  The increase was primarily due to net income of $7.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and a $5.2 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from a decrease in unrealized losses on securities available for sale, net of $2.7 million in taxes.

Equity decreased $4.0 million, or 3.8%, to $98.3 million (or $5.33 per share) at September 30, 2009 from $102.3 million (or $5.50 per share) at September 30, 2008.  This decrease was due primarily to $2.2 million of repurchases of our common stock (which are held as treasury stock), $3.4 million in cash dividend payments during the fiscal year, and a $1.4 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from unrealized losses on securities available for sale, net of $897,000 in taxes, partially offset by $2.3 million in net income for the year ended September 30, 2009. In fiscal 2009, Charter Financial repurchased 228,934 shares of its common stock to provide liquidity in the market for its stock.

During the year ended September 30, 2008, equity decreased $122.8 million.  The decrease was due to a $123.7 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of $77.8 million in taxes, resulting from the collapse in the value of Freddie Mac common stock.  During the year ended September 30, 2008, we recognized gains of $9.6 million from sales of Freddie Mac common stock.
 
 
75

 
 
Average Balances and Yields

The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated.  All average balances are daily average balances.  Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances, but have been reflected in the table as loans carrying a zero yield. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense.
                                           
   
At March 31,
2010
  For the Six Months Ended March 31,  
      2010   2009  
   
Yield/
Rate(1)
    Average
Outstanding
Balance
     
Interest
     
Yield/
Rate
    Average
Outstanding
Balance
     
Interest
     
Yield/
Rate
 
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Interest-earning assets:
                                         
Loans (2)(3):
                                         
One- to four-family residential real estate
    7.03 %   $ 123,775     $ 3,468       5.60 %   $ 136,973     $ 3,822       5.58 %
Commercial real estate
    6.46       332,498       11,510       6.92       229,968       6,940       6.04  
Real estate construction
    4.68       58,509       1,076       3.68       43,420       1,012       4.66  
Commercial
    5.37       36,933       1,259       6.82       16,614       572       6.89  
Consumer and other loans
    6.18       32,959       843       5.12       22,155       788       7.11  
   Total loans
    6.29       584,674       18,156       6.21       449,130       13,134       5.85  
Securities(3):
                                                       
Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations
    3.93       191,645       3,962       4.13       236,920       5,754       4.86  
 Municipal bonds 
                                         
 FHLB common stock and other equity securities
    0.20       14,060       15       0.21       13,575              
 Other securities
    5.00       4,223       99       4.69       28,454       330       2.32  
    Total securities
    3.69       209,928       4,076       3.88       278,949       6,084       4.36  
Freddie Mac common stock
                                         
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
    0.28       23,556       42       0.36       7,596       12       0.32  
   Total interest-earning assets including Freddie Mac common stock
    4.53       818,158       22,274       5.44       735,675       19,230       5.23  
Noninterest-earning assets
            130,453                     66,437                
    Total assets
          $ 948,611       22,274             $ 802,112       19,230          
                                                         
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                       
Savings accounts
    0.15 %   $ 16,231     $ 22       0.27 %   $ 11,823     $ 15       0.25 %
Certificates of deposit
    1.40       388,219       4,093       2.11       256,252       4,498       3.51  
Money market accounts
    0.57       79,455       311       0.78       78,874       560       1.42  
Demand and NOW accounts
    1.08       91,900       701       1.53       48,013       157       0.65  
Total deposits
    1.20       575,805       5,127       1.78       394,962       5,230       2.65  
Federal Home Loan Bank
 advances
    4.95       218,013       5,252       4.82       266,283       6,107       4.59  
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase
                                         
Other borrowings
                                         
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    1.94       793,818       10,379       2.61       661,245       11,337       3.43  
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
            52,939                       36,299                  
Total liabilities
            846,757       10,379               697,544       11,337          
Equity                                       
            101,854                       104,568                  
Total liabilities and equity
          $ 948,611       10,379             $ 802,112       11,337          
                                                         
Net interest income
                  $ 11,895                     $ 7,893          
Net interest rate spread (4)
    3.00 %                     2.83 %                     1.80 %
Net interest-earning
assets (5)
          $ 24,340                     $ 74,430                  
Net interest margin (6)
                            2.91 %                     2.15 %
Average of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities
    92.04 %     103.07 %                     111.26 %                
 
(footnotes on following page)
 
 
76

 
 
   
For the Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2009
               
2008
               
2007
             
   
Average
Outstanding
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/ Rate
(1)
   
Average
Outstanding
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/ Rate
   
Average
Outstanding
Balance
   
Interest
   
Yield/ Rate
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                                                       
Interest-earning assets:
                                                     
Loans (2)(3):
                                                     
One- to four-family residential real estate
  $ 133,382     $ 7,566       5.67 %   $ 136,445     $ 7,994       5.86 %   $ 140,984     $ 8,209       5.82 %
Commercial real estate
    259,050       16,888       6.52       200,863       14,944       7.44       171,879       13,609       7.92  
Real estate construction
    49,853       2,278       4.57       45,411       3,130       6.89       47,594       4,007       8.42  
Commercial
    23,243       1,139       4.90       18,585       1,182       6.36       19,317       1,322       6.84  
Consumer and other loans
    25,336       1,441       5.69       22,213       1,622       7.30       20,881       1,737       8.32  
   Total loans
    490,864       29,312       5.97       423,517       28,872       6.82       400,655       28,884       7.21  
Securities(3):
                                                                       
Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations
    223,851       10,700       4.78       257,462       12,210       4.74       284,543       13,788       4.85  
Municipal bonds 
                      173       7             880       39        
FHLB common stock and other equity securities
    13,572       29       0.21       13,026       670       5.14       15,107       860       5.69  
 Other securities
    21,419       484       2.26       32,208       1,190       3.67       33,394       1,760       5.27  
    Total securities
    258,842       11,213       4.33       302,869       14,070       4.65       333,924       16,447       4.93  
Freddie Mac common stock
                      92,992       2,499       2.69       235,240       7,305       3.11  
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
    14,915       34       0.23       27,240       936       3.44       39,232       2,010       5.12  
Total interest-earning assets including Freddie Mac common stock
    764,621       40,559       5.30       846,618       46,377       5.48       1,009,051       54,646       5.42  
Noninterest-earning assets 
    78,030                       64,636                       49,941                  
    Total assets
  $ 842,651                     $ 911,254                     $ 1,058,992                  
                                                                         
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
Savings accounts
  $ 12,842       33       0.26 %   $ 11,616     $ 28       0.24 %   $ 12,571     $ 31       0.25 %
Certificates of deposit
    291,760       8,741       3.00       256,037       11,287       4.41       207,068       9,742       4.70  
Money market accounts
    80,759       935       1.16       94,838       2,644       2.79       94,810       4,495       4.74  
Demand and NOW accounts
    55,553       391       0.70       49,051       566       1.15       49,689       920       1.85  
Total deposits
    440,914       10,100       2.29       411,542       14,525       3.53       364,138       15,188       4.17  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    260,158       12,499       4.80       251,028       12,026       4.79       293,302       13,679       4.66  
Securities sold under agreement to  repurchase
                      4,712       219       4.65       17,377       960       5.53  
Other borrowings
                                                         
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    701,072       22,599       3.22       667,282       26,770       4.01       674,817       29,827       4.42  
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
    38,864                       74,842                       133,210                  
Total liabilities
    739,936                       742,124                       808,027                  
Equity
    102,715                       169,130                       250,965                  
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 842,651                     $ 911,254                     $ 1,058,992                  
                                                                         
Net interest income
          $ 17,960                     $ 19,607                     $ 24,819          
Net interest rate spread (4)
                    2.08 %                     1.47 %                     1.00 %
Net interest-earning assets (5)
  $ 63,549                     $ 179,336                     $ 334,234                  
Net interest margin (6)
                    2.35 %                     2.32 %                     2.46 %
Average of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities
    109.06 %                     126.88 %                     149.35 %                
 

(1)
Includes net loan fees deferred and accreted pursuant to applicable accounting requirements.
(2)
Interest income on loans is interest income as recorded in the income statement and, therefore, does not include interest income on non-accrual loans.
(3)
Tax exempt or tax-advantaged securities and loans are shown at their contractual yields and are not shown at a tax equivalent yield.
(4)
Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest bearing liabilities.
(5)
Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(6)
Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
 
 
77

 
 
Rate/Volume Analysis

The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the fiscal years indicated.  The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume).  The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate).  The net column represents the sum of the prior columns.  For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately, based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.

   
Six Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to Six
Months Ended
March 31, 2009
Increase/(Decrease)
   
Year Ended September 30, 2009
Compared to Year Ended
September 30, 2008
Increase/(Decrease)
   
Year Ended September 30, 2008
Compared to Year Ended
September 30, 2007
Increase/(Decrease)
 
   
Due to
         
Due to
         
Due to
       
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Combined
   
Net
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Combined
   
Net
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
Combined
   
Net
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Interest earning assets:
                                                                     
Interest-bearing deposits in  other financial institutions
  $ 25     $ 2     $ 3     $ 30     $ (424 )   $ (874 )   $ 395     $ (902 )   $ (614 )   $ (662 )   $ 202     $ (1,074 )
FHLB common stock and other equity securities
          14       1       15       28       (642 )     (27 )     (641 )     (124 )     (122 )     17       (229 )
Mortgage-backed securities  and collateralized  mortgage obligations available for sale
    (1,100 )     (856 )     164       (1,792 )     (1,594 )     97       (13 )     (1,510 )     (1,312 )     (294 )     28       (1,578 )
Other investment securities available for sale
    (281 )     337       (287 )     (231 )     (403 )     (458 )     155       (706 )     (97 )     (500 )     28       (569 )
Loans receivable
    3,702       1,030       290       5,022       4,591       (3,582 )     (570 )     440       1,648       (1,571 )     (90 )     (13 )
Total interest-earning assets
    2,346       527       171       3,044       2,199       (5,459 )     (59 )     (3,319 )     (499 )     (3,149 )     185       (3,463 )
Freddie Mac common stock(1)
                            (2,499 )                 (2,499 )     (44 )     (4,757 )     (5 )     (4,806 )
Total interest-earning assets and Freddie Mac common stock
    2,346       527       171       3,044     $ (300 )   $ (5,459 )   $ (59 )   $ (5,818 )   $ (543 )   $ (7,906 )   $ 180     $ (8,269 )
                                                                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                                               
NOW accounts
  $ 144     $ 209     $ 191     $ 543     $ 75     $ (221 )   $ (29 )   $ (175 )   $ (12 )   $ (347 )   $ 4     $ (355 )
Savings accounts
    5       2       1       8       3       2             5       (2 )     (1 )           (3 )
Money market deposit accounts
    4       (251 )     (2 )     (249 )     (393 )     (1,546 )     230       (1,709 )     1       (1,842 )     (1 )     (1,842 )
Certificates of deposit
    2,316       (1,796 )     (925 )     (405 )     1,575       (3,616 )     (505 )     (2,546 )     2,304       (613 )     (145 )     1,546  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    2,469       (1,837 )     (735 )     (103 )     1,260       (5,381 )     (304 )     (4,425 )     2,291       (2,803 )     (142 )     (654 )
                                                                                                 
Borrowed funds
    (1,107 )     308       (56 )     (855 )     212       42       1       254       (2,589 )     237       (42 )     (2,394 )
Total interest-bearing liabilities
  $ 1,362     $ (1,529 )   $ (791 )   $ (958 )   $ 1,472     $ (5,339 )   $ (303 )   $ (4,171 )   $ (298 )   $ (2,566 )   $ (184 )   $ (3,048 )
                                                                                                 
Change in net interest income including Freddie Mac common stock
  $ 984     $ 2,056     $ 962     $ 4,002     $ (1,771 )   $ (120 )   $ 244     $ (1,647 )   $ (245 )   $ (5,340 )   $ 364     $ (5,221 )
 

(1)
The entire decrease in income from Freddie Mac common stock from fiscal 2008 to 2009 has been attributed to volume as all remaining shares were sold prior to the end of fiscal 2008.

 
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Comparison of Operating Results for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
 
General. Net income increased $6.3 million, or 441%, to $7.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $1.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. The increase was primarily due to the $15.6 million pre-tax acquisition gain on the assets and liabilities of MCB acquired from the FDIC on March 26, 2010.  This gain represents the amount by which the estimated fair value of the assets acquired exceeded the fair value of the liabilities assumed.  The 2010 period also included approximately $700,000 in costs relating to the acquisition and integration of the MCB assets and liabilities. Other than these items, the MCB acquisition had little impact on the income statement for the six months ended March 31, 2010 because the acquisition was completed five days before the end of the period.

Interest and Dividend Income. Total interest and dividend income increased $3.1 million, or 15.8%, to $22.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $19.2 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009.  Interest on loans increased $5.0 million, or 38.2%, to $18.2 million, as a result of a $126.6 million, or 28.2%, increase in the average balance of loans receivable to $575.7 million and a 36 basis point increase in the average yield on loans.   The increase in the average balance was primarily the result of the acquisition of $94.7 million of loans in the NCB transaction on June 26, 2009.  The increase in the average yield on loans reflected a $102.5 million, or 44.6%, increase in the average balance of higher-yielding commercial real estate loans to $332.5 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010, from $230.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009.  The increase in the average balance of commercial real estate loans resulted primarily from the acquisition of $56.8 million of commercial real estate loans in the NCB acquisition, as well as our continued emphasis on the origination of these higher-yielding loans for our loan portfolio.   We also acquired $32.3 million of commercial real estate loans and $100.0 million of other loans in the MCB acquisition.  However, these loans did not have a substantial impact on the average balances or yields for the six months ended March 31, 2010 as they were acquired five days before the end of the period.

Interest and dividend income on securities decreased $2.0 million, or 33.0%, to $4.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $6.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. The decrease reflected a $69.0 million, or 24.7%, decrease in the average balance of securities to $210.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010, and a 48 basis point decrease in the average yield on securities in the generally lower market interest rate environment.  The decrease in average balance of securities resulted from the sale of securities to generate liquidity for the prepayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances.  Interest on mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations decreased by $1.8 million, or 31.1%, to $4.0 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $5.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009, reflecting a $45.3 million, or 19.1%, decrease in the average balance of such securities to $191.6 million, and a 73 basis point decrease in average yield.

Interest and dividend income on Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta common stock and other equity securities was $15,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2010, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta did not pay a dividend on its common stock during the six months ended March 31, 2009.

Interest Expense. Total interest expense decreased approximately $1.0 million, or 8.5%, to $10.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $11.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009.  The decrease was primarily due to an 82 basis point, or 23.7%, decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 2.61% from 3.43%, reflecting declining market interest rates.  The decrease in average cost more than offset a $132.6 million, or 20.0%, increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities to $793.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010, from $661.2 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. The increase in the average balance was primarily due to the assumption of approximately $181.3 million of deposits of NCB on June 26, 2009, partially offset by the immediate retirement of the wholesale portion of the NCB deposits using cash received in the NCB transaction.
 
 
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Interest expense on deposits decreased approximately $104,000, or 2.0%, to $5.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010. The decrease was due to an 87 basis point, or 32.8%, decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 1.78% from 2.65%, partially offset by a $180.8 million, or 45.8%, increase in the average balance of interest bearing deposits resulting from the assumption of the NCB deposits.  The decrease in the average cost of deposits was largely due to lower market interest rates, the higher proportion of our lower cost short term brokered deposits and the immediate retirement of the wholesale portion of the NCB deposits using cash received in the NCB transaction.  Interest expense on certificates of deposit decreased $405,000 to $4.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010, from $4.5 million for the six-month period in fiscal 2009, as the average cost of these deposits decreased 140 basis points to 2.11% from 3.51% in the lower market interest rate environment.  The decrease in average cost more than offset the $132.0 million, or 51.5%, increase in the average balance of such deposits. Interest expense on Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased $855,000 to $5.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010, due to a decrease of $48.3 million, or 18.1%, in the average balance of advances, partially offset by an increase of 23 basis points in average cost.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $4.0 million, or 50.7%, to $11.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010, from $7.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. The increase primarily reflected the $5.0 million, or 38.2%, increase in interest on loans combined with the 82 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by a $132.6 million, or 20.0%, increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities for the six-month period in 2010 compared to 2009.   Net interest margin increased 76 basis points to 2.91% for the 2010 period from 2.15% in the 2009 period, while net interest rate spread increased 103 basis points to 2.83%.  Lower deposit costs and accretion of purchase discounts from the NCB acquisition in June 2009 contributed to the improved net interest margin and net interest rate spread. Our net interest margin and net interest rate spread have historically been low compared to industry standards primarily due to a wholesale investment strategy that included a high proportion of borrowings and wholesale deposits with higher costs than those typically paid on retail deposits. However, our efforts to build our retail banking operations have helped to improve our net interest margin and net interest rate spread.

Provision for Loan Losses. We establish provisions for loan losses, which are charged to operations, at a level necessary to absorb known and inherent losses that are both probable and reasonably estimable at the date of the financial statements.  In evaluating the level of the allowance for loan losses, management considers historical loss experience, the types of loans and the amount of loans in the loan portfolio, trends in nonperforming loans and delinquency rates, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, peer group information and prevailing economic conditions.  This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available or as future events occur.  Management reviews the level of the allowance on a quarterly basis, and establishes the provision for loan losses based on these factors.  As management evaluates the allowance for loan losses, the increased risk associated with our commercial real estate and commercial business loan portfolios may result in larger additions to the allowance for loan losses in future periods.

Although we believe that we use the best information available to establish the allowance for loan losses, future additions to the allowance may be necessary, based on estimates that are susceptible to change as a result of changes in economic conditions and other factors.  In addition, the Office of Thrift Supervision, as an integral part of its examination process, will periodically review our allowance for loan losses.  The Office of Thrift Supervision may require us to make adjustments to the allowance, based on its evaluation of available information at the time of its examination.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2009, upon discussion with the Office of Thrift Supervision, we changed our loan loss allowance methodology to use a loan loss history of two years rather than ten years.  This change resulted in a significant increase in the allowance allocated to commercial real estate loans and contributed to an increase in the provision for loan losses beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.

The provision for loan losses for the six months ended March 31, 2010 was $3.8 million, compared to a provision of $2.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009.  The increase in the provision reflects the change in our methodology for determining our loan loss allowance during the second quarter of fiscal 2009, as well as refined evaluations of previously identified troubled credits.  Net charge-offs during the six months ended March 31, 2010 increased to $1.7 million, from $1.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009.  The allowance for loan losses for non-covered loans was $11.4 million, or 2.39% of total non-covered loans receivable, at March 31, 2010. In connection with the NCB acquisition on June 26, 2009, we acquired a $23.8 million allowance for loan losses on non-impaired loans covered under loss sharing agreements.
 
 
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Noninterest Income.  Noninterest income increased $11.5 million, or 195.5%, to $17.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $5.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. The increase was primarily due to the $15.6 million purchase gain on the assets and liabilities of McIntosh Commercial Bank acquired from the FDIC on March 26, 2010, partially offset by $3.5 million in other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charges during the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  Of the impairment charges, $1.0 million related to our entire investment in an unaffiliated Georgia community bank.  The remaining $2.5 million related to our investment in private-label mortgage securities.

Noninterest Expense. Total noninterest expense increased $4.0 million, or 42.2%, to $13.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010, compared to the six months ended March 31, 2009. The increase was due primarily to increases of: $1.5 million, or 31.2%, in salaries and employee benefits resulting from our acquisition of NCB; $1.0 million, or 54.5%, in occupancy costs from our acquisition of NCB; approximately $700,000 in costs relating to the acquisition and integration of the MCB assets and liabilities; $536,000 in legal and professional fees, reflecting litigation costs, foreclosure efforts, and taxes and other maintenance costs associated with foreclosed properties; $480,000 in the net cost of operations of real estate owned, reflecting higher foreclosures in the fiscal 2010 period; and a $332,000 increase in marketing expenses due to our acquisition of NCB.  Noninterest expenses are expected to increase in the second half of fiscal 2010 due to the acquisition of MCB on March 26, 2010.

Income Taxes. Income taxes increased to $4.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010, from $419,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2009, reflecting the $10.3 million increase in net income before income taxes. Our effective tax rate was 36.4% for the six months ended March 31, 2010, compared to 22.7% for the fiscal 2009 period. The increase in the effective tax rate for the 2010 period was due to higher pretax income which reduced the impact of tax advantaged investments such as bank owned life insurance.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
 
General. Net income decreased $8.2 million, or 78.1%, to $2.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $10.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was due to a $7.2 million decrease in noninterest income and a $2.3 million increase in noninterest expense, as well as a $1.6 million decrease in net interest income.

Interest and Dividend Income. Total interest and dividend income decreased $5.8 million, or 12.5%, to $40.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $46.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2008.  Interest on loans increased $439,000, or 1.5%, to $29.3 million, as a result of a $67.4 million increase in the average balance of loans receivable to $490.8 million from $423.5 million which more than offset the 85 basis point decrease in the average yield on loans reflecting the generally lower interest rate environment.  The net increase in loans receivable was entirely due to the acquisition of $94.7 million of loans in the NCB acquisition.  The increase in interest on loans also reflected a substantial increase in the average balance of commercial real estate loans to $259.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $200.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2008.  The increase in commercial real estate loans resulted primarily from the acquisition of $56.8 million of commercial real estate loans in the NCB acquisition as well as our continued emphasis on the origination of these higher-yielding loans for our loan portfolio.

Interest and dividend income on securities decreased $5.4 million, or 32.3%, to $11.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $16.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2008. The decrease reflected a $44.0 million, or 14.5%, decrease in the average balance of securities to $258.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $302.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2008, as well as a 32 basis point decrease in the average yield on securities in the generally lower market interest rate environment.  The decrease in average balance of securities resulted from the sale of securities to generate liquidity for the prepayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances.  Interest on mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations decreased by $1.5 million to $10.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $12.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2008, reflecting a decrease in the average balance of such securities to $223.9 million from $257.5 million, as cash from the normal amortization of such securities and from the proceeds of sales of such securities during the year were used to originate new mortgage loans.
 
 
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Interest and dividend income on Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta common stock and other equity securities decreased to $29,000 for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $670,000 for the year ended September 30, 2008, reflecting a reduction in dividends paid by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta beginning in the third quarter of calendar year 2008.  Interest and dividend income on Freddie Mac common stock was reduced to zero for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $2.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2008, reflecting both the sale of all of our remaining investment in Freddie Mac common stock during 2008 and Freddie Mac’s termination of dividends following its being placed into conservatorship in September 2008.

Interest Expense. Total interest expense decreased $4.2 million, or 15.6%, to $22.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $26.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2008.  The decrease was due to a 79 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 3.22% from 4.01%, reflecting declining market interest rates, which more than offset the $33.8 million, or 5.1%, increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities to $701.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $667.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2008.

Interest expense on deposits decreased $4.4 million, or 30.5%, to $10.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $14.5 million for the prior fiscal year. The decrease was due to a 124 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 2.29% from 3.53%, partially offset by a $29.4 million, or 7.1%, increase in the average balance of interest bearing deposits resulting from the assumption of approximately $181.3 million of deposits of NCB in June 2009.  The decrease in the average cost of deposits was largely due to lower market interest rates, a higher proportion of low cost short term brokered deposits and the assumption of the NCB deposits, and the immediate retirement of the wholesale portion of the NCB deposits using cash received in the NCB transaction.  Interest expense on certificates of deposit decreased $2.5 million to $8.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $11.3 million for the prior fiscal year, as the average cost of these deposits decreased 141 basis points to 3.00% from 4.41% in the lower market interest rate environment, which more than offset the $35.7 million, or 14.0%, increase in the average balance of such deposits. Interest expense on Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased $474,000, or 3.9%, to $12.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $12.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2008, as the average balance of such advances increased $9.1 million, or 3.6%, and the average cost increased slightly by one basis point. A Federal Home Loan Bank advance in the amount of $25.0 million with a rate of 6.22% was prepaid in September 2009, which will result in reduced interest expense in future periods.  This prepayment was funded through the sale of securities which had a yield of approximately 90 basis points.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income decreased $1.6 million, or 8.4%, to $18.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $19.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2008. The decrease reflected the decline in net interest earning assets, primarily Freddie Mac common stock, to $63.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $179.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2008, partially offset by a 61 basis point increase in our net interest rate spread to 2.08% in 2009 from 1.47% in 2008.  Net interest margin increased 3 basis points to 2.35% from 2.32% in 2008.  The acquisition of loans and deposits of NCB improved the net interest margin and spread in the quarter ending September 30, 2009.

Our net interest margin and net interest spread have historically been low compared to industry standards primarily due to our wholesale investment strategy.  Our assets include a high proportion of securities with rates lower than those that would typically be earned on whole loans.  Our liabilities include a high proportion of borrowings and wholesale deposits with higher costs than those typically paid on retail deposits. Generally each of these factors lowers our net interest margin and net interest spread.  Our wholesale investment strategy, including our investment in Freddie Mac stock, historically resulted in increases in net interest income and a more efficient use of our capital.  However, we intend to place more emphasis on retail banking in the future.

Provision for Loan Losses.  During fiscal year 2009, upon discussion with the Office of Thrift Supervision, we changed our loan loss allowance methodology to use a loan loss history of two years rather than ten years.  This change resulted in a significant increase in the allowance allocated to commercial real estate loans and contributed to an increase in the provision for loan losses in fiscal year 2009.
 
 
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The provision for loan losses for the year ended September 30, 2009 was $4.6 million, compared to a provision of $3.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2008, reflecting net charge-offs of $3.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2009, compared to $1.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2008, as the severe economic recession continued in our market area in 2009.  The change in our methodology for determining our loan loss allowance described above also contributed to the increased provision.  The allowance for loan losses for non-covered loans was $9.3 million, or 1.98% of total non-covered loans, at September 30, 2009.

Noninterest Income.  Noninterest income decreased $7.2 million, or 37.8%, to $11.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $19.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to a $9.6 million gain on sale of Freddie Mac stock in fiscal year 2008 and $1.7 million in gains related to our covered call sale program on Freddie Mac stock in fiscal year 2008, neither of which recurred in fiscal year 2009.  These items were partially offset by a net gain on sale of mortgage-related securities of $2.2 million and a $2.1 million gain on sale of real estate during fiscal year 2009.

Noninterest Expense. Total noninterest expense increased $2.3 million, or 11.3%, to $22.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2009 from $20.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2008. The increase was due primarily to increases of: $1.1 million, or 313.7%, in federal deposit insurance premiums and other regulatory fees; $782,000 in the net cost of operations of real estate owned, reflecting higher foreclosures in fiscal year 2009; $184,000, or 4.9%, in occupancy costs from our acquisition of NCB; $319,000, or 47.7%, in legal and professional fees, reflecting foreclosure efforts and litigation costs; and $1.4 million in penalties on the prepayment of a Federal Home Loan Bank advance.  These increases were partially offset by a $1.4 million, or 12.1%, decrease in salaries and employee benefits as a result of significantly reduced incentive compensation accruals.  Noninterest expenses are expected to increase in fiscal 2010 with a full year of expenses related to the NCB acquisition compared to only three months of such expenses in fiscal 2009.

Income Taxes. Income taxes decreased to $306,000 for the year ended September 30, 2009  from $4.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2008, reflecting a decrease in income before income taxes to $2.6 million from $15.0 million. Our effective tax rate was 11.7% in fiscal year 2009 and 29.9% in fiscal 2008.  The decline in the effective tax rate in 2009 relates to an increased relative level of tax exempt interest to earnings before taxes in 2009.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
 
General. Net income decreased $40.4 million to $10.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $50.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2007.  During fiscal year 2007, we recognized a $69.4 million gain on the sale of Freddie Mac stock compared to a $9.6 million gain on sales of such stock in fiscal year 2008.  In addition, net interest income decreased by $5.2 million, or 21.0%, in fiscal year 2008 compared to fiscal year 2007. These decreases were partially offset by a $1.6 million, or 7.5%, decrease in noninterest expense in fiscal year 2008 compared to fiscal year 2007, and a $24.4 million, or 84.4%, decrease in income tax expense in fiscal year 2008 compared to fiscal year 2007 due to the decrease in pre-tax income.

Interest and Dividend Income. Interest and dividend income decreased $8.3 million, or 15.2%, to $46.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $54.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2007.  Interest on loans was essentially unchanged at $28.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 compared to the year ended September 30, 2007, as a $22.9 million, or 5.7%, increase in the average balance of loans receivable was offset by a 39 basis point decrease in the average yield on such loans to 6.82% for the year ended September 30, 2008 from 7.21% for the year ended September 30, 2007, reflecting the generally lower interest rate environment. Interest and dividend income on securities decreased $7.2 million, or 30.2%, to $16.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $23.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2007. The decrease reflected a $31.1 million, or 9.3%, decrease in the average balance of such securities to $302.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $333.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2007, as well as a decrease in the average yield on such securities to 4.65% from 4.93% in the generally lower interest rate environment.  Interest on mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations decreased by $1.6 million to $12.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $13.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2007, reflecting a decrease in the average balance of such securities to $257.5 million from $284.5 million, as cash received from the normal amortization of such securities and proceeds of sales of such securities were used to originate mortgage loans.  Interest and dividend income on Freddie Mac common stock decreased to $2.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $7.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2007, reflecting our sale of $70.6 million of Freddie Mac common stock during 2007 and lower dividends on such common stock.
 
 
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Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $3.1 million, or 10.2%, to $26.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $29.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2007.  The decrease was due to a 41 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 4.01% from 4.42%, reflecting declining market interest rates, as well as a $7.5 million, or 1.1%, decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities to $667.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $674.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2007.

Interest expense on deposits decreased $662,000, or 4.4%, to $14.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $15.2 million for the prior fiscal year. The decrease was due to a 64 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 3.53% from 4.17%, which was partially offset by a $47.4 million, or 13.0%, increase in the average balance of interest bearing deposits as a result of management’s decision to maintain higher balances for liquidity purposes.  Interest expense on certificates of deposit increased $1.6 million to $11.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $9.7 million for the prior fiscal year, as the 28 basis points decrease in the average cost of these deposits to 4.41% from 4.69%, was more than offset by the $49.0 million, or 23.6%, increase in the average balance of such deposits. Interest expense on Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased $1.7 million, or 12.1%, to $12.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $13.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2007, as the average balance of such advances decreased $42.3 million, or 14.4%.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income decreased $5.2 million, or 21.0%, to $19.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $24.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2007. The decrease reflected the decrease in net interest margin to 2.32% from 2.46% and an increase in net interest rate spread to 1.47% for the year ended September 30, 2008 from 1.00% for the year ended September 30, 2007.

Provision for Loan Losses and Asset Quality. The provision for loan losses was $3.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 compared to no provision recorded for the year ended September 30, 2007. We recorded net charge-offs of $1.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 compared to $73,000 for the year ended September 30, 2007. The increased provision in 2008 related to increased levels of nonperforming loans, increased charge-offs, and overall market deterioration.  The allowance for loan losses was $8.2 million, or 1.89% of total loans, at September 30, 2008.

Noninterest Income.  Noninterest income decreased to $19.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $76.9 million in the prior year. We recognized a $69.5 million gain on sale of Freddie Mac common stock in fiscal year 2007, compared to a $9.6 million gain on the sale of Freddie Mac stock in fiscal year 2008.  Partially offsetting this decrease was $1.7 million in gains related to our covered call sale program on Freddie Mac common stock in fiscal year 2008, compared to $369,000 of such gains in fiscal year 2007.

Noninterest Expense. Total noninterest expense decreased $1.6 million, or 7.5%, to $20.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 from $21.9 million for the prior year. The decrease reflected a decrease of $2.4 million, or 17.2%, in salaries and employee benefits, partially offset by increases of $240,000 in legal and professional fees, $256,000 in occupancy, and $244,000 in other expenses.  Salaries and benefits were high in fiscal 2007 due to expenses related to the retirement of one of our executive officers.

Income Taxes. Income taxes decreased from $28.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 to $4.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2007. The decrease in income tax expense was due to the decrease in pre-tax income in fiscal year 2008 compared to fiscal 2007. The effective tax rate was 29.9% in 2008, and 36.2% in 2007.  The decrease in the effective tax rate in fiscal year 2008 relates to the increased investment in bank-owned life insurance.

Asset Quality

Delinquent Loans and Foreclosed Assets. Our policies require that management continuously monitor the status of the loan portfolio and report to the Loan Committee of the Board of Directors on a monthly basis. These reports include information on delinquent loans and foreclosed real estate, and our actions and plans to cure the delinquent status of the loans and to dispose of the foreclosed property. The Loan Committee approves action plans on all loans that are 90 days or more delinquent. The Loan Committee consists of three outside directors. One position on the committee, the chairman, is permanent, and the other two positions alternate between four outside directors.
 
 
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We generally stop accruing interest income when we consider the timely collectibility of interest or principal to be doubtful.  We generally stop accruing for loans that are 90 days or more past due unless the loan is well secured and we determine that the ultimate collection of all principal and interest is not in doubt. When we designate loans as nonaccrual, we reverse all outstanding interest that we had previously credited. If we receive a payment on a nonaccrual loan, we may recognize a portion of that payment as interest income if we determine that the ultimate collectibility of principal is no longer in doubt. However, such loans may remain on nonaccrual status until a regular pattern of timely payments is established.

Impaired loans are individually assessed to determine whether the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the collateral or the present value of the expected cash flows to be received. Smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as residential mortgage loans and consumer loans, are collectively evaluated for impairment.

Real estate acquired as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure is classified as real estate owned until such time as it is sold.  When real estate is acquired through foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure, it is recorded at the lower of the related loan balance or its fair value as determined by an appraisal, less estimated costs of disposal.  If the value of the property is less than the loan, less any related specific loan loss reserve allocations, the difference is charged against the allowance for loan losses.  Any subsequent write-down of real estate owned or loss at the time of disposition is charged against earnings.

Nonperforming assets increased to $47.0 million at September 30, 2009 from $13.5 million at September 30, 2008, primarily due to the NCB acquisition.  The purchased loans and commitments (“covered loans”) and other real estate owned (“covered other real estate”) are covered by loss sharing agreements between the FDIC and CharterBank.  Under these agreements, with respect to the NCB acquisition, the FDIC will assume 80% of losses and share 80% of loss recoveries on the first $82.0 million of losses, and 95% of losses and share 95% of loss recoveries on losses exceeding that amount, and with respect to the MCB acquisition, the FDIC will assume 80% of losses and share 80% of loss recoveries on the first $106.0 million of losses, and 95% of losses and share 95% of loss recoveries on losses exceeding that amount.

Management is taking several steps to resolve the nonperforming and classified assets acquired in the NCB and MCB transactions, including the following:

 
Establishing loan resolution groups led by experienced CharterBank senior credit officers with a combined 50 years of workout experience.  One of these credit officers served as the Dean of a major regional bank credit school and also taught credit seminars for the Federal Reserve Board, state banking examiners, and Risk Management Associates.

 
Retaining selected NCB and MCB asset resolution staff to assist in working out problem assets as quickly as possible, while minimizing the resolution costs to both CharterBank and the FDIC.

 
Reviewing all nonperforming loans with bank counsel to develop a resolution strategy.  Through May 19, 2010 the Company had received $28.3 million from the FDIC for reimbursements associated with the FDIC loss-sharing agreements and had submitted an additional $26.0 million in claims for reimbursement.
 
As of March 31, 2010, our nonperforming covered and non-covered assets totaled $ 128.4 million and consisted of $85.3 million of nonaccrual loans, $ 9 thousand  of loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing and other real estate owned of $43.1 million.  The increase in nonperforming assets from September 30, 2009 to March 31, 2010 was primarily due to the FDIC-assisted acquisition of assets and assumption of liabilities of McIntosh Commercial Bank.
 
 
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We are also reviewing the performing NCB and MCB loan portfolios with the objective of aggressively classifying all loans appropriately so that resolution plans can be established and delinquent assets can be returned to performing status.

Non-Performing Assets.  The tables below sets forth the amounts and categories of our non-performing assets at the dates indicated.  For all of the dates indicated, we did not have any material restructured loans.
                               
               
At September 30,
 
   
At March 31, 2010
   
2009
       
   
Covered
   
Non-covered
   
Covered
   
Non-covered
   
2008
 
Non-accrual loans:
 
(In thousands)
 
One- to four-family residential real estate
    11,154       3,376     $     $ 2,182     $ 2,027  
Commercial real estate
    18,873       9,417       3,831       10,590       8,496  
Real estate construction
    25,375             3,098              
Commercial
    14,148       214       17,447       146       145  
Consumer and other loans
    1,195       97       1,007       182       103  
Total non-accrual loans
    70,745       13,104       25,383       13,100       10,771  
                                         
Loans delinquent 90 days or greater and still accruing:
                                       
One- to four-family residential real estate
                      181        
Commercial real estate
    1,447                          
Real estate construction
                             
Commercial
          9                    
Consumer and other loans
                      32        
Total loans delinquent 90 days or greater and still accruing
    1,447       9             213        
                                         
Total non-performing loans
    72,193       13,096       25,383       13,313       10,771  
                                         
Real estate owned:
                                       
One- to four-family residential real estate
    15,319       1,637       3,753       1,683       788  
Commercial real estate
    20,175       5,772       6,928       3,095       1,892  
Real estate construction
    238                          
Commercial
                             
Consumer and other loans
                             
Total real estate owned
    35,732       7,409       10,681       4,778       2,680  
                                         
Total non-performing assets
  $ 107,925     $ 20,505     $ 36,064     $ 18,091     $ 13,451  
                                         
Ratios:
                                       
Non-performing loans as a percentage   of total non-covered loans
    N/M       2.75 %     N/M       2.82 %     2.46 %
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total non-covered assets
    N/M       2.53 %     N/M       2.16 %     1.68 %
 

N/M
Not meaningful.
(1)
See Note 3 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus, and the Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed beginning on page G-1 of this prospectus.
 
 
86

 
 
   
At September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Non-accrual loans:
                 
One- to four-family residential real estate
  $ 901     $ 1,209     $ 2,128  
Commercial real estate
    4,588       1,497       1,715  
Real estate construction
    1,595              
Commercial
    48       109       208  
Consumer and other loans
    62       21       24  
Total non-accrual loans
    7,194       2,836       4,075  
                         
Loans delinquent 90 days or greater and still accruing:
                       
One- to four-family residential real estate
    260              
Commercial real estate
    489       340       81  
Real estate construction
                 
Commercial
          52       52  
Consumer and other loans
    14              
Total loans delinquent 90 days or greater and still accruing
    763       392       133  
                         
Total non-performing loans
    7,957       3,228       4,208  
                         
Real estate owned:
                       
One- to four-family residential real estate
    134       279       273  
Commercial real estate
    46       181       847  
Real estate construction
                 
Commercial
                 
Consumer and other loans
                 
Total real estate owned
    180       460       1,120  
                         
Total non-performing assets
  $ 8,137     $ 3,688     $ 5,328  
                         
Ratios:
                       
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total non-covered loans
    1.93 %     0.74 %     1.12 %
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total non-covered assets
    0.80 %     0.30 %     0.49 %
 

(1)
See Note 3 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus, and the Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed beginning on page G-1 of this prospectus.

For the six months ended March 31, 2010 and the year ended September 30, 2009 gross interest income that would have been recorded had our non-accruing non-covered loans been current in accordance with their original terms was $875,285 and $683,036, respectively.  Interest income recognized on such loans for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and the year ended September 30, 2009 was $179,546 and $146,658, respectively.

At March 31, 2010, we had three nonperforming loans with balances exceeding $1 million, including a $1.5 million loan collateralized by the real estate for a restaurant franchise in Montgomery, Alabama, and two loans totaling $2.8 million that are both collateralized by retail strip centers in the Florida Panhandle.  No specific allowance has been established for these loans as of March 31, 2010 because the underlying collateral is believed to be sufficient.
 
 
87

 
 
Delinquent Loans. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our loan portfolio delinquencies at the dates indicated.

   
Loans Delinquent For
       
   
30-89 Days
   
90 Days and Over
   
Total
 
   
Number
   
Amount
   
Number
   
Amount
   
Number
   
Amount
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
At March 31, 2010
                                   
Non-covered Loans:
                                   
One- to four-family residential real estate
    26     $ 3,237           $       26     $ 3,237  
Commercial real estate
    14       7,309                   14       7,309  
Real estate construction
    4       544                   4       544  
Commercial
    15       1,850       1       8       16       1,858  
Consumer and other loans
    26       412                   26       412  
Total non-covered loans
    85     $ 13,552       1     $ 8       86     $ 13,360  
                                                 
Covered Loans:
                                               
One- to four-family residential real estate
    16     $ 695       5     $ 1,208       21     $ 1,903  
Commercial real estate
    44       16,985       2       418       46       17,403  
Real estate construction
    7       4,666       2       211       9       4,877  
Commercial
    40       4,394       7       1,459       7       5,853  
Consumer and other loans
    19       251       3       22       22       273  
Total covered loans                                   
    126     $ 26,991       19     $ 3,318       145     $ 30,309  
                                                 
Total loans                                
    211     $ 40,343       20     $ 3,326       231     $ 43,669  

   
Loans Delinquent For
       
   
30-89 Days
   
90 Days and Over
   
Total
 
   
Number
   
Amount
   
Number
   
Amount
   
Number
   
Amount
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
At September 30, 2009
                                   
Non-covered Loans:
                                   
One- to four-family residential real estate
    15     $ 2,631       3     $ 181       18     $ 2,812  
Commercial real estate
    15       4,296                   15       4,296  
Real estate construction
                                   
Commercial
    2       190                   2       190  
Consumer and other loans
    20       109       2       32       22       141  
Total non-covered loans
    52     $ 7,226       5     $ 213     $ 57     $ 7,439  
                                                 
Covered Loans:
                                               
One- to four-family residential real estate
        $           $           $  
Commercial real estate
                                   
Real estate construction
    1       86                   1       86  
Commercial
    17       695                   17       695  
Consumer and other loans
    16       330                   16       330  
Total covered loans
    34     $ 1,111           $       34     $ 1,111  
                                                 
Total loans
    86     $ 8,337       5     $ 213       91     $ 8,550  
 
 
88

 
 
   
Loans Delinquent For
       
   
30-89 Days
   
90 Days
and Over
   
Total
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
At September 30, 2008
                 
One- to four-family residential real estate
  $ 1,029     $     $ 1,029  
Commercial real estate
    1,564             1,564  
Real estate construction
    376             376  
Commercial
    318             318  
Consumer and other loans
    144             144  
                         
Total loans
  $ 3,431     $     $ 3,431  
                         
At September 30, 2007
                       
One- to four-family residential real estate
  $ 921     $ 260     $ 1,181  
Commercial real estate
    1,380       489       1,869  
Real estate construction
    595             595  
Commercial
    413             413  
Consumer and other loans
    240       14       254  
                         
Total loans
  $ 3,549     $ 763     $ 4,312  
                         
At September 30, 2006
                       
One- to four-family residential real estate
  $ 466     $     $ 466  
Commercial real estate
    945       340       1,285  
Real estate construction
                 
Commercial
    147       52       199  
Consumer and other loans
    114             114  
                         
Total loans
  $ 1,672     $ 392     $ 2,064  
                         
At September 30, 2005
                       
One- to four-family residential real estate
  $ 1,216     $     $ 1,216  
Commercial real estate
    2,354       81       2,435  
Real estate construction
    36             36  
Commercial
    122       52       174  
Consumer and other loans
    115             115  
                         
Total loans
  $ 3,843     $ 133     $ 3,976  

Classification of Assets.  Our policies, consistent with regulatory guidelines, provide for the classification of loans considered to be of lesser quality as “substandard,” “doubtful,” or “loss” assets.  An asset is considered “substandard” if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  “Substandard” assets include those characterized by the “distinct possibility” that the savings institution will sustain “some loss” if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Assets classified as “doubtful” have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified “substandard” with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make “collection or liquidation in full,” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, “highly questionable and improbable.”  Assets classified as “loss” are those considered “uncollectible” so that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted.  Assets that do not expose the savings institution to risk sufficient to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories, but which possess some weaknesses, are required to be designated “special mention.”

Nonperforming non-covered loans (in thousands) were $13,096, $13,313, $10,771, $7,957, $3,228, and $4,208 for the periods ended March 31, 2010, September 30, 2009, September 30, 2008, September 30, 2007, September 30, 2006, and September 30, 2005, respectively.
 
Potential problem loans are non-covered loans as to which management has serious doubts as to the ability of the borrowers to comply with present repayment terms.  These loans do not meet the criteria for inclusion in nonperforming assets and, therefore, are excluded from nonperforming loans.  Management, however, classifies potential problem loans as either special mention or substandard.  Potential problem loans at March 31, 2010 aggregated $21.3 million with $13.5 million classified special mention and $7.8 million classified substandard. Subsequent to March 31, 2010, a special mention loan with a balance of $4.6 million and a specific allowance of $1.3 million was foreclosed and will be in foreclosed real estate as of June 30, 2010.  We recorded a $1.9 million charge-off in the quarter ended June 30, 2010 relating to this loan.
 
 
89

 
 
We regularly review our asset portfolio to determine whether any assets require classification in accordance with applicable regulations.  Our largest classified assets generally are also our largest nonperforming assets.  We regularly monitor the value of underlying collateral on classified and nonperforming loans.  This monitoring involves physical site inspection, consultation with real estate professionals, our knowledge of our markets, and assessing appraisal trends.

The following table sets forth the aggregate amount of our classified assets at the dates indicated.  Classified assets as of March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 have been divided into those assets that were acquired in connection with the NCB and MCB transactions and are covered under the loss sharing agreement with the FDIC, and those assets that are not covered by the loss sharing agreement.

         
At September 30,
 
   
At March 31, 2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Covered
   
Non-covered
   
Covered
   
Non-covered
       
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                               
Substandard assets:
                             
   Loans
  $ 113,532     $ 13,306     $ 30,940     $ 18,297     $ 18,625  
   Other real estate owned
    35,693       7,409       10,681       4,778       2,680  
   Securities
          14,839             7,534        
Doubtful assets
    4,390       183       725       1,968       1,857  
Loss assets
                             
Total classified assets
  $ 153,615     $ 35,737     $ 42,346     $ 32,577     $ 23,162  
 
Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses represents a reserve for probable loan losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated periodically based on a review of all significant loans with particular emphasis on impaired, non-accruing, past due and other loans that management believes require special attention. The determination of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting policy.

Additions to the allowance for loan losses are made periodically to maintain the allowance at an appropriate level based on management’s analysis of loss inherent in the loan portfolio. The amount of the provision for loan losses is determined by an evaluation of the level of loans outstanding, loss risk as determined based on a loan grading system, the level of non-performing loans, historical loss experience, delinquency trends, the amount of losses charged to the allowance in a given period, and an assessment of economic conditions. Management believes the current allowance for loan losses is adequate based on its analysis of the losses in the portfolio.

Our allowance for loan loss methodology is a loan classification-based system. We base the required reserve on a percentage of the loan balance for each type of loan and classification level. Loans may be classified manually and are automatically classified if they are not previously classified when they reach certain levels of delinquency. Unclassified loans are reserved at different percentages based on our loan loss history for the last two years.  Reserve percentages are also adjusted based upon our estimate of the effect that the current economic environment will have on each type of loan.

During fiscal 2009, we changed our methodology for determining the loan loss allowance to use a loan loss history of two years rather than ten years.  This change, which was made upon discussion with the Office of Thrift Supervision, our primary federal regulator, resulted in a significant increase in the allowance allocated for commercial real estate loans and contributed to an increase in the provision for loan losses in fiscal 2009.  Charge-offs, which were primarily partial charge-offs, increased as it became more likely that reductions in collateral values will continue for some time.  Economic conditions and other factors affecting borrowers’ ability to repay are used to adjust the historical loss factor for each loan category to determine the overall allowance level for each loan category.  These factors are reviewed each quarter and adjusted as appropriate.  The factors for determining specific allowances for classified loans are a multiple of the reserve factor for non-classified loans.  Impaired loans are specifically evaluated for required allowances generally based on an assessment of the underlying fair value of the collateral.
 
 
90

 
 
We have no loans for which there is known information about possible credit problems of borrowers that causes management to have serious doubts about their ability to comply with present loan repayment terms that are not currently disclosed as non-accrual, past due, classified, underperforming or restructured.

The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated. Loans covered by the loss sharing agreement with the FDIC are excluded from the table.  As of September 30, 2009, an allowance of $23.8 million had been established for loan losses on non-impaired covered loans acquired in the NCB transaction on June 26, 2009.  No allowance has been established for impaired covered loans because it is not expected that there will be any losses on such loans that are not covered by the non-accretable portion of the discount established in the NCB acquisition.  If credit deterioration is observed subsequent to the acquisition dates, such deterioration will be accounted for pursuant to the Company’s loss reserving methodology and a provision for loan losses will be charged to earnings with a partially offsetting noninterest income item reflecting the increase to the FDIC receivable.  Amounts expected to be recovered from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements are separately disclosed as the FDIC receivable.

    At or For the
Six Months
Ended
March 31,
2010
   
 
 
 
At or For the Years Ended September 30,
 
       
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                                     
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 9,332     $ 8,244     $ 6,013     $ 6,086     $ 6,160     $ 6,623  
                                                 
Charge-offs:
                                               
One- to four-family residential real estate
    (112 )     (648 )     (348 )     (107 )     (180 )     (57 )
Commercial real estate
    (172 )     (2,961 )     (42 )     (17 )           (222 )
Real estate construction
    (1,281 )     (31 )     (424 )                 (319 )
Commercial
    (177 )     (119 )     (136 )     (40 )              
Consumer and other loans
    (22 )     (55 )     (97 )     (28 )     (62 )     (61 )
   Total charge-offs
    (1,764 )     (3,814 )     (1,047 )     (192 )     (242 )     (659 )
                                                 
Recoveries:
                                               
One- to four-family residential real estate
          41       1       30       33       18  
Commercial real estate
          300                          
Real estate construction
                                   
Commercial
          2       11       56       65       24  
Consumer and other loans
    29       9       16       33       70       79  
   Total recoveries
    29       352       28       119       168       121  
                                                 
Net (charge-offs) recoveries
    (1,735 )     (3,462 )     (1,019 )     (73 )     (74 )     (538 )
Provision for loan losses
    3,800       4,550       3,250                   75  
                                                 
Balance at end of year
  $ 11,397     $ 9,332     $ 8,244     $  6,013     $ 6,086     $ 6,160  
                                                 
Ratios:
                                               
Net (charge-offs) recoveries as a percentage of average non-covered loans outstanding
    (0.31 )%     (0.71 )%     (0.24 )%     (0.02 )%     (0.02 )%     (0.16 )%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-covered non-performing loans at year end
    87.1 %     70.1 %     77.0 %     76.0 %     187 %     146 %
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total non-covered loans receivable at year end (1)
    2.39 %     1.97 %     1.88 %     1.46 %     1.59 %     1.69 %
 

(1)
Does not include loans held for sale or deferred fees.
 
 
91

 
 
Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses. The following table sets forth the allowance for loan losses for non-covered loans allocated by loan category and the percent of loans in each category to total loans at the dates indicated. Loans covered by the loss sharing agreement with the FDIC are excluded from the table.  An unallocated allowance is generally maintained in a range of 4% to 10% of the total allowance in recognition of the imprecision of the estimates.  In times of greater economic downturn and uncertainty, the higher end of this range is provided.  Increased allocations in the commercial real estate and real estate construction portfolios reflect increased nonperforming loans, declining real estate values and increased net charge-offs.  The allowance for loan losses allocated to each category is not necessarily indicative of future losses in any particular category and does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in other categories.

         
At September 30,
 
   
At March 31, 2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Allowance for
Loan Losses
   
Percent of
Noncovered
Loans in Each
Category to
Total
Noncovered
Loans
   
Allowance for
Loan Losses
   
Percent of
Loans in Each
Category to
Total Loans
   
Allowance for
Loan Losses
   
Percent of
Loans in Each
Category to
Total Loans
 
       
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                                     
One- to four-family residential real estate
  $ 558       24.0 %   $ 451       26.6 %   $ 563       31.6 %
Commercial real estate
    7,828       56.9       5,540       57.1       4,823       50.8  
Real estate construction
    1,740       10.6       2,157       9.3       1,439       9.0  
Commercial
    319       3.8       99       2.2       267       3.6  
Consumer and other loans
    102       4.7       117       4.8       202       5.0  
Total allocated allowance
    10,547               8,364               7,294          
Unallocated                                      
    849             968             950        
Total                                   
  $ 11,396       100.0 %   $ 9,332       100.0 %   $ 8,244       100.0 %

   
At September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
   
Allowance for
Loan Losses
   
Percent of
Loans in Each
Category to
Total Loans
   
Allowance for
Loan Losses
   
Percent of
Loans in Each
Category to
Total Loans
   
Allowance for
Loan Losses
   
Percent of
Loans in Each
Category to
Total Loans
 
               
(Dollars in
thousands)
                   
                                     
One- to four-family residential real estate
  $ 1,077       33.6 %   $ 838       37.7 %   $ 1,042       40.8 %
Commercial real estate
    2,212       44.0       2,506       41.4       2,711       41.5  
Real estate construction
    1,100       12.6       578       5.0       574       5.2  
Commercial
    551       4.6       512       4.4       403       3.7  
Consumer and other loans
    632       5.2       1,077       11.5       863       8.8  
Total allocated allowance
    5,572               5,511               5,593          
Unallocated                                      
    441             575             567        
Total                                   
  $ 6,013       100.0 %   $ 6,086       100.0 %   $ 6,160       100.0 %

Management of Market Risk

As a financial institution, we face risk from interest rate volatility. Fluctuations in interest rates affect both our level of income and expense on a large portion of our assets and liabilities. Fluctuations in interest rates also affect the market value of all interest-earning assets.
 
The primary goal of our interest rate risk management strategy is to maximize net interest income while maintaining an acceptable interest rate risk profile. We seek to coordinate asset and liability decisions so that, under changing interest rate scenarios, portfolio equity and net interest income remain within an acceptable range.
 
 
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We have emphasized one- to four-family and commercial real estate lending. Our sources of funds include retail deposits, Federal Home Loan Bank advances, repurchase agreements and wholesale deposits.  We employ several strategies to manage the interest rate risk inherent in our mix of assets and liabilities, including:

 
selling fixed rate mortgages we originate to the secondary market, generally on a servicing released basis;
 
 
maintaining the diversity of our existing loan portfolio by originating commercial real estate and consumer loans, which typically have adjustable rates and shorter terms than residential mortgages;
 
 
emphasizing investments with adjustable interest rates;
 
 
maintaining fixed rate borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta; and
 
 
increasing retail transaction deposit accounts, which typically have long durations.
 
Changes in market interest rates have a significant impact on the repayment and prepayment of loans.  Prepayment rates also vary due to a number of other factors, including the regional economy in the area where the loans were originated, seasonal factors, demographic changes, the assumability of the loans, related refinancing opportunities and competition. We monitor interest rate sensitivity so that we can attempt to adjust our asset and liability mix in a timely manner and thereby minimize the negative effects of changing rates.
 
Extension risk, or lower prepayments causing loans to have longer average lives, is our primary exposure to higher interest rates. Faster prepayment of loans and investing the funds from prepayments in mortgage loans and securities at lower interest rates results in a lower net interest income and is our primary exposure to declining market interest rates.
 
Interest Risk Measurement.
 
The Office of Thrift Supervision requires the computation of amounts by which the difference between the present value of an institution’s assets and liabilities (the institution’s net portfolio value or “NPV”) would change in the event of a range of assumed changes in market interest rates.  The Office of Thrift Supervision provides all institutions that file a Consolidated Maturity/Rate Schedule as a part of their quarterly Thrift Financial Report with a report that measures the sensitivity of net portfolio value.  The Office of Thrift Supervision simulation model uses a discounted cash flow analysis and an option-based pricing approach to measure the interest rate sensitivity of net portfolio value.  Historically, the Office of Thrift Supervision model estimated the economic value of each type of asset, liability and off-balance sheet contract using the current interest rate yield curve with instantaneous increases or decreases of 100 to 300 basis points in 100 basis point increments.  A basis point equals one-hundredth of one percent, and 100 basis points equals one percent.  An increase in interest rates from 3% to 4% would mean, for example, a 100 basis point increase in the “Change in Interest Rates” column below.  Given the current relatively low level of market interest rates, a NPV calculation for an interest rate decrease of greater than 100 basis points has not been prepared.  The Office of Thrift Supervision provides us the results of the interest rate sensitivity model, which is based on information we provide to the Office of Thrift Supervision to estimate the sensitivity of our net portfolio value.
 
 
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The table below sets forth, as of March 31, 2010, the Office of Thrift Supervision’s calculation of the estimated changes in our net portfolio value that would result from the designated instantaneous changes in the interest rate yield curve.

Change in Interest
Rates (bp) (1)
   
Estimated NPV (2)
   
Estimated Increase
(Decrease) in NPV
   
Percentage Change
in NPV
   
NPV Ratio as a
Percent of Present
Value
of Assets (3)(4)
   
Increase (Decrease)
in NPV Ratio as a
Percent or Present
value of Assets (3)(4)
 
     
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                                 
  +300     $ 113,868     $ (10,818 )     (9 )%     9.13 %     (59 )%
  +200     $ 118,840     $ (5,846 )     (5 )%     9.42 %     (29 )%
  +100     $ 122,168     $ (2,519 )     (2 )%     9.58 %     (13 )%
  0     $ 124,687                   9.71 %      
  (100 )   $ 130,350     $ (5,664 )     5 %     10.10 %     39 %
 

(1)  
Assumes an instantaneous uniform change in interest rates at all maturities.
(2)  
NPV is the difference between the present value of an institution’s assets and liabilities.
(3)  
Present value of assets represents the discounted present value of incoming cash flows on interest-earning assets.
(4)  
NPV Ratio represents NPV divided by the present value of assets.

The table above indicates that at March 31, 2010, in the event of a 200 basis point increase in interest rates, we would experience a 5% decrease in net portfolio value.  In the event of a 100 basis point decrease in interest rates, we would experience a 5% increase in net portfolio value.  For the year ended September 30, 2009, the Office of Thrift Supervision classified CharterBank as having “minimal” interest rate risk.  However, future increases in interest rates may result in CharterBank being classified as having additional interest rate risk.
 
The effects of interest rates on net portfolio value and net interest income are not predictable. Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, prepayments, and deposit run-offs, and should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results. Certain shortcomings are inherent in these computations. Although some assets and liabilities may have similar maturity or periods of repricing, they may react at different times and in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Rates on other types of assets and liabilities may lag behind changes in market interest rates. Assets, such as adjustable rate mortgages, generally have features that restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset. After a change in interest rates, prepayments and early withdrawal levels could deviate significantly from those assumed in making the calculations set forth above. Additionally, increased credit risk may result if our borrowers are unable to meet their repayment obligations as interest rates increase.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is the ability to meet current and future short-term financial obligations.  Our primary sources of funds consist of deposit inflows, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank, loan payments and prepayments, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations repayments and maturities and sales of loans and other securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions and competition.  Our Asset/Liability Management Committee is responsible for establishing and monitoring our liquidity targets and strategies in order to ensure that sufficient liquidity exists for meeting the borrowing needs of our customers as well as unanticipated contingencies.  At March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, we had access to immediately available funds of approximately $153.4 million and $96.6 million, respectively, including overnight funds and a Federal Reserve line of credit.

We regularly adjust our investments in liquid assets based upon our assessment of expected loan demand, expected deposit flows, yields available on interest-earning deposits and securities, and the objectives of our asset/liability management program.  Excess liquid assets are invested generally in interest-earning deposits and short- and intermediate-term securities.
 
 
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Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents. The levels of these assets are subject to our operating, financing, lending and investing activities during any given period. At March 31, 2010, cash and cash equivalents totaled $141.6 million.  Securities classified as available-for-sale, which provide additional sources of liquidity, totaled $205.5 million at March 31, 2010. In addition, at March 31, 2010, we had the ability to borrow approximately $497.4 million in additional funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.  At March 31, 2010, we had $212.0 million in advances outstanding.  However, based on available collateral, additional advances would be limited to $15.1 million.

Our cash flows are derived from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities as reported in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

At March 31, 2010, we had $12.6 million of new loan commitments outstanding, and $19.8 of unfunded construction and development loans. In addition to commitments to originate loans, we had $15.0 million of unused lines of credit to borrowers. Certificates of deposit due within one year of March 31, 2010 totaled $455.8 million, or 50.3% of total deposits. If these deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including other certificates of deposit and Federal Home Loan Bank advances. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit due on or before December 31, 2010. We believe, however, based on past experience, that a significant portion of our certificates of deposit will remain with us. We have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered.

Our primary investing activities are the origination of loans and the purchase of securities.  During the six months ended March 31, 2010, we originated $3.5 million of loans and purchased $14.1 million of securities, excluding the MCB transaction.  In fiscal year 2009, we originated $79.7 million of loans and purchased $133.6 million of securities.  In fiscal year 2008, we originated $77.7 million of loans and purchased $48.4 million of securities.

Financing activities consist primarily of additions to deposit accounts and Federal Home Loan Bank advances.  We experienced a net increase in total deposits of $177.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2009.  This increase was essentially represented by our acquisition of NCB.  Deposit flows are affected by the overall level of interest rates, the interest rates and products offered by us and our local competitors and other factors.

Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of business management.  If we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, borrowing agreements exist with the Federal Home Loan Bank, which provides an additional source of funds.  Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta advances decreased by $15.0 million to $212.0 million during the six months ended March 31, 2010 due to the payoff of matured advances.  Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased by $40.0 million during the year ended September 30, 2009.  Federal Home Loan Bank advances have been used primarily to fund loan demand and to purchase securities.  Our current asset/liability management strategy has been to “match-fund” certain longer-term one- to four-family residential mortgage loans and commercial real estate loans with Federal Home Loan Bank advances.

There were several liquidity effects related to our March 26, 2010 FDIC-assisted acquisition of MCB.  We anticipated outflows of wholesale time deposits at MCB and approximately $97 million in such outflows were funded by the $68.9 million of cash assets acquired in the transaction and other existing liquid assets.  Further, cash receipts arising from payments on covered loans and loss-sharing collections from the FDIC are expected to provide positive net cash flows in periods following the wholesale funding outflows.

CharterBank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements, including a risk-based capital measure. The risk-based capital guidelines include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating risk-weighted assets by assigning balance sheet assets and off-balance sheet items to broad risk categories. At March 31, 2010, CharterBank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements. CharterBank is considered “well-capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. See “Supervision and Regulation—Federal Banking Regulation—Capital Requirements” and Note 16 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus.
 
 
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations

Commitments. As a financial services provider, we routinely are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risks, such as commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and unused lines of credit.  While these contractual obligations represent our future cash requirements, a significant portion of commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon.  Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process accorded to loans made by us.  We consider commitments to extend credit in determining our allowance for loan losses.

Contractual Obligations. The following table summarizes our significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations and other funding needs by payment date at September 30, 2009.  The payment amounts represent those amounts due to the recipient and do not include any unamortized premiums or discounts or other similar carrying amount adjustments.

   
Payments Due by Period
 
Contractual Obligations
 
One year
or less
   
More than
one year to
three years
   
More than
three years to
five years
   
More than
five years
   
Total
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                               
Loan commitments to originate mortgage loans
  $ 262     $     $     $     $ 262  
Loan commitments to fund construction loans in process
    18,017                         18,017  
Loan commitments to originate nonresidential mortgage loans
    12,348                         12,348  
Loan commitments to originate consumer loans
                             
Available home equity and unadvanced lines of credit
    26,661                         26,661  
Letters of credit                                                                   
    760                         760  
Lease agreements                                                                   
    356       1,189       1,178       540       3,263  
Certificates of deposit                                                                   
    318,627       55,230       6,875             380,732  
FHLB advances                                                                   
    15,000       132,000       25,000       55,000       227,000  
Total                                                                 
  $ 392,031     $ 188,419     $ 33,053     $ 55,540     $ 669,043  

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The consolidated financial statements and related notes of Charter Financial have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  GAAP generally requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without consideration of changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation.  The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations.  Unlike industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature.  As a result, changes in market interest rates have a greater impact on performance than the effects of inflation.
 
 
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AND CHARTERBANK
 
Charter Financial Corporation

Charter Financial is a federally chartered corporation that owns all of the outstanding shares of common stock of CharterBank. At March 31, 2010, Charter Financial Corporation had consolidated assets of $1.2 billion, deposits of $906.6 million and stockholders’ equity of $110.7 million.

CharterBank became the wholly owned subsidiary of Charter Financial Corporation in October 2001 when CharterBank reorganized from a federally chartered mutual savings and loan association into the two-tiered mutual holding company structure.  In connection with the reorganization, Charter Financial Corporation sold 3,964,481 shares of its common stock to the public, representing 20% of the outstanding shares, at $10.00 per share and received net proceeds of $37.2 million. An additional 15,857,924 shares, or 80% of the outstanding shares of Charter Financial Corporation, were issued to First Charter, MHC.  As part of the reorganization and offering, we established an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) which acquired 317,158 shares of Charter Financial Corporation in the offering, financed by a loan from Charter Financial Corporation.

In January 2007, Charter Financial Corporation repurchased 508,842 shares of its common stock at $52.00 per share through a self-tender offer.  Following the stock repurchase, Charter Financial Corporation delisted its common stock from the Nasdaq Global Market and deregistered its common stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Charter Financial Corporation’s common stock is currently quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “CHFN.OB.”  Since January 2007, Charter Financial Corporation has repurchased 678,016 additional shares of its common stock.  As of March 31, 2010, Charter Financial Corporation had 18,672,361 shares of common stock outstanding.  As of that date, First Charter, MHC owned 15,857,924 shares of common stock of Charter Financial Corporation, representing 84.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock.  The remaining 2,814,437 shares of common stock, or 15.1% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, were held by the public.

Charter Financial Corporation’s Internet address is www.charterbank.net.  Charter Financial Corporation’s principal executive office is located at 1233 O.G. Skinner Drive, P.O. Box 472, West Point, Georgia 31833, and its telephone number at that address is (706) 645-1391.

CharterBank

CharterBank is a federally chartered stock savings bank headquartered in West Point, Georgia.  CharterBank is a community oriented financial institution, serving the financial needs of the residents of western Georgia and eastern Alabama since its mutual savings bank predecessor was founded in 1954.  CharterBank currently operates 16 branch offices and a loan origination office in west-central Georgia and east-central Alabama.

CharterBank’s principal business consists of attracting retail deposits from the general public and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations, in investment and mortgage-related securities, one-to four-family residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, commercial business loans and, to a lesser extent, home equity loans and lines of credit, multi-family loans and consumer loans.  CharterBank’s 16 branch offices are located in West Point, Bremen, Carrollton, LaGrange, Newnan and Peachtree City in Georgia and Auburn, Opelika and Valley in Alabama.  CharterBank also operates a loan origination office in Norcross, Georgia.  For the convenience of customers, CharterBank offers extended hours at the majority of its branches, and is dedicated to offering alternative banking delivery systems utilizing state-of-the-art technology, including ATMs, online banking, remote deposit capture and telephone banking delivery systems.

CharterBank has grown through strategic de novo branching and acquisitions along the I-85/I-185 corridor and adjacent areas anchored by Auburn, Alabama and Atlanta and Columbus, Georgia.  In February 2003, CharterBank expanded its presence in the Auburn-Opelika, Alabama market through the acquisition of Eagle Bank of Alabama.  In March 2005 and May 2007, new branches were opened in Lagrange, Georgia.  In June 2009, CharterBank entered into an agreement with the FDIC to acquire certain assets and assume all of the deposits of Neighborhood Community Bank, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Newnan, Georgia, and in March 2010 CharterBank entered into an agreement with the FDIC to acquire certain assets and assume all of the deposits of McIntosh Commercial Bank, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Carrollton, Georgia. The agreements with the FDIC in connection with the acquisitions of NCB and MCB also included loss sharing agreements with respect to certain loans and assets.  For additional information regarding the NCB and MCB acquisitions, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Recent FDIC-Assisted Acquisitions.”
 
 
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CharterBank’s Internet address is www.charterbank.net.  CharterBank’s principal executive office is located at 1233 O.G. Skinner Drive, P.O. Box 472, West Point, Georgia 31833, and its telephone number at that address is (706) 645-1391.

Market Area. Prior to acquiring branch offices of NCB and MCB, CharterBank conducted operations primarily in western Georgia and eastern Alabama, through its main office in West Point, Georgia (Troup County), two branches in Valley, Alabama (Chambers County), three branches in LaGrange, Georgia (Troup County), one branch in Opelika, Alabama (Lee County), and three branch offices in Auburn, Alabama (Lee County), for a total of 10 branch offices.  CharterBank acquired four branches in Georgia, along the I-85 corridor, in the NCB acquisition in June 2009, and closed one branch.  In March 31, 2010, CharterBank acquired four branches of MCB and closed one branch, further expanding CharterBank’s presence in west-central Georgia.  The NCB and MCB acquisitions have complemented the corporate expansion achieved by CharterBank in recent years both through de novo branching and acquisitions.  Management believes that the NCB and MCB acquisitions are key components to building CharterBank’s retail franchise, as CharterBank now has 16 branches on the I-85 corridor and adjacent areas between Newnan, Georgia and Auburn, Alabama.  The near term focus of CharterBank’s acquisition strategy will be to acquire additional franchises of failed institutions with FDIC assistance.

The economy of our market area historically has been supported by the textile industry. During the 1980’s and 1990’s, employment growth in local telecommunications companies partially offset declining textile industry jobs in our market area. Textile industry employment continues to decline. The median household income in our market area is below national and Georgia levels.

The outlook for our market area is for modest growth supported by a new KIA Motors assembly plant in West Point, Georgia and a military base realignment which has added significantly to employment at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia.  However, the market area is significantly overbanked, especially Newnan and Coweta Count ies .  This has limited our ability to expand organically, thus making geographic expansion more dependent upon acquisitions and de novo branching into new markets.  We will seek to take advantage of the profitable growth opportunities presented within our expanded market area, and capitalize on our expanded retail footprint resulting from the NCB and MCB acquisitions.

Competition. We face intense competition both in making loans and attracting deposits. West-central Georgia and east-central Alabama have a high concentration of financial institutions, many of which are branches of large money center, super-regional, and regional banks that have resulted from the consolidation of the banking industry in Alabama and Georgia. Many of these competitors have greater resources than CharterBank and may offer services that we do not provide.

Our competition for loans comes from commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage banking firms, credit unions, finance companies, credit card banks, insurance companies, and brokerage and investment banking firms. Our most direct competition for deposits historically has come from commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, and mutual funds. We face additional competition for deposits from short-term money market funds and other corporate and government securities funds and from brokerage firms and insurance companies.

Lending Activities

To achieve acceptable earnings in the highly competitive markets in which we operate, we have targeted relatively less competitive market niches.  In this regard, we offer a broad range of loan products with a variety of rates and terms.  Our lending operations consist of the following major segments: commercial real estate lending; single-family residential mortgage lending for retention in our portfolio; construction lending; and residential mortgage lending for resale in the secondary mortgage market, generally on a servicing-released basis.  To a lesser extent, we also originate consumer loans (including home equity loans and other forms of consumer installment credit), and commercial business loans.  This strategy is consistent with our community bank orientation.
 
 
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We have pursued loan diversification with the objective of lowering credit concentration risk, enhancing yields and earnings and improving the interest sensitivity of our assets.  Historically, we have focused our lending activities on residential and commercial mortgage loans as well as consumer loans, primarily to local customers.  We also have initiated retail and commercial business lending in the markets formerly served by NCB branches, in Coweta and Fayette Counties.

Commercial Real Estate Loans. Commercial real estate lending has become an integral part of our operating strategy and we intend to continue to take advantage of opportunities to originate commercial real estate loans, especially in our new markets of Coweta and Fayette Counties.  Commercial real estate loans typically have higher yields, better interest rate risk characteristics and larger loan balances compared to residential mortgage loans.  Commercial real estate lending also has provided us with another means of broadening our range of customer relationships.  As of March 31, 2010, non-covered commercial real estate loans totaled $270.8 million, or 56.9% of our total non-covered loan portfolio.  Additionally, at March 31, 2010, we had $56.7 million commercial real estate loans covered by FDIC loss sharing agreements.

Commercial real estate loans are generally made to Georgia or Alabama entities and are secured by properties in these states.  Commercial real estate loans are generally made for up to 75% of the value of the underlying real estate.  Our commercial real estate loans are typically secured by offices, hotels, strip shopping centers, land or convenience stores located principally in Georgia and Alabama.  Multi-family mortgage loans, which we categorize as a subset of our commercial real estate loans, are originated for both new and existing properties and are made on apartment buildings with a wide range of tenant income levels.  Many of our multi-family mortgage loans are secured by properties located near college campuses.

Commercial real estate lending involves additional risks compared to one- to four-family residential lending.  Repayment of commercial real estate loans often depends on the successful operations and income stream of the borrowers, and commercial real estate loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers compared to residential real estate loans.   To compensate for the increased risk, our commercial real estate loans generally have higher interest rates and shorter maturities than our residential mortgage loans.  We offer commercial real estate loans at fixed rates and adjustable rates tied to the prime interest rate.  However, the interest rates on a portion of our commercial real estate loan portfolio are tied to yields on U.S. Treasury securities or LIBOR.  We currently offer fixed-rate terms of three years; however, in prior years we originated fixed-rate loans with maturities of up to 20 years.

Our underwriting criteria for commercial real estate loans include maximum loan-to-value ratios, debt coverage ratios, secondary sources of repayment, guarantor requirements, net worth requirements and quality of cash flow.  As part of our loan approval and underwriting of commercial real estate loans, we undertake a cash flow analysis, and we require a debt-service coverage ratio of at least 1.15 times.  We believe that this segment of the market offers an opportunity to expand our portfolio while realizing strong risk-adjusted returns because many lenders are no longer active in this market.

Residential Mortgage Loans. We originate first and second mortgage loans secured by one- to four-family residential properties within Georgia and Alabama. We currently originate mortgages at all of our offices, but utilize centralized processing at our corporate office.  As of March 31, 2010, non-covered residential mortgage loans totaled $114.4 million, or 24.0% of total non-covered loans.

We originate both fixed rate and adjustable rate one- to four-family residential mortgage loans.  Fixed rate conforming loans are generally originated for resale into the secondary market on a servicing-released basis.  We generally retain in our portfolio loans that are non-conforming due to property exceptions and that have adjustable rates.  As of March 31, 2010, approximately 44.7% of our one- to four-family loan portfolio consisted of fixed-rate mortgage loans and 55.3% consisted of either adjustable rate mortgage loans (“ARMs”) or hybrid loans with fixed interest rates for the first one, three, five or seven years of the loan and adjustable rates thereafter.  After the initial term, the interest rate on ARMs generally adjusts on an annual basis at a fixed spread over the monthly average yield on United States Treasury securities, the prime interest rate as listed in The Wall Street Journal, or LIBOR.  The interest rate adjustments are generally subject to a maximum increase of 2% per adjustment period and 6% over the life of the loan.
 
 
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Traditionally, we have sought to distinguish ourselves in the area of non-conforming residential mortgage lending.  While the risks of non-conforming lending may be somewhat higher than originating conforming residential mortgage loans, we believe that the greater yield and shorter repricing terms of these loans compensate us for this additional risk.  Additionally, management believes that the credit quality of our loan portfolio is largely unaffected by the non-conforming loans, since the majority of these loans are non-conforming due to factors unrelated to credit quality (i.e., high acreage, leased land, multiple structures or newly self-employed borrowers).  The loans may also be non-conforming because of a deficiency in the credit record of a borrower, but which management does not believe impairs the borrower’s ability to repay the loan.  Thus, the non-conforming loans we originate are not subprime loans.  CharterBank originates one- to four-family loans with LTVs up to 80%.  We will occasionally originate loans with LTVs in excess of 80% with private mortgage insurance.  The substantial portion of our one- to four-family residential mortgage loans are secured by properties in Georgia and Alabama.

The amount of subprime and low documentation loans held by CharterBank is not material. We consider "subprime" loans to be loans originated to borrowers having credit scores below 580 at the time of origination.  At June 30, 2010, we had $1.5 million in subprime loans.  Two of these loans, aggregating $133,989 have been restructured and an additional three loans aggregating $311,418 are now on nonaccrual status.  There are no specific allowances for loan losses established for these loans. We do not, and have not, originated "low documentation" or "no documentation" loans, "option ARM" loans, or other loans with special or unusual payment arrangements.

We modify residential mortgage loans when it is mutually beneficial to us and the borrower, and on terms that are appropriate to the circumstances.

Construction and Development Loans. Consistent with our community bank strategy, construction and development lending has been an integral part of our overall lending strategy.  While current market conditions have suppressed demand for construction and land loans, there are opportunities to lend to quality borrowers in our market area.  Management believes that the reduction in the number of construction lenders has reduced the supply of construction loans, and there is an opportunity to lend to borrowers with superior liquidity, capital and management skills. We intend to remain an active participant in the construction lending market, primarily through our loan production office in Norcross, Georgia. We are making virtually no development loans and we are providing very limited financing for the purchase of building lots.  Construction loans represent an important segment of the loan portfolio, totaling $50.2 million, or 10.6% of non-covered loans at March 31, 2010, $43.9 million, or 9.3% of non-covered loans at September 30, 2009, and $39.6 million, or 9.0% of total loans as of September 30, 2008.

We make loans primarily for the construction of one- to four-family residences but also for multi-family and nonresidential real estate projects on a select basis.  We offer two principal types of construction loans:  builder loans, including both speculative (unsold) and pre-sold loans to pre-approved local builders, and construction/permanent loans to property owners that are converted to permanent loans at the end of the construction phase.  The number of speculative loans that we will extend to a builder at one time depends upon the financial strength and credit history of the builder.  Our construction loan program is expected to remain a modest portion of our loan volume.  We generally limit the number of outstanding loans on unsold homes under construction within a specific area.

Commercial Loans and Consumer Loans.  To a much lesser extent, we also originate non-mortgage loans, including commercial business and consumer loans.  At March 31, 2010, non-covered commercial loans totaled $18.3 million, or 3.8% of total loans, and non-covered consumer loans totaled $22.5 million, or 4.7% of non-covered loans.  Additionally, at March 31, 2010, we had $22.7 million of commercial loans and $12.0 million of consumer loans covered by FDIC loss sharing agreements.

The majority of our non-mortgage loans consists of consumer loans, including loans on deposits, second mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, auto loans and various other installment loans.  We primarily offer consumer loans (excluding second mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit) as an accommodation to customers. Consumer loans tend to have a higher credit risk than residential mortgage loans because they may be secured by rapidly depreciable assets, or may be unsecured.  Our consumer lending generally follows accepted industry standards for non sub-prime lending, including credit scores and debt to income ratios.
 
 
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We offer home equity lines of credit as a complement to our one- to four-family residential mortgage lending. We believe that offering home equity credit lines helps to expand and create stronger ties to our existing customer base by increasing the number of customer relationships and providing cross-marketing opportunities. Home equity credit lines have adjustable-rates and are secured by a first or second mortgage on owner-occupied one- to four-family residences located primarily in Georgia and Alabama. Home equity credit lines enable customers to borrow at rates tied to the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal. The underwriting standards applicable to home equity credit lines are similar to those for one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, except for slightly more stringent credit-to-income and credit score requirements. Home equity loans are generally limited to 80% of the value of the underlying property unless the loan is covered by private mortgage insurance or a loss sharing agreement. At March 31, 2010, we had $26.3 million of home equity lines of credit and second mortgage loans. We also had $10.9 million of unfunded home equity line of credit commitments at March 31, 2010.
 
Our commercial business loans are generally limited to terms of five years or less.  We typically collateralize these loans with a lien on commercial real estate or, very rarely, with a lien on business assets and equipment.  We also generally require the personal guarantee of the business owner.  Interest rates on commercial business loans are generally higher than interest rates on residential or commercial real estate loans due to the risk inherent in this type of loan. Commercial business loans are generally considered to have more risk than residential mortgage loans or commercial real estate loans because the collateral may be in the form of intangible assets and/or readily depreciable inventory. Commercial business loans may also involve relatively large loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers, with the repayment of such loans typically dependent on the successful operation and income stream of the borrower. Such risks can be significantly affected by economic conditions. In addition, commercial business lending generally requires substantially greater supervision efforts by our management compared to residential mortgage or commercial real estate lending.

Loan Origination and Approval Procedures and Authority.  Our lending policies provide that various loan personnel and management committees may review and approve secured loan relationships up to $2.0 million and unsecured loan relationships up to $500,000. All loan relationships above these amounts require approval of either the Board’s Loan Committee or the full Board of Directors.

The following describes our current lending procedures for residential mortgage loans and home equity loans and lines of credit. Upon receipt of a completed loan application from a prospective borrower, we order a credit report and verify other information. If necessary, we obtain additional financial or credit related information. We require an appraisal for all residential and mortgage loans, except for home equity loans or lines where an alternative evaluation may be used to determine the loan-to-value ratio. Appraisals are performed by licensed or certified third-party appraisal firms and are reviewed by our lending department. We require title insurance or a title opinion on all mortgage loans.

We require borrowers to obtain hazard insurance and we may require borrowers to obtain flood insurance prior to closing. For properties with a private sewage disposal system, we also require evidence of compliance with applicable laws on residential mortgage loans. Further, we generally require borrowers to advance funds on a monthly basis together with each payment of principal and interest to a mortgage escrow account from which we make disbursements for items such as real estate taxes, hazard insurance, flood insurance, and private mortgage insurance premiums, if required.

Commercial loans are approved through CharterBank’s Management Loan Committee process. The Management Loan Committee consists of the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Senior Credit Administrator, and certain other senior lending and credit officers. The Management Loan Committee has authority to approve loan relationships up to $2.0 million. Commercial loan relationships of $1.0 million or less may be approved outside the Committee process by two officers who have commercial loan authority. Commercial loan relationships greater than $2.0 million are approved by the Management Loan Committee and the Board’s Loan Committee or the entire Board of Directors.

Investments

The Board of Directors reviews and approves our investment policy on an annual basis. The President and Chief Financial Officer, as authorized by the Board, implement this policy based on the established guidelines within the written investment policy, and other established guidelines, including those set periodically by the Asset-Liability Management Committee.
 
 
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The primary goal of our investment policy is to invest funds in assets with varying maturities that will result in the best possible yield while maintaining the safety of the principal invested and assisting in managing our interest rate risk. We also seek to use our strong capital position to maximize our net income by investing in higher yielding mortgage-related securities funded by borrowings. The investment portfolio is also viewed as a source of liquidity.

The broad objectives of our investment portfolio management are to:

 
minimize the risk of loss of principal or interest;

 
generate favorable returns without incurring undue interest rate and credit risk;

 
manage the interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities;

 
meet daily, cyclical and long term liquidity requirements while complying with our established policies and regulatory liquidity requirements;

 
diversify assets and address maturity or interest repricing imbalances; and

 
provide collateral for pledging requirements.
 
In determining our investment strategies, we consider our interest rate sensitivity, yield, credit risk factors, maturity and amortization schedules, asset prepayment risks, collateral value and other characteristics of the securities to be held.

Sources of Funds
 
Deposits are the major source of balance sheet funding for lending and other investment purposes.  Additional significant sources of funds include liquidity, repayment of loans, loan sales, maturing investments, borrowings and retained earnings.  We believe that our standing as a sound and secure financial institution and our emphasis on the convenience of our customers will continue to contribute to our ability to attract and retain deposits.  We offer extended hours at the majority of our offices and alternative banking delivery systems that allow customers to pay bills, transfer funds and monitor account balances at any time.  We also offer competitive rates as well as a competitive selection of deposit products, including checking, NOW, money market, regular savings and term certificate accounts.  In addition, we recently began offering a Rewards checking product that offers a higher rate on deposit balances up to $25,000 if certain conditions are met.  These conditions include receiving only electronic statements, having at least one monthly ACH transaction and ten or more point of sale transactions per month.  For accounts that do not meet these conditions in any given month, the rate paid on the balances is reduced.

We also rely on advertising and long-standing relationships to maintain and develop depositor relationships, while competitive rates are also paid to attract and retain deposits.  Furthermore, the NCB and MCB acquisitions are expected to enhance customer convenience by broadening the markets currently served by CharterBank.

We continually evaluate opportunities to enhance deposit growth.  Potential avenues of growth include de novo branching and branch or institution acquisitions. Additionally, to the extent additional funds are needed, we may employ available collateral to reduce borrowings, which are expected to consist primarily of Federal Home Loan Bank advances.  However, we intend to reduce our reliance on wholesale funds.  We have a source of emergency liquidity with the Federal Reserve and at March 31, 2010 we have collateral pledged that provides access to approximately $29.2 million of discount window borrowings.
 
 
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Properties
 
The following table provides certain information as of March 31, 2010 with respect to our administrative office located in West Point, our 16 branch offices and our loan production office:
                             
Location
 
Leased or Owned
   
Year Acquired
or Leased
      Square Footage    
Net Book Value of
Real Property
 
                          (In thousands)  
Administrative Office:
                           
                             
1233 O.G. Skinner Drive
West Point, Georgia
 
Owned
    2005       28,000     $ 1,235  
                             
Full Service Branches:
                           
                             
600 Third Avenue
West Point, Georgia
 
Owned
    1965       8,922       1,497  
                             
300 Church Street
LaGrange, Georgia
 
Owned
    1976       2,941       1,148  
                             
3500 20th Avenue(2)
Valley, Alabama
 
Owned
    1963       6,000       953  
                             
91 River Road(2)
Valley, Alabama
 
Owned
    1989       5,300       140  
                             
1605 East University Drive
Auburn, Alabama
 
Owned
    2001       6,000       1,981  
                             
2320 Moore’s Mill Road (3)
Auburn, Alabama
 
Owned
    2002       2,300       384  
                             
555 South Davis Road
LaGrange, Georgia
 
Owned
    2005       15,000       2,830  
                             
701 2nd Avenue
Opelika, Alabama
 
Owned
    2006       6,800       2,054  
                             
1684 South College Street
Auburn, Alabama
 
Owned
    2006       6,000       2,846  
                             
1861 Roanoke Road
LaGrange, Georgia 30240
 
Leased
    2007       450        
                             
145 Millard Farmer Industrial Blvd.
Newnan, GA  30263
 
Leased
    2009       11,705        
                             
60 Salbide Avenue
Newnan, GA  30263
 
Owned/Land Lease
    2009       2,378        
                             
300 Finance Avenue
Peachtree City, GA  30269
 
Leased
    2009       6,600        
                             
820 Dixie Street (4)
Carrollton, GA  30117
 
Leased
    2010       18,500        
                             
406 Alabama Avenue (4)
Bremen, GA  30110
 
Leased
    2010       5,467        
                             
1114 Pace Street (5)
Covington, GA  30014
 
Leased
    2010       200        
                             
Loan Origination Office:
                           
                             
5448 Spalding Drive
Building 100, Suite C
Norcross, Georgia 30092
 
Leased
    2007       3,000        
 
(footnotes on following page)
 
 
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(1)
Lease expiration dates assume all options to extend lease terms are exercised.
(2)
Includes time period operated by Citizens National Bank prior to the Citizens acquisition.
(3)
Includes time period operated by Eagle Bank prior to the EBA acquisition.
(4)
CharterBank has options to acquire these two branches from the FDIC.  The cost to acquire the two branches has been determined, but it is expected that the aggregate cost to acquire both branches would be less than $4.0 million.
(5)
CharterBank expects to close this branch by April 2011.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
As of the date of this prospectus, we were not involved in any legal proceedings other than routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business, which, in the aggregate, involve amounts that we believe are immaterial to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
 
Subsidiary Activities
 
Charter Financial Corporation has no direct or indirect subsidiaries other than CharterBank.
 
Charter Foundation
 
Charter Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit charitable foundation, was established in December 1994 by members of CharterBank.  The Foundation provides funds to eligible nonprofit organizations to help them carry out unique, innovative projects in specific fields of interest. The Foundation’s goal is to fund projects that will enhance the quality of life in the communities served by CharterBank.
 
The Foundation now has approximately $7 million in assets and annually distributes 5 percent of its net asset value in grants to the local community. The grants and gifts provided by the Foundation are generally for charitable causes, and to enhance the quality of life and housing in CharterBank’s markets.  CharterBank indirectly benefits from the favorable publicity and elevated public standing generated through the Foundation’s gifts.
 
Personnel
 
As of March 31, 2010, we had 212 full-time employees and 13 part-time employees.  Since that date, we have hired some of the former employees of McIntosh Commercial Bank.  Our employees are not represented by any collective bargaining group.  Management believes that we have good relations with our employees.
 
 
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General
 
As savings and loan holding companies, First Charter, MHC and Charter Financial are required by federal law to report to, and otherwise comply with the rules and regulations of, the Office of Thrift Supervision.  As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, the powers and duties of the Office of Thrift Supervision with respect to savings and loan and mutual holding companies will be transferred to the Federal Reserve Board within one year of the date of the legislation, unless extended by up to six months.  At that time, we will be subject to the rules and regulations, as well as supervision, of the Federal Reserve Board.  In addition, after the stock offering is completed, Charter Financial will be subject to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the federal securities laws.
 
CharterBank is examined, regulated and supervised by the Office of Thrift Supervision and is subject to examination by the FDIC.  As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, the powers and duties of the Office of Thrift Supervision with respect to savings associations such as CharterBank, will be transferred to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.  This regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework of activities in which an institution may engage and is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC’s deposit insurance fund, the banking system and depositors.  Under this system of federal regulation, financial institutions are periodically examined to ensure that they satisfy applicable standards with respect to their capital adequacy, assets, management, earnings, liquidity and sensitivity to market interest rates.  Following completion of its examination, the federal agency critiques the institution’s operations and assigns its rating (known as an institution’s CAMELS rating).  Under federal law, an institution may not disclose its CAMELS rating to the public.  CharterBank also is a member of and owns stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, which is one of the twelve regional banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System.  CharterBank also is currently regulated to a lesser extent by the Federal Reserve Board governing reserves to be maintained against deposits and other matters.  The Office of Thrift Supervision examines CharterBank and prepares reports for the consideration of its Board of Directors on any operating deficiencies.  CharterBank’s relationship with its depositors and borrowers also is regulated to a great extent by federal law and, to a much lesser extent, state law, especially in matters concerning the ownership of deposit accounts and the form and content of CharterBank’s mortgage documents.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act and the extensive new regulations implementing the Act, will significantly affect our business and operating results, and any future laws or regulations, whether enacted by Congress or implemented by the FDIC, the Comptroller of the Currency or the Federal Reserve Board, could have a material adverse impact on First Charter, MHC, Charter Financial and CharterBank.
 
Set forth below is a brief description of certain regulatory requirements applicable to First Charter, MHC, Charter Financial and CharterBank.  The description below is limited to certain material aspects of the statutes and regulations addressed, and is not intended to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations and their effects on Charter Financial and CharterBank.
 
New Federal Legislation
 
The recently enacted Dodd-Frank Act will significantly change the current bank regulatory structure and affect the lending, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies.  The Dodd-Frank Act will eliminate our current primary federal regulator, the Office of Thrift Supervision, and require CharterBank to be regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the primary federal regulator for national banks). The Dodd-Frank Act also authorizes the Federal Reserve Board to supervise and regulate all savings and loan holding companies, including mutual holding companies, like Charter Financial and First Charter, MHC, in addition to bank holding companies that it currently regulates.  As a result, the Federal Reserve Board’s current regulations applicable to bank holding companies, including holding company capital requirements, will apply to savings and loan holding companies like Charter Financial and First Charter, MHC.  These capital requirements are substantially similar to the capital requirements currently applicable to CharterBank, as described in “Supervision and Regulation—Federal Banking Regulation—Capital Requirements.”  Moreover, First Charter, MHC will require the approval of the Federal Reserve Board before it may waive the receipt of any dividends from Charter Financial, and there is no assurance that the Federal Reserve Board will approve future dividend waivers or what conditions it may impose on such waivers.  See “The recently enacted financial reform legislation may have an adverse effect on our ability to pay dividends, which would adversely affect the value of our common stock,” in the Risk Factors section of this prospectus.  The Dodd-Frank Act also requires the Federal Reserve Board to set minimum capital levels for bank holding companies that are as stringent as those required for the insured depository subsidiaries, and the components of Tier 1 capital would be restricted to capital instruments that are currently considered to be Tier 1 capital for insured depository institutions.  Bank holding companies with assets of less than $500 million are exempt from these capital requirements.  Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the proceeds of trust preferred securities are excluded from Tier 1 capital unless such securities were issued prior to May 19, 2010 by bank or savings and loan holding companies with less than $15 billion of assets.  The legislation also establishes a floor for capital of insured depository institutions that cannot be lower than the standards in effect today, and directs the federal banking regulators to implement new leverage and capital requirements within 18 months that take into account off-balance sheet activities and other risks, including risks relating to securitized products and derivatives.
 
 
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The Dodd-Frank Act also creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws.  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has broad rulemaking authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions such as CharterBank, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices.  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets.  Banks and savings institutions with $10 billion or less in assets will be examined by their applicable bank regulators.  The new legislation also weakens the federal preemption available for national banks and federal savings associations, and gives state attorneys general the ability to enforce applicable federal consumer protection laws.
 
The legislation also broadens the base for FDIC insurance assessments. Assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution.  The Dodd-Frank Act also permanently increases the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2008, and non-interest bearing transaction accounts have unlimited deposit insurance through December 31, 2013.  Lastly, the Dodd-Frank Act will increase stockholder influence over boards of directors by requiring companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation and so-called “golden parachute” payments, and by authorizing the Securities and Exchange Commission to promulgate rules that would allow stockholders to nominate their own candidates using a company’s proxy materials.  The legislation also directs the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to bank holding company executives, regardless of whether the company is publicly traded.
 
It is difficult to predict at this time what impact the new legislation and implementing regulations will have on community banks, including the lending and credit practices of such banks including CharterBank.  Moreover, many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will not take effect for at least a year, and the legislation requires various federal agencies to promulgate numerous and extensive implementing regulations over the next several years.  Although the substance and scope of these regulations cannot be determined at this time, it is expected that the legislation and implementing regulations, particularly those provisions relating to the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and mutual holding company dividend waivers, will increase our operating and compliance costs and restrict our ability to pay dividends.
 
Federal Banking Regulation
 
Business Activities.  A federal savings bank derives its lending and investment powers from the Home Owners’ Loan Act, as amended, and the regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision.  Under these laws and regulations, CharterBank may invest in mortgage loans secured by residential and nonresidential real estate, commercial business loans and consumer loans, certain types of debt securities and certain other assets, subject to applicable limits.  CharterBank also may establish subsidiaries that may engage in activities not otherwise permissible for CharterBank, including real estate investment and securities and insurance brokerage.
 
Capital Requirements.  Office of Thrift Supervision regulations require savings banks to meet three minimum capital standards: a 1.5% tangible capital ratio, a 4% leverage ratio (3% for savings banks receiving the highest rating on the CAMELS rating system) and an 8% risk-based capital ratio.
 
 
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The risk-based capital standard for savings banks requires the maintenance of Tier 1 (core) and total capital (which is defined as core capital and supplementary capital) to risk-weighted assets of at least 4% and 8%, respectively.  In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets, are multiplied by a risk-weight factor of 0% to 100%, assigned by the Office of Thrift Supervision, based on the risks believed inherent in the type of asset.  Core capital is defined as common stockholders’ equity (including retained earnings), certain noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less intangibles other than certain mortgage servicing rights and credit card relationships.  The components of supplementary capital currently include cumulative preferred stock, long-term perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, subordinated debt and intermediate preferred stock, the allowance for loan and lease losses limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets and up to 45% of net unrealized gains on available-for-sale equity securities with readily determinable fair values.  Overall, the amount of supplementary capital included as part of total capital cannot exceed 100% of core capital.  Additionally, a savings bank that retains credit risk in connection with an asset sale may be required to maintain additional regulatory capital because of the recourse back to the savings bank.  CharterBank does not typically engage in asset sales.
 
At March 31, 2010, CharterBank’s capital exceeded all applicable requirements.
 
Loans-to-One Borrower.  Generally, a federal savings bank may not make a loan or extend credit to a single or related group of borrowers in excess of 15% of unimpaired capital and surplus.  An additional amount may be loaned, equal to 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus, if the loan is secured by readily marketable collateral, which generally does not include real estate.  As of March 31, 2010, CharterBank was in compliance with the loans-to-one borrower limitations.
 
Qualified Thrift Lender Test. As a federal savings bank, CharterBank must satisfy the qualified thrift lender, or “QTL,” test.  Under the QTL test, CharterBank must maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets” in “qualified thrift investments” in at least nine months of the most recent 12 months.  “Portfolio assets” generally means total assets of a savings institution, less the sum of specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, and the value of property used in the conduct of the savings bank’s business.
 
“Qualified thrift investments” include various types of loans made for residential and housing purposes, investments related to such purposes, including certain mortgage-backed and related securities, and loans for personal, family, household and certain other purposes up to a limit of 20% of portfolio assets.  “Qualified thrift investments” also include 100% of an institution’s credit card loans, education loans and small business loans.  CharterBank also may satisfy the QTL test by qualifying as a “domestic building and loan association” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code.
 
A savings bank that fails the qualified thrift lender test must either convert to a bank charter or operate under specified restrictions.  At March 31, 2010, CharterBank satisfied this test, with 75.3% of its portfolio assets in qualified thrift investments.
 
Capital Distributions. Office of Thrift Supervision regulations govern capital distributions by a federal savings bank, which include cash dividends, stock repurchases and other transactions charged to the capital account.  A savings bank must file an application for approval of a capital distribution if:
 
 
the total capital distributions for the applicable calendar year exceed the sum of the association’s net income for that year to date plus the association’s retained net income for the preceding two years;

 
the association would not be at least adequately capitalized following the distribution;

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

 
the association is not eligible for expedited treatment of its filings.
 
Even if an application is not otherwise required, every savings bank that is a subsidiary of a holding company must still file a notice with the Office of Thrift Supervision at least 30 days before the Board of Directors declares a dividend or approves a capital distribution.
 
 
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The Office of Thrift Supervision may disapprove a notice or application if:
 
 
the association would be undercapitalized following the distribution;

 
the proposed capital distribution raises safety and soundness concerns; or

 
the capital distribution would violate a prohibition contained in any statute, regulation or agreement.
 
In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act provides that an insured depository institution may not make any capital distribution, if after making such distribution the institution would be undercapitalized.
 
Liquidity.  A federal savings bank is required to maintain a sufficient amount of liquid assets to ensure its safe and sound operation.
 
Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Laws.  All savings banks have a responsibility under the Community Reinvestment Act and related regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. In connection with its examination of a federal savings bank, the Office of Thrift Supervision is required to assess the association’s record of compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act.  In addition, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act prohibit lenders from discriminating in their lending practices on the basis of characteristics specified in those statutes.  An association’s failure to comply with the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act could, at a minimum, result in denial of certain corporate applications such as branches or mergers, or in restrictions on its activities.  The failure to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act could result in enforcement actions by the Office of Thrift Supervision, as well as other federal regulatory agencies and the Department of Justice.  CharterBank received a “satisfactory” Community Reinvestment Act rating in its most recent federal examination.
 
Transactions with Related Parties.  A federal savings bank’s authority to engage in transactions with its affiliates is limited by Office of Thrift Supervision regulations and by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and its implementing Regulation W.  An affiliate is a company that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with an insured depository institution such as CharterBank.  Charter Financial is an affiliate of CharterBank.  In general, loan transactions between an insured depository institution and its affiliate are subject to certain quantitative and collateral requirements.  In this regard, transactions between an insured depository institution and its affiliate are limited to 10% of the institution’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus for transactions with any one affiliate and 20% of unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus for transactions in the aggregate with all affiliates.  Collateral in specified amounts ranging from 100% to 130% of the amount of the transaction must usually be provided by affiliates in order to receive loans from the association.  In addition, Office of Thrift Supervision regulations prohibit a savings bank from lending to any of its affiliates that are engaged in activities that are not permissible for bank holding companies and from purchasing the securities of any affiliate, other than a subsidiary.  Finally, transactions with affiliates must be consistent with safe and sound banking practices, not involve low-quality assets and be on terms that are as favorable to the institution as comparable transactions with non-affiliates.  The Office of Thrift Supervision requires savings banks to maintain detailed records of all transactions with affiliates.
 
CharterBank’s authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons, is currently governed by the requirements of Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board.  Among other things, these provisions require that extensions of credit to insiders (i) be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons and that do not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features, and (ii) not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of CharterBank’s capital.  In addition, extensions of credit in excess of certain limits must be approved by CharterBank’s Board of Directors.
 
 
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Enforcement.  The Office of Thrift Supervision has primary enforcement responsibility over federal savings institutions and has the authority to bring enforcement action against all “institution-affiliated parties,” including shareholders, and attorneys, appraisers and accountants who knowingly or recklessly participate in wrongful action likely to have an adverse effect on an insured institution.  Formal enforcement action by the Office of Thrift Supervision may range from the issuance of a capital directive or cease and desist order, to removal of officers and/or directors of the institution and the appointment of a receiver or conservator.  Civil penalties cover a wide range of violations and actions, and range up to $25,000 per day, unless a finding of reckless disregard is made, in which case penalties may be as high as $1 million per day.  The FDIC also has the authority to terminate deposit insurance or to recommend to the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision that enforcement action be taken with respect to a particular savings institution.  If action is not taken by the Director, the FDIC has authority to take action under specified circumstances.
 
Standards for Safety and Soundness.  Federal law requires each federal banking agency to prescribe certain standards for all insured depository institutions.  These standards relate to, among other things, internal controls, information systems and audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, compensation, and other operational and managerial standards as the agency deems appropriate.  The federal banking agencies adopted Interagency Guidelines Prescribing Standards for Safety and Soundness to implement the safety and soundness standards required under federal law.  The guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired.  The guidelines address internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, credit underwriting, loan documentation, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits.  If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any standard prescribed by the guidelines, the agency may require the institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard.  If an institution fails to meet these standards, the appropriate federal banking agency may require the institution to submit a compliance plan.
 
Prompt Corrective Action Regulations.  Under the prompt corrective action regulations, the Office of Thrift Supervision is required and authorized to take supervisory actions against undercapitalized savings banks.  For this purpose, a savings bank is placed in one of the following five categories based on the savings bank’s capital:
 
 
well-capitalized (at least 5% leverage capital, 6% Tier 1 risk-based capital and 10% total risk-based capital);

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

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

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

 
critically undercapitalized (less than 2% tangible capital).
 
Generally, the Office of Thrift Supervision is required to appoint a receiver or conservator for a savings bank that is “critically undercapitalized” within specific time frames.  The regulations also provide that a capital restoration plan must be filed with the Office of Thrift Supervision within 45 days of the date a savings bank receives notice that it is “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.”  The criteria for an acceptable capital restoration plan include, among other things, the establishment of the methodology and assumptions for attaining adequately capitalized status on an annual basis, procedures for ensuring compliance with restrictions imposed by applicable federal regulations, the identification of the types and levels of activities the savings bank will engage in while the capital restoration plan is in effect, and assurances that the capital restoration plan will not appreciably increase the current risk profile of the savings bank.  Any holding company for the savings bank required to submit a capital restoration plan must guarantee the lesser of: an amount equal to 5% of a savings bank’s assets at the time it was notified or deemed to be undercapitalized by the Office of Thrift Supervision, or the amount necessary to restore the savings bank to adequately capitalized status.  This guarantee remains in place until the Office of Thrift Supervision notifies the savings bank that it has maintained adequately capitalized status for each of four consecutive calendar quarters, and the Office of Thrift Supervision has the authority to require payment and collect payment under the guarantee.  Failure by a holding company to provide the required guarantee will result in certain operating restrictions on the savings bank, such as restrictions on the ability to declare and pay dividends, pay executive compensation and management fees, and increase assets or expand operations.  The Office of Thrift Supervision may also take any one of a number of discretionary supervisory actions against undercapitalized savings banks, including the issuance of a capital directive and the replacement of senior executive officers and directors.
 
 
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At March 31, 2010, CharterBank met the criteria for being considered “well-capitalized.”
 
Insurance of Deposit Accounts. The Dodd-Frank Act permanently increased the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institution and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor.  Non-interest bearing transaction accounts have unlimited deposit insurance through December 31, 2013. Under the FDIC’s risk-based assessment system, insured institutions are assigned to one of four risk categories based on supervisory evaluations, regulatory capital levels and certain other risk factors. An institution is assigned an assessment rate from 7 to 77.5 basis points based upon the risk category to which it is assigned.
 
The FDIC is authorized to set the reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund annually at between 1.15% and 1.5% of estimated insured deposits.  The Dodd-Frank Act mandates that the statutory minimum reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund increase from 1.15% to 1.35% of insured deposits by September 30, 2020.  Banks with assets of less than $10 billion are exempt from any additional assessments necessary to increase the reserve fund above 1.15%.  As part of a plan to restore the reserve ratio to 1.15%, in 2009 the FDIC imposed a special emergency assessment on all insured institutions equal to five basis points of assets less Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009, payable on September 30, 2009, in order to cover losses to the Deposit Insurance Fund resulting from bank failures.  CharterBank recorded an expense of $ 354,600 during the quarter ended June 30, 2009, to reflect the special assessment.  In addition, the FDIC increased its quarterly deposit insurance assessment rates and amended the method by which rates are calculated.
 
In addition, in lieu of further special assessments, the FDIC required all insured depository institutions to prepay on December 30, 2009 their estimated quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011, and 2012.   Estimated assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for all of 2010 were based upon the assessment rate in effect on September 30, 2009, with 3 basis points added for the 2011 and 2012 assessment rates.  In addition, a 5% annual growth in the assessment base was assumed.  Prepaid assessments are to be applied against the actual quarterly assessments until exhausted, and may not be applied to any special assessments that may occur in the future.  Any unused prepayments will be returned to the institution on June 30, 2013.  On December 30, 2009, CharterBank prepaid approximately $ 3.5 million in estimated assessment fees.  Because the prepaid assessments represent the prepayment of future expense, they do not affect CharterBank’s capital (the prepaid asset will have a risk-weighting of 0%) or tax obligations.
 
Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that an 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. We do not currently know of any practice, condition or violation that may lead to termination of our deposit insurance.
 
In addition to the FDIC assessments, the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) is authorized to impose and collect, with the approval of the FDIC, assessments for anticipated payments, issuance costs and custodial fees on bonds issued by the FICO in the 1980s to recapitalize the former Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the annualized FICO assessment rate equaled 1.06 basis points for each $100 in domestic deposits maintained at an institution.  The bonds issued by the FICO are due to mature in 2017 through 2019.
 
U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program.  The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 provided the Secretary of the Treasury with broad authority to implement certain actions to help restore stability and liquidity to U.S. financial markets. One of the programs established under the legislation is the Troubled Asset Relief Program—Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”), which provided for direct equity investment by the U.S. Treasury Department in perpetual preferred stock or similar securities of qualified financial institutions. CPP participants must comply with a number of restrictions and provisions, including limits on executive compensation, stock redemptions and declaration of dividends.  We opted not to participate in the CPP.
 
 
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Prohibitions Against Tying Arrangements.  Federal savings banks are prohibited, subject to some exceptions, from extending credit to or offering any other service, or fixing or varying the consideration for such extension of credit or service, on the condition that the customer obtain some additional service from the institution or its affiliates or not obtain services of a competitor of the institution.
 
Federal Home Loan Bank System.  CharterBank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which consists of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks.  The Federal Home Loan Bank System provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions as well as other entities involved in home mortgage lending.  As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, CharterBank is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank.  As of March 31, 2010, CharterBank was in compliance with this requirement.
 
Federal Reserve System
 
Federal Reserve Board regulations require savings banks to maintain noninterest-earning reserves against their transaction accounts, such as negotiable order of withdrawal and regular checking accounts.  At March 31, 2010, CharterBank was in compliance with these reserve requirements.
 
Other Regulations
 
Interest and other charges collected or contracted for by CharterBank are subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates.  CharterBank’s operations are also subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as the:
 
 
Truth-In-Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;
 
 
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the community it serves;
 
 
Equal Credit Opportunity Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other prohibited factors in extending credit;
 
 
Fair Credit Reporting Act, governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies;
 
 
Fair Debt Collection Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies;
 
 
Truth in Savings Act; and
 
 
rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing such federal laws.
 
The operations of CharterBank also are subject to the:

 
Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records;
 
 
Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E promulgated thereunder, which govern automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers’ rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services;
 
 
Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act (also known as “Check 21”), which gives “substitute checks,” such as digital check images and copies made from that image, the same legal standing as the original paper check;
 
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The USA PATRIOT Act, which requires savings banks to, among other things, establish broadened anti-money laundering compliance programs, and due diligence policies and controls to ensure the detection and reporting of money laundering. Such required compliance programs are intended to supplement existing compliance requirements that also apply to financial institutions under the Bank Secrecy Act and the Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations; and
 
 
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which places limitations on the sharing of consumer financial information by financial institutions with unaffiliated third parties. Specifically, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires all financial institutions offering financial products or services to retail customers to provide such customers with the financial institution’s privacy policy and provide such customers the opportunity to “opt out” of the sharing of certain personal financial information with unaffiliated third parties.
  
Holding Company Regulation
 
Charter Financial and First Charter, MHC are savings and loan holding companies registered with the Office of Thrift Supervision, and are subject to Office of Thrift Supervision regulations, examinations, supervision and reporting requirements.  In addition, the Office of Thrift Supervision has enforcement authority over Charter Financial and First Charter, MHC and their non-savings institution subsidiaries.  Pursuant to this authority, the Office of Thrift Supervision may restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to be a serious risk to CharterBank.  Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the powers and duties of the Office of Thrift Supervision relating to savings and loan holding companies and their subsidiaries, including rulemaking and supervision authority, will be transferred to the Federal Reserve Board no later than one year from the July 21, 2010 effective date of the legislation, subject to extension of up to six months if requested by the Secretary of the Treasury.
 
Federal law prohibits a savings and loan holding company, directly or indirectly, or through one or more subsidiaries, from acquiring control of another savings institution or holding company thereof, without prior written approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision.  It also prohibits the acquisition or retention of, with specified exceptions, more than 5% of the equity securities of a company engaged in activities that are not closely related to banking or financial in nature or acquiring or retaining control of an institution that is not federally insured.  In evaluating applications by holding companies to acquire savings institutions, the Office of Thrift Supervision must consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the savings institution involved, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the insurance fund, the convenience and needs of the community and competitive factors.
 
Federal Securities Laws
 
After the stock offering, Charter Financial’s common stock will be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  As a result, Charter Financial will be subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
The registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of shares of common stock issued in Charter Financial’s public offering does not cover the resale of those shares.  Shares of common stock purchased by persons who are not affiliates of Charter Financial may be resold without registration.  Shares purchased by an affiliate of Charter Financial will be subject to the resale restrictions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933.  If Charter Financial meets the current public information requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, each affiliate of Charter Financial that complies with the other conditions of Rule 144, including those that require the affiliate’s sale to be aggregated with those of other persons, would be able to sell in the public market, without registration, a limited number of shares in any three-month period.
 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 addresses, among other issues, corporate governance, auditing and accounting, executive compensation, and enhanced and timely disclosure of corporate information. As directed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer will be required to certify that our quarterly and annual reports do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact. The rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act have several requirements, including having these officers certify that: they are responsible for establishing, maintaining and regularly evaluating the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; they have made certain disclosures to our auditors and the audit committee of the Board of Directors about our internal control over financial reporting; and they have included information in our quarterly and annual reports about their evaluation and whether there have been changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could materially affect internal control over financial reporting.  We will be subject to further reporting and audit requirements beginning with the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011 under the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  We will prepare policies, procedures and systems designed to ensure compliance with these regulations.
 
 
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Federal Taxation
 
General.  Charter Financial Corporation and CharterBank are subject to federal income taxation in the same general manner as other corporations, with some exceptions discussed below.  The following discussion of federal taxation is intended only to summarize certain pertinent federal income tax matters and is not a comprehensive description of the tax rules applicable to Charter Financial or CharterBank.
 
Method of Accounting.  For federal income tax purposes, Charter Financial currently reports its income and expenses on the accrual method of accounting and uses a tax year ending September 30 for filing its federal and state income tax returns.
 
Bad Debt Reserves.  Historically, CharterBank has been subject to special provisions in the tax law regarding allowable tax bad debt deductions and related reserves.  Tax law changes were enacted in 1996, pursuant to the Small Business Protection Act of 1996 (the “1996 Act”), that eliminated the use of the percentage of taxable income method for tax years after 1995 and required recapture into taxable income over a six year period all bad debt reserves accumulated after 1988.  CharterBank has previously recaptured its reserves accumulated after 1988.
 
Currently, the Charter Financial consolidated group uses the specific charge off method to account for bad debt deductions for income tax purposes.
 
Taxable Distributions and Recapture.  Prior to the 1996 Act, bad debt reserves created prior to November 1, 1988 were subject to recapture into taxable income if CharterBank failed to meet certain thrift asset and definitional tests.
 
At September 30, 2009, CharterBank’s total federal pre-base year reserve was approximately $2.1 million.  However, under current law, base-year reserves remain subject to recapture if CharterBank makes certain non-dividend distributions, repurchases any of its stock, pays dividends in excess of tax earnings and profits, or ceases to maintain a bank charter.
 
Alternative Minimum Tax.  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), imposes an alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) at a rate of 20% on a base of regular taxable income plus certain tax preferences (“alternative minimum taxable income” or “AMTI”).  The AMT is payable to the extent such AMTI is in excess of an exemption amount and the AMT exceeds the regular income tax.  Net operating losses can offset no more than 90% of AMTI.  Certain payments of AMT may be used as credits against regular tax liabilities in future years.  Charter Financial and CharterBank have not been subject to the AMT and have no such amounts available as credits for carryover.
 
Net Operating Loss Carryovers.  Generally, a financial institution may carry back net operating losses to the preceding two taxable years and forward to the succeeding 20 taxable years.  However, as a result of recent legislation, subject to certain limitations, the carryback period for net operating losses incurred in 2008 or 2009 (but not both years) has been expanded to five years.  At September 30, 2009, First Charter, MHC had a federal tax loss carryforward of approximately $1.6 million that is subject to a Section 382 limit of $116,550 per year.  There is also a remaining Georgia carryforward of approximately $1.6 million that is also limited by Section 382. Charter Financial had no loss carryforwards at September 30, 2009.
 
 
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Corporate Dividends-Received Deduction.  Charter Financial may exclude from its federal taxable income 100% of dividends received from CharterBank as a wholly owned subsidiary.  The corporate dividends-received deduction is 80% when the dividend is received from a corporation having at least 20% of its stock owned by the recipient corporation.  A 70% dividends-received deduction is available for dividends received from corporations owning less than 20% by the recipient corporation.
 
Audit of Tax Returns.  First Charter, MHC, Charter Financial and CharterBank’s federal income taxes for 2007 are in the process of being audited.  Other than such audit, our federal income taxes have not been audited in the most recent five-year period.  Tax years 2006 through 2009 are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities in Georgia and Alabama.
 
State Taxation
 
CharterBank currently files, and after the stock offering will continue to file, Georgia and Alabama income tax returns.  Generally, the income of financial institutions in Georgia and Alabama, which is calculated based on federal taxable income, subject to certain adjustments, is subject to Georgia and Alabama tax, respectively.
 
Charter Financial is required to file a Georgia income tax return and will be generally subject to a state income tax rate that is the same tax rate as the tax rate imposed on financial institutions in Georgia.
 
 
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Shared Management Structure
 
The directors of Charter Financial are the same persons who are the directors of CharterBank.  In addition, certain executive officers of Charter Financial are also executive officers of CharterBank.  Both Charter Financial and CharterBank may choose to appoint additional or different persons as directors and executive officers in the future.  We expect that Charter Financial and CharterBank will continue to have some common executive officers until there is a business reason to establish separate management structures.  To date, executive officers have been compensated only for their services to CharterBank.  Our directors receive additional compensation for their services to Charter Financial.
 
Executive Officers of Charter Financial and CharterBank
 
The following table sets forth information regarding the executive officers of Charter Financial and CharterBank.  Positions listed relate to offices of Charter Financial and CharterBank, unless otherwise stated.  The executive officers of Charter Financial and CharterBank are elected annually.  Ages are as of September 30, 2009.
 
Name
 
Age
 
Position
Robert L. Johnson
 
55
 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Curtis R. Kollar
 
57
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Lee Washam
 
48
 
President of CharterBank
William C. Gladden
 
57
 
Senior Vice President and Secretary
Ronald Warner
 
47
 
Senior Vice President, Credit Administration and Senior Lending Officer for CharterBank
 
Directors of Charter Financial and CharterBank
 
Charter Financial has seven directors.  Directors serve three-year staggered terms so that approximately one-third of the directors are elected at each annual meeting.  Directors of CharterBank will be elected by Charter Financial as its sole shareholder.  The following table states our directors’ names, their ages as of September 30, 2009, the years when they began serving as directors of CharterBank and when their current term expires.
 
Name(1)
 
Position(s) Held With
Charter Financial
 
Age
 
Director
Since
 
Current Term
Expires
Robert L. Johnson
 
Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
55
 
1986
 
2011
David Z. Cauble, III
 
Director
 
56
 
1996
 
2011
Jane W. Darden
 
Director
 
58
 
1988
 
2012
William B. Hudson
 
Director
 
79
 
1975
 
2013
Curti M. Johnson
 
Director
 
49
 
2007
 
2013
Thomas M. Lane
 
Director
 
54
 
1996
 
2012
David L. Strobel
 
Director
 
57
 
2003
 
2011
 

(1)
The mailing address for each person listed is 1233 O.G. Skinner Dr., West Point, Georgia 31833.  Each of the persons listed as a director is also a director of CharterBank, as well as First Charter, MHC.
 
Board Independence
 
The Board of Directors has determined that each of our directors, with the exception of Robert L. Johnson and Curti M. Johnson, is “independent” as defined in the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market.  Robert L. Johnson is not independent because he is one of our executive officers, and Curti M. Johnson is not independent because he is Robert L. Johnson’s brother.  In determining the independence of the directors listed above, the Board of Directors considered a mortgage loan that director David L. Strobel has with CharterBank.
 
 
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Director Qualifications
 
When considering whether directors and nominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, taken as a whole, to enable the Board of Directors to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors focused primarily on the information included in each of the directors’ individual biographies set forth below. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors do not have a diversity policy.  In identifying nominees for directors, however, consideration is given to the diversity of professional experience, education and backgrounds among the directors so that a variety of points of view are represented in Board discussions and deliberations concerning our business.
 
Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors
 
We conduct business through meetings of our Board of Directors and its committees.  During the year ended September 30, 2009, the Boards of Directors of CharterBank and Charter Financial Corporation each met 15 times.  The Board of Directors of Charter Financial Corporation has established the following standing committees:  the Personnel and Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Audit Committee.  Each of these committees operates under a written charter, which governs its composition, responsibilities and operations.
 
The table below sets forth the directors of each of the standing committees as of September 30, 2009, and the number of meetings held by the comparable committee of Charter Financial Corporation during fiscal 2009.  The members of each committee are independent directors as defined under the NASDAQ Stock Market listing standards.  Director Thomas M. Lane will be designated as an “Audit Committee Financial Expert” for the Audit Committee, as that term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
   
Nominating and Corporate
Governance
 
Personnel and Compensation
 
Audit
             
David Z. Cauble, III
 
  X*
 
X
 
  X*
             
Jane W. Darden
 
X
 
X
   
             
William B. Hudson
 
X
 
X
   
             
Thomas M. Lane
 
X
 
  X*
 
X
             
David L. Strobel
 
X
     
X
             
Meetings in Fiscal 2009
 
1
 
3
 
6
 

*
Denotes committee chair as of September 30, 2009.
 
Audit Committee.  The committee oversees and monitors the financial reporting process and internal control system, reviews and evaluates the audit performed by the outside independent certified public accounting firm, and reports any substantive issues found during the audit to the Board of Directors.  The committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the independent certified public accounting firm.  The committee will also review and approve transactions (other than loans, which are approved by the full Board of Directors) with affiliated parties.
 
Personnel and Compensation Committee.  The committee provides advice and recommendation to the Board of Directors in the areas of employee salaries, benefit programs and general human resources policies and practices.
 
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  The committee is responsible for nominating persons for election to the Board of Directors and also reviews whether shareholder nominations (if any) comply with the notice procedures set forth in the Company’s bylaws.
 
 
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The Business Background of Our Directors and Executive Officers
 
Directors:
 
The business experience for the past five years of each of our directors and executive officers is set forth below.  With respect to directors, the biographies also contain information regarding the person’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that caused the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors to determine that the person should serve as a director.  Unless otherwise indicated, directors and executive officers have held their positions for the past five years.
 
Robert L. Johnson. Mr. Johnson has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Charter Financial Corporation since its inception in 2001, Chief Executive Officer of CharterBank since 1996 and President of CharterBank from 1996 to January 2007. On November 27, 2007, Mr. Johnson was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors upon the retirement of Mr. John W. Johnson, Jr.  Prior to that time, he served as Financial Analyst, then Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CharterBank.  He began continuous service with CharterBank in 1984. Mr. Johnson has an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Alabama. He is a graduate of the Graduate School of Community Bank Management. He also serves on the LaGrange College Board of Trustees and is Chairman of The Charter Foundation. Mr. Johnson also is affiliated with the West Point Rotary Club. Mr. Johnson is the brother of Curti M. Johnson, Director.  Mr. Johnson provides the Board of Directors with broad perspective on Charter Financial’s strategies, challenges and opportunities as a result of his long affiliation with CharterBank in a variety of senior management roles.
 
David Z. Cauble, III. Mr. Cauble is self-employed as a food service consultant and investor. He was the Owner and President of Vend-All Company in LaGrange, Georgia, until its sale in 1996. Previously he was Vice President-Sales in his family’s Coca-Cola Bottling business. He is a graduate of Washington & Lee University, serves as Chairman of Cobb Foundation, is a member of Young Presidents’ Organization, and serves as a Junior Warden of the Episcopal Church in LaGrange.  As a manager and owner of several businesses and an investor, Mr. Cauble provides the Board of Directors with insight concerning the opportunities and risks associated with lending to commercial companies and small businesses.
 
Jane W. Darden. Ms. Darden is responsible for overall management, including bookkeeping, for family assets which includes investments, timberland and cattle farming.  She was formerly employed in the banking field for five years, and has a B.A. in Psychology from Converse College.  Ms. Darden serves on Library Committee, Stewardship Committee, Altar Guild and Meals on Wheels for First United Methodist Church of West Point, Georgia.  As a manager of a variety of different businesses, and with her experience in banking, Ms. Darden provides the Board of Directors with a number of different perspectives and insights.
 
William B. Hudson. Mr. Hudson is a retired Account Executive for Smith Barney and its predecessors, where he served for 26 years. He was employed in the brokerage business for 42 years. Mr. Hudson graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in business with postgraduate studies at Auburn University. Mr. Hudson served with the 28th Infantry Division in Germany during the Korean War. He also is past president of the LaGrange Rotary Club and Highland Country Club. Mr. Hudson is a life-long member of the First Baptist Church of LaGrange and active in its affairs. His long-time professional experience in investment management provides the Board of Directors with insight in evaluating investment opportunities and risks related to CharterBank’s investment portfolio.
 
Curti M. Johnson. Mr. Johnson is a member of both the Georgia and Alabama Bar Association. He is a partner in the law firm of Johnson, Caldwell & McCoy in Lanett, Alabama, where he has practiced law since 1990. Prior to that time, Mr. Johnson was an associate attorney with Burr & Forman in Birmingham, Alabama, for four years. Mr. Johnson served as a director for Citizens BancGroup, a bank holding company in Valley, Alabama, from 1988 until it was acquired by CharterBank in 1999. He served as Chairman of Citizens BancGroup from 1996 through 1999. He received his B.A. degree from Vanderbilt University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Mr. Johnson is Vice President and founding board member of the Chattahoochee Fuller Center Project, Inc. Mr. Johnson is the brother of Robert L. Johnson, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Johnson’s legal expertise provides the Board of Directors with insight on legal matters involving CharterBank, and his local contacts with customers and businesses assist the bank with business generation and product offerings.
 
 
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Thomas M. Lane. Mr. Lane is Chief Financial Officer of Lanier Health Services.  He was the Senior Vice President and Treasurer of WestPoint Home, Inc. and its predecessors from March 2000 until March 2007. He previously served as its Treasurer from 1997 to 1999. Prior to that time, he served as Controller of Budgets and Analysis for WestPoint Pepperell, one of the predecessors of West Point Home, Inc. He had been continuously employed in various financial and accounting positions with WestPoint Home and its predecessor companies since June 1976. Mr. Lane received his B.S. in Business Administration from Auburn University in 1976.  Mr. Lane’s diverse senior management experiences in financial and accounting roles for several large enterprises provide the Board of Directors with perspective on CharterBank’s financial and accounting practices and procedures, financial reporting, as well as Charter Financial’s relationship with its internal and external accounting firms.
 
David L. Strobel. Mr. Strobel has been the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Shannon, Strobel & Weaver Constructors & Engineers, Inc. since 1977. He received his B. S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1973, and is a Registered Professional Engineer in 18 states. Mr. Strobel served as a member of the Board of Directors of EBA Bancshares and Eagle Bank of Alabama from 1998 until their acquisition by CharterBank in 2003. In February 1999, he assumed the position of chairman of EBA Bancshares. He joined the Board of Directors of CharterBank and Charter Financial Corporation in August 2003. Mr. Strobel’s other affiliations include the Auburn City Schools Board of Education and several professional societies.  Mr. Strobel’s experience in managing the operations of a construction and engineering business provides the Board with general business acumen, and his real estate and construction knowledge and experience and prior service on the board of another financial institution provides the Board with perspective and experience in CharterBank’s lending operations.
 
Executive Officers Who are Not Directors
 
William C. Gladden. Mr. Gladden, 57, has been the Vice President and Secretary of Charter Financial Corporation since October 2001 and of CharterBank since 1991. He was also a Director of CharterBank from 1988 to 1990. He was the Manager of Telecommunications for West Point Pepperell from 1984 to 1990. Mr. Gladden earned his B.S. in Management from Georgia Tech in 1976. In 2002 he completed his M.S. in technology management also from Georgia Tech. In addition he is a graduate of the National School of Banking of America’s Community Bankers. Mr. Gladden is a member of the Board of Directors of Medical Park Management, Inc. Other affiliations include: Junior Achievement, West Point Rotary Club, The American Society of Corporate Secretaries, and West Point Depot and Visitors Center. He also serves on the board of directors for The Charter Foundation and as Finance Committee Chairman for West Point Methodist Church.
 
Curtis R. Kollar.  Mr. Kollar, 57, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA). He has been the Vice President & Treasurer of CharterBank since 1991 and was named Chief Financial Officer of Charter Financial Corporation in October of 2001 and of CharterBank in January of 2001. He has an undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and an MS in Accounting from Syracuse University. He is a graduate of the Graduate School of Community Bank Management. Mr. Kollar has 24 years experience in the banking field. Mr. Kollar serves as treasurer of West Point First United Methodist Church and he is President of the Board of Directors of the Chattahoochee Valley Hospital Society, a member of the LaGrange Choral Society and a past President of the West Point Rotary Club.
 
Ronald M. Warner.  Mr. Warner, 46, has been a Senior Vice President of CharterBank since 2004 and the Senior Lending Officer for CharterBank since 2008.  Mr. Warner was formerly a Senior Vice President with Flag Bank in LaGrange, Georgia.  Mr. Warner has 20 years of lending and credit experience, the majority with regional banks.   He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The College of Charleston.  He is active with the American Cancer Society and St. Luke United Methodist Church.
 
Lee Washam.  Mr. Washam, 48, has been President of CharterBank since January of 2007. Prior to this, he served as Executive Vice President for six years. Mr. Washam is the former Executive Vice President of Flag Bank, LaGrange, Georgia and has over 26 years of banking experience. He received his B.S. in Business Administration from LaGrange College in 1983 and is a 1995 graduate of The Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. Mr. Washam’s current affiliations include: LaGrange Lions Club, Leadership Troup, Georgia Community Bankers Association, the Board of Governors of Highland Country Club and Finance Committee for New Community Church.
 
 
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Code of Ethics
 
Charter Financial Corporation has adopted a Code of Ethics that is applicable to the officers, directors and employees of Charter Financial Corporation, including Charter Financial Corporation’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.
 
Risks Associated with Compensation Policies and Practices
 
The Board of Directors has an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing management of Charter Financial’s risks. The Board regularly reviews reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to Charter Financial, including credit, financial, operational, liquidity, legal and regulatory risks. In reviewing the reports, the full Board, or the appropriate Committee in the case of risks that are under the purview of a particular Committee, discuss with the members of senior management responsible for the areas covered by the reports how risks have been identified and what strategies and procedures have been put in place to mitigate risks. When a Committee receives a report, the Chairman of the relevant Committee communicates the results of the report review to the full Board at the next Board meeting. This enables the Board and its Committees to coordinate the risk oversight role, particularly with respect to risk interrelationships.
 
We believe that risks arising from our compensation policies and practices for employees are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Charter Financial. This conclusion was reached based on the following factors:

 
the compensation mix is not overly weighted toward annual incentives. The target performance-based cash incentive for meeting the pretax net income budget, expressed as a percent of annual base salary, is 30% for the Chief Executive Officer and 17.5% for the four other executive officers of Charter Financial. Employees who are not officers do not participate in the performance-based cash incentive plan.

 
Charter Financial is not engaged in higher risk activities such as trading securities and derivative instruments.

 
loan originations and investment purchases, which represent the higher risk activities of Charter Financial, must be in compliance with policies established by the Board of Directors and are subject to procedures that monitor compliance with the policies.

 
no significant portion of Charter Financial’s earnings is derived from one particular type of activity.

 
the thresholds that have to be met for payment of performance-based cash incentives are reviewed and approved annually by the Compensation Committee. The thresholds are considered to be reasonable. The Committee also has the authority to increase or deny payments that otherwise would be called for by the performance-based cash incentive plan.
 
 
compliance and ethical behavior are integral factors in all performance assessments. All officers, directors and employees of Charter Financial must attest annually as to their compliance with Charter Financial’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
 
 
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
Overview of Compensation Purpose, Philosophy and Process
 
This section provides (i) a description of the structure and function of the Personnel and Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”), (ii) a description of the objectives of the compensation program for executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table below (our “executive officers”), (iii) a discussion of the design of our executive officer compensation program and (iv) a discussion of each material element of our executive officer compensation program and our rationale for choosing to make the payments listed in the tables following this section.
 
The Compensation Committee’s executive compensation philosophy is that each executive officer’s total compensation, including base salary, short-term incentives, long-term equity incentives, benefits and perquisites should be within market competitive ranges and should be balanced to motivate attainment of our short-term and long-term strategic objectives and individual objectives.  The Compensation Committee believes that each executive officer’s base salary should reflect the officer’s role, responsibility, experience, performance and contribution to the success of Charter Financial Corporation.  Our Compensation Committee considers base salaries “competitive” when they are at the approximate market median of our peer group (see “Use of Compensation Survey”).  The Compensation Committee’s short-term and long-term incentive compensation programs are designed to encourage performance, ownership and alignment with the interests of our shareholders.
 
Corporate Governance
 
Compensation Committee
 
Our Compensation Committee is responsible for administering our executive officer compensation program. The Compensation Committee determines salary levels and amounts of incentive compensation for executive officers, administers our 2001 Stock Option Plan and 2001 Recognition and Retention Plan, including approval of grants to executive officers and non-employee directors, and periodically reviews and approves all compensation decisions and programs relating to our executive officers. The Compensation Committee approves the compensation philosophy and objectives of Charter Financial Corporation and CharterBank, and reviews all compensation components of Charter Financial Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, including base salary, annual incentives, long-term incentives/equity, benefits and other perquisites.  In addition to reviewing competitive market values, the Compensation Committee examines total compensation mix, the pay-for-performance relationship and how elements in the aggregate comprise the executive’s total compensation package.  The Compensation Committee is composed entirely of independent non-employee directors. The members of the Compensation Committee for fiscal 2009 were Thomas M. Lane (Chairman), David Z. Cauble, III, Jane W. Darden and William B. Hudson.
 
Compensation Committee Charter
 
The Compensation Committee’s charter reflects the responsibilities described above. The charter is reviewed at least annually by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors. The text of the current charter can be found at www.charterbank.net.
 
Compensation Consultant/Role of Management
 
The Compensation Committee has authority under its charter to engage the services of independent third party experts to assist it in reviewing and determining executive officer compensation. Pursuant to this authority, the Compensation Committee regularly utilizes the Hay Group to evaluate base and incentive compensation for both executive and non-executive employees.  The Compensation Committee also engaged Meyer-Chatfield in January 2009 to review and make recommendations on the overall compensation for management personnel, including equity awards (both stock options and stock awards), supplemental retirement plans and split-dollar life insurance.  In fiscal 2009, the Compensation Committee engaged the Hay Group to conduct a study of comparative compensation for non-senior positions at CharterBank.  The Compensation Committee also engaged Meyer-Chatfield in connection with the implementation of our new Salary Continuation Plan.
 
 
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Charter Financial Corporation’s management and outside advisors are invited to Compensation Committee meetings to provide their views on compensation matters. Our management participates in the process of determining senior officer compensation by making recommendations to the Compensation Committee, as requested by the Committee, regarding base salary adjustments, incentive plan awards and equity plan awards. Annually, the Compensation Committee evaluates Mr. Johnson’s performance and reports its findings to the Board of Directors.  In addition, Mr. Johnson provides a self-assessment of his performance to the Compensation Committee but does not participate in decisions relating to his compensation. The Compensation Committee makes a recommendation concerning Mr. Johnson’s salary to the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors approves Mr. Johnson’s salary.
 
Compensation Committee Activities in Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009
 
The Compensation Committee met three times during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.  The Compensation Committee’s overall objective regarding executive compensation is to provide the Company’s executives with a competitive, performance-based compensation package to motivate and reward the attainment of the Company’s strategic goals, including financial goals and share performance.  As a result, the Compensation Committee considers not only Charter Financial Corporation’s performance, but the individual executive’s attainment of both annual and long-term goals and objectives and the appropriate mix of compensation in determining each executive’s individual compensation package.  The Compensation Committee believes that a portion of the executive’s total compensation should be at risk based on performance in order to motivate and reward executives to achieve Charter Financial Corporation’s strategic goals.
 
Among other actions taken in fiscal year 2009, the Compensation Committee engaged Meyer-Chatfield as compensation consultant to advise in connection with our executive officer and director compensation and benefit programs.  The Compensation Committee reviewed executive salaries, performance and competitive market factors in fiscal year 2009 and, based on the existing economic environment and a desire for prudent fiscal management, decided to make no base salary adjustment for executive officers during fiscal year 2009. The Compensation Committee also reviewed the compensation structure for our Board of Directors and committees of the Board and determined not to make any changes in 2009.
 
In addition, in January 2009, on the basis of recommendations made by Meyer-Chatfield, the Compensation Committee offered employees and directors the opportunity to cancel existing stock options that had exercise prices substantially in excess of the current fair market value of our shares (which were trading at approximately $8.40 to $8.95 at the time), and in exchange, to receive new stock options under our 2001 Stock Option Plan with an exercise price of $11.00, which at the time, was more than 20% higher than our current fair market value.  At the time, the outstanding stock options had exercise prices ranging between $29.26 and $45.50.  Meyer-Chatfield concluded, and the Compensation Committee agreed, that the existing stock options had no retention value for the officers and employees who held them.  Accordingly Meyer-Chatfield recommended that we allow our non-employee directors and senior officers the opportunity to cancel their existing stock options and receive in exchange new stock options equal to one-half the number of their outstanding options, with an exercise price of $11.00 per share.  For persons with outstanding option awards other than our non-employee directors and senior executives, Charter Financial Corporation agreed to exchange options on a one-for-one basis, with each new option having an option exercise price of $11.00 per share.  All exchanged options were granted on January 27, 2009 and vest after five years, which means that they would vest entirely on January 27, 2014.
 
Objectives of Our Compensation Program
 
Charter Financial Corporation’s executive officer compensation program has the following objectives:

 
Attract, retain, motivate and reward highly qualified and productive executives by providing overall compensation that is competitive with that offered by our competitors;

 
Motivate each individual to perform, to the best of his/her ability, in order to achieve targeted goals for the individual and Charter Financial Corporation;

 
Improve Charter Financial Corporation’s performance, balancing risk-taking with standards of safety and soundness;

 
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Establish compensation levels that provide the greatest potential rewards for positions of greatest responsibility within an equitable framework;

 
Promote the long-term increase in the value of Charter Financial Corporation by providing a portion of compensation in the form of our common stock that vests over a period of years; and

 
Analyze compensation, taking into account all compensation elements, to determine the appropriate mix of compensation that will encourage superior performance and create alignment with the interests of our shareholders.
 
Compensation Program Design

Cash Compensation

Current cash compensation consists of base salary and short-term incentive plan compensation under our Incentive Compensation Plan, which covers our executive officers and employees.

For executive officers, we use compensation information from Hay Group.  For 2009, however, we did not use Hay Group or other peer group data in setting compensation for our executive officers.
 
Our base salary levels for executive officers are intended to be competitive with our peer group and to motivate individuals to discharge the responsibilities of their positions, and to reflect the officer’s role, responsibilities, experience, performance and contribution to CharterBank’s success.   Our Compensation Committee generally adjusts base salaries of senior officers annually with input from Mr.  Johnson or Mr. Washam. In making these adjustments, our Compensation Committee takes into account individual and CharterBank performance; the total current and potential compensation of a given officer; the levels of compensation paid by institutions that compete with us for executive talent; and the relative level of compensation in comparison to other executive officers and to our employees.   At the beginning of fiscal year 2009, however, due to existing economic conditions, the base salaries of our management level employees, including our executive officers, were frozen at fiscal year 2008 levels.  For fiscal year 2010, our Board of Directors approved an increase in base salaries, ranging from 2% to 2.75%.  Mr. Robert L. Johnson, our Chief Executive Officer, has an employment agreement with CharterBank and receives a base salary under that agreement, subject to annual review and adjustment.   Mr. Johnson’s base salary for fiscal year 2010 is $284,346.
 
Use of Compensation Survey
 
We have retained the Hay Group as compensation consultants to advise us with respect to our base compensation program.  Most recently, Hay Group reviewed 54 positions within our organization (not including the executive team).  The information provided by Hay Group was derived from its proprietary data bases, including the Hay National General Industry Survey and the Hay National Banking Industry Data, and was discounted by 7% to reflect the local market. We also use Meyer-Chatfield as compensation consultants for our executive officers and director compensation.

The Compensation Committee relies on peer group surveys prepared by consultants Meyer-Chatfield and the Hay Group to assess the competitiveness of CharterBank’s pay practices in the marketplace. The peer group data is used in combination with other published supplemental survey sources reflecting industry data for banks similar in size and location, as well as information relating to individual and CharterBank performance to help the Compensation Committee make compensation decisions.  Our last comprehensive compensation evaluation of the positions held by our executive officers occurred in fiscal 2006.  We have not made any major changes in executive job grades since then.  Job grades and pay ranges have been adjusted, using market-based data provided by the Hay Group from its national data base.

Impact of Performance on Cash Compensation
 
CharterBank maintains an incentive compensation plan for employees to earn bonuses based on the achievement of objective pre-established performance goals.  The plan consists of an incentive program that rewards performance, based on the achievement of key operating goals.  All non-commissioned employees who are not covered under another cash incentive compensation plan are eligible to participate.  Prior to fiscal year 2006, a portion of these incentive payments were made annually and the remaining portion was paid in equal installments over the following one to three years, depending on the employee’s position with CharterBank.  In fiscal year 2006, the Board of Directors terminated this program and the entire incentive payment was made in fiscal year 2006.  In fiscal years 2007 and 2008, the remaining portions of the incentives that were withheld in prior years were paid out on schedule, in addition to the incentives that were earned for the period.  For fiscal year 2009, no incentive compensation was paid to any officer or employee because we did not meet our performance goals for the fiscal year.
 
 
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Incentive compensation plan payouts are based on the level of individual and CharterBank performance measured against strategic criteria in the following categories: corporate achievement, departmental/business achievement and individual achievement.
 
In addition to performance-based compensation paid under our incentive compensation plan, we may from time to time make discretionary cash bonus payments to rectify inequities or recognize outstanding performance. No such bonus payments were made during fiscal year 2009.
 
Equity Compensation Plan
 
As a newly public company, Charter Financial Corporation granted restricted shares and stock options to key executives for the first time in 2002 under its 2001 Recognition and Retention Plan and 2001 Stock Option Plan, and has continued to make awards over time as conditions warrant or as new officers or directors are added.  These plans authorized the grant of 283,177 shares of restricted stock and 707,943 options, respectively, to our officers, employees and directors.  The stock-based incentive plans are one of the most important elements of our total compensation package, because they directly tie the interests of executive officers to the interests of Charter Financial Corporation’s shareholders.

In making award decisions from time to time, the Compensation Committee reviews regulatory guidelines, market data, and input provided by our consultants and attorneys.  The Committee also considers recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer for grants to other executive officers. Awards have been based upon the individual’s responsibilities and position, years of service, and the value of the individual’s expected contribution to our future success.

As a result of recent market conditions and other factors affecting our stock price, all of our outstanding stock options at the beginning of fiscal year 2009 were significantly “underwater,” which means that the exercise price significantly exceeded the then market price of our shares.  As a result, our stock options were no longer useful in motivating and retaining key employees.  In fiscal year 2009, we engaged Meyer-Chatfield to review our stock options and make recommendations regarding whether repricing such options would be appropriate under the circumstances.  Meyer-Chatfield recommended repricing such options by cancelling existing options and granting new options to our employees and directors.  For executive officers and directors, Meyer-Chatfield’s recommendation was to grant new options equal to one-half the number previously held by such persons and, with respect to other employees, they recommended that new grants be made on a one-for-one basis.  Meyer-Chatfield further recommended that such options be granted with an exercise price at least 20% above the then market price of Charter Financial Corporation’s common stock.  On the basis of Meyer-Chatfield’s recommendations, in January 2009, we offered employees and directors the opportunity to cancel existing stock options and replace them with new options in the amounts recommended with an exercise price of $11.00 per option, which was slightly greater than 20% above the then market value of our shares.  To emphasize the retention aspect of the option awards, we granted all such options with a five-year cliff vesting schedule.

Elements of Compensation

Overview
 
Our executive officer compensation program consists of the following elements: (i) base salary; (ii) a performance-based annual cash bonus under our incentive compensation plan; (iii) awards of stock options and restricted shares of Charter Financial common stock under our 2001 Stock Option Plan and 2001 Recognition and Retention Plan; and (iv) perquisites for certain executive officers. The following describes the elements of compensation and provides information on our decisions regarding fiscal 2009 compensation.
 
 
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Cash Incentive Awards
 
Charter Financial Corporation determines cash incentive awards in accordance with the guidelines established by our Compensation Committee under our incentive compensation plan. Our goals are:
 
 
To maximize long-term shareholder value by reinforcing achievement of key operating goal(s) as defined in our business plan and commitment to achievement of long-term strategic objectives.
 
 
To foster teamwork and cooperation, yet reinforce the importance of individual performance.
 
 
To reward measureable, demonstrated results and require a minimum level of performance before paying incentives.
 
Our Compensation Committee selects officers to whom awards are made and the total potential incentive compensation for each officer under the incentive compensation plan.  In making these determinations, our Compensation Committee considers the responsibilities and grade classification of each officer; each officer’s performance and anticipated future contributions to Charter Financial Corporation; and prevailing market compensation levels for similar positions at other banks as determined by the Meyer-Chatfield compensation study. The Compensation Committee also considers recommendations for award levels made by our Chief Executive Officer.
 
The incentive compensation plan provides for an incentive, based on performance as measured by goal attainment from the scorecard model.  Award opportunities are summarized within the corporate scorecard spreadsheet and approved annually by the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.  Payouts under our incentive compensation plan are determined based on achievement of pre-established fiscal year budget targets for categories of strategic criteria in comparison to actual results (for financial measures) or goals (for other measures).
 
In past years and in future years, each financial target and non-financial goal is weighted, based on the Compensation Committee’s determination of the relative importance of each target and goal to our overall performance. The specific targets and percentages differ for each goal.   Awards under the plan are based upon actual performance, compared to budgeted goals, and the officer’s job grade mid-point within Charter Financial Corporation.

Potential cash awards are based on attainment opportunities by job family as a percentage of base salary (non-exempt employees = 10%; exempt employees = 15%; assistant vice-president level = 25%; vice-president level = 30%; senior vice-president level = 35%; and chief executive officer level = 60%). The attainment opportunities are calculated across a job grade mid-point and employees may earn from 0% to 100% of the attainment opportunity (e.g, a senior vice-president with a mid-point of $100,000 has an incentive opportunity of 35%, or $35,000). The Compensation Committee reviews the incentive compensation plan metrics at least annually to ensure they are aligned with our strategic plan.  The Compensation Committee believes that the incentive targets are within competitive market ranges.

In fiscal year 2009, we established $3.65 million in pre-tax income, as adjusted to exclude nonrecurring items, as a threshold goal to be met before any incentive compensation could be paid.  This financial goal would be fully achieved at $6.85 million in pre-tax income (e.g., the target goal), excluding nonrecurring items. We did not set a "stretch" goal. However , achievement at a level above the target goal would result in a proportionately higher payout.  Because the threshold of $3.65 million was not achieved, no payments were made under the plan in fiscal 2009. For 2009, no other financial or non-financial performance goals were established.

 
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Equity Awards

Our Compensation Committee may make awards to our executive officers in the form of both shares of restricted stock and stock options. The award levels and vesting schedule are determined based on various factors, including performance and responsibilities of individual executives; regulatory requirements governing post-offering equity grants; the previous history of Charter Financial Corporation as a mutual institution and the absence of prior equity compensation; and competitive market information provided by Meyer-Chatfield.  The Compensation Committee also considers the accounting consequences of the awards to Charter Financial Corporation and the different tax consequences to executives and Charter Financial Corporation resulting from grants of incentive and non-qualified stock options and restricted shares.  See “—Compensation Committee Activities in Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009” and “—Equity Compensation Plan” for a discussion of our Compensation Committee’s 2009 discussion to cancel existing options and grant new options.

Benefits

Charter Financial Corporation provides individual supplemental life insurance benefits to its executive officers. Additionally, all executive officers participate in the benefit plans generally available to our employees, including medical insurance, our 401(k) plan and employee stock ownership plan. We also recently implemented a supplemental executive retirement plan for Messrs. Johnson, Washam and Kollar, in the form of individual Salary Continuation Agreements. This plan is intended to promote these senior executives’ continued service by providing a supplement to the executives’ other retirement benefits. The benefit is based on final cash compensation and length of service with Charter Financial Corporation.
 
Perquisites
 
Charter Financial Corporation provides perquisites to certain of our executive officers in the form of use of a company-owned automobile, country club membership and physical examinations.
 
Employment Agreements
 
Charter Financial Corporation entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Robert L. Johnson, our President and Chief Executive Officer.  The employment agreement was amended in December 2009 (as amended, the “employment agreement”).  The employment agreement has a term of three years and may be renewed annually after a review of the executive’s performance.  In addition to base salary, currently $277,410, the executive may receive other cash compensation in an amount not to exceed $100,000 in any year.  In addition, the agreement provides for participation in employee benefit plans and programs maintained by Charter Financial Corporation, including retirement, pension, savings, profit-sharing or stock bonus plans, any group life, health, dental, accident and long-term disability insurance plans, incentive compensation plans or programs, stock option and appreciation rights plans and restricted stock plans.  Charter Financial Corporation will provide the executive with the use of an automobile and reimburse him for business expenses, including membership fees in clubs and organizations that are necessary and appropriate for business purposes.  The agreement also guarantees customary corporate indemnification and errors and omissions insurance coverage throughout the employment term and for six years after termination.  The employment agreement also provides uninsured disability benefits.

Charter Financial Corporation may terminate the executive’s employment, and the executive may resign, at any time with or without cause.  However, in the event of termination during the term of employment without cause, Charter Financial Corporation will owe the executive his earned but unpaid compensation and benefits due under our employee benefit plans and programs and those of CharterBank and he will also receive a lump-sum severance payment equal to three times his five-year average compensation, payable within 60 days of his termination of employment, unless the executive is considered a “specified employee” of a publicly traded company, in which case such payment will be delayed for six months after termination of employment, if necessary, to avoid a tax under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.   The same severance benefits would be payable if the executive resigns during the term of employment following:
 
 
the failure of Charter Financial Corporation to appoint or re-appoint or elect or re-elect him to his executive position or, if he is also a director, the failure of the shareholders to elect or re-elect him as a member of the Board of Directors;
 
 
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a material reduction in duties, functions or responsibilities not cured after 30 days notice; involuntary relocation of the executive’s principal place of employment to a location more than 35 miles from Charter Financial Corporation’s principal office in West Point, Georgia, and more than 35 miles from the executive’s principal residence;
 
 
any reduction in base salary in effect from time to time or any change in the terms of any compensation or benefits programs in which he participates, which individually, or together with other changes, has a material adverse effect on the aggregate value of his total compensation package; or
 
 
other material breach of contract by Charter Financial Corporation or CharterBank which is not cured within 30 days.
 
Mr. Johnson is subject to a covenant not to compete for one year following termination during the employment period, unless his termination occurs under circumstances entitling him to an additional severance payment.  He is also subject to nonsolicitation and confidentiality provisions under the employment agreement.
 
Change in Control Agreements

CharterBank entered into two-year change of control agreements with Curtis R. Kollar, William C. Gladden, and Lee Washam and with another senior officer.  These agreements are guaranteed by Charter Financial Corporation.  The term of these agreements is perpetual until CharterBank gives notice of non-extension, at which time the term is fixed for two years.

Generally, CharterBank may terminate the employment of any officer covered by these agreements, with or without cause, at any time prior to a change in control or a pending change in control.  In such case, the executive will be entitled to his or her earned but unpaid compensation as of the date of termination, without obligation for additional severance benefits.  However, if CharterBank or Charter Financial Corporation signs a merger agreement or other business combination agreement, or if a third party makes a tender offer or initiates a proxy contest, it may not terminate an officer’s employment without cause without liability for severance benefits.  The severance benefits would generally be made in a lump-sum payment equal to two times the executive’s salary, bonus, short-term and long-term cash compensation received in the  two years prior to the occurrence of termination of employment.  In addition, CharterBank will provide the executive and his or her dependents with continued group life, health, dental, accident and long-term disability insurance benefits on the same terms as prior to termination for a period of  two years, subject to reduction to the extent that such coverage is provided by a subsequent employer or through Medicare.  CharterBank would pay the same severance benefits if the officer resigns after a change of control following:
 
 
a loss of title or position held immediately prior to the change of control or failure to vest in the executive the functions, duties or responsibilities customarily associated with such position that is not cured within 30 days after notice from the executive;
 
 
any reduction in base salary in effect from time to time or any change in the terms of any compensation or benefits programs in which the executive participates, which individually, or together with other changes, has a material adverse effect on the aggregate value of his total compensation package;
 
 
an involuntary relocation of his principal place of employment to a location more than 35 miles from CharterBank’s principal office on the day before the change of control and more than 35 miles from the officer’s principal residence; or
 
 
any other material breach of contract which is not cured within 30 days.
 
In the event of the executive’s disability occurring during a pending change of control or following a change of control, these agreements also provide uninsured disability benefits for the executive.
 
 
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Benefit Plans.

401(k) Plan.  CharterBank has adopted a 401(k) plan, which is a tax-qualified defined contribution plan, for employees of CharterBank who have completed at least three months of service.  Eligible employees may contribute from 1% to 15% of annual compensation on a pre-tax basis each year, subject to limitations of the Internal Revenue Code.  The 401(k) plan has an individual account for each participant’s contributions and allows each participant to direct the investment of his or her account.  Participants may purchase Charter Financial Corporation common stock in the aftermarket with their 401(k) accounts; however, participants will not be entitled to purchase stock in the stock offering through their 401(k) plan accounts.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  This plan is a tax-qualified plan that covers substantially all employees who have at least one year of service with CharterBank.  CharterBank implemented the plan in connection with the 2001 reorganization into the mutual holding company structure and stock offering.  Charter Financial Corporation made a loan to the ESOP to purchase 8% of the shares sold in the initial offering, or 317,158 shares.  The ESOP loan has a term of 30 years, but may be prepaid more rapidly.  The shares purchased with the ESOP loan were initially held as pledged collateral for the loan in a suspense account but are released from the suspense account and allocated to participants’ accounts as the ESOP loan is repaid.  Although contributions to this plan are discretionary, CharterBank intends to contribute enough each year to make the required principal and interest payments on the loan.  In connection with the stock offering, our ESOP is expected to either obtain a second loan or refinance the original loan and purchase an additional 300,000 shares in the stock offering.  We reserve the right, however, to have the ESOP purchase more than 300,000 shares of common stock in the stock offering (up to the regulatory limit of 4.9% of the shares of common stock outstanding, as adjusted) if necessary to complete the stock offering at the minimum of the offering range.

Benefit Restoration Plan.  In connection with our initial stock offering in 2001, Charter Financial Corporation implemented a Benefit Restoration Plan, which was intended to provide certain executive officers with benefits and contributions equal to those that they could not receive under our tax-qualified 401(k) Plan and ESOP due to certain tax law limits.  In addition, the Benefit Restoration Plan was intended to provide an additional benefit for any participant who retires prior to the payment in full of the ESOP loan, approximately equal to the amount such person would have received had he or she continued to work for the duration of the ESOP loan.  The Benefit Restoration Plan was frozen, effective in January 2009, in connection with CharterBank’s implementation of a new Salary Continuation Plan.  At the time that it was frozen, the only participant in the Benefit Restoration Plan was Mr. Johnson.

Salary Continuation Plan.  In January 2009, CharterBank implemented a Salary Continuation Plan for the benefit of three of our named executive officers: Messrs. Johnson, Washam and Kollar.  The Salary Continuation Plan is intended to provide a benefit equal to a percentage (50% for Mr. Johnson; 30% for Mr. Washam and 10% for Mr. Kollar) of the named executive officer’s average base salary for the highest three calendar years ending on the earlier of the executive’s normal retirement age or separation from service.  With respect to Mr. Johnson, who participated in our Benefit Restoration Plan prior to the date it was frozen, the benefit under the Salary Continuation Plan will be reduced by the benefit available to him under the Benefit Restoration Plan.  The benefit will be payable in 180 monthly installments no earlier than the executive’s early retirement date (e.g., the later of 10 years of service or age 62).

Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan.  In 2006, CharterBank entered into an endorsement split dollar life insurance plan covering our executive officers that provided a supplemental death benefit of $100,000 to a covered executive’s beneficiary in the event of the executive’s pre- or post-retirement death.  In 2010, CharterBank entered into separate endorsement split dollar agreements with each of Messrs. Johnson, Washam and Kollar, which increased their pre-retirement death benefit by $2,000,000, $1,000,000 and $500,000, respectively, or the net amount at risk under the policy, whichever is less at the time of death.  In the event of Messrs. Johnson’s, Washam’s or Kollar’s post-retirement death, the benefit would be reduced, but not below $100,000.
 
 
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Executive Compensation

The following table sets forth for the year ended September 30, 2009 certain information as to the total remuneration paid by Charter Financial Corporation to Robert L. Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Curtis R. Kollar, Chief Financial Officer, and the three other most highly compensated executive officers of Charter Financial Corporation or CharterBank (“Named Executive Officers”).

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
Name and principal position
 
Year
 
Salary ($)(1)
   
Bonus ($)
   
Stock
awards ($)(3)
   
Option
awards ($)(4)
   
Non-equity
incentive plan
compensation
($)
   
Change in
pension value
and
nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings ($)(5)
   
All other
compensation
($)(6)
   
Total ($)
 
Robert L. Johnson
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
2009
  $ 315,311 (2)   $     $     $ 45,140     $     $ 76,955     $ 136,357     $ 573,763  
                                                                     
Curtis R. Kollar
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
2009
    147,854                   19,444             15,868       39,385       222,551  
                                                                     
Lee Washam
President of Charter Bank
 
2009
    189,302                   18,300             33,661       64,726       305,989  
                                                                     
William C. Gladden
Senior Vice President
 
2009
    94,605                   10,370                   17,069       122,044  
                                                                     
Ronald Warner
Senior Vice President, Credit Administration and Senior Lending Officer
 
2009
    109,567                   7,320                   8,224       125,111  
 

(1)
Includes $14,938, $16,012, $10,048, $12,786 and $2,191 of elective deferrals to Charter Financial Corporation’s 401(k) plan by Messrs. Johnson, Kollar, Washam, Gladden and Warner, respectively.
(2)
Includes director fees in the amount of $37,900.
(3)
No stock awards were granted in the 2009 fiscal year.
(4)
Reflects the grant date fair value of option awards that had been granted under the Charter Financial Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan on January 27, 2009.  The fair value is the amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Stock Compensation (formerly FASB Statement 123R).  The option valuations are based upon the Black-Scholes valuation model using the following assumptions for the awards in 2009:  (1) expected term of option, 8 years; (2) annual volatility of common stock, 42.13%; (3) expected dividend yield of common stock, 11.75%; and (4) risk-free interest rate, 3.21% per annum, which results in a valuation of $.61 per option.
(5)
Reflects change in value in Salary Continuation Agreements only.
(6)
All other compensation was comprised of the following elements for the year ended September 30, 2009:
 
 
128

 

   
Johnson
   
Kollar
   
Washam
   
Gladden
   
Warner
 
                               
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
  $ 16,850     $ 14,905     $ 16,130     $ 11,119     $ 6,032  
Benefit Restoration Plan
    28,052                          
Life Insurance Premiums (1)
    875       891       332       891       239  
Dividends on Restricted Stock(2)
    80,229       23,181       38,635       3,091       1,545  
Automobile
    3,206             3,900              
Country Club Dues
                2,322       1,560        
Executive Health Benefits
    6,737             2,999              
Long-term Disability Premiums
    408       408       408       408       408  
      136,357       39,385       64,726       17,069       8,224  
 

(1)
Reflects payments for life insurance reported as taxable compensation on the Named Executive Officer’s Form W-2.
(2)
Reflects dividends and interest paid on shares of restricted common stock that vested during 2009, which we reported as taxable compensation on the Named Executive’s Officer’s Form W-2.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards.  The following table sets forth certain information as to grants of plan-based awards for the Named Executive Officers for the year ended September 30, 2009.

                                   
       
 
 
Estimated Future Payouts
under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
   
All other
stock awards:
number of
shares or
units (#)
   
All other
option awards:
number of
securities
underlying
options (#)
   
Exercise or
base price
of option
awards
($/Sh)
   
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards (2)
 
Name
 
Grant date
 
Threshold
   
Target (1)
                 
                                         
Robert L. Johnson
 
1/27/2009
    85,306       170,612       -       74,000       11.00     $ 45,140  
Curtis R. Kollar
 
1/27/2009
    36,455       72,910       -       31,875       11.00       19,444  
Lee Washam
 
1/27/2009
    26,394       52,788       -       30,000       11.00       18,300  
William C. Gladden
 
1/27/2009
    17,611       35,222       -       17,000       11.00       10,370  
Ronald Warner
 
1/27/2009
    22,329       44,658       -       12,000       11.00       7,320  
 

(1)
The non-equity incentive compensation plan does not provide a maximum award limit.  Achievement above the target level results in a proportionately higher incentive compensation award.
(2)
Options were valued at $.61 per option using the Black-Scholes valuation method.  For further information on the determination of option value, see footnote (4) to the Summary Compensation Table.

Grants of stock options reflected in the above table were made pursuant to the Charter Financial Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan.  For the year ended September 30, 2009, all existing options were cancelled and new options were awarded in January 2009 to each Named Executive Officer as shown in the above table.  Upon the recommendation of Meyer-Chatfield and in order to motivate and retain our officers and employees, we offered employees and directors the opportunity to cancel outstanding stock options that had exercise prices ranging from $29.26 to $45.50 and replace such options with new options with an exercise price of $11.00.  All such persons agreed and Charter Financial Corporation repriced all outstanding stock options, including those awarded to our Named Executive Officers, by cancelling such options and replacing them with options with a strike price of $11.00, which was at least 20% higher than the then-market value of Charter Financial Corporation common stock.  With respect to Named Executive Officers, one repriced option was granted for every two options cancelled.  The repriced options were awarded subject to a five-year cliff vesting schedule so that all repriced options would become exercisable on January 27, 2014 (or earlier in the event of the recipient’s death or disability).  For a further discussion of grants made pursuant to this plan for the year ended September 30, 2009, see “—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Equity Compensation Plan.”

Incentive Compensation Plan.  Charter Financial Corporation maintains an incentive compensation plan that provides for an incentive bonus based on performance as measured by goal attainment from the scorecard model.  Pay-outs under the incentive compensation plan are determined based on achievement of pre-established fiscal year budget targets for categories of strategic criteria in comparison to actual results.  However, for fiscal 2009, we did not reach our threshold financial goal of $3.65 million in pre-tax income, excluding nonrecurring items; accordingly, no payouts were made under the incentive compensation plan for fiscal 2009.
 
 
129

 

Stock-Based Benefit Plans.  Charter Financial has implemented two stock-based incentive plans which are discussed below.  The purpose of the plans is to better align the interests of our management and Board of Directors with those of our shareholders, provide performance incentives to our senior officers and directors, and to encourage the retention of key employees and directors by facilitating the purchase of our stock through the exercise of options as well as the ownership of our stock through restricted stock awards.
 
2001 Stock Option Plan.  A total of 707,943 shares have been reserved for issuance under the 2001 Stock Option Plan.  Stock option awards may be made to eligible employees and directors of CharterBank or Charter Financial.  Pursuant to the plan, option grants may be made that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options as well as options that do not so qualify.  Incentive stock options may only be granted to employees.  The plan is administered by a committee consisting of the members of the Compensation Committee of Charter Financial.  Unless the Compensation Committee provides otherwise, stock options will vest no more rapidly than 20% per year, commencing on the first anniversary of initial shareholder approval of the plan, provided that all awards will become fully vested in the event of the award recipient’s death, disability, retirement or a change of control.  A stock option may generally be exercised for a period of ten years, except in certain circumstances.  The exercise price of stock options will be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.
 
2001 Recognition and Retention Plan.  The maximum number of shares of Charter Federal Corporation common stock available for awards under the 2001 Recognition and Retention Plan is 283,177 shares.  Stock awards may be made to eligible employees and directors of CharterBank or Charter Financial Corporation.  The plan is administered by a committee consisting of the members of the Compensation Committee of Charter Financial Corporation.  Unless the Compensation Committee provides otherwise, shares of common stock subject to an award will become vested at the rate of 20% per year, commencing 20 calendar days after the end of the calendar quarter that includes the first anniversary of the plan’s effective date, and will become fully vested on the 20th calendar day after the end of the calendar quarter that includes the fifth anniversary of the plan’s effective date, provided that all awards will become fully vested in the event of the award recipient’s death, disability, termination of service upon retirement, or upon a change in control.  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, any cash dividends or distributions declared and paid with respect to shares subject to an award that are allocated to an eligible director or employee in connection with such award will be subject to the same vesting and other restrictions as the shares to which the award relates, and will be invested for the benefit of the eligible director or employee in money market accounts or certificates of deposit.  Any dividends or distributions declared and paid in property other than cash with respect to shares of common stock will be subject to the same vesting and other restrictions as the shares to which the award relates.  All voting rights pertaining to unvested shares related to an award or to shares that are contained in the fund established under the plan and not allocated in connection with an award will be exercised by the funding agent in such manner as to reflect the voting directions given for all other outstanding shares, except for shares voted by First Charter, MHC.  An award is not transferable by the eligible director or employee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and the shares granted pursuant to such award and held in the trust will be distributable, during the lifetime of the recipient, only to the recipient.

 
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Year End.  The following table sets forth information with respect to outstanding equity awards as of September 30, 2009 for the Named Executive Officers.
                                                                     
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2009(1)  
    Option awards     Stock awards
 
Name
  Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable    
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
unexercisable (2)
   
Equity
incentive plan
awards:
number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
earned options
(#)
   
Option
exercise
price ($)
 
Option
expiration
date
   
Number of
shares or units
of stock that
have not
vested (#)
   
Market value of
shares or units of
stock that have
not vested ($)(8)
   
Equity incentive
plan awards:
number of
unearned shares,
units or other
rights that have
not vested (#)
   
Equity
incentive plan
awards:
market or
payout value
of unearned
shares, units
or other rights
that have not
vested ($)
 
Robert L. Johnson
          74,000           $ 11.00  
1/27/19
      20,766 (3)   $ 254,384              
                                                                     
Curtis R. Kollar
          31,875           $ 11.00  
1/27/19
      1,000 (4)   $ 12,250              
                                                                     
Lee Washam
          30,000           $ 11.00  
1/27/19
      6,500 (5)   $ 79,625              
                                                                     
William C. Gladden
          17,000           $ 11.00  
1/27/19
      200 (6)   $ 2,450              
                                                                     
Ronald Warner
          12,000           $ 11.00  
1/27/19
      200 (7)   $ 2,450              
 

(1)
All equity awards reflected in this table were granted pursuant to Charter Financial Corporation’s 2001 Recognition and Retention Plan or 2001 Stock Option Plan, described above.
(2)
All unvested stock options will vest on January 27, 2014.
(3)
5,192, 5,191, 5,192 and 5,191 restricted stock awards will vest on July 27, 2010, July 27, 2011, July 27, 2012 and July 27, 2013, respectively.
(4)
All restricted stock awards will vest on September 27, 2010.
(5)
2,500, 2,500 and 1,500 restricted stock awards will vest on January 30, 2011, January 30, 2012 and September 27, 2010, respectively.
(6)
All restricted stock awards will vest on September 27, 2010.
(7)
All restricted stock awards will vest on September 27, 2010.
(8)
Based on the $12.25 per share trading price of our common stock on September 30, 2009.
 
 
131

 
 
Option Exercises and Stock Vested.  The following table sets forth information with respect to option exercises and stock that vested during the year ended September 30, 2009 for the Named Executive Officers.
 
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED FOR THE YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
 
   
Option awards
   
Stock awards
 
Name
 
Number of shares
acquired on exercise
(#)
   
Value realized on
exercise ($)
   
Number of shares
acquired on vesting
(#)
   
Value realized on
vesting ($) (1)
 
Robert L. Johnson
                5,191     $ 73,972  
                                 
Curtis R. Kollar
                1,500       21,375  
                                 
Lee Washam
                2,500       35,625  
                                 
William C. Gladden
                200       2,850  
                                 
Ronald Warner
                100       1,425  
 

(1)
Based on the $14.25 per share trading price of our common stock on the vesting date, which was August 1, 2009.

Pension Benefits.  The following table sets forth information with respect to pension benefits at and for the year ended September 30, 2009 for the Named Executive Officers who are participants in our Salary Continuation Plan.
 
PENSION BENEFITS AT AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
 
Name
 
Plan name
 
Number of years
credited service (#)
   
Present value of
accumulated benefit
($)
   
Payments during last
fiscal year ($)
 
Robert L. Johnson
 
Salary Continuation Agreement
          76,955        
                             
Curtis R. Kollar
 
Salary Continuation Agreement
          15,868        
                             
Lee Washam
 
Salary Continuation Agreement
          33,661        

Salary Continuation Plan.  CharterBank entered into Salary Continuation Plan Agreements with Messrs. Robert L. Johnson, Curtis R. Kollar, and Lee Washam, effective as of January 1, 2009.  On the date of the executive’s separation from service on or after attainment of normal retirement age (the later of age 65 or ten years of service) for reasons other than death, disability, termination for cause or other circumstances specified in the plan, or upon a separation from service within two years after a change in control, the executive will receive an annual benefit equal to a percentage (50% for Mr. Johnson, 10% for Mr. Kollar and 30% for Mr. Washam) of the executive’s average base salary for the highest three consecutive calendar years ending on the earlier of the executive’ normal retirement age or the date of the executive’s separation from service within two years after a change in control, payable in equal monthly installments for 15 years beginning on the first day of the month after the executive’s normal retirement date.
 
Upon the executive’s early retirement date (defined as the executive’s separation from service upon or following the completion of ten years of service and attainment of age 62, but before normal retirement age, for reasons other than death, disability, termination for cause or other circumstances specified in the plan, or upon a separation from service within two years after a change in control), the executive will be entitled to an amount equal to the accrual balance (as defined in the plan) earned as of the last day of the month immediately preceding the executive’s early retirement date, payable in 180 equal monthly installments beginning on the first day of the month after the executive’s early retirement date.  Upon the executive’s early termination date (defined  as separation from service upon or following completion of ten years of service but before reaching his early retirement date or normal retirement date, for reasons other than death, disability, termination for cause or other circumstances specified in the plan, or separation from service within two years after a change in control), the executive will receive an amount equal to the accrual balance earned as of the last day of the plan year immediately preceding or coinciding with the executive’s early termination date, payable in 180 equal monthly installments beginning on the first day of the month after the executive’s normal retirement age.
 
 
132

 
 
In the event the executive becomes disabled before reaching normal retirement age, the executive will receive an annual amount equal to the normal retirement benefit computed as if the executive had continued in the employ of CharterBank at the rate of the annual base salary in effect at the date of his disability determination until attainment of normal retirement age.  The disability benefit will be payable in equal monthly installments for 15 years beginning on the first day of the month after the executive’s disability determination.
 
In the event of separation from service within two years after a change in control, the executive will receive an amount equal to the normal retirement benefit or the executive’s accrual balance as of the last day of the plan year preceding the change in control’s effective date, whichever is greater, payable in 180 equal monthly installments beginning on the first day of the month after the month after the executive’s separation from service.
 
The distribution of Mr. Johnson’s benefit under his Salary Continuation Plan Agreement is subject to the following reduction:  in the event Mr. Johnson’s benefit under the Benefit Restoration Plan is paid in 120 equal monthly installments, then each of the last 120 monthly installments payable under Mr. Johnson’s Salary Continuation Plan Agreement will be reduced by each corresponding monthly installment payment paid under the Benefit Restoration Plan during such 120-month period.  If Mr. Johnson’s benefit under the Benefit Restoration Plan is paid in a lump sum, then each monthly installment under Mr. Johnson’s Salary Continuation Plan Agreement will be reduced by the amount of the monthly payment that would have been made under the Benefit Restoration Plan if 180 equal monthly installments with a present value equal to such lump sum had been paid under the Benefit Restoration Plan.
 
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation.  The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our Benefit Restoration Plan, a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, at and for the year ended September 30, 2009.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation At And For The Year Ended September 30, 2009
 
Name
 
Executive
contributions in
last fiscal year ($)
(1)
   
Registrant
contributions in
last fiscal year ($)
(1)
   
Aggregate
earnings in last
fiscal year ($) (2)
   
Aggregate
withdrawals/
distributions ($)
   
Aggregate balance
at last fiscal year
end ($)
 
                               
Robert L. Johnson
        $ 28,052       10,862           $ 822,116  
 

(1)
Contributions included in the “Registrant contributions in last fiscal year” column are included as compensation for Robert L. Johnson in the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)  
Amounts included in the “Aggregate earnings in last fiscal year” are not included as compensation for Mr. Johnson in the Summary Compensation Table because such earnings are not “above market.”

Benefit Restoration Plan.  CharterBank established the Benefit Restoration Plan in order to provide restorative payments to selected executives who are prevented from receiving the full benefits contemplated by the ESOP’s benefit formula and the full matching contribution under our 401(k) plan.  Robert L. Johnson, is the only participant in the plan.  The restorative payments under the Benefit Restoration Plan consist of payments in lieu of shares that cannot be allocated to the participant under the employee stock ownership plan and payments for employer matching contributions that cannot be allocated under the 401(k) plan due to the legal limitations imposed on tax-qualified plans.   Also, in the case of a participant who retires before the repayment in full of the employee stock ownership plan’s loan, the restorative payments include a payment in lieu of the shares that would have been allocated if employment had continued through the full term of the loan.

Due to the complicated nature of the computation of benefits under the Benefit Restoration Plan, the Compensation Committee decided to freeze the plan, effective January 2009.  At that time, the Compensation Committee implemented the Salary Continuation Plan for the benefit of Messrs. Johnson, Washam and Kollar.
 
 
133

 

Split Dollar Life Insurance Plans.

In 2006, CharterBank entered into an endorsement split-dollar life insurance plan covering the Named Executive Officers that provided death benefits to each such executive’s  beneficiaries.  CharterBank purchased a life insurance policy on the life of each executive in an amount sufficient to provide for the benefits under the plan. The executive has the right to designate the beneficiary who will receive his share of the proceeds payable upon his death.  The policies are owned by CharterBank which pays each premium due on the policies.  Upon the death of a covered executive, the proceeds of the policy are divided between the executive’s beneficiary, who is entitled to $100,000 on the executive’s death, and CharterBank, which is entitled to the remainder of the death benefit.  Upon the occurrence of certain events specified in each plan, such as the executive’s termination of  employment with CharterBank for any reason, total cessation of CharterBank’s business, bankruptcy, receivership or dissolution of CharterBank, receipt by CharterBank of written notification from the executive requesting to terminate the participation agreement, surrender, lapse, or other termination of the policy on the life of the executive by CharterBank, the executive’s participation in the plan will terminate and all death proceeds will be paid solely to CharterBank.  CharterBank has the right to terminate each policy at any time and for any reason.
 
In 2010, CharterBank entered into endorsement split dollar agreements with Messrs. Johnson, Washam and Kollar that increased the death benefit payable to their beneficiaries by $2,000,000, $1,000,000 and $500,000, respectively, or, if less, the net amount at risk under the policy, assuming their death occurs while employed.  For these purposes, the net amount at risk is the difference between the death benefit payable under the policy and the cash value of the policy.  If the executive dies after retirement but before his 80th birthday, the executive’s beneficiary will receive 25% of the net amount at risk under the policy, assuming the agreement is still in effect.  In the event the executive dies after retirement and after his 80th birthday but before his 85th birthday, in the case of Messrs. Johnson and Washam, the executive’s beneficiary will receive the lesser of $250,000 and the net amount at risk.  In the event either Mr. Johnson or Washam retires and dies after age 85, his beneficiary will be entitled to a death benefit equal to the lesser of $100,000 or the net amount at risk.  In the case of Mr. Kollar, if his death occurs after retirement and after he attains age 80, his beneficiary will be entitled to a death benefit equal to the lesser of $100,000 or the net amount at risk, assuming the agreement remains in effect.
 
Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers
 
The following table shows potential payments that would be made to the executive officers upon specified events, assuming such events occurred on September 30, 2009, pursuant to each individual’s employment or change in control agreement, as applicable, pursuant to stock options and restricted stock awards that have been granted under our stock option plan and restricted stock award plan.
 
 
134

 

   
Robert L. Johnson
 
Type of Benefit
 
Voluntary Resignation
or Retirement
   
Termination without
Cause
   
Termination for Cause
   
Termination for Good
Reason before or after
Change in Control
   
Disability
   
Death
 
Salary Continuation Plan
  $     $     $     $     $ 1,258,467 (2)   $  
Benefit Restoration Plan
  $ 822,116 (3)   $ 822,116 (3)   $ 822,116 (3)   $ 822,116 (3)   $ 822,116 (3)   $ 822,116 (3)
2001 Stock Option Plan
  $       $     $     $ 92,500 (5)   $ 92,500 (5)   $ 92,500 (5)
2001 Recognition and Retention Plan
  $ 254,384 (6)   $     $     $ 254,384 (6)   $ 254,384 (6)   $ 254,384 (6)
Employment Agreement
  $     $ 2,181,514 (7)   $     $ 2,041,826 (8)   $ 138,706 (9)   $  
                                                 
   
Curtis R. Kollar
 
Type of Benefit
 
Voluntary Resignation
   
Termination without Cause
   
Termination for Cause
   
Termination for Good Reason before or after Change in Control
   
Disability
   
Death
 
Salary Continuation Plan
  $ 15,868 (1)   $ 15,868 (1)   $     $ 15,868 (1)   $ 1,108,905 (2)   $ 15,868 (4)
2001 Stock Option Plan
  $       $     $     $ 39,844 (5)   $ 39,844 (5)   $ 39,844 (5)
2001 Recognition and Retention Plan
  $ 12,250 (6)   $     $     $ 12,250 (6)   $ 12,250 (6)   $ 12,250 (6)
Change in Control Agreement
  $     $ 210,104 (10)   $     $ 210,104 (10)   $ 73,927 (9)   $  
                                                 
   
Lee Washam
 
Type of Benefit
 
Voluntary Resignation
   
Termination without Cause
   
Termination for Cause
   
Termination for Good Reason before or after Change in Control
   
Disability
   
Death
 
Salary Continuation Plan
  $ 33,361 (1)   $ 33,361 (1)   $     $ 33,361 (1)   $ 1,419,765 (2)   $ 33,361 (4)
2001 Stock Option Plan
  $     $     $     $ 37,500 (5)   $ 37,500 (5)   $ 37,500 (5)
2001 Recognition and Retention Plan
  $     $     $     $ 79,625 (6)   $ 79,625 (6)   $ 79,625 (6)
Change in Control Agreement
  $     $ 274,938 (10)   $     $ 274,938 (10)   $ 94,651 (9)   $  
                                                 
   
William C. Gladden
 
Type of Benefit
 
Voluntary Resignation
   
Termination without Cause
   
Termination for Cause
   
Termination for Good Reason before or after Change in Control
   
Disability
   
Death
 
2001 Stock  Option Plan
  $       $     $     $ 21,250 (5)   $ 21,250 (5)   $ 21,250 (5)
2001 Recognition and Retention Plan
  $ 2,450 (6)   $     $     $ 2,450 (6)   $ 2,450 (6)   $ 2,450 (6)
Change in Control Agreement
  $     $ 134,535 (10)   $     $ 134,535 (10)   $ 47,303 (9)   $  
                                                 
   
Ronald Warner
 
Type of Benefit
 
Voluntary Resignation
   
Termination without
Cause
   
Termination for Cause
   
Termination for Good Reason before or after Change in Control
   
Disability
   
Death
 
2001 Stock Option Plan
  $     $     $     $ 15,000 (5)   $ 15,000 (5)   $ 15,000 (5)
2001 Recognition and Retention Plan
  $     $     $     $ 2,450 (6)   $ 2,450 (6)   $ 2,450 (6)

(footnotes begin on following page)
 
 
135

 
 

(1)
The Salary Continuation Plan provides an early termination benefit if an executive terminates employment after completing ten years of service but before attaining age 62 for a reason other than death, disability or termination for cause.  Each of Messrs. Johnson, Kollar and Gladden are entitled to an early termination benefit as of September 30, 2009.  The early termination benefit is equal to the accrual balance as of the last day of the year preceding the year of termination.  The benefit is payable over 180 months commencing in the month after the executive attains age 65.  For Mr. Johnson only, the amount of his benefit is reduced by the amount of the benefit payable under the Benefit Restoration Plan, and consequently he is not entitled to a benefit.  Messrs. Gladden and Warner do not participate in the Salary Continuation Plan.  Amounts shown have not been discounted to present value.
(2)
The Salary Continuation Plan provides a disability benefit equal to 50% of the average of the executive’s three years of base salary, payable monthly for 15 years, with the first payment commencing in the month after the executive’s disability.  Amounts shown have not been discounted to present value.  For Mr. Johnson only, the amount of his benefit is reduced by the amount of the benefit payable under the Benefit Restoration Plan.
(3)
As of September 30, 2009, the Benefit Restoration Plan provides that upon a termination of service the executive will receive a single lump sum payment equal to the amount accrued for the executive.  Mr. Johnson is the sole participant in the plan.
(4)
The Salary Continuation Plan provides a death benefit equal to the executive’s accrual balance as of the last day of the plan year preceding the date of death.  The benefit is payable over 180 months commencing in the month after the executive’s death.  Amounts shown have not been discounted to present value.  For Mr. Johnson only, the amount of his benefit is reduced by the amount of the benefit payable under the Benefit Restoration Plan and consequently he is not entitled to a benefit.
(5)
As of September 30, 2009, none of the stock option awards have vested.  For Messrs. Johnson, Kollar, Washam, Gladden and Warner, 74,000, 31,875, 30,000, 17,000 and 12,000 stock options, respectively, will vest in the event of a change in control or the executive’s death,  disability or normal (but not early) retirement.  The amount shown represents the difference between the fair market value of the stock as of September 30, 2009 ($12.25) and the exercise price ($11) times the number of stock options.
(6)
As of September 30, 2009, for Messrs. Johnson, Kollar, Washam, Gladden and Warner, 20,766, 1,000, 6,500, 200, 200 shares of restricted stock, respectively, will vest in the event of a change in control, death, disability or retirement.  The restricted shares of common stock granted under the plan were valued at $12.25 per share, the share price as of September 30, 2009.  Messrs. Johnson, Kollar and Gladden satisfy the plan’s definition of retirement and consequently will be fully vested upon voluntary resignation or retirement.
(7)
Amount represents the aggregate value of the payments and benefits Mr. Johnson would be entitled to receive under his employment agreement in the event of his involuntary termination of employment (other than an involuntary termination of employment following a change in control) during the term of his employment agreement.  Under the employment agreement, in the event of a termination without cause, Mr. Johnson would be entitled to receive a lump sum cash payment equal to three times the sum of his five year average of Form W-2 compensation, payable within 30 days of termination.
(8)
Amount represents the value of the payments and benefits Mr. Johnson would be entitled to receive under his employment agreement in the event of his involuntary termination of employment following a change in control of the corporation.  Such amount was reduced in order to avoid an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code.  Under the employment agreement, in the event of a termination for “good reason,” Mr. Johnson would be entitled to receive a lump sum cash payment equal to three times the sum of his five year average of Form W-2 compensation, payable within 30 days of termination, subject to reduction to avoid an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code.
(9)
Amount represents the gross benefit payable to Mr. Johnson upon termination (whether before or after a change in control) due to disability and to Messrs. Kollar, Washam, Gladden and Warner in the event of a termination due to disability following a change in control of the corporation, which is 50% of base salary for up to six months.
(10)
Amount represents the value of the payments and benefits Messrs. Kollar, Washam and Gladden would be entitled to receive under their change in control agreements in the event of either their involuntary termination of employment or termination for good reason following a change in control of the corporation.  Such amount is subject to reduction in order to avoid an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code; however, the amount of the payments were not required to be reduced pursuant to Section 280G of the Code.  Under the change in control agreements, each executive would be entitled to receive (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to one times the sum of the executive’s salary, bonus and short and long-term cash compensation payable in the year prior to the year of termination, payable within 30 days of termination, and (ii) continued life, health, dental, accident and long-term disability insurance for one year, with the executive paying his share of the employee premiums.

 
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Directors’ Compensation
 
The following table sets forth for the year ended September 30, 2009 certain information as to the total remuneration we paid to our directors other than Mr. Robert L. Johnson.  Director compensation paid to Mr. Robert L. Johnson is reflected above in “Executive Officer Compensation – Summary Compensation Table.”
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
 
Name
 
Fees earned or
paid in cash ($)
   
Stock awards
($)(1)
   
Option awards
($) (1), (2)
   
Non-equity
incentive plan
compensation ($)
   
Change in
pension value
and nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings ($)
   
All other
compensation
($)(9)
   
Total ($)
 
Jane W. Darden
  $ 43,200       (3)     6,710 (3)               $ 1,986     $ 51,896  
Thomas M. Lane
    42,400       (4)     5,246 (4)                 1,785       49,431  
Curti M. Johnson
    39,700       (5)     3,050 (5)                       42,750  
David Z. Cauble, III
    42,700       (6)     6,710 (6)                 1,888       51,298  
William B. Hudson
    40,500       (7)     6,710 (7)                 1,420       48,630  
David L. Strobel
    41,100       (8)     4,880 (8)                 1,940       47,920  
 

(1)
No stock awards were granted to directors in fiscal 2009.
(2)
Reflects the grant date fair value of option awards that had been granted under the Charter Financial Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan on January 27, 2009, which was $.61 per option.  The value was determined under the Black-Scholes valuation model using the following assumptions for the awards repriced in 2009: (1) expected term of option, 10 years; (2) annual volatility of common stock, 42.13%; (3) expected dividend yield of common stock, 11.75%; and (4) risk-free interest rate, 3.21% per annum.
(3)
At September 30, 2009, Ms. Darden had 11,000 stock options outstanding and 400 unvested shares of restricted common stock.
(4)
At September 30, 2009, Mr. Lane had 8,600 stock options outstanding and 400 unvested shares of restricted common stock.
(5)
At September 30, 2009, Mr. Johnson had 5,000 stock options outstanding and no unvested shares of restricted common stock.
(6)
At September 30, 2009, Mr. Cauble had 11,000 stock options outstanding and 400 unvested shares of restricted common stock.
(7)
At September 30, 2009, Mr. Hudson had 11,000 stock options outstanding and 400 unvested shares of restricted common stock.
(8)
At September 30, 2009, Mr. Strobel had 8,000 stock options outstanding and 400 unvested shares of restricted common stock.
(9)
Represents income recognized when dividends on stock awards are distributed when the underlying award vests and, for all directors other than Messrs. Johnson and Hudson, payments for life insurance reported as taxable compensation on the individual’s Form 1099.
 
 
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Directors’ Compensation
 
Director Fees.  Each individual who serves as a director of Charter Financial Corporation currently also serves as a director of First Charter, MHC and CharterBank and earns director fees in each capacity.
 
Each non-employee director of First Charter, MHC, other than the board chairman, is paid a retainer of $8,000.  Robert L. Johnson, as the Chairman of the Board of First Charter, MHC is paid a retainer of $9,000. The Board of Directors of First Charter, MHC meets quarterly.  Board members receive $500 for each meeting attended.
 
Charter Financial Corporation pays board members an annual retainer of $10,000 per year and committee chairmen also receive an additional retainer of $1,000 per year.   Board members also receive $200 per board meeting attended and $200 per committee meeting attended.   Charter Financial Corporation has two standing committees:  the Audit Committee and the Personnel and Compensation Committee.
 
The directors of CharterBank, other than the Chairman of the Board, receive an annual retainer of $8,000, and the Chairman of the Board of CharterBank receives an annual retainer of $9,000.  The directors also receive $500 for each board meeting attended and $200 for each committee meeting attended.    Committee chairs also receive an additional $1,000 annual retainer.
 
Split Dollar Life Insurance Plans.  CharterBank entered into an endorsement split-dollar life insurance plan with each Director, other than Curti Johnson and William Hudson, to provide death benefits to each participant’s beneficiaries.  CharterBank purchased life insurance policies on the life of each participant in an amount sufficient to provide for the benefits under the plan. The participant has the right to designate the beneficiary who will receive the participant’s share of the proceeds payable upon his death.  The policies are owned by CharterBank which pays each premium due on the policies.  Upon the death of a participant, the proceeds of the policies are divided between the participant’s beneficiary, who is entitled to $100,000 as of the participant’s date of death, and CharterBank, which is entitled to the remainder of the death proceeds.  Upon the occurrence of certain events specified in each plan, such as the participant’s termination of  service with CharterBank for any reason, total cessation of CharterBank’s business, bankruptcy, receivership or dissolution of CharterBank, receipt by CharterBank of written notification of a request to terminate the participation agreement from the participant, surrender, lapse, or other termination of the policy on the life of the participant by CharterBank, the Director’s participation in the plan will terminate and all death proceeds will be paid solely to CharterBank.

Transactions With Certain Related Persons

At September 30, 2009, loans and open lines of credit to executive officers, directors and their associates totaled approximately $11.4 million.  Federal law requires that all loans or extensions of credit to executive officers and directors must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with the general public and must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.  Federal regulations adopted under this law permit executive officers and directors to receive the same terms that are widely available to other employees as long as the director or executive officer is not given preferential treatment compared to the other participating employees. Loans to executive officers must be approved by the full Board of Directors regardless of amounts.

CharterBank makes loans to its directors, executive officers and employees through an employee loan program. The program applies only to first or second mortgage loans on a primary or secondary residence, and provides for an origination fee of $500 compared to our usual origination fee of 1% of the amount of the loan.  Except for the reduced origination fee, these loans were made in the ordinary course of business, were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.
 
The following table sets forth loans made by CharterBank to its directors and executive officers where the largest amount of all indebtedness outstanding during the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, and all amounts of interest payable during each year, respectively, exceeded $120,000, and where the borrowers received reduced origination fees, as described above.


 
 
Name
 
 
Position
Nature
Of
Transaction (1)
 
Largest
Aggregate
Balance from 10/01/08 to
9/30/09
   
Interest
Rate
   
Principal
Balance
9/30/09
   
Principal
Paid
10/01/08 to
9/30/09
   
Interest Paid
10/01/08 to
9/30/09
 
                                   
Robert L. Johnson
Officer/CEO
S/F Mortgage
  $ 718,580.90       4.625 %   $ 718,579.86     $ 1.04     $ 30,464.79  
Curtis R. Kollar
Officer/CFO
S/F Mortgage
    649,346.71       5.950       615,732.18       31,279.99       40,593.33  
Lee W. Washam
Officer/President
S/F Mortgage
    251,117.41       4.750             251,117.41       4,068.77  
 
 
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Name
 
 
Position
Nature
Of
Transaction (1)
 
Largest
Aggregate
Balance from 10/01/07 to
9/30/08
   
Interest
Rate
   
Principal
Balance
9/30/08
   
Principal
Paid
10/01/07 to
9/30/08
   
Interest Paid
10/01/07 to
9/30/08
 
                                   
Robert L. Johnson
Officer/CEO
S/F Mortgage
  $ 718,757.04       4.625 %   $ 718,580.90     $ 176.14     $ 36,006.52  
Curtis R. Kollar
Officer/CFO
S/F Construction
    498,400.00       6.875             498,400.00       11,995.06  
Curtis R. Kollar
Officer/CFO
S/F Mortgage
    126,662.61       5.125             126,662.61       4,162.29  
Curtis R. Kollar
Officer/CFO
S/F Mortgage
    650,000.00       5.950       649,346.71       653.29       3,330.35  
Lee W. Washam
Officer/President
S/F Mortgage
    295,911.37       4.750       251,117.41       44,793.96       15,433.72  

 
 
Name
 
 
Position
Nature
Of
Transaction (1)
 
Largest
Aggregate
Balance from 10/01/06 to
9/30/07
   
Interest
Rate
   
Principal
Balance
9/30/07
   
Principal
Paid
10/01/06 to
9/30/07
   
Interest Paid
10/01/06 to
9/30/07
 
                                   
Robert L. Johnson
Officer/CEO
S/F Mortgage
  $ 718,823.17       4.625 %   $ 718,757.04     $ 66.21     $ 33,244.25  
Curtis R. Kollar
Officer/CFO
S/F Construction
    5,008.00       6.875       5,008.00              
Curtis R. Kollar
Officer/CFO
S/F Mortgage
    134,673.14       5.125       126,662.61       8,708.09       6,735.25  
Lee W. Washam
Officer/President
S/F Mortgage
    299,187.49       4.750       295,911.37       4,088.62       14,223.88  

(1) S/F – Single family.
 
 
Prior to 2008, CharterBank leased its branch office located at 3500 20th Avenue, Valley, Alabama, from a company, referred to herein as Seller, in which Robert L. Johnson and Curti M. Johnson owned minority interests.  In February 2008, Robert and Curti Johnson had become the sole owners of Seller, and Seller entered into negotiations with a third party to sell the shopping center in which the branch office is located.  The third party offered to sell the branch office without its parking lot to CharterBank after the third party acquired the shopping center from Seller.  In response to this offer, CharterBank formed an independent committee of the Board of Directors to evaluate CharterBank’s options for continuing to operate the branch office.  The committee determined that acquiring the entire shopping center in which the branch was located, and then reselling portions of the property while retaining the branch office and its parking lot was preferable to CharterBank’s other available options. Neither Robert Johnson and Curti Johnson both abstained from the voting on this matter.  On December 30, 2008, CharterBank acquired the shopping center and in June 2009, CharterBank entered into a contract to sell the shopping center, less the branch building, branch parking lot and one other outparcel.  If the contract is consummated, the net cost to CharterBank to acquire the branch office, parking and outparcel will be approximately $900,000.

Pursuant to the Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee oversees transactions with related persons and reviews such transactions for potential conflicts of interest on an on-going basis. Our Conflict of Interest Policy and Code of Conduct requires that our executive officers and directors disclose any existing or emerging conflicts of interest.  In addition, the Board of Directors reviews all loans made to directors and executive officers.  Other than as described above, we do not maintain a written policy with respect to related party transactions.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Charter Financial’s bylaws provide that Charter Financial shall indemnify all officers, directors and employees of Charter Financial to the fullest extent permitted under federal law against all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by them in connection with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which they may be involved by reason of their having been a director or officer of Charter Financial. Such indemnification may include the advancement of funds to pay for or reimburse reasonable expenses incurred by an indemnified party to the fullest extent permitted under federal law.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of Charter Financial pursuant to its bylaws or otherwise, Charter Financial has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable.

Benefits to be Considered Following Completion of the Stock Offering

Stock-Based Incentive Plan.  Following the stock offering, we intend to adopt a new stock-based incentive plan that will provide for grants of stock options and restricted common stock awards.  If the plan is adopted within one year following the completion of the stock offering, the number of options granted or shares awarded under the plan may not exceed 4.9% and 1.96%, respectively, of the shares of common stock outstanding upon completion of stock offering (assuming that CharterBank’s tangible capital ratio is at least 10% at the time the plan is implemented), subject to downward adjustment in accordance with Office of Thrift Supervision regulations and policy to reflect awards previously made by CharterBank or Charter Financial.
 
Charter Financial currently intends to reserve 207,000 shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to the grant of stock options and 82,000 shares of common stock for issuance of awards of restricted stock under the new stock-based incentive plan.
 
The stock-based incentive plan cannot be implemented sooner than six months after the stock offering and if implemented within one year after the stock offering would require the approval of a majority of votes eligible to be cast by all our shareholders (including First Charter, MHC) and by a majority of votes cast by our shareholders other than First Charter, MHC.  If the stock-based incentive plan is established after one year after the stock offering, it would require the approval of a majority of votes cast by all our shareholders and a majority of votes cast by our shareholders other than First Charter, MHC.  The following additional restrictions would apply to our stock-based incentive plan only if the plan is adopted within one year after the stock offering:
 
 
non-employee directors in the aggregate may not receive more than 30% of the options and restricted stock awards authorized under the plan;
 
 
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any one non-employee director may not receive more than 5% of the options and restricted stock awards authorized under the plan;
 
 
any officer or employee may not receive more than 25% of the options and restricted stock awards authorized under the plan;
 
 
any tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans and management stock benefit plans, in the aggregate, may not acquire more than 10% of the number of shares sold in the offering, unless CharterBank has tangible capital of 10% or more, in which case any tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans and management stock benefit plans, may acquire up to 12% of the number of shares sold in the offering;
 
 
stock options and restricted stock awards may not vest more rapidly than 20% per year, beginning on the first anniversary of shareholder approval of the plan;
 
 
accelerated vesting is not permitted except for death, disability or upon a change in control of CharterBank or Charter Financial; and
 
 
our executive officers or directors must exercise or forfeit their options in the event that CharterBank becomes critically undercapitalized, is subject to enforcement action or receives a capital directive.
 
We have not yet determined whether we will present the stock-based incentive plan for shareholder approval within 12 months following the completion of the stock offering or more than 12 months after the completion of the stock offering.  In the event of a change in federal regulations or policies regarding stock-based incentive plans, including any regulations or policies restricting the size of awards and vesting of benefits as described above, the restrictions described above may not be applicable.
 
 
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The table below sets forth, for each of Charter Financial’s directors and officers and for all of the directors and officers as a group, the proposed purchases of subscription shares, assuming sufficient shares of common stock are available to satisfy their subscriptions.  See “The Stock Offering—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases.”  Regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision prohibit our directors and officers from selling the shares they purchase in the offering for one year after the date of purchase.  The table also shows the number of shares held as of July 31, 2010, and the number of shares and the percentage of shares outstanding expected to be held by each director, officer and all of the directors and officers as a group after the stock offering.

               
Total Shares to be Held
 
Name of Beneficial Owner
 
Number of
Shares Held at
July 31, 2010
   
Shares Proposed
to be Purchased
in the Offering
(1)
   
Number of Shares
   
Percentage of Shares Outstanding (2)
 
                         
Robert L. Johnson
    134,711       15,000       149,711       *  
David Z. Cauble, III
    14,850       5,000       19,850       *  
Jane W. Darden
    25,750       4,000       29,750       *  
William B. Hudson
    16,050       1,000       17,050       *  
Curti M. Johnson
    56,017       1,000       57,017       *  
Thomas M. Lane
    17,349       2,500       19,849       *  
David L. Strobel
    7,095       1,000       8,095       *  
Curtis R. Kollar
    68,450       4,000       72,450       *  
Lee Washam
    62,950       10,000       72,950       *  
William C. Gladden
    21,932       1,000       22,932       *  
Ronald Warner
    4,008       500       4,508       *  
                                 
  Total for Directors and Officers (11 persons)
    429,162       45,000       474,162       2.5 %
 

*
Less than 1%.
(1)
Includes proposed subscriptions, if any, by associates. Assumes a per share purchase price of $10.52, the maximum purchase price.
(2)
Percentages are based on 18,672,361 total shares outstanding.
 
 
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THE OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION HAS APPROVED THE STOCK ISSUANCE PLAN SUBJECT TO THE SATISFACTION OF CERTAIN CONDITIONS.  THIS APPROVAL DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDA­TION OR ENDORSEMENT OF THE STOCK OFFERING OR THE STOCK ISSUANCE PLAN BY THE OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION.
 
General
 
On April 20, 2010, our Board of Directors, by a unanimous vote, adopted a stock issuance plan, which the Board amended on June 7, 2010 and on August 9, 2010 , pursuant to which we are offering additional shares of our common stock to eligible depositors of CharterBank, eligible depositors of the former Neighborhood Community Bank and McIntosh Commercial Bank, our tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans, eligible borrowers of CharterBank, and to the extent shares remain available, residents of Alabama and Georgia, our shareholders other than First Charter, MHC and the general public.  In adopting the stock issuance plan, our Board of Directors has determined that the stock offering is advisable and in the best interests of Charter Financial and its shareholders.  The stock issuance plan was also approved by a unanimous vote of First Charter, MHC’s Board of Directors, who determined that the stock issuance plan and the stock offering are advisable and in the best interests of First Charter, MHC and its members.

We are offering between 4,281,060 and 5,961,573 shares of our common stock for sale at a price of $10.52 per share (subject to downward adjustment to as low as $7.78 per share) .  Under the terms of the stock issuance plan, at the conclusion of the stock offering First Charter, MHC will contribute to Charter Financial a number of shares of common stock equal to the number of shares of common stock that we sell in the stock offering, and we will then cancel such contributed shares. As a result of such cancellation, the number of shares of our common stock owned by First Charter, MHC will decrease from 15,857,924 shares to between 9,764,803 and 11,422,977 shares, or to between 53.0% and 62.0%, respectively, of the 18,672,361 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2010.  We are canceling such shares to avoid dilution to our existing public shareholders.  The total number of outstanding shares of common stock of Charter Financial will not change as a result of the stock offering.

 

The stock offering will enable CharterBank to increase its regulatory capital.  As of March 31, 2010, CharterBank’s Tier 1 capital was 8.3% of average assets.  See “Historical and Pro Forma Regulatory Capital Compliance.”  The proceeds of the stock offering will also add to our financial strength on a consolidated basis, and will increase Charter Financial’s ability to serve as a source of strength to CharterBank.  In addition, the stock offering will provide us with greater capital resources to effect future corporate transactions, including acquisitions, and will enable us to grow internally and offer expanded services to customers in the communities that we serve.  The stock offering also will increase the number of shares of our common stock held by the public, which may increase the liquidity of our common stock.

In adopting the stock issuance plan, the Board of Directors terminated First Charter, MHC’s plan to undertake what is commonly referred to as a “second-step conversion”, further discussed below, which First Charter, MHC had announced in December 2009.  The Board’s decision to proceed with an offering of up to 5,961,573 shares rather than conduct a full conversion of First Charter, MHC was made partly in response to certain shareholder concerns regarding a second-step conversion in the current market environment, and to ensure successful completion of the stock offering, while providing us with adequate capital to implement our current business strategy in the near term.

Although we expect that the proceeds from the stock offering will provide us with the necessary capital to pursue additional acquisitions, including FDIC-assisted transactions, we intend to continue to raise capital after this stock offering as necessary to take advantage of attractive acquisition opportunities.  Future capital raises could include a second-step conversion.  In addition, we may pursue a second-step conversion if changes to regulations governing mutual holding companies, and particularly changes in the treatment of dividends waived by mutual holding companies, result in a second-step conversion being in the best interests of our shareholders.
 
 
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In a second-step conversion, (i) a new holding company would be formed as the successor to Charter Financial, (ii) First Charter, MHC’s corporate existence would end, and (iii) qualifying members of First Charter, MHC would receive the right to subscribe for additional shares of the new holding company.  In addition, in such a transaction, each share of Charter Financial common stock held by public shareholders would be automatically converted into a number of shares of common stock of the new holding company determined pursuant to an exchange ratio that would maintain public shareholders’ same ownership percentage in the new holding company as such persons held immediately prior to a second-step conversion.  A second-step conversion would require the approval of Charter Financial’s public shareholders, as well as the members of First Charter, MHC.

Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued

The aggregate purchase price of the common stock sold in the offering is based on the appraised pro forma market value of the common stock as determined by an independent valuation by RP Financial, LC.  For its services in preparing the initial valuation, RP Financial will receive a fee of $105,000 and $7,500 for expenses.  RP Financial will also receive an additional $5,000 for each valuation update, as necessary.  CharterBank and Charter Financial have agreed to indemnify RP Financial and its employees and affiliates against specified losses, including any losses in connection with claims under the federal securities laws, arising out of its services as independent appraiser, except where such liability results from its negligence or bad faith.

The independent valuation appraisal considered the pro forma impact of the stock offering, an analysis of a peer group of ten publicly traded financial institutions in the mutual holding company structure that RP Financial considered comparable to Charter Financial, the current and historical trading price of Charter Financial’s common stock, and other factors listed below.

Consistent with the Office of Thrift Supervision appraisal guidelines, the appraisal applied three primary methodologies: the pro forma price-to-book value approach applied to both reported book value and tangible book value; the pro forma price-to-earnings approach applied to reported and core earnings; and the pro forma price-to-assets approach. The market value ratios applied in the three methodologies were based upon the current market valuations of the peer group companies, subject to valuation adjustments applied by RP Financial to account for differences between Charter Financial and the peer group. Based on RP Financial’s belief that asset size is not a strong determinant of market value, RP Financial did not place significant weight on the pro forma price-to-assets approach in reaching its conclusions.  RP Financial placed the greatest emphasis on the price-to-earnings and price-to-book approaches in estimating pro forma market value.

 The estimated appraised value also took into consideration the trading price of Charter Financial common stock. The closing price of the common stock as quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board was $10.50 per share on April 20, 2010, the last trading day immediately preceding the announcement of the stock offering, and $9.85 per share on May 21, 2010, the effective date of the appraisal.  Regulatory appraisal guidelines require a fundamental analysis in the determination of pro forma market value.  Although it is an indicator of market value, the trading price of Charter Financial’s common stock is affected by a lack of liquidity, past and current dividend policies and the relatively small public float outstanding, which reduces the reliability of the current trading price as a determinant of market value for the stock offering.  Thus, the trading value of Charter Financial’s common stock was considered one indicator of value, and not the primary valuation method.

In addition, RP Financial considered the following factors, among others:

 
the present and projected results and financial condition of Charter Financial;

 
the economic and demographic conditions in Charter Financial’s existing market area;

 
certain historical, financial and other information relating to Charter Financial;
 
 
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a comparative evaluation of the operating and financial characteristics of Charter Financial with those of ten similarly situated publicly traded financial institutions in the mutual holding company structure (the “peer group”);

 
the range of the aggregate size of the offering of the shares of common stock;

 
the impact of the stock offering on Charter Financial’s stockholders’ equity and earnings potential;

 
the proposed dividend policy of Charter Financial; and

 
the trading market for securities of comparable institutions and general conditions in the market for such securities.
 
Included in RP Financial’s independent valuation were certain assumptions as to the pro forma earnings of Charter Financial after the stock offering that were utilized in determining the appraised value.  These assumptions included estimated expenses, an assumed after-tax rate of return on the net proceeds of 1.57%, purchases of shares by the employee stock ownership plan and stock-based benefit plans, and the number of shares being offered. See “Pro Forma Data” for additional information concerning these assumptions. The use of different assumptions may yield different results.

RP Financial, LC. has estimated that as of May 21, 2010, the market value of Charter Financial, on a fully converted basis, was $1 7 0,8 5 2, 103 .  Pursuant to regulation, the pro forma market value forms the midpoint of a range with a minimum of $ 145,279,969 and a maximum of $ 196,433,238 .  The term “fully converted” means that RP Financial assumed that 100% of our common stock had been sold to the public, rather than the 22.9% to 31.9% of our outstanding common stock that will be sold in the stock offering.  Based on this valuation, the per share purchase price of the common stock being offered for sale has a midpoint of $ 9.15 per share and a range with a minimum of $ 7.78 per share and a maximum of $ 10.52 per share.

The peer group consists of the following ten publicly traded financial institutions in the mutual holding company structure with assets between $432 million and $2.3 billion as of March 31, 2010.

 
Company Name and Ticker Symbol
 
Exchange
 
Headquarters
 
Total Assets
 
             
(in millions)
 
 
Alliance Bank (ALLB)
 
NASDAQ
 
Broomall, PA
  $ 472  
 
Clifton Savings Bancorp (CSBK)
 
NASDAQ
 
Clifton, NJ
    1,060  
 
Greene County Bancorp (GCBC)
 
NASDAQ
 
Catskill, NY
    479  
 
Kearny Financial Corp (KRNY)
 
NASDAQ
 
Fairfield, NJ
    2,252  
 
Lake Shore Bancorp (LSBK)
 
NASDAQ
 
Dunkirk, NY
    432  
 
Meridian Financial Services (EBSB)
 
NASDAQ
 
East Boston, MA
    1,719  
 
Prudential Bancorp (PBIP)
 
NASDAQ
 
Philadelphia, PA
    508  
 
Rockville Financial (RCKB)
 
NASDAQ
 
Vernon Rockville, CT
    1,560  
 
Roma Financial Group (ROMA)
 
NASDAQ
 
Robbinsville, NJ
    1,370  
 
SI Financial Group, Inc. (SIFI)
 
NASDAQ
 
Willimantic, CT
    882  

The following table presents a summary of selected pricing ratios for the ten peer group companies and Charter Financial (on a pro forma basis) on a fully-converted equivalent basis, based on annualized earnings and other information as of and for the twelve months ended March 31, 2010 and stock price information for the peer group companies as of May 21, 2010 as reflected in the appraisal report.  Compared to the average pricing of the peer group, our pro forma pricing ratios at the maximum of the offering price range indicated a discount of 26.2% on a price-to-earnings basis, a premium of 41.6% on a core price-to-earnings basis, a discount of 4.0% on a price-to-book basis and a discount of 3.6% on a price-to-tangible book basis.
 
 
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Selected Pricing Ratios on a Fully-Converted Basis
 
   
Price-to-earnings multiple (1)
   
Core Price-to-earnings
multiple (1)
   
Price-to-book
value ratio
   
Price-to-tangible
book value ratio
 
Charter Financial (on a pro forma basis,
    assuming completion of the stock offering)
                       
Maximum  
    18.26 x     123.62 x     74.73 %     76.31 %
Midpoint  
    16.31 x     130.77 x     70.30 %     71.99 %
Minimum  
    14.25 x     141.87 x     65.25 %     66.87 %
                                 
Valuation of peer group companies (on an
        historical basis)
                               
Averages  
    23.54 x     24.55 x     75.89 %     77.17 %
Medians  
    25.38 x     24.25 x     76.40 %     80.41 %
 

(1)
Price-to-earnings multiples calculated by RP Financial in the independent appraisal are based on trailing twelve month earnings through March 31, 2010.  Core price-to-earnings are based on estimates by RP Financial of recurring earnings, which are different than those presented in “Pro Forma Data.”

The following table presents a summary of the same selected pricing ratios as shown in the table above for the ten peer group companies and Charter Financial (on a pro forma basis), except that the pricing ratios have not been adjusted to the hypothetical case of being fully converted.
 
   
Price-to-earnings
multiple (1)
   
Price-to-book
value ratio
   
Price-to-tangible
book value ratio
 
   
4,281,060
Shares Sold
   
5,961,573
Shares Sold
   
4,281,060
Shares Sold
   
5,961,573
Shares Sold
   
4,281,060
Shares Sold
   
5,961,573
Shares Sold
 
Charter Financial (on a pro forma basis,
    assuming completion of the stock offering)
                                   
Maximum  
    21.97 x     21.34 x     133.20 %     119.44 %     138.09 %     123.50 %
Midpoint  
    19.21 x     18.72 x     119.92 %     108.67 %     124.66 %     112.54 %
Minimum  
    16.41 x     16.06 x     105.67 %     96.86 %     110.01 %     100.48 %
                                                 
Valuation of peer group companies (on an
        historical basis) (2)
                                               
Averages  
    25.69 x     25.69 x     128.16 %     128.16 %     132.40 %     132.40 %
Medians  
    21.12 x     21.12 x     130.73 %     130.73 %     134.71 %     134.71 %
 

(1)
Trailing twelve month reported earnings through March 31, 2010.  These ratios are different than those presented in “Pro Forma Data.”  Price-to-earnings ratios calculated based on estimated core earnings are not meaningful and were omitted from this table.
(2)
The information for publicly traded mutual holding companies may not be meaningful for investors because it presents average and median information for mutual holding companies that issued a different percentage of their stock in their offerings than the 22.9% to 31.9% that we are issuing to the public if we sell the minimum and maximum number of shares we are offering.  In addition, the effect of stock repurchases also affects the ratios to a greater or lesser degree depending upon repurchase activity.

The Board of Directors of Charter Financial reviewed the independent valuation and, in particular, considered the following:

 
Charter Financial’s financial condition and results of operations;
 
 
comparison of financial performance ratios of Charter Financial to those of other financial institutions of similar size;
 
 
market conditions generally and in particular for financial institutions; and
 
 
the historical trading price of the publicly held shares of Charter Financial common stock.
 
 
 
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All of these factors are set forth in the independent valuation. The Board of Directors also reviewed the methodology and the assumptions used by RP Financial in preparing the independent valuation and believes that such assumptions were reasonable.

The independent appraisal will be updated prior to the completion of the stock offering.  The offering range may be amended with the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision, if required, as a result of subsequent developments in the financial condition of Charter Financial or Charter Bank or market conditions generally. In the event the independent valuation is updated to amend the pro forma market value of Charter Financial to less than $ 145.3 million or more than $ 196.4 million, the appraisal will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by a post-effective amendment to Charter Financial’s registration statement.

The independent appraisal does not indicate market value.  Do not assume or expect that our valuation as indicated in the appraisal means that after the stock offering the shares of our common stock will trade at or above the $ 10.52 per share purchase price.  Furthermore, the pricing ratios presented in the appraisal were utilized by RP Financial to estimate our market value and not to compare the relative value of shares of our common stock with the value of the capital stock of the peer group.  The value of the capital stock of a particular company may be affected by a number of factors such as financial performance, asset size and market location.

Copies of the independent valuation appraisal report of RP Financial and the detailed memorandum setting forth the method and assumptions used in the appraisal report are available for inspection at the main office of CharterBank and as specified under “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
 
If the update to the independent valuation at the conclusion of the offering results in an increase in the maximum of the valuation range to more than $ 196.4 million, or a decrease in the minimum of the valuation range to less than $ 145.3 million , then, after consulting with the Office of Thrift Supervision, we may terminate the stock issuance plan, cancel deposit account withdrawal authorizations and promptly return all funds previously delivered to us to purchase shares with interest at CharterBank’s passbook rate of interest.  Alternatively, we may establish a new offering range, extend the offering period and commence a resolicitation of subscribers, as described below, or take other actions as permitted by the Office of Thrift Supervision in order to complete the stock offering.

Resolicitation. In the event that we extend the offering and conduct a resolicitation, we will notify subscribers in the subscription and community offerings of the extension of time and that they may maintain, change or cancel their stock orders within a specified period.  If a subscriber does not respond during the resolicitation period, his or her stock order will be canceled, funds previously received will be returned promptly with interest at our passbook rate of interest, and deposit account withdrawal authorizations will be canceled.  Any single offering extension will not exceed 90 days; aggregate extensions may not conclude beyond [offering expiration date – final extended].

How We Will Determine the Actual Purchase Price Per Share

All shares of common stock will be sold in the stock offering at the same price per share, which we refer to as the actual purchase price.  The actual purchase price will be determined by us after September 13, 2010 but prior to the completion of the stock offering, based on the independent appraisal and in conjunction with our financial advisor based on then-existing market and financial conditions.  Since the outcome of the stock offering relates in large measure to market conditions at the time of sale, it is not possible to determine the actual purchase price at this time.
 
 
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If the actual price at which shares are sold is less than $10.52 per share, the difference will be refunded or the withdrawal authorization reduced, except for subscribers who have elected on their order forms to have such difference applied to the purchase of additional whole shares to the extent available.  In the event that any of the common stock is sold in a syndicated community offering, the price for the common stock purchased in the subscription offering and, if held, the community offering will be the same as the price per share in the syndicated community offering.

Although no assurances can be given, the actual purchase price per share is expected to be within the offering price range.  If the actual purchase price is not within the offering price range, we may terminate the stock issuance plan, cancel deposit account withdrawal authorizations and promptly return all funds previously delivered to us to purchase shares of common stock in the subscription and community offerings with interest at our current passbook rate of interest.  Alternatively, with regulatory approval, we may establish a new offering range, extend the offering period and commence a resolicitation of persons who ordered stock in the offering as described under “—Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued—Resolicitation,” above.  We may also take other actions as permitted by the Office of Thrift Supervision in order to complete the stock offering.

All persons ordering stock in the subscription and community offerings must order a specific number of shares at the subscription price of $10.52 per share.  The minimum number of shares of common stock that any person may order is 25 shares.  Accordingly, your order must be for at least $263.00 of common stock to be accepted.  If the actual price per share at which shares are sold is less than the $10.52 subscription price, the difference will be refunded or the withdrawal authorization reduced, except for subscribers who have elected on their order forms to have such difference applied to the purchase of additional whole shares to the extent available.  Fractional shares will not be issued; instead, we will refund the amount that is insufficient to purchase a whole share of common stock.   The total number of shares of common stock that will be issued to any person is subject to the applicable purchase limitations and allocation procedures in the stock offering in the event of an oversubscription.  See “—Subscription Offering and Subscription Rights”, “—Community Offering” and “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases”, below.
 
Subscription Offering and Subscription Rights
 
In accordance with the stock issuance plan, rights to subscribe for the purchase of common stock in the subscription offering have been granted in the following order of descending priority.  All subscriptions received will be subject to the availability of common stock after satisfaction of all subscriptions of all persons having prior rights in the subscription offering and to the minimum, maximum, and overall purchase limitations set forth in the stock issuance plan and as described below under “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases.”
 
Priority 1: Eligible Account Holders.  Each depositor with accounts at CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank or McIntosh Commercial Bank with combined aggregate balances among any of these banks of at least $50 or more (a “Qualifying Deposit”) as of December 31, 2008 (an “Eligible Account Holder”) will receive nontransferable subscription rights to subscribe in the subscription offering for a number of shares of common stock equal to up to the greater of $1.5 million divided by the actual purchase price, one-tenth of one percent (0.10%) of the total shares offered in the stock offering, or fifteen times the product (rounded down to the nearest whole number) obtained by multiplying the total number of shares of common stock offered in the stock offering by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of the Eligible Account Holder’s Qualifying Deposit and the denominator is the total amount of Qualifying Deposits of all Eligible Account Holders, in each case on December 31, 2008, subject to the overall purchase limitations provided under “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases,” below.  If there are not sufficient shares available to satisfy all subscriptions of Eligible Account Holders, shares will be allocated so as to permit each subscribing Eligible Account Holder to purchase a number of shares sufficient to make his or her total allocation equal to the lesser of 100 shares or the number of shares for which he or she subscribed.  Thereafter, any remaining unallocated shares will be allocated to each subscribing Eligible Account Holder whose subscription remains unfilled in the proportion that the amount of his or her Qualifying Deposits bears to the total amount of Qualifying Deposits of all subscribing Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions remain unfilled.  If the amounts so allocated exceed the amount subscribed for by any one or more Eligible Account Holders, the excess shall be reallocated among those Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions are not fully satisfied until all available shares have been allocated.
 
To ensure proper allocation of the common stock, each Eligible Account Holder must list on his or her order form all deposit accounts in which he or she had an ownership interest at CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank or McIntosh Community Bank on December 31, 2008.  Failure to list an account, or providing incorrect or incomplete information, may result in fewer shares of common stock being allocated than if all accounts are properly disclosed.  Neither we nor any of our agents will be responsible for orders by persons that have not fully disclosed all deposit accounts.  The subscription rights of Eligible Account Holders who are also directors or officers of CharterBank, Charter Financial or First Charter, MHC or their associates will be subordinated to the subscription rights of other Eligible Account Holders to the extent attributable to increased deposits in the twelve months preceding December 31, 2008.
 
 
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Priority 2: Employee Stock Benefit Plans.  To the extent that there are sufficient shares remaining after satisfaction of subscriptions by Eligible Account Holders, CharterBank’s tax-qualified employee plans, including the employee stock ownership plan, will receive, without payment therefor, nontransferable subscription rights to purchase in the aggregate up to 4.9% of the shares of common stock outstanding following the stock offering, subject to downward adjustment as may be required by Office of Thrift Supervision regulations or policy to reflect shares of common stock previously acquired by the employee stock ownership plan.  We intend for our employee stock ownership plan to purchase 300,000 shares of common stock in the stock offering, which, when combined with shares previously acquired by the employee stock ownership plan, will equal approximately 3.3% of our shares of common stock outstanding upon completion of the stock offering.  However, we reserve the right to have the employee stock ownership plan purchase more than 300,000 shares of common stock in the stock offering (up to 4.9% of the shares of common stock outstanding following the stock offering) if necessary to complete the stock offering at the minimum of the offering range. In addition, if market conditions warrant, in the judgment of its trustees, the employee stock ownership plan may elect to purchase shares in the open market following the completion of the stock offering.
 
Priority 3: Supplemental Eligible Account Holders.  To the extent that there are sufficient shares remaining after satisfaction of subscriptions by Eligible Account Holders and our tax-qualified stock benefit plans, each depositor with accounts at CharterBank with combined aggregate balances of at least $50 as of [SERD], who is not an Eligible Account Holder, a tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan or an officer or director of CharterBank, Charter Financial or First Charter, MHC (a “Supplemental Eligible Account Holder”) will receive nontransferable subscription rights to subscribe in the subscription offering for a number of shares of common stock equal to the greater of $1.5 million divided by the actual purchase price, one-tenth of one percent (0.10%) of the total shares offered in the stock offering, or fifteen times the product (rounded down to the nearest whole number) obtained by multiplying the aggregate number of shares of common stock issued in the stock offering by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of the Supplemental Eligible Account Holder’s Qualifying Deposits at CharterBank and the denominator is the total amount of Qualifying Deposits of all Supplemental Eligible Account Holders at CharterBank, in each case on [SERD], subject to the overall purchase limitations provided under “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases,” below.  If there are not sufficient shares available to satisfy all subscriptions, shares will be allocated so as to permit each subscribing Supplemental Eligible Account Holder to purchase a number of shares sufficient to make his or her total allocation equal to the lesser of 100 shares or the number of shares for which he or she subscribed.  Thereafter, any remaining unallocated shares will be allocated to each subscribing Supplemental Eligible Account Holder whose subscription remains unfilled in the proportion that the amount of his or her Qualifying Deposits bears to the total amount of Qualifying Deposits of all subscribing Supplemental Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions remain unfilled, in each case as of [SERD].  If the amounts so allocated exceed the amounts subscribed for by any one or more Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, the excess shall be reallocated among those Supplemental Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions are not fully satisfied until all available shares have been allocated.
 
To ensure proper allocation of the common stock, each Supplemental Eligible Account Holder must list on his or her order form all deposit accounts in which he or she had an ownership interest at CharterBank on [SERD].  Failure to list an account, or providing incorrect or incomplete information, may result in fewer shares being allocated than if all accounts are properly disclosed.  Neither we nor any of our agents will be responsible for orders on which all deposit accounts at CharterBank have not been fully and accurately disclosed.
 
Priority 4: Other Members.  To the extent that there are shares of common stock remaining after satisfaction of subscriptions by Eligible Account Holders, our tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans, and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, each member of First Charter, MHC as of the close of business on [SERD] who is not an Eligible Account Holder or Supplemental Eligible Account Holder (“Other Members”) will receive, without payment therefor, nontransferable subscription rights to purchase up to a number of shares of common stock equal to the greater of $1.5 million divided by the actual purchase price or 0.10% of the total number of shares of common stock issued in the offering, subject to the overall purchase limitations provided under “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases,” below.
 
 
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If there are not sufficient shares available to satisfy all subscriptions, shares will be allocated so as to permit each Other Member to purchase a number of shares sufficient to make his or her total allocation equal to the lesser of 100 shares of common stock or the number of shares for which he or she subscribed.  Thereafter, available shares will be allocated in the proportion that the amount of the subscription of each Other Member bears to the total amount of the subscriptions of all Other Member whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied. To ensure proper allocation of common stock, each Other Member must list on the stock order form all deposit accounts in which he or she had an ownership interest at [SERD].  In the event of oversubscription, failure to list an account could result in fewer shares being allocated than if all accounts had been disclosed.
 
Expiration Date.  The offering will expire on September 13, 2010, unless we extend the subscription offering.  We may extend the subscription offering for up to 45 days without notice to you.  If we extend the offering beyond [offering expiration date - extended], we will be required to obtain Office of Thrift Supervision approval and to conduct a resolicitation of subscribers and other persons who ordered shares of common stock, as described below.  In no event will the stock offering extend beyond [offering expiration date - final extended].  We may decide to extend the expiration date of the subscription offering for any reason, whether or not subscriptions have been received for the minimum required gross offering proceeds.
 
Subscription rights that have not been exercised prior to the conclusion of the subscription offering will become void, whether or not we have been able to locate persons entitled to subscribe.
 
We will not execute orders until orders for at least the minimum gross proceeds have been received.  If orders for at least $ 33.3 million of common stock have not been received within 45 days after September 13, 2010 or after any additional extension period and the Office of Thrift Supervision has not consented to a further extension of the stock offering, all funds previously delivered to us to purchase shares of common stock in the subscription offering will be returned promptly to the subscribers with interest at CharterBank’s passbook rate, and all deposit account withdrawal authorizations will be canceled.
 
Resolicitation. In the event that we extend the offering and conduct a resolicitation, we will notify subscribers and others who ordered stock in the offering of the extension of time and that they may maintain, change or cancel their stock orders within a specified period.  If a subscriber does not respond during the resolicitation period, his or her stock order will be canceled, funds received for payment will be returned promptly with interest at our passbook rate of interest, and withdrawal authorizations will be canceled.
 
Community Offering
 
To the extent that shares of common stock remain available for purchase after satisfaction of all subscriptions of Eligible Account Holders, our tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and Other Members, we may offer shares pursuant to the stock issuance plan to the general public in a community offering.  Shares will first be offered to natural persons (including trusts of natural persons) residing in Georgia and Alabama, and thereafter shares may be offered to Charter Financial’s public shareholders as of [SERD], and then to other members of the general public.
 
Persons ordering stock in the community offering may purchase up to $1.5 million of common stock, subject to the overall purchase limitations. See “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases.” The opportunity to purchase shares of common stock in the community offering category is subject to our right, in our sole discretion, to accept or reject any such orders in whole or in part either at the time of receipt of an order or as soon as practicable following the expiration date of the stock offering.
 
If we do not have sufficient shares of common stock available to fill the orders of natural persons residing in the States of Georgia and Alabama, we will allocate the available shares among those persons in a manner that permits each of them, to the extent possible, to purchase the lesser of 100 shares or the number of shares subscribed for by such person.  Thereafter, unallocated shares will be allocated among natural persons residing in those states whose orders remain unsatisfied on an equal number of shares basis per order.  If oversubscription occurs due to the orders of public shareholders of Charter Financial as of [SERD], the allocation procedures described above will apply to the stock orders of such persons.
 
 
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The term “residing” or “resident” as used in this prospectus means any person who occupies a dwelling within the States of Georgia or Alabama, has a present intent to remain within this community for a period of time, and manifests the genuineness of that intent by establishing an ongoing physical presence within the community, together with an indication that this presence within the community is something other than merely transitory in nature.  We may utilize deposit or loan records or other evidence provided to us to decide whether a person is a resident. In all cases, however, the determination shall be in our sole discretion.
 
Expiration Date and Resolicitations.  The community offering, if any, may begin during or after the subscription offering, and is currently expected to terminate at the same time as the subscription offering, and must terminate no more than 45 days following the subscription offering. Charter Financial may decide to extend the community offering for any reason and is not required to give persons who have ordered stock notice of any such extension unless such period extends beyond [offering expiration date - extended].  If an extension beyond [offering expiration date - extended] is granted by the Office of Thrift supervision, we will resolicit subscribers in the offering as described under “—Subscription Offering and Subscription Rights—Resolicitation,” above.  In no event will the stock offering extend beyond [offering expiration date - final extended].

We will not execute orders until orders for at least the minimum gross proceeds have been received.  If orders for at least $ 33.3 million of common stock have not been received within 45 days after September 13, 2010 or after any additional extension period and the Office of Thrift Supervision has not consented to a further extension of the stock offering, all funds previously delivered to us to purchase shares of common stock in the community offering will be returned promptly to the subscribers with interest at CharterBank’s passbook rate, and all deposit account withdrawal authorizations will be canceled.

Syndicated Community Offering
 
 As a final step in the stock offering, the stock issuance plan provides that, if feasible, all shares of common stock not purchased in the subscription offering and community offering, if any, may be offered for sale to selected members of the general public in a syndicated community offering through a syndicate of registered broker-dealers managed by Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated as agent of Charter Financial.  We call this the syndicated community offering.  We expect that the syndicated community offering will begin as soon as practicable after termination of the subscription offering and the community offering, if any.  We, in our sole discretion, have the right to reject orders in whole or in part received in the syndicated community offering.  Neither Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated nor any registered broker-dealer shall have any obligation to take or purchase any shares of common stock in the syndicated community offering; however, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated has agreed to use its best efforts in the sale of shares in any syndicated community offering.
 
The price at which common stock is sold in the syndicated community offering will be the same price at which shares are offered and sold in the subscription offering and community offering.  No person may purchase more than $1.5 million of common stock in the syndicated community offering, subject to the maximum purchase limitations.  See “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases.”
 
If a syndicated community offering is held, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated will serve as sole book running manager.  In such capacity, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated may form a syndicate of other broker-dealers who are Financial Industry Regulatory Authority member firms.  Neither Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated nor any registered broker-dealer will have any obligation to take or purchase any shares of the common stock in the syndicated community offering.  The syndicated community offering will be conducted in accordance with certain Securities and Exchange Commission rules applicable to best efforts offerings.  Under these rules, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated or the other broker-dealers participating in the syndicated community offering generally will accept payment for shares of common stock to be purchased in the syndicated community offering through a “sweep” arrangement under which a customer’s brokerage account at the applicable participating broker-dealer will be debited in the amount of the purchase price for the shares of common stock that such customer wishes to purchase in the syndicated community offering on the settlement date. Customers who authorize participating broker-dealers to debit their brokerage accounts are required to have the funds for the payment in their accounts on, but not before, the settlement date, which will only occur if the minimum of the offering range is met.  Customers who do not wish to authorize participating broker-dealers to debit their brokerage accounts will not be permitted to purchase shares of common stock in the syndicated community offering. Customers without brokerage accounts will not be able to participate in the syndicated community offering.  Institutional investors will pay Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, in its capacity as sole book running manager, for shares purchased in the syndicated community offering on the settlement date through the services of the Depository Trust Company on a delivery versus payment basis.  The closing of the syndicated community offering is subject to conditions set forth in an agency agreement among Charter Financial, First Charter, MHC and CharterBank on one hand and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated on the other hand.  If and when all the conditions for the closing are met, funds for common stock sold in the syndicated community offering, less fees and commissions payable by us, will be delivered promptly to us.  If the offering is consummated, but some or all of an interested investor’s funds are not accepted by us, those funds will be returned to the interested investor promptly after closing, without interest. Normal customer ticketing will be used for order placement.  In the syndicated community offering, order forms will not be used.
 
 
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The syndicated community offering will be completed within 45 days after the termination of the subscription offering, unless extended by CharterBank with the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision.
 
If for any reason we cannot effect a syndicated community offering of shares of common stock not purchased in the subscription and community offerings, or in the event that there is an insignificant number of shares remaining unsold after the subscription, community and syndicated community offerings, we will try to make other arrangements for the sale of unsubscribed shares, if possible. The Office of Thrift Supervision must approve any such arrangements.
 
Limitations on Common Stock Purchases
 
The stock issuance plan includes the following limitations on the number of shares of common stock that may be purchased in the stock offering:

 
(i)
The aggregate amount of our outstanding common stock owned or controlled by persons other than First Charter, MHC at the close of the stock offering must be less than 50% of the total issued and outstanding common stock of Charter Financial.
 
 
(ii)
No person may purchase fewer than 25 shares.  Accordingly, your  subscription must be for at least $ 263.00 of common stock to be accepted. No person may purchase more than $1.5 million of common stock.
 
 
(iii)
The maximum purchase of common stock in the subscription offering by a group of persons through a single deposit account is $1.5 million. Except for the employee stock ownership plan, as described above, no person or entity, together with associates or persons acting in concert with such person or entity, may purchase, in all categories of the offering combined, more than 5% of the shares of common stock issued in the offering.
 
 
(iv)
Current shareholders of Charter Financial, other than our employee stock ownership plan, are subject to an ownership limitation.  The number of shares of common stock that a shareholder may purchase in the offering, together with associates or persons acting in concert with such shareholder, plus any shares of Charter Financial common stock that they own immediately prior to the completion of the stock offering, may not exceed 5% of the shares of common stock issued in the offering.
 
 
(v)
The aggregate amount of common stock acquired in the stock offering, plus all prior issuances by Charter Financial, by any one or more tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans of Charter Financial, exclusive of any shares of common stock acquired by such plans in the secondary market, may not, at the conclusion of the stock offering, exceed 4.9% of (A) the outstanding shares of common stock of Charter Financial, or (B) the shareholders’ equity of Charter Financial.
 
 
(vi)
The aggregate amount of common stock acquired in the stock offering, plus all prior issuances by Charter Financial, by any one or more tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans and stock recognition and award plans of Charter Financial, exclusive of any shares of common stock acquired by such plans in the secondary market, shall not exceed 4.9% (5.88% with Office of Thrift Supervision approval if CharterBank’s tangible capital ratio is at least 10% at the time a plan is implemented) of (A) the outstanding shares of common stock of Charter Financial, or (ii) the shareholders’ equity of Charter Financial.
 
 
(vii)
The aggregate amount of common stock acquired in the stock offering, plus all prior issuances by Charter Financial, by all non-tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans of Charter Financial, or by directors and executive officers and their associates, exclusive of any shares of common stock acquired by such plans or persons in the secondary market, may not exceed 25% of the outstanding common stock held by persons other than First Charter, MHC at the conclusion of the stock offering. In calculating the number of shares of directors and executive officers and their associates under this paragraph, shares held by any tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan or non-tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan that are attributable to such person shall not be counted.
 
 
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        Depending upon market or financial conditions, our Board of Directors, with the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision without further approval of members of First Charter, MHC, may decrease or increase the purchase and ownership limitations.  If a purchase limitation is increased, subscribers in the subscription offering who ordered the maximum amount and included on their stock order form a desire to be resolicted, will be given the opportunity to increase their subscriptions up to the then applicable limit. In the event of a resolicitation, we have the right, in our sole discretion, to require such persons to supply immediately available funds for the purchase of additional shares.  Such persons will be prohibited from paying with a personal check, but we may allow payment by wire transfer. The effect of this type of resolicitation will be an increase in the number of shares of common stock owned by subscribers who choose to increase their subscriptions.  In the event that the maximum purchase limitation is increased to 5% of the shares sold in the offering, such limitation may be further increased to 9.99%, provided that orders for Charter Financial common stock exceeding 5% of the shares sold in the offering shall not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the total shares sold in the offering.
 
The term “associate” of a person means:
 
 
(i)
any corporation or organization, other than Charter Financial, CharterBank or a majority-owned subsidiary of CharterBank, of which the person is a senior officer, partner or 10% beneficial shareholder;
 
 
(ii)
any trust or other estate in which the person has a substantial beneficial interest or serves as a trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; provided, however, it does not include any employee stock benefit plan in which the person has a substantial beneficial interest or serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and
 
 
(iii)
any blood or marriage relative of the person, who either has the same home as the person or who is a director or officer of Charter Financial or CharterBank.

The term “acting in concert” means:
 
 
(i)
knowing participation in a joint activity or interdependent conscious parallel action towards a common goal whether or not pursuant to an express agreement; or
 
 
(ii)
a combination or pooling of voting or other interests in the securities of an issuer for a common purpose pursuant to any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement, whether written or otherwise.
 
A person or company that acts in concert with another person or company (“other party”) will also be deemed to be acting in concert with any person or company who is also acting in concert with that other party, except that any tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan will not be deemed to be acting in concert with its trustee or a person who serves in a similar capacity solely for the purpose of determining whether common stock held by the trustee and common stock held by the employee stock benefit plan will be aggregated.

We have the sole discretion to determine whether prospective purchasers are “associates” or “acting in concert.”  Persons having the same address, and persons exercising subscription rights through qualifying accounts registered at the same address will be deemed to be acting in concert unless we determine otherwise.

Our directors are not treated as associates of each other solely because of their membership on the Board of Directors. Common stock purchased in the offering will be freely transferable except for shares purchased by executive officers and directors of Charter Financial or CharterBank and except as described below.  Any purchases made by any associate of Charter Financial or CharterBank for the explicit purpose of meeting the minimum number of shares of common stock required to be sold in order to complete the offering shall be made for investment purposes only and not with a view toward redistribution.  In addition, under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority guidelines, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and their associates are subject to certain restrictions on transfer of securities purchased in accordance with subscription rights and to certain reporting requirements upon purchase of these securities.  For a further discussion of limitations on purchases of our shares of common stock at the time of the stock offering and thereafter, see “—Restrictions on Purchase or Transfer of Our Shares after the Stock Offering.”
 
 
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Marketing Arrangements

To assist in the marketing of our common stock, we have retained Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, which is a broker-dealer registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated will assist us on a best efforts basis in the offering by:

(i)           acting as our advisor for the stock offering;
 
(ii)          providing administrative services and managing the Stock Information Center;

(iii)         educating our employees regarding the offering;
 
(iv)         targeting our sales efforts, including assisting in the preparation of marketing materials; and
 
(v)          soliciting orders for common stock.

For these services, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated has received an advisory and will receive administrative fee of $50,000 and will receive 1% of the dollar amount of all shares of common stock sold in the subscription and community offerings.  No sales fee will be payable to Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated with respect to shares purchased by officers, directors and employees or their immediate families and shares purchased by our tax-qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans.  As part of our subscription and community offering, at our request, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated will endeavor to identify certain investors (commonly known as “identified investors”) who agree to commit, subject to certain conditions, to purchase blocks of stock in the stock offering to ensure we sell sufficient shares to consummate the stock offering.  Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated will receive a fee of 6% of the dollar amount of common stock sold to any identified investors in the subscription and community offerings.  Excluding fees paid pursuant to sales to identified investors, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated will receive a minimum fee of $125,000 for shares sold in the subscription and community offering.

In the event that Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated sells common stock through a group of broker-dealers in a syndicated community offering, it will be paid a fee equal to 1% of the dollar amount of total shares sold in the syndicated community offering, which fee along with the fee payable to selected dealers (which will include Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated) shall not exceed 6% in the aggregate.  Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated will serve as sole book running manager.  Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated also will be reimbursed for allocable expenses in amount not to exceed $30,000 in the subscription and community offering and $50,000 in the syndicated community offering and $100,000 for attorney’s fees (excluding reimbursement for allocable expenses of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated’s counsel which shall not exceed $10,000).

 In the event that we are required to resolicit subscribers for shares of our common stock in the subscription and community offerings, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated will be required to provide significant additional services in connection with the resolicitation (including repeating the services described above), and we may pay Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated an additional fee for those services that will not exceed $50,000.  Under such circumstances, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated may be reimbursed for additional allowable expenses up to $10,000, plus additional fees of its attorneys up to $25,000.

Stifel has also been granted a two year right of first refusal to serve as financial advisor and marketing agent to First Charter, MHC and Charter Financial in the event that they determine to undertake a second-step conversion. This right of first refusal is contingent upon the completion of the stock offering.

We will indemnify Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated against liabilities and expenses, including legal fees, incurred in connection with certain claims or litigation arising out of or based upon untrue statements or omissions contained in the offering materials for the common stock, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
 
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Some of our directors and executive officers may participate in the solicitation of offers to purchase common stock. These persons will be reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation. Other regular employees of CharterBank may assist in the stock offering, but only in ministerial capacities, and may provide clerical work in effecting a sales transaction.  No offers or sales may be made by tellers or at the teller counters.  No sales activity will be conducted in a CharterBank banking office.  Investment-related questions of prospective purchasers will be directed to executive officers or registered representatives of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated.  Our other employees have been instructed not to solicit offers to purchase shares of common stock or provide advice regarding the purchase of common stock.  We will rely on Rule 3a4-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and sales of common stock will be conducted within the requirements of Rule 3a4-1, so as to permit officers, directors and employees to participate in the sale of common stock. None of our officers, directors or employees will be compensated in connection with their participation in the offering.

In addition, we have engaged Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated to act as our records management agent in connection with the stock offering.  In its role as records management agent, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated will coordinate with our data processing service and interface with the Stock Information Center to provide the records processing and the stock order services, including but not limited to: consolidation of deposit and loan accounts; preparation of information for order forms; interfacing with our financial printer; and recording stock order information.  For its services as records management agent, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated will receive a fee of $35,000.  We will also reimburse Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with these services, not to exceed $5,000.

Prospectus Delivery

To ensure that each person ordering stock receives a prospectus at least 48 hours before September 13, 2010 in accordance with Rule 15c2-8 of the Exchange Act, no prospectus will be mailed any later than five days prior to such date or hand delivered any later than two days prior to such date.  Execution of a stock order form will confirm receipt or delivery in accordance with Rule 15c2-8.  Order forms will be distributed only if accompanied or preceded by a prospectus.  We will make reasonable attempts to provide a prospectus and offering materials to holders of subscription rights.  The subscription offering and all subscription rights will expire on September 13, 2010, however, whether or not we have been able to locate each person entitled to subscription rights.

We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to terminate the stock offering at any time and for any reason, in which case we will promptly return all purchase orders, plus interest at CharterBank’s passbook rate from the date the stock order form was processed , and we will cancel all authorized withdrawals from deposit accounts.

Lock-up Agreements

We and each of our directors and officers have agreed, for a period beginning on the date of this prospectus and ending 90 days after completion of the stock offering, not to, without the prior written consent of Stifel Nicolaus, directly or indirectly (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of or transfer any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common stock, or file any registration statement under the Securities Act, as amended, with respect to any of the foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of common stock, whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise.  The restricted period described above is subject to extension under limited circumstances.  In the event that either (1) during the period that begins on the date that is 15 calendar days plus three business days before the last day of the restricted period and ends on the last day of the restricted period, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to us occurs, or (2) prior to the expiration of the restricted period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the restricted period, the restrictions set forth herein will continue to apply until the expiration of the date that is 15 calendar days plus three business days after the date on which the earnings release is issued or the material news or event related to us occurs.
 
 
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Procedure for Purchasing Shares in the Subscription and Community Offerings

All persons ordering stock must order a  specific number of shares of common stock.  The minimum number of shares of common stock which any person may order is 25 shares.  Accordingly, your  subscription must be for at least $ 263.00 of common stock to be accepted. If the actual price at which shares are sold is less than $10.52, the difference will be refunded or the withdrawal authorization reduced, except for subscribers who have elected on their order forms to have such difference applied to the purchase of additional whole shares to the extent available.   Fractional shares will not be issued; instead, we will refund the amount that is insufficient to purchase a whole share of common stock.  The total number of shares of common stock that will be issued to any person is subject to the applicable purchase limitations and allocation procedures in the stock offering in the event of an oversubscription.  See “—Subscription Offering and Subscription Rights”, “—Community Offering” and “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases”, below.

Expiration Date.  The stock offering will terminate at 2:00 p.m., Georgia time, on September 13, 2010, unless we extend the stock offering in our sole discretion for up to 45 days, or such additional periods as may be approved by the Office of Thrift Supervision. Charter Financial may decide to extend the stock offering for any reason and is not required to give  subscribers notice of any such extension unless such period extends beyond [offering expiration date - extended].  If an extension beyond [offering expiration date - extended] is granted by the Office of Thrift supervision, we will resolicit subscribers, in which event we will notify subscribers and others who ordered stock in the offering of the extension of time and that they may maintain, change or cancel their stock orders within a specified period.  If a subscriber or other person who submitted an order does not respond during the resolicitation period, his or her stock order will be canceled, funds received for payment will be returned promptly with interest at CharterBank’s passbook rate of interest, and deposit account withdrawal authorizations will be canceled.  No single extension will last longer than 90 days, and in no event shall the stock offering extend beyond [offering expiration date - final extended].

Subscription rights that have not been exercised prior to the conclusion of the subscription offering will become void, whether or not we have been able to locate each person entitled to subscribe in the offering.

We will not execute orders until orders for at least the minimum gross proceeds have been received.  If orders for at least $ 33.3 million of common stock have not been received within 45 days after September 13, 2010 or after any additional extension period and the Office of Thrift Supervision has not consented to a further extension of the stock offering, all funds previously delivered to us to purchase shares of common stock in the offering will be returned promptly with interest at CharterBank’s passbook rate and all deposit account withdrawal authorizations will be canceled.

If the update to the independent valuation at the conclusion of the offering results in an increase in the maximum of the valuation range to more than $ 196.4 million, or a decrease in the minimum of the valuation range to less than $ 145.3 million, then, after consulting with the Office of Thrift Supervision, we may terminate the stock issuance plan, cancel deposit account withdrawal authorizations and promptly return all funds previously delivered to us to purchase shares of common stock with interest at our current statement savings rate of interest.  Alternatively, we may establish a new offering range, extend the offering period and commence a resolicitation of purchasers, as described above, or take other actions as permitted by the Office of Thrift Supervision in order to complete the stock offering.

Use of Order Forms in the Subscription and Community Offerings. In order to purchase shares of common stock in the subscription and community offerings, you must complete and sign an original stock order form and remit full payment.  We are not required to accept orders submitted on photocopied or facsimiled order forms. All order forms must be received (not postmarked) prior to 2:00 p.m., Georgia time, on September 13, 2010. We are not required to accept order forms that are not received by that time, are not signed or are otherwise executed defectively or are received without full payment or without appropriate withdrawal instructions. We are not required to notify subscribers of incomplete or improperly executed order forms, and we have the right to waive or permit the correction of incomplete or improperly executed order forms.  You may submit your order form and payment either by mail using the stock order reply envelope provided, by overnight delivery to the indicated address on the order form.  Our banking offices will not accept stock order forms.  Please do not mail stock order forms to CharterBank.  Once tendered, an order form cannot be modified or revoked without our consent, unless the offering is extended beyond [offering expiration date - extended].  We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to reject orders received in the community offering, in whole or in part, at the time of receipt or at any time prior to completion of the offering.  If you are ordering shares in the subscription offering, you must represent that you are purchasing shares for your own account and that you have no agreement or understanding with any person for the sale or transfer of the shares.  We have the right to reject any order submitted in the offering by a person who we believe is making false representations or who we otherwise believe, either alone or acting in concert with others, is violating, evading, circumventing, or intends to violate, evade or circumvent the terms and conditions of the stock issuance plan.  Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the stock issuance plan and of the acceptability of the order forms will be final.
 
 
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By signing the order form, you will be acknowledging that the common stock is not a deposit or savings account and is not federally insured or otherwise guaranteed by CharterBank or the federal government, and that you received a copy of this prospectus. However, signing the order form will not result in you waiving your rights under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Payment for Shares. Payment for all shares of common stock will be required to accompany all completed order forms for the purchase to be valid. Payment for shares may be made by:

 
 (i)
personal check, bank check or money order, made payable to Charter Financial Corporation;  or
 
 
 (ii)
authorizing us to withdraw funds from CharterBank the types of deposit accounts (not checking accounts) designated on the stock order form.
 
Appropriate means for designating withdrawals from deposit accounts at CharterBank are provided on the order form. The funds designated must be available in the account(s) at the time the order form is received. A hold will be placed on these funds, making them unavailable to the depositor. Funds authorized for withdrawal will continue to earn interest within the account at the contract rate until the offering is completed, at which time the designated withdrawal will be made. Interest penalties for early withdrawal applicable to certificate accounts will not apply to withdrawals authorized for the purchase of shares of common stock; however, if a withdrawal results in a certificate account with a balance less than the applicable minimum balance requirement, the certificate will be canceled at the time of withdrawal without penalty and the remaining balance will earn interest at CharterBank’s passbook rate subsequent to the withdrawal.  In the case of payments made by personal check, these funds must be available in the account(s) when the order form is received. Checks and money orders submitted in the subscription and community offerings will be immediately cashed and placed in a segregated account at CharterBank and will earn interest at CharterBank’s statement savings rate from the date payment is processed until the offering is completed or terminated.

You may not remit cash, CharterBank line of credit checks, and third-party checks (including those payable to you and endorsed over to Charter Financial). Additionally, you may not designate a direct withdrawal from CharterBank accounts with check-writing privileges.  Please provide a check instead.  If permitted by the Office of Thrift Supervision, in the event we resolicit large purchasers, as described above in “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases,” such purchasers who wish to increase their purchases will not be able to use personal checks to pay for the additional shares.

Once we receive your executed stock order form, it may not be modified, amended or rescinded without our consent, unless the offering is not completed by [offering expiration date - extended], in which event purchasers may be given the opportunity to increase, decrease or cancel their orders for a specified period of time.
 
If the offering is consummated, but some or all of an interested investor’s funds submitted in the subscription or community offerings are not accepted by us, those funds will be returned to the interested investor promptly after closing, without interest.  If the offering is not consummated, funds in the account will be returned promptly, without interest, to the potential investor.
 
Regulations prohibit CharterBank from lending funds or extending credit to any persons to purchase shares of common stock in the stock offering.

We shall have the right, in our sole discretion, to permit institutional investors to submit irrevocable orders together with the legally binding commitment for payment and to thereafter pay for the shares of common stock for which they subscribe in the community offering at any time prior to 48 hours before the completion of the stock offering.  This payment may be made by wire transfer.

If our employee stock ownership plan purchases shares in the offering, it will not be required to pay for such shares until consummation of the offering, provided that there is a loan commitment from an unrelated financial institution or Charter Financial to lend to the employee stock ownership plan the necessary amount to fund the purchase.
 
 
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Using IRA Funds. If you are interested in using your individual retirement account or other retirement account funds to purchase shares of common stock, you must do so through a self-directed retirement account, such as a brokerage firm retirement account.  By regulation, CharterBank’s retirement accounts are not self-directed, so they cannot be invested in our shares of common stock.  Therefore, if you wish to use funds that are currently in a CharterBank retirement account, you may not designate on the order form that you wish funds to be withdrawn from the account for the purchase of common stock.  The funds you wish to use for the purchase of common stock will instead have to be transferred to a brokerage account before placing your order.  If you do not have such an account, you will need to establish one before placing a stock order.  An annual administrative fee may be payable to the independent trustee or custodian.  There will be no early withdrawal or Internal Revenue Service interest penalties for these transfers. Depositors interested in using funds in an individual retirement account or any other retirement account, whether at CharterBank or elsewhere, to purchase shares of common stock should contact our Stock Information Center for guidance as soon as possible, preferably at least two weeks prior to the September 13, 2010 offering deadline, because processing such transactions takes additional time, and whether such funds can be used may depend on limitations imposed by the institutions where such funds are currently held. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to use such funds.

Delivery of Stock Certificates in the Subscription and Community Offerings. Certificates representing shares of common stock sold in the subscription and community offerings will be mailed to the persons entitled thereto at the certificate registration address noted by them on the stock order form, as soon as practicable following consummation of the offering and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Any certificates returned as undeliverable will be held by the transfer agent until claimed by persons legally entitled thereto or otherwise disposed of in accordance with applicable law. Until certificates for the shares of common stock are available and delivered to purchasers, purchasers may not be able to sell the shares of common stock which they ordered, even though the common stock will have begun trading.

Other Restrictions. Notwithstanding any other provision of the stock issuance plan, no person is entitled to purchase any shares of common stock to the extent the purchase would be illegal under any federal or state law or regulation, including state “blue sky” regulations, or would violate regulations or policies of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, particularly those regarding free riding and withholding. We may ask for an acceptable legal opinion from any purchaser as to the legality of his or her purchase and we may refuse to honor any purchase order if an opinion is not timely furnished.  In addition, we are not required to offer shares of common stock to any person who resides in a foreign country, or in a State of the United States with respect to which any of the following apply: (i) a small number of persons otherwise eligible to subscribe for shares under the stock issuance plan reside in such state; (ii) the issuance of subscription rights or the offer or sale of shares of common stock to such persons would require us, under the securities laws of such state, to register as a broker, dealer, salesman or agent or to register or otherwise qualify our securities for sale in such state; or (iii) such registration or qualification would be impracticable for reasons of cost or otherwise.
 
Restrictions on Transfer of Subscription Rights and Shares

Subscription rights to purchase shares in the stock offering are nontransferable.   Persons receiving these rights are not permitted to transfer or enter into any agreement or understanding to transfer the legal or beneficial ownership of the subscription rights issued under the stock issuance plan or, prior to the completion of the stock offering, the shares of common stock to be issued upon their exercise.  These rights may be exercised only by the person to whom they are granted and only for his or her account.  Each person exercising such subscription rights will be required to certify that he or she is purchasing shares of common stock in the subscription offering solely for his or her own account and that he or she has no agreement or understanding regarding the sale or transfer of such shares.  Adding the names of non-depositors, or depositors with a lower purchase priority than yours, could result in a loss of your subscription priority.  In addition, persons may not offer or make an announcement of an offer or intent to make an offer to purchase such subscription rights or shares of common stock.  We will pursue any and all legal and equitable remedies in the event management becomes aware of the transfer of subscription rights and we will not honor orders known by them to involve the transfer of these rights.
 
 
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Stock Information Center

If you have questions about our stock offering, please call our Stock Information Center toll-free at 1-________________, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Georgia time.  The Stock Information Center will be closed on weekends and for bank holidays.

Tax Effects of the Stock Offering

Management believes that no gain or loss for federal or Georgia income tax purposes will be recognized to Charter Financial Corporation or First Charter, MHC as a result of the stock offering.

Management believes that First Charter, MHC’s contribution of a portion of its shares of common stock, and the subsequent cancellation of those shares by Charter Financial Corporation, qualifies as a tax-free contribution of capital by First Charter, MHC under Section 118 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Management believes that First Charter, MHC’s contribution of shares to Charter Financial Corporation is analogous to the situation in Commissioner v. Fink, 483 U.S. 89 (1987), in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that where majority shareholders voluntarily surrender a portion of their stock to a corporation in an unsuccessful attempt to increase the corporation’s attractiveness to outside investors, and where the majority shareholders retained control of the corporation even after the surrender, they made a non-taxable capital contribution.

Concurrently with First Charter, MHC’s capital contribution, Charter Financial Corporation will offer, sell and issue shares of common stock to the public in the stock offering.  Generally, a sale of shares for cash is a non-taxable event under Section 1032 of the Internal Revenue Code.  Management is not aware of any authority under current law which would hold that the two concurrent transactions would be taxable.

There is, however, the possibility that the receipt and/or exercise of the subscription rights by Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders would result in taxable gain or income to the extent that such subscription rights are determined to have a fair market value.  Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences in the event that subscription rights are deemed to have ascertainable value.

Restrictions on Purchase or Transfer of Shares After the Stock Offering

All common stock purchased in the stock offering by a director or an executive officer of Charter Financial or CharterBank and any associates of such persons, will be subject to a restriction that the shares of common stock cannot be sold for a period of one year following the stock offering, except in the event of the death of such director or executive officer, in connection with a merger or acquisition of Charter Financial that has been approved by the Office of Thrift Supervision, or as otherwise approved by the Office of Thrift Supervision.  Each certificate for shares subject to the restriction described above will bear a legend giving notice of this restriction on transfer, and instructions will be issued to the effect that any transfer within such time period of any certificate or record ownership of such shares other than as provided above is a violation of the restriction.  Any shares of common stock issued at a later date as a stock dividend, stock split, or otherwise, with respect to such restricted stock will be subject to the same restrictions.  The directors and executive officers of CharterBank and Charter Financial and certain other persons in receipt of material non-public information also will be subject to the insider trading rules promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Purchases of outstanding shares of common stock of Charter Financial by directors, executive officers (or any person who became an executive officer or director of Charter Financial or CharterBank after adoption of the stock issuance plan) or their associates during the three-year period following the stock offering may be made only through a broker or dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, except with the prior written approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision.  This restriction does not apply, however, to negotiated transactions involving more than 1% of our outstanding common stock or to the purchase of common stock pursuant to a stock option plan or any tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan or non-tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan of CharterBank or Charter Financial (including any employee stock ownership plan, stock recognition plan or restricted stock plan).
 
 
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General

Charter Financial Corporation is authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $0.01 per share and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock having no par value.  As of March 31, 2010, 18,672,361 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding, of which 15,857,924 shares of common stock were held by First Charter, MHC and no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding.  We expect to issue in the stock offering up to 5,961,573 shares of common stock.  We will not issue shares of preferred stock in the stock offering. Each share of our common stock has the same relative rights as, and is identical in all respects with, each other share of common stock. Upon payment of the actual purchase price per share for our shares of common stock, in accordance with the plan of stock issuance, all of the common stock sold in the stock offering will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable.

Our common stock is nonwithdrawable capital, is not an account of an insurable type, and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.

Common Stock

Distributions. Charter Financial Corporation can pay dividends if, as and when declared by our Board of Directors, subject to compliance with limitations that are imposed by law.  The holders of our shares of common stock are entitled to receive and share equally in such dividends as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor.  If we issue preferred stock, the holders thereof may have a priority over the holders of our common stock with respect to dividends.

Voting Rights.  The holders of our shares of common stock possess exclusive voting rights in Charter Financial Corporation.  Each holder of a share of common stock is entitled to one vote per share and does not have any right to cumulate votes in the election of directors.  If we issue preferred stock, holders of the preferred stock also may possess voting rights.

Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of CharterBank, Charter Financial, as the holder of 100% of the outstanding capital stock of each of CharterBank, would be entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of all debts and liabilities of CharterBank, as appropriate, including all deposit accounts and accrued interest thereon, all assets of CharterBank available for distribution, as appropriate.  In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Charter Financial, the holders of our shares of common stock would be entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of all our debts and liabilities, all of our assets available for distribution. If preferred stock is issued, the holders thereof may have a priority over the holders of the shares of common stock in the event of liquidation or dissolution.

Rights to Buy Additional Shares.  Holders of shares of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares that may be issued.  Preemptive rights are the priority right to buy additional shares if we issue more shares in the future.  The shares of our common stock are not subject to redemption.

Cumulative Voting.  Our charter does not provide for cumulative voting.

Number and Term of Directors.  Our charter provides that the number of directors shall be not fewer than five nor more than 15, unless the Office of Thrift Supervision approves a greater or lesser number.  Our Bylaws specify that the number of directors shall be seven.  Our Bylaws also provide for the Board of Directors to be classified into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible, with one class being elected annually.

Amendment of Charter and Bylaws.  Our charter may be amended if such amendment is proposed by the Board of Directors and approved by shareholders by a majority of the votes eligible to be cast, unless a higher vote is required by the Office of Thrift Supervision.  Our bylaws may be amended upon approval by a majority vote of the authorized Board of Directors or by a majority vote of the votes cast by our shareholders (and upon receipt of approval by the Office of Thrift Supervision, if applicable).
 
 
159

 

Preferred Stock

None of the shares of our authorized preferred stock have been issued or will be issued in the stock offering.  Such preferred stock may be issued with such preferences and designations as our Board of Directors may from time to time determine.  Our Board of Directors can, without shareholder approval, issue preferred stock with voting, dividend, liquidation and conversion rights that could dilute the voting strength of the holders of shares of our common stock and may assist management in impeding an unfriendly takeover or attempted change in control.  We have no present plans to issue preferred stock.

 
The transfer agent and registrar for Charter Financial’s common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

 
The consolidated financial statements of Charter Financial as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, and for the years then ended appearing in this prospectus have been audited by Dixon Hughes PLLC, independent registered public accounting firm , as stated in their report with respect thereto, and have been included herein in reliance given upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows of Charter Financial for the year ended September 30, 2007 have been included herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, included herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Charter Financial has agreed to indemnify and hold KPMG LLP harmless against and from any and all legal costs and expenses incurred by KPMG LLP in successful defense of any legal action or proceeding that arises as a result of KPMG LLP’s consent to including KPMG LLP’s audit report on Charter Financial’s past financial statements that are included herein and in the registration statement.

The statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed by CharterBank as of March 26, 2010 pursuant to the purchase and assumption agreement, dated as of March 26, 2010, between CharterBank and the FDIC, appearing in this prospectus and in the registration statement, has been audited by Dixon Hughes PLLC , independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report with respect thereto, and has been included herein in reliance given upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

RP Financial has consented to the publication herein of the summary of its report to Charter Financial setting forth its opinion as to the estimated pro forma market value of the shares of common stock upon completion of the stock offering and its letter with respect to subscription rights.

 
Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C., Washington, D.C., counsel to Charter Financial Corporation, First Charter, MHC and CharterBank, will issue to Charter Financial Corporation its opinion regarding the legality of the common stock. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated by Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.
 
 
160

 

 
Charter Financial has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the shares of common stock offered hereby. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, this prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement.  Such information, including the appraisal report which is an exhibit to the registration statement, can be examined without charge at the public reference facilities of the Securities and Exchange Commission located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of such material can be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission at prescribed rates.  The Securities and Exchange Commission telephone number is 1-800-SEC-0330.  In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Charter Financial.  The statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are, of necessity, brief descriptions of the material terms of, and should be read in conjunction with, such contract or document.

In connection with the offering, Charter Financial will register its common stock under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, upon such registration, Charter Financial and the holders of its common stock will become subject to the proxy solicitation rules, reporting requirements and restrictions on common stock purchases and sales by directors, officers and greater than 10% shareholders, the annual and periodic reporting and certain other requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Under the stock issuance plan, Charter Financial has undertaken that it will not terminate such registration for a period of at least three years following the offering.
 
 
161

 
 
 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Report of Dixon Hughes PLLC, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  F-2
     
Report of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  F-3
     
Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2010 (unaudited) and September 30, 2009 and 2008
  F-4
     
Consolidated Statements of Income for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited) and for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007
  F-5
     
Consolidated Statements of Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the six months ended March 31, 2010 (unaudited) and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007
  F-6
     
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited) and for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007
  F-8
     
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements    F-10
 
***
 
All financial statement schedules have been omitted as the required information either is not applicable or is included in the financial statements or related notes.
 
 
F-1

 
 
   graphic  
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors
Charter Financial Corporation:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Charter Financial Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the 2009 and 2008 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Charter Financial Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
GRAPHIC
 
Atlanta, Georgia
December 23, 2009, except
for Note 22 as to which the
date is June 18, 2010
 
  225 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 600  graphic 
  Atlanta, GA 30303-1728 
  Ph. 404.575.8900 Fx. 404.575.8860 
  www.dixon-hughes.com
   
 
 
F-2

 
 
graphic
KPMG LLP
Suite 1800
420 20th Street North
Birmingham, AL 35203
 
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors Charter Financial Corporation:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows of Charter Financial Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) for the year ended September 30, 2007. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the results of the operations and the cash flows of Charter Financial Corporation for the year ended September 30, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
 
  graphic
 
Birmingham, Alabama
December 20, 2007
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KPMG LLP, a U.S. limited liability partnership, is the U.S.
member firm of KPMG International, a Swiss cooperative. 
 
 
 
F-3

 
 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
                   
   
(Unaudited)
             
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Assets
                 
Cash and amounts due from depository institutions
  $ 111,091,656     $ 36,679,210     $ 11,978,998  
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
    30,544,762       17,160,826       2,660,130  
Cash and cash equivalents
    141,636,418       53,840,036       14,639,128  
Loans held for sale, fair value of $694,900, $1,129,286 and $1,297,165
    690,301       1,123,489       1,292,370  
Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations available for sale
    201,583,697       201,625,975       242,848,419  
Other investment securities available for sale
    3,962,010       4,434,732       34,290,733  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    15,157,100       14,035,800       13,605,900  
Loans receivable:
                       
Not covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements
    476,227,837       472,974,693       437,520,665  
Covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements, net
    213,755,529       89,763,944       -  
Unamortized loan origination fees, net
    (897,488 )     (856,538 )     (804,475 )
Allowance for loan losses (non-covered loans)
    (11,396,504 )     (9,331,612 )     (8,243,931 )
Loans receivable, net
    677,689,374       552,550,487       428,472,259  
Other real estate owned:
                       
Not covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements
    7,409,175       4,777,542       2,680,430  
Covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements
    35,732,671       10,681,499       -  
Accrued interest and dividends receivable
    4,286,580       3,746,080       3,272,628  
Premises and equipment, net
    17,513,373       17,287,140       17,302,517  
Goodwill
    4,325,282       4,325,282       4,325,282  
Other intangible assets, net of amortization
    1,046,196       854,586       988,988  
Cash surrender value of life insurance
    31,116,214       30,549,849       29,280,581  
FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements
    94,089,464       26,481,146       -  
Deferred income taxes
    419,076       7,289,043       6,872,020  
Other assets
    6,082,679       3,277,447       1,629,327  
Total assets
  $ 1,242,739,610     $ 936,880,133     $ 801,500,582  
                         
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                       
Liabilities:
                       
Deposits
  $ 906,580,112     $ 597,633,669     $ 420,175,064  
FHLB advances and other borrowings
    212,232,472       227,000,000       267,000,000  
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
    793,091       1,279,440       1,237,494  
Other liabilities
    12,460,724       12,710,364       10,786,103  
Total liabilities
    1,132,066,399       838,623,473       699,198,661  
Stockholders’ Equity:
                       
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 19,859,219 shares issued at March 31, 2010, September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively; 18,578,856, 18,577,356 and 18,794,999 shares outstanding at March 31, 2010, September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively
    198,592       198,592       198,592  
Preferred Stock, no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized
    -       -       -  
Additional paid-in capital
    42,807,498       42,751,898       42,537,428  
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,186,858, 1,281,863, and 1,064,220 shares at March 31, 2010, September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively
    (36,903,102 )     (36,948,327 )     (35,060,409 )
Unearned compensation - ESOP
    (1,546,990 )     (1,683,990 )     (1,825,390 )
Retained earnings
    109,148,101       102,215,498       103,301,290  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss - net unrealized holding losses on securities available for sale, net of tax
    (3,030,888 )     (8,277,011 )     (6,849,590 )
Total stockholders’ equity
    110,673,211       98,256,660       102,301,921  
Commitments and contingencies
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 1,242,739,610     $ 936,880,133     $ 801,500,582  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F-4

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
                               
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
Six Months Ended
       
   
March 31,
   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Interest and dividend income:
                             
Loans receivable
  $ 18,155,653     $ 13,133,776     $ 29,311,959     $ 28,872,156     $ 28,884,292  
Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations
    3,961,812       5,753,657       10,700,219       12,210,454       13,787,660  
Equity securities
    15,268             29,394       3,168,878       8,203,630  
Debt securities
    98,610       329,815       484,064       1,189,925       1,759,595  
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
    42,400       12,187       33,636       935,991       2,010,338  
Total interest and dividend income
    22,273,743       19,229,435       40,559,272       46,377,404       54,645,515  
Interest expense:
                                       
Deposits
    5,125,902       5,229,443       10,099,376       14,525,764       15,187,922  
Borrowings
    5,252,253       6,106,722       12,499,232       12,245,020       14,639,019  
Total interest expense
    10,378,155       11,336,165       22,598,608       26,770,784       29,826,941  
Net interest income
    11,895,588       7,893,270       17,960,664       19,606,620       24,818,574  
Provision for loan losses
    3,800,000       2,550,000       4,550,000       3,250,000        
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    8,095,588       5,343,270       13,410,664       16,356,620       24,818,574  
Noninterest income:
                                       
Service charges on deposit accounts
    2,672,460       2,250,483       4,664,364       5,027,499       4,532,045  
Gain (loss) on sale of investments
    203,188       182,798       2,160,760       (38,272 )      
Total impairment losses on securities
    (5,179,492 )                        
Portion of losses recognized in other comprehensive income
    1,652,818                          
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
    (3,526,674 )                        
Gain on sale of other assets held for sale
          2,086,053       2,086,053              
Bank owned life insurance
    566,365       636,522       1,269,268       1,059,224       591,478  
Gain on sale of loans and loan servicing release fees
    468,245       312,486       681,524       762,227       1,151,839  
Gain on sale of Freddie Mac common stock
                      9,556,639       69,453,332  
Loan servicing fees
    137,178       102,977       223,375       291,183       272,040  
Gain on operations of covered call program
                      1,722,977       368,799  
Brokerage commissions
    248,909       141,983       301,469       402,183       424,299  
Acquisition gain
    15,604,040                          
Other
    1,041,314       180,793       405,321       166,797       130,479  
Total noninterest income
    17,415,025       5,894,095       11,792,134       18,950,457       76,924,311  
Noninterest expenses:
                                       
Salaries and employee benefits
    6,243,395       4,759,464       10,056,639       11,436,562       13,811,000  
Occupancy
    2,929,966       1,896,241       3,970,052       3,786,348       3,530,652  
FHLB advance prepayment penalty
                1,408,275              
Legal and professional
    956,271       420,582       989,230       669,789       429,444  
Marketing
    719,275       387,668       1,040,867       930,174       987,648  
Federal insurance premiums and other regulatory fees
    544,160       490,763       1,390,873       336,290       260,907  
Net cost of operations of real estate owned
    526,071       45,719       800,985       18,826       44,340  
Furniture and equipment
    314,186       304,845       647,878       624,530       667,495  
Postage, office supplies, and printing
    341,540       301,860       625,110       614,302       560,072  
Core deposit intangible amortization expense
    67,201       67,201       134,402       136,864       147,684  
Other
    706,945       714,550       1,517,087       1,730,124       1,486,457  
Total noninterest expenses
    13,349,010       9,388,893       22,581,398       20,283,809       21,925,699  
Income before income taxes
    12,161,603       1,848,472       2,621,400       15,023,268       79,817,186  
Income tax expense
    4,428,092       419,072       305,638       4,491,036       28,877,364  
Net income
  $ 7,733,511     $ 1,429,400     $ 2,315,762     $ 10,532,232     $ 50,939,822  
                                         
Basic net income per share
  $ 0.42     $ 0.08     $ 0.13     $ 0.55     $ 2.67  
Diluted net income per share
  $ 0.42     $ 0.08     $ 0.12     $ 0.55     $ 2.65  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    18,416,507       18,522,909       18,497,297       19,022,259       19,097,807  
Weighted average number of common and potential common shares outstanding
    18,416,507       18,522,909       18,558,523       19,082,960       19,210,548  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F-5

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2010 (Unaudited) and the Years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
                                                       
                               
Accumulated
     
       
Common stock
         
Unearned
     
other
 
Total
 
   
Comprehensive
 
Number
     
Additional
 
Treasury
 
compensation
 
Retained
 
comprehensive
 
stockholders’
 
   
income (loss)
 
of shares
 
Amount
 
paid-in capital
 
stock
 
ESOP
 
earnings
 
income (loss)
 
equity
 
                                                       
Balance at September 30, 2006
       
19,837,816
 
$
198,378
 
$
39,031,515
 
$
(5,436,393
)
$
(2,121,940
)
$
63,548,301
 
$
172,489,384
 
$
267,709,245
 
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                                     
Net income
 
$
50,939,822
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
50,939,822
   
-
   
50,939,822
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) – change in unrealized gain on securities, net of income taxes of $34,955,781
   
(55,603,237
)
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(55,603,237
)
 
(55,603,237
)
Total comprehensive loss
 
$
(4,663,415
)
                                             
Dividends paid, $4.45 per share
       
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(14,562,112
)
 
-
   
(14,562,112
)
Allocation of ESOP common stock
       
-
   
-
   
454,887
   
-
   
150,500
   
-
   
-
   
605,387
 
Vesting of non-vested shares
       
-
   
-
   
(91,980
)
 
801,245
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
709,265
 
Tax benefit of disqualifying dispositions of stock options
       
-
   
-
   
139,365
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
139,365
 
Stock based compensation expense
       
-
   
-
   
1,311,019
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
1,311,019
 
Income tax benefits of non-vested share awards
       
-
   
-
   
424,189
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
424,189
 
Repurchase of shares
       
-
   
-
   
-
   
(27,064,470
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(27,064,470
)
Exercise of stock options, including income tax benefit of $59,860
       
17,803
   
178
   
463,469
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
463,647
 
                                                       
Balance at September 30, 2007
       
19,855,619
 
$
198,556
 
$
41,732,464
 
$
(31,699,618
)
$
(1,971,440
)
$
99,926,011
 
$
116,886,147
 
$
225,072,120
 
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                                     
Net income
 
$
10,532,232
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
10,532,232
   
-
   
10,532,232
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) – change in unrealized gain on securities, net of income taxes of $77,788,265
   
(123,735,737
)
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(123,735,737
)
 
(123,735,737
)
Total comprehensive loss
 
$
(113,203,505
)
                                             
Dividends paid, $1.75 per share
       
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(7,156,953
)
 
-
   
(7,156,953
)
Allocation of ESOP common stock
       
-
   
-
   
554,466
   
-
   
146,050
   
-
   
-
   
700,516
 
Vesting of non-vested shares
       
-
   
-
   
51,460
   
1,315,387
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
1,366,847
 
Tax benefit of disqualifying dispositions of stock options
       
-
   
-
   
9,700
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
9,700
 
Stock based compensation expense
       
-
   
-
   
84,038
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
84,038
 
Repurchase of shares
       
-
   
-
   
-
   
(4,676,178
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(4,676,178
)
Exercise of stock options, including income tax benefit of $0
       
3,600
   
36
   
105,300
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
105,336
 
                                                       
Balance at September 30, 2008
       
19,859,219
 
$
198,592
 
$
42,537,428
 
$
(35,060,409
)
$
(1,825,390
)
$
103,301,290
 
$
(6,849,590
)
$
102,301,921
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F-6

 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2010 (Unaudited) and the Years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
(Continued)
                                                       
                               
Accumulated
     
       
Common stock
         
Unearned
     
other
 
Total
 
   
Comprehensive
 
Number
     
Additional
 
Treasury
 
compensation
 
Retained
 
comprehensive
 
stockholders’
 
   
income (loss)
 
of shares
 
Amount
 
paid-in capital
 
stock
 
ESOP
 
earnings
 
income (loss)
 
equity
 
                                       
Balance at September 30, 2008
       
19,859,219
 
$
198,592
 
$
42,537,428
 
$
(35,060,409
)
$
(1,825,390
)
$
103,301,290
 
$
(6,849,590
)
$
102,301,921
 
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                                     
Net income
 
$
2,315,762
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
2,315,762
   
-
   
2,315,762
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) – change in unrealized loss on securities, net of income taxes of $897,369
   
(1,427,421
)
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(1,427,421
)
 
(1,427,421
)
Total comprehensive income
 
$
888,341
                                               
Dividends paid, $1.00 per share
       
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(3,401,554
)
 
-
   
(3,401,554
)
Allocation of ESOP common stock
       
-
   
-
   
148,470
   
-
   
141,400
   
-
   
-
   
289,870
 
Vesting of non-vested shares
       
-
   
-
   
32,066
   
340,424
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
372,490
 
Stock based compensation expense
       
-
   
-
   
33,934
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
33,934
 
Repurchase of shares
       
-
   
-
   
-
   
(2,228,342
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
(2,228,342
)
                                                       
Balance at September 30, 2009
       
19,859,219
   
198,592
   
42,751,898
   
(36,948,327
)
 
(1,683,990
)
 
102,215,498
   
(8,277,011
)
 
98,256,660
 
                                                       
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                                     
Net income
 
$
7,733,511
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
7,733,511
   
-
   
7,733,511
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) – change in unrealized loss on securities, net of income tax benefit of $2,7002,548
   
5,246,123
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
5,246,123
   
5,246,123
 
Total comprehensive income
 
$
12,979,634
                                               
Dividends paid, $0.25 per share
       
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(800,908
)
 
-
   
(800,908
)
Allocation of ESOP common stock
       
-
   
-
   
10,034
   
-
   
137,000
   
-
   
-
   
147,034
 
Vesting of non-vested shares
       
-
   
-
   
28,650
   
45,225
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
73,875
 
Stock based compensation expense
       
-
   
-
   
16,916
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
16,916
 
Repurchase of shares
       
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
 
                                                       
Balance at March 31, 2010
       
19,859,219
 
$
198,592
 
$
42,807,498
 
$
(36,903,102
)
$
(1,546,990
)
$
109,148,101
 
$
(3,030,888
)
$
110,673,211
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
F-7

 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                               
   
(Unaudited)
                   
   
Six Months Ended
                   
   
March 31,
   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
Net income
  $ 7,733,511     $ 1,429,400     $ 2,315,762     $ 10,532,232     $ 50,939,822  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
                                       
Provision for loan losses
    3,800,000       2,550,000       4,550,000       3,250,000        
Depreciation and amortization
    522,261       501,021       1,007,408       963,964       989,788  
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
    4,167,419       1,920,594       (430,209 )     (1,920,594 )     (422,086 )
Accretion and amortization of premiums and discounts, net
    585,851       9,749       127,242       (26,437 )     (138,640 )
Accretion of fair value discounts related to covered loans
    (3,333,953 )           (1,698,238 )            
Gain on sale of loans and loan servicing release fees
    (468,245 )     (312,486 )     (681,524 )     (762,227 )     (1,151,839 )
Proceeds from sale of loans
    10,454,196       10,891,312       25,996,713       18,548,793       41,099,310  
Originations and purchases of loans held for sale
    (9,552,763 )     (9,877,357 )     (25,146,308 )     (18,157,816 )     (39,959,385 )
Gain on acquisition
    (15,604,040 )                        
Gain on sale of Freddie Mac common stock
                      (9,556,639 )     (69,453,332 )
(Gain) loss on sale of mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, and other investments 
    (203,188     (182,798      (2,160,760      38,272        —  
Other-than-temporary impairment
    3,526,674                          
Write down of real estate owned
    199,776             669,870       39,219       30,800  
Loss (gain) on sale of real estate owned
    (81,263 )     (16,044 )     (113,007 )     (113,946 )     (414 )
Recovery payable to FDIC on other real estate owned gains
    (449,858 )           (130,046 )            
Gain on sale of other assets held for sale
                (2,086,053 )           (47,539 )
FHLB advance prepayment penalty
                1,408,275              
Restricted stock award expense
    105,784       144,497       285,046       851,640       669,319  
Stock option expense
    16,916       17,016       33,934       84,038       1,971,608  
Excess tax benefit on exercise of stock options
                            (59,860 )
Increase in cash surrender value on bank owned life insurance
    (566,365 )     (636,522 )     (1,269,268 )     (1,059,224 )     (591,478 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                                       
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest and dividends receivable
    109,301       60,136       192,004       404,950       (99,207 )
(Increase) decrease in other assets
    (3,568,812 )     (2,892,523 )     437,171       159,085       113,019  
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities
    (1,543,567 )     (5,743,109 )     867,398       454,559       2,067,504  
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (4,150,365 )     (2,137,114 )     4,175,411       3,729,869       (14,042,610 )
                                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                       
Proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations available for sale
    15,026,370       19,178,518       89,435,458       5,894,659        
Principal collections on government sponsored entities available for sale
    411,790             1,103,987       606,401       789,064  
Principal collections on mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations available for sale
    28,893,423       24,878,214       69,470,730       47,745,518       50,442,863  
Purchase of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations available for sale
    (14,107,959 )     (27,442,753 )     (111,700,517 )     (38,269,681 )     (4,003,362 )
Purchase of equity securities and other investments
                (21,891,798 )     (10,083,386 )      
Proceeds from sale of Freddie Mac common stock
                      14,281,888       70,646,923  
Proceeds from the sale or issuer call of equity securities and other investments
          29,050,000       58,055,440       990,025        
Proceeds from maturities of other securities available for sale
                      5,974,000       5,000,000  
Purchase of FHLB stock
          (1,903,500 )     (2,236,500 )     (3,042,000 )     (1,125,000 )
Proceeds from redemption of FHLB stock
          2,473,500       2,806,500       3,103,900       3,438,400  
Proceeds from redemption of FRB stock acquired
                157,800              
Net increase in loans receivable
    (3,472,622 )     (26,616,448 )     (43,655,083 )     (30,990,857 )     (31,402,364 )
Net decrease in FDIC receivable
    3,972,605             23,729,476              
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned
    5,578,994       1,020,861       5,443,005       2,395,548       826,044  
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment
          708,523       781,510             149,516  
Purchases of premises and equipment
    (681,293 )     (311,033 )     (1,639,139 )     (1,328,770 )     (701,216 )
Net cash received from acquisitions
    68,914,993             30,017,337              
Purchase of life insurance
                      (15,000,000 )      
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    104,536,301       21,035,882       99,878,206       (17,722,755 )     94,060,868  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F-8

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
                               
   
(Unaudited)
                   
   
Six Months Ended
                   
   
March 31,
   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                             
Purchase of treasury stock
  $     $ (1,012,435 )   $ (2,228,342 )   $ (4,676,178 )   $ (27,064,470 )
Stock options exercised
                      105,336       403,787  
Excess tax benefit on exercise of stock options
                            59,860  
Dividends on restricted stock awards
    (16,684 )     (20,641 )                        
Dividends paid
    (784,224 )     (1,334,918 )     (3,401,554 )     (15,871,868 )     (5,847,197 )
Net increase (decrease) in deposits
    12,956,717       13,740,193       (4,779,819 )     (10,508,011 )     58,626,378  
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances
          56,300,000       56,300,000       68,800,000       25,000,000  
Principal payments on Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    (24,259,014 )     (66,300,000 )     (110,784,940 )     (63,800,000 )     (75,000,000 )
Proceeds from other borrowings
                      49,333,000       210,178,000  
Principal payments on other borrowings
                      (59,391,000 )     (226,048,000 )
Net increase (decrease) in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
    (486,349 )     (409,207 )     41,946       (29,818 )     (76,909 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (12,589,554 )     962,992       (64,852,709 )     (36,038,539 )     (39,768,551 )
                                         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    87,796,382       19,861,760       39,200,908       (50,031,425 )     40,249,707  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    53,840,036       14,639,128       14,639,128       64,670,553       24,420,846  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 141,636,418     $ 34,500,888     $ 53,840,036     $ 14,639,128     $ 64,670,553  
                                         
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
                                       
Interest paid
  $ 10,298,627     $ 12,349,845     $ 23,210,377     $ 26,134,886     $ 29,376,630  
Income taxes paid
  $ 2,450,000     $ 192,869     $ 330,697     $ 8,585,768     $ 27,416,431  
                                         
Supplemental disclosure of noncash activities:
                                       
Real estate acquired through foreclosure of the loans receivable
  $ 9,280,990     $ 3,502,689     $ 11,211,995     $ 4,821,478     $ 575,981  
Issuance of ESOP common stock
  $ 137,000     $ 289,870     $ 289,870     $ 700,516     $ 605,387  
Issuance of common stock under stock benefit plans
  $ 83,909     $     $ 372,490     $ 1,366,847     $ 709,265  
Issuance of common stock through net share settlement exercises
  $     $     $     $     $ 261,943  
Tax benefit from disqualifying dispositions
  $     $     $     $ 9,700     $ 139,365  
Dividends declared not yet paid
  $     $     $     $     $ 8,714,915  
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net
  $ 5,246,123     $ 2,442,502     $ (1,427,421 )   $ (123,735,737 )   $ (55,603,237 )
Acquisitions:
                                       
Assets acquired at fair value
  $ 322,494,304     $     $ 196,749,266     $     $  
Liabilities assumed at fair value
    312,888,457             196,749,266              
Net assets acquired
  $ 9,605,847     $     $     $     $  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F-9

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
(1)  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
The consolidated financial statements of Charter Financial Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) include the financial statements of Charter Financial Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, CharterBank (the Bank).  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
CharterBank was organized as a federally chartered mutual savings and loan association in 1954. CharterBank is primarily regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.
 
Charter Financial Corporation was formed through the reorganization of CharterBank in October 2001. At that time, CharterBank converted from a federally chartered mutual savings and loan association into a two–tiered mutual holding company structure and became a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Charter Financial Corporation. Through a public offering during the same year, Charter Financial Corporation sold 20% of its common stock.  During the year ended September 30, 2007 the Company repurchased approximately 500,000 of its shares and deregistered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  In conjunction with the deregistration from the Securities and Exchange Commission the Company moved the trading of its stock from NASDAQ to the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board. First Charter, MHC, a federal mutual holding company, owns approximately 85% and 86% of the outstanding shares of the common stock of Charter Financial Corporation at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, respectively, following various treasury stock transactions of the Company.
 
The Company primarily provides real estate loans and a full range of deposit products to individual and small business consumers through its sixteen branch offices located in West Point, LaGrange, Newnan, Carrollton, Bremen, Covington and Peachtree City, Georgia and Auburn, Opelika, and Valley, Alabama. In addition, the Company operates a loan production office located in Norcross, Georgia. The Company primarily competes with other financial institutions in its market area within west central Georgia and east central Alabama. The Company considers its primary lending market to be the states of Georgia and Alabama.  The Company operates and manages as a one-bank holding company and, as such, has no reportable segments.
 
The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and to prevailing practices within the financial institutions industry. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies that the Company follows in presenting its consolidated financial statements.
 
(a)      
Basis of Presentation
 
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and revenue and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans, the estimates used for fair value acquisition accounting and the FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements, the assessment for other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, mortgage-backed securities, and collateralized mortgage obligations. In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the value of real estate owned, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties.  
 
 
F-10

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
In connection with the assessment for other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, mortgage-backed securities, and collateralized mortgage obligations, management obtains fair value estimates by independent quotations, assesses current credit ratings and related trends, reviews relevant delinquency and default information, assesses expected cash flows and coverage ratios, assesses the relative strength of credit support from less senior tranches of the securities, reviews average credit score data of underlying mortgagees, and assesses other current data.  The severity and duration of an impairment and the likelihood of potential recovery of an impairment is considered along with the intent and ability to hold any impaired security to maturity or recovery of carrying value.
 
A substantial portion of the Company’s loans is secured by real estate located in its market area. Accordingly, the ultimate collectability of a substantial portion of the Company’s loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in the real estate market conditions of this market area.
 
Certain reclassifications of 2007, 2008 and 2009 balances have been made to conform to classifications used in 2009 and 2010. These reclassifications did not change stockholders’ equity or net income. For the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been made, and such adjustments were normal and recurring in nature.
 
 
Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date of financial statement issuance.
 
(b)      
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents, as presented in the consolidated financial statements, include amounts due from other depository institutions and interest–bearing deposits in other financial institutions. Generally, interest–bearing deposits in other financial institutions are for one–day periods.
 
(c)      
Investments, Mortgage–Backed Securities, and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
 
Investments, mortgage–backed securities, and collateralized mortgage obligations available for sale are reported at fair value, as determined by pricing services.  The pricing service valuations are reviewed by management for reasonableness.  There were no adjustments to the pricing service values in any of the periods presented.   Investment in stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) is required of every federally insured financial institution, which utilizes its services. The investment in FHLB stock is carried at cost and such stock is evaluated for any potential impairment.
 
Purchase premiums and discounts on investment securities are amortized and accreted to interest income using a level yield method over the period to maturity of the related securities. Purchase premiums and discounts on mortgage–backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations are amortized and accreted to interest income using the interest method over the remaining lives of the securities, taking into consideration assumed prepayment patterns.
 
Gains and losses on sales of investments, mortgage–backed securities, and collateralized mortgage obligations are recognized on the trade date, based on the net proceeds received and the adjusted carrying amount of the specific security sold.
 
A decline in the market value of any available for sale security below cost that is deemed other-than-temporary results in a charge to earnings and the establishment of a new cost basis for that security. At September 30, 2009, the Company did not have any securities with other-than-temporary impairment.  At March 31, 2010 the Company had two mortgage securities and one equity security with other than temporary impairment.
 
 
F-11

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
(d)      
Loans and Interest Income
 
Loans are reported at the principal amounts outstanding, net of unearned income, deferred loan fees/origination costs, and the allowance for loan losses.
 
Interest income is recognized using the simple interest method on the balance of the principal amount outstanding. Unearned income, primarily arising from deferred loan fees, net of certain origination costs, and deferred gains on the sale of the guaranteed portion of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, is amortized over the expected lives of the underlying loans using the interest method.
 
Generally, the accrual of interest income is discontinued on loans when reasonable doubt exists as to the full, timely collection of interest or principal. Interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current period interest income when such loans are placed on nonaccrual status. Interest on nonaccrual loans, which is ultimately collected, is credited to income in the period received.
 
Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or at the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. The Company considers a loan impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the note agreement. Large pools of smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as consumer and installment loans, are collectively evaluated for impairment by the Company. Impairment losses are included in the allowance for loan losses through a charge to the provision for loan losses. Cash receipts on impaired loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued are recorded as income when received unless full recovery of principal is in doubt whereby cash received is recorded as principal reduction.
 
Gains or losses on the sale of mortgage loans are recognized at settlement dates and are computed as the difference between the sales proceeds received and the net book value of the mortgage loans sold.
 
Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or market, with market determined on the basis of open commitments for committed loans. For uncommitted loans, market is determined on the basis of current delivery prices in the secondary mortgage market.
 
Acquired loans are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition.  The fair values of loans with evidence of credit deterioration (impaired loans) are recorded net of a non-accretable difference and, if appropriate, an accretable yield.  The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is the non-accretable difference, which is included in the carrying amount of acquired loans.  Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows will generally result in a provision for loan losses.  Subsequent increases in cash flows result in a reversal of the provision for loan losses to the extent of prior changes, or a reclassification of the difference from non-accretable to accretable with a positive impact on the accretable yield.  Any excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized in interest income over the remaining life of the loan when there is reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of such cash flows.
 
 
F-12

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Performing loans acquired in business combinations are accounted for using the contractual cash flows method of recognizing discount accretion based on the acquired loans’ contractual cash flows. Purchased performing loans are recorded at fair value, including a credit discount. Credit losses on acquired performing loans are estimated based on analysis of the performing portfolio.  Such estimated credit losses are recorded as non-accretable discounts in a manner similar to purchased impaired loans. The fair value discount other than for credit loss is accreted as an adjustment to yield over the estimated lives of the loans. Effective October 1, 2009, as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance, there is no allowance for loan losses established at the acquisition date for purchased performing loans. A provision for loan losses is recorded for any further deterioration in these loans subsequent to the acquisition.
 
Loans covered under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC (Covered Loans) are reported in loans exclusive of the expected reimbursement from the FDIC.  Covered Loans are initially recorded at fair value at the acquisition date.  Prospective losses incurred on Covered Loans are eligible for partial reimbursement by the FDIC under loss sharing agreements.  Subsequent decreases in the amount expected to be collected result in a provision for credit losses, an increase in the allowance for loan and lease losses, and a proportional adjustment to the FDIC receivable for the estimated amount to be reimbursed.  Subsequent increases in the amount expected to be collected result in the reversal of any previously-recorded provision for credit losses and related allowance for loan and lease losses and adjustments to the FDIC receivable, or prospective adjustment to the accretable yield if no provision for credit losses had been recorded.  Interest is accrued daily on the outstanding principal balances of non-impaired loans.  Accretable discounts related to certain fair value adjustments are accreted into income over the estimated lives of the loans on a level yield basis
 
In accordance with the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, certain expenses relating to covered assets of external parties such as legal, property taxes, insurance, and the like may be reimbursed by the FDIC at 80% or 95%, as defined.  Such qualifying future expenditures on covered assets will result in an increase to the FDIC receivable.
 
Acquired loans covered under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC are reported exclusive of expected reimbursement cash flows from the FDIC.  Subsequent adjustments to the estimated recoverable value of covered loans result in a reduction of covered loans, and a charge to other expense, and an increase in the FDIC receivable for the estimated amount to be reimbursed, with a corresponding amount recorded as other income.
 
(e)      
Allowance for Loan Losses
 
The allowance for loan losses is adjusted through provisions for loan losses charged or credited to operations. Loans are charged off against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that the collection of the principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are added to the allowance. The allowance is determined through consideration of such factors as changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio, overall portfolio quality, delinquency trends, adequacy of collateral, loan concentrations, specific problem loans, and economic conditions that may affect the borrowers’ ability to pay.
 
 
F-13

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
To the best of management’s ability, all known and inherent losses that are both probable and reasonable to estimate have been recorded. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to adjust the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examination.
 
(f)      
Real Estate Owned
 
Real estate acquired through foreclosure, consisting of properties obtained through foreclosure proceedings or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, is reported on an individual asset basis at the lower of cost or fair value, less disposal costs. Fair value is determined on the basis of current appraisals, comparable sales, and other estimates of value obtained principally from independent sources. When properties are acquired through foreclosure, any excess of the loan balance at the time of foreclosure over the fair value of the real estate held as collateral is recognized and charged to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent write–downs are charged to a separate allowance for losses pertaining to real estate owned, established through provisions for estimated losses on real estate owned charged to operations. Based upon management’s evaluation of the real estate acquired through foreclosure, additional expense is recorded when necessary in an amount sufficient to reflect any estimated declines in fair value. Gains recognized on the disposition of the properties are recorded in other income in the consolidated statements of income.
 
Other real estate acquired through foreclosure covered under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC is reported exclusive of expected reimbursement cash flows from the FDIC.  Subsequent adjustments to the estimated recoverable value of covered other real estate result in a reduction of covered other real estate, and a charge to other expense, and an increase in the FDIC receivable for the estimated amount to be reimbursed, with a corresponding amount recorded as other income.
 
Costs of improvements to real estate are capitalized, while costs associated with holding the real estate are charged to operations.
 
(g)      
Premises and Equipment
 
Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation, which is computed using the straight–line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives of the assets range from 20 to 39 years for buildings and improvements and 3 to 15 years for furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
 
(h)      
Receivable from FDIC for Loss Sharing Agreements
 
Under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, the Bank recorded a receivable from the FDIC equal to 80 percent of the estimated losses in the covered loans and other real estate acquired.  The receivable was recorded at the present value of the estimated cash flows using discount rates of four percent and one and a half percent, respectively, at the date of the respective acquisition and will be reviewed and updated prospectively as loss estimates related to covered loans and other real estate acquired through foreclosure change.  Most third party expenses on real estate and covered loans are covered under the loss sharing agreements and the cash flows from the reimbursable portion are included in the estimate of cash flows.
 
 
F-14

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
(i)         Mortgage Banking Activities
  
As a part of normal business operations, the Company originates residential mortgage loans that have been pre-approved by secondary investors.  The terms of the loans are set by the secondary investors, and the purchase price that the investor will pay for the loan is agreed to prior to the commitment of the loan by the Company.  Generally within three weeks after funding, the loans are transferred to the investor in accordance with the agreed-upon terms.  The Company records gains from the sale of these loans on the settlement date of the sale equal to the difference between the proceeds received and the carrying amount of the loan.  The gain generally represents the portion of the proceeds attributed to servicing release premiums received from the investors and the realization of origination fees received from borrowers which were deferred as part of the carrying amount of the loan.  Between the initial funding of the loans by the Company and the subsequent reimbursement by the investors, the Company carries the loans on its balance sheet at the lower of cost or market.  Because the Company’s commitments to originate mortgage loans are contracted on a best efforts basis, the value of the underlying commitment is generally not material to the consolidated financial statements.
 
Fees for servicing loans for investors are based on the outstanding principal balance of the loans serviced and are recognized as income when earned.
 
(j)      
Insurance
 
At March 31, 2010 the Company was covered under a $7 million banker’s blanket bond policy and a $3 million errors and omissions policy. The Company is also covered with a $10 million umbrella policy.
 
(k)      
Income Taxes
 
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies by jurisdiction and entity in making this assessment. The company allocates income taxes to the members of the consolidated tax return group based on their proportion of taxable income.
 
(l)      
Comprehensive Income
 
Comprehensive income for the Company consists of net income for the period and unrealized holding gains and losses on investments, mortgage–backed securities, and collateralized mortgage obligations classified as available for sale, net of income taxes.
 
 
F-15

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
(m)      
Goodwill and other intangible Assets
 
Intangible assets include costs in excess of net assets acquired and core deposit intangibles recorded in connection with the acquisitions of EBA Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiary, Eagle Bank of Alabama (collectively “EBA”) and McIntosh Commercial Bank. The core deposit intangible is being amortized over 13 and 5 years, respectively.
 
The Company tests its goodwill for impairment annually during its fiscal fourth quarter and upon certain triggering events on an interim basis. No impairment charges have been recognized through March 31, 2010.
 
(n)      
Acquisitions
 
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP) requires that the acquisition method of accounting, formerly referred to as purchase method, be used for all business combinations and that an acquirer be identified for each business combination.  Under US GAAP, the acquirer is the entity that obtains control of one or more businesses in the business combination, and the acquisition date is the date the acquirer achieves control.  US GAAP requires that the acquirer recognize the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date.
 
The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary acquired Neighborhood Community Bank (“NCB”) headquartered in Newnan, Georgia on June 26, 2009.  The acquisition was completed with the assistance of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which had been appointed Receiver of the entity by its state banking authority immediately prior to the Bank’s acquisition.  The acquired assets and assumed liabilities of NCB were measured at estimated fair value.  Management made significant estimates and exercised significant judgment in accounting for the acquisition of NCB.  Management judgmentally assigned risk ratings to loans based on appraisals and estimated collateral values, expected cash flows, and estimated loss factors to measure fair values for loans.  Other real estate acquired through foreclosure was valued based upon pending sales contracts and appraised values, adjusted for current market conditions.  Management used quoted or current market prices to determine the fair value of investment securities, short-term borrowings and long-term obligations that were assumed from NCB. The carrying value of certain long-term assets acquired in the acquisition of NCB, primarily the estimated value of core deposits of approximately $1.1 million, were reduced to zero by the excess of fair value of net assets acquired over liabilities assumed in the acquisition.
 
The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary acquired McIntosh Commercial Bank (“MCB”) headquartered in Carrollton, Georgia on March 26, 2010.  The acquisition was completed with the assistance of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which had been appointed Receiver of the entity by its state banking authority immediately prior to the Bank’s acquisition.  The acquired assets and assumed liabilities of MCB were measured at estimated fair value.  Management made significant estimates and exercised significant judgment in accounting for the acquisition of MCB.  Management judgmentally assigned risk ratings to loans based on appraisals and estimated collateral values, expected cash flows, and estimated loss factors to measure fair values for loans.  Other real estate acquired through foreclosure was valued based upon pending sales contracts and appraised values, adjusted for current market conditions.  Management used quoted or current market prices to determine the fair value of investment securities, short-term borrowings and long-term obligations that were assumed from MCB.
 
 
F-16

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
(o)      
Stock–Based Compensation
 
The Company recognizes the estimated fair value of such equity instruments as expense as services are performed. The Company recognizes the total cost of the Company’s share based awards equal to the grant date fair value as expense on a straight line basis over the service periods of the awards.  For the six months ended March 31, 2010 and for the year ended September 30, 2009 stock option expense of $16,916 (unaudited) and $33,932, respectively, was recorded in the income statement in income before taxes. As of March 31, 2010, the Company had $127,028 (unaudited) of unrecognized stock option expense not yet recognized which will be recognized over the next four years.
 
(p)      
Income Per Share
 
Basic net income per share is computed on the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by weighted average shares outstanding plus potential common shares resulting from dilutive stock options, determined using the treasury stock method.
 
     
(Unaudited)
                   
     
Six Months Ended
                   
     
March 31,
   
Years Ended September 30,
 
     
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                                 
 
Net income
  $ 7,733,511     $ 1,429,400     $ 2,315,762     $ 10,532,232     $ 50,939,822  
 
Denominator:
                                       
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    18,416,507       18,522,909       18,497,297       19,022,259       19,097,807  
 
Equivalent shares issuable upon exercise of stock options
    -       45,974       61,226       60,701       112,741  
 
Diluted shares
    18,416,507       18,568,883       18,558,523       19,082,960       19,210,548  
 
Net income per share
                                       
 
Basic
  $ 0.42     $ 0.08     $ 0.13     $ 0.55     $ 2.67  
 
Diluted
  $ 0.42     $ 0.08     $ 0.12     $ 0.55     $ 2.65  
 
There were certain levels of dilution during fiscal 2009 and 2008 at quarters ended. For the six month ended March 31, 2010 and year ended September 30, 2007, there were no antidilutive shares.
 
(q)      
Treasury Stock
 
Treasury stock is accounted for at cost.
 
(r)      
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
 
The Company has an internally-leveraged ESOP trust that covers substantially all of its employees.  Such internal leverage is reflected as unearned compensation in stockholders’ equity.  The Company records compensation expense associated with the ESOP based on the average market price (fair value) of the total Company shares committed to be released, and subsequently allocated to participants, during the year.  The Company further records as compensation expense any dividends declared on unallocated Company shares in the ESOP trust.  Earnings per share computations include any allocated shares in the ESOP trust.
 
 
F-17

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
(s)      
Other Derivatives
 
The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and measures these instruments at fair value.  The Company has utilized covered call options on certain equity investments from time to time.  There were no covered call options outstanding at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008.
 
(t)      
Bank Owned Life Insurance
 
The Company owns life insurance policies to provide for the payment of death benefits related to existing deferred compensation and supplemental income plans maintained for the benefit of certain executives and directors of the Company.  The total cash surrender value amounts of such policies at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $31,116,214 (unaudited), $30,185,560 and $28,916,292, respectively. During fiscal 2008, the Company invested an additional $15 million of bank owned life insurance. The Company recorded, as income, increases to the cash surrender value of $566,365 (unaudited) and $636,522 (unaudited), $1,269,268, $1,059,224, and $591,478 for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the three years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
 
(u)      
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
Beginning October 1, 2009 for the Company, changes to accounting standards for business combinations became effective.  The new guidance established the acquisition method of accounting for all business combinations and required that an acquirer be indentified for each business combination.  The acquirer is required to recognize the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date.  The fair value established for loans includes any estimated losses; therefore, no allowance for loan losses is established at acquisition.  The new guidance required that acquisition-related costs and restructuring costs be recognized as period expenses as incurred.  The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance and the acquisition method of accounting was applied for the acquisition of MCB.
 
In April 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance for the determination of the useful life of intangible assets that was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. This guidance amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset. This guidance applies to all intangible assets, whether acquired in a business combination or otherwise. It is applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date and early adoption is prohibited. The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance during 2009, as required, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
In April 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments. The guidance changes existing guidance for determining whether impairment of debt securities is other-than-temporary and requires other-than-temporary impairment to be separated into the amount representing the decrease in cash flows expected to be collected from a security (referred to as credit losses), which is recognized in earnings, and the amount related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The non-credit loss component of the impairment can only be classified in other comprehensive income if the holder of the security concludes (1) that it does not intend to sell the security and (2) that it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the security before the security recovers its value. If these two conditions are not met, the non-credit loss component of the impairment must also be recognized in earnings.
 
 
F-18

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Upon adoption of the standard, the entity is required to record a cumulative-effect adjustment, as of the beginning of the period of adoption, to reclassify the non-credit loss component of previously recognized other-than-temporary impairment from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income. The update is effective, as of June 30, 2009, with early adoption permitted as of March 31, 2010. The Company did not elect to early-adopt the standard nor did it have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company when adopted.
 
In April 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for determining fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and for identifying transactions that are not orderly. The guidance, while emphasizing the objective of fair value measurement, provides additional guidance for determining whether market activity for a financial asset or liability has significantly decreased, as well as for identifying circumstances that indicate that transactions are not orderly.
 
The guidance reiterates that if a market is determined to be inactive and the related market price is deemed to be reflective of a “distressed sale” price, then further analysis is required to estimate fair value. The guidance identifies factors to be considered when determining whether or not a market is inactive. The guidance is effective, as of June 30, 2009, with early adoption permitted as of March 31, 2010. The Company did not elect to early-adopt the guidance nor did it have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company when adopted.
 
In April 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for subsequent events.  The Company adopted the new accounting standard during the year ended September 30, 2009.  This guidance sets forth the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events occurring after the balance sheet date and the disclosures that should be made.  Also, this guidance requires disclosure of the date through which the entity has evaluated subsequent events (for public companies, and other companies that expect to widely distribute their financial statements, this date is the date of financial statement issuance, and for nonpublic companies, the date the financial statements are available to be issued).  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for accounting for transfers of financial assets.  This guidance eliminates the concept of a qualifying special purpose entity (“QSPE”), changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets, and requires additional disclosures, including information about continuing exposure to risks related to transferred financial assets.  This guidance is effective after November 15, 2009 and such requirements must be applied to transfers that occurred before and after the effective date.  Management is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on the consolidated financial statements, but does not believe that adoption will have a material impact.
 
 
F-19

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for the way entities account for securitizations and special-purpose entities which contains new criteria for determining the primary beneficiary, eliminates the exception to consolidating QSPEs, requires continual reconsideration of conclusions reached in determining the primary beneficiary, and requires additional disclosures.  This guidance is effective as of the beginning of fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009 and is applied using a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings for any carrying amount adjustments (e.g., for newly-consolidated Variable Interest Entities).  Management is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on the consolidated financial statements, but does not believe that adoption will have a material impact.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for the FASB accounting standards codification and the hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles.  The Codification will become the source of authoritative US GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities and will supersede all non-SEC accounting and reporting standards.  This statement is effective for financial statements issued for interim periods and annual financial statements for periods ending after September 15, 2009.  The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
 
In January 2010, the FASB issued an update to the accounting standards for the presentation on fair value disclosures.  The new guidance clarifies two existing disclosure requirements and requires two new disclosures as follows: (1) a “gross” presentation of activities (purchases, sales, and settlements) within the Level 3 rollforward reconciliation, which will replace the “net” presentation format; and (2) detailed disclosures about the transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 measurements. This guidance is effective for the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the gross presentation of the Level 3 rollforward information, which is required for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim reporting periods within those years. Management is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on the consolidated financial statements, but does not believe that adoption will have a material impact.
 
In January 2010, the FASB issued an update to the accounting standards to change how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting (or similar rights) should be consolidated. The determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design and a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. The new authoritative accounting guidance requires additional disclosures about the reporting entity’s involvement with variable-interest entities and any significant changes in risk exposure due to that involvement as well as its affect on the entity’s financial statements. The new authoritative accounting guidance under ASC 810 was effective January 1, 2010 and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
 
(2)  
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
Goodwill and other intangible assets include cost in excess of net assets acquired and core deposit intangibles recorded in connection with certain acquisitions. Management tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment.  The core deposit intangibles are being amortized over the average remaining life of the acquired customer deposits, ranging from five to thirteen years. The Company recorded amortization expense related to the core deposit intangible of $67,201 (unaudited) and $67,201 (unaudited), $134,402, $136,864, and $147,684 for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
 
 
F-20

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
At March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008, intangible assets are summarized as follows:
 
     
(Unaudited)
             
     
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
     
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                           
 
Goodwill
  $ 4,325,282     $ 4,325,282     $ 4,325,282  
                           
 
Core deposit intangible
    2,234,752       1,975,941       1,975,941  
 
Less accumulated amortization
    1,188,556       1,121,355       986,953  
        1,046,196       854,586       988,988  
                           
 
Total intangible assets
  $ 5,371,478     $ 5,179,868     $ 5,314,270  
 
Amortization expense for the core deposit intangible for the next five years as of March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 is as follows:
 
     
(Unaudited)
       
     
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
     
2010
   
2009
 
               
 
2010
  $ 237,927     $ 134,402  
 
2011
    196,517       134,402  
 
2012
    165,459       134,402  
 
2013
    162,861       134,402  
 
2014
    146,236       134,402  
 
Thereafter
    137,196       182,576  
                   
      $ 1,046,196     $ 854,586  
 
(3)  
Federally Assisted Acquisition of Neighborhood Community Bank
 
On June 26, 2009, the Bank purchased substantially all of the assets and assumed substantially all the liabilities of NCB from the FDIC, as Receiver of NCB.  NCB operated four commercial banking branches primarily within the Newnan, Georgia area.  The FDIC took NCB under receivership upon its closure by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.  The Bank’s bid to purchase NCB included the purchase of substantially all NCB’s assets at a discount of $26,900,000 in exchange for assuming certain NCB deposits and certain other liabilities.  No cash, deposit premium or other consideration was paid by the Bank.  The Bank and the FDIC entered into loss sharing agreements regarding future losses incurred on loans and other real estate acquired through foreclosure existing at the acquisition date.  Under the terms of the loss sharing agreements, the FDIC will reimburse the Bank for 80 percent of net losses on covered assets incurred up to $82,000,000, and 95 percent of net losses exceeding $82,000,000.  The term for loss sharing on residential real estate loans is ten years, while the term of for loss sharing on non-residential real estate loans is five years in respect to losses and eight years in respect to loss recoveries.  As a result of the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, the Bank recorded a receivable of $49,991,245 at the time of acquisition.  The Bank has submitted $29,607,043 in net losses to the FDIC under the loss-sharing agreements during the period from the acquisition date through September 30, 2009, and has received $23,685,634 in reimbursements from the FDIC during that same period.  For the six months ended March 31, 2010, the Bank submitted $5,772,003 in net losses to the FDIC under such agreements and has received $4,617,605 in reimbursements from the FDIC during that same period.
 
 
F-21

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The acquisition of NCB was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting.  A summary of net assets acquired and liabilities assumed is presented in the following table.  As explained in the explanatory notes that accompany the following table, the purchased assets and assumed liabilities were recorded at the acquisition date fair value.  Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values become available.
     
As
Recorded
by NCB
 
Aggregate Fair
Value and Other
Acquisition
Accounting 
Adjustments
   
As
Recorded by
the Bank
 
 
  Assets
               
 
  Cash and due from banks
  $ 10,602,482   $ 19,414,855  
(a)
$ 30,017,337  
 
  Securities
    12,763,061     (14,395 )
(b)
  12,748,666  
 
  FHLB and FRB stock
    1,157,700     -       1,157,700  
 
  Loans, net of unearned income
    159,900,960     (65,194,681 )
(c)
  94,706,279  
 
  Other real estate owned
    17,676,456     (10,240,018 )
(d)
  7,436,438  
 
  FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements
    -     49,991,245  
(e)
  49,991,245  
 
  Other assets
    691,601     1,100,000  
(i)
  691,601  
              (1,100,000 )
(i)
 
 
 
 
Total assets acquired
  $ 202,792,260   $ (6,042,994 )   $ 196,749,266
(i)
 
  Liabilities
                     
 
  Deposits
  $ 181,325,925   $ 912,499  
(f)
$ 182,238,424  
 
  FHLB advances
    13,000,000     76,665  
(g)
  13,076,665  
 
  Other liabilities
    981,190     452,987  
(h)
  1,434,177  
 
Total liabilities assumed
    195,307,115     1,442,151       196,749,266  
 
  Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed
  $ 7,485,145                
 
  Aggregate fair value and other acquisition accounting adjustments
        $ (7,485,145 )        
 
Explanation of aggregate fair value and other acquisition accounting adjustments
 
 
(a) –
Adjustment reflects the initial wire received from the FDIC on the acquisition date.
 
 
(b) –
Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments based on the Bank’s evaluation of the acquired investment securities portfolio.
 
 
(c) –
Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments based on the Bank’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio.  The fair value adjustment includes adjustments for estimated credit losses, liquidity, market yield and servicing costs.
 
 
F-22

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
 
(d) –
Adjustment reflects the estimated other real estate owned losses based on the Bank’s evaluation of the acquired other real estate owned portfolio.
 
 
(e) –
Adjustment reflects the estimated fair value of payments the Bank will receive from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements.
 
 
(f) –
Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments based on the Bank’s evaluation of the acquired time deposit portfolio.
 
 
(g) –
Adjustment arises since the rates on acquired FHLB advances are higher than rates available on similar borrowings as of the acquisition date.
 
         (h) –
Adjustment reflects estimated qualifying acquisition costs in the transactions.
 
        (i) –
The carrying values of certain long-term assets, primarily the estimated fair value of acquired core deposit intangible of $1.1 million, were reduced to zero by the excess of the fair value of net assets acquired over liabilities assumed in the acquisition.
 
Results of operations for NCB prior to the acquisition date are not included in the income statement for the year ended September 30, 2009.  Due to the significant amount of fair value adjustments, the resulting accretion of those fair value adjustments and the protection resulting from the FDIC loss sharing agreements, historical results of NCB are not relevant to the Bank’s results of operations.  Therefore, no pro forma information is presented.
 
During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company received the first reimbursement under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC in the amount of $23,685,634.  This reimbursement was recorded as a reduction of the FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements.
 
Accounting standards prohibit carrying over an allowance for loan losses for impaired loans purchased in the NCB FDIC-assisted acquisition transaction.  On the acquisition date, the preliminary estimate of the contractually required principal payments receivable for all impaired loans acquired in the NCB acquisition were $50,978,361 and the estimated fair value of the loans were $19,978,634.  At June 26, 2009, all of these loans were valued based on the liquidation value of the underlying collateral because the timing and amount of the expected cash flows could not be reasonably estimated.  As a result, the Company has no accretable discount on these impaired loans at acquisition.  At such date, the Company established a credit risk related non-accretable discount (a discount representing amounts which are not expected to be collected from the customer nor liquidation of collateral) of $30,999,727 relating to these impaired loans, reflected in the recorded net fair value.  Such amount is reflected as a non-accretable fair value adjustment to loans and a portion is also reflected in a receivable from the FDIC.  
 
On the acquisition date, the preliminary estimate of the contractually required principal payments receivable for all other loans acquired in the acquisition was $108,922,599 and the estimated fair value of the loans were $74,727,645.   At such date, the Company established an allowance for loan losses of $23,832,265 on these loans representing amounts which are not expected to be collected from the customer nor liquidation of collateral.  In its estimate of cash flows for such loans, the Company also recorded an accretable discount of $10,362,689 relating to these other loans which will be recognized on a level yield basis over the life of the loans, representing periods up to sixty months, because accretable yield represents cash flows expected to be collected.
 
 
F-23

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The Company has also recorded a net FDIC receivable of $49,991,245, representing FDIC indemnification under loss sharing agreements for covered loans and other real estate.  Such receivable has been discounted by $2,029,990 for the expected timing of receipt of these cash flows.
 
(4)  
Investment Securities
 
Investment securities available for sale are summarized as follows:
 
      (Unaudited)  
      March 31, 2010  
           
Gross
   
Gross
       
     
Amortized
   
unrealized
   
unrealized
   
Estimated
 
     
cost
   
gains
   
losses
   
fair value
 
                           
 
U.S. government sponsored entities
  $ 3,742,722     $ 219,288     $ -     $ 3,962,010  
                                   
      September 30, 2009  
             
Gross
   
Gross
         
     
Amortized
   
unrealized
   
unrealized
   
Estimated
 
     
cost
   
gains
   
losses
   
fair value
 
 
 
                               
 
U.S. government sponsored entities
  $ 4,157,380     $ 277,352     $ -     $ 4,434,732  
                                   
      September 30, 2008  
             
Gross
   
Gross
         
     
Amortized
   
unrealized
   
unrealized
   
Estimated
 
     
cost
   
gains
   
losses
   
fair value
 
                                   
 
U.S. government sponsored entities
  $ 34,351,416     $ -     $ (60,683 )   $ 34,290,733  
 
 
F-24

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale as of March 31, 2010, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
     
(Unaudited)
 
     
Amortized
   
Estimated
 
     
cost
   
fair value
 
               
 
Less than 1 year
  $ -     $ -
 
1-5 years
    -       -
 
5-10 years
    3,742,722       3,962,010
                   
      $ 3,742,722     $ 3,962,010
 
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale as of September 30, 2009, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
     
Amortized
   
Estimated
 
     
cost
   
fair value
 
               
 
Less than 1 year
  $ -     $ -  
 
1-5 years
    -       -  
 
5-10 years
    4,157,380       4,434,732  
                   
      $ 4,157,380     $ 4,434,732  
 
The Company’s investment in FHLB stock was $15,157,100 (unaudited), $14,035,800 and $13,605,900 at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The investment in FHLB stock is carried at cost because it is considered a restricted stock investment with no readily determinable market value.  As of March 31, 2010, the investment in FHLB stock represented approximately 1.22 percent (unaudited) of total assets and the amortized cost and fair value of this investment are equal.  In determining the carrying amount of the FHLB stock, we have evaluated the ultimate recoverability of the par value.  We have reviewed the assessments by rating agencies, which have concluded that debt ratings are likely to remain unchanged and the FHLB has the ability to absorb economic losses, given the expectation that the various FHLB Banks have a very high degree of government support.  The unrealized losses related to the securities owned by the FHLB Banks are manageable given the capital levels of these organizations and all of the FHLB Banks are meeting their debt obligations.
 
Additionally, we considered the fact that the FHLB did not make any dividend payments (distributions) in the fourth calendar quarter of 2008 and would not make any dividend determinations until after the end of each quarter when quarterly results were known; however, this investment was not made for receipt of dividends or stock growth, but for the purpose and right to receive advances (funding).  Further, we deem the FHLB’s process of determining after each quarter end whether it will pay a dividend and, if so, the amount, as essentially similar to standard practice by most dividend-paying companies.  Based on the FHLB’s second, third and fourth calendar quarter results of 2009 in addition to their first calendar quarter results of 2010, the FHLB announced on August 12, 2009 , October 30, 2009, March 25, 2010 and May 11, 2010 a dividend payment for these respective quarters.
 
 
F-25

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Furthermore, the Company currently has sufficient liquidity or has access to other sources of liquidity to meet all operational needs in the foreseeable future, and would not have the need to dispose of this stock below the recorded amount.  For the reasons above, we have concluded that the investment in FHLB stock is not other than temporarily impaired as of September 30, 2009 or March 31, 2010 (unaudited) and ultimate recoverability of the par value of this investment is probable.
 
In September 2008, the US Treasury placed Freddie Mac under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.  This resulted in a significant decrease in value of the Freddie Mac common stock and uncertainty in the future value, if any.  Based on this uncertainty, the Company sold its remaining position in Freddie Mac common stock in fiscal 2008.  Proceeds from the sale of Freddie Mac common stock during 2008 and 2007 were $14,281,888 and $70,646,923, respectively. Net gains of $9,556,639 and $69,453,332 were realized on those sales for 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The Company recorded an other comprehensive loss for the year ended September 30, 2008 of $123,735,747, net of income taxes, which is substantially represented by the decline in value of Freddie Mac common shares previously held.
 
Proceeds from called or matured other investment securities during the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $0 (unaudited), $29,050,000 (unaudited), $29,050,000, $5,974,000, and $5,000,000, respectively. Proceeds from sales for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were $0 and $29,005,440 (unaudited), respectively, which resulted in gross gains of $0 and $14,655 (unaudited), respectively, and gross losses of $0 and $6,875 (unaudited), respectively. Proceeds from sales in 2009 were $29,005,440 which resulted in gross gains and losses of $14,655 and $6,875, respectively.  Proceeds from sales in 2008 were $990,025 which resulted in gross gains and losses of $0 and $9,731, respectively.  There were no sales in 2007.
 
There are no investment securities available for sale that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months or more than 12 months at March 31, 2010 (unaudited) or September 30, 2009.  At September 30, 2008, investment securities available for sale that were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months had an amortized cost of $29,082,815, a gross unrealized loss of $(12,848) and an estimated fair value of $29,069,967.  Investment securities available for sale that were in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months at September 30, 2008, had an amortized cost of $5,268,601, a gross unrealized loss of $(47,835) and an estimated fair value of $5,220,766.
 
Investment securities with an aggregate carrying amount of $3,742,722 (unaudited), $4,434,732 and $30,268,601 at March 31, 2010, September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, were pledged to collateralize FHLB advances.
 
 
F-26

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
(5)  
 Mortgage–Backed Securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
 
Mortgage–backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations available for sale are summarized as follows:
 
     
(Unaudited)
 
     
March 31, 2010
 
           
Gross
   
Gross
       
     
Amortized
   
unrealized
   
unrealized
   
Estimated
 
     
cost
   
gains
   
losses
   
fair value
 
 
Mortgage–backed securities:
                       
 
FNMA certificates
  $ 45,411,183     $ 705,547     $ (1,372 )   $ 46,115,358  
 
GNMA certificates
    13,742,917       241,521       -       13,984,438  
 
FHLMC certificates
    30,423,684       590,782       -       31,014,466  
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
 
FNMA
    27,910,952       231,562       (41,201 )     28,101,313  
 
FHLMC
    13,985,808       190,228       (54,247 )     14,121,789  
 
GNMA
    15,530,404       2,458       -       15,532,862  
 
Other:
                               
 
Rated AAA
    36,993,843       71,631       (1,909,036 )     35,156,438  
 
Rated BBB
    14,747,084       -       (3,129,433 )     11,617,651  
 
Rated CCC
    7,649,368       -       (1,709,986 )     5,939,382  
                                   
      $ 206,395,243     $ 2,033,729     $ (6,845,275 )   $ 201,583,697  
 
     
September 30, 2009
 
           
Gross
   
Gross
       
     
Amortized
   
unrealized
   
unrealized
   
Estimated
 
     
cost
   
gains
   
losses
   
fair value
 
 
Mortgage–backed securities:
                       
 
FNMA certificates
  $ 53,593,424     $ 382,886     $ (1,734 )   $ 53,974,576  
 
GNMA certificates
    5,744,809       236,716       (2,613 )     5,978,912  
 
FHLMC certificates
    27,438,166       240,789       -       27,678,955  
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
 
FNMA
    37,302,274       528,296       (124,835 )     37,705,735  
 
FHLMC
    19,205,684       218,811       (44,825 )     19,379,670  
 
Other:
                               
 
Rated AAA
    39,491,803       -       (6,064,232 )     33,427,571  
 
Rated AA
    13,153,296       14,053       (4,887,440 )     8,279,909  
 
Rated A
    8,139,195       -       (600,672 )     7,538,523  
 
Rated B
    7,605,580       -       (472,088 )     7,133,492  
 
Rated CCC
    2,770,019       -       (2,241,387 )     528,632  
                                   
      $ 214,444,250     $ 1,621,551     $ (14,439,826 )   $ 201,625,975  
 
 
F-27

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
     
September 30, 2008
 
           
Gross
   
Gross
       
     
Amortized
   
unrealized
   
unrealized
   
Estimated
 
     
cost
   
gains
   
losses
   
fair value
 
 
Mortgage–backed securities:
                       
 
FNMA certificates
  $ 95,183,109     $ 289,676     $ (804,240 )   $ 94,668,545  
 
GNMA certificates
    9,322,512       73,792       (18,544 )     9,377,760  
 
FHLMC certificates
    6,384,068       15,553       (41,287 )     6,358,334  
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
 
FNMA
    20,786,166       63,253       (794,041 )     20,055,378  
 
FHLMC
    28,712,262       103,970       (602,743 )     28,213,489  
 
GNMA
    997,567       1,160       -       998,727  
 
Other:
                               
 
Rated AAA
    81,608,839       -       (5,762,751 )     75,846,088  
 
Rated AA
    7,962,680       -       (2,812,419 )     5,150,261  
 
Rated A3
    2,957,224       -       (777,387 )     2,179,837  
                                   
      $ 253,914,427     $ 547,404     $ (11,613,412 )   $ 242,848,419  
 
Credit ratings are current as of March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, respectively.
 
Proceeds from sales of mortgage–backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations during the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007 were $15,026,370 (unaudited) and $19,178,518 (unaudited), respectively, $89,435,458, $5,894,659, and $0, respectively. Gross realized gains on the sale of these securities were $203,188 (unaudited) and $182,788 (unaudited) for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and gross realized losses were $0 (unaudited), for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Gross realized gains on the sale of these securities were $2,169,004, $0, and $0 for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively and gross realized losses were $16,024, $28,541, and $0, for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
 
Mortgage–backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations with an aggregate carrying amount of $120,648,084 (unaudited), $138,599,984 and $191,082,083 at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, were pledged to secure FHLB advances and to collateralize securities sold under agreements to repurchase.
 
 
F-28

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Mortgage–backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:
                     
   
(Unaudited)
 
   
March 31, 2010
 
         
Gross
       
   
Amortized
 
unrealized
 
Estimated
 
   
cost
 
losses
 
fair value
 
                     
 
Mortgage–backed securities:
                 
 
FNMA certificates
  $ -     $ -     $ -  
 
FHLMC certificates
    -       -       -  
 
GNMA
    -       -       -  
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                       
 
FNMA
    19,334,019       (41,201 )     19,292,818  
 
FHLMC certificates
    902,537       (6,531 )     896,006  
 
Other
    2,129,035       (297,530 )     1,831,505  
                           
      $ 22,365,591     $ (345,262 )   $ 22,020,329  
                           
   
September 30, 2009
 
           
Gross
         
   
Amortized
 
unrealized
 
Estimated
 
   
cost
 
losses
 
fair value
 
                           
 
Mortgage–backed securities:
                       
 
FNMA certificates
  $ -     $ -     $ -  
 
FHLMC certificates
    -       -       -  
 
GNMA
    632,042       (1,151 )     630,891  
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                       
 
FNMA
    -       -       -  
 
FHLMC certificates
    4,357,974       (44,825 )     4,313,149  
 
Other
    8,943,800       (1,372,020 )     7,571,780  
                           
      $ 13,933,816     $ (1,417,996 )   $ 12,515,820  
 
F-29

 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
     
September 30, 2008
 
           
Gross
       
     
Amortized
   
unrealized
   
Estimated
 
     
cost
   
losses
   
fair value
 
                     
 
Mortgage–backed securities:
                 
 
FNMA certificates
  $ 54,394,728     $ (568,640 )   $ 53,826,088  
 
FHLMC certificates
    1,968,235       (12,146 )     1,956,089  
 
GNMA
    3,572,295       (14,716 )     3,557,579  
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                       
 
FNMA
    4,212,251       (11,653 )     4,200,598  
 
FHLMC certificates
    13,526,758       (284,028 )     13,242,730  
 
Other
    26,303,943       (1,374,130 )     24,929,813  
                           
      $ 103,978,210     $ (2,265,313 )   $ 101,712,897  
                           
Mortgage–backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:
                     
     
(Unaudited)
 
     
March 31, 2010
 
           
Gross
       
     
Amortized
   
unrealized
   
Estimated
 
     
cost
   
losses
   
fair value
 
 
Mortgage–backed securities:
                 
 
FNMA certificates
  $ 90,342     $ (1,372 )   $ 88,970  
 
FHLMC certificates
    -       -       -  
 
GNMA
    -       -       -  
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                       
 
FNMA
    -       -       -  
 
FHLMC certificates
    2,980,935       (47,716 )     2,933,219  
 
Other
    48,934,687       (6,450,925 )     42,483,762  
                           
      $ 52,005,964     $ (6,500,013 )   $ 45,505,951  
 
 
F-30

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
    September 30, 2009  
   
Amortized
cost
   
Gross
unrealized
losses
   
Estimated
fair value
 
Mortgage–backed securities:
                 
FNMA certificates
  $ 92,007     $ (1,734 )   $ 90,273  
FHLMC certificates
    -       -       -  
GNMA
    264,200       (1,462 )     262,738  
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                       
FNMA
    6,442,475       (124,835 )     6,317,640  
FHLMC certificates
    -       -       -  
Other
    60,185,581       (12,893,799 )     47,291,782  
                         
    $ 66,984,263     $ (13,021,830 )   $ 53,962,433  
                         
    September 30, 2008  
   
Amortized
cost
   
Gross
unrealized
losses
   
Estimated
fair value
 
Mortgage–backed securities:
                       
FNMA certificates
  $ 11,707,337     $ (235,600 )   $ 11,471,737  
FHLMC certificates
    2,518,897       (29,141 )     2,489,756  
GNMA
    311,229       (3,829 )     307,400  
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                       
FNMA
    14,648,573       (1,038,521 )     13,610,052  
FHLMC certificates
    12,452,059       (318,715 )     12,133,344  
Other
    61,507,512       (7,722,293 )     53,785,219  
                         
    $ 103,145,607     $ (9,348,099 )   $ 93,797,508  
 
At September 30, 2009, the Company had approximately $174 thousand of gross unrealized losses on mortgage-backed securities of government sponsored entities (“GSE”).  The amortized cost of such GSE mortgage securities aggregated approximately $143.3 million.  Such unrealized losses are believed to be primarily related to changes in levels of interest rates.
 
At September 30, 2009, the Company had approximately $14.3 million of gross unrealized losses on non-GSE collateralized mortgage obligations with aggregate amortized cost of approximately $69.1 million.  The decline in the fair value of these mortgage securities primarily resulted from illiquidity and other uncertainties in the marketplace.  Regularly, the Company performs an assessment to determine whether there have been any events or economic circumstances to indicate that a security on which there is an unrealized loss is impaired other-than-temporarily.  The assessment considers many factors including the severity and duration of the impairment, the Company’s intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient for recovery in value, recent events specific to the industry, and current characteristics of each security such as delinquency and foreclosure levels, credit enhancements, and projected losses and loss coverage ratios.  It is possible that the underlying collateral of these securities will perform worse those current expectations, which may lead to adverse changes in cash flows on these securities and potential future other-than-temporary impairment losses.  Events that may trigger material declines in fair values for these securities in the future would be, but are not limited to, deterioration of credit metrics, significantly higher levels of default and severity of loss on the underlying collateral, deteriorating credit enhancement and loss coverage ratios, or further illiquidity.   All of these positions were evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment based on an analysis of the factors and characteristics of each security as previously enumerated.  The Company considers these unrealized losses to be temporary impairment losses primarily because of continued sufficient levels of credit enhancements and credit coverage levels of less senior tranches in such securities to positions held by the Company.
 
 
F-31

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
At March 31, 2010, the Company had approximately $6.7 million (unaudited) of gross unrealized losses on non-GSE collateralized mortgage obligations with aggregate amortized cost of approximately $51.1 million (unaudited). On two securities the Company recorded $2.5 million (unaudited) in other than temporary impairment and on one equity security classified in other assets, the company recorded $1.0 million (unaudited) in other than temporary impairment.  The decline in the fair value of the remaining mortgage securities primarily resulted from illiquidity and other uncertainties in the marketplace.
 
The following table summarizes the changes in the amount of credit losses on the Company’s investment securities recognized in earnings for the six months ended March 31, 2010:
 
Beginning balance of credit losses previously recognized in earnings
 
$
-
 
Amount related to credit losses for securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized in earnings
   
3,526,674
 
Amount related to credit losses for securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment was recognized in earnings
   
-
 
         
Ending balance of cumulative credit losses recognized in earnings
 
$
3,526,674
 
 
(6)
Derivative Instruments

The covered call options written on Freddie Mac common stock are derivative instruments and as such are recorded at fair value. The Company does not account for the options as hedges and as a result the change in fair value is recorded in the consolidated statements of income. The Company recorded gains of $0, $1,722,977, and $368,799 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively, from the covered call activity.  There were no options outstanding at September 30, 2009 and 2008 and at September 30, 2007 there were 50,000 options with a fair value of $35,000 included in other assets. There was no option activity during 2010 nor 2009.
 
 
F-32

 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007

(7)
Loans Receivable
 
Loans receivable are summarized as follows:
 
     (Unaudited)              
     March 31,      September 30,  
     2010      2009      2008  
                   
Loans not covered by loss sharing agreements:
                 
1-4 family residential real estate mortgage
  $ 114,406,107     $ 126,096,545     $ 138,204,594  
Commercial real estate
    270,785,866       270,061,803       222,056,426  
Commercial
    18,330,518       10,466,242       15,543,065  
Real estate construction
    50,247,796       43,965,320       39,563,042  
Consumer and other
    22,457,550       22,384,783       22,153,538  
Loans receivable, net of undisbursed proceeds of loans in process
    476,227,837       472,974,693       437,520,665  
Less:
                       
Unamortized loan origination fees, net
    897,488       856,538       804,475  
Allowance for loan losses
    11,396,504       9,331,612       8,243,931  
                         
Total loans not covered, net
  $ 463,933,845     $ 462,786,543     $ 428,472,259  
 
The carrying amount of the covered loans at March 31, 2010 (unaudited), consisted of impaired loans at acquisition date and all other acquired loans and are presented in the following table.
 
   
Impaired
Loans at
Acquisition
   
All Other
Acquired
Loans
   
Total
Covered
Loans
 
Loans covered by loss sharing agreements:
                 
1-4 family residential real estate mortgage
  $ 20,322,390     $ 18,277,068     $ 38,599,458  
Commercial real estate
    32,101,540       94,006,794       126,108,334  
Commercial
    53,993,060       40,647,206       94,640,266  
Real estate construction
    19,240,365       25,389,531       44,629,896  
Consumer and other
    2,330,852       13,518,573       15,849,425  
Loans receivable, gross
    127,988,207       191,839,172       319,827,379  
Less:
                       
Non-accretable difference
    55,981,646       7,394,438       63,376,084  
Allowance for covered loan losses
    -       19,113,290       19,113,290  
Accretable discount
    10,144,541       13,437,935       23,582,476  
                         
Total loans covered, net
  $ 61,862,020     $ 151,893,509     $ 213,755,529  
 
 
F-33

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The carrying amount of the covered loans at September 30, 2009, consisted of impaired loans at acquisition date and all other acquired loans and are presented in the following table.
 
   
Impaired
Loans at
Acquisition
   
All Other
Acquired
Loans
   
Total
Covered
Loans
 
Loans covered by loss sharing agreements:
                 
1-4 family residential real estate mortgage
  $ -     $ -     $ -  
Commercial real estate
    17,447,242       61,661,859       79,109,101  
Commercial
    3,831,034       18,834,759       22,665,793  
Real estate construction
    3,098,395       12,691,002       15,789,397  
Consumer and other
    1,006,789       10,956,360       11,963,149  
Loans receivable, gross
    25,383,460       104,143,980       129,527,440  
Less:
                       
Non-accretable difference
    7,136,864       -       7,136,864  
Allowance for covered loan losses
    -       23,832,265       23,832,265  
Accretable discount
    -       8,794,367       8,794,367  
                         
Total loans covered, net
  $ 18,246,596     $ 71,517,348     $ 89,763,944  
 
Loans covered under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC (Covered Loans) are reported in loans exclusive of the expected reimbursement from the FDIC.  Covered Loans are initially recorded at fair value at the acquisition date.  Prospective losses incurred on Covered Loans are eligible for partial reimbursement by the FDIC under loss sharing agreements.  Subsequent decreases in the amount expected to be collected result in a provision for credit losses, an increase in the allowance for loan and lease losses, and a proportional adjustment to the FDIC receivable for the estimated amount to be reimbursed.  Subsequent increases in the amount expected to be collected result in the reversal of any previously-recorded provision for credit losses and related allowance for loan and lease losses and adjustments to the FDIC receivable, or prospective adjustment to the accretable yield if no provision for credit losses had been recorded.  Interest is accrued daily on the outstanding principal balances of non-impaired loans.  Accretable discounts related to certain fair value adjustments are accreted into income over the estimated lives of the loans on a level yield basis.

Covered Loans which are more than 90 days past due with respect to interest or principal, unless they are well secured and in the process of collection, and other covered loans on which full recovery of principal or interest is in doubt, are placed on nonaccrual status.  Interest previously accrued on Covered Loans placed on nonaccrual status is charged against interest income and the FDIC receivable would be adjusted by the amount of any estimated reimbursement.  Payments received are applied against the principal balance of the loans until such time as full collection of the remaining recorded balance is expected.  Additional interest payments received after that time are recorded as interest income on a cash basis.
 
 
F-34

 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Contractual loan payments receivable, estimates of amounts not expected to be collected, other fair value adjustments and the resulting fair values of acquired impaired loans and all other acquired loans as of the acquisition dates are provided in the following table:
 
   
NCB as of June 26, 2009
 
   
Impaired
   
All Other
   
Total
 
   
Loans at
   
Acquired
   
Covered
 
   
Acquisition
   
Loans
   
Loans
 
Loans covered by loss sharing agreements:
                 
Contractually required principal and interest payments
  $ 54,039,612     $ 118,850,871     $ 172,890,483  
Interest not expected to be collected
    (3,061,251 )     (2,172,306 )     (5,233,557 )
Non-accretable principal difference
    (30,999,727 )     -       (30,999,727 )
Allowance for covered loan losses
    -       (23,832,265 )     (23,832,265 )
Cash flows expected to be collected
    19,978,634       92,846,300       112,824,934  
Interest expected to be collected
    -       (7,755,966 )     (7,755,966 )
Accretable yield
    -       10,362,689 )     (10,362,689 )
                         
Fair value of loans acquired
  $ 19,978,634     $ 74,727,645     $ 94,706,279  
                         
    MCB as of March 26, 2010  
   
Impaired
   
All Other
   
Total
 
   
Loans at
   
Acquired
   
Covered
 
   
Acquisition
   
Loans
   
Loans
 
Loans covered by loss sharing agreements:
                       
Contractually required principal and interest payments
  $ 117,154,665     $ 110,331,830     $ 227,486,495  
Interest not expected to be collected
    (5,570,451 )     (667,223 )     (6,237,674 )
Non-accretable principal difference
    (50,612,159 )     (7,394,438 )     (58,006,597 )
Cash flows expected to be collected
    60,972,055       102,270,169       163,242,224  
Interest expected to be collected
    (618,939 )     (12,985,630 )     (13,604,569 )
Accretable yield
    (10,144,541 )     (7,245,502 )     (17,390,043 )
                         
Fair value of loans acquired
  $ 50,208,575     $ 82,039,037     $ 132,247,612  
 
 
F-35

 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The following table documents changes in the carrying value of acquired impaired loans during the year ended September 30, 2009 and the six months ended March 31, 2010:
 
Balance, September 30, 2008
 
$
-
 
Fair value of acquired impaired loans covered under loss sharing agreements
   
19,978,634
 
Reductions since acquisition date resulting from repayments, write-offs and foreclosures
   
(1,732,038
)
Balance, September 30, 2009
   
18,246,596
 
         
Fair value of acquired impaired loans covered under loss sharing agreements
   
50,208,575
 
Reductions since acquisition date resulting from repayments, write-offs and foreclosures
   
(6,593,151
)
         
Balance, March 31, 2010 (unaudited)
 
$
61,862,020
 
 
The following table documents changes in the value of the non-accretable principal difference during the year ended September 30, 2009 and the six months ended March 31, 2010:
 
   
Impaired
   
All Other
   
Total
 
   
Loans at
   
Acquired
   
Covered
 
   
Acquisition
   
Loans
   
Loans
 
                   
Balance, September 30, 2008
  $ -     $ -     $ -  
Non-accretable principal difference at acquisition
    30,999,727       -       30,999,727  
Reductions since acquisition date resulting from charge-offs
    (23,862,863 )     -       (23,862,863 )
Balance, September 30, 2009
    7,136,864       -       7,136,864  
                         
Non-accretable principal difference acquired
    50,612,159       7,394,438       58,006,597  
Reductions since acquisition date resulting from charge-offs
    (1,767,377 )     -       (1,767,377 )
                         
Balance, March 31, 2010 (unaudited)
  $ 55,981,646     $ 7,394,438     $ 63,376,084  
 
The following is a summary of transactions in the allowance for loan losses on loans covered by loss sharing:
 
Balance, September 30, 2008
 
$
-
 
Allowance for loan losses at acquisition
   
23,832,265
 
Loans charged-off (gross)
   
-
 
Recoveries on loans previously charged-off
   
-
 
Provision for loan losses charged to operations
   
-
 
Balance, September 30, 2009
   
23,832,265
 
         
Loans charged-off (gross)
   
(4,718,975
)
Recoveries on loans previously charged-off
   
-
 
Provision for loan losses charged to operations
   
-
 
         
Balance, March 31, 2010 (unaudited)
 
$
19,113,290
 
 
 
F-36

 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
 
The following table documents changes in the carrying value of the FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements relating to covered loans and other real estate during the year ended September 30, 2009 and the six months ended March 31, 2010:
 
Balance, September 30, 2008
 
$
-
 
Fair value of FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements at acquisition
   
49,991,245
 
Reductions since acquisition date resulting from:
       
Wires received
   
(23,685,634
)
Recovery of previous loss reimbursements
   
(130,045
)
Additions since acquisition date resulting from:
       
Accretion of fair value adjustment
   
219,377
 
External expenses qualifying under loss sharing agreements
   
86,203
 
Balance, September 30, 2009
   
26,481,146
 
         
Fair value of FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements acquired
   
70,746,613
 
Reductions resulting from:
       
Wires received
   
(4,617,605
)
Recovery of previous loss reimbursements
   
(485,293
)
Additions resulting from:
       
Accretion of fair value adjustment
   
834,310
 
External expenses qualifying under loss sharing agreements
   
1,130,293
 
         
Balance, March 31, 2010 (unaudited)
 
$
94,089,464
 
 
In addition to the above, the Company was servicing loans primarily for others with aggregate principal balances of $31,047,407 (unaudited), $11,340,692, $13,795,903, and $17,310,064, at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.  Further, see note 13 for loans pledged as collateral.
 
Loans to certain executive officers, directors, and their associates totaled $10,178,689 (unaudited), $10,340,240 and $10,792,200 at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. At March 31, 2010 there was an additional commitment to fund construction loans to certain executive officers, directors, and their associates of $455,626 (unaudited).  There was also an additional commitment to fund a home equity line of credit of $49,422 (unaudited). Management believes that such loans were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rate and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons, and did not involve more than the normal credit risk nor present other unfavorable features. The following is a summary of activity with respect to such aggregate loans to these individuals and their associates and affiliated companies:

 
F-37

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
   
(Unaudited)
             
   
March 31,
    September 30,  
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Beginning balance
  $ 10,340,240     $ 10,792,200     $ 1,313,534  
New loans-funded
    58,520       316,753       9,873,280  
Repayments
    220,070       768,713       394,614  
                         
Ending balance
  $ 10,178,690     $ 10,340,240     $ 10,792,200  
 
At March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company had $13,087,372 (unaudited), $13,100,146 and $10,771,283, respectively, of nonaccrual loans not covered by loss sharing.  At March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company had $8,547 (unaudited), $212,631 and $0, respectively, of past due loans 90 days and more still accruing interest not covered by loss sharing. These loans are still accruing interest, as collectability of the principal and interest is not in doubt based on the underlying collateral value of the loan.  No interest income on covered impaired loans was recorded for the six months ended March 31, 2010 or year ended September 30, 2009.  The following is a summary of interest income relating to nonaccrual loans not covered by loss sharing agreements for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007.
 
    (Unaudited)                    
    Six Months Ended                    
    March 31,     Years Ended September 30,  
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                               
Interest income at contractual rates
  $ 875,285     $ 837,686     $ 683,036     $ 701,460     $ 658,333  
Interest income actually recorded
    (179,546 )     (271,461 )     (146,658 )     (390,504 )     (266,941 )
                                         
Reduction of interest income
  $ 695,739     $ 566,225     $ 536,378     $ 310,956     $ 391,392  
 
 
F-38

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The following is a summary of transactions in the allowance for loan losses on loans not covered by loss sharing:

    (Unaudited)                    
    Six Months Ended                    
    March 31,     Years Ended September 30,  
    2010     2009     2009     2008    
2007
 
                               
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 9,331,612     $ 8,243,931     $ 8,243,931     $ 6,013,350     $ 6,086,205  
Loans charged off
    (1,763,577 )     (1,704,739 )     (3,814,196 )     (1,046,926 )     (191,598 )
Recoveries on loans previously charged off
    28,469       46,033       351,877       27,507       118,743  
Provision for loan losses charged to operations
    3,800,000       2,550,000       4,550,000       3,250,000       -  
                                         
Balance, end of year
  $ 11,396,504     $ 9,135,225     $ 9,331,612     $ 8,243,931     $ 6,013,350  
 
The Company increased its provisions for loan losses for the six months ending March 31, 2010 and years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 in response to declining economic conditions, increased net charge-offs, weakening financial indicators for borrowers in the real estate sectors, declining collateral values of commercial and residential real estate, and increased nonaccrual and impaired loans.
 
At March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company had impaired loans not covered by loss sharing of approximately $13,087,372 (unaudited), $12,985,448, $8,641,091, and $6,231,000, respectively. There were specific allowances attributable to impaired loans at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, of $1,392,687 (unaudited), $1,681,993, $931,476, and $431,277, respectively.  At March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, there were impaired loans of $8,541,735 (unaudited), $4,500,715, $3,103,883, and $0, respectively, with no specific allowance.
 
The average recorded investments in impaired loans not covered by loss sharing for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, were approximately $13,000,000 (unaudited), $10,800,000, $7,400,000, and $4,000,000, respectively. Interest income recognized on impaired loans for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, was $180,000 (unaudited), $271,000 (unaudited), $143,000, $217,000, and $573,000, respectively.
 
The average recorded investment on impaired loans covered by loss sharing agreements for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and the year ended September 30, 2009 was approximately $30,445,000 (unaudited) and $19,113,000, respectively.  There were no recorded investments in impaired loans covered by loss sharing agreements for the years ended September 30, 2008 or 2007.  No interest income was recorded on covered impaired loans for such periods.
 
 
F-39

 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007

(8)
Accrued Interest and Dividends Receivable
 
At March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008, accrued interest and dividends receivable are summarized as follows:
 
   
(Unaudited)
             
   
March 31,
    September 30,  
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Loans receivable
  $ 3,482,241     $ 2,904,852     $ 2,124,751  
Mortgage–backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations
    793,061       833,557       1,005,066  
Other investment securities
    6,907       7,671       46,358  
FHLB and other bank stock
    4,371       -       96,453  
                         
    $ 4,286,580     $ 3,746,080     $ 3,272,628  
 
(9)
Real Estate Owned
     
The following is a summary of transactions in the real estate owned:
 
Non-covered real estate owned
 
   
(Unaudited)
             
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 4,777,542     $ 2,680,430     $ 179,773  
Real estate acquired through foreclosure of loans receivable
    4,821,380       6,822,044       4,821,478  
Real estate sold
    (2,048,408 )     (4,135,558 )     (2,395,548 )
Write down of real estate owned
    (110,234 )     (669,870 )     (39,219 )
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate owned
    (31,105 )     80,496       113,946  
                         
Balance, end of year
  $ 7,409,175     $ 4,777,542     $ 2,680,430  
 
 
F-40

 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Covered real estate owned
           
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 10,681,499     $ -  
Real estate acquired and subject to FDIC loss sharing agreement
    23,649,464       7,436,438  
Real estate acquired through foreclosure of loans receivable
    4,459,514       4,389,951  
Real estate sold
    (3,530,586 )     (1,307,447 )
Write down of real estate owned
    (89,542 )     -  
Gain (loss) on sale of real estate owned:
               
Recognized in noninterest income, 20%
    112,464       32,511  
Reduction of FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements, 80% of recovery (loss)
    449,858       130,046  
                 
Balance, end of year
  $ 35,732,671     $ 10,681,499  

(10)
Premises and Equipment
 
Premises and equipment at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008 is summarized as follows:
 
   
(Unaudited)
             
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Land
  $ 5,181,812     $ 5,181,812     $ 5,781,355  
Buildings and improvements
    13,396,335       13,116,948       12,266,206  
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
    4,572,367       4,315,527       3,995,831  
Construction in progress
    352,311       170,491       2,600  
      23,502,825       22,784,778       22,045,992  
Less accumulated depreciation
    5,989,452       5,497,638       4,743,475  
                         
    $ 17,513,373     $ 17,287,140     $ 17,302,517  
 
Depreciation expense for premises and equipment for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, was $455,060 (unaudited) and $435,736 (unaudited), $873,006, $827,101, and $823,789, respectively.  Additionally, during the year ended 2009, the Company recorded a gain of $2,086,053 related to the sale of land held for future branch expansion and a former branch facility.  These assets were included in other assets held for sale at September 30, 2008.
 
 
F-41

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
(11)
Deposits
 
At March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008, deposits are summarized as follows:
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
   
March 31, 2010
 
             
Weighted
 
         
Range of
 
average
 
   
Amount
 
interest rates
 
interest rates
 
                 
Demand, NOW, and money market accounts
 
$
290,103,636
 
0.00 – 4.90
%
1.24
%
Savings deposits
   
29,724,514
 
0.25 – 1.01
%
0.25
%
Time deposits by original term:
               
Time deposits $100,000 and over
   
283,092,199
 
0.00 – 5.92
%
2.34
%
Other time deposits:
               
12 months or less
   
247,421,644
 
0.02 – 5.75
%
2.12
%
13 – 36 months
   
44,883,673
 
1.00 – 5.84
%
3.00
%
37 months or more
   
11,354,446
 
1.68 – 4.35
%
3.36
%
Total deposits
   
906,580,112
     
1.90
%
Accrued interest payable
   
905,808
         
                 
   
$
907,485,920
         
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
               
Weighted
               
Weighted
 
         
Range of
   
average
         
Range of
   
average
 
   
Amount
   
interest rates
   
interest rates
   
Amount
   
interest rates
   
interest rates
 
                                     
Demand, NOW, and money market accounts
  $ 202,890,009       0.00-4.89 %     0.82 %   $ 158,113,289       0.00-5.50 %     1.44 %
Savings deposits
    14,011,765       0.25 %     0.25 %     11,385,228       0.25 %     0.25 %
Time deposits by original term:
                                               
Time deposits $100,000 and over
    196,216,364       0.00-5.69 %     2.21 %     116,428,717       0.00-5.69 %     3.85 %
Other time deposits:
                                               
12 months or less
    149,448,755       0.24-5.50 %     2.61 %     107,326,781       1.39-6.97 %     3.76 %
13 – 36 months
    30,991,706       1.08-5.50 %     3.56 %     22,750,312       1.89-5.50 %     4.20 %
37 months or more
    4,075,070       1.72-5.40 %     3.62 %     4,170,737       2.96-5.50 %     4.29 %
Total deposits
    597,633,669               1.71 %     420,175,064               2.84 %
Accrued interest payable
    874,218                       1,434,807                  
                                                 
    $ 598,507,887                     $ 421,609,871                  
 
Accrued interest payable is included in other liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
 
During 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company accepted out of market time deposits from various credit unions and/or brokers as a source of funds. The balance of the broker deposits was $10.2 million (unaudited), $30.0 million and $63.9 million and the balance of the credit union deposits was $158.7 million (unaudited), $102.9 million and $0 million at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
 
F-42

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
At March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows:
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
2010
  $ 455,804,464     $ 318,627,932  
2011
    76,532,537       37,539,612  
2012
    21,401,408       17,689,491  
2013
    10,807,692       3,274,641  
2014 and thereafter
    22,205,861       3,600,219  
                 
    $ 586,751,962     $ 380,731,895  
 
Interest expense on deposits for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, is summarized as follows:
 
    (Unaudited)              
    Six Months Ended              
    March 31,     Years Ended September 30,  
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                               
Demand, NOW, and money market accounts
  $ 1,011,184     $ 716,933     $ 1,326,016     $ 3,210,150     $ 5,415,233  
Savings deposits
    21,506       14,587       32,605       28,486       30,717  
Time deposits
    4,093,212       4,497,923       8,740,755       11,287,128       9,741,972  
                                         
    $ 5,125,902     $ 5,229,443     $ 10,099,376     $ 14,525,764     $ 15,187,922  
 
Deposits of certain officers, directors, and their associates totaled $4.1 million (unaudited), $4.1 million and $3.3 million at March 31, 2010, September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Management believes that such deposits have substantially the same terms as those for comparable transactions with other unrelated parties.
 
(12)
Borrowings
 
At March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008, borrowings are summarized as follows:
 
   
(Unaudited)
         
   
March 31,
    September 30,  
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
  $ 212,000,000     $ 227,000,000     $ 267,000,000  
Repurchase agreements
    232,472       -       -  
                         
Total Borrowings
  $ 212,232,472     $ 227,000,000     $ 267,000,000  
 
 
F-43

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007

FHLB advances at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008 are summarized by year of maturity in the table below:
                   
    (Unaudited)  
    March 31, 2010  
       
Range of
   
Weighted
 
 Due  
Amount
   
interest rates
   
average rate
 
                   
Less than one year
  $ 102,000,000       5.40 – 6.14 %     5.64 %
One to two years
    30,000,000       3.30 – 4.87 %     4.61 %
Two to three years
    20,000,000       3.42 – 3.88 %     3.65 %
Three to four years
    5,000,000       3.80 %     3.80 %
Four to five years
    5,000,000       3.99 %     3.99 %
Thereafter
    50,000,000       4.30 – 4.33 %     4.32 %
                         
    $ 212,000,000               4.91 %
 
At March 31, 2010, the Company has pledged, under a blanket floating collateral lien with the FHLB, all stock of the FHLB, certain qualifying first mortgage loans with unpaid principal balances totaling $115,559,429 (unaudited), certain commercial loans with unpaid principal balances totaling $47,521,096 (unaudited), and certain mortgage–backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, and investment securities with an aggregate carrying amount of $120,648,084 (unaudited).
 
The Company has $152.0 million (unaudited) in fixed rate advances from the FHLB at March 31, 2010 while $60.0 million (unaudited) of the advances had a variable rate. As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s fixed rate FHLB advances include $122.0 million (unaudited) of advances that are callable by the FHLB under certain circumstances.  The fixed rate advances from the FHLB are subject to prepayment penalties.
 
At March 31, 2010, the Company had available line of credit commitments with the FHLB totaling $497,425,512 (unaudited), of which $212,000,000 (unaudited) was advanced and $285,425,512 (unaudited) was available at March 31, 2010 based on total assets; however, based on actual collateral available, only $15.2 million (unaudited) was available.  At March 31, 2010, the Company had an available line of credit based on the collateral pledged of $29,213,087 (unaudited) with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
         
Range of
   
Weighted
         
Range of
   
Weighted
 
Due
 
Amount
   
interest rates
   
average rate
   
Amount
   
interest rates
   
average rate
 
                                     
Less than one year
  $ 15,000,000       2.65-3.93 %     3.50 %   $ 15,000,000       2.53-3.31 %     3.05 %
One to two years
    102,000,000       5.40-6.14 %     5.64 %     40,000,000       2.65-6.22 %     5.20 %
Two to three years
    30,000,000       3.30-4.87 %     4.61 %     102,000,000       5.40-6.14 %     5.64 %
Three to four years
    20,000,000       3.42-3.88 %     3.65 %     30,000,000       3.30-4.87 %     4.61 %
Four to five years
    5,000,000       3.80 %     3.80 %     20,000,000       3.42-3.88 %     3.66 %
Thereafter
    55,000,000       3.99-4.33 %     4.29 %     60,000,000       2.51-4.33 %     3.50 %
                                                 
    $ 227,000,000               4.82 %   $ 267,000,000               4.86 %

At September 30, 2009, the Company has pledged, under a blanket floating collateral lien with the FHLB, all stock of the FHLB, certain qualifying first mortgage loans with unpaid principal balances totaling $110,033,217, certain commercial loans with unpaid principal balances totaling $48,984,530, and certain mortgage–backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, and investment securities with an aggregate carrying amount of $142,757,364.
 
 
F-44

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The Company has $162 million in fixed rate advances from the FHLB at September 30, 2009 while $65 million of the advances had a variable rate. As of September 30, 2009, the Company’s fixed rate FHLB advances include $65 million of advances that are callable by the FHLB under certain circumstances.  The fixed rate advances from the FHLB are subject to prepayment penalties.
 
At September 30, 2009, the Company had available line of credit commitments with the FHLB totaling $390,530,419, of which $227,000,000 was advanced and $163,530,419 was available at September 30, 2009 based on total assets; however, based on actual collateral available, only $4.2 million was available.  At September 30, 2009, the Company had an available line of credit based on the collateral pledged of $47,249,817 with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
 
The following summarizes pertinent data related to FHLB advances for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007:
                         
   
(Unaudited)
                   
   
March 31,
    September 30,  
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                         
Weighted average borrowing rate at period–end
    4.91 %     4.82 %     4.65 %     4.83 %
Weighted average borrowing rate during the period
    4.82 %     4.80 %     4.79 %     4.50 %
Average daily balance during period
  $ 218,008,603     $ 260,158,013     $ 255,739,607     $ 304,077,384  
Maximum month–end balance during the period
  $ 217,000,000     $ 275,500,000     $ 267,000,000     $ 312,000,000  
 
The following summarizes pertinent data related to securities sold under the agreements to repurchase for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007:
                         
   
(Unaudited)
                   
   
March 31,
    September 30,  
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Weighted average borrowing rate at period–end
    0.87 %     - %     - %     5.19 %
Weighted average borrowing rate during the period
    0.87 %     - %     4.67 %     5.52 %
Average daily balance during period
  $ 4,618     $ -     $ 4,712,830     $ 17,377,438  
Maximum month–end balance during the period
  $ 232,472     $ -     $ 9,935,000     $ 18,598,000  
 
 
F-45

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Interest expense on borrowings the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, is summarized as follows:
 
    (Unaudited)                    
    Six Months Ended      
    March 31,     Years Ended September 30,  
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  $ 25     $ -     $ -     $ 219,769     $ 959,995  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    5,252,228       6,106,722       12,499,232       12,025,251       13,679,024  
                                         
    $ 5,252,253     $ 6,106,722     $ 12,499,232     $ 12,245,020     $ 14,639,019  
 
During the year ended September 30, 2009, a $25,000,000 advance with a rate of 6.22% was prepaid.  This prepayment resulted in a prepayment penalty of $1,408,275 which is included in other noninterest expense.

(13)
Income Taxes
 
Income tax expense (benefit) attributable to income from continuing operations for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007 consists of:
 
   
(Unaudited)
                   
   
Six Months Ended
       
   
March 31,
   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Federal:
                             
Current
  $ 216,055     $ 812,031     $ 710,508     $ 5,945,422     $ 25,066,763  
Deferred
    3,552,183       (423,371 )     (259,804 )     (1,580,048 )     (339,854 )
Total federal tax expense
    3,768,238       388,660       450,704       4,365,374       24,726,909  
State:
                                       
Current
    44,619       38,078       25,339       466,208       4,232,687  
Deferred
    615,235       (7,666 )     (170,405 )     (340,546 )     (82,232 )
Total state tax expense
    659,854       30,412       (145,066 )     125,662       4,150,455  
                                         
    $ 4,428,092     $ 419,072     $ 305,638     $ 4,491,036     $ 28,877,364  

 
F-46

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007

The difference between the actual total provision for federal and state income taxes and federal income taxes computed at the statutory rate of 35% for the six months ended March 31, 2010 (unaudited) and 2009 (unaudited) and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007 is summarized as follows:

   
(Unaudited)
                   
   
Six Months Ended
                   
   
March 31,
   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                                         
Computed “expected” tax expense
  $ 4,256,561     $ 646,965     $ 917,490     $ 5,258,144     $ 27,936,015  
Increase (decrease) in tax expense resulting from:
                                       
Dividends received deduction
    -       -       -       (612,194 )     (1,789,725 )
State income taxes, net of federal tax effect
    428,905       19,768       (94,293 )     81,680       2,697,795  
Tax–exempt income
    (198,228 )     (222,783 )     (444,244 )     (373,412 )     (240,252 )
Change in tax contingency accrual
    -       -       -       14,192       (117,279 )
Market value depreciation of ESOP shares
    1,695       (7,601 )     (3,864 )     100,947       199,720  
Other, net
    (60,841 )     (17,277 )     (69,451 )     21,679       191,090  
                                         
    $ 4,428,092     $ 419,072     $ 305,638     $ 4,491,036     $ 28,877,364  
 
The primary reason for the 2007 reduction in the tax contingency reserve was the resolution of an issue with the Internal Revenue Service.
 
The effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, was 36.41% (unaudited), 22.67% (unaudited), 11.66%, 29.89%, and 36.18%, respectively.
 
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies by jurisdiction and entity in making this assessment.
 
Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods which the temporary differences resulting in the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences at September 30, 2009 and March 31, 2010 (unaudited).
 
 
F-47

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008 are presented below:
 
   
(Unaudited)
             
    March 31,    
September 30,
 
    2010     2009    
2008
 
Deferred tax assets:
                       
Allowance for loan losses
  $ 4,444,696     $ 3,639,801     $ 3,168,967  
Interest on nonaccrual loans
    -       209,215       119,532  
Deferred compensation
    1,015,541       1,009,356       1,013,388  
Stock option expense
    771,996       769,193       752,447  
Real estate acquired through foreclosure
    420,438       294,816       18,460  
State credits
    252,388       289,258       248,500  
Other than temporary impairment
    1,374,698       -       -  
Net unrealized holding losses on securities available for sale
    1,561,366       4,263,915       4,277,099  
Other
    241,909       208,726       70,820  
Total gross deferred tax assets
    10,083,032       10,684,280       9,669,213  
                         
Deferred tax liabilities:
                       
Deferred loans costs, net
    378,164       405,959       452,104  
Depreciation
    2,303,691       1,928,768       1,197,618  
Investment securities market adjustment for tax reporting
    -       160,852       1,055,165  
FDIC transaction
    6,902,374       819,931       -  
Other
    79,727       79,727       92,306  
Total gross deferred tax liabilities
    9,663,956       3,395,237       2,797,193  
                         
        Net deferred tax assets   $ 419,076     7,289,043     $ 6,872,020  

The Company adopted the accounting standard relating to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes during 2009.  The Company classifies interest and penalties related to income tax assessments, if any, in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.  Tax years 2006 through 2009 are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities in Georgia and Alabama.  A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of unrecognized tax benefit for uncertain tax positions is insignificant to the consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2009.

(14)
Employee Benefits
 
The Company has a 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust (the Plan) which covers substantially all of its employees. The Company has no match of employee contributions to the Plan.
 
The Company has a short–term incentive plan which covers substantially all employees. The Company also had a long–term incentive plan that covered key employees which was phased out in 2008. For six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company expensed $496,084 (unaudited), $24,450 (unaudited), $125,742, $1,518,001, and $1,272,054, respectively, related to the incentive plans which is recorded in salaries and employee benefits in the consolidated statements of income.
 
 
F-48

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The Company has a stock option plan which allows for stock option awards of the Company’s common stock to eligible directors and key employees of the Company. The option price is determined by a committee of the board of directors at the time of the grant and may not be less than 100% of the market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. When granted, the options vest over periods up to four or five years from grant date or upon death, disability, or qualified retirement. All options must be exercised within a 10–year period from grant date. The Company may grant either incentive stock options, which qualify for special federal income tax treatment, or nonqualified stock options, which do not receive such tax treatment. The Company’s stockholders have authorized 707,943 shares for the plan of which 54,650 have been granted and exercised, 357,775 are granted and outstanding with the remaining 295,518 shares available to be granted.
 
The fair value of the options granted during the year ended 2009 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton model with the following assumptions:

       
   
2009
 
Risk- free interest rate
    3.21 %
Dividend yield
    11.75 %
Expected life at date of grant
 
10 years
 
Volatility
    42.13 %
Weighted average grant-date fair value
  $ 0.61  
 
 
F-49

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The following table summarizes activity for shares under option and weighted average exercise price per share:
                   
   
Shares
   
Weighted
average
exercise
price/share
   
Weighted
average
remaining
life (years)
 
                   
Options outstanding- September 30, 2006
    258,300       31.24       7  
Options exercised
    (22,750 )     29.26       5  
Options forfeited
    (4,350 )     31.62       6  
Granted in 2007
    330,000       45.50       9  
Options outstanding- September 30, 2007
    561,200       39.73       9  
Options exercisable at end of year – September 30, 2007
    425,250       41.86       9  
                         
Options outstanding- September 30, 2007
    561,200       39.70       9  
Options exercised
    (3,600 )     29.26       4  
Options forfeited
    (1,750 )     29.79       5  
Granted in 2008
    -       -       -  
Options outstanding- September 30, 2008
    555,850       39.80       9  
Options exercisable at end of year – September 30, 2008
    500,350       40.56       8  
                         
Options outstanding- September 30, 2008
    555,850       39.80       9  
Options exercised
    -       -       -  
Options forfeited
    (603,600 )     37.35       9  
Granted in 2009
    405,525       11.00       10  
Options outstanding- September 30, 2009
    357,775       11.35       10  
Options exercisable at end of year – September 30, 2009
    5,750       29.42       4  
                         
Options outstanding- September 30, 2009
    357,775       11.35       10  
Options exercised
    -       -       -  
Options forfeited
    -       -       -  
Options granted
    -       -       -  
Options outstanding- March 31, 2010 (unaudited)
    357,775       11.35       10  
Options exercisable six month period ended – March 31, 2010 (unaudited)
    5,750       29.42       4  
 
The intrinsic value on the options exercised during the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $83,014 and $502,512, respectively. The stock price at March 31, 2010 and 2009 was less than or equal to the exercise prices of options outstanding and exercisable and therefore had no intrinsic value.  Intrinsic value at September 30, 2009 was $440,031.
 
The fair value of the stock options vested during the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $0 (unaudited), $0 (unaudited), $0, $84,038, and $2.0 million, respectively.
 
 
F-50

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The following table summarizes information about the options outstanding at March 31, 2010 (unaudited):

     
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
 
Number
   
average
         
average
 
 
outstanding at
   
remaining
   
Exercise
   
exercise
 
 
March 31,
   
contractual
   
price
   
price
 
 
2010 (unaudited)
   
life in years
   
per share
   
per share
 
                       
    5,500       3     $ 29.26     $ 29.26  
    250       5     $ 32.99     $ 32.99  
    352,025       9     $ 11.00     $ 11.00  
    357,775                          
                               
 
The following table summarizes information about the options outstanding at September 30, 2009:

       
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
 
Number
   
average
         
average
 
 
outstanding at
   
remaining
   
Exercise
   
exercise
 
 
September 30,
   
contractual
   
price
   
price
 
 
2009
   
life in years
   
per share
   
per share
 
                       
    5,500       3     $ 29.26     $ 29.26  
    250       5     $ 32.99     $ 32.99  
    352,025       9     $ 11.00     $ 11.00  
    357,775                          
 
The Company has a benefit restoration plan (the Benefit Plan) which covers the chief executive officer of the Company and any employees of the Company who are designated as eligible to participate in the Benefit Plan by resolution of the board of directors of the Company. The Benefit Plan restores the benefits in tax–qualified plans that are limited by the Internal Revenue Code. Also, in the case of a participant who retires before the repayment in full of a loan to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), the restorative payments include a payment in lieu of the shares that would have been allocated if employment had continued through the full term of the loan. The participant in the Benefit Plan is entitled to contributions to the Benefit Plan upon termination of service, retirement or death. The Company expensed $0 (unaudited) during the six months ended March 31, 2010, $38,914 for the year ended 2009, reversed some of the expense in the year ended 2008 for $72,440 and expensed $257,757, related to the Benefit Plan during the year ended September 30, 2007, respectively, included in the salaries and employee benefits in the consolidated statements of income.  During the year ended 2009, the accrued liability of $822,116 in the benefit restoration plan was frozen.  During the year ended 2009, the Company established a new unfunded and nonqualified supplemental retirement plan for the chief executive officer and two other executives.  The normal retirement benefit under this plan ranges in amounts equal to ten to fifty percent of the executive’s final base salary and is paid out in monthly installments for a period of fifteen years beginning on the first day of the month after the executive’s normal retirement date.  At March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, the accrued liability was $161,225 (unaudited) and $94,864, respectively and the related expense was $66,361 (unaudited) and $94,864 for the six month period and the year ended September 30, 2009, relating to this plan.  The discount rate utilized in measuring the liability was six percent.  Payments under the new plan for the chief executive officer will be reduced by the aforementioned frozen liability under the former benefit restoration plan.
 
 
F-51

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The Company has a recognition and retention plan which has been authorized to grant up to 283,177 shares of restricted stock to key employees and directors. The Company has established a grantor trust to purchase these common shares of the Company in the open market or in private transactions. The grantor trust will not purchase previously authorized but unissued shares from the Company. The grantor trust has purchased all of the 283,177 shares that have been authorized. As of March 31, 2010, 93,505 shares (unaudited) remain in the trust and are disclosed as treasury stock in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Of the 93,505 shares remaining in the trust, 33,116 shares (unaudited) have been granted and are not yet vested and 60,389 shares (unaudited) are available for grants.

    (Unaudited)                    
    Six Months Ended                    
    March 31,     Years Ended September 30,  
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                               
Shares granted
    -       -       -       -       8,000  
Fair value per share at grant date
    -       -       -       -       47.75-50.00  
Aggregate value at grant date
    -       -       -       -       397,750  
Vesting for current year grants
    -       -       -       -    
3 to 5 years
 
Expensed for year
  $ 105,784     $ 144,497     $ 285,046     $ 851,640     $ 669,319  

           
Weighted average
 
           
grant date fair
 
     
Shares
   
value per award
 
                 
Fiscal 2007 activity
               
Granted
   
  8,000
   
$
49.72
 
Vested
   
25,698
     
27.60
 
Cancelled or expired
   
500
     
33.17
 
Unvested Restricted stock awards- September 30, 2007
   
88,948
     
34.52
 
                 
Fiscal 2008 activity
               
Granted
   
-
     
-
 
Vested
   
42,841
     
32.99
 
Cancelled or expired
   
-
         
Unvested Restricted stock awards- September 30, 2008
   
46,107
     
35.97
 
                 
Fiscal 2009 activity
               
Granted
   
-
     
-
 
Vested
   
11,291
     
32.99
 
Cancelled or expired
   
200
     
33.45
 
Unvested Restricted stock awards- September 30, 2009
   
34,616
     
36.96
 
                 
Fiscal 2010 activity (unaudited)
               
Granted
   
-
     
-
 
Vested
   
1,500
     
49.25
 
Cancelled or expired
   
-
     
-
 
Unvested Restricted stock awards- March 31, 2010
   
33,116
     
36.44
 
 
 
F-52

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Recognition and retention grants and stock options grants vest at the earlier of the scheduled vesting or death, disability, or qualified retirement.  All grants prior to October 1, 2005 are expensed to the scheduled vesting date.  Four grant recipients are qualified for retirement as of September 30, 2009 and March 31, 2010.  One additional stock grant recipient and six option grant recipients will be qualified for retirement before all of their grants reach scheduled vesting. Grants subsequent to October 1, 2005 will be expensed to the earlier of scheduled vesting or substantive vesting which is when the recipient becomes qualified for retirement which is generally age 65 or age 55 with ten years of service.
 
The Company has implemented the Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) which covers substantially all of its employees. During the stock offering of the Company, the ESOP trust borrowed $3,171,580 from the Company to purchase 317,158 shares for allocation under the ESOP. The loan to the ESOP is reflected as unearned compensation in stockholders’ equity. As the Company receives principal payments on the loan, shares are released for allocation to participants in the ESOP and unearned compensation is reduced. Shares of the Company are freed for allocation to participants in the ESOP based on the principal and interest allocation method. Vesting in the shares of the ESOP occurs after five years of service. Participants in the ESOP may receive a distribution equal to the value of their account upon retirement, death, disability, termination of employment, or termination of the ESOP. The Company records compensation expense associated with the ESOP based on the average market price of the total shares committed to be released during the year as well as the dividends declared on the unallocated shares. The Company expensed $3,304 (unaudited), $16,240 (unaudited), $152,341, $462,482, and $1,301,862 related to the ESOP during the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively, which is included in salaries and employee benefits in the consolidated statements of income. The Company committed to be allocated 13,203 (unaudited), 13,672, 14,138, and 14,605 shares, to participants in the plan during the six month period ended March 31, 2010 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. At March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, there were 154,699 (unaudited) and 168,399, respectively, unallocated shares with a market value of $1,655,279 (unaudited) and $1,751,350, respectively in the ESOP.  Because the Company’s shares trade on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board, a liability for a potential put option on allocated shares is not applicable.  Assuming there was no market for the Company’s shares, the resulting put option for the current market value of allocated shares in the ESOP would approximate $1,415,000 (unaudited) and $1,547,000, respectively.
 
(15)
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
 
In the normal course of business, the Company is party (both as plaintiff and defendant) to certain matters of litigation. In the opinion of management and counsel, none of these matters should have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
 
F-53

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Future minimum lease commitments under all noncancellable operating leases with terms of one year or more are as follows:

   
(Unaudited)
       
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
                 
2010
  $ 607,836     $ 620,904  
2011
    593,236       594,337  
2012
    587,736       594,336  
2013
    568,736       589,936  
2014
    530,736       587,736  
Thereafter
    514,536       540,236  
                 
    $ 3,402,816     $ 3,527,485  
 
Rent expense for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $335,476 (unaudited), $74,897 (unaudited), $323,055, $136,673, and $111,231, respectively, which were included in occupancy expense in the consolidated statements of income.
 
(16)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement
 
Accounting standards relating to disclosures about fair value of financial instruments, require that the Company disclose estimated fair values for its financial instruments. Fair value estimates, methods, and assumptions are set forth below for the Company’s financial instruments.
 
   
(Unaudited)
                         
   
March 31, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
 
   
Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Amount
   
Fair Value
 
Financial assets:
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 141,636,418     $ 141,636,418     $ 53,840,036     $ 53,840,036     $ 14,639,128     $ 14,639,128  
Investments available for sale
    220,702,807       220,702,807       220,096,507       220,096,507       290,745,052       290,745,052  
Loans receivable, net
    667,689,374       649,019,224       552,550,487       539,884,951       428,472,259       430,739,723  
Loans held for sale
    690,301       694,900       1,123,489       1,129,286       1,292,370       1,297,165  
Cash surrender value
                                               
of life insurance
    31,116,214       31,116,214       30,549,849       30,549,849       29,280,581       29,280,581  
FDIC Receivable for loss
    94,089,464       94,089,464       26,481,146       26,481,146       -       -  
sharing agreements
                                               
Financial liabilities:
                                               
Deposits
  $ 906,580,112     $ 914,087,322     $ 597,633,669     $ 601,081,260     $ 420,175,064     $ 421,968,589  
FHLB advances
    212,000,000       222,839,195       227,000,000       230,882,910       267,000,000       273,669,709  
Repurchase agreements
    232,472       232,472       -       -       -       -  
Accrued interest payable
    905,808       905,808       874,218       874,218       1,434,807       1,434,807  
 
 
 
(a)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
 
 
(b)
Investments and Mortgage–Backed Securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations Available for Sale
 
The fair value of investments and mortgage–backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations available for sale is estimated based on bid quotations received from securities dealers. The FHLB stock is considered a restricted stock and is carried at cost which approximates its fair value.
 
The following table presents the carrying and fair value at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008:

   
(Unaudited)
         
   
March 31,
    September 30,  
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                         
Other investment securities
  $ 3,962,010     $ 4,434,732     $ 34,290,733  
Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations
    201,583,697       201,625,975       242,848,419  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    15,157,100       14,035,800       13,605,900  
                         
    $ 220,702,807     $ 220,096,507     $ 290,745,052  
 
 
F-54

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007

 
(c)
Loans Receivable
 
Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type. The fair value of performing loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit risk inherent in the loan. The estimate of maturity is based on the Company’s historical experience with repayments for each loan classification, modified, as required, by an estimate of the effect of the current economic and lending conditions.
 
Fair value for significant nonperforming loans is based on recent external appraisals. If appraisals are not available, estimated cash flows are discounted using a rate commensurate with the risk associated with the estimated cash flows. Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows, and discount rates are judgmentally determined using available market information and specific borrower information.
 
The following table presents information for loans at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008:

   
(Unaudited)
 
   
March 31, 2010
 
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
 
   
amount
   
fair value
 
Loans covered by loss sharing agreements, net
  $ 213,755,529     $ 213,755,529  
Loans not covered by loss sharing agreements
    476,227,837       447,557,687   (a)
Loans receivable
    689,983,366       661,313,216  
Unamortized loan origination fees, net
    (897,488 )     (897,488 )
Allowance for loan losses (non-covered loans)
    (11,396,504 )     (11,396,504 )
                 
Loans receivable, net
  $ 677,689,374     $ 649,019,224  
                 
Loans held for sale
  $ 690,301     $ 694,900  
 
 
F-55

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
                         
 
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
           
 
Carrying
 
Estimated
   
Carrying
 
Estimated
 
 
amount
 
fair value
   
amount
 
fair value
 
                   
Loans covered by loss sharing agreements, net
  $ 89,763,944     $ 89,763,944     $ -     $ -  
Loans not covered by loss sharing agreements
    472,974,693       460,309,157
(a)
    437,520,665       439,788,129  
Loans receivable
    562,738,637       550,073,101       437,520,665       439,788,129  
Unamortized loan origination fees, net
    (856,538 )     (856,538 )     (804,475 )     (804,475 )
Allowance for loan losses (non-covered loans)
    (9,331,612 )     (9,331,612 )     (8,243,931 )     (8,243,931 )
                                 
Loans receivable, net
  $ 552,550,487     $ 539,884,951     $ 428,472,259     $ 430,739,723  
                                 
Loans held for sale
  $ 1,123,489     $ 1,129,286     $ 1,292,370     $ 1,297,165  

(a) Reflects a liquidity discount of 5.5% at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009.
 
 
(e)
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance
 
The Company’s cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance approximates its fair value. The following presents the carrying and fair value at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008:
 
     (Unaudited)        
   
March 31,
    September 30,  
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                         
Cash surrender value of life insurance
  $ 31,116,214     $ 30,549,849     $ 29,280,581  

 
(f)
FDIC Receivable for Loss Sharing Agreements
 
The Company’s FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements approximates fair value. The following presents the carrying and fair value at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008:
 
   
(Unaudited)
             
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
    2010    
2009
   
2008
 
                         
FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements
  $ 94,089,464     $ 26,481,146     $ -  
 
 
F-56

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
 
(g)
Deposits
 
The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest–bearing demand deposits, savings, NOW accounts, and money market and checking accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand as of March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008. The fair value of time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The following table presents information for deposits at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008:
 
               
   
(Unaudited)
 
   
March 31, 2010
 
   
Carrying
 
Estimated
 
   
amount
 
fair value
 
               
 
Demand, NOW, and money market accounts
  $ 290,103,636     $ 290,103,636  
 
Savings deposits
    29,724,514       29,724,514  
 
Time deposits
    586,751,962       594,259,172  
                   
      $ 906,580,112     $ 914,087,322  
 
      September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
 
   
amount
   
fair value
   
amount
   
fair value
 
                         
Demand, NOW, and money market accounts
  $ 202,890,009     $ 202,890,009     $ 158,113,289     $ 158,113,289  
Savings deposits
    14,011,765       14,011,765       11,385,228       11,385,228  
Time deposits
    380,731,895       384,179,486       250,676,547       252,470,072  
                                 
    $ 597,633,669     $ 601,081,260     $ 420,175,064     $ 421,968,589  
 
 
(h)
Borrowings
 
The fair value of the Company’s Federal Home Loan Bank advances is estimated based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The fair value of securities sold under agreements to repurchase approximates the carrying amount because of the short maturity of these borrowings. The discount rate is estimated using rates quoted for the same or similar issues or the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities. The following presents information for borrowings at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008:
 
      (Unaudited)  
      March 31, 2010  
     
Carrying
   
Estimated
 
     
amount
   
fair value
 
               
 
FHLB advances
  $ 212,000,000     $ 222,839,195  
 
Repurchase agreements
    232,472       232,472  
                   
      $ 212,232,472     $ 223,071,667  
 
 
F-57

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
                         
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
   
Carrying
amount
   
Estimated
fair value
   
Carrying
amount
   
Estimated
fair value
 
                                 
FHLB advances
  $ 227,000,000     $ 230,882,910     $ 267,000,000     $ 273,669,709  
 
 
(i)
Accrued Interest and Dividends Receivable and Payable
 
The carrying amount of accrued interest and dividends receivable on loans and investments and payable on borrowings and deposits approximate their fair values.
 
 
(j)
Commitments
 
The fair value of commitments to extend credit to fund home equity, real estate construction, and real estate mortgage loans is immaterial because the underlying interest rates on such commitments approximate market rates.
 
The Company is a party to financial instruments with off–balance–sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the financial statements. The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments.
 
The Company’s exposure to credit loss, in the event of nonperformance by the customer for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual or notional amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for recorded loans.
 
A summary of the Company’s financial instruments with off–balance–sheet risk at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:
                   
   
(Unaudited)
             
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk – commitments to originate loans:
                 
Mortgage loans
  $ 494,500     $ 261,500     $ 723,000  
Non-mortgage loans
    22,407,743       12,348,000       14,905,855  
Open-end consumer loans
    11,480,270       10,442,640       11,700,978  
Open-end commercial loans
    3,518,172       16,218,451       17,093,387  
Construction loans
    19,817,953       18,016,661       13,906,781  
                         
Total commitments to originate loans
  $ 57,718,638     $ 57,287,252     $ 58,330,001  
 
The Company sells loans on a best efforts basis and had loans as reported in the statement of condition as loans held for sale in the process of being sold.
 
 
F-58

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the agreement. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case–by–case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Collateral held varies, but consists primarily of real estate.
 
The following summarizes the Company’s commitments to fund fixed rate loans at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008:
 
   
Amount
   
Range of Rate
 
             
March 31, 2010 (unaudited)
  $ 4,399,500       4.50 – 6.50 %
September 30, 2009
  $ 12,609,500       4.50 – 8.50 %
September 30, 2008
  $ 15,628,855       4.75 – 7.75 %
 
Commitments to sell fixed rate loans are contracted on a best efforts basis and the value of the funded commitments approximates the commitment to sell the loans.
 
In the origination of mortgage loans, the Company enters into adjustable interest rate contracts with caps and floors written with the intent of managing its interest rate exposure. Interest rate caps and floors enable customers and the Company to transfer, modify, or reduce their interest rate risk. At March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008, adjustable rate mortgage loans with interest rate caps and floors amounted to $63,279,000 (unaudited), $63,296,000 and $66,862,000, respectively.
 
The carrying amount of commitments to extend credit approximates fair value. The carrying amount of the off-balance sheet financial instruments is based on fees charged to enter into such agreements.
 
 
(k)
Derivatives
 
The fair value of the outstanding covered call options is determined by the Company based on the current market price of the option.
 
 
(l)
Limitations
 
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
 
 
F-59

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Fair value estimates are based on existing on– and off–balance–sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Other significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities include deferred tax liabilities and premises and equipment. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of the estimates.
 
Furthermore, accounting standards define fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  Accounting standards also establish a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  The applicable standard describes six levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:  Level 1:  Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.  Level 2:  Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.  Level 3:  Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
 
Most of the Company’s available for sale securities fall into Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  These securities are priced via independent service providers.  In obtaining such valuation information, the Company has evaluated the valuation methodologies used to develop the fair values.

 
F-60

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis:
 
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below.
                         
(Unaudited)
                       
March 31, 2010
       
Fair value measurements using:
 
         
Quoted prices in
         
Significant
 
         
active markets for
   
Quoted prices
   
unobservable
 
   
Fair
   
identical assets
   
for similar assets
   
inputs
 
   
value
   
(Level 1 inputs)
   
(Level 2 inputs)
   
(Level 3 inputs)
 
Investment securities available for sale:
                       
U.S. Government sponsored entities:
  $ 3,962,010     $ -     $ 3,962,010     $ -  
Mortgage–backed securities:
                               
FNMA certificates
    46,115,358       3,954,656       42,160,702       -  
GNMA certificates
    13,984,438       9,023,260       4,961,178       -  
FHLMC certificates
    31,014,465       -       31,014,465       -  
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
FNMA
    28,101,312       -       28,101,312       -  
FHLMC
    14,121,788       -       14,121,788       -  
GNMA
    15,532,862       15,532,862       -       -  
Other:
                               
Rated AAA
    35,156,439               35,156,439       -  
Rated AA
    -       -       -       -  
Rated A
    -       -       -       -  
Rated BBB
    11,617,652       -       11,617,652       -  
Rated CCC
    5,939,383       -       5,939,383       -  
                                 
Available for sale securities
  $ 205,545,707     $ 28,510,778     $ 177,034,929     $ -  
 
 
F-61

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
                         
September 30, 2009
       
Fair value measurements using:
 
         
Quoted prices in
         
Significant
 
         
active markets for
   
Quoted prices
   
unobservable
 
   
Fair
   
identical assets
   
for similar assets
   
inputs
 
   
value
   
(Level 1 inputs)
   
(Level 2 inputs)
   
(Level 3 inputs)
 
Investment securities available for sale:
                       
U.S. Government sponsored entities:
  $ 4,434,732     $ -     $ 4,434,732     $ -  
Mortgage–backed securities:
                               
FNMA certificates
    53,974,576       24,725,231       29,249,345       -  
GNMA certificates
    5,978,912       -       5,978,912       -  
FHLMC certificates
    27,678,955       10,282,892       17,396,063       -  
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
FNMA
    37,705,735       15,651,011       22,054,724       -  
FHLMC
    19,379,670       -       19,379,670       -  
GNMA
    -       -       -       -  
Other:
                               
Rated AAA
    33,427,571       -       33,427,571       -  
Rated AA
    8,279,909       -       8,279,909       -  
Rated A
    7,538,523       -       7,538,523       -  
Rated B
    7,133,492       -       7,133,492       -  
Rated CCC
    528,632       -       528,632       -  
                                 
Available for sale securities
  $ 206,060,707     $ 50,659,134     $ 155,401,573     $ -  
 
 
F-62

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
                         
September 30, 2008
       
Fair value measurements using:
 
         
Quoted prices in
         
Significant
 
         
active markets for
   
Quoted prices
   
unobservable
 
   
Fair
   
identical assets
   
for similar assets
   
inputs
 
   
value
   
(Level 1 inputs)
   
(Level 2 inputs)
   
(Level 3 inputs)
 
Investment securities available for sale:
                       
U.S. Government sponsored entities:
  $ 34,290,733     $ -     $ 34,290,733     $ -  
Mortgage–backed securities:
                               
FNMA certificates
    94,668,545       -       94,668,545       -  
GNMA certificates
    9,377,760       -       9,377,760       -  
FHLMC certificates
    6,358,334       -       6,358,334       -  
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                               
FNMA
    20,055,378       -       20,055,378       -  
FHLMC
    28,213,489       -       28,213,489       -  
GNMA
    998,727       -       998,727       -  
Other:
                               
Rated AAA
    75,846,088       9,388,785       66,457,303       -  
Rated AA
    5,150,261       -       5,150,261       -  
Rated A
    2,179,837       -       2,179,837       -  
Rated B
    -       -       -       -  
Rated CCC
    -       -       -       -  
                                 
Available for sale securities
  $ 277,139,152     $ 9,388,785     $ 267,750,367     $ -  
 
 
F-63

 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis:
 
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized below.
                         
         
Fair value measurements using:
 
         
Quoted prices in
         
Significant
 
         
active markets for
   
Quoted prices
   
unobservable
 
   
Fair
   
identical assets
   
for similar assets
   
inputs
 
(Unaudited)
 
value
   
(Level 1 inputs)
   
(Level 2 inputs)
   
(Level 3 inputs)
 
March 31, 2010
                       
Impaired loans:
                       
Not covered under loss share
  $ 11,694,685     $ -     $ -     $ 11,694,685  
Covered under loss share
    61,862,020       -       -       61,862,020  
                                 
Other real estate owned:
                               
Not covered under loss share
    7,409,175       -       -       7,409,175  
Covered under loss share
    35,732,671       -       -       35,732,671  
                                 
September 30, 2009
                               
Impaired loans:
                               
Not covered under loss share
    6,802,740       -       -       6,802,740  
Covered under loss share
    18,246,596       -       -       18,246,596  
                                 
Other real estate owned:
                               
Not covered under loss share
    4,777,542       -       -       4,777,542  
Covered under loss share
    10,681,499       -       -       10,681,499  
                                 
September 30, 2008
                               
Impaired loans:
                               
Not covered under loss share
    4,605,732       -       -       4,605,732  
Covered under loss share
    -       -       -       -  
                                 
Other real estate owned:
                               
Not covered under loss share
    2,680,430       -       -       2,680,430  
Covered under loss share
    -       -       -       -  
 
Loans considered impaired are loans for which, based on current information and events, it is probable that the creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Impaired loans are subject to nonrecurring fair value adjustments to reflect write-downs that are based on the market price or current appraised value of the collateral, adjusted to reflect local market conditions or other economic factors. After evaluating the underlying collateral, the fair value of the impaired loans is determined by allocating specific reserves from the allowance for loan and lease losses to the loans.  Thus, the fair value reflects the loan balance less the specifically allocated reserve.
 
Other real estate owned is initially accounted for at fair value, less estimated costs to dispose of the property. Any excess of the recorded investment over fair value, less costs to dispose, is charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses at the time of foreclosure. A provision is charged to earnings for subsequent losses on other real estate owned when market conditions indicate such losses have occurred.
 
 
F-64

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The ability of the Company to recover the carrying value of other real estate owned is based upon future sales of the real estate. The ability to effect such sales is subject to market conditions and other factors beyond our control, and future declines in the value of the real estate would result in a charge to earnings. The recognition of sales and sales gains is dependent upon whether the nature and terms of the sales, including possible future involvement of the Company, if any, meet certain defined requirements. If those requirements are not met, sale and gain recognition is deferred.
 
(17)
Regulatory Matters
 
The Bank is required to maintain noninterest–bearing cash reserve balances. The aggregate average cash reserve balances maintained at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008 to satisfy the regulatory requirement were $5,071,000 (unaudited), $1,681,000 and $260,340, respectively.
 
Under Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) regulations, the Bank is required to measure its interest rate risk and maintain the interest rate risk within limits the Bank establishes. Based on its asset/liability structure at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, the Bank’s earnings may be negatively impacted if interest rates increase or decrease significantly.
 
The Bank is required to meet certain core, tangible, and risk–based regulatory capital ratios. The regulations require institutions to have a minimum regulatory tangible capital ratio equal to 1.5% of total assets, a minimum 3% core capital ratio, and 8% risk–based capital ratio.
 
The prompt corrective action regulations define specific capital categories based on an institution’s capital ratios. The capital categories, in declining order, are “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” and “critically undercapitalized.” Institutions categorized as “undercapitalized” or worse are subject to certain restrictions, including the requirement to file a capital plan with its primary federal regulator, prohibitions on the payment of dividends and management fees, restrictions on executive compensation, and increased supervisory monitoring, among other things. Other restrictions may be imposed on the institution either by its primary federal regulator or by the FDIC, including requirements to raise additional capital, sell assets, or sell the entire institution. Once an institution becomes “critically undercapitalized,” it must generally be placed in receivership or conservatorship within 90 days.
 
To be considered “adequately capitalized,” an institution must generally have a leverage ratio of at least 4%, a Tier 1 risk–based capital ratio of at least 4%, and a total risk–based capital ratio of at least 8%. An institution is deemed to be “critically undercapitalized” if it has a tangible equity ratio of 2% or less.
 
As of March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, the most recent notification from the OTS categorized CharterBank as well–capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well–capitalized, CharterBank must maintain minimum total risk–based, Tier 1 risk–based and core/leverage ratios as set forth in the following table. Management is not aware of the existence of any conditions or events occurring subsequent to March 31, 2010 which would affect CharterBank’s well–capitalized classification.
 
 
F-65

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The table of compliance with minimum capital requirements for CharterBank is presented below at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):
                         
   
(Unaudited)
 
   
March 31, 2010
 
         
Core/
   
Tier 1
   
Total
 
   
Tangible
   
leverage
   
risk-based
   
risk-based
 
   
capital
   
capital
   
capital
   
capital
 
                         
Total equity
  $ 105,188     $ 105,188     $ 105,188     $ 105,188  
General valuation allowances
    -       -       -       7,785  
Investments required to be deducted
    -       -       -       (7,701 )
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    (5,371 )     (5,371 )     (5,371 )     (5,371 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    3,031       3,031       3,031       3,031  
                                 
Regulatory capital
  $ 102,848     $ 102,848     $ 102,848     $ 102,932  
                                 
Total assets
  $ 1,244,171     $ 1,244,171     $ 1,244,171     $ 1,244,171  
Regulatory total assets
  $ 1,243,392     $ 1,243,392     $ -     $ -  
Risk-weighted assets
  $ -     $ -     $ 622,882     $ 622,882  
Capital ratio
    8.27 %     8.27 %     16.51 %     16.53 %
                                 
Regulatory capital category:
                               
Adequately capitalized or minimum FIRREA requirement equal to or greater than
    1.5 %     3.00 %     N/A       8.00 %
Capital exceeding requirement
  $ 84,197     $ 65,546     $ N/A     $ 53,101  
                                 
Adequately capitalized or minimum FDICIA requirement equal to or greater than
    N/A       4.00 %     4.00 %     8.00 %
Capital exceeding requirement
  $ N/A     $ 53,112     $ 77,933     $ 53,101  
                                 
Well capitalized, equal to or greater than
    N/A       5.00 %     6.00 %     10.00 %
Capital exceeding requirement
  $ N/A     $ 40,678     $ 65,475     $ 40,644  
 
 
F-66

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
                         
   
September 30, 2009
 
         
Core/
   
Tier 1
   
Total
 
   
Tangible
   
leverage
   
risk-based
   
risk-based
 
   
capital
   
capital
   
capital
   
capital
 
                         
Total equity
  $ 84,479     $ 84,479     $ 84,479     $ 84,479  
General valuation allowances
    -       -       -       6,324  
Allowable unrealized gains
    -       -       -       -  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    (5,180 )     (5,180 )     (5,180 )     (5,180 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    8,277       8,277       8,277       8,277  
                                 
Regulatory capital
  $ 87,576     $ 87,576     $ 87,576     $ 93,900  
                                 
Total assets
  $ 933,117     $ 933,117     $ 933,117     $ 933,117  
Regulatory total assets
  $ 940,755     $ 941,489     $ -     $ -  
Risk-weighted assets
  $ -     $ -     $ 597,598     $ 597,598  
Capital ratio
    9.31 %     9.30 %     14.65 %     15.71 %
                                 
Regulatory capital category:
                               
Adequately capitalized or minimum FIRREA requirement equal to or greater than
    1.50 %     3.00 %     N/A       8.00 %
Capital exceeding requirement
  $ 73,465     $ 59,331     $ N/A     $ 46,092  
                                 
Adequately capitalized or minimum FDICIA requirement equal to or greater than
    N/A       4.00 %     4.00 %     8.00 %
Capital exceeding requirement
  $ N/A     $ 49,916     $ 63,672     $ 46,092  
                                 
Well capitalized, equal to or greater than
    N/A       5.00 %     6.00 %     10.00 %
Capital exceeding requirement
  $ N/A     $ 40,502     $ 51,720     $ 34,140  
 
 
F-67

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
                         
   
September 30, 2008
 
         
Core/
   
Tier 1
   
Total
 
   
Tangible
   
leverage
   
risk-based
   
risk-based
 
   
capital
   
capital
   
capital
   
capital
 
                         
Total equity
  $ 83,040     $ 83,040     $ 83,040     $ 83,040  
General valuation allowances
    -       -       -       6,256  
Allowable unrealized gains
    -       -       -       -  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    (5,314 )     (5,314 )     (5,314 )     (5,314 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    6,850       6,850       6,850       6,850  
                                 
Regulatory capital
  $ 84,576     $ 84,576     $ 84,576     $ 90,832  
                                 
Total assets
  $ 799,119     $ 799,119     $ 799,119     $ 799,119  
Regulatory total assets
  $ 804,932     $ 804,932     $ -     $ -  
Risk-weighted assets
  $ -     $ -     $ 500,492     $ 500,492  
Capital ratio
    10.51 %     10.51 %     16.90 %     18.15 %
                                 
Regulatory capital category:
                               
Adequately capitalized or minimum FIRREA requirement equal to or greater than
    1.50 %     3.00 %     N/A       8.00 %
Capital exceeding requirement
  $ 72,524     $ 60,450     $ N/A     $ 50,800  
                                 
Adequately capitalized or minimum FDICIA requirement equal to or greater than
    N/A       4.00 %     4.00 %     8.00 %
Capital exceeding requirement
  $ N/A     $ 52,401     $ 64,563     $ 50,800  
                                 
Well capitalized, equal to or greater than
    N/A       5.00 %     6.00 %     10.00 %
Capital exceeding requirement
  $ N/A     $ 44,352     $ 54,554     $ 40,790  
 
The OTS imposes various restrictions or requirements on CharterBank’s ability to make capital distributions, including cash dividends. A savings bank that is the subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company must file a notice with the OTS at least 30 days before making a capital distribution. CharterBank must file an application for prior approval if the total amount of its capital distributions, including the proposed distribution, for the applicable calendar year would exceed an amount equal to CharterBank’s net income for that year plus CharterBank’s retained net income for the previous two years. The OTS may disapprove a notice or application if: (a) CharterBank would be undercapitalized following the distribution; (b) the proposed capital distribution raises safety and soundness concerns; or (c) the capital distribution would violate a prohibition contained in any statute, regulation, or agreement.
 
 
F-68

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The OTS has guidelines that limit the Bank’s investment in BOLI to 25% of the Bank’s regulatory capital.  The Bank subsidiary exceeds this guideline with 29% (unaudited) of its regulatory capital at March 31, 2010.  Exceeding this guideline requires additional monitoring of it BOLI investment by the Bank.  Management believes it is meeting its requirement for increased monitoring.
 
(18)  
Related Parties
 
During the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company paid approximately $269,450 (unaudited), $49,521 (unaudited), $104,949, $105,372, and $87,870, respectively, in legal fees in the normal course of business to a law firm in which a partner is a board member and related to another board member.
 
The Company formerly leased a branch facility and parking lot from a partnership in which a Company executive and a board member are partners. During the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and each of the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, lease expense relating to these leases was $0 (unaudited), $21,654 (unaudited), $21,654, $63,361, and $37,380, respectively.  During fiscal 2009, the Bank purchased the shopping center which included this branch facility on an outparcel from this partnership at a purchase price of $2,908,167.
 
See notes 7 and 11 for disclosures of loan and deposit relationships of related parties.  Management believes transactions entered into with related parties are in the ordinary course of business and on terms similar to transactions with unaffiliated parties.
 
 
F-69

 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
(19)  
Condensed Financial Statements of Charter Financial Corporation (Parent Only)
 
The following represents Parent Company only condensed financial information of Charter Financial Corporation:
                   
Condensed Balance Sheet
 
                   
   
(Unaudited)
             
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Assets
                 
Cash
  $ 4,247,728     $ 12,645,616     $ 18,622,957  
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
    671       671       29,968  
Investment in thrift subsidiary
    105,187,667       84,479,199       83,040,132  
Other assets
    4,413,673       2,541,168       2,211,420  
Total assets
  $ 113,849,739     $ 99,666,654     $ 103,904,477  
                         
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                       
Liabilities:
                       
Accrued expenses
  $ 3,176,528     $ 1,409,994     $ 1,602,556  
Total liabilities
    3,176,528       1,409,994       1,602,556  
Stockholders’ equity:
                       
Common stock, $0.01 par value; issued 19,859,219 shares in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively; outstanding 18,672,361, 18,672,363 and 18,901,295 shares in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively
    198,592       198,592       198,592  
Preferred Stock, no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized
    -       -       -  
Additional paid-in capital
    42,807,498       42,751,898       42,537,428  
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,186,858, 1,186,856 and 1,064,220 shares in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively
    (36,903,102 )     (36,948,327 )     (35,060,409 )
Unearned compensation - ESOP
    (1,546,990 )     (1,683,990 )     (1,825,390 )
Retained earnings
    109,148,101       102,215,498       103,301,290  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (3,030,888 )     (8,277,011 )     (6,849,590 )
Total stockholders’ equity
    110,673,211       98,256,660       102,301,921  
                         
    $ 113,849,739     $ 99,666,654     $ 103,904,477  
 
 
F-70

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Condensed Statements of Income
                               
   
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
March 31,
   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Income:
                             
Interest income
  $ 72,170     $ 177,332     $ 282,455     $ 643,926     $ 1,374,154  
Dividend income
    -       128       -       620,000       2,194,999  
Dividends received from Bank subsidiary
    -       -       -       3,000,000       8,500,000  
Gain on sale of Freddie Mac common stock
    -       -       -       823,429       69,453,332  
Loss on other investment
    (1,000,000 )     -       -       -       -  
Other income
    -       -       -       787,194       369,056  
Total operating (loss) income
    (927,830 )     177,460       282,455       5,874,549       81,891,541  
                                         
Expenses:
                                       
Salaries and employee benefits
    122,585       291,988       531,599       696,087       1,427,421  
Stock option expense
    2,046       2,862       4,908       14,244       1,971,608  
Occupancy
    12,324       12,324       24,648       24,648       24,648  
Legal and professional
    51,559       70,259       216,997       101,594       60,070  
Marketing
    67,569       51,468       90,095       91,969       149,828  
Other
    88,670       62,743       124,482       135,804       146,847  
Total operating expenses
    344,753       491,644       992,729       1,064,346       3,780,422  
                                         
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (1,272,583 )     (314,184 )     (710,274 )     4,810,203       78,111,119  
                                         
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (538,099 )     (122,218 )     (269,620 )     535,343       25,803,188  
                                         
(Loss) income before equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
    (734,484 )     (191,966 )     (440,654 )     4,274,860       52,307,931  
                                         
                                         
Equity (deficit) in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
    8,467,995       1,621,366       2,756,416       6,257,372       (1,368,109 )
                                         
Net income
  $ 7,733,511     $ 1,429,400     $ 2,315,762     $ 10,532,232     $ 50,939,822  
 
 
F-71

 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Condensed Statements of Cash Flow
                               
   
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
March 31,
   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                             
Net income
  $ 7,733,511     $ 1,429,400     $ 2,315,762     $ 10,532,232     $ 50,939,822  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
                                       
Gain on sale of Freddie Mac common stock
    -       -       -       (823,429 )     (69,453,332 )
Deferred tax benefit
    -       -       (398,881 )     (1,920,594 )     (740,384 )
Restricted stock award expense
    -       -       285,046       851,640       669,319  
Stock based compensation expense
    16,916       17,016       33,934       84,038       1,971,608  
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
    (8,467,995 )     (1,621,366 )     (2,756,416 )     (9,257,372 )     (7,131,891 )
Allocation of ESOP common stock
    137,000       141,400       141,400       146,050       150,500  
(Increase) decrease in other assets
    478,298       (49,280 )     (179,964 )     596,205       (398,657 )
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses
    (510,394 )     155,611       184,752       (585,350 )     2,145,926  
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (612,664 )     72,782       (374,367 )     (376,580 )     (21,847,089 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
                                       
Capital (infusion) distribution from Bank subsidiary
    (7,000,000 )     -       -       3,000,000       8,500,000  
Proceeds from the sale of Freddie Mac common Stock
    -       -       -       1,997,864       70,646,923  
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (7,000,000 )     -       -       4,997,864       79,146,923  
 
 
F-72

 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
Condensed Statements of Cash Flow
(continued)
                               
   
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
March 31,
   
Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                               
Cash flows from financing activities:
                             
Purchase of treasury stock
  $ -     $ (1,012,435 )   $ (2,228,342 )   $ (4,676,178 )   $ (27,064,470 )
Net proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    -       -       -       105,336       403,787  
Dividends on restricted stock awards
    (1,001 )     (1,250 )     (2,375 )     (6,417 )     (22,643 )
Excess tax benefit on exercise of stock options
    -       -       -       -       59,860  
                                         
Dividends paid
    (784,223 )     (1,334,918 )     (3,401,554 )     (15,871,868 )     (5,847,197 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (785,224 )     (2,348,603 )     (5,632,271 )     (20,449,127 )     (32,470,663 )
                                         
Net (decrease) increase in cash
    (8,397,888 )     (2,275,822 )     (6,006,638 )     (15,827,843 )     24,829,171  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    12,646,287       18,652,925       18,652,925       34,480,768       9,651,597  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 4,248,399     $ 16,377,103     $ 12,646,287     $ 18,652,925     $ 34,480,768  
                                         
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
                                       
Income taxes paid
  $ -     $ -     $ 330,697     $ 4,665,545     $ 24,776,000  
Issuance of ESOP common stock
    185,818       289,870       289,870       700,516       605,387  
Grant of common stock under stock benefit plans
    73,875       -       372,490       1,366,847       709,265  
Tax benefit from disqualifying dispositions
    -       -       -       -       50,505  
Additional paid in capital adjustment for taxes
    -       -       -       -       55,917  
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net
    5,246,123       2,442,502       (1,427,421 )     (123,735,737 )     (55,603,237 )
 
 
F-73

 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
(20)  
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income and other comprehensive income (loss) which includes the effect of unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment and mortgage-backed securities available for sale in stockholders’ equity. The only component of accumulated other comprehensive loss is the fair value adjustment on investment securities available for sale, net of income taxes. Accumulated other comprehensive loss was $(3,030,888) (unaudited), $(8,277,011), and $(6,849,590), as of March 31, 2010, September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and the related income taxes were $1,561,366, $4,263,915 and $4,277,099, for those same periods, respectively. The following table sets forth the amounts of other comprehensive income (loss) included in stockholders’ equity along with the related tax effect for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007.
                   
   
Pretax
         
After tax
 
(Unaudited)
 
amount
   
Tax effect
   
amount
 
March 31, 2010:
                 
Net unrealized holding gains on investment and mortgage securities available for sale arising during the year
  $ 5,625,188     $ (1,912,564 )   $ 3,712,624  
Noncredit portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings
    (2,526,671 )     859,068       (1,667,603 )
Less reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income
    203,188       (69,084 )     134,104  
Other comprehensive gain
  $ 7,948,671     $ (2,702,548 )   $ 5,246,123  
                         
September 30, 2009:
                       
Net unrealized holding losses on investment and mortgage securities available for sale arising during the year
  $ (164,030 )   $ 63,316     $ (100,714 )
Less reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income
    2,160,760       (834,053 )     1,326,707  
Other comprehensive loss
  $ (2,324,790 )   $ 897,369     $ (1,427,421 )
                         
September 30, 2008:
                       
Net unrealized holding losses on investment and mortgage securities available for sale arising during the year
  $ (192,005,635 )   $ 74,114,175     $ (117,891,460 )
Less reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income
    9,518,367       (3,674,090 )     5,844,277  
Other comprehensive loss
  $ (201,524,002 )   $ 77,788,265     $ (123,735,737 )
                         
September 30, 2007:
                       
Net unrealized holding losses on investment and mortgage securities available for sale arising during the year
  $ (21,105,686 )   $ 8,146,795     $ (12,958,891 )
Less reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income
    69,453,332       (26,808,986 )     42,644,346  
Other comprehensive loss
  $ (90,559,018 )   $ 34,955,781     $ (55,603,237 )
 
 
F-74

 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
(21)  
Other Contingencies
 
The Company and various subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various other legal actions arising from their normal business activities in which damages in various amounts are claimed. Although the amount of any ultimate liability with respect to such matters cannot be determined, in the opinion of management, any such liability will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
(22)  
Federally Assisted Acquisition of McIntosh Commercial Bank
 
On March 26, 2010, the Bank purchased substantially all of the assets and assumed substantially all the liabilities of McIntosh Commercial Bank (MCB) from the FDIC, as Receiver of MCB.  MCB operated four commercial banking branches and was headquartered in Carrollton, Georgia.  The FDIC took MCB under receivership upon its closure by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.  The Bank’s bid to purchase MCB included the purchase of substantially all MCB’s assets at a discount of $53,000,000 in exchange for assuming certain MCB deposits and certain other liabilities.  No cash, deposit premium or other consideration was paid by the Bank.  The Bank and the FDIC entered into loss sharing agreements regarding future losses incurred on loans and other real estate acquired through foreclosure existing at the acquisition date.  Under the terms of the loss sharing agreements, the FDIC will reimburse the Bank for 80 percent of net losses on covered assets incurred up to $106,000,000, and 95 percent of net losses exceeding $106,000,000.  The term for loss sharing on residential real estate loans is ten years, while the term of for loss sharing on non-residential real estate loans is five years in respect to losses and eight years in respect to loss recoveries.  As a result of the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, the Bank recorded a receivable of $70,746,613 at the time of acquisition.  Subsequent to March 31, 2010, the Bank has submitted $30,139,754 to the FDIC under such agreements and expects to receive $24,111,803 from the FDIC.
 
The acquisition of MCB was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting.  The statement of net assets acquired and the resulting acquisition date purchase gain is presented in the following table.  As explained in the explanatory notes that accompany the following table, the purchased assets, assumed liabilities and identifiable intangible assets were recorded at the acquisition date fair value.  Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values become available.
 
Noninterest income includes a pre-tax gain on acquisition of $15,604,040.  The amount of the gain is equal to the excess of the fair value of the recorded assets over the fair value of liabilities assumed.
 
 
F-75

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as recorded by MCB on the acquisition date and as adjusted for purchase accounting adjustments.
                   
   
As recorded by
   
Fair value
   
As recorded by
 
   
MCB
   
adjustments
   
CharterBank
 
Assets
                 
Cash and due from banks
  $ 32,285,757     $ 36,629,236   (a)   $ 68,914,993  
FHLB and other bank stock
    1,321,710       (200,410 ) (b)     1,121,300  
Mortgage-backed securities
    24,744,318       (75,028 ) (c)     24,669,290  
Loans
    207,644,252       (75,396,640 ) (d)     132,247,612  
Other real estate owned
    55,267,968       (31,618,504 ) (e)     23,649,464  
FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements
    -       70,746,613   (f)     70,746,613  
Core deposit intangible
    -       258,811   (g)     258,811  
Other assets
    1,313,923       (427,702 ) (h)     886,221  
Total assets
  $ 322,577,928     $ (83,624 )   $ 322,494,304  
                         
Liabilities
                       
Deposits:
                       
Noninterest-bearing
  $ 5,443,673     $ -     $ 5,443,673  
Interest-bearing
    289,862,953       683,100   (i)     290,546,053  
Total deposits
    295,306,626       683,100       295,989,726  
FHLB advance and other borrowings
    9,491,486       -       9,491,486  
Deferred tax liability
    -       5,998,193   (j)     5,998,193  
Other liabilities
    1,409,052       -       1,409,052  
Total liabilities
    306,207,164       6,681,293       312,888,457  
                         
Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed
  $ 16,370,764  (k)                 
Aggregate fair value adjustments
          $ (6,764,917 )        
Net assets of MCB acquired
                  $ 9,605,847  
 
Explanation of fair value adjustments
 
 
(a) –
Adjustment reflects the initial wire received from the FDIC on the acquisition date.
 
 
(b) –
Adjustment reflects the estimated fair value of other bank stock.
 
 
(c) –
Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments based on the Bank’s evaluation of the acquired mortgage-backed securities portfolio.
 
 
(d) –
Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments based on the Bank’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio.  The fair value adjustment includes adjustments for estimated credit losses, liquidity and servicing costs.
 
 
(e) –
Adjustment reflects the estimated other real estate owned losses based on the Bank’s evaluation of the acquired other real estate owned portfolio.
 
 
F-76

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
 
(f) –
Adjustment reflects the estimated fair value of payments the Bank will receive from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements.  The receivable was recorded at present value of the estimated cash flows using an average discount rate of one and a half percent.
 
 
(g) –
Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments to record the estimated core deposit intangible.
 
 
(h) –
Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments to record certain other assets acquired in this transaction.
 
 
(i) –
Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments based on the Bank’s evaluation of the acquired time deposit portfolio.
 
 
(j) –
Adjustment reflects differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
 
 
(k) –
Amount represents the excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed and since the asset discount bid by CharterBank of $53 million exceeded this amount, the difference resulted in a  cash settlement with the FDIC on the acquisition date.
 
Results of operations for MCB prior to the acquisition date are not included in the income statement for the six months ended March 31, 2010.  Due to the significant amount of fair value adjustments, the resulting accretion of those fair value adjustments and the protection resulting from the FDIC loss sharing agreements, historical results of MCB are not relevant to the Bank’s results of operations.  Therefore, no pro forma information is presented.
 
Accounting standards prohibit carrying over an allowance for loan losses for impaired loans purchased in the MCB FDIC-assisted acquisition transaction.  On the acquisition date, the preliminary estimate of the contractually required principal payments receivable for all impaired loans acquired in the MCB acquisition were $110,965,274 and the estimated fair value of the loans were $50,208,575.  At such date, the Company established a credit risk related non-accretable discount (a discount representing amounts which are not expected to be collected from the customer nor liquidation of collateral) of $50,612,159 relating to these impaired loans, reflected in the recorded net fair value.  Such amount is reflected as a non-accretable fair value adjustment to loans and a portion is also reflected in a receivable from the FDIC.  The Company further estimated the timing and amount of expected cash flows in excess of the estimated fair value and established an accretable discount of $10,144,541 on the acquisition date relating to these impaired loans.
 
On the acquisition date, the preliminary estimate of the contractually required principal payments receivable for all other loans acquired in the acquisition was $96,678,977 and the estimated fair value of the loans were $82,039,037.   At such date, the Company established a credit risk related non-accretable discount of $7,394,438 on these loans representing amounts which are not expected to be collected from the customer nor liquidation of collateral.  In its estimate of cash flows for such loans, the Company also recorded an accretable discount of $7,245,502 relating to these other loans which will be recognized on a level yield basis over the life of the loans, representing periods up to sixty months, because accretable yield represents cash flows expected to be collected.
 
The Company has also recorded a net FDIC receivable of $70,746,613, representing FDIC indemnification under loss sharing agreements for covered loans and other real estate.  Such receivable has been discounted by $953,468 for the expected timing of receipt of these cash flows.
 
 
F-77

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
(23)  
Subsequent Event (unaudited)
 
On April 20, 2010, the Company, the Bank and First Charter, MHC adopted a stock issuance plan, pursuant to which First Charter, MHC is offering shares of Company common stock to eligible depositors of CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank and McIntosh Commercial Bank, the Company’s tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans, eligible borrowers of CharterBank, and to the extent shares remain available, residents of Alabama and Georgia, the Company’s shareholders other than First Charter, MHC and the general public. Following the stock offering, First Charter, MHC’s total ownership interest in the Company common stock will decrease to between 53% and 62%, and the remaining 47% to 38% will be owned by the public.  Gross common stock proceeds from the offering are expected to range from $31.3 million to $67.8 million.  Estimated offering expenses, including selling agent fees and expenses, are expected to range from $3.3 million to $5.1 million.  
 
The proceeds of the stock offering will add to the Company’s financial strength on a consolidated basis and does not preclude First Charter, MHC from conducting a mutual-to-stock conversion in the future.  The stock offering also will increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock held by the public, which may increase the liquidity of the common stock.  The total number of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock will not change as a result of this stock offering.
 
Under the terms of the stock issuance plan, at the conclusion of the stock offering, First Charter, MHC will contribute to Charter Financial a number of shares of common stock equal to the number of shares of common stock that the Company sell in the stock offering, and then such contributed shares will be cancelled.  Accordingly, the total number of outstanding shares of common stock of Charter Financial will not change as a result of the stock offering.  If the stock offering is completed, offering costs will be netted against the offering proceeds. If the stock offering is terminated, such costs will be expensed. As of July 31, 2010, the Company had incurred approximately $1,220,000 of stock offering costs.
 
 
F-78

 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   G-2
     
Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed at March 26, 2010    G-3
     
Notes to Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed   G-4
 
 
G-1

 
 
  graphic  
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors
Charter Financial Corporation
 
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed by CharterBank (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Charter Financial Corporation) pursuant to the Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated March 26, 2010.  This financial statement is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed referred to above is presented fairly, in all material respects, as of March 26, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
/s/ DIXON HUGHES PLLC
 
Atlanta, Georgia
June 18, 2010
 
  225 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 600  graphic
  Atlanta, GA 30303-1728 
  Ph. 404.575.8900 Fx. 404.575.8860 
  www.dixon-hughes.com
   
 
 
G-2

 

Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
by CharterBank
 (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Charter Financial Corporation)
March 26, 2010
 
Assets
       
Cash and due from banks
 
$
68,914,993
 
FHLB stock
   
1,121,300
 
Mortgage-backed securities
   
24,669,290
 
Loans covered by loss sharing agreements
   
132,247,612
 
Other real estate owned covered by loss sharing agreements
   
23,649,464
 
FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements
   
70,746,613
 
Core deposit intangible
   
258,811
 
Other assets
   
886,221
 
         
Total assets acquired
   
322,494,304
 
         
Liabilities
       
Deposits:
       
Noninterest-bearing
   
5,443,673
 
Interest-bearing
   
290,546,053
 
Total deposits
   
295,989,726
 
FHLB advance and other borrowings
   
9,491,486
 
Deferred tax liability
   
5,998,193
 
Other liabilities
   
1,409,052
 
         
Total liabilities assumed
   
312,888,457
 
         
Net assets acquired
 
$
9,605,847
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement.
 
 
G-3

 
 
Notes to Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
By CharterBank
 
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Charter Financial Corporation)
 
March 26, 2010
 


(1)  
FDIC-Assisted Acquisition of Certain Assets and Liabilities of McIntosh Commercial Bank
 
On March 26, 2010, CharterBank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Charter Financial Corporation, entered into a Purchase and Assumption Agreement (Agreement) with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to assume the deposits (excluding certain brokered deposits) and acquire certain assets of McIntosh Commercial Bank (MCB), a full service commercial bank headquartered in Carrollton, Georgia.
 
MCB operated four branch locations in Carrollton, Georgia and other north Georgia locations.  Prior to acquisition accounting adjustments, CharterBank purchased $207,644,252 in loans and $55,267,968 of other real estate owned (OREO) and assumed $295,306,626 of deposits.  In addition, CharterBank also purchased cash and due from banks, investment securities and various other assets.  CharterBank also assumed MCB’s short-term obligations to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLB) and various other liabilities.
 
As part of the Purchase and Assumption Agreement, CharterBank and the FDIC entered into two loss sharing agreements - one for residential real estate loans and one for all other loans and OREO. Under the loss sharing agreements, the FDIC will cover 80% of covered loan and OREO losses up to $106,000,000 and 95% of losses in excess of that amount. The term for loss sharing on residential real estate loans and OREO is ten years, while the term for loss sharing on non-residential real estate loans and OREO is five years in respect to losses and eight years for loss recoveries. The reimbursable losses from the FDIC are based on the book value of the relevant loan as determined by the FDIC at the date of the transaction, accrued interest on loans for up to 90 days, the book value of OREO and certain direct costs. New loans made after the date of the transaction are not covered by the loss sharing agreements.  Also, based on the bid accepted by the FDIC, there is no true-up payment provision in the loss sharing agreements.
 
(2)  
Basis of Presentation
 
CharterBank has determined that the acquisition of the net assets of MCB constitutes a business acquisition as defined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP). As required under US GAAP, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values. In many cases the determination of these fair values requires management to make estimates about discount rates, market conditions, expected cash flows and other future events that are highly subjective in nature and subject to change.
 
Furthermore, accounting standards define fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  Accounting standards also establish a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  The applicable standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:  Level 1:  Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.  Level 2:  Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
 
 
G-4

 
 
 Level 3:  Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
 
Following is a description of the methods used to determine the fair values of significant assets and liabilities.
 
Cash and due from banks
 
These items are very liquid and short-term in nature. The contractual amount of these assets approximates their fair values.
 
FHLB stock
 
The Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) requires member banks to purchase its stock as a condition of membership and varies based on the level of FHLB advances and other factors. This stock is generally redeemable based on guidelines established by the FHLB and is presented at the expected redemption value.
 
Mortgage-backed securities
 
Fair values for mortgage-backed securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value estimates are based on observable inputs including quoted market prices for similar instruments.  All acquired mortgage-backed securities were designated as available for sale.
 
Loans covered under loss sharing agreements
 
Fair values for loans are based on a discounted cash flow methodology (Level 3 pricing). Factors considered in determining the fair value of acquired loans include projected cash flows, type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, liquidity risk, term of loan and whether or not the loan was amortizing, current market conditions and discount rates.
 
The fair value of loans with evidence of credit deterioration (impaired loans) are recorded net of a non-accretable difference and, if appropriate, an accretable yield. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is the non-accretable difference, which is included in the carrying amount of acquired loans. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows will generally result in a provision for credit losses. Subsequent increases in cash flows result in a reversal of the provision for credit losses to the extent of prior charges, or a reclassification of the difference from non-accretable to accretable with a positive impact on accretion of interest income in future periods. Further, any excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan when there is a reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of such cash flows.
 
Performing loans acquired in business combinations are accounted for using the contractual cash flows method of recognizing discount accretion based on the acquired loans’ contractual cash flows. Purchased performing loans are recorded at fair value, including a credit discount. Credit losses on acquired performing loans are estimated based on analysis of the performing portfolio.  Such estimated credit losses are recorded as non-accretable discounts in a manner similar to purchased impaired loans. The fair value discount other than for credit loss is accreted as an adjustment to yield over the estimated lives of the loans. There is no allowance for loan losses established at the acquisition date for purchased performing loans. A provision for loan losses is recorded for any further deterioration in these loans subsequent to the acquisition.
 
 
G-5

 
 
Acquired loans covered under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC are reported exclusive of expected reimbursement cash flows from the FDIC.  Subsequent adjustments to the estimated recoverable value of covered loans result in a reduction of covered loans, and a charge to other expense, and an increase in the FDIC receivable for the estimated amount to be reimbursed, with a corresponding amount recorded as other income.
 
Other real estate covered under loss sharing agreements
 
Foreclosed real estate is presented at the estimated present value that management expects to receive when the property is sold, net of related costs of disposal (Level 3 pricing). Management used appraisals of properties to determine fair values and, in some instances, engaged outside consultants and applied additional discounts where appropriate for passage of time or, in certain cases, for subsequent events occurring after the appraisal date.  These additional discounts were applied based on various market studies performed internally and by outside consultants based on the type of property and geographic region to determine the average deterioration in real estate values in the north Georgia metro regions.
 
FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements
 
The FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements is measured separately from the related covered assets as it is not contractually embedded in the assets and is not transferable with the assets should the assets be sold. Fair value was estimated using projected cash flows related to the loss sharing agreements based on the expected reimbursements for losses and the applicable loss sharing percentages. These cash flows were discounted to reflect the estimated timing of the receipt of the loss sharing reimbursement from the FDIC.
 
Intangible assets
 
Intangible assets include $258,811 of core deposit intangible that was established at acquisition and will be amortized on an accelerated basis over a five-year life.  Such fair value is based on the expected net cash flows attributable to core deposits assumed.
 
 
G-6

 

Deposits
 
Under the terms of the Agreement, CharterBank had the right to adjust various terms, including interest rates, on deposit liabilities. CharterBank adjusted certain wholesale deposit terms, including interest rates, to reflect market conditions on $96.8 million of wholesale deposits. Based on the impact of these decisions, the carrying value of these deposits is considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.  However, the Bank did not adjust interest rates on retail time deposits and the fair value of these deposits was determined based on market rates comparable to the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.
 
FHLB advance and other borrowings
 
The fair value of short-term obligations was determined based on pricing for borrowings with similar terms as of the acquisition date.
 
Deferred tax liability
 
The deferred tax liability of $5,998,193 relates to the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this transaction.
 
 
G-7

 

(3)  
Fair Value Adjustments
 
The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as recorded by MCB on the acquisition date and as adjusted for purchase accounting adjustments.
 
     
As recorded by
MCB
   
Fair value
adjustments
   
As recorded by
CharterBank
 
 
Assets
                 
 
Cash and due from banks
  $ 32,285,757     $ 36,629,236   (a)   $ 68,914,993  
 
FHLB and other bank stock
    1,321,710       (200,410 ) (b)     1,121,300  
 
Mortgage-backed securities
    24,744,318       (75,028 ) (c)     24,669,290  
 
Loans
    207,644,252       (75,396,640 ) (d)     132,247,612  
 
Other real estate owned
    55,267,968       (31,618,504 ) (e)     23,649,464  
 
FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements
    -       70,746,613   (f)     70,746,613  
 
Core deposit intangible
    -       258,811   (g)     258,811  
 
Other assets
    1,313,923       (427,702 ) (h)     886,221  
 
Total assets
  $ 322,577,928     $ (83,624 )   $ 322,494,304  
                           
 
Liabilities
                       
 
Deposits:
                       
 
Noninterest-bearing
  $ 5,443,673     $ -     $ 5,443,673  
 
Interest-bearing
    289,862,953       683,100   (i)     290,546,053  
 
Total deposits
    295,306,626       683,100       295,989,726  
 
FHLB advance and other borrowings
    9,491,486       -       9,491,486  
 
Deferred tax liability
    -       5,998,193   (j)     5,998,193  
 
Other liabilities
    1,409,052       -       1,409,052  
 
Total liabilities
    306,207,164       6,681,293       312,888,457  
                           
 
Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed
  $ 16,370,764  (k)                
 
Aggregate fair value adjustments
          $ (6,764,917 )        
 
Net assets of MCB acquired
                  $ 9,605,847  
 
Explanation of fair value adjustments
 
 
(a) –
Adjustment reflects the initial wire received from the FDIC on the acquisition date.
 
 
(b) –
Adjustment reflects the estimated fair value of other bank stock.
 
 
(c) –
Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments based on the Bank’s evaluation of the acquired mortgage-backed securities portfolio.
 
 
(d) -
Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments based on the Bank’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio.  The fair value adjustment includes adjustments for estimated credit losses, liquidity and servicing costs.
 
 
(e) –
Adjustment reflects the estimated other real estate owned losses based on the Bank’s evaluation of the acquired other real estate owned portfolio.
 
 
(f) –
Adjustment reflects the estimated fair value of payments the Bank will receive from the FDIC under loss sharing agreements.  The receivable was recorded at present value of the estimated cash flows using an average discount rate of one and a half percent.
 
 
(g) –
Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments to record the estimated core deposit intangible.
 
 
G-8

 
 
 
(h) –
Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments to record certain other assets acquired in this transaction.
 
 
(i) –
Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments based on the Bank’s evaluation of the acquired time deposit portfolio.
 
 
(j) –
Adjustment reflects differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
 
 
(k) –
Amount represents the excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed and since the asset discount bid by CharterBank of $53 million exceeded this amount, the difference resulted in a  cash settlement with the FDIC on the acquisition date.
 
(4)  
Premises and Equipment
 
CharterBank did not acquire the real estate, banking facilities, furniture or equipment of MCB as part of the Agreement. Under the terms of the Agreement, all occupied banking facilities and equipment being utilized are leased from the FDIC on a month-to-month basis.
 
Under the terms of the Agreement, the Bank has the option through June 24, 2010 to notify the FDIC of its intent to acquire the real estate, banking facilities, furniture and equipment of McIntosh Commercial Bank (“MCB premises and equipment”) from the FDIC at appraised fair market value as of the acquisition date.  Prior to the expiration of this option, the Bank will notify the FDIC of its intention to purchase certain MCB premises and equipment. Currently the Bank occupies three of the four MCB branches.  The Bank expects to purchase two of the branches at an appraisal value to be determined and vacate one more.
 
(5)  
Mortgage-Backed Securities
 
The fair value of mortgage-backed securities acquired, which were determined based on Level 2 valuation inputs, was as follows at March 26, 2010:
 
     
Fair value
   
Purchased
yield
 
                   
 
GNMA mortgage-backed securities
  $ 24,669,290       4.04 %
                   
 
Total investment securities
  $ 24,669,290       4.04 %
 
The estimated fair value of investment securities at March 26, 2010 is shown below by contractual maturity. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Mortgage-backed securities are shown as securities not due on a single maturity date as they generally have monthly payments of principal and interest which vary depending on the payments made on the underlying collateral for these securities.
 
 
Maturing:
     
 
Due within one year
  $ 116,338  
 
Due after one through five years
    1,702,244  
 
Due after five through ten years
    4,743,216  
 
Due after ten years
    18,107,492  
 
Total investment securities
  $ 24,669,290  
 
 
G-9

 
 
(6)  
Loans
 
The contractual balance and fair value of acquired loans at March 26, 2010 is provided below.
 
                     
     
Impaired
Loans
   
Non-impaired
Loans
   
Total
 
 
Contractual balance of acquired loans:
                 
 
Construction/land development
  $ 5,249,056     $ 2,135,485     $ 7,384,541  
 
Commercial mortgage
    69,556,822       52,436,862       121,993,684  
 
Residential mortgage
    19,247,857       19,192,252       38,440,109  
 
Commercial and industrial
    15,059,573       20,984,477       36,044,050  
 
Consumer
    1,851,967       1,929,901       3,781,868  
 
Total contractual balance of acquired loans
    110,965,274       96,678,978       207,644,252  
 
Fair value adjustments on loans purchased
    (60,756,699 )     (14,639,941 )     (75,396,640 )
 
Fair value of loans acquired
  $ 50,208,575     $ 82,039,037     $ 132,247,612  
 
Loans covered under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC (Covered Loans) are reported in loans exclusive of the expected reimbursement from the FDIC. Covered Loans are initially recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. At the acquisition date, CharterBank estimated the fair value of the loan portfolio at $132,247,612.
 
Prospective losses incurred on Covered Loans are eligible for partial reimbursement by the FDIC. Subsequent decreases in the amount expected to be collected result in a provision for credit losses, an increase in the allowance for loan and lease losses, and a proportional adjustment to the FDIC receivable for the estimated amount to be reimbursed. Subsequent increases in the amount expected to be collected result in the reversal of any previously-recorded provision for credit losses and related allowance for loan and lease losses and adjustments to the FDIC receivable, or accretion of certain fair value amounts into interest income in future periods if no provision for credit losses had been recorded.
 
Covered Loans more than 90 days past due with respect to interest or principal, unless they are well secured and in the process of collection, and other covered loans on which full recovery of principal or interest is in doubt, are placed on nonaccrual status. Interest previously accrued on Covered Loans placed on nonaccrual status is charged against interest income, and the FDIC receivable would be adjusted by the amount of any estimated reimbursement. Payments received are applied against the principal balance of the loans until such time as full collection of the remaining recorded balance is expected. Additional interest payments received after that time are recorded as interest income on a cash basis.
 
Covered Loans acquired from MCB are and will continue to be subject to ongoing credit review. If and when credit deterioration is noted subsequent to the March 26, 2010 acquisition date, loss estimates will be included in the calculation of the allowance for loan and lease losses, and provision for credit losses. The portion that is recoverable under the FDIC loss sharing agreements will result in an adjustment to the FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements with an offsetting entry to noninterest income.
 
Loans that have experienced deterioration since origination such that it is probable that the borrower will not be able to make all contractually required payments are considered to be impaired. 
 
 
G-10

 
 
The following table presents the impaired and non-impaired loans as of March 26, 2010.
                     
     
Impaired
Loans
   
Non-impaired
Loans
   
Total
 
                     
 
Contractually required principal and interest payments
  $ 117,154,665     $ 110,331,830     $ 227,486,495  
 
Interest not expected to be collected
    (5,570,451 )     (667,223 )     6,237,674  
 
Non-accretable principal difference
    (50,612,159 )     (7,394,438 )     (58,006,597 )
 
Cash flows expected to be collected
    60,972,055       102,270,169       163,242,224  
 
Interest expected to be collected
    (618,939 )     (12,985,630 )     (13,604,569 )
 
Accretable yield
    (10,144,541 )     (7,245,502 )     (17,390,043 )
                           
 
Fair value of loans acquired
  $ 50,208,575     $ 82,039,037     $ 132,247,612  
 
(7)  
Deposits
 
Deposit liabilities assumed are composed of the following at March 26, 2010:
 
 
Demand
  $ 57,732,475  
 
Savings
    676,147  
 
Time
    237,581,104  
           
 
Total assumed deposits
  $ 295,989,726  
 
 
G-11

 
 
At March 26, 2010, scheduled maturities of time deposits during the 12-month periods ending March 26 were as follows:
 
 
2011
  $ 188,151,659  
 
2012
    44,011,264  
 
2013
    4,537,944  
 
2014
    121,549  
 
Thereafter
    758,688  
           
 
Total assumed time deposits
  $ 237,581,104  
 
(8)  
FHLB Advance and Other Borrowings
 
As of March 26, 2010, there was $9,282,908 in short-term overnight borrowings from the FHLB.  The borrowings were secured by FHLB stock and certain loans and investment securities.  The borrowings had a weighted average coupon rate of 0.44 percent.  Based on a comparison of discount rates on similar borrowings, there was no fair value adjustment for short-term borrowings.  McIntosh Commercial Bank also had $208,578 in repurchase agreements as of March 26, 2010.  On March 30, 2010, CharterBank paid off all of the FHLB advances.
 
(9)  
Deferred Income Taxes
 
The deferred tax liability of $5,998,193 as of March 26, 2010, is related to differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this transaction. For income tax purposes, the transaction will be accounted for as an asset purchase and the tax bases of assets acquired and liabilities assumed will be allocated based on fair values in accordance with the appropriate tax rates. CharterBank acquired none of the tax attributes of MCB.
 
(10)  
Contingencies
 
Charter Financial Corporation, CharterBank (as successor to MCB) and various subsidiaries of Charter Financial Corporation and CharterBank have been named as defendants in various legal actions arising from normal business activities in which damages in various amounts are claimed related to covered assets. As part of the Purchase and Assumption Agreement, all covered asset-related offensive and defensive litigation liabilities are covered under the loss sharing agreements and all other defensive litigation and any class actions are retained by the FDIC as Receiver.  Although the amount of any ultimate liability with respect to those other matters cannot be determined, in the opinion of management, any such liability will not have a material effect on Charter Financial Corporation’s consolidated financial statements.
 
(11)  
Subsequent Events
 
Management has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed.
 
 
G-12

 
 


No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representation other than as contained in this prospectus and, if given or made, such other information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by Charter Financial Corporation or CharterBank.  This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby to any person in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.  Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale hereunder shall under any circumstances create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Charter Financial Corporation or CharterBank since any of the dates as of which information is furnished herein or since the date hereof.

Up to 5,961,573 Shares
(Anticipated Maximum)
 
Charter Financial Corporation
 
(Holding Company for
CharterBank)
 
COMMON STOCK
Par Value $0.01 per share
 

 
PROSPECTUS
 

 
Stifel Nicolaus
 
__________, 2010

These securities are not deposits or savings accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other governmental agency.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
   
PART II:
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
   
Item 13.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
                               
     
Amount
 
           
    *
Registrant’s Legal Fees and Expenses
  $ 950,000  
    *
Registrant’s Accounting Fees and Expenses
    195,000  
    *
Marketing Agent Fees
    3,362,587 (1)
    *
Marketing Agent Expenses (Including Legal Fees and Expenses)
    130,000  
    *
Appraisal Fees and Expenses
    125,000  
    *
Business Plan Fees and Expenses
    43,000  
    *
Printing, Edgar and Mailing Fees (Excluding Postage)
    205,000  
    *
Postage
    80,000  
    *
Filing Fees (FINRA, Nasdaq, SEC, OTS)
    109,500  
    *
Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees and Expenses
    2,500  
    *
Data Processing Fees and Expenses
    40,000  
    *
Other
    20,000  
 
Total
  $ 5,262,587  
 

   *  Estimated
 
 (1)
Charter Financial Corporation has retained Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated to assist in the sale of common stock on a best efforts basis in the offerings.  Fees are estimated at the adjusted maximum of the offering range.
 
Item 14.
   Indemnification of Directors and Officers
 
Provisions in the Registrant’s bylaws provide for indemnification of the Registrant’s directors and officers up to the fullest extent authorized by applicable law and regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS).  Section 545.121 of the OTS regulations are described below.
 
Generally, federal regulations define areas for indemnity coverage for federal savings associations as follows:
 
 
(a)
Any person against whom any action is brought or threatened because that person is or was a director or officer of the savings association shall be indemnified by the savings association for:
 
 
(i)
Any amount for which that person becomes liable under a judgment in such action; and
 
 
(ii)
Reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, actually paid or incurred by that person in defending or settling such action, or in enforcing his or her rights under this section if he or she attains a favorable judgment in such enforcement action.
 
(b)           Indemnification shall be made to such person under paragraph (b) of this Section only if:
 
 
(i)
Final judgment on the merits is in his or her favor; or
 
 
(ii)
In case of:
 
 
  a.
Settlement,
     
 
  b.
Final judgment against him or her, or
     
 
  c.
Final judgment in his or her favor, other than on the merits,
 
 
II-1

 
 
 
if a majority of the disinterested directors of the savings association determine that he or she was acting in good faith within the scope of his or her employment or authority as he or she could reasonably have perceived it under the circumstances and for a purpose he or she could reasonably have believed under the circumstances was in the best interest of the savings association or its members.  However, no indemnification shall be made unless the association gives the OTS at least 60 days notice of its intention to make such indemnification.  Such notice shall state the facts on which the action arose, the terms of any settlement, and any disposition of the action by a court.  Such notice, a copy thereof, and a certified copy of the resolution containing the required determination by the board of directors shall be sent to the applicable Regional Director of the OTS, who shall promptly acknowledge receipt thereof.  The notice period shall run from the date of such receipt.  No such indemnification shall be made if the OTS advises the association in writing, within such notice period, of its objection thereto.
 
(c)           As used in this paragraph:
 
 
(i)
“Action” means any judicial or administrative proceeding, or threatened proceeding, whether civil, criminal, or otherwise, including any appeal or other proceeding for review;
 
 
(ii)
“Court” includes, without limitation, any court to which or in which any appeal or any proceeding for review is brought;
 
 
(iii)
“Final Judgment” means a judgment, decree, or order which is not appealable or as to which the period for appeal has expired with no appeal taken; and
 
 
(iv)
“Settlement” includes the entry of a judgment by consent or confession or a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere.
 
Item 15.     Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
   
     Not Applicable.
 
 
II-2

 
 
Item 16.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules:
   
  The exhibits and financial statement schedules filed as part of this registration statement are as follows:
 
(a)         List of Exhibits
 
1.1
Engagement Letter between Charter Financial Corporation and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
1.2
Form of Agency Agreement between Charter Financial Corporation and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated *
2.1
Stock Issuance Plan*
2.2
Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated as of June 26, 2009 among the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Receiver of Neighborhood Community Bank, Newnan, Georgia, CharterBank and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation acting in its corporate capacity*
2.3
Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated as of March 26, 2010 among the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Receiver of McIntosh Commercial Bank, Carrollton, Georgia, CharterBank and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation acting in its corporate capacity*
4.1
Federal Stock Charter of Charter Financial Corporation*
4.2
Bylaws of Charter Financial Corporation*
4.3
Form of Common Stock Certificate of Charter Financial Corporation*
5
Opinion of Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C. regarding legality of securities being registered*
10.1
Employment Agreement between Charter Financial Corporation and Robert L. Johnson*
10.2
First Amendment to Employment Agreement between Charter Financial Corporation and Robert L. Johnson*
10.3
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement with Curtis R. Kollar*
10.4
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement with William C. Gladden*
10.5
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement with Lee Washam*
10.6
Salary Continuation Agreement with Robert L. Johnson*
10.7
Salary Continuation Agreement with Curtis R. Kollar*
10.8
Salary Continuation Agreement with Lee Washam*
10.9
Amended and Restated Benefit Restoration Plan*
10.10
Amendment to Amended and Restated Benefit Restoration Plan*
10.11
2001 Stock Option Plan*
10.12
2001 Recognition and Retention Plan*
10.13
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan with Robert L. Johnson*
10.14
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan with Curtis R. Kollar*
10.15
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan with Lee Washam*
10.16
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan with William C. Gladden*
10.17
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan with Ronald Warner*
10.18
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement with David Z. Cauble*
10.19
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement with Jane W. Darden*
10.20
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement with Thomas M. Lane*
10.21
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement with David L. Strobel*
10.22
Incentive Compensation Plan *
10.23
Amendments to the 2001 Recognition and Retention Plan *
10.24
Amendments to the 2001 Stock Option Plan *
21
Subsidiaries of Registrant*
23.1
Consent of Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C. (contained in Opinion included as Exhibit 5)
23.2
Consent of Dixon Hughes PLLC
23.3
Consent of KPMG LLP
23.4
Consent of RP Financial, LC.*
24
Power of Attorney (set forth on signature page)
99.1
Appraisal Agreement between CharterBank and RP Financial, LC.*
99.2
Amended Appraisal Report of RP Financial, LC.**
99.3
Marketing Materials
99.4
Stock Order and Certification Form
99.5
Business Plan Agreement with Keller & Company, Inc.*
 

*
Previously filed
**
Supporting financial schedules filed in paper format only pursuant to Rule 202 of Regulation S-T.  Available for inspection during business hours at the principal offices of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
(b)              Financial Statement Schedules
 
No financial statement schedules are filed because the required information is not applicable or is included in the consolidated financial statements or related notes.
 
 
II-3

 
 
Item 17.                    Undertakings
 
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
(1)      To file, during any period in which it offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
 
  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
   
 
  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
   
 
  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
 
(2)      That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(3)      To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
 
(4)      Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
(5)      That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
 
 
II-4

 
 
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
 
 
    (i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (§230.424 of this chapter);
   
 
    (ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
   
 
    (iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
   
 
   (iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
 
(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
(7) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(8) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
 
 
II-5

 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of West Point, State of Georgia on August 11, 2010.
 
  CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION  
       
 
By:
/s/ Robert L. Johnson  
    Robert L. Johnson  
    President and Chief Executive Officer  
    (Duly Authorized Representative)  
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
We, the undersigned directors and officers of Charter Financial Corporation (the “Company”) hereby severally constitute and appoint Robert L. Johnson as our true and lawful attorney and agent, to do any and all things in our names in the capacities indicated below which said Robert L. Johnson may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with the registration statement on Form S-1 relating to the offering of the Company=s common stock, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for us in our names in the capacities indicated below the registration statement and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto; and we hereby approve, ratify and confirm all that said Robert L. Johnson shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
Signatures
 
Title
  Date
         
/s/ Robert L. Johnson
 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
 
August 11 , 2010
Robert L. Johnson
     
         
/s/ Curtis R. Kollar
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
August 11 , 2010
Curtis R. Kollar      
         
/s/ David Z. Cauble, III
 
Director
 
August 11 , 2010
David Z. Cauble, III        
         
/s/ Jane W. Darden
 
Director
 
August 11 , 2010
Jane W. Darden        
         
/s/ William B. Hudson
 
Director
 
August 11 , 2010
William B. Hudson        
         
/s/ Curti M. Johnson
 
Director
 
August 11 , 2010
Curti M. Johnson        
         
/s/ Thomas M. Lane
 
Director
 
August 11 , 2010
Thomas M. Lane        
         
/s/ David L. Strobel
 
Director
 
August 11 , 2010
David L. Strobel
       
 
 
 

 
 
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11 , 2010
 
Registration No. 333-167634
 

 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
 

 
EXHIBITS
TO
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ON
FORM S-1
 
Charter Financial Corporation
West Point, Georgia
 
 
 
 

 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
1.1
Engagement Letter between Charter Financial Corporation and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
1.2
Form of Agency Agreement between Charter Financial Corporation and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated *
2.1
Stock Issuance Plan*
2.2
Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated as of June 26, 2009 among the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Receiver of Neighborhood Community Bank, Newnan, Georgia, CharterBank and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation acting in its corporate capacity*
2.3
Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated as of March 26, 2010 among the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Receiver of McIntosh Commercial Bank, Carrollton, Georgia, CharterBank and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation acting in its corporate capacity*
4.1
Federal Stock Charter of Charter Financial Corporation*
4.2
Bylaws of Charter Financial Corporation*
4.3
Form of Common Stock Certificate of Charter Financial Corporation*
5
Opinion of Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C. regarding legality of securities being registered*
10.1
Employment Agreement between Charter Financial Corporation and Robert L. Johnson*
10.2
First Amendment to Employment Agreement between Charter Financial Corporation and Robert L. Johnson*
10.3
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement with Curtis R. Kollar*
10.4
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement with William C. Gladden*
10.5
Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement with Lee Washam*
10.6
Salary Continuation Agreement with Robert L. Johnson*
10.7
Salary Continuation Agreement with Curtis R. Kollar*
10.8
Salary Continuation Agreement with Lee Washam*
10.9
Amended and Restated Benefit Restoration Plan*
10.10
Amendment to Amended and Restated Benefit Restoration Plan*
10.11
2001 Stock Option Plan*
10.12
2001 Recognition and Retention Plan*
10.13
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan with Robert L. Johnson*
10.14
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan with Curtis R. Kollar*
10.15
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan with Lee Washam*
10.16
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan with William C. Gladden*
10.17
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan with Ronald Warner*
10.18
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement with David Z. Cauble*
10.19
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement with Jane W. Darden*
10.20
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement with Thomas M. Lane*
10.21
Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreement with David L. Strobel*
10.22 Incentive Compensation Plan*
10.23 Amendments to the 2001 Recognition and Retention Plan*
10.24 Amendments to the 2001 Stock Option Plan*
21
Subsidiaries of Registrant*
23.1
Consent of Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C. (contained in Opinion included as Exhibit 5)
23.2
Consent of Dixon Hughes PLLC
23.3
Consent of KPMG LLP
23.4
Consent of RP Financial, LC.*
24
Power of Attorney (set forth on signature page)
99.1
Appraisal Agreement between CharterBank and RP Financial, LC.*
99.2
Amended Appraisal Report of RP Financial, LC.**
99.3
Marketing Materials
99.4
Stock Order and Certification Form
99.5
Business Plan Agreement with Keller & Company, Inc.*

*
Previously filed
**
Supporting financial schedules filed in paper format only pursuant to Rule 202 of Regulation S-T.  Available for inspection during business hours at the principal offices of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
EX-1.1 2 ex1-1.htm EXHIBIT 1.1 ex1-1.htm

Exhibit 1.1
 
[REVISED
Supersedes version dated June 7, 2010
 
August __, 2010
 
Mr. Robert Lee Johnson
Chairman; President and Chief Executive Officer
First Charter, MHC
Charter Financial Corporation
1233 O.G. Skinner Drive
West Point, GA 31833
 
 
Re:
Incremental Stock Offering -- Advisory. Administrative and Marketing Services
 
Dear Mr. Johnson:
 
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (“Stifel Nicolaus”) is pleased to submit this engagement letter setting forth the terms of the proposed engagement between Stifel Nicolaus and Charter Financial Corporation (the “Company”) and First Charter, MHC (the “MHC”) in connection with an incremental offering of common stock of the Company which is issued and outstanding and currently held by the MHC (the “incremental stock offering”).
 
1.           BACKGROUND ON STIFEL NICOLAUS
 
Stifel Nicolaus is a full service brokerage and investment banking firm established in 1890. Stifel Nicolaus is a registered broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and is a member of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. Stifel Nicolaus has built a national reputation as a leading full service investment bank to both public and private financial institutions.
 
2.           INCREMENTAL STOCK OFFERING
 
The Company has approved a Stock Issuance Plan whereby the Company will sell shares of common stock of the Company held by the MHC in a subscription offering with any remaining shares sold in a concurrent community offering and a syndicated community offering.
 
 
1

 
 
Mr. Robert Lee Johnson
Charter Financial, MHC
Charter Financial Corporation
Page 2
 
As part of the incremental stock offering, the Company will cancel and retire such number of shares of common stock of the Company owned by the MHC that is equal to the number of shares issued by the Company so that the total outstanding shares of the Company remains unchanged but the MHC’s interest in the Company will be reduced.
 
As part of the offering, upon request by the Company, Stifel Nicolaus will endeavor to identify from one or more investors who would be introduced to the Company and potentially buy shares of the incremental stock offering. These investors would be identified and arranged by Stifel Nicolaus and known as “Identified Investors”. With regard to an incremental stock offering, Stifel Nicolaus proposes to act as financial advisor to the Company with respect to the Plan and marketing agent with respect to the subscription and community offering.  Moreover, the parties acknowledge that the Company may undertake an incremental offering and soon thereafter pursue a second step offering. In connection therewith, the Company grants to Stifel Nicolaus a 2 year right of first refusal to serve, on terms consistent with this letter, as financial advisor and marketing agent to Charter for a second step offering.  This right of first refusal is contingent upon the completion of the incremental offering. As it pertains to a second step stock offering, Stifel Nicolaus proposes to act as conversion advisor to the Company and the MHC with respect to the Conversion and offering and as marketing agent with respect to the offering.
 
Specific terms of services shall be set forth in an agency agreement, in the case of the subscription and community offering and a syndicated community offering (together, the “Definitive Agreement”) between Stifel Nicolaus and the Company. The Definitive Agreement will include customary representations and warranties, covenants, conditions, termination provisions and indemnification, contribution and limitation of liability provisions, all to be mutually agreed upon by Stifel Nicolaus and the Company.
 
In addition, for purposes of this Agreement:
 
“Common Stock ” means shares of common stock of the Company currently held by the MHC.
 
“Offering” means, for either an incremental stock offering or a second step stock offering , the sale of Common Stock in a subscription offering with any remaining shares sold in a concurrent community offering and any syndicated community offering.
 
 
2

 
 
Mr. Robert Lee Johnson
Charter Financial, MHC
Charter Financial Corporation
Page 3
 
3.           SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY STIFEL NICOLAUS
 
Stifel Nicolaus will provide and coordinate certain advisory, administrative and marketing services in connection with the Offering.
 
a.           Advisory Services - Stifel Nicolaus will work with the Company and its counsel to evaluate financial, marketing and regulatory issues.
 
Our advisory services include:
 
-
Advise with respect to business planning issues in preparation for a public offering;
 
-
Advise with respect to the choice of charter and form of organization;
 
-
Review and advise with respect to the Plan (e.g. sizes of benefit plan purchases; maximum purchase limits for investors);
 
-
Review and provide input with respect to the business plan to be prepared in connection with the Offering;
 
-
Discuss the appraisal process and analyze the appraisal with the Board of Directors and management;
 
-
Participate in drafting the offering disclosure documents and any proxy materials, and assist in obtaining all requisite regulatory approvals;
 
-
Develop a marketing plan for the subscription and community offerings, considering various sales method options, including direct mail, advertising, community meetings and telephone solicitation;
 
-
Stifel Nicolaus will work with the Company to provide specifications and assistance (including recommendations) in selecting certain other professionals that will perform functions in connection with the Offering process. Fees and expenses of financial printers, transfer agent and other service providers will be borne by the Company, subject to agreements between the Company and the service providers;
 
-
Develop a depositor proxy solicitation plan;
 
-
Advise/Assist through the planning process and organization of the Stock Information Center (the “Center”);
 
-
Develop a layout for the Center, where stock order processing and depositor vote solicitation occur;
 
-
Provide a list of equipment, staff and supplies needed for the Center;
 
-
Draft marketing materials including press releases, letters, stock order form, advertisements, and informational brochures. If a community meeting or “road show” is anticipated, we will help draft the presentation; and
 
-
After consulting with management, determine whether and when to conduct a syndicated community offering through assembling a group of selected broker/dealers (including Stifel Nicolaus) to sell stock remaining after the community offering, on a best-effort basis.
 
 
3

 
 
Mr. Robert Lee Johnson
Charter Financial, MHC
Charter Financial Corporation
Page 4
 
b.           Administrative Services and Stock Information Center Management - Stifel Nicolaus will manage substantially all aspects of the Offering and depositor vote processes. The Center centralizes all data and work effort relating to the Offering.
 
Our administrative services include the following:
 
-
Provide experienced on-site Stifel Nicolaus FINRA registered representatives to manage and supervise the Center;
 
-
Administer the Center. All substantive investor related matters will be handled by employees of Stifel Nicolaus;
 
-
Train and supervise Center staff assisting with order processing;
 
-
Prepare procedures for processing stock orders and cash, and for handling requests for information;
 
-
Educate the Company’s directors, officers and employees about the Offering, their roles and relevant Securities laws;
 
-
Educate branch managers and customer-contact employees on the proper response to stock purchase inquiries;
 
-
Prepare daily sales reports for management and ensure funds received balance to such reports;
 
-
Coordinate functions with the data processing agent, printer, transfer agent, stock certificate printer and other professionals;
 
-
Coordinate with the Company’s stock exchange and the Depository Trust Company to ensure a smooth closing and orderly stock trading;
 
-
Design and implement procedures for facilitating orders within IRA and Keogh accounts; and
 
-
Provide post-offering subscriber assistance and management of the pro-ration process, in the event orders exceed shares available in the Offering.
 
c.           Securities Marketing Services - Stifel Nicolaus uses various sales techniques including direct mail, advertising, community investor meetings, telephone solicitation, and if necessary, assembling a selling group of broker dealers for a syndicated community offering.
 
Our securities marketing services include:
 
-
Recommend a group of investors for the Bank to meet with as potential  Identified I nvestors ;
 
-
Negotiate investment terms with potential Identified I nvestors ;
 
-
The Stifel Nicolaus registered representatives at the Center will seek to manage the sales function and, if applicable, will solicit orders from the prospects described above;
 
 
4

 
 
Mr. Robert Lee Johnson
Charter Financial, MHC
Charter Financial Corporation
Page 5
 
 
-
Respond to investment-related and other questions regarding information in the Offering disclosure documents provided to potential investors;
 
-
If the sales plan calls for community meetings, participate in them;
 
-
Continually advise management on market conditions and the customers/community’s responsiveness to the Offering;
 
-
In case of a best-efforts syndicated community offering, manage the selling group.  We will prepare broker “fact sheets” and arrange “road shows” for the purpose of generating interest in the stock and informing the brokerage community of-the particulars of the Offering; and
 
-
Coordinate efforts to maximize after-market support and Company sponsorship.
 
 
5

 
 
Mr. Robert Lee Johnson
Charter Financial, MHC
Charter Financial Corporation
Page 6 
 
4.           COMPENSATION
 
For its services hereunder, the Company will pay to Stifel Nicolaus the following compensation:
 
a.
An advisory and administrative fee of $50,000 in connection with the advisory and administrative services; the administrative and advisory fee shall be payable as follows: $25,000 upon signing this Agreement and $25,000 upon the initial filing of the Registration Statement (such sums having been previously paid).
 
b.
A fee of one percent (1.00%) of the dollar amount of the Common Stock sold in the subscription and community offerings. A fee of six percent (6.0%) of aggregate dollar amount of Common Stock sold to any I dentified Investors whose names have been provided to the Company prior to the commencement of the Offering in the subscription and community offering. No fee shall be payable pursuant to this subsection in connection with the sale of stock to the Company’s charitable foundation, officers, directors, employees or immediate family of such persons (“Insiders”) and qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans of the Company or the Insiders. “Immediate family” includes spouse, parents, siblings and children who live in the same house as the officer, director, or employee. Excluding fees associated with sales to Identified Investors, the total fees due pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to a minimum fee of $125,000.
 
c.
For stock sold by a group of selected dealers (including Stifel Nicolaus) pursuant to a syndicated community offering solely managed by Stifel Nicolaus (the “Selling Group”), a fee equal to one percent (1.00%) of the aggregate dollar amount of Common Stock sold in the syndicated community offering, which fee paid to Stifel Nicolaus, along with the fee payable directly by the Company to Stifel Nicolaus and other selected dealers for their sales shall not exceed six percent (6.00%) of the aggregate dollar amount of Common Stock sold, provided Stifel Nicolaus will endeavor to further limit the aggregate fees to be paid by the Company under any such selected dealers’ agreement to an amount competitive with gross underwriting discounts charged at such time. In consultation with Stifel Nicolaus, the Company will determine which FINRA member firms will serve as co-managers of the Syndicated Community Offering or otherwise participate in the Selling Group and the extent of their participation. Stifel Nicolaus will not commence sales of the Common Stock through the Selling Group without the specific prior approval of the Company.
 
d.
If, pursuant to a resolicitation of subscribers undertaken by the Company, Stifel Nicolaus is required to provide significant additional services, the additional compensation due will not exceed $50,000.
 
The above compensation, less the amount of advance payments described in subparagraph a., is to be paid to Stifel Nicolaus at the closing of the Offering.
 
 
6

 
 
Mr. Robert Lee Johnson
Charter Financial, MHC
Charter Financial Corporation
Page 7
 
If (i) the Plan is abandoned or terminated by the Company and the MHC; (ii) the Offering is not consummated by March 31, 2011; (iii) Stifel Nicolaus terminates this relationship because there has been a material adverse change in the financial condition or operations of the Company since March 31, 2010; or (iv) immediately prior to commencement of the Offering, Stifel Nicolaus terminates this relationship because in its opinion, which shall have been formed in good faith after reasonable determination and consideration of all relevant factors, there has been a failure to satisfactorily disclose all relevant information in the offering document or other disclosure documents or market conditions exist which might render the sale of the Common Stock inadvisable; Stifel Nicolaus shall not be entitled to the compensation set forth in subparagraph 4.b through 4.d above, but in addition to reimbursement of its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses as set forth in paragraph 8 below, Stifel Nicolaus shall be entitled to retain its fee in subparagraph 4.a above for its conversion and proxy solicitation advisory and administrative services.
 
5.           LOCK-UP PERIOD
 
The Company shall cause each director and officer of the Company to agree not to, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, transfer, pledge, assign, hypothecate or otherwise encumber any shares of Common Stock or options, warrants or other securities exercisable, convertible or exchangeable for Common Stock during the period commencing with the filing of a Registration Statement for the Offering and ending 90 days after completion of the Offering without Stifel Nicolaus’ prior written consent. In addition, except for securities issued pursuant to existing employee benefit plans in accordance with past practices or securities issued in connection with a merger or acquisition by the Company, the Company shall agree not to issue, offer to sell or sell any shares of Common Stock or options, warrants or other securities exercisable, convertible or exchangeable for Common Stock without Stifel Nicolaus’ prior written consent for a period of 90 days after Completion of the Offering.
 
6.           MARKET MAKING
 
Stifel Nicolaus agrees to use its best efforts to maintain a market after the Offering and to solicit other broker-dealers to make a market in the Common Stock at the conclusion of the Offering.
 
7.           DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION TO BE SUPPLIED
 
The Company and its counsel will complete, file with the appropriate regulatory authorities and, as appropriate, amend from time to tine, the information to be contained in the Company’s applications to banking and securities regulators and any related exhibits thereto. In this regard, the Company and its counsel will prepare offering documents relating to the, offering of the Common Stock in conformance with applicable rules and regulations. As the Company’s financial advisor, Stifel Nicolaus will, in conjunction with its counsel, conduct an examination of the relevant documents and records of the Company and will make such other reasonable investigations as deemed necessary and appropriate under the circumstances. The Company agrees to make all documents, records and other information deemed necessary by Stifel Nicolaus, or its counsel, available to them upon reasonable notice. Stifel Nicolaus’ counsel will prepare, subject to the approval of Company’s counsel, the Definitive Agreement. Stifel Nicolaus’ counsel will be selected by Stifel Nicolaus.
 
 
7

 
 
Mr. Robert Lee Johnson
Charter Financial, MHC
Charter Financial Corporation
Page 8
 
8.           EXPENSES AND REIMBURSEMENT
 
The Company will bear all of its expenses in connection with the Offering of Common Stock including, but not limited to: appraisal and business plan preparation; the Company’s attorney fees; SEC and FINRA filing fees; “blue sky” legal fees and state filing fees; fees and expenses of service providers such as transfer agent, information/data processing agent, financial and stock certificate printers, auditors and accountants; advertising; postage; “road show” and other syndicated community and publicly underwritten offering costs; and all costs of operating the Stock Information Center, including hiring temporary personnel, if necessary. In the event Stifel Nicolaus incurs such expenses on behalf of the Company, the Company shall reimburse Stifel Nicolaus for such reasonable fees and expenses regardless of whether the Offering is successfully completed. Stifel Nicolaus will not incur any single expense of more than $1,000, pursuant to this paragraph without the prior approval of the Company.
 
The Company also agrees to reimburse Stifel Nicolaus for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees and expenses, incurred by Stifel Nicolaus in connection with the services contemplated hereunder.  In the subscription, community offering and syndicated community offering, Stifel Nicolaus will not incur legal fees in excess of $100,000, excluding the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of counsel not to exceed $10,000.  Stifel Nicolaus will not incur actual accountable reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred in excess of $30,000 in the subscription and community offering and in excess of $50,000 in the syndicated community offering.  The parties acknowledge, however, that such cap may be increased by the mutual consent of the Company and Stifel Nicolaus, including in the event of a material delay in the Offering which would require an update of the financial information in tabular form to reflect a period later than that set forth in the original filing of the offering document; provided that under such circumstances, Stifel Nicolaus will not incur any additional accountable reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses in excess of $10,000 or additional reimbursable legal fees in excess of $25,000 and that the aggregate of all reimbursable expenses and legal fees shall not exceed $225,000.  Not later than two days before closing, Stifel Nicolaus will provide the Company with a detailed accounting of all reimbursable expenses of Stifel Nicolaus and its counsel to be paid at closing.
 
9.           BLUE SKY
 
To the extent required by applicable state law, Stifel Nicolaus and the Company must obtain or confirm exemptions, qualifications or registration of the Common Stock under applicable state securities laws and FINRA policies. The cost of such legal work and related state filing fees will be paid by the Company to the law firm furnishing such legal work. The Company will instruct the counsel performing such services to prepare a Blue Sky memorandum related to the Offering including Stifel Nicolaus’ participation therein and shall furnish Stifel Nicolaus a copy thereof, regarding which such counsel shall state Stifel Nicolaus may rely.
 
 
8

 
 
Mr. Robert Lee Johnson
Charter Financial, MHC
Charter Financial Corporation
Page 9
 
10.           INFORMATION AGENT SERVICES
 
Pursuant to a separate agreement by and between the Company and Stifel Nicolaus and in connection with the subscription offering, Stifel Nicolaus shall serve as information agent for the Company.
 
11.           INDEMNIFICATION
 
The Definitive Agreement will provide for indemnification of the type usually found in underwriting agreements as to certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. The Company also agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Stifel Nicolaus and its officers, directors, employees and agents against all claims, losses, actions, judgments, damages or expenses, including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees, arising solely out of the engagement described herein, except that such indemnification shall not apply to Stifel Nicolaus’ own bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence.
 
12.           CONFIDENTIALITY
 
To the extent consistent with legal requirements and except as otherwise set forth in the offering document, all information given to Stifel Nicolaus by the Company, unless publicly available or otherwise available to Stifel Nicolaus without restriction to breach of any confidentiality agreement (“Confidential Information”), will be held by Stifel Nicolaus in confidence and will not be disclosed to anyone other than Stifel Nicolaus’ agents without the Company’s prior approval or used for any purpose other than those referred to in this engagement letter. Upon the termination of its engagement, Stifel Nicolaus, at the request of the Company, will promptly deliver to the Company all materials specifically produced for it and will return to the Company all Confidential Information provided to Stifel Nicolaus during the course of its engagement hereunder.
 
13.           FINRA MATTERS
 
Stifel Nicolaus has an obligation to file certain documents and to make certain representations to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority in connection with the Offering. The Company agrees to cooperate with Stifel Nicolaus and provide such information as may be necessary for Stifel Nicolaus to comply with all FINRA requirements applicable to its participation in the Offering. Stifel Nicolaus is and will remain through completion of the Offering a member in a good standing of the FINRA and will comply with all applicable FINRA requirements.
 
14.           OBLIGATIONS
 
Except as set forth below, this engagement letter is merely a statement of intent. While Stifel Nicolaus and the Company agree in principle to the contents hereof and propose to proceed promptly and in good faith to work out the arrangements with respect to the Offering, any legal obligations between Stifel Nicolaus and the Company shall be only: (i) those set forth herein in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 regarding services and payments; (ii) those set forth in paragraph 8 regarding reimbursement for certain expenses; (iii) those set forth in paragraph 11 regarding indemnification; (iv) those set forth in paragraph 12 regarding confidentiality; and (v) as set forth in a duly negotiated and executed Definitive Agreement.
 
 
9

 
 
Mr. Robert Lee Johnson
Charter Financial, MHC
Charter Financial Corporation
Page 10
 
The obligation of Stifel Nicolaus to enter into the Definitive Agreement shall be subject to there being, in Stifel Nicolaus’ opinion, which shall have been formed in good faith after reasonable determination and consideration of all relevant factors: (i) no material adverse change in the condition or operation of the Company; (ii) satisfactory disclosure of all relevant information in the offering disclosure documents and a determination that the sale of stock is reasonable given such disclosures; (iii) receipt of a “comfort letter” from the Company’s accountants containing no material exceptions; (iv) no market conditions exist which might render the sale of the shares by the Company hereby contemplated inadvisable; (v) agreement that the price established by the independent appraiser is reasonable in the then-prevailing market conditions, and (vi) approval of Stifel Nicolaus’ internal Commitment Committee.
 
15.           INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR; NO FIDUCIARY DUTY
 
The Company acknowledges and agrees that it is a sophisticated business enterprise and that Stifel Nicolaus has been retained pursuant to this engagement letter to act as financial advisor to the Company solely with respect to the matters set forth herein. In such capacity, Stifel Nicolaus will act as an independent contractor, and any duties of Stifel Nicolaus arising out of this engagement pursuant to this letter shall be contractual in nature and shall be owed solely to the Company. Each party disclaims any intention to impose any fiduciary duty on the other.
 
16.           ADVERTISEMENTS
 
The Company agrees that, following the closing or consummation of the Offering, Stifel Nicolaus has the right to place advertisements in financial and other newspapers and journals at its own expense, describing its services to the Company and a general description of the Offering. In addition, the Company agrees to include in any press release or public announcement announcing the Offering a reference to Stifel Nicolaus’ role as financial advisor, selling agent and book-running manager with respect to the Offering, provided that the Company will submit a copy of any such press release or public announcement to Stifel Nicolaus for its prior approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
 
17.           GOVERNING LAW
 
This engagement letter shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts executed and to be wholly performed therein without giving effects to its conflicts of laws principles or rules. Any dispute here under shall be brought in a court in the State of New York.
 
 
10

 
 
Mr. Robert Lee Johnson
Charter Financial, MHC
Charter Financial Corporation
Page 11
 
18.           WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY
 
BOTH STIFEL NICOLAUS AND THE COMPANY WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
 
 
11

 

Mr. Robert Lee Johnson
Charter Financial, MHC
Charter Financial Corporation
Page 12
 
Please acknowledge your agreement to the foregoing by signing in the place provided below and returning one copy of this letter to our office together with the retainer payment in the amount of $25,000. We look forward to working with you.
 
STIFEL, NICOLAUS & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
     
BY:
              /s/ Ben A. Plotkin
 
 
Ben A. Plotkin
 
 
Executive Vice President
 
     
Accepted and Agreed to This  __ Day of ____, 2010
 
   
FIRST CHARTER, MHC
     
BY:
              
 
 
Robert Lee Johnson
 
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
     
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
BY:
              
 
 
Robert Lee Johnson
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
     
Accepted and Agreed to This  __ Day of ____, 2010
 
 
12
EX-23.2 3 ex23-2.htm EXHIBIT 23.2 ex23-2.htm

Exhibit 23.2
 
 
 
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


Board of Directors
Charter Financial Corporation
West Point, Georgia

We consent to the use of our report dated December 23, 2009, except for Note 22 as to which the date is June 18, 2010, with respect to the consolidated statements of financial condition of Charter Financial Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for the years then ended, and we also consent to the use of our report dated June 18, 2010, with respect to the statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed by CharterBank (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Charter Financial Corporation) as of March 26, 2010, included in the prospectus in the Form S-1 of Charter Financial Corporation and to the references to our Firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.
 
GRAPHIC

Atlanta, Georgia
August 11, 2010

 

 

 
EX-23.3 4 ex23-3.htm EXHIBIT 23.3 ex23-3.htm

Exhibit 23.3
 
 

 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors
 
Charter Financial Corporation:
 
We consent to the use of our report on Charter Financial Corporation dated December 20, 2007, with respect to the consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2007, included herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus.
 
 
GRAPHIC
 
Birmingham, Alabama
 
 
August 11, 2010
 
EX-99.2 5 ex99-2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2 ex99-2.htm

Exhibit 99.2
 
PRO FORMA VALUATION REPORT
 
FIRST CHARTER, MHC
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CHARTERBANK
West Point, Georgia
 
Dated As Of:
May 21, 2010
 

 
Prepared By:
 
RP® Financial, LC.
1100 North Glebe Road
Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia  22201
 

 

 
 
RP® FINANCIAL, LC.  
Serving the Financial Services Industry Since 1988
 
 
 May 21, 2010  
 
Boards of Directors
First Charter, MHC
Charter Financial Corporation
CharterBank
1233 O.G. Skinner Drive
West Point, Georgia  31833
 
Members of the Boards of Directors:
 
At your request, we have completed and hereby provide an independent appraisal (“Appraisal”) of the estimated pro forma market value of the common stock to be issued by Charter Financial Corporation, West Point, Georgia (“Charter Financial” or the “Company”) in connection with the stock issuance plan more fully described below whereby the Company will offer shares of its common stock in an “incremental” stock offering.  The incremental offering will allow the Company to raise capital while remaining a majority owned subsidiary of its mutual holding company parent, First Charter, MHC (the “MHC”).  The MHC currently has a majority ownership interest in, and its principal asset consists of, approximately 84.9% of the common stock of Charter Financial (the “MHC Shares”), the mid-tier holding company for CharterBank, West Point, Georgia (the “Bank”).  The remaining 15.1% of Charter Financial’s common stock is owned by public stockholders.  Charter Financial, which completed its initial public stock offering in October 2001, owns 100% of the common stock of the Bank.  It is our understanding that Charter Financial will offer its stock, representing the majority ownership interest held by the MHC, in a subscription offering to Eligible Account Holders, Employee Stock Benefit Plans, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and Other Members.  To the extent that shares remain available for purchase after satisfaction of all subscriptions received in the subscription offering, the shares may be offered for sale in a community offering to members of the local community with a preference given first to natural persons residing in Georgia and Alabama and then to Charter Financial public stockholders.
 
This Appraisal is furnished pursuant to the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations 563b.7 and has been prepared in accordance with the “Guidelines for Appraisal Reports for the Valuation of Savings and Loan Associations Converting from Mutual to Stock Form of Organization” of the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”), which have been adopted in practice by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).
   
Washington Headquarters
Rosslyn Center 
1100 North Glebe Road, Suite 1100
Arlington, VA  22201
www.rpfinancial.com
Telephone:  (703) 528-1700
Fax No.:  (703) 528-1788
Toll-Free No.:  (866) 723-0594
 E-Mail:  mail@rpfinancial.com
 
 
 

 
 
Boards of Directors
May 21, 2010
Page 2
 
Stock Issuance Plan
 
On April 20, 2010 and amended as of June 7, 2010, the respective Boards of Directors of the MHC, the Company and the Bank adopted the Stock Issuance Plan whereby the Company will offer shares of its common stock in an “incremental” stock offering. The incremental offering (the “Offering”) will allow the Company to raise capital while remaining a majority owned subsidiary of its mutual holding company parent, First Charter, MHC.  The incremental offering will not increase the number of outstanding shares of common stock because the number of shares owned by First Charter, MHC will be reduced by the number of shares sold by the Company in the offering.  As of March 31, 2010, the MHC’s ownership interest in Charter Financial approximated 84.9%, and the public stockholders’ ownership interest in Charter Financial approximated 15.1%.  Pursuant to the Stock Issuance Plan, the Company will issue sufficient shares to increase the public stockholders’ ownership interest to between 38.0% and 47.0% and, the MHC’s ownership interest will be reduced to between 62.0% and 53.0%, respectively.  Because the total number of shares issued and outstanding, including shares held by the MHC and shares held by public stockholders, will not change as a result of the Offering, the pro forma appraisal determined herein determines the per share offering price and the valuation range will be applied to the offering price per share.
 
The Company intends to use proceeds from the offering to support organic growth and acquisitions of financial institutions as opportunities arise, especially acquisitions of troubled financial institutions with FDIC assistance.  In March 2010, CharterBank purchased certain assets and assumed the deposits and certain other liabilities of McIntosh Commercial Bank, a commercial bank headquartered in Carrollton, Georgia, and in June 2009, CharterBank purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Neighborhood Community Bank, a commercial bank headquartered in Newnan, Georgia.  The acquisition of each of these failed institutions included FDIC loss-sharing agreements.  
 
In adopting the Stock Issuance Plan, the Board terminated First Charter, MHC’s plan to reorganize into the stock holding company structure and undertake a “second-step” stock offering, which was announced in December 2009.  
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 
RP® Financial, LC. (“RP Financial”) is a financial consulting firm serving the financial services industry nationwide that, among other things, specializes in financial valuations and analyses of business enterprises and securities, including the pro forma valuation for savings institutions converting from mutual-to-stock form.  The background and experience of RP Financial is detailed in Exhibit V-1.  We believe that, except for the fee we will receive for our appraisal, we are independent of the Company, the Bank, the MHC and the other parties engaged by the Bank or the Company to assist in the stock conversion process.
 
 
 

 
 
Boards of Directors
May 21, 2010
Page 3
 
Valuation Methodology
 
In preparing our Appraisal, we have reviewed the regulatory applications of Charter Financial, the Bank and the MHC, including the prospectus as filed with the OTS and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  We have conducted a financial analysis of Charter Financial, the Bank and the MHC that has included a review of audited financial information for fiscal years ended September 30, 2005 through 2009 and through March 31, 2010, and due diligence related discussions with Charter Financial’s management; Dixon Hughes, PLLC, the Company’s independent auditor; Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C., Charter Financial’s conversion counsel; and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, the Company’s financial and marketing advisor in connection with the stock offering.  All assumptions and conclusions set forth in the Appraisal were reached independently from such discussions.  In addition, where appropriate, we have considered information based on other available published sources that we believe are reliable.  While we believe the information and data gathered from all these sources are reliable, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information.
 
We have investigated the competitive environment within which the Company operates and have assessed the Company’s relative strengths and weaknesses.  We have kept abreast of the changing regulatory and legislative environment for financial institutions and analyzed the potential impact on the Company and the industry as a whole.  We have analyzed the potential effects of the Offering on the Company’s operating characteristics and financial performance as they relate to the pro forma market value.  We have reviewed the economy in the Company’s primary market area and have compared the Company’s financial performance and condition with publicly-traded thrifts in mutual holding company form, as well as all publicly-traded thrifts.  We have reviewed conditions in the securities markets in general and in the market for thrift stocks in particular, including the market for existing thrift issues and the market for initial public offerings by thrifts.  We have specifically considered the market for the stock of publicly-traded mutual holding companies, including the market for offerings completed by other mutual holding companies.  We have excluded from such analyses thrifts subject to announced or rumored acquisition, mutual holding company institutions that have announced their intent to pursue second step conversions, and/or those institutions that exhibit other unusual characteristics.  We have also considered the expected market for the Company’s public shares immediately upon completion of the Offering.
 
Our Appraisal is based on the Company’s representation that the information contained in the regulatory applications and additional information furnished to us by the Company, its independent auditors, legal counsel and other authorized agents are truthful, accurate and complete.  We did not independently verify the financial statements and other information provided by the Company, its independent auditors, legal counsel and other authorized agents nor did we independently value the individual assets or liabilities, on or off balance sheet, of the Company.  The valuation considers the Company only as a going concern and should not be considered as an indication of the Company’s liquidation value.
 
Our appraised value is predicated on a continuation of the current operating environment for the Bank, the MHC and the Company and for all thrifts and their holding companies, including mutual holding companies.  Changes in the local, state and national economy, the legislative and regulatory environment for financial institutions and mutual holding companies, the stock market, interest rates, and other external forces (such as natural disasters or significant world events) may occur from time to time, often with great unpredictability, and may materially impact the value of thrift stocks as a whole or the Bank’s, the MHC’s and the Company’s values alone.  It is our understanding that there are no current plans for pursuing a second step conversion or for selling control of the Bank or the Company at this time.  To the extent that such factors can be foreseen, they have been factored into our analysis.
 
 
 

 
 
Boards of Directors
May 21, 2010
Page 4
 
Pro forma market value is defined as the price at which the Company’s stock, immediately upon completion of the offering, would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or sell and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts.
 
Valuation Conclusion
 
It is our opinion that, as of May 21, 2010, the aggregate market value of the Company’s pro forma market value of the shares to be issued immediately following the completion of the Stock Issuance Plan, including the shares issued to public shareholders as well as those retained by the MHC, equaled $170,852,103.   Based upon 18,672,361 shares issued and outstanding, the pro forma market value is $8.60 per share.  This pro forma market value forms the midpoint of the valuation range with a minimum of $145,270,969 and a maximum of $196,433,238 based on a minimum price per share of $7.78 and a maximum price per share of $10.52 .  The resulting range of value pursuant to regulatory guidelines and the corresponding pro forma valuation per share based upon 18,672,361 shares issued and outstanding is set forth below:
 
   
Pro Forma
   
Total Shares
   
Pro Forma
 
   
Valuation
   
Issued and
   
Market
 
   
Per Share
   
Outstanding (1)
   
Value
 
                   
                   
Supermaximum
  $ 11.37       18,672,361     $ 212,304,745  
Maximum
  $ 9.89       18,672,361     $ 184,669,650  
Midpoint
  $ 8.60       18,672,361     $ 160,582,305  
Minimum
  $ 7.31       18,672,361     $ 136,494,959  
                         
 
(1)
Pursuant to the Stock Issuance Plan, the number of shares w ill not change as a result of the incremental offering.
 
The Offering
 
 The Stock Issuance Plan allows the Board of Directors to determine the number of shares that will be sold in the Offering, with a minimum number of shares sold that will increase the public stockholders’ ownership to 38.0% and a maximum number of share sold that will increase the public stockholders’ ownership to 47.0%.  Based on the midpoint pro forma market value of $8.60 per share and the valuation range discussed above, the offering assuming the minimum shares and maximum shares offered are set forth below.
 
 
 

 
 
Boards of Directors
May 21, 2010
Page 5
 
Limiting Factors and Considerations
 
Our valuation is not intended, and must not be construed, as a recommendation of any kind as to the advisability of purchasing shares of the Common Stock.  Moreover, because such valuation is necessarily based upon estimates and projections of a number of matters, all of which are subject to change from time to time, no assurance can be given that persons who purchase shares of Common Stock in the Offering will thereafter be able to buy or sell such shares at prices related to the foregoing valuation of the pro forma market value thereof.
 
                     
Percent of Company Shares
 
   
Pro Forma
Valuation
Per Share
   
Total Shares
Sold in the
Offering
   
Offering
Amount
   
Sold in the
Offering
   
Outstanding
After the
Offering
 
                               
Assuming the minimum number of shares sold
                         
Supermaximum
  $ 11.37       5,961,573     $ 67,783,085       31.9 %     47.0 %
Maximum
  $ 9.89       5,961,573     $ 58,959,957       31.9 %     47.0 %
Midpoint
  $ 8.60       5,961,573     $ 51,269,528       31.9 %     47.0 %
Minimum
  $ 7.31       5,961,573     $ 43,579,099       31.9 %     47.0 %
                                         
                                         
Assuming the maxmum number of shares sold
                                 
Supermaximum
  $ 11.37       4,281,060     $ 48,675,652       22.9 %     38.0 %
Maximum
  $ 9.89       4,281,060     $ 42,339,683       22.9 %     38.0 %
Midpoint
  $ 8.60       4,281,060     $ 36,817,116       22.9 %     38.0 %
Minimum
  $ 7.31       4,281,060     $ 31,294,549       22.9 %     38.0 %
 
RP Financial’s valuation was based on the financial condition, operations and shares outstanding of Charter Financial as of March 31, 2010, the date of the financial data included in the prospectus.
 
RP Financial is not a seller of securities within the meaning of any federal and state securities laws and any report prepared by RP Financial shall not be used as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any securities.  RP Financial maintains a policy which prohibits RP Financial, its principals or employees from purchasing stock of its client institutions.
 
 
 

 
 
Boards of Directors
May 21, 2010
Page 6
 
This valuation will be updated as provided for in the conversion regulations and guidelines.  These updates will consider, among other things, any developments or changes in the financial performance and condition of Charter Financial, management policies, and current conditions in the equity markets for thrift shares, both existing issues and new issues.  These updates may also consider changes in other external factors which impact value including, but not limited to: various changes in the legislative and regulatory environment for financial institutions, the stock market and the market for thrift stocks, and interest rates.  Should any such new developments or changes be material, in our opinion, to the valuation of the shares, appropriate adjustments to the estimated pro forma market value will be made.  The reasons for any such adjustments will be explained in the update at the date of the release of the update.  The valuation will also be updated at the completion of Charter Financial’s stock offering.
 
  Respectfully submitted,
  RP® FINANCIAL, LC.
   
  /s/ William E. Pommerening
  William E. Pommerening
 
Chief Executive Officer and
Managing Director
   
  /s/ James P. Hennessey
  James P. Hennessey
  Director
   
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
i
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CHARTERBANK
West Point, Georgia
 
          PAGE
  DESCRIPTION       NUMBER
       
CHAPTER ONE
OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
     
Introduction
     
I.1
Stock Issuance Plan
     
I.2
Purpose of the Reorganization
   
I.3
Strategic Overview
     
I.4
Business Plan
     
I.6
Balance Sheet Trends
   
I.8
Income and Expense Trends
   
I.14
Interest Rate Risk Management
   
I.18
Lending Activities and Strategy
   
I.19
Asset Quality
     
I.24
Funding and Composition Strategy
   
I.25
Subsidiary
     
I.25
Legal Proceedings
   
I.26
         
         
CHAPTER TWO
MARKET AREA
     
Introduction
   
II.1
Interest Rate Environment
   
II.3
Market Area Demographics
   
II.3
Regional/Local Economic Factors
   
II.6
Market Area Deposit Characteristics
   
II.8
Summary
   
II.10
         
         
CHAPTER THREE
PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
     
Peer Group Selection
   
III.1
Basis of Comparison
   
III.2
Selected Peer Group
   
III.3
Financial Condition
   
III.6
Income and Expense Components
   
III.9
Loan Composition
   
III.12
Credit Risk
   
III.14
Interest Rate Risk
   
III.15
Summary
   
III.18
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
  ii
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CHARTERBANK
West Point, Georgia
 
 (continued)
 
      PAGE
  DESCRIPTION
 
  NUMBER
         
CHAPTER FOUR                        VALUATION ANALYSIS
     
Introduction
   
IV.1
Appraisal Guidelines
   
IV.1
RP Financial Approach to the Valuation
   
IV.2
Valuation Analysis
   
IV.3
1.
Financial Condition
   
IV.3
2.
Profitability, Growth and Viability of Earnings
   
IV.4
3.
Asset Growth
   
IV.6
4.
Primary Market Area
   
IV.7
5.
Dividends
   
IV.8
6.
Liquidity of the Shares
   
IV.8
7.
Marketing of the Issue
   
IV.9
 
       A.       The Public Market
   
IV.9
 
       B.       The New Issue Market
   
IV.14
 
       C.       The Acquisition Market
   
IV.16
 
       D.       Trading in Charter Financial Stock
   
IV.16
8.
Management
   
IV.18
9.
Effect of Government Regulation and Regulatory Reform
   
IV.19
Summary of Adjustments
   
IV.19
Basis of Valuation-Fully Converted Pricing Ratios
   
IV.20
Valuation Approaches: Fully Converted Basis
   
IV.21
1.
Price-to-Earnings (“P/E”)
   
IV.25
2.
Price-to-Book (“P/B”)
   
IV.26
3.
Price-to-Assets (“P/A”)
   
IV.27
Comparison to Recent Offerings
   
IV.28
Valuation Conclusion
   
IV.29
 
 
 

 

RP® Financial, LC.
LIST OF TABLES
 
iii
 
LIST OF TABLES
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
CHARTERBANK
West Point, Georgia
 
TABLE
         
NUMBER
   
DESCRIPTION
 
    PAGE
             
1.1
   
Historical Balance Sheet Data
   
I.9
1.2
   
Historical Income Statements
   
I.15
             
             
2.1
   
Summary Demographic Data
   
II.5
2.2
   
Unemployment Trends
   
II.7
2.4
   
Deposit Summary
   
II.9
             
             
3.1
   
Peer Group of Publicly-Traded Thrifts
   
III.5
3.2
   
Balance Sheet Composition and Growth Rates
   
III.7
3.3
   
Income as a Pct. of Avg. Assets and Yields, Costs, Spreads
   
III.10
3.4
   
Loan Portfolio Composition and Related Information
   
III.13
3.5
   
Credit Risk Measures and Related Information
   
III.16
3.6
   
Interest Rate Risk Measures and Net Interest Income Volatility
   
III.17
             
             
4.1
   
Pricing Characteristics and After-Market Trends
   
IV.15
4.2
   
Market Pricing Comparatives
   
IV.17
4.3
   
Comparable Institution Analysis: implied per share data
   
IV.22
4.4
   
Pricing Ratios Fully Converted Basis: MHC Institutions
   
IV.30
4.5
   
Pricing Ratios Reported Basis: MHC Institutions
   
IV.31
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.1
 
I.  OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
 
Introduction
 
CharterBank (the “Bank”), organized in 1954, is a federally chartered stock savings bank headquartered in West Point, Georgia.  The Bank serves the I-85 corridor in western Georgia and eastern Alabama through 16 full-service branches, its corporate office and three loan production offices (“LPOs”).  CharterBank’s parent is Charter Financial Corporation (“Charter Financial” or the “Company”) which is 84.9% owned by First Charter MHC (“First Charter” or the “MHC”) and 15.1% owned by public shareholders.
 
On October 16, 2001, CharterBank converted from a federally-chartered mutual savings and loan association into a three-tiered mutual holding company structure.  CharterBank was the wholly-owned subsidiary of Charter Financial (the mid-tier holding company), and Charter Financial was the majority owned subsidiary of First Charter.  Through a public offering the same year, Charter Financial sold 3,964,481 shares of its common stock to the public, representing 20% of the outstanding shares, at $10.00 per share and received net proceeds of $37.2 million.  Charter Financial contributed 50% of the net proceeds from the initial public offering to CharterBank.  An additional 15,857,924 shares, or 80% of the outstanding shares of Charter Financial, were issued to First Charter. An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) was established and the ESOP acquired 317,158 shares of Charter Financial common stock in the offering, using the proceeds of a loan from Charter Financial.  The net proceeds, adjusted for the ESOP, totaled approximately $34 million.
 
Pursuant to a tender offer transaction completed in fiscal 2007, the Company repurchased 508,842 shares of its common stock and deregistered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  In conjunction with the deregistration, the Company moved the trading of its stock from NASDAQ to the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”), where it is now quoted under the symbol CHFN.OB.  Both the Company and the MHC earn interest income on a small balance of liquidity investments and there are no other significant activities conducted by the Company or the MHC.   The most significant asset of the Company is its equity investment in the Bank; in addition, the Company has extended a loan to the Bank’s employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”).
 

 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.2
 
As of March 31, 2010, the Company had $1.24 billion in assets, $906.6 million in deposits and total equity of $110.7 million, or 8.9% of total assets.  The Company’s audited financial statements are included by reference as Exhibit I-1 and a summary of key operating ratios are included in Exhibit 1-2.  The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) system, and its deposits are insured up to the regulatory maximums by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).
 
Stock Issuance Plan
 
On April 20, 2010 and amended as of June 7, 2010, Charter Financial announced that the Board of Directors unanimously adopted a stock issuance plan (“Stock Issuance Plan”), pursuant to which Charter Financial will retain its three-tier MHC structure and will pursue an incremental offering that will increase the ownership of public stockholders.  Shares will be offered for sale to eligible depositors of CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank and McIntosh Commercial Bank, Charter Financial’s tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans, eligible borrowers of CharterBank, and to the extent shares remain available, residents of Alabama and Georgia, stockholders other than First Charter, MHC and the general public.  Under the terms of the Stock Issuance plan, at the conclusion of the stock offering, First Charter, MHC will contribute to Charter Financial a number of shares of common stock equal to the number of shares sold in the stock offering and such shares will then be cancelled to avoid dilution to the existing public stockholders.  The total number of outstanding shares of common stock of Charter Financial will not change as a result of the stock offering.  As of March 31, 2010, the MHC’s ownership interest in Charter Financial approximated 84.9%, and the public stockholders’ ownership interest in Charter Financial approximated 15.1%.  The Company will issue sufficient shares in the offering to increase the public stockholders’ ownership interest to between 38.0% and 47.0% and, the MHC’s ownership interest will be reduced to between 62.0% and 53.0%, respectively.  Because the total number of shares issued and outstanding, including shares held by the MHC and shares held by public stockholders, will not change as a result of the Offering, the pro forma appraisal determined herein determines the per share offering price and the valuation range will be applied to the offering price per share.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.3
 
Purpose of the Reorganization
 
The incremental offering will increase Charter Financial’s capital level and is intended to facilitate continued growth and implementation of the Company’s business strategy by: (1) supporting internal growth through increased lending in the communities served serve, including the new markets resulting from the recent acquisitions of Neighborhood Community Bank (“NCB”) and Mackintosh Commercial Bank (“MCB”); (2) providing capital to support acquisitions of financial institutions as opportunities arise, especially troubled financial institutions with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation assistance, although there are no current agreements to acquire a financial institution or other entity;   (3) improving the Company’s capital position during a period of significant economic, regulatory and political uncertainty, especially for the financial services industry; (4) enabling the Company to enhance existing products and services to meet the needs of the marketplace; (5) assisting in managing interest rate risk; and (6) improving the liquidity of the Company’s shares of common stock and enhancing stockholder returns through more flexible capital management strategies.  The projected use of stock proceeds is highlighted below.
 
     ●
The MHC.  The MHC will receive no proceeds from the stock offering.
 
     ●
The Company.  The Company is expected to retain up to 50% of the net offering proceeds.  At present, Company funds, net of the loan to the ESOP, are expected to be invested initially into high quality investment securities with short- to intermediate-term maturities, generally consistent with the current investment mix.  Over time, Company funds are anticipated to be utilized for various corporate purposes, possibly including acquisitions, infusing additional equity into the Bank, repurchases of common stock, and the payment of regular and/or special cash dividends.
 
     ●
The Bank.  The balance of the net offering proceeds will be infused into the Bank.  Cash proceeds (i.e., net proceeds less deposits withdrawn to fund stock purchases) infused into the Bank are anticipated to become part of general operating funds, and are expected to initially be invested in short-term investments pending longer term deployment, i.e., funding lending activities, general corporate purposes and/or expansion and diversification.
 
The Company expects to continue to pursue a controlled growth strategy, seeking to diminish the wholesale elements of the balance sheet (i.e., investment in wholesale investment and mortgage-backed securities funded by brokered and credit union CDs as well as borrowed funds).  Growth may be facilitated by branch or whole bank acquisitions including assisted transaction similar to the NCB and MCB acquisitions but none are contemplated at this time. Over the long term, the Company will seek to leverage its strong capital through such growth and may also consider various capital management strategies including pursuing a second step conversion, share repurchases, payment of dividends and other corporate transactions to assist in the long-run objective of increasing shareholder value.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.4
 
Strategic Overview
 
Charter Financial is a community-oriented financial institution, with the primary focus on meeting the borrowing needs of its local retail and commercial customers in the markets served by its branches and other nearby areas.  Over much of its existence, Charter Financial pursued a traditional thrift operating strategy, with 1-4 family loans and retail deposits making up the majority of the balance sheet.  Beginning in the late 1980s, however, Charter Financial began to pursue alternative strategies that impacted the current size and composition of the balance sheet.
 
Freddie Mac Stock.  The economy in Charter Financial’s market area in the West Point area has historically been a low growth rural market which, coupled with a relatively competitive marketplace, prompted management in the late 1980s to search for alternative investment vehicles.  The Company realized significant appreciation in the value of its Freddie Mac Stock investment, which was valued at nearly $350 million at its peak level which provided for a more than $200 million after-tax gain.  The value of the Company’s Freddie Mac stock fluctuated through 2007 both as a result in changes in the market price (the investment was classified as available for sale and marked-to-market for financial reporting purposes) but gradually diminished as a result of periodic divestitures.  In this regard, the Bank sold shares of Freddie Mac stock in fiscal 2007 to generate approximately $70.6 million of cash in connection with the repurchase of 508,842 shares of Charter Financial common stock as it sought to deregister with the SEC.  The value of the Freddie Mac stock investment fell sharply in fiscal 2008 as the financial crisis erupted and Freddie Mac required Federal financial assistance to remain solvent.  Charter Financial disposed of its remaining ownership of Freddie Mac Stock in fiscal 2008.  The financial problems of Freddie Mac and the erosion of its stock price has been the principal factor in the diminishment of the Company’s capital from a fiscal year end peak level of $267.7 million in 2006 to $101.0 million as of March 31, 2010.  Moreover, the Freddie Mac stock supported the Company’s earnings through fiscal 2008, both through dividends received, the sale of covered call option contacts on Freddie Mac stock and through gains on sale realized through periodic sales of shares Freddie Mac stock.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.5
 
Balance Sheet Leverage.  In response to the growth in equity resulting from the appreciation in the value of Freddie Mac stock, the infusion of the net proceeds of the minority stock offering completed in 2001, and owing to the limited retail growth opportunities in the Company’s traditional markets in eastern Alabama and western Georgia, Charter Financial pursued a wholesale leveraging strategy whereby the Company utilized borrowings and wholesale deposits (i.e., brokered deposits and credit union CDs) to fund the purchase of investment securities.  The purpose of this strategy was to supplement the growth provided by retail operations to generate net interest income from the yield-cost spread realized on the new assets and liabilities.  Primarily as a result of this strategy, total assets grew from $352 million in 1996 to a peak level of $1.1 billion in fiscal 2006.  As the Company’s equity has diminished since fiscal 2006, Charter Financial has intensified efforts to grow within profitable niches in targeted areas of retail banking.
 
Retail Banking Operations.  The Company has been seeking to build its retail banking operations to offset the loss of income from the Freddie Mac stock investment and the limited profitability of the wholesale leveraging strategy referenced above.  In this regard, Charter Financial has been seeking to expand its retail banking footprint within the I-85 corridor in eastern Alabama and western Georgia both through de novo branching and through acquisition (the Company has completed four acquisitions since 1999 and the most recent acquisitions of NCB and MCB with FDIC assistance were the most significant and will be more fully described in a section to follow).  Overall, the Company is seeking to reduce the wholesale component of its operations by seeking to focus on the building of a retail deposit base and funding of local loans.  To this end, Charter Financial is positioning itself as a full-service community bank that offers both retail and commercial loan and deposit products to all the markets currently served by the Company, within the I-85 corridor.   From the standpoint of its lending operations, Charter Financial’s lending operations consist of four major segments:  (1) residential mortgage lending for portfolio; (2) commercial and multi-family mortgage lending; (3) construction lending and (4) secondary market operations where Charter Financial originates loans for resale (servicing has been retained by the Bank in the past but currently loans are generally sold with the servicing rights released).  The core banking strategy also includes a focus on retail deposit funding including higher balance and/or low-cost transaction accounts that management anticipates will reduce Charter Financial’s funding and/or operating costs while stabilizing overall funding operations.  The Company’s core business operations also include an effort to improve service and increase efficiency in the core banking operations
 
Growth Through Acquisition.  In view of the small size and limited growth of the Company’s markets, management has pursued growth through acquisition by completing four acquisitions since 1999.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.6
 
     ●
Citizens BancGroup, Inc.  The Company acquired Citizens BancGroup, Inc., Valley Alabama (“Citizens”) in 1999, in an all cash acquisition which added approximately $45 million and $42 million of assets and deposits, respectively, to the Company’s balance sheet and added three offices in Valley and one office in Lannett (one office has subsequently been closed).
 
     ●
EBA Bancshares.  In 2003, the Company acquired EBA Bancshares (“EBA”) and its Eagle Bank subsidiary operating in the Auburn/Opelika market with a total of three branches.  The $8.4 million acquisition price consisted solely of cash and added approximately $77 million of assets to the Company’s balance sheet.
 
     ●
Neighborhood Community Bank.  In June 2009, the Company entered into an acquisition agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of NCB, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Newnan, Georgia.  The Company assumed $195.3 million of NCB’s liabilities, including $181.3 million of deposits, with no deposit premium paid, and acquired $202.8 million of NCB assets, including $159.9 million of loans, net of unearned income, and $17.7 million of real estate owned, at a discount to book value of $26.9 million.  The acquisition agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation included loss-sharing agreements pursuant to which the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation will assume 80% of losses and share 80% of loss recoveries on the first $82 million of losses on acquired loans and real estate owned, and assume 95% of losses and share 95% of loss recoveries on losses exceeding $82 million.  Loans and other real estate owned that are covered under the loss-sharing agreements are referred to as “covered loans” and “covered other real estate,” respectively.
 
     ●
McIntosh Commercial Bank. In March 2010, the Company entered into an acquisition agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of MCB, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Carrollton, Georgia.  The Company assumed $306.2 million of MCB’s liabilities, including $295.0 million of deposits, with no deposit premium paid, and acquired $322.6 million of MCB assets, including $207.6 million of loans, net of unearned income, and $55.3 million of real estate owned, at a discount to book value of $155.9 million.  The acquisition agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation included loss-sharing agreements pursuant to which the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation will assume 80% of losses and share 80% of loss recoveries on the first $106 million of losses on acquired loans and real estate owned, and assume 95% of losses and share 95% of loss recoveries on losses exceeding $106 million.   The Company recorded approximately $15.6 million in purchase gain, or negative goodwill, in connection with the MCB transaction.
 
Business Plan
 
The Company’s business plan for the future is focused on integrating the operations of NCB and MCB over the near term and building the retail banking franchise over the longer term.  Specific strategic objectives include the following:
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.7
 
Effective Integration of the NCB and MCB Acquisitions. Management is seeking to integrate the operations of its two most recent acquisitions as seamlessly and efficiently as possible, while minimizing customer and employee disruption.  Over the longer term, the Company will seek to build on the NCB and MCB franchises in the Atlanta metropolitan area through expanded products and services, including expanded branch hours, potential de novo branching in the region and possibly additional acquisitions of financial institutions or branch offices.
 
Reduce Acquired Delinquent Loans and Repossessed Assets.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company had approximately $93.6 million of non-performing loans 90 days or more delinquent as well as $35.7 million of real estate owned (“REO”) which were acquired with NCB and MCB, all with FDIC loss share coverage.  Additionally, a significant portion of the remaining balance of acquired assets have significant credit risk exposure given the deficiencies in underwriting which led to the failures of these two institutions.  Furthermore, the Company has $20.5 million of non-performing assets (“NPAs”) unrelated to the NCB and MCB acquisitions.  Charter Financial’s management has sought to take an aggressive stance with respect to the resolution of acquired delinquent loans and REO recognizing that the timely resolution of NPAs will be a key factor in realizing the potential benefits of the acquisitions.  Accordingly, the Company has established a team of four Charter Financial employees led by a senior loan officer to be solely dedicated to the resolution of problem assets.
 
Strengthen and Solidify Community Bank Profile.  The Company will continue to build its retail banking profile while diminishing the wholesale banking emphasis.   In this regard, Charter Financial is seeking to build a diversified balance sheet, positioning the Company as a full-service community bank that offers both retail and commercial loan and deposit products to all the markets currently served by Charter Financial within the I-85 corridor.
 
Growth Strategy.   The Company will be seeking to take advantage of the profitable growth opportunities presented within its current market, capitalizing on the expanded retail footprint acquired through NCB and MCB.  It is believed that the increased capitalization of the Company following completion of the incremental offering coupled with the possible retrenchment by many competing banks in Charter Financial’s markets owing to asset quality problems will facilitate the ability to undertake moderate retail-oriented growth.  Moreover, the Company will seek to supplement retail growth through de novo branching and acquisition. In this regard, Management has indicated that there remain numerous federally-insured banks and thrifts in troubled financial condition (i.e., high NPAs, operating at a loss, weak capital ratios, etc.) and the Company further believes that federally assisted resolutions will continue.  Coupled with the Company’s strong pro forma capitalization, Charter Financial believes there may be significant additional opportunities to complete whole bank acquisition transactions with FDIC financial assistance under terms which may be favorable.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.8
 
Balance Sheet Trends
 
Table 1.1 shows the Company’s historical balance sheet data for the past five fiscal years and as of March 31, 2010.  From September 30, 2005 through March 31, 2010, Charter Financial’s assets increased at 4.5% compounded annual rate to equal $1.24 billion as of March 31, 2010.  However, a detailed balance sheet analysis suggests that a significant portion of the asset trends have been driven initially by the valuation of Freddie Mac stock and, more recently, by acquisition activity.  Specifically, total assets increased $76.8 million in fiscal 2006 to a level of $1.10 billion supported by a $39.5 million increase in the value of Freddie Mac stock.  Total assets subsequently declined by $295.8 million through the end of fiscal 2008 driven substantially by a reduction in the investment in Freddie Mac Stock.  Total assets increased between the end of fiscal 2008 and March 31, 2010 reflecting the impact of assets acquired with NCB in 2009 and with MB in 2010, net of the impact of the runoff of a portion of the Company’s wholesale funds.
 
Loans have realized a faster growth rate than total assets and thus increased in proportion to total assets from 35.0% at September 30, 2005, to 54.5% at March 31, 2010.   Specifically, loans increased at an 15.3% rate over the period from the end of fiscal 2005 through March 31, 2010, while investment securities diminished over the corresponding timeframe, both in dollar terms and in proportion to total assets.   Loan growth between fiscal 2005 and 2008, equal to $71.7 million or 20.1%, reflects the Company’s efforts to expand lending on a retail basis primarily in the markets where it maintains a retail branch banking footprint.  The loan portfolio increased more substantially through March 31, 2010 primarily as a result of the NCB and MCB acquisitions.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.9
 
Table I.1
Charter Financial Corporation
Historical Balance Sheets
(Amount and Percent of Assets)(1)
 
                                                                           
Annual
 
   
As of the Year Ended September 30,
               
Growth
 
   
2005
   
2006
   
2007
   
2008
   
2009
   
3/31/2010
   
Rate
 
   
Amount
   
Pct
   
Amount
   
Pct
   
Amount
   
Pct
   
Amount
   
Pct
   
Amount
   
Pct
   
Amount
   
Pct
   
Pct
 
    ($000)    
(%)
    ($000)    
(%)
    ($000)    
(%)
    ($000)    
(%)
    ($000)    
(%)
    ($000)    
(%)
   
(%)
 
                                                                                           
Total Amount of:
                                                                                         
Assets
  $ 1,020,570       100.0 %   $ 1,097,322       100.0 %   $ 1,021,856       100.0 %   $ 801,500       100.0 %   $ 936,880       100.0 %   $ 1,242,740       100.0 %     4.5 %
Cash and Cash Equivalents
    20,864       2.0 %     24,421       2.2 %     64,671       6.3 %     14,639       1.8 %     53,840       5.7 %     141,636       11.4 %     53.1 %
Freddie Mac Stock
    254,776       25.0 %     294,339       26.8 %     200,782       19.6 %     0       0.0 %     0       0.0 %     0       0.0 %     -100.0 %
MBS/CMOs (AFS)
    358,461       35.1 %     308,150       28.1 %     263,351       25.8 %     242,848       30.3 %     201,626       21.5 %     201,584       16.2 %     -12.0 %
Other Investment Securities
    17,712       1.7 %     37,582       3.4 %     31,792       3.1 %     34,291       4.3 %     4,435       0.5 %     3,962       0.3 %     -28.3 %
FHLB stock
    14,869       1.5 %     15,981       1.5 %     13,668       1.3 %     13,606       1.7 %     14,036       1.5 %     15,157       1.2 %     0.4 %
Loans Held For Sale
    1,234       0.1 %     909       0.1 %     921       0.1 %     1,292       0.2 %     1,123       0.1 %     690       0.1 %     -12.1 %
Non-Covered Loans Receivable, net
    356,808       35.0 %     374,727       34.1 %     405,553       39.7 %     428,472       53.5 %     462,787       49.4 %     463,934       37.3 %     6.0 %
Covered Loans Receivable, net
    0       0.0 %     0       0.0 %     0       0.0 %     0       0.0 %     89,764       9.6 %     213,755       17.2 %  
NM
 
Loans Receivable, net
    356,808       35.0 %     374,727       34.1 %     405,553       39.7 %     428,472       53.5 %     552,551       59.0 %     677,689       54.5 %     15.3 %
Non-Covered Real Estate Owned
    1,120       0.1 %     460       0.0 %     180       0.0 %     2,680       0.3 %     4,778       0.5 %     7,409       0.6 %     52.2 %
Covered Real Estate Owned
    0       0.0 %     0       0.0 %     0       0.0 %     0       0.0 %     10,681       1.1 %     35,733       2.9 %  
NM
 
Total Real Estate Owned
    1,120       0.1 %     460       0.0 %     180       0.0 %     2,680       0.3 %     15,459       1.7 %     43,142       3.5 %     125.1 %
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
    5,766       0.6 %     5,599       0.5 %     5,451       0.5 %     5,314       0.7 %     5,180       0.6 %     5,372       0.4 %     -1.6 %
BOLI
    0       0.0 %     12,266       1.1 %     12,857       1.3 %     28,916       3.6 %     30,186       3.2 %     31,116       2.5 %  
NM
 
FDIC Indemnification Asset
    0       0.0 %     0       0.0 %     0       0.0 %     0       0.0 %     26,481       2.8 %     94,089       7.6 %  
NM
 
Retail Deposits
    250,391       24.5 %     321,279       29.3 %     378,463       37.0 %     356,237       44.4 %     463,556       49.5 %     737,036       59.3 %     27.1 %
Brokered Deposits and Credit Union CDs
    69,738       6.8 %     50,778       4.6 %     52,220       5.1 %     63,938       8.0 %     134,078       14.3 %     169,544       13.6 %     21.8 %
Total Deposits
    320,129       31.4 %     372,057       33.9 %     430,683       42.1 %     420,175       52.4 %     597,634       63.8 %     906,580       73.0 %     26.0 %
Borrowings
    382,336       37.5 %     337,928       30.8 %     272,058       26.6 %     267,000       33.3 %     227,000       24.2 %     212,232       17.1 %     -12.3 %
Accumulated Comprehensive Income
    149,405       14.6 %     172,489       15.7 %     116,886       11.4 %     (6,849 )     -0.9 %     (8,277 )     -0.9 %     (3,031 )     -0.2 %  
NM
 
Total Stockholders' Equity
    243,230       23.8 %     267,709       24.4 %     225,072       22.0 %     102,302       12.8 %     98,257       10.5 %     110,673       8.9 %     -16.1 %
                                                                                                         
Branch Offices
    9               9               9               10               13               17                  
 

(1)
Ratios are as a percent of ending assets.
   
Source: Charter Financial Corporation's prospectus, SNL Financial, and RP® Financial, LC. calculations.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.10
 
The Company’s assets are funded through a combination of deposits, borrowings and retained earnings.  Deposits have always comprised the majority of funding liabilities for the Company, and recent growth has been supported by the utilization of brokered CDs and deposit funds obtained from credit unions at highly competitive rates (“Credit Union CDs”).  The Company is seeking to build the retail deposit base to reduce the reliance on these more volatile funding sources, and deposit growth of $486.4 million since 2008 was largely generated through deposits acquired with NCB and MCB.  The level of borrowed funds has diminished over the timeframe shown in Table 1.1 by a 12.3% annual compound rate.
 
The Company’s stockholders’ equity decreased at an 16.1% compounded annual rate, primarily as a result of the repurchase of 500,000 shares in connection with a going private transaction completed in fiscal 2007 and the decline in value of Charter Financial’s Freddie Mac stock investment.  The Freddie Mac stock investment, which was the most significant element of volatility in Charter Financial’s equity account, has been liquidated so that future changes in the Company’s equity position will largely be driven by the retention of earnings net of the impact of any capital management strategies (i.e., stock repurchases, dividends, etc.).
 
The Company’s loan portfolio composition reflects efforts to diversify the loan portfolio to include both loans which are higher yielding and/or have shorter durations than the long-term fixed rate mortgage loans which historically comprised the majority of loans in the loan portfolio. Moreover, the loan portfolio changed in the most recent fiscal year owing to the two acquisitions, as the acquired portfolios were oriented towards commercial mortgage and construction loans which accelerated the growth of those portfolios.  The Company has segregated its loan portfolio into “covered loans” that were acquired with NCB and MCB and non-covered loans.  In the non-covered portion of the portfolio, the concentration of 1-4 family residential loans has declined from 40.8% of total loans in 2005 to just 15.6% of loans outstanding at March 31, 2010.  Commercial real estate loans, including multi-family loans, have increased in importance but, due to the growth in covered loans, have decreased from 41.5% of total loans at year end 2005 to 37.0% of total loans at March 31, 2010.  Other loans including construction, commercial non-mortgage loans (“C&I loans”) and consumer loans comprise the balance of the loan portfolio and are at comparatively modest levels in relation to the residential and commercial mortgage portfolios.  The largest growth in the portfolio has been in covered loans, which have gone from a -0- balance at fiscal year-end 2008 to comprise 35.0% of total loans.  This component of the portfolio has been the largest driver of growth over the past 18 months.  The covered loans are subject to loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.  The loss sharing agreements cover losses on single-family residential mortgage loans for ten years and all other losses for five years. As of March 31, 2010, the balance of covered loans was $213.8 million.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.11
 
Owing to the factors cited in the strategic discussion, Charter Financial pursued a wholesale leverage strategy designed to enhance its return on equity and overall profitability.  As a result, from the mid-1990s through fiscal 2007, investment securities and Freddie Mac stock comprised the majority of the Company’s assets.  The Company has intensified efforts to expand its retail banking profile by increasing whole loans and via branching as well as through the recent FDIC acquisitions.  As a result, the loan portfolio has increased as a percent of total assets and cash and investments have reduced commensurately.  However, cash, cash equivalents and investment securities remain a significant component of the asset portfolio.
 
The Company’s portfolio of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) equaled $201.6 million, or 16.2% of total assets as of March 31, 2010, while other investment securities totaled $4.0 million, or 0.3% of assets, and cash and interest bearing deposits and term deposits totaled $141.6 million, or 11.4% of assets.   As of March 31, 2010, the cash and investments portfolio consisted of cash, interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions, U.S. government agency obligations, and MBS and CMOs issued by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and private issuers.  Additionally, the Company maintains permissible equity investments such as FHLB stock with a fair value of $15.2 million as of March 31, 2010.  All of the Company’s investment securities are classified available for sale (“AFS”) as of March 31, 2010 (see Exhibit I-3 for the investment portfolio composition).
 
As of March 31, 2010, included in Charter Financial’s investment portfolio were CMOs issued by private entities with a gross book value of $61.9 million and an estimated fair value of $52.7 million, indicating a gross unrealized loss of $9.2 million.  The Company continually evaluates the securities for other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) and recorded a charge of $3.5 million quarter ended March 31, 2010 for OTTI purposes.  Because they are held in AFS status, the remaining unrealized loss on the privately issued CMOs is reflected in the Company’s equity on an after-tax basis.  No major changes to the composition and practices with respect to the management of the investment portfolio are anticipated over the near term.  It is the Company’s intent to focus on building the retail banking profile including whole loans funded by retail deposits to the extent possible.  At the same time, the level of cash and investments is anticipated to increase initially following the stock offering, pending the targeted longer term redeployment into higher yielding loans.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.12
 
The Company also maintains an investment in bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) policies, which cover the lives of some of the Company’s officers.  The purpose of the BOLI program is to help defray the rising costs of employee benefits.  The life insurance policies earn tax-exempt income through cash value accumulation and death proceeds.  As of March 31, 2010, the cash surrender value of the Company’s BOLI equaled $31.1 million.  Charter Financial maintained goodwill and other intangible assets of $5.4 million or 0.4% of assets at March 31, 2010.  Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually.
 
As a result of the NCB and MCB acquisitions, Charter Financial recorded an asset receivable representing the estimated future cash payments under the FDIC assistance agreement with the Company.  As of the March 31, 2010, this asset was $94.1 million equal to 7.6% of total assets as of that date.  The FDIC assistance receivable will decline in the future as Charter Financial resolves the acquired assets of NCB and MCB covered under the FDIC loss share agreement.
 
The Company’s funding structure reflects a mix of retail deposits and various wholesale funding sources including brokered and credit union CDs as well as FHLB advances. In this regard, Charter Financial pursued a wholesale leveraging strategy whereby the Company utilized borrowings and wholesale deposits (i.e., brokered deposits and credit union CDs) to fund the purchase of investment securities.  The purpose of this strategy was to supplement the growth provided by retail operations to generate net interest income from the yield-cost spread realized on the new assets and liabilities.  Importantly, the returns on the wholesale leveraging are modest and have not been consistently positive.  Moreover, the wholesale funds are a relatively costly funding source in comparison with rates typically paid to attract core retail deposits.
 
In aggregate, deposits have increased at a 26.0% compounded annual rate with the two recent acquisitions representing a significant component of the growth.  As of March 31, 2010, retail deposits totaled $737.0 million while the balance of deposit funds were wholesale in nature (i.e., primarily brokered and Credit Union CDs) and totaled $169.5 million.  While wholesale deposit sources increased in the most recent fiscal year, a portion of the growth was utilized to fund the repayment of FHLB advances whose balance diminished.  Overall, savings and transaction accounts totaled $319.8 million, equal to 35.3% of total deposits as of March 31, 2010 while the balance of deposit funds were comprised of CDs, which totaled $586.8 million, equal to 64.7% of total deposits.  Jumbo CDs, those with balances of $100,000 or more, equaled $283.1 million or 31.2% of total deposits and 48.2% of CDs.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.13
 
FHLB advances and a small amount of repurchase sweep accounts represent the remainder of the Company’s interest-bearing liabilities and equaled $212.2 million as of March 31, 2010, equal to 17.1% of total assets.  The Company has been repaying FHLB advances as they mature and if it has sufficient liquidity to fund the repayment.  The Company is seek to build the retail deposit base both through acquisition and the retirement of borrowed funds will continue to be a long term objective of management.  However, owing to the lengthy maturities of a portion of the Company’s borrowings, the targeted reduction will necessarily be gradual.  The maturing of relatively high cost advances will also provide a benefit to earnings in the future.  In this regard, the Company has $102 million of advances maturing in the first quarter of calendar 2011 at a weighted average cost of 5.64% which could be replaced with term funds at a rate of at least 3% to 4% lower in today’s lower rate environment.
 
Trends with respect to Charter Financial’s equity position have largely been a function of the valuation of the Company’s Freddie Mac stock investment.  Accordingly, the Company’s equity increased during the fiscal 2005 to 2007 timeframe, reflecting the underlying valuation trends for the Freddie Mac shares, while decreasing significantly in fiscal 2008 as the factors leading to the worldwide financial crisis gained momentum and the trading price of Freddie Mac diminished.  As of the end of fiscal 2008, the Company’s stockholders’ equity equaled $102.3 million equal to 12.8% of total assets.  The Company’s stockholders’ equity continued to diminish in fiscal 2009 as earnings were more than offset by the payment of dividends to the minority shareholders and continued decline in value of privately issued CMOs.  The Company’s stockholders’ equity increased in the quarter ended March 31, 2010 as a result of the bargain purchase entry recorded for the MCB acquisition.  As of March 31, 2010, Charter Financial’s stockholders’ equity totaled $110.7 million, equal to 8.9% of total assets.
 
The Bank maintained surpluses relative to its regulatory capital requirements at March 31, 2010 and thus qualified as a “well capitalized” institution.  The offering proceeds will serve to further strengthen the Company’s regulatory capital position and support further growth, including the ability to complete additional acquisitions in the regional market area.  The post-offering equity growth rate is expected to be impacted by a number of factors including the higher level of capitalization, the reinvestment of the offering proceeds, the expense of the stock benefit plans and the potential impact of dividends and stock repurchases.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.14
 
Income and Expense Trends
 
Table 1.2 shows Charter Financial’s historical income statements for the past five fiscal years and the twelve months ended March 31, 2010.  The Company’s profitability over this period ranged from a high of 4.81% of average assets during 2007 to a low of $2.3 million, equal to 0.27% of assets for fiscal 2009.  For the twelve months ended March 31, 2010, the Company’s earnings were 0.97% of average assets.  The Company’s earnings over the period through fiscal 2008 were significantly influenced by the Company’s Freddie Mac stock investment, both through gains on sale of shares and through dividends paid by Freddie Mac.  Since all the Freddie Mac stock was sold in 2008, the Company’s 2009 earnings primarily reflect the results of Charter Financial’s core banking operations.  However, the impact of the NCB acquisition completed in 2009 has not been fully reflected since the acquisition was completed at the end of June 2009 and only three months of merged operations are included in the figures for fiscal 2009.  The earnings results for the twelve months ended March 31, 2010 reflect the acquisition of MCB and the related bargain purchase accounting entry.
 
The key components of the Company’s core earnings are net interest income non-interest income and operating expenses.  Non-recurring income items, consisting of gains and losses on sale, a FHLB prepayment penalty and most recently the acquisition of MCB and OTTI adjustments, have had a varied impact on the earnings over the review period.  The level of net interest income has largely paralleled trends with respect to the size of the underlying asset and funding bases over the period reflected in Table 1.2.  Specifically, net interest income peaked in fiscal 2006 at $26.0 million, equal to 2.38% of average assets and subsequently declined to a level of $18.0 million, or 2.09% of average assets in fiscal 2009.  For the twelve months ended March 31, 2010, net interest income increased to 2.48% of average assets.  In this regard, the diminishing level of dividend income (primarily on Freddie Mac stock) was a significant component of the reduction of net interest income as dividends on equity securities totaled $9.2 million in fiscal 2006 and were negligible in the most recent fiscal year.  The modest level of net interest income generated by Charter Financial relative to many financial institutions is the result of several factors.  First, the Company’s efforts to leverage capital through wholesale investments funded both with wholesale deposit funds and borrowings have limited spreads.  Specifically, the Company’s interest rate spread amounted to only 2.08% in fiscal 2009 (see Exhibit I-4) but has increased to 2.90% on an annualized basis for the six months ended March 31, 2010.  The spreads for the most recent fiscal year and the quarter ended March 31, 2010 are improvements relative to spreads for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008, or 1.00% and 1.47% respectively, the current level nonetheless is remains low in comparison to many financial institutions with a greater proportion of whole loans and/or greater proportion of retail deposits.  Additionally, a portion of the term borrowings taken down in prior periods have relatively high interest rates relative to the lower market rates available in today’s low interest rate environment.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.15
 
Table 1.2
Charter Financial Corporation
Historical Income Statements
(Amount and Percent of Average Assets)(1)
             
   
As of the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
   
12 months ended
 
   
2005
   
2006
   
2007
   
2008
   
2009
   
March 31, 2010
 
   
Amount
   
Pct(1)
   
Amount
   
Pct(1)
   
Amount
   
Pct(1)
   
Amount
   
Pct(1)
   
Amount
   
Pct(1)
   
Amount
   
Pct(1)
 
    ($000)    
(%)
    ($000)    
(%)
    ($000)    
(%)
    ($000)    
(%)
    ($000)    
(%)
    ($000)    
(%)
 
                                                                                     
Interest income
  $ 44,689       4.15 %   $ 53,802       4.92 %   $ 54,646       5.16 %   $ 46,377       5.11 %   $ 40,559       4.73 %   $ 43,604       4.93 %
Interest expense
    (21,782 )     -2.02 %     (27,801 )     -2.54 %     (29,827 )     -2.82 %     (26,771 )     -2.95 %     (22,599 )     -2.64 %     (21,641 )     -2.45 %
Net interest income
  $ 22,908       2.13 %   $ 26,001       2.38 %   $ 24,819       2.34 %   $ 19,607       2.16 %   $ 17,961       2.09 %   $ 21,964       2.48 %
Provision for loan losses
    (75 )     -0.01 %     0       0.00 %     0       0.00 %     (3,250 )     -0.36 %     (4,550 )     -0.53 %     (5,800 )     -0.66 %
Net interest income after provisions
  $ 22,833       2.12 %   $ 26,001       2.38 %   $ 24,819       2.34 %   $ 16,357       1.80 %   $ 13,411       1.56 %   $ 16,164       1.83 %
                                                                                                 
Other operating income
    4,881       0.45 %     6,058       0.55 %     7,471       0.71 %     9,432       1.04 %     7,545       0.88 %     6,969       0.79 %
Operating expense
    (18,270 )     -1.70 %     (21,130 )     -1.93 %     (21,926 )     -2.07 %     (20,284 )     -2.23 %     (21,173 )     -2.47 %     (25,133 )     -2.84 %
Net operating income
  $ 9,444       0.88 %   $ 10,929       1.00 %   $ 10,364       0.98 %   $ 5,505       0.61 %   $ (217 )     -0.03 %   $ (2,000 )     -0.23 %
                                                                                                 
Prepayment penalty on FHLB advance
          0.00 %           0.00 %           0.00 %           0.00 %     (1,408 )     -0.16 %     (1,408 )     -0.16 %
Net gain on sale of property
          0.00 %           0.00 %           0.00 %           0.00 %     2,086       0.24 %     2,086       0.24 %
Net gain on sale of Freddie Mac stock
    6,085       0.57 %     4,769       0.44 %     69,453       6.56 %     9,557       1.05 %           0.00 %           0.00 %
Gain (loss) on sale of investments
          0.00 %           0.00 %           0.00 %     (38 )     0.00 %     2,161       0.25 %     2,181       0.25 %
OTTI on investments
          0.00 %           0.00 %           0.00 %           0.00 %           0.00 %     (3,527 )     -0.40 %
Bargain purchase income
          0.00 %           0.00 %           0.00 %           0.00 %           0.00 %     15,604       1.76 %
Total non-operating income
  $ 6,085       0.57 %   $ 4,769       0.44 %   $ 69,453       6.56 %   $ 9,519       1.05 %   $ 2,839       0.33 %   $ 14,936       1.69 %
                                                                                                 
Income before income taxes
  $ 15,529       1.44 %   $ 15,698       1.44 %   $ 79,817       7.54 %   $ 15,023       1.65 %   $ 2,622       0.31 %   $ 12,936       1.46 %
Income tax expense
    (4,116 )     -0.38 %     (2,353 )     -0.22 %     (28,877 )     -2.73 %     (4,491 )     -0.49 %     (306 )     -0.04 %     (4,315 )     -0.49 %
Net income
  $ 11,413       1.06 %   $ 13,344       1.22 %   $ 50,940       4.81 %   $ 10,532       1.16 %   $ 2,316       0.27 %   $ 8,621       0.97 %
                                                                                                 
Estimated Core Net Income
                                                                                               
Net income
  $ 11,413       1.06 %   $ 13,344       1.22 %   $ 50,940       4.81 %   $ 10,532       1.16 %   $ 2,316       0.27 %   $ 8,621       0.97 %
Deduct non-recurring items
    (6,085 )     -0.57 %     (4,769 )     -0.44 %     (69,453 )     -6.56 %     (9,519 )     -1.05 %     (2,839 )     -0.33 %     (14,936 )     -1.69 %
Tax effect (2)
    2,349       0.22 %     1,841       0.17 %     26,809       2.53 %     3,674       0.40 %     1,096       0.13 %     5,765       0.65 %
Estimate core net income
  $ 7,677       0.71 %   $ 10,416       0.95 %   $ 8,295       0.78 %   $ 4,688       0.52 %   $ 573       0.07 %   $ (549 )     -0.06 %
                                                                                                 
Memo:
                                                                                               
Expense Coverage Ratio (3)
    125.39 %             123.05 %             113.19 %             96.66 %             84.83 %             87.39 %        
Efficiency Ratio (4)
    65.74 %             65.91 %             67.90 %             69.85 %             83.01 %             86.87 %        
Effective Tax Rate
    26.51 %             14.99 %             36.18 %             29.89 %             11.66 %             33.35 %        
 
(1)
Reflects income and expense as a percent of average assets.
(2)
Assumes a 38.6% effective tax rate for federal & state income taxes.
(3)
Net interest income divided by operating expenses.
(4)
Operating expenses as a percent of the sum of net interest income and other operating income (excluding gains on sale).
   
Source: Charter Financial Corporation's prospectus, SNL Financial, and RP® Financial, LC. calculations.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.16
 
Loan loss provisions had a limited impact on earnings over the fiscal 2005 to fiscal 2007 period, totaling only $75 thousand in fiscal 2005 while the Company did not establish any loan loss provisions in fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2007.  Loan loss provisions were comparatively modest over this timeframe as Charter Financial’s NPAs and classified assets were at comparatively low levels consistent with the historical trend.  Loan loss provisions have increased materially since the end of fiscal 2007, to equal $3.3 million or 0.36% of average assets in fiscal 2008, $4.6 million or 0.53% of average assets in fiscal 2009 and $5.8 million or 0.66% of average assets for the twelve months ended March 31, 2010.  The increase in the level of provisions over the last several fiscal years is both the result of an increasing level of NPAs for the Company and a higher level of loan chargeoffs, both of which are the result of the recessionary economic environment including deterioration of the local real estate markets.  At March 31, 2010, the Company maintained valuation allowances of $11.4 million, equal to 2.39% of total non-covered loans and 87.1% of non-covered non-performing loans.  Exhibit I-5 sets forth the Company’s loan loss allowance activity during the review period.
 
Other operating income has shown an upward trend in dollar terms and as a percent of average assets since fiscal 2005, from $4.9 million (0.45% of average assets) to $7.0 million (0.79% of average assets) for the twelve months ended March 31, 2010, reflecting Charter Financial’s balance sheet growth, expansion of overall business volumes and continued growth of fee generating products.  Additionally, the Company earned material levels of income through the sale of covered call options on Freddie Mac stock through the end of fiscal 2008; income on the sale of covered call options equaled $1.7 million, equal to 18% of total non-interest income in fiscal 2008.  The reduction of non-interest income subsequent to 2008 largely reflects the elimination of this income item.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.17
 
After remaining relatively stable between fiscal 2005 and 2009, the Company’s operating expenses have trended higher in dollar terms and as a percent of average assets through March 31, 2010.  Specifically, operating expenses fluctuated in a range between $18.3 million in fiscal 2005 and $21.9 million in fiscal 2007 but increased to $25.1 million or 2.84% of average assets for the twelve months ended March 31, 2010.  Although trailing twelve month earnings substantially reflect the costs of the NCB acquisition (completed in June 2009) they do not reflect the costs related to the recent MCB transaction.  Such future expenses will not only include the costs of operating the acquired branches but also the increased staffing and management costs related to the resolution of acquired credit impaired loans and REO.  Operating expenses are also expected to increase on a post-offering basis as a result of the expense of the additional stock-related benefit plans, as well as the planned branching and growth initiatives which are currently underway.  At the same time, continued balance sheet growth and reinvestment of the offering proceeds should offset at least a portion of the anticipated expense increase.
 
Non-operating income and expense have been significant contributors to the Company’s income, primarily consisting of gains on the sale of Freddie Mac stock for the fiscal 2005 to fiscal 2008 period and transaction entries related to the MCB acquisition and OTTI charges for 2009 and 2010.  Pre-tax gains on sale of Freddie Mac stock shares ranged from a low of $4.8 million (0.44% of average assets) in fiscal 2006, to a high of $69.5 million (6.56% of average assets) in fiscal 2007.  The high level of gains reported in fiscal 2007 reflects the sale of a large number of shares used to generate cash which the Company utilized to delist its common stock from the Nasdaq Global Market and deregister its common stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company sold its remaining investment in Freddie Mac stock in fiscal 2008 thus eliminating the potential for gains on sale from this source in the future.  In the twelve months ended March 31, 2010, net non-operating income totaled $14.9 million and consisted of five components as follows: (1) prepayment penalty expense of $1.4 million on FHLB advances; (2) a gain on the sale of property of $2.2 million; (3) gains on the sale of investment securities totaling $2.1 million; (4) OTTI charges on private issuer CMOs of $3.5 million; and (5) a bargain purchase gain of $15.6 million related to the acquisition of MCB.
 
The Company’s average tax rate has ranged between 11.66% and 36.18% over the last five fiscal years and equaled 33.35% in twelve months ended March 31, 2010.  The Company’s tax rate has been below the statutory rate of 38.6% (combined effective federal and state tax rate) owing to the tax advantaged treatment of cash dividends on the Freddie Mac stock investment through fiscal 2008 and as a result of income on BOLI, which is tax exempt.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.18
 
Between 2005 and 2008, the Company’s efficiency ratio fluctuated in a narrow range from 65.7% to 69.9%.  The efficiency ratio has increased to a level of 86.9% in the twelve months ended March 31, 2010 as a result of the deterioration in the Company’s core earnings components.  Specifically, net interest income after loan loss provisions has declined, other operating income has declined and operating expenses have increased.  In the future, the efficiency ratio may improve and the underlying core earnings rate may be subject to increase as Charter Financial’s management believes that the NCB and MCB acquisitions will be accretive to the Company’s earnings over the long-term.  Moreover, on a post-offering basis, the efficiency ratio may show some improvement from the benefit of reinvesting the proceeds.  However, a portion of the benefit is expected to be offset by the increased expense of the stock benefit plans.
 
Interest Rate Risk Management
 
In recent years, the Company has pursued several strategies to manage interest rate risk.  These strategies include:
 
     ●
Investing in 1-4 family adjustable rate loans (subject to constrained customer demand) which more closely match the repricing of the Company’s funding base compared to fixed rate loans;
 
     ●
Selling longer term fixed rate mortgage loans to generate fee income without incurring the interest risk of holding longer term fixed rate mortgage loans;
 
     ●
Diversifying into other types of short-term or adjustable rate lending, including primarily commercial, construction, and consumer lending, including home equity lending;
 
     ●
Building a community bank orientation so as to facilitate an increase in core deposit funds with a longer duration and  non-interest fee income;
 
     ●
Maintaining an investment portfolio, comprised of high quality, liquid securities and maintaining an ample balance of securities classified as available for sale;
 
     ●
Maintaining a strong capital position, which provides for a favorable level of interest-earning assets relative to interest-bearing liabilities; and
 
     ●
Emphasizing strong underwriting to maintain asset quality.
 
The rate shock analysis as of March 31, 2010 (see Exhibit I-6) as prepared by OTS for the Bank, reflects a liability sensitive position with the net portfolio value (“NPV”) declining by 4.7% pursuant to a positive 200 basis point instantaneous and permanent rate shock, resulting in a post-shock NPV ratio equal to 9.42%.  One factor impacting the Company’s interest rate risk which is particularly difficult to quantify is the degree to which deposits will reprice in a response to a change in interest rates.  Several factors potentially make the Company’s deposit costs somewhat more volatile than many similar institutions.  Specifically, the Company prices its deposits in the upper end of the competitive range which may result in a more rate sensitive depositor base.  Additionally, the Company has a high level of brokered and credit union CDs which are particularly sensitive with regard to the offered deposit rate.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.19
 
Lending Activities and Strategy
 
The Company’s lending activities have been focused on three principal elements as follows: (1) commercial and multi-family mortgage lending; (2) 1-4 family residential mortgage lending for portfolio; and (3) secondary market operations where Charter Financial originates loans for resale (servicing has been retained by the Company in the past but recent activity has consisted of selling loans with the servicing rights released).  The Company also maintains smaller balances of construction and development loans as well as consumer loans (including home equity loans as well as other forms of consumer installment credit), and commercial business loans.  The Company has pursued loan diversification with the objective of enhancing yields and overall earnings levels while also improving the interest sensitivity of assets.  Charter Financial is also initiating retail and commercial lending in the markets served by NCB and MCB branches.  In this regard, the Company intends to employ one commercial and one consumer loan officer in these markets to facilitate management’s lending objectives.
 
The foregoing strategy is consistent with Charter Financial’s community bank orientation and is evidenced in the Company’s loan portfolio composition.  Details regarding the Company’s loan portfolio composition and characteristics are included in Exhibits I-7 and I-8.  As of March 31, 2010, non-covered commercial and multi-family mortgage loans comprised the largest segment of the loan portfolio and totaled $270.8 million, equal to 37.0% of total loans.  The second largest component of the loan portfolio is covered loans acquired with NCB and MCB that totaled $256.0 million, or 35.0% of total loans.  Permanent non-covered mortgage loans secured by 1-4 family properties totaled $114.4 million, or 15.6% of total loans.  The balance of the loan portfolio is comprised of smaller balances of non-covered commercial non-mortgage, construction and consumer loans.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.20
 
Commercial real estate lending.  As of March 31, 2010, commercial real estate and multi-family loans totaled $270.8 million or 37.0% of total loans.  Commercial and multi-family mortgage lending has become an integral part of the Company’s operating strategy and one area of lending that the Company will continue to grow and emphasize, especially with the plan to hire additional commercial lenders for the new markets accessed by the NCB and MCB acquisitions.  Charter Financial began pursuing income property lending due to the market opportunity, management expertise, and as substantial residential mortgage lending competition had reduced the profitability of 1-4 family lending.  Additionally, such loans typically carry superior yields, better interest rate risk characteristics and larger loan balances relative to residential mortgage loans.  Commercial and multi-family mortgage lending has also been an attractive way for Charter Financial to broaden its range of customer relationships.  Commercial and multi-family mortgage loans are generally made to Georgia or Alabama entities and are secured by properties in the same states.  Commercial real estate/multi-family loans are generally extended up to an 80% LTV ratio and require a debt-coverage ratio of at least 1.15 times.  Multi-family mortgage loans are originated for both new and existing properties and cover apartments for a wide range of tenant income levels.  Commercial mortgage loans originated by Charter Financial are typically secured by offices, hotels, strip shopping centers, land, convenience stores, etc, principally within Georgia and Alabama.
 
Commercial real estate lending involves additional risks as compared with one-to-four family residential lending.  Therefore, the commercial real estate loans generally have higher rates and shorter maturities than the Company’s residential mortgages.  The Company offers commercial real estate mortgages at fixed rates and adjustable rates tied to the prime rate.  However, a portion of the commercial real estate portfolio is tied to yields on US Treasury securities or LIBOR.  The Company currently offers fixed rate terms of 3 to 7 years; however, in prior years the Company had fixed rate loans with maturities of up to 25 years.  Charter Financial’s commercial/nonresidential lending is virtually all real estate based. Underwriting criteria include loan-to-value, debt coverage, secondary source of repayment, guarantors, net worth of borrower and quality of cash flow stream.  In the future, predicated on an improving credit and market environment, management is targeting to increase the portfolio.  In this regard, the retrenchment of many competing lenders from this segment of the market is believed to provide Charter Financial with an opportunity to expand the portfolio while realizing strong risk-adjusted returns.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.21
 
1-4 family residential loans.  As of March 31, 2010, 1-4 family residential real estate loans totaled $114.4 million or 15.6% of total loans.  The Company currently originates mortgages at all offices of the Company, but utilizes the Company’s LPOs as centralized origination and processing centers.  Charter Financial originates both fixed rate and adjustable rate one-to-four family loans with conforming loans with maturities in excess of 15 years originated for resale into the secondary market, generally on a servicing released basis.  The Company originates one- to four-family loans with LTV ratios up to 95% and are generally subject to a maximum LTV ratio of 80%, with private mortgage insurance (“PMI”) being required for loans in excess of this LTV ratio.  The substantial portion of 1-4 family mortgage loans originated is secured by residences in Georgia and Alabama.  As of September 30, 2009, of the loans with maturities in excess of one year, approximately 35% of the portfolio was comprised of fixed rate mortgage loans and 65% was comprised of either adjustable rate mortgage loans (“ARMS”) or hybrid loans with fixed rates for the first one, three, five or seven years of the loans and adjustable thereafter.  After the initial term, the interest rate generally adjusts on an annual basis at a fixed spread over the monthly average yield on United States Treasury securities, the Wall Street Journal Prime, or LIBOR.  The interest rate adjustments are generally subject to a maximum increase of 2% per adjustment period and the aggregate adjustment is generally subject to a maximum increase of 6% over the life of the loan.  Charter Financial generally retains for their portfolio conforming loans with maturities shorter than 15 years or that have interest rate resets or balloon terms, as well as nonconforming loans.  Nonconforming loans generally have interest rate resets or maturities of less than 30 years.  Management’s current strategy is to sell loans with servicing released instead of retaining the servicing owing to profitability considerations.
 
Traditionally, the Company has sought to differentiate itself in the area of non-conforming lending programs and while the risks of non-conforming lending may be somewhat higher, Charter Financial believes it is more than compensated for the risk in terms of the yield earned and the shorter repricing structure of the loans it originates and places into portfolio.  Additionally, while Charter Financial makes non-conforming loans, the credit quality of the loan portfolio is largely unaffected (vis-à-vis a typical conforming portfolio) as the majority of the non-conforming loans originated are non-conforming due to factors unrelated to credit quality (i.e., high acreage, leased land or multiple structures, newly self employed, etc.).  The loans may also be non-conforming as a result of a credit record which reflects some blemish, but which Charter Financial’s management does not believe impairs the borrower’s ability to repay the loan.  Thus, the non-conforming loans Charter Financial is originating are generally not subprime loans.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.22
 
Construction loans.  Consistent with the Company’s community bank strategy, lending on construction and development loans has been an integral part of Charter Financial’s lending strategy and such loans totaled $50.2 million, equal to 6.9% of total loans.  While current market conditions have suppressed demand for construction and development loans, the Company sees opportunities in the market to lend to strong borrowers as many previously active construction lenders are focused on addressing asset quality issues on poorly underwritten loans (a widespread issue in the Company’s markets).  The reduction of construction lenders has dramatically reduced the supply of construction loans and there is the opportunity to lend to borrowers with superior liquidity, capital and management skills. Charter Financial intends to remain an active participant in this segment of the lending market, primarily through its LPO in Norcross, Georgia.  Construction lending activity is largely for the construction of 1-4 family residences, with lesser activity for multi-family and nonresidential real estate projects on a select basis.  The Company offers two principal types of construction loans:  builder loans, including both speculative (unsold) and pre-sold loans to pre-approved local builders and construction/permanent loans to property owners which are converted to permanent loans at the end of the construction phase.  The number of speculative loans extended to a builder at one time is dependent upon the financial strength and credit history of the builder.  The Company generally limits speculative loans to builders with superior liquidity, capital and management skills and limits the number of outstanding loans on unsold homes under construction within a specific area.  Development loans are primarily originated for the development of residential properties.
 
Commercial business and consumer loans.  To a much lesser extent, Charter Financial originates non-mortgage loans, including commercial and consumer loans, which in the aggregate totaled $40.8 million, or 5.6% of total loans as of March 31, 2010.  The majority of Charter Financial’s non-mortgage loans consist of consumer loans including loans on deposit, second mortgages, home equity lines of credit, auto loans and various other installment loans.  The Company primarily offers consumer loans (excluding second mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit) as an accommodation to customers.  Charter Financial’s consumer lending generally follows accepted industry standards for non sub-prime lending, including credit scores and debt to income ratios.  Additionally, the underwriting standards applicable to home equity credit lines are similar to those applicable to one-to-four family first mortgage loans, and slightly more stringent credit-to-income and credit score requirements.  The Company plans to employ a consumer lender to initiate retail lending in the expanded market while helping former NCB and MCB customers became familiar with the expanded product offerings available to them through Charter Financial.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.23
 
The Company’s commercial lending is generally limited to terms of five years or less.  The Company typically collateralizes these loans with a lien on commercial real estate, or very rarely, with a lien on business assets and equipment.  The Company also generally requires the personal guarantee of the business owner.  Interest rates on commercial loans generally have higher yields than residential or commercial real estate loans due to the risk inherent in this type of loan. The majority of the Company’s commercial loans are secured by a security interest with some real estate in addition to inventory, accounts receivable, machinery, vehicles or other assets of the borrower.  The Company carefully analyzes the capacity of the borrower to repay before granting a commercial loan.  In addition, the liquidity and adequacy of collateral, if any, is considered.
 
Covered loans.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company maintained covered loans acquired with NCB and MCB totaling $256.0 million equal to 35.0% of total loans.  As of that date, the portfolio of covered loans were concentrated in commercial real estate loans (38% of total covered loans), construction loans (30% of total covered loans) and lesser amounts of commercial business, 1-4 family residential and consumer loans.  The acquired NCB and MCB loan portfolios are in runoff mode, particularly with regard to the non-performing segment of the portfolio which the Company is seeking to resolve as quickly as possible.  Losses incurred on the portfolio are covered by the FDIC indemnification agreement ($94.1 million at March 31, 2010) which will reduce as loss sharing payments are received from the FDIC.  At March 31, 2010, the net balance of covered loans included an accretable discount of $23.6 million, a non-accretable discount of $18 million and allowances for loan losses (non-impaired portion of the covered loans) of $11.4 million.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.24
 
Asset Quality
 
The Company’s asset quality has historically been strong but the level of NPAs has been trending upward in recent periods reflecting weakness in the local real estate market.  Additionally, the Company acquired credit impaired assets as a result of the NCB and MCB acquisitions which increased the reported balance of NPAs and delinquent loans.  Importantly, the acquired credit-impaired assets are covered under the FDIC loss sharing agreement and have also been marked-to-market creating significant purchase discounts including a portion which is accretable.  Management believes that the accretion of the purchase discounts coupled with the presence of fair value non-accretable discounts to account for the current market value of the assets minimize the risk of the acquired assets to the Company’s equity and earnings.  In order to maximize the potential recoveries in acquired distressed assets and to increase the benefit of the NCB and MCB acquisitions to the Company, Charter Financial has taken an aggressive stance with respect to the resolution of nonperforming assets and classified assets related to these acquisitions, including the following actions:
 
     ●
Establishment of a loan resolution group to manage the distressed loan portfolio.  The four employee resolution group is headed by an experienced banker who has served as the Company’s senior loan administrator and most recently as president of the LaGrange region.
 
     ●
Retaining lending personnel, where appropriate, from NCB and MCB to assist the resolution group in working out of the problem assets as quickly as possible, while minimizing the resolution costs to both Charter Financial and the FDIC.
 
     ●
Review of all nonperforming loans by CharterBank’s counsel to assist in establishing a foreclosure strategy.  As of March 31, 2010, foreclosure proceedings have been aggressively pursued for delinquent loans.
 
A thorough review of the performing loan portfolio is also being prepared with the objective of and comprehensive and aggressively classifying all loans appropriately such that resolution plans can be established to return the delinquent assets to an earning form.  The balance of the foregoing analysis of the will focus on the Company’s non-covered assets, the majority of which were originated or purchased by Charter Financial.  As reflected in Exhibit I-9, the non-covered NPA balance was $20.5 million, equal to 2.53% of non-covered assets.  The balance of valuation allowance totaled $11.4 million and the ratio of allowances to total non-covered loans equaled 2.39% while reserve coverage in relation to non-covered non-performing loans was 87.1%.  The Company has established detailed asset classification policies and procedures which are consistent with regulatory guidelines.  Detailed asset classifications are reviewed monthly by senior management and the Board.  Additionally, the Company performs a review of major loans at least annually while also performing reviews of randomly selected homogenous loans.  Pursuant to these procedures, when needed, the Company establishes additional valuation allowances to cover anticipated losses in classified or non-classified assets.  Such reserve adequacy reviews are conducted by management on at least a quarterly basis.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.25
 
Funding Composition and Strategy
 
Charter Financial funded operations with a combination of retail and wholesale deposits, as well as borrowings.  As noted earlier, transitioning the funding liabilities to a retail-oriented deposit base is an important strategic objective of the Company.   As of March 31, 2010, deposits totaled $906.6 million which reflects the addition of $181 million of deposits with the NCB acquisition and $295 million of deposits with the MCB acquisition.  Retail deposits totaled $737.0 million equal to 81.3% of total deposits while the balance of deposits was wholesale in nature (i.e., primarily brokered and credit union CDs and totaled $168.9 million, equal to 18.6% of deposits).  Lower costing savings and transaction accounts totaling $319.8 million and comprised approximately 35.3% of the Company’s deposits at March 31, 2010 (see Exhibit I-10).  The proportion of savings and transaction accounts reflects a modest increase over the last several fiscal years as the Company has intensified its marketing efforts in this regard and owing to the recent acquisitions which included some savings and transaction accounts.  The balance of the deposit base is comprised of CDs, 77.7% of which have remaining maturities of  nine months or less.  As of March 31, 2010, CDs with balances equal to or in excess of $100,000 equaled $283.1 million, equal to 48.2% of total CDs and 31.2% of total deposits.
 
Borrowings have been utilized primarily as a supplemental funding source and as a source of utilized to fund the Company’s wholesale leveraging strategies (see Exhibit I-12).  As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s borrowings consisted of FHLB advances of $212.0 million and a modest amount of repurchase sweep accounts of $0.2 million.  Total borrowings comprised 17.1% of total assets.  Most FHLB advances have maturities of five years or less.  Importantly, the weighted average rate of Charter Financial’s was 4.91% as of March 31, 2010 which is substantially above the prevailing market rate, and the maturing of high cost advances including $102 million of advances maturing in the first quarter of calendar 2011 at a weighted average cost of 5.64% may potentially benefit the Company’s spreads and earnings in the future.
 
Subsidiary
 
Charter Financial Corporation has no direct or indirect subsidiaries other than CharterBank.  The Bank currently does not operate any wholly-owned subsidiaries.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
 OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  I.26
 
Legal Proceedings
 
On September 11, 2009, Mike Horton, a shareholder of Charter Financial Corporation, filed a shareholder derivative action (Civil Action File No. 09-CV-1277) in the Superior Court of Troup County, State of Georgia, on behalf of Charter Financial Corporation and Charter Bank.  The complaint names the current directors and one former director of Charter Financial Corporation and Charter Bank as defendants (the “Individual Defendants”) and also names Charter Financial Corporation and Charter Bank as derivative defendants.  The complaint generally alleges that the Individual Defendants acted negligently, breached their fiduciary duties, and acted with bad faith in connection with Charter Financial Corporation’s and Charter Bank’s investments in stock of Freddie Mac, including their decisions as to whether and when to sell such stock.  The complaint seeks monetary damages from the Individual Defendants in an amount to be determined and other unspecified relief for the benefit of Charter Financial Corporation and Charter Bank.  The Individual Defendants have answered, denying liability, and have filed motions to dismiss.  The Individual Defendants believe that the allegations of wrongdoing are without merit and intend to defend the lawsuit vigorously.

 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
MARKET AREA ANALYSIS
 
II.1
 
II. MARKET AREA ANALYSIS
 
Introduction
 
Charter Financial’s business plan objectives over the last decade have been focused on expanding the retail banking franchise along the I-85 corridor from the Atlanta metropolitan area southwest through eastern Alabama.  In this regard, the Company’s recent acquisition activity has substantially bolstered the Company’s presence in western Georgia up through the Atlanta metropolitan area.  The Company operates a total of 17 offices in Alabama and Georgia with the markets represented set forth in the schedule below.
 
   
No. of
   
Branches
Georgia Markets
   
Gwinnett County
 
1
Troup County
 
4
Coweta County
 
2
Carroll County
 
1
Newton County
 
1
Fayette County
 
1
Haralson County
 
1
     
Alabama Markets
   
Lee County
 
4
Chambers County
 
2
Total Branches
 
17
 
The Company recently acquired six branches in Georgia, along the I-85 corridor, through the NCB and MCB acquisitions, including two branches in Coweta County, two branches in Fayette County and one branch each in Carroll and Newton Counties.  Subsequent to the acquisitions, management closed one of the Fayette County offices (Peachtree City) consolidating it with a nearby office.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
MARKET AREA ANALYSIS
 
II.2
 
The main office in West Point and the two Valley, Alabama offices serve the Valley area consisting of West Point, Georgia, Lanett, Alabama and Valley, Alabama.  The LaGrange branches serve an adjacent community on the I-85 corridor and four branches serve the western portions of the market area in Auburn-Opelika/Lee County, Alabama area.  The Company also operates loan production offices (“LPOs”) in Columbus and Norcross, Georgia.  Geographic expansion through LPOs has benefited the Company by extending the reach of its lending market without incurring the significant costs associated with retail branch banking.   The LPOs have provided the Company with a market entrée at a limited upfront cost as the Company sought to expand the market area to nearby counties along the I-85 corridor, which is anchored by Auburn, Alabama and Atlanta and Columbus, Georgia.  The NCB and MCB acquisitions also gave the Company the ability to expand into non-overlapping, yet complementary markets, as these locations are close enough to be operationally efficient, but don’t significantly overlap the Company’s existing retail banking footprint.  A map showing the Company’s office coverage, including the recent enhancement of market coverage through the recent acquisitions, is set forth below and details regarding the Company’s offices and recent trends with respect to market interest rate levels are set forth in Exhibit II-1 and II-2, respectively.
 
Charter Financial Corporation
Map of Branches
 
GRAPHIC
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
MARKET AREA ANALYSIS
 
II.3
 
Interest Rate Environment
 
As of December 2008, the Discount Rate had been lowered to 0.50%, and the Federal Funds rate target was 0.00% to 0.25% reflecting the Federal Reserve’s response to the deteriorating economy.  These historically low rates were intended to enable a faster recovery of the housing industry, while at the same time lowering business borrowing costs.  The Federal Funds rate has remained in effect through May 21, 2010.  The effect of the interest rate decreases since mid-2008 has been most evident in short term rates, which decreased more than longer term rates, increasing the slope of the yield curve.  At the Federal Reserve’s late-April meeting, the Federal Reserve held its target rate steady and signaled that it would be at least several months before they raise short-term interest rates.  As of May 21, 2010, one- and ten-year U.S. government bonds were yielding 0.35% and 3.20%, respectively, compared to 0.56% and 3.53%, respectively, from the end of the second calendar quarter of 2009.  This has had a positive impact on the net interest margins of many financial institutions, as they rely on a spread between the yields on longer term assets and the costs of shorter term funding sources.  However, institutions who originate substantial volumes of prime-based loans have given up some of this pickup in yield as the prime rate declined to 3.25% on December 16, 2008 and has not changed as of May 21, 2010.
 
Looking forward, there are general expectations that interest rates will begin to increase in 2010 as the economy continues its recovery and as the Fed seeks to curtail inflationary pressures.  Based on the consensus outlook of 55 economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal in February 2010, the economy is expected to expand around 3% for 2010.  GDP growth is not expected to make a significant dent in the unemployment rate, as the surveyed economists on average expected the unemployment rate to only fall to 9.4% by the end of 2010.  Most of the respondents said the Federal Reserve would not raise rates until the third quarter of 2010 at the earliest.
 
Market Area Demographics
 
The following section presents demographic details regarding Charter Financial’s market area.  Demographic and economic growth trends, measured by changes in population, number of households, per capita income and median household income, provide key insight into the health of the Company’s market area (see Table 2.1).  Demographic statistics reflect that the markets in the Valley area where the Company has historically been based (i.e., Troup County, Georgia and Chambers County, Alabama) indicate that these markets possess small population bases (a population of 65,000 for Troup County and 35,000 for Chambers County).  Moreover, population growth in these markets where the Company generates a significant portion of its retail deposits has been limited, at levels below the recent historical average for the State of Georgia.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
MARKET AREA ANALYSIS
 
II.4
 
In view of the foregoing, the Company has  expanded outside of the Troup and Chambers County market areas, both through acquisition and de novo branching, focusing on areas within the targeted I-85 corridor which are either larger in terms of the total population and/or which possess more favorable growth trends.  The characteristics for markets such as Gwinnett, Coweta, Carroll, Fayette, Haralson and Newton Counties are evidenced in the demographic data in Table 2.1 and reflect that all three have either greater population bases or more favorable growth trends than the Company’s markets in the Valley area.  However, it is important to factor in the extent to which the growth trends for these markets may have been impacted by the severe recession experienced in the Company’s Georgia and Alabama markets.
 
Income statistics further reflect the limited opportunity available for a financial institution in the Company’s historical markets.  Specifically, income levels and income growth rates as measured by median household income and per capita income statistics are comparatively low in relation to the state and national aggregates.  However, income levels are generally higher relative to markets where the Company has recently expanded (Gwinnett, Fayette, Newton and Coweta Counties) which are proximate to Atlanta with its higher paying jobs.
 
Household income distribution measures further imply that the Company’s market area closer to Atlanta contains higher overall income levels, while the more rural areas contain lower income levels, as the income distribution measures indicated significantly higher percentages of households with incomes above $50,000 for Gwinnett, Fayette, Newton, and Coweta Counties, compared to the state and the nation.  Conversely, the proportion of households with income levels with below $50,000 was 57.5% in Troup County and 66.7% in Chambers County.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
MARKET AREA ANALYSIS
 
II.5
 
Table 2.1
Charter Financial Corporation
Summary Demographic Data
                               
   
Year
   
Growth
Rate
   
Growth
Rate
 
   
2000
   
2009
   
2014
     2000-2009      2009-2014  
     (000)      (000)      (000)    
(%)
   
(%)
 
Population(000)
                                       
United States
    281,422       309,732       324,063       1.1 %     0.9 %
Georgia
    8,186       9,933       10,861       2.2 %     1.8 %
Gwinnett County
    588       829       954       3.9 %     2.9 %
Troup County
    59       65       68       1.2 %     0.7 %
Coweta County
    89       127       148       4.0 %     3.1 %
Carroll County
    87       117       131       3.3 %     2.3 %
Newton County
    62       104       127       5.9 %     4.2 %
Fayette County
    91       111       120       2.2 %     1.5 %
Haralson County
    26       29       31       1.4 %     1.0 %
Lee County, Alabama
    115       135       146       1.8 %     1.6 %
Chambers County, Alabama
    37       35       34       -0.5 %     -0.6 %
                                         
Households(000)
                                       
United States
    105,480       116,523       122,109       1.1 %     0.9 %
Georgia
    3,006       3,648       3,994       2.2 %     1.8 %
Gwinnett County
    202       280       320       3.7 %     2.8 %
Troup County
    22       24       25       1.2 %     0.8 %
Coweta County
    31       45       52       4.0 %     3.1 %
Carroll County
    32       43       48       3.4 %     2.4 %
Newton County
    22       37       45       5.9 %     4.3 %
Fayette County
    32       39       42       2.3 %     1.6 %
Haralson County
    10       11       12       1.5 %     1.1 %
Lee County, Alabama
    46       56       61       2.2 %     1.8 %
Chambers County, Alabama
    15       14       14       -0.2 %     -0.4 %
                                         
Median Household Income($)
                                       
United States
  $ 42,164     $ 54,719     $ 56,938       2.9 %     0.8 %
Georgia
    42,686       56,761       58,593       3.2 %     0.6 %
Gwinnett County
    60,523       82,550       87,684       3.5 %     1.2 %
Troup County
    35,428       42,902       43,813       2.1 %     0.4 %
Coweta County
    52,874       67,450       71,905       2.7 %     1.3 %
Carroll County
    38,816       48,438       52,162       2.5 %     1.5 %
Newton County
    44,883       58,718       62,461       3.0 %     1.2 %
Fayette County
    70,845       92,287       97,001       3.0 %     1.0 %
Haralson County
    31,999       38,713       41,076       2.1 %     1.2 %
Lee County, Alabama
    31,022       36,635       38,387       1.9 %     0.9 %
Chambers County, Alabama
    29,633       34,801       36,539       1.8 %     1.0 %
                                         
Per Capita Income($)
                                       
United States
  $ 21,587     $ 27,277     $ 28,494       2.6 %     0.9 %
Georgia
    21,154       26,980       28,427       2.7 %     1.1 %
Gwinnett County
    25,006       33,983       35,044       3.5 %     0.6 %
Troup County
    17,626       20,316       20,835       1.6 %     0.5 %
Coweta County
    21,949       27,762       28,684       2.6 %     0.7 %
Carroll County
    17,656       21,145       22,036       2.0 %     0.8 %
Newton County
    19,317       24,105       25,185       2.5 %     0.9 %
Fayette County
    29,464       41,048       42,689       3.8 %     0.8 %
Haralson County
    15,823       18,175       18,829       1.6 %     0.7 %
Lee County, Alabama
    17,158       19,861       20,587       1.6 %     0.7 %
Chambers County, Alabama
    15,147       17,645       18,247       1.7 %     0.7 %
                                         
2009 HH Income Dist.(%)
  $ 25,000     $ 50,000     $ 100,000     $ 100,000 +        
United States
    20.9 %     24.5 %     35.3 %     19.3 %        
Georgia
    20.7 %     23.1 %     36.8 %     19.4 %        
Gwinnett County
    7.3 %     14.1 %     41.3 %     37.3 %        
Troup County
    29.9 %     27.6 %     33.2 %     9.4 %        
Coweta County
    13.9 %     20.1 %     41.4 %     24.7 %        
Carroll County
    26.2 %     25.0 %     38.4 %     10.3 %        
Newton County
    15.9 %     23.5 %     46.3 %     14.3 %        
Fayette County
    6.5 %     12.0 %     36.4 %     45.1 %        
Haralson County
    31.7 %     30.8 %     31.8 %     5.8 %        
Lee County, Alabama
    38.8 %     22.9 %     29.3 %     8.9 %        
Chambers County, Alabama
    37.3 %     29.4 %     28.7 %     4.6 %        
                                         
Source: SNL Financial, LC.
                                       
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
MARKET AREA ANALYSIS
 
II.6
  
Regional/Local Economic Factors
 
Real Estate Market/Bank Failures.  Like many markets nationwide, Charter Financial’s market area along the I-85 corridor has been impacted by the recessionary environment.  The real estate market has been particularly impacted as the high growth Georgia market became overbuilt resulting in the boom turning to bust.  As of April 2010, Georgia maintained the ninth highest foreclosure rate in the United States -- one foreclosure for every 288 households. The foreclosure rate is up 21.2% from April 2009.  The mounting foreclosures on top of an already overbuilt market have brought Georgia to the top of the list in bank failures.   A total of 214 banks and thrifts have failed nationwide since 2008, with 124 occurring in 2009 alone and 72 failures year to date through May 2010.  The State of Georgia, while home to just 4% of all U.S. banks, reported 11% of the nation's bank failures since the beginning of 2010.  More banks have collapsed in Georgia than in any other U.S. state, even compared to California and Florida, who have higher foreclosure rates and posted more foreclosure filings, as of September 2009.  Thirty-three Georgia banks have been seized by regulators since 2009, with defaulting construction and development loans playing a significant role in many of the failures.
 
Given the high level of delinquent loans haunting the remaining Georgia-based banks, more financial institution failures are expected.  Poorly underwritten loans to builders and developers in the Atlanta area seem to be at the root of many of the failures. Most of the failed Georgia institutions made outsized bets during the real estate boom on residential and commercial construction projects in the Atlanta area.  Additionally, a weakened commercial real estate market which has increased delinquencies rates in those portfolios has also contributed to the growing number of problem institutions.  The Company recognizes that the overbuilt nature of the real estate market in some areas will also impact the Company, both from an ability to lend over the near term and workout the Company’s non-performing assets, specifically the acquired NCB and MCB non-performing assets.
 
Importantly, Charter Financial’s business plan reflects a belief that the current market dislocation is an opportunity for the Company.  First, the level of competition presented by many banks may diminish both from a lending and deposit perspective as competing institutions are forced to retrench in many cases.  Second, more bank failures will present the Company with additional acquisition opportunities and the potential to continue to expand its retail depository franchise at relatively low cost.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
MARKET AREA ANALYSIS
 
II.7
 
Unemployment Trends.  Rising unemployment rates in the Georgia market are indicative of the weakened economic fundamentals of the Georgia economy.  In this regard, the unemployment rate in March 2010 was equal to 10.4% which represents an increase from 9.1% a year prior. Job losses have occurred across the full business spectrum and not just in the construction arena, as trade, manufacturing, and the professional and business services sectors have experienced rising unemployment, as well.  Comparative unemployment rates for Georgia, the Company’s market area counties, as well as for the U.S., are shown in Table 2.2.  All of the Company’s market area counties reported unemployment rates above the national and state aggregates, with the exception of Gwinnett County (9.5%), Fayette County (9.0%) markets in Georgia and Lee County, Alabama (9.3%).  The market area unemployment rates ranged from a low of 9.3% in Lee County, Alabama to 16.9% in the more rural Chambers County, as compared to the State of Georgia at 10.4% and the national unemployment rate reported at 9.7%.  Unemployment rates in the Company’s market as well as on a state and national basis have been trending upward for the most recent 12 month period for which data is available, as the regional and national economies have been responding to the troubled housing, credit, and financial sectors that have caused many employers to cut down on employees or limit hiring.
 
Table 2.2
Charter Financial Corporation
Market Area Unemployment Trends
 
Region
 
 
March 2009
Unemployment
   
March 2010
Unemployment
 
                 
United States
    8.5 %     9.7 %
Georgia
    9.1       10.4  
Gwinnett County
    8.4       9.5  
Troup County
    12.6       12.2  
Coweta County
    8.8       10.8  
Carroll County
    10.3       11.6  
Newton County
    11.8       12.2  
Fayette County
    7.4       9.0  
Haralson County
    11.8       11.5  
                 
Lee County, Alabama
    7.4       9.3  
Chambers County, Alabama
    18.0       16.9  
                 
Source:  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
         
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
MARKET AREA ANALYSIS
 
II.8
 
Market Area Deposit Characteristics
 
Competition among financial institutions in the Company’s market area is also significant, as larger institutions compete for market share to achieve economies of scale while smaller community banks seek to carve out their respective market niches.  Among the Company’s competitors are larger and more diversified institutions such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo Bank.  Other regional financial institution competitors include a number of smaller locally based commercial banks and savings institutions.
 
Table 2.3 displays deposit market trends for the Company’s market area counties and the State of Georgia as of June 30, 2005 and June 30, 2009.  Deposits have increased at an annual rate of 5.4% in Georgia over the time period, with commercial banks deposits increasing at a faster rate than the statewide average, and savings institutions losing deposits over that time period.  The loss of deposits by savings institutions is primarily due to the failure of Netbank.  As of June 30, 2009, commercial banks held 97.2% of total financial institution deposits in Georgia, an increase four years earlier.  The total number of banking institution branch offices in Georgia also increased over the four year period. Annual deposit growth from 2005 to 2009 in the Company’s market area counties ranged from a high of 10.0% in Coweta County to a low of 2.4% in Newton County, Georgia.   The market is dominated by commercial banks in all of the market area counties.
 
As of June 30, 2009, the Company was the only savings institution in Troup, Carroll, and Haralson Counties, Georgia and Lee and Chambers Counties in Alabama. The Company’s reported deposit market shares ranged from a low of 0.2% in Gwinnett County to 24.3% in Chambers County, Alabama.  The low deposit market share in Gwinnett County is indicative of the competitive markets in close proximity to the Atlanta MSA, while the higher deposit market shares reveal the smaller more rural areas of the Company’s market, more distant from Atlanta.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.
MARKET AREA ANALYSIS
 
II.9
 
Table 2.3
Charter Financial Corporation
Deposit Summary
 
   
As of June 30,
       
   
2005
   
2009
    Deposit
Growth Rate
2005-2009
 
   
Deposits
   
Market
Share
   
Number of
Branches
   
Deposits
   
Market
Share
   
No. of
Branches
     
   
(Dollars In Thousands)
   
(%)
 
Deposit Summary
                                         
State of Georgia
  $ 149,442,000       100.0 %     2,643     $ 184,318,000       100.0 %     2,839       5.4 %
Commercial Banks
    143,154,000       95.8 %     2,481       179,195,000       97.2 %     2,694       5.8 %
Savings Institutions
    6,288,000       4.2 %     162       5,123,000       2.8 %     145       -5.0 %
                                                         
Gwinnett County
  $ 9,344,042       100.0 %     192     $ 11,099,232       100.0 %     215       4.4 %
Commercial Banks
    9,022,283       96.6 %     171       10,765,639       97.0 %     193       4.5 %
Savings Institutions
    321,759       3.4 %     21       333,593       3.0 %     22       0.9 %
CharterBank
    0       0.0 %     0       23,724       0.2 %     1       -  
                                                         
Troup County
  $ 874,420       100.0 %     21     $ 1,121,782       100.0 %     25       6.4 %
Commercial Banks
    703,074       80.4 %     18       859,801       76.6 %     21       5.2 %
Savings Institutions
    171,346       19.6 %     3       261,981       23.4 %     4       11.2 %
CharterBank
    171,346       19.6 %     3       261,981       23.4 %     4       11.2 %
                                                         
Coweta County
  $ 1,054,068       100.0 %     46     $ 1,545,340       100.0 %     35       10.0 %
Commercial Banks
    1,048,653       99.5 %     44       1,363,180       88.2 %     32       6.8 %
Savings Institutions
    5,415       0.5 %     2       182,160       11.8 %     3       140.8 %
CharterBank
    0       0.0 %     0       181,502       11.7 %     2       -  
                                                         
Carroll County
  $ 1,566,900       100.0 %     34     $ 2,029,633       100.0 %     36       6.7 %
Commercial Banks
    1,399,984       89.3 %     34       1,755,952       86.5 %     35       5.8 %
Savings Institutions
    166,916       10.7 %     0       273,681       13.5 %     1       -  
CharterBank
    166,916       10.7 %     1       273,681       13.5 %     1       -  
                                                         
Newton County
  $ 824,117       100.0 %     15     $ 905,781       100.0 %     22       2.4 %
Commercial Banks
    641,773       77.9 %     12       699,920       77.3 %     16       2.2 %
Savings Institutions
    182,344       22.1 %     3       205,861       22.7 %     6       3.1 %
CharterBank
    0       0.0 %     0       40,612       4.5 %     1       -  
                                                         
Fayette County
  $ 1,590,716       100.0 %     45     $ 1,926,628       100.0 %     39       4.9 %
Commercial Banks
    1,584,984       99.6 %     42       1,926,628       100.0 %     39       5.0 %
Savings Institutions
    5,732       0.4 %     3       0       0.0 %     0       -100.0 %
CharterBank
    0       0.0 %     0       0       0.0 %     -          
                                                         
Haralson County
  $ 352,930       100.0 %     13     $ 434,543       100.0 %     13       5.3 %
Commercial Banks
    352,930       100.0 %     13       408,197       93.9 %     12       3.7 %
Savings Institutions
    0       0.0 %     0       26,346       6.1 %     1       -  
CharterBank
    0       0.0 %     0       26,346       6.1 %     1       -  
                                                         
Lee County, AL
  $ 1,407,180       100.0 %     36     $ 1,904,122       100.0 %     40       7.9 %
Commercial Banks
    1,342,940       95.4 %     32       1,808,185       95.0 %     36       7.7 %
Savings Institutions
    64,240       4.6 %     4       95,937       5.0 %     4       10.5 %
CharterBank
    64,240       4.6 %     4       95,937       5.0 %     4       10.5 %
                                                         
Chambers County, AL
  $ 272,296       100.0 %     10     $ 304,287       100.0 %     10       2.8 %
Commercial Banks
    201,543       74.0 %     8       230,477       75.7 %     8       3.4 %
Savings Institutions
    70,753       26.0 %     2       73,810       24.3 %     2       1.1 %
CharterBank
    70,753       26.0 %     2       73,810       24.3 %     2       1.1 %
                                                         
Source: FDIC.
                                                       
 

 
RP® Financial, LC.
MARKET AREA ANALYSIS
 
II.10
 
Summary
 
The Company’s primary market area includes a mix of metropolitan markets adjacent to Atlanta and smaller markets in southern Georgia and Alabama.  Demographic trends reflect the variance in market area characteristics but, similar to nationwide trends, real estate values have declined throughout the Company’s expanded market area and the Company faces intense competition from larger and more diversified financial institutions.  The Company has recently completed the NCB and MCB acquisitions and, based on the current number of troubled banks in the Georgia market, may have the opportunity to bid on additional targets.  The Company has stated its intention to continue to evaluate opportunities to increase deposit market share through other acquisitions of financial institutions or establishing additional branch sites, both in existing and contiguous markets.  These plans appear to be supported by the market area.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.1
 
III.  PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
 
This section presents an analysis of the Company’s operations versus a group of comparable companies (the “Peer Group”) selected from the universe of all publicly-traded savings institutions.  The primary basis of the pro forma market valuation of the Company is provided by these public companies.  Factors affecting the Company’s pro forma market value such as financial condition, credit risk, interest rate risk, and recent operating results can be readily assessed in relation to the Peer Group.  Current market pricing of the Peer Group, subject to appropriate adjustments to account for differences between the Company and the Peer Group, will then be used as a basis for the valuation of the Company’s to-be-issued common stock.
 
Peer Group Selection
 
The mutual holding company form of ownership has been in existence in its present form since 1991.  As of the date of this appraisal, there were approximately 27 publicly-traded institutions operating as subsidiaries of MHCs excluding those that were in the process of undertaking second step conversion transactions.  We believe there are a number of characteristics of MHCs that make their shares distinctly different than the shares of fully-converted companies.  These factors include:  (1) lower aftermarket liquidity in the MHC shares since less than 50% of the shares are available for trading; (2) guaranteed minority ownership interest, with no opportunity of exercising voting control of the institution in the MHC form of organization, thus limiting acquisition speculation in the stock price; (3) market expectations of the potential impact of “second-step” conversions on the pricing of public MHC institutions; (4) the regulatory policies regarding the dividend waiver by MHC institutions; and (5) mid-tier holding companies (formed by most MHCs) facilitate the ability for stock repurchases, thereby potentially improving the market for the public shares and the MHC’s financial characteristics.  We believe that each of these factors has a distinct impact on the pricing of the shares of MHC institutions, relative to the market pricing of shares of fully-converted public companies.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.2
 
Given the unique characteristics of the MHC form of ownership, and since the Company will remain in the MHC form following the offering, RP Financial concluded that the appropriate Peer Group for the Company’s valuation should be comprised of thrifts in MHC form, and no full stock companies.  In this regard, a Peer Group comprised of public MHC thrifts is consistent with the regulatory guidelines, and other recently completed by MHC offerings.  Further, the Peer Group should be comprised of only those MHC institutions whose common stock is either listed on a national exchange or is NASDAQ listed, since the market for companies trading in this fashion is regular and reported.  We believe non-listed MHC institutions are inappropriate for the Peer Group, since the trading activity for thinly-traded stocks is typically highly irregular in terms of frequency and price and thus may not be a reliable indicator of market value.  We have excluded from the Peer Group those public MHC institutions that are currently pursuing a “second-step” conversion, companies subject to speculative factors or unusual operating conditions, and companies who have announced a “remutualization” transaction or a merger with another MHC – as the pricing characteristics of these MHC institutions are typically distorted.  MHCs that recently completed their minority stock offerings are typically excluded as well, due to the lack of a seasoned trading history and/or insufficient time to effectively redeploy the offering proceeds.  Selected characteristics of the universe of all publicly-traded institutions are included as Exhibit III-1.
 
Basis of Comparison
 
This appraisal includes two sets of financial data and ratios for each public MHC institution.  The first set of financial data reflects the actual book value, earnings, assets and operating results reported by the public MHC institutions in its public filings inclusive of the minority ownership interest outstanding to the public.  The second set of financial data, discussed at length in the following chapter, places the Peer Group institutions on equal footing by restating their financial data and pricing ratios on a “fully-converted” basis assuming the sale of the majority shares held by the MHCs in public offerings based on their respective current prices and standard assumptions for the Second Step Conversion.  This adjustment is appropriate for several reasons, including:  (1) the investment community also prices the stock of MHCs assuming the completion of a Second Step Conversion; and (2) MHC institutions have different proportions of their stock publicly held, so this technique neutralizes such differences.  Throughout the appraisal, the adjusted figures will be specifically identified as being on a “fully-converted” basis.  Unless so noted, the figures referred to in the appraisal will be actual financial data reported by the public MHC institutions.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.3
 
Both sets of financial data have their specific use and applicability to the appraisal.  The actual financial data, as reported by the Peer Group companies and reflective of the minority interest outstanding, will be used primarily in this Chapter III to make financial comparisons between the Peer Group and the Company.  In this analysis, we consider the pro forma impact of the offering on the Company.  The fully-converted analysis will be more fully described and quantified in the pricing analysis discussed in Chapter IV.  The fully-converted pricing ratios are considered critical to the valuation analysis in Chapter IV, because they place each public MHC institution on a fully-converted basis (making their pricing ratios comparable to the pro forma valuation conclusion reached herein), eliminate distortion in pricing ratios between public MHC institutions that have sold different percentage ownership interests to the public, and reflect the actual pricing ratios (fully-converted basis) being placed on public MHC institutions in the market today to reflect the unique trading characteristics of publicly-traded MHC institutions.
 
Selected Peer Group
 
Among the universe of 144 publicly-traded thrifts, the number of public MHC institutions is relatively small, thereby limiting the selection process.  Under ideal circumstances, the Peer Group would be comprised of at least ten publicly-traded regionally-based MHC institutions with financial and operating characteristics comparable to the Company.  However, the number of publicly traded MHCs based in Georgia and the Southeast region of the US is limited to Heritage Financial Group and Atlantic Coast Federal Corporation, both of which are based in Georgia.  Neither was included in the Peer Group as Heritage Financial has announced its intent to complete a second step conversion to a full stock company while Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation has experienced increased asset quality problems which has led to operating losses.
 
Given the lack of publicly-traded MHCs in the Southeast region, similarly-sized comparable companies outside the Southeast were considered for the Peer Group.  Specifically, in the peer group selection process focused on the publicly-traded MHCs with the following characteristics:
 
 
  1.
Total assets between $450 million and $3 billion;
 
  2.
Profitable on a both a reported and core basis; and
 
  3.
NPA/Assets ratios less than 3%
 
Accordingly, the Peer Group selection focused on those companies which were similarly sized and relatively good asset quality and profitable.
 
From the universe of publicly-traded thrifts, we selected ten companies.  Several companies meeting the size criteria were not included in the Peer Group owing to operating losses or a high level of NPAs including:
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.4
 
  Ø
Atlantic Coast Federal Corporation of GA – Operating losses and NPAs
  Ø
Brooklyn Federal Bancorp of NY – Operating losses and NPAs
  Ø
Magyar Bancorp of NJ – Operating losses and NPAs
  Ø
Malvern Federal Bancorp – Operating losses and NPAs
  Ø
Northeast Community Bancorp – Operating losses and NPAs
  Ø
PSB Holdings of CT – Operating losses and NPAs
  Ø
Waterstone Financial of WI – Operating losses and NPAs
  Ø
United Community Bancorp of IN - NPAs
 
On average, the Peer Group companies maintain a higher level of capitalization relative to the universe of all public thrifts, and have more favorable operating returns.  On a fully-converted basis, the Peer Group would have nearly twice the capital level and higher profitability.  At the same time, we note that the ROE for the Peer Group diminishes on a fully converted basis reflecting the limited return on the incremental capital over the near term.
 
         
MHC Peer Group
 
               
Fully-
 
   
All
   
Reported
   
Converted
 
   
Publicly-Traded(1)
   
Basis
   
Basis(2)
 
                   
Financial Characteristics (Averages)
                 
Assets ($Mil)
  $ 3,006     $ 1,073     $ 1,188  
Tang. Equity/Assets (%)
    10.04 %     12.38 %     19.31 %
Core Return on Assets (%)
    (0.23 )     0.49       0.62  
Core Return on Equity (%)
    (0.78 )     4.09       1.04  
                         
Pricing Ratios (Averages)(3)
                       
Price/Core Earnings (x)
    16.98 x     24.37 x     24.55 x
Price/Tang. Book (%)
    84.53 %     132.40 %     77.17 %
Price/Assets (%)
    8.48       16.84       15.06  
 
 
 (1)   Includes all full stock companies excluding MHCs.
 
 (2)   Pro forma basis.
 
 (3)   Based on market prices as of May 21, 2010.
 
Table 3.1 shows the general characteristics of each of the 10 Peer Group companies.  While there are expectedly some differences between the Peer Group companies and the Bank, we believe that the Peer Group companies, on average, provide a good basis for valuation subject to valuation adjustments.  The following sections present a comparison of Charter Financials financial condition, income and expense trends, loan composition, interest rate risk and credit risk versus the Peer Group as of the most recent publicly available date.  The conclusions drawn from the comparative analysis are then factored into the valuation analysis discussed in the final chapter.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.5
 
Table 3.1
Peer Group of Publicly-Traded Thrifts
May 21, 2010
                                                     
                Operating   Total           Fiscal     Conv.     Stock     Market  
Ticker   Financial Institution   Exchange   Primary Market   Strategy(1)   Assets(2)     Offices     Year     Date      Price     Value  
                                            ($)     ($Mil)  
                                                                 
KRNY
 
Kearny Financial Corp. MHC of NJ (26.5)
 
NASDAQ
 
Fairfield, NJ
 
Thrift
  $ 2,252       27       06-30       02/05     $ 9.60     $ 661  
EBSB
 
Meridian Financial Services MHC MA (43.4)
 
NASDAQ
 
East Boston, MA
 
Thrift
  $ 1,719       25       12-31       01/08     $ 11.42     $ 258  
RCKB
 
Rockville Financial MHC of CT (42.9)
 
NASDAQ
 
Vrn Rockville CT
 
Thrift
  $ 1,560       21       12-31       05/05     $ 12.04     $ 227  
ROMA
 
Roma Financial Corp. MHC of NJ (27.0)
 
NASDAQ
 
Robbinsville, NJ
 
Thrift
  $ 1,370       15       12-31       07/06     $ 11.54     $ 357  
CSBK
 
Clifton Savings Bancorp MHC of NJ (37.1)
 
NASDAQ
 
Clifton, NJ
 
Thrift
  $ 1,060  D     11       03-31       03/04     $ 9.01     $ 238  
SIFI
 
SI Financial Group Inc. MHC of CT (38.2)
 
NASDAQ
 
Willimantic, CT
 
Thrift
  $ 882       21       12-31       10/04     $ 6.07     $ 72  
PBIP
 
Prudential Bancorp MHC PA (29.3)
 
NASDAQ
 
Philadelphia, PA
 
Thrift
  $ 508       7       09-30       03/05     $ 6.58     $ 66  
GCBC
 
Green County Bancorp MHC of NY (43.9)
 
NASDAQ
 
Catskill, NY
 
Thrift
  $ 479       13       06-30       12/98     $ 16.70     $ 69  
ALLB
 
Alliance Bank MHC of PA 42.0)
 
NASDAQ
 
Broomall, PA
 
Thrift
  $ 472       9       12-31       01/07     $ 8.30     $ 56  
LSBK
 
Lake Shore Bancorp MHC of NY (41.3)
 
NASDAQ
 
Dunkirk, NY
 
Thrift
  $ 432       9       12-31       04/06     $ 8.36     $ 51  
 
NOTES:   
(1)
Operating strategies are: Thrift=Traditional Thrift, M.B.=Mortgage Banker, R.E.=Real Estate Developer, Div.=Diversified and Ret.=Retail Banking.
 
(2)
Most recent quarter end available (E=Estimated and P=Pro Forma).
     
Source: SNL Financial, LC.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.6
 
Financial Condition
 
Table 3.2 shows comparative balance sheet measures for Charter Financial and the Peer Group, reflecting balances as of March 31, 2010, for the Company and either December 31, 2009 or March 31, 2010 for the Peer Group.  On a reported basis, Charter Financial’s equity-to-assets ratio of 8.9% was below the Peer Group’s average equity/assets ratio of 12.8%.  Tangible equity-to-assets ratios for the Company and the Peer Group equaled 8.5% and 12.3%, respectively.  On average, Charter Financial and the Peer Group have approximately the same level of intangibles equal to 0.4% and 0.5% of assets, respectively.  On a pro forma basis, Charter Financial’s equity ratio will increase to levels more closely approximating the Peer Group average and likewise, both the Company’s and the Peer Group’s pricing ratios would be enhanced by a second step conversion to levels well in excess of the current reported levels. Both the Company and the Peer Group currently maintain surpluses with respect to their respective regulatory capital requirements.
 
The increase in Charter Financial’s pro forma equity position will be favorable from an interest rate risk perspective and in terms of posturing for future earnings growth as the net proceeds are reinvested and leveraged.  The Company’s business plan is focused on increasing earnings through internal growth and external expansion, possibly through acquisition of regionally based insolvent institutions with FDIC financial assistance and asset guarantees.  To date, none of the Peer Group companies have completed FDIC assisted transactions although Meridian Bancorp completed a merger of another mutual institution with asset quality problems on an unassisted basis within the last twelve months.
 
The interest-earning asset (“IEA”) composition for the Company and the Peer Group reflects material differences in terms of the proportion of loans, as Charter Financial’s ratio of loans/assets of 54.5% falls below the Peer Group average ratio of 58.5%.  At the same time, Charter Financial’s level of cash and investments, equal to 29.2% of assets, also falls slightly below the comparable Peer Group average of 36.3%.  Overall, Charter Financial’s interest-earning assets amounted to 83.7% of assets, which was below the Peer Group’s average ratio of 94.8%.  Both the Company’s and the Peer Group’s IEA ratios exclude BOLI as an interest-earning asset.  Additionally, the Company’s FDIC Indemnification Asset, equal to 7.6% of assets, is also non-interest earning until the covered losses are realized and the Company receives cash reimbursement from the FDIC.  On a pro forma basis immediately following the Minority Stock Issuance, a portion of the proceeds will initially be invested into shorter term investment securities and/or MBS increasing the relative proportion of cash and investments for the Company in comparison to the Peer Group over the short term.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.7
 
Table 3.2
Balance Sheet Composition and Growth Rates
Comparable Institution Analysis
As of March 31, 2010
 
[Table Omitted]
 
(1) Financial information is for the quarter ending December 31, 2009.
 
Source:  SNL Financial, LC. and RP® Financial, LC. calculations. The information provided in this table has been obtained from sources we believe are reliable, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information.
 
Copyright (c) 2010 by RP® Financial, LC.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.8
 
The Company’s deposits equaled 73.0% of assets, which was below the Peer Group average of 77.1%.  A unique aspect of the Company’s deposit base in comparison to the Peer Group is the large balance of jumbo deposits, including brokered and credit union CDs.  The Company has utilized borrowings to a greater extent than the Peer Group, on average, at 17.1% and 8.8% of assets (includes subordinated debt), respectively.  The Company did not have any subordinated debt while funds derived from this source averaged 0.1% of assets for the Peer Group.  Total interest-bearing liabilities (“IBL”) maintained by Charter Financial and the Peer Group, equaled 90.1% and 86.0% of assets, respectively.  The ratio of IBL will be reduced on a post-offering basis as the Company funds a greater portion of its operations with equity.
 
A key measure of balance sheet strength for a financial institution is the IEA/IBL ratio, with higher ratios often facilitating stronger profitability levels, depending on the overall asset/liability mix.  Presently, the Company’s IEA/IBL ratio of 92.9% is below the Peer Group’s average ratio of 110.2%.  Importantly, the shortfall is partially attributable to the Company’s significant investment in BOLI, which generates fee income as the cash surrender value increases, and the presence of the FDIC Indemnification Asset which will diminish over time as cash is received from the FDIC pursuant to the loss share coverage agreement.  Moreover, the additional capital realized from stock proceeds will increase the IEA/IBL ratio, as the net proceeds realized from Charter Financial’s stock offering are expected to be reinvested into interest-earning assets and the increase in the Company’s equity position will result in a lower level of interest-bearing liabilities funding assets.
 
The growth rate section of Table 3.2 shows growth rates for key balance sheet items for the most recent periods for which data is available.  In this regard, the data for Charter Financial reflects annualized growth rates for the 18 months ended March 31, 2010 and generally well exceeds the Peer Group benchmarks reflecting the impact of the recent FDIC assisted acquisition activity.  Charter Financial’s assets increased by 33.1% versus asset growth of 10.9% for the Peer Group on average and 5.6% based on the median.  Select other growth measures for the Company also exceeded the Peer Group averages owing to the completion of the NCB and MCB acquisitions including the loan growth rate (34.6% for the Company versus an average of 7.8% for the Peer Group) and the deposit growth rate (63.7% for the Company versus an average of 15.4% for the Peer Group).  As a result of the terms of the FDIC assistance transactions which involved a significant upfront cash component, the Company’s cash, MBS and investments portfolio increased by 12.0% which was nearly equal to the 13.4% growth rate for the Peer Group.  Charter Financial’s borrowed funds shrank by 14.4%, partially utilizing liquidity generated through the NCB and MCB acquisitions, while the Peer Group’s borrowings shrank by 13.2% on average.  Equity increased for the Company by 5.4% supported by bargain purchase income and other gains net of non-recurring OTTI charges and dividends paid to shareholders.  Equity growth for the Peer Group was relatively comparable overall equal to 3.0% based on the average and 2.2% based on the median.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.9
 
Income and Expense Components
 
Table 3.3 shows comparative income statement measures for Charter Financial and the Peer Group, reflecting earnings for the twelve months ended March 31, 2010, for Charter Financial and the Peer Group (Clifton Savings Bancorp is an exception with earnings data for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010).  Charter Financial reported a net income to average assets ratio of 0.97% versus the Peer Group’s ratio of 0.46% based on the average and 0.43% based on the median.  Importantly, the impact of the NCB and MCB acquisitions have not been fully reflected into the Company’s earnings since the NCB acquisition was completed at the end of June 2009 and the MCB acquisition was completed in March 2010.  On a historical basis, incorporating approximately nine months of combined operations with NCB and less than one week of operations with MCB, the Company’s higher ROA was principally the result of non-operating gains, including bargain purchase gains on the NCB and MCB transactions as well as gains on the sale of securities net of non-operating losses.
 
The impact of the wholesale elements of the Company’s balance sheet (i.e., a high level of securities funded to a greater extent by borrowings and brokered and credit union CDs) as well as the significant level of non-interest earning assets (primarily the FDIC assistance asset but also BOLI) is reflected in the Company’s lower net interest income as a percent of average assets.  Specifically, the Company’s ratio of net interest income to average assets equaled 2.48% which was 42 basis points lower than the 2.90% average ratio reported by the Peer Group.  In particular, the Company’s higher funding costs (2.82% cost of funds for Charter Financial versus 2.14% on average for the Peer Group) were the primary factor in the weaker net interest margin as interest income exceeded the Peer Group average (4.93% for the Company versus an average of 4.72% for the Peer Group) reflecting Charter Financial’s relatively higher asset yields (5.51% for the Company versus an average of 4.96% for the Peer Group) and occurs notwithstanding Charter Financial’s high level of non-interest earning assets.  Charter Financial’s higher funding costs is reflective of both the higher ratio of borrowed funds and the high ratio of brokered deposits and credit union CDs which typically entail an interest cost above retail CDs and other retail-oriented deposit accounts.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.10
 
Table 3.3
Income as Percent of Average Assets and Yields, Costs, Spreads
Comparable Institution Analysis
For the 12 Months Ended March 31, 2010
 
[Table Omitted]
 
(1) Financial information is for the quarter ending December 31, 2009.
 
Source:  SNL Financial, LC. and RP® Financial, LC. calculations. The information provided in this table has been obtained from sources we believe are reliable, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.11
 
For the period covered in Table 3.3, the Company and the Peer Group reported operating expense to average assets ratios of 2.84% and 2.43%, respectively.  The Company’s operating expense ratio has been subject to increase reflecting the increased overhead and operating cost of the acquired retail banking operations of NCB in such areas as compensation (branch staff and lenders), legal and professional fees reflecting the cost for both the NCB and MCB acquisitions as well as foreclosure and asset management fees attributable to the resolution of acquired non-performing assets.  Additionally, marketing costs also increased as the Bank sought to rebrand the acquired offices of NCB and MCB.  Expenses will be subject to further increase in the future as the acquired operations of NCB and MCB are fully reflected in trailing twelve month earnings although asset resolution costs may diminish over the intermediate to long term as the Company successfully resolves acquired problem assets.
 
Charter Financial reported a comparatively high level of non-interest income offsetting the weak net interest margin and high operating expense ratio from the perspective of core earnings,   Non-interest income equaled 0.79% of average assets, which is above both the Peer Group average (0.50% of average assets) but compares closely to the average for all publicly-traded thrifts (0.77% of average assets).  The high ratio of non-interest income in relation to the Peer Group is the result of both deposit account service charges and insufficient funds fees imposed on the Company’s deposit accounts as well as to other miscellaneous income items such as brokerage commission and BOLI income.
 
Charter Financial’s efficiency ratio (operating expenses as a percent of the sum of non-interest operating income and net interest income) of 86.9% is less favorable than the Peer Group’s ratio of 71.7%.  On a post-offering basis, the efficiency ratio and the underlying core earnings rate of the Company may be subject to increase as Charter Financial’s management believes that the NCB and MCB acquisitions will be accretive to the Company’s earnings.  Moreover, the Company’s earnings will also benefit from the reinvestment of the offering proceeds net of the incremental expenses incurred as a result of the increased expense attributable to the stock benefit plans.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.12
 
Loan loss provisions reflect an increasing trend for the Company and equaled 0.66% of average assets for Charter Financial for the twelve months ended March 31, 2010, versus an average of 0.21% for the Peer Group.  While the Company is anticipating that its loan loss provisions may be lower in the future, estimating the level of future loan loss provisions is difficult in the current operating environment and may be predicated on the stabilization of Charter Financial’s credit quality ratios, both with respect to assets originated by Charter Financial and assets acquired in the NCB and MCB transactions.
 
Non-operating income totaled 1.69% for Charter Financial versus an average expense of 0.04% for the Peer Group.  The large gains reported by Charter Financial include the impact of bargain purchase gains on the NCB and MCB acquisitions (1.76% of assets), gains on the sale of fixed assets and investments (0.49% of average assets in aggregate) net of one-time FHLB prepayment penalties and OTTI charges on investments (0.56% of average assets combined).  Excluding such non-recurring earnings elements on a tax effected basis, Charter Financial’s core earnings for the most recent twelve month period is at near breakeven level.  Typically, such gains and losses are discounted in valuation analyses as they tend to have a relatively high degree of volatility, and thus are not considered part of core operations.  In this appraisal, for both Charter Financial’s and the Peer Group, we have considered earnings and profitability before and after such net gains and losses.
 
The Company’s effective tax rate for the last twelve months of 33.53% modestly exceeds the Peer Group average tax rate of 30.32% reflecting that the Company is in a fully taxable position with respect to both state and federal income taxes.
 
Loan Composition
 
Table 3.4 presents the most recent data related to the Company’s and the Peer Group’s loan portfolio compositions, as well as data pertaining to investment in mortgage-backed securities, loans serviced for others, and risk-weighted assets.  Importantly, the loan portfolio composition for the Company includes all loans acquired with NCB and MCB segregated into the appropriate loan categories based on CharterBank’s regulatory financial reports as of March 31, 2010, which we believe is appropriate for purposes of this specific analysis.  The prospectus disclosure for loans aggregates all loans covered by FDIC loss sharing together without regard to the loan’s purpose or underlying collateral of the loan.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.13
 
Table 3.4
Loan Portfolio Composition and Related Information
Comparable Institution Analysis
As of March 31, 2010
 
        Portfolio Composition as a Percent of Assets                    
              1-4    
Constr.
   
5+Unit
   
Commerc.
         
RWA/
   
Serviced
   
Servicing
 
  Institution  
MBS
   
Family
   
& Land
   
Comm RE
   
Business
   
Consumer
   
Assets
   
For Others
   
Assets
 
     
(%)
   
(%)
   
(%)
   
(%)
   
(%)
   
(%)
   
(%)
      ($000)       ($000)  
                                                               
Charter Financial Corporation (1)
    16.22 %     12.11 %     9.78 %     27.66 %     5.02 %     0.69 %     50.12 %   $ 19,407     $ 0  
                                                                           
All Public Companies
                                                                       
Averages
    12.18 %     35.02 %     5.06 %     22.18 %     4.56 %     2.28 %     65.30 %   $ 606,479     $ 5,873  
Medians
    10.58 %     35.32 %     3.90 %     21.65 %     3.39 %     0.61 %     65.21 %   $ 45,390     $ 140  
                                                                           
State of GA
                                                                       
Averages
    18.98 %     43.08 %     4.52 %     8.76 %     2.12 %     8.76 %     57.84 %   $ 2,520     $ 0  
Medians
    18.98 %     43.08 %     4.52 %     8.76 %     2.12 %     8.76 %     57.84 %   $ 2,520     $ 0  
                                                                           
Comparable Group
                                                                       
Averages
    17.32 %     39.85 %     2.67 %     14.41 %     2.43 %     0.52 %     51.24 %   $ 21,477     $ 130  
Medians
    17.61 %     40.85 %     1.83 %     10.44 %     2.20 %     0.42 %     49.09 %   $ 0     $ 0  
                                                                           
Comparable Group
                                                                       
ALLB
Alliance Bank MHC of PA (42.0)
    4.57 %     23.18 %     5.15 %     29.92 %     1.75 %     1.60 %     62.14 %   $ 0     $ 0  
CSBK
Clifton Savings Bancorp MHC of NJ (37.1)(2)
    31.03 %     42.77 %     0.03 %     2.31 %     0.00 %     0.09 %     35.73 %   $ 0     $ 0  
GCBC
Green County Bancorp MHC of NY (43.9)
    17.24 %     42.97 %     1.72 %     11.80 %     3.55 %     0.86 %     35.05 %   $ 0     $ 0  
KRNY
Kearny Financial Corp. MHC of NJ (26.5)
    30.40 %     34.07 %     0.72 %     9.07 %     0.67 %     0.13 %     42.63 %   $ 0     $ 0  
LSBK
Lake Shore Bancorp MHC of NY (41.3)
    18.70 %     50.10 %     0.27 %     6.27 %     2.64 %     0.49 %     52.82 %   $ 16,490     $ 0  
EBSB
Meridian Financial Services MHC MA (43.4)
 
NA
   
NA
   
NA
   
NA
   
NA
   
NA
      61.35 %   $ 0     $ 0  
PBIP
Prudential Bancorp MHC PA (29.3)
    17.97 %     38.92 %     6.16 %     4.76 %     0.47 %     0.10 %     45.36 %   $ 0     $ 0  
RCKB
Rockville Financial MHC of CT (42.9)
    5.72 %     48.49 %     5.37 %     26.92 %     6.39 %     0.46 %     78.08 %   $ 65,580     $ 527  
ROMA 
Roma Financial Corp. MHC of NJ (27.0)
 
NA
   
NA
   
NA
   
NA
   
NA
   
NA
      41.64 %   $ 7,160     $ 0  
SIFI
SI Financial Group Inc. MHC of CT (38.2)
    12.93 %     38.33 %     1.93 %     24.23 %     3.96 %     0.38 %     57.62 %   $ 125,540     $ 763  
 
(1)  Based on regulatory financial reports as of March 31, 2010, and includes both covered and non-covered loans.
(2)  Financial information is for the quarter ending December 31, 2009.
 
Source:
SNL Financial LC. and RP® Financial, LC. calculations. The information provided in this table has been obtained from sources we believe are reliable, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information.
 
Copyright (c) 2010 by RP® Financial, LC.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.14
 
The Company’s loan portfolio composition reflected a lower concentration of 1-4 family permanent mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities than maintained by the Peer Group (28.3% of assets versus 57.2% for the Peer Group).  The Company’s investment in residential loans was supported by a similar concentration of mortgage-backed securities (16.2% for the Company versus an average of 17.3% for the Peer Group), as the Company’ ratio of 1-4 family permanent mortgage loans was substantially lower than the Peer Group average (12.1% for Charter Financial versus an average of 39.9% of assets for the Peer Group).  Loans serviced for others and mortgage servicing assets are limited for Charter Financial
 
The Company’s lending activities show greater diversification in multi-family and commercial mortgage lending.  Specifically, multi-family and commercial mortgage loans represented 27.7% of assets, which was greater than the 14.4% average ratio for the Peer Group.  Similarly, construction loans were modestly greater for the Company based on a ratio of 9.8% of assets for Charter Financial versus an average of 2.7% of assets for the Peer Group.  The balance of the loan portfolio consisted of modest levels of non-mortgage commercial and consumer loans for both the Company and the Peer Group.  Overall, the Company’s and Peer Group’s risk-weighted assets-to-assets ratio were relatively similar, equal to 50.1% and 51.2%, respectively.
 
Credit Risk
 
The Company acquired a large balance of poorly underwritten credit impaired assets as a result of the NCB and MCB acquisitions which increased the balance of NPAs and delinquent loans.  Importantly, the acquired credit-impaired assets are covered under the FDIC loss sharing agreement and have also been marked-to-market creating significant purchase discounts (i.e., both fair value discounts to cover future losses upon disposition and accretable discounts to provide a periodic return on acquired NCB and MCB assets until their ultimate resolution or disposition).  Charter Financial’s management believes that the accretion of purchase discounts coupled with the presence of fair value non-accretable discounts to account for the current market value of the assets minimize the future credit risk of the acquired assets to the Company’s equity and earnings.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.15
 
Accordingly, the analysis herein assesses the Company’s credit risk exposure relative to the Peer Group focuses on the Company’s non-covered assets, the majority of which were originated or purchased by Charter Financial. On this basis, the ratio of NPAs/assets equaled 2.53% for the Company versus an average of 1.59% for the Peer Group as shown in Table 3.5.  The higher ratio of NPAs reported by the Company, notwithstanding the exclusion of all assets covered by the loss sharing agreement with the FDIC, was the result of both a higher ratio of non-performing loans/loans and REO/assets.  The Company maintained a higher level of loss reserves as a percent of non-covered non-performing loans (87.02% versus 56.83% for the Peer Group) and reserves in comparison to NPAs was comparable (55.58% versus an average of 49.99% for the Peer Group) and reserves to total loans were higher (2.39% versus an average of 0.93% for the Peer Group).  Chargeoffs equaled 0.62% of loans for the Company and 0.15% of loans for the Peer Group.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Table 3.6 reflects various key ratios highlighting the relative interest rate risk exposure of the Company versus the Peer Group.  In terms of balance sheet composition, Charter Financial’s pro forma interest rate risk characteristics were considered to be slightly more favorable than those of the Peer Group.  While the Company’s operates with lower tangible equity-to-assets and IEA/IBL ratios, the infusion of stock proceeds should serve to improve these ratios relative to the Peer Group.  Moreover, the shortfall in these ratios is partially attributable to the Company’s significant investment in BOLI, which generates fee income as the cash surrender value increases, and the presence of the FDIC indemnification asset.  The non- interest earning FDIC indemnification asset will be diminishing over time as cash is received from the FDIC pursuant to the loss share coverage agreement thereby reducing the level of non-interest earning assets to an extent.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.16
 
Table 3.5
Credit Risk Measures and Related Information
Comparable Institution Analysis
As of March 31, 2010 or Most Recent Date Available
 
           
NPAs &
                     
Rsrves/
             
     
REO/
   
90+Del/
   
NPLs/
   
Rsrves/
   
Rsrves/
   
NPAs &
   
Net Loan
   
NLCs/
 
Institution
 
Assets
   
Assets
   
Loans
   
Loans
   
NPLs
   
90+Del
   
Chargoffs
   
Loans
 
     
(%)
   
(%)
   
(%)
   
(%)
   
(%)
   
(%)
    ($000)    
(%)
 
                                                     
Charter Financial Corporation
    0.91 %     2.53 %     2.75 %     2.39 %     87.02 %     55.58 %   $ 910  (1)     0.62 % (1)
                                                                   
All Public Companies
                                                               
Averages
    0.50 %     3.76 %     4.66 %     1.66 %     64.71 %     48.71 %   $ 1,470       0.65 %
Medians
    0.23 %     2.61 %     3.68 %     1.35 %     45.03 %     40.21 %   $ 448       0.26 %
                                                                   
State of GA
                                                               
Averages
    0.55 %     6.51 %     8.81 %     2.15 %     24.43 %     22.36 %   $ 4,224       2.63 %
Medians
    0.55 %     6.51 %     8.81 %     2.15 %     24.43 %     22.36 %   $ 4,224       2.63 %
                                                                   
Comparable Group
                                                               
Averages
    0.29 %     1.59 %     2.02 %     0.93 %     56.83 %     49.99 %   $ 301       0.15 %
Medians
    0.19 %     1.15 %     1.09 %     0.94 %     49.54 %     41.25 %   $ 57       0.01 %
                                                                   
Comparable Group
                                                               
ALLB
Alliance Bank MHC of PA (42.0)
    0.58 %     5.71 %     7.87 %     1.37 %     17.47 %     14.80 %   $ 67       0.09 %
CSBK
Clifton Savings Bancorp MHC of NJ (37.1)(2)
    0.00 %     0.23 %     0.86 %     0.43 %     49.54 %     83.27 %   $ 0       0.00 %
GCBC
Green County Bancorp MHC of NY (43.9)
    0.01 %     0.69 %     1.11 %     1.32 %     119.51 %     117.16 %   $ 120       0.17 %
KRNY
Kearny Financial Corp. MHC of NJ (26.5)
    0.01 %     0.73 %     0.63 %     0.82 %     69.30 %     26.85 %   $ 41       -0.01 %
LSBK
Lake Shore Bancorp MHC of NY (41.3)
    0.08 %     0.59 %     1.40 %     0.62 %     25.40 %     36.70 %   $ 47       0.00 %
EBSB
Meridian Financial Services MHC MA (43.4)
    0.30 %     2.85 %     3.79 %     0.92 %     24.22 %     21.70 %   $ 1,743       0.00 %
PBIP
Prudential Bancorp MHC PA (29.3)
    1.04 %     1.54 %     0.00 %     0.95 %  
NA
      45.80 %   $ 691       1.07 %
RCKB
Rockville Financial MHC of CT (42.9)
    0.20 %     1.13 %     1.07 %     0.98 %     92.05 %     75.77 %   $ 24       0.01 %
ROMA  
Roma Financial Corp. MHC of NJ (27.0)
    0.18 %     1.27 %     2.50 %     1.09 %     35.45 %     31.36 %   $ 9       0.01 %
SIFI
SI Financial Group Inc. MHC of CT (38.2)
    0.48 %     1.17 %     1.00 %     0.79 %     78.57 %     46.51 %   $ 268       0.18 %
 
(1)  Annualized six month result. 
(2)  Financial information is for the quarter ending December 31, 2009. 
 
Source:
SNL Financial LC. and RP® Financial, LC. calculations. The information provided in this table has been obtained from sources we believe are reliable, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information.
 
Copyright (c) 2010 by RP® Financial, LC.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.17
 
Table 3.6
Interest Rate Risk Measures and Net Interest Income Volatility
Comparable Institution Analysis
As of March 31, 2010 or Most Recent Date Available
 
     
Balance Sheet Measures
                                     
     
Tangible
         
Non-Earn.
   
Quarterly Change in Net Interest Income
 
     
Equity/
   
IEA/
   
Assets/
                                     
Institution
 
Assets
   
IBL
   
Assets
   
3/31/2010
   
12/31/2009
   
9/30/2009
   
6/30/2009
   
3/31/2009
   
12/31/2008
 
     
(%)
   
(%)
   
(%)
   
(change in net interest income is annualized in basis points)
 
                                                         
Charter Financial Corporation
    8.5 %     92.9 %     16.3 %     -42       17       21       -21       -6       3  
                                                                           
All Public Companies
    10.5 %     107.9 %     6.0 %     5       7       8       1       -4       -1  
State of GA
    10.0 %     104.4 %     7.6 %     14       2       21       -14       8       -21  
                                                                           
Comparable Group
                                                                       
Averages
    12.3 %     110.4 %     5.2 %     19       10       11       -1       -13       13  
Medians
    11.0 %     108.6 %     5.5 %     15       18       9       -1       -11       10  
                                                                           
Comparable Group
                                                                       
ALLB
Alliance Bank MHC of PA (42.0)
    10.3 %     106.7 %     5.5 %     2       -7       10       -7       9       -8  
CSBK
Clifton Savings Bancorp MHC of NJ (37.1)(1)
    16.5 %     116.3 %     3.9 %  
NA
      19       20       -12       -11       7  
GCBC
Green County Bancorp MHC of NY (43.9)
    9.1 %     106.0 %     4.2 %     20       4       8       5       -11       23  
KRNY
Kearny Financial Corp. MHC of NJ (26.5)
    17.8 %     119.9 %     6.6 %     2       16       -4       -7       -7       8  
LSBK
Lake Shore Bancorp MHC of NY (41.3)
    12.9 %     111.0 %     5.5 %     15       22       7       1       -47       23  
EBSB
Meridian Financial Services MHC MA (43.4)
    11.2 %     108.0 %     6.4 %     51       34       26       14       5       22  
PBIP
Prudential Bancorp MHC PA (29.3)
    10.7 %     108.1 %     4.3 %     6       19       26       -10       -30       43  
RCKB
Rockville Financial MHC of CT (42.9)
    10.2 %     109.1 %     3.3 %     25       26       0       0       -10       3  
ROMA  
Roma Financial Corp. MHC of NJ (27.0)
    15.8 %     114.1 %     6.5 %     9       12       22       -1       -31       12  
SIFI
SI Financial Group Inc. MHC of CT (38.2)
    8.6 %     105.1 %     5.6 %     46       -48       -7       8       3       -4  
 
(1) Financial information is for the quarter ending December 31, 2009.
NA=Change is greater than 100 basis points during the quarter.
 
Source:
SNL Financial LC. and RP® Financial, LC. calculations. The information provided in this table has been obtained from sources we believe are reliable, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information.
 
Copyright (c) 2010 by RP® Financial, LC.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS
  III.18
 
To analyze interest rate risk associated with the net interest margin, we reviewed quarterly changes in net interest income as a percent of average assets for Charter Financial and the Peer Group.  In general, the relative fluctuations in the Company’s and the Peer Group’s net interest income to average assets ratios were considered to be slightly greater than the Peer Group average but well within the range of the Peer Group companies individually and, thus, based on the interest rate environment that prevailed during the period analyzed in Table 3.5, Charter Financial’s and the Peer Group were viewed as maintaining a similar degree of interest rate risk exposure in their respective net interest margins.  The stability of the Company’s net interest margin should be enhanced by the infusion of stock proceeds, as the increase in capital will reduce the level interest rate sensitive liabilities funding Charter Financial’s assets.
 
Summary
 
Based on the above analysis and the criteria employed in the selection of the companies for the Peer Group, RP Financial concluded that the Peer Group forms a reasonable basis for determining the pro forma market value of Charter Financial.  Such general characteristics as asset size, equity position, IEA composition, funding composition, core earnings measures, loan composition, credit quality and exposure to interest rate risk all tend to support the reasonability of the Peer Group from a financial standpoint.  Those areas where differences exist will be addressed in the form of valuation adjustments to the extent necessary.

 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.1
 
IV.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
Introduction
 
This section presents the valuation analysis and methodology used to determine Charter Financial’s estimated pro forma market value of the common stock to be issued in conjunction with the offering of additional common stock within the mutual holding company structure.  The valuation incorporates the appraisal methodology promulgated by the OTS and adopted in practice by the FDIC and state banking agencies for standard conversions and mutual holding company offerings, including secondary offerings by mutual holding companies, particularly regarding selection of the Peer Group, fundamental analysis on both the Company and the Peer Group, and determination of the Company’s pro forma market value utilizing the market value approach.
 
Appraisal Guidelines
 
The OTS written appraisal guidelines, originally released in October 1983 and updated in late-1994, specify the market value methodology for estimating the pro forma market value of an institution.  The FDIC, state banking agencies and other Federal agencies have endorsed the OTS appraisal guidelines as the appropriate guidelines involving mutual-to-stock conversions.  As previously noted, the appraisal guidelines for MHC offerings, including secondary offerings, are somewhat different, particularly in the Peer Group selection process.  Specifically, the regulatory agencies have indicated that the Peer Group should be based on the pro forma fully-converted pricing characteristics of publicly-traded MHCs, rather than on already fully-converted publicly-traded stock thrifts, given the unique differences in stock pricing of MHCs and fully-converted stock thrifts.  Pursuant to this methodology:  (1) a Peer Group of comparable publicly-traded MHC institutions is selected; (2) a financial and operational comparison of the subject company to the Peer Group is conducted to discern key differences; and (3) the pro forma market value of the subject company is determined based on the market pricing of the Peer Group, subject to certain valuation adjustments based on key differences.  In addition, the pricing characteristics of recent conversions and MHC offerings, including secondary offerings by MHCs, if any, must be considered.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.2
 
RP Financial Approach to the Valuation
 
The valuation analysis herein complies with such regulatory approval guidelines.  Accordingly, the valuation incorporates a detailed analysis based on the Peer Group, discussed in Section III, which constitutes “fundamental analysis” techniques.  Additionally, the valuation incorporates a “technical analysis” of recently completed stock conversions, including closing pricing and aftermarket trading of such offerings.  It should be noted that these valuation analyses cannot possibly fully account for all the market forces which impact trading activity and pricing characteristics of a particular stock on a given day.
 
The pro forma market value determined herein is a preliminary value for the Company’s to-be-issued stock.  Throughout the conversion process, RP Financial will:  (1) review changes in Charter Financial’s operations and financial condition; (2) monitor Charter Financial’s operations and financial condition relative to the Peer Group to identify any fundamental changes; (3) monitor the external factors affecting value including, but not limited to, local and national economic conditions, interest rates, and the stock market environment, including the market for thrift and bank stocks; and (4) monitor pending conversion offerings, particularly minority stock issuances by mutual holding companies including secondary offerings within the mutual holding company, if any, as well as standard conversion offerings, both regionally and nationally, if any.  If material changes should occur during the offering process, RP Financial will evaluate if updated valuation reports should be prepared reflecting such changes and their related impact on value, if any.  RP Financial will also prepare a final valuation update at the closing of the offering to determine if the prepared valuation analysis and resulting range of value continues to be appropriate.
 
The appraised value determined herein is based on the current market and operating environment for the Company and for all thrifts.  Subsequent changes in the local and national economy, the legislative and regulatory environment, the stock market, interest rates, and other external forces (such as natural disasters or major world events), which may occur from time to time (often with great unpredictability) may materially impact the market value of all thrift stocks, including Charter Financial’s value, or Charter Financial’s value alone.  To the extent a change in factors impacting the Company’s value can be reasonably anticipated and/or quantified, RP Financial has incorporated the estimated impact into the analysis.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.3
 
Valuation Analysis
 
A fundamental analysis discussing similarities and differences relative to the Peer Group was presented in Chapter III.  The following sections summarize the key differences between the Company and the Peer Group and how those differences affect the pro forma valuation.  Emphasis is placed on the specific strengths and weaknesses of the Company relative to the Peer Group in such key areas as financial condition, profitability, growth and viability of earnings, asset growth, primary market area, dividends, liquidity of the shares, marketing of the issue, management, and the effect of government regulations and/or regulatory reform.  We have also considered the market for thrift stocks, in particular new issues, to assess the impact on value of the Company coming to market at this time.
 
1.             Financial Condition
 
The financial condition of an institution is an important determinant in pro forma market value because investors typically look to such factors as liquidity, capital, asset composition and quality, and funding sources in assessing investment attractiveness.  The similarities and differences in the Company’s and the Peer Group’s financial strengths are noted as follows:
 
 
Overall Asset/Liability Composition.  Loans and investments funded by retail deposits were the primary components of the Company’s and Peer Group’s balance sheets.  The Company’s interest-earning asset composition exhibited a modestly lower concentration of loans with a greater concentration of multi-family and commercial mortgage loans while the Peer Group’s loan portfolio was more heavily oriented toward residential mortgage lending inclusive of their investment in MBS.  The Company’s funding base is somewhat different than the Peer Group’s as it relies more heavily on higher cost borrowings and jumbo brokered CDs and credit union CDs.  The Company maintained a lower IEA/IBL than the Peer Group on average.  The Company’s IEA/IBL ratio improves on a pro forma basis, but the Peer Group’s ratio also improves under the second step conversion scenario
     
 
Credit Risk Profile.  In comparison to the Peer Group, the Company maintained higher levels of NPAs and non-performing loans, even considering only non-covered loans.  Loss reserves maintained as a percent of total loans were higher for the Company.  Loss reserves maintained as a percent of NPAs were comparable.  Importantly, the foregoing credit quality ratios in comparison to the Peer Group do not include the impact of non-performing covered assets where the risk of loss to the Company has been substantially diminished as a result of FDIC loss sharing and the establishment of fair value discounts on estimated losses not covered under loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.4
 
 
Balance Sheet Liquidity.  For the most recent period, the Company maintained a higher level of cash and investment securities relative to the Peer Group.  Furthermore, the infusion of the net proceeds from the incremental minority stock issuance will initially increase the Company’s level of liquid assets pending investment of the proceeds into loans and other longer-term investments.  The Company’s future borrowing capacity was considered to be more limited than the Peer Group’s capacity based on its current higher utilization of borrowings in comparison to the Peer Group.
     
 
Funding Liabilities.  The Company’s interest-bearing funding composition reflected a lower concentration of deposits and a higher concentration of borrowings relative to the comparable Peer Group ratios.  In total, the Company maintained a higher level of interest-bearing liabilities than the Peer Group which, coupled with the higher cost of funds owing to the large balances of borrowed funds and jumbo CDs, contributed to Charter Financial’s high ratio of net interest expense to average assets.  The reliance on wholesale deposits including brokered CDs and credit union deposits tends to increase the funding volatility, both from a funds flow perspective and the interest sensitivity of the deposit base in response to changing market interest rates.  Following the stock offering, the increase in the Company’s equity position should serve to reduce the level of interest-bearing liabilities funding assets to a ratio more closely approximating the Peer Group’s ratio.
     
 
Equity.  The Company maintains a tangible equity-to-assets ratio which fell below the Peer Group’s average and median on a pre-conversion basis.  On a pro forma basis for the Company and the Peer Group after the incremental minority stock issuance, both on a nominal MHC basis and on a fully converted basis (i.e., assuming the completion of a second step conversion), the Company’s equity ratio is within the range of the Peer Group average and median.
 
On balance, no adjustment was determined to be appropriate for financial condition reflecting the Company’s credit risk exposure is mitigated by the benefits of the incremental minority stock issuance as well as the high reserve coverage in relation to total loans.  Moreover, the transitioning of the balance sheet to one that has a heavier retail orientation will improve the Company’s exposure to liquidity risk and improve the cost of funds over the long term.
 
 2.           Profitability, Growth and Viability of Earnings
 
Earnings are a key factor in determining pro forma market value, as the level and risk characteristics of an institution’s earnings stream and the prospects and ability to generate future earnings heavily influence the multiple that the investment community will pay for earnings.  The major factors considered in the valuation are described below.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.5
 
 
Reported Profitability.  On a historical basis, the Company reported higher earnings than the Peer Group based on a return on average assets (“ROAA”) measures equal to 0.97% percent for the Company and 0.46% for the Peer Group.  Reported earnings were supported by non-operating gains, as the Company’s higher ROA was principally the result of non-operating gains, including bargain purchase gains on the NCB and MCB transactions as well as gains on the sale of securities net of non-operating losses.   As noted below, core earnings fell short of the Peer Group average owing to a weaker net interest margin and a higher operating expense ratio and loan loss provisions.  On a pro forma fully converted basis, both the Company and the Peer Group will benefit from the assumed offering proceeds of a second step conversion from a reinvestment perspective.
     
 
Core Profitability.  As referenced above, the Company’s earnings were supported by non-operating gains to a greater extent than the Peer Group’s earnings.  The Company’s higher efficiency ratio (86.9% for Charter Financial versus 71.7% for the Peer Group) is indicative of the lower core earnings rate based on historical earnings.   Core earnings do not reflect the full impact of the NCB and MCB acquisitions which were completed during the year from either a revenue or expense perspective.  Over the near term, beyond the impact of the bargain purchase gains, the earnings benefit of the acquisitions has been limited as the resulting incremental revenues have been offset by higher operating costs of the acquired institutions.  However, the earnings benefit of these transactions may be more significant over the long term as the Company takes advantage of the expanded retail banking operations.
     
 
Interest Rate Risk.  Quarterly changes in the Company’s and the Peer Group’s net interest income to average assets ratios indicated the degree of volatility associated with the Company’s and the Peer Group’s net interest margins fell within the range exhibited by the Peer Group.  Other measures of interest rate risk such as the capital and the IEA/IBL ratio were less favorable for the Company, thereby indicating that the Company maintained a higher dependence on the yield-cost spread to sustain net interest income.   The  interest rate risk exposure on “covered loans” is mitigated by the loss-sharing agreements. On  a pro forma basis, the Company’s capital position and IEA/IBL ratio will be enhanced by the infusion of stock proceeds, thereby lessening its exposure, although the position of the Peer Group on a second step basis would also improve.
     
 
Credit Risk.  Loan loss provisions were a more significant factor in the Company’s earnings in comparison to the Peer Group.  In terms of the future exposure to credit-related losses, the Company’s credit risk exposure was similar based on the level of NPAs and reserve coverage ratios (i.e., reserve coverage in relation to total loans was higher than the Peer Group while reserves as a percent of NPAs was similar).  The credit risk of the acquired assets of NCB and MCB in relation to the Peer Group has been diminished by the presence of the FDIC loss sharing agreement and the mark-to-market purchase accounting adjustment applied by the Company.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.6
 
 
Earnings Growth Potential.  Several factors were considered in assessing earnings growth potential.  First, the infusion of stock proceeds will increase the Company’s earnings growth potential with respect to increasing earnings through leverage.  Secondly, the trailing twelve month earnings through March 31, 2010 do not fully reflect the impact of the NCB and MCB acquisitions which should benefit the Company over the long term in a number of ways including the market expansion, earnings on acquired assets and the ability to fund operations with retail deposits to a greater extent.  Third, the Company’s market area provides opportunities for growth through acquisition because many competing financial institutions have been forced to retrench their operations in the face of asset quality problems and operating losses.  As a result, growth opportunities (both organic growth and through acquisition) have been enhanced as a result.  And fourth, the Company has stated its intention to pursue such growth opportunities, including seeking additional FDIC assisted transactions, based on their availability.
     
 
Return on Equity.  The Company’s pro forma return on equity based on reported core earnings (excluding net non-operating expenses but including trailing twelve month loan loss provisions) will be lower than the Peer Group average and median.  The ROE may be subject to increase over the near term as the earnings benefits of the NCB and MCB acquisitions are realized into earnings and over the longer term if the Company can successfully execute its earnings growth strategies.
 
Overall, we concluded that a moderate upward adjustment for profitability, growth and viability of earnings was appropriate, primarily in view of the potential for earnings growth as the benefits of the NCB and MCB acquisition are realized and based on the potential for the Company to execute other earnings growth strategies predicated, in part, on market opportunity.
 
3.             Asset Growth
 
The Company recorded stronger asset growth than the Peer Group, primarily owing to the completion of the two FDIC-assisted acquisitions.  On a pro forma basis, the Company’s tangible equity-to-assets ratio will be consistent with the Peer Group’s ratio, indicating similar leverage capacity for the Company.  The Company’s post-offering business plan is to leverage pro forma capital through a combination of organic growth and complementary acquisitions, focusing on expanding the retail banking operations.  Given the uncertainty associated with de novo branching and acquisition related growth, the Company’s ability to leverage capital in a timely and effective manner involves a certain degree of execution risk.  At the same time, the current market environment in Georgia is favorable for a well capitalized institution to grow but this is also true for the well-capitalized Peer Group companies which are based in the mid-Atlantic and New England regions of the US.  On balance, we have applied a slight upward valuation adjustment was warranted for this factor.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.7
 
4.             Primary Market Area
 
The general condition of a financial institution’s market area has an impact on value, as future success is in part dependent upon opportunities for profitable activities in the local market area.  Operating in the I-85 corridor from suburban Atlanta to eastern Alabama, the Company faces significant competition for loans and deposits from larger financial institutions, which provide a broader array of services and have significantly larger branch networks.  Demographic and economic trends and characteristics in the Company’s primary market area are mixed, but the Troup and Chambers County markets where Charter Financial has historically been based and where the largest portion of its deposit base is gathered are small markets with limited growth potential (see Exhibit III-3).  Moreover, favorable growth trends for other markets where Charter Financial maintains a more limited presence, such as Coweta and Gwinnett Counties in the Atlanta metropolitan area, may be impacted by the severe recession being experienced in the Georgia market.  Income levels in the Company’s markets cover a broad range but are generally modest in the Troup and Chambers County markets. The deposit market share exhibited by the Company fell within the Peer Group range.  As shown in Exhibit III-3, the Company maintains a relatively strong market share in the Troup and Chambers County markets in comparison to the Peer Group averages and medians but its market share is comparatively lower in most other markets.  Troup and Chambers Counties also have relatively high unemployment rates in relation to the Peer Group average and median.  From a competitive standpoint, the recessionary economy which may be impacting the Company’s markets to a greater extent than the Peer Group’s markets has provided Charter Financial with the opportunity to acquire two failed institutions with regulatory assistance and has impacted the asset quality and capital of many competitors, potentially reducing the level of competition for the Company relative to historical levels.
 
On balance, we concluded that no adjustment was needed for the Company’s market area.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.8
 
5.             Dividends
 
Charter Financial Corporation has paid a quarterly cash dividend since September 2002.  Beginning with the dividend paid in May 2010, the Company reduced its quarterly dividend from $0.25 per share to $0.05 per share.  The reduction of the dividend reflects in part, the decision to pursue opportunities for deployment of capital in FDIC-assisted transactions such as the NCB and MCB transactions with the objective of enhancing long-term earnings and franchise value.  The Company has indicated its intent to continue to pay a dividend in the future based on a number of factors, including the Company’s capital requirements, acquisition opportunities, financial condition and results of operations, tax considerations, statutory and regulatory limitations, and general economic conditions.  The Board has further indicated that it expects that the dividend will be significantly reduced or eliminated in the future
 
Nine of the ten Peer Group companies pay regular cash dividends, with implied dividend yields ranging from 1.45% to 4.19%.  The average dividend yield on the stocks of the Peer Group institutions was 2.30% as of May 21, 2010, representing an average payout ratio of 46.53% of earnings.  As of May 21, 2010, a total of 19 of the 27 MHCs had adopted cash dividend policies, with the dividend paying MHCs exhibiting an average yield of 2.91%.  The dividend paying thrifts generally maintain higher than average profitability ratios, facilitating their ability to pay cash dividends.
 
The Company’s indicated dividend policy following the incremental minority stock issues provides for a comparable yield as maintained by the Peer Group, as the Company is planning to maintain the current dividend policy and at the current midpoint valuation per share, the annual dividend payment of $0.20 per share would provide a yield of 2.33%.  While the payout ratio is very high based on the current core earnings rate, the Company’s ability to maintain the anticipated payout ratio is supported by its strengthened pro forma equity to-assets ratio, which compares closely to the Peer Group average and median.  Accordingly, on balance, we concluded that no adjustment was warranted for purposes of the Company’s dividend policy.
 
6.             Liquidity of the Shares
 
The Peer Group is by definition composed of companies that are traded in the public markets.  All ten Peer Group members trade on the NASDAQ.  Typically, the number of shares outstanding and market capitalization provides an indication of how much liquidity there will be in a particular stock.  The market capitalization of the Peer Group companies, based on the shares issued and outstanding to public shareholders (i.e., excluding the majority ownership interest owned by the respective MHCs) ranged from $19.9 million to $175.9 million as of May 21, 2010, with average and median market values of $69.2 million and $59.7 million, respectively.  The shares issued and outstanding to the public shareholders of the Peer Group members ranged from 1.8 million to 18.3 million, with average and median shares outstanding of 6.9 million and 6.3 million, respectively.  On a pro forma basis, after the minority stock issuance, the Company’s shares outstanding and market capitalization based on shares outstanding held by the public will approximate to modestly exceed the Peer Group average and median, but be within the range exhibited by the Peer Group companies on an individual basis.  Accordingly, we anticipate that the liquidity in the Company’s stock will be relatively similar to the Peer Group companies’ stocks.  It is anticipated that the Company’s stock will be listed on NASDAQ following the incremental minority stock issuance.  Overall, we concluded that no adjustment was warranted for this factor.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.9
 
7.             Marketing of the Issue
 
Four separate markets exist for thrift stocks:  (a) the after-market for public companies, both fully-converted stock companies and MHCs, in which trading activity is regular and investment decisions are made based upon financial condition, earnings, capital, ROE, dividends and future prospects; (b) the new issue market in which converting thrifts are evaluated on the basis of the same factors but on a pro forma basis without the benefit of prior operations as a publicly-held company and stock trading history; and (3) the thrift acquisition market; and (4) the market for the public stock of Charter Financial.  All of these markets were considered in the valuation of the shares issued by the Company pursuant to the incremental minority stock issuance.
 
a.             The Public Market
 
The value of publicly-traded thrift stocks is easily measurable, and is tracked by most investment houses and related organizations.  Exhibit IV-1 provides pricing and financial data on all publicly-traded thrifts.  In general, thrift stock values react to market stimuli such as interest rates, inflation, perceived industry health, projected rates of economic growth, regulatory issues and stock market conditions in general.  Exhibit IV-2 displays historical stock market trends for various indices and includes historical stock price index values for thrifts and commercial banks.  Exhibit IV-3 displays historical stock price indices for thrifts only.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.10
 
In terms of assessing general stock market conditions, the performance of the overall stock market has been mixed in recent quarters.  Stocks started the fourth quarter of 2009 with a sell-off, as investors reacted negatively to economic data showing a slowdown in manufacturing activity from August to September and more job losses than expected for September.  Energy and material stocks led a stock market rally heading into mid-October, as stock markets rallied around the world.  Good earnings reports from J.P. Morgan Chase and Intel pushed the Dow Jones Industrial Average (“DJIA”) above a 10000 close in mid-October.  Mixed economic data and concerns of the sustainability of the recovery following the removal of the federal stimulus programs provided for volatile trading at the close of October.  Stocks moved higher in early-November, with the DJIA topping 10000 again on renewed optimism about the economy aided by a report that manufacturing activity rose around the world in October.  Expectations that interest rates and inflation would remain low, following a weaker than expected employment report for October, sustained the rally heading into mid-November.  The DJIA hit new highs for the year in mid-November, as investors focused on upbeat earnings from major retailers, signs of economic growth in Asia and the Federal Reserve’s commitment to low interest rates.  Stocks traded unevenly through the second half of November, reflecting investor uncertainty over the strength of the economic recovery and Dubai debt worries.  Easing fears about the Dubai debt crisis, along with a favorable employment report for November, served to bolster stocks at the end of November and into early-December.  Mixed economic data, including a better-than-expected increase in November retail sales and November wholesale inflation rising more than expected, sustained a narrow trading range for the broader stock market heading into mid-December.  Worries about the state of European economies and the dollar’s surge upended stocks in mid-December.  Helped by some positive economic data and acquisition deals in mining and health care, the DJIA posted gains for six consecutive sessions in late-December.  Overall, the DJIA closed up 18.8% for 2009.
 
Stocks started 2010 in positive territory on mounting evidence of a global manufacturing rebound, while mixed earnings reports provided for an up and down market in mid-January.  The DJIA moved into negative territory for the year heading in into late-January, with financial stocks leading the market lower as the White House proposed new limits on the size and activities of big banks.  Technology stocks led the broader market lower at the close of January, as disappointing economic reports dampened growth prospects for 2010.  Concerns about the global economy and European default worries pressured stocks lower in early-February, as the DJIA closed below 10000 for the first time in three months.  Upbeat corporate earnings and some favorable economic news out of Europe and China help stocks to rebound in mid-February.  The positive trend in the broader stock market continued into the second half of February, as investors seized on mild inflation data and more signs that the U.S. economy was recovering.  Weak economic data pulled stocks lower at the end of February, although the 2.6% increase in the DJIA for the month of February was its strongest showing since November.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.11
 
The DJIA moved back into positive territory for 2010 in early-March, as the broader market rallied on a better-than-expected employment report for February.  Stocks trended higher through mid-March, with the DJIA closing up for eight consecutive trading sessions.  Factors contributing to the eight day winning streak in the DJIA included bullish comments by Citigroup, expectations of continued low borrowing costs following the Federal Reserve’s mid-March meeting that concluded with keeping its target rate near zero and a brightening manufacturing outlook.  Following a one day pull back, the positive trend in the broader market continued heading into late-March.  Gains in the health-care sector following the passage of health-care legislation, better-than-expected existing home sales in February, first time jobless claims falling more than expected and solid earnings posted by Best Buy all contributed to the positive trend in stocks.  The DJIA moved to a 19-month high approaching the end of the first quarter, as oil stocks led the market higher in response to new evidence of global economic strength.  Overall, the DJIA completed its best first quarter since 1999, with a 4.1% increase for the quarter.
 
More signs of the economy gaining strength sustained the positive trend in the broader stock market at the start of the second quarter of 2010.  The DJIA closed above 11000 heading into mid-April, based on growing optimism about corporate earnings and a recovering economy.  Fraud charges against Goldman Sachs halted a six day rally in the market in mid-April, as financial stocks led a one day sell-off in the broader market.  The broader stock market generally sustained a positive trend during the second half of April, with encouraging first quarter earnings reports and favorable economic data supporting the gains.  Financial stocks lead the broader stock market lower at the end of April on news of a criminal investigation of Goldman Sachs.  The sell-off in the stock market sharpened during the first week of May, largely on the basis of heightened concerns about possible ripple effects from Greece’s credit crisis.  Stocks surged after European Union leaders agreed to a massive bailout to prevent Greece’s financial troubles from spreading throughout the region, but then reversed course heading into the second half of May on continued worries about the fallout from Europe’s credit crisis and an unexpected increase in U.S. jobless claims.  On May 21, 2010, the DJIA closed at 10193.39, an increase of 23.1% from one year ago and a decrease of 2.3% year-to-date, and the NASDAQ closed at 2229.04, an increase of 31.7% from one year ago and a decrease of 1.8% year-to-date.  The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index closed at 1087.69 on May 21, 2010, an increase of 27.5% from one year ago and a decrease of 2.5% year-to-date.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.12
 
The market for thrift stocks has been somewhat uneven in recent quarters, but in general has underperformed the broader stock market.  Some disappointing economic data pushed thrift stocks along with the broader market lower at the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2009.  Thrift stocks rebounded modestly through mid-October, aided by a rally in the broader stock market and a strong earnings report from J.P. Morgan Chase.  Concerns of more loan losses and a disappointing report on September new home sales provided for a modest retreat in thrift prices in late-October.  After bouncing higher on a better-than-expected report for third quarter GDP growth, financial stocks led the broader market lower at the end of October in the face of a negative report on consumer spending.  In contrast to the broader market, thrift stocks edged lower following the Federal Reserve’s early-November statement that it would leave the federal funds rate unchanged.  Thrift stocks rebounded along with the broader market going into mid-November, following some positive reports on the economy and comments from the Federal Reserve that interest rates would remain low amid concerns that unemployment and troubles in commercial real estate would weigh on the economic recovery.  Fresh economic data that underscored expectations for a slow economic recovery and Dubai debt worries pushed thrift stocks lower during the second half of November.  Financial stocks led a broader market rebound at the close of November and into early-December, which was supported by a favorable report for home sales in October and expectations that the Dubai debt crisis would have a limited impact on U.S. banks.  The favorable employment report for November added to gains in the thrift sector in early-December.  Financial stocks edged higher in mid-December on news that Citigroup was repaying TARP funds, which was followed by a pullback following a report that wholesale inflation rose more than expected in November and mid-December unemployment claims were higher than expected.  More attractive valuations supported a snap-back rally in thrift stocks heading into late-December, which was followed by a narrow trading range for the thrift sector through year end.  Overall, the SNL Index for all publicly-traded thrifts was down 10.2% in 2009, which reflects significant declines in the trading prices of several large publicly-traded thrifts during 2009 pursuant to reporting significant losses due to credit quality related deterioration.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.13
 
Thrift stocks traded in a narrow range during the first few weeks of 2010, as investors awaited fourth quarter earnings reports that would provide further insight on credit quality trends.  An unexpected jump in jobless claims and proposed restrictions by the White House on large banks depressed financial stocks in general heading into late-January.  Amid mixed earnings reports, thrift stocks traded in a narrow range for the balance of January.  Financial stocks led the broader market lower in early-February and then rebounded along with the broader market in mid-February on some positive economic data including signs that home prices were rising in some large metropolitan areas.  Mild inflation readings for wholesale and consumer prices in January sustained the upward trend in thrift stocks heading into the second half of February.  Comments by the Federal Reserve Chairman that short-term interest rates were likely to remain low for at least several months helped thrift stocks to ease higher in late-February.
 
The thrift sector moved higher along with the broader stock market in-early March 2010, aided by the better-than-expected employment report for February.  Financial stocks lead the market higher heading into mid-March on optimism that Citigroup would be able to repay the U.S. Government after a successful offering of trust preferred securities.  The Federal Reserve’s recommitment to leaving its target rate unchanged “for an extended period” sustained the positive trend in thrift stocks through mid-March.  Thrift stocks bounced higher along with the broader stock market heading into late-March, which was followed by a slight pullback as debt worries sent the yields on Treasury notes higher.
 
An improving outlook for financial stocks in general, along with positive reports for housing, employment and retail sales, boosted thrift stocks at the start of the second quarter of 2010.  A nominal increase in March consumer prices and a strong first quarter earnings report from JP Morgan Chase & Co. supported a broad rally in bank and thrift stocks heading into mid-April, which was followed by a pullback on news that the SEC charged Goldman Sachs with fraud.  Thrift stocks generally underperformed the broader stock market during the second half of April, as financial stocks in general were hurt by uncertainty about the progress of financial reform legislation, Greece’s debt crisis and news of a criminal investigation of Goldman Sachs.  Thrift stocks retreated along the broader stock market in the first week of May, based on fears that the growing debt crisis in Europe could hurt the economic recovery.  Likewise, thrift stocks surged higher along with the broader stock market after European Union officials announced a massive bailout plan to avert a public-debt crisis and then fell heading into the second half of May on lingering concerns about the euro.  News of rising mortgage delinquencies in the first quarter of 2010, an expected slowdown in new home construction and uncertainty over financial reform legislation further contributed to lower trading prices for thrift stocks.  On May 21, 2010, the SNL Index for all publicly-traded thrifts closed at 592.0, an increase of 12.6% from one year ago and an increase of 0.9% year-to-date.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.14
 
b.           The New Issue Market
 
In addition to thrift stock market conditions in general, the new issue market for converting thrifts is also an important consideration in determining the Bank’s pro forma market value.  The new issue market is separate and distinct from the market for seasoned thrift stocks in that the pricing ratios for converting issues are computed on a pro forma basis, specifically:  (1) the numerator and denominator are both impacted by the conversion offering amount, unlike existing stock issues in which price change affects only the numerator; and (2) the pro forma pricing ratio incorporates assumptions regarding source and use of proceeds, effective tax rates, stock plan purchases, etc. which impact pro forma financials, whereas pricing for existing issues are based on reported financials.  The distinction between pricing of converting and existing issues is perhaps no clearer than in the case of the price/book (“P/B”) ratio in that the P/B ratio of a converting thrift will typically result in a discount to book value whereas in the current market for existing thrifts the P/B ratio may reflect a premium to book value.  Therefore, it is appropriate to also consider the market for new issues, both at the time of the conversion and in the aftermarket.
 
The marketing for converting thrift issues turned more positive in the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010, as indicated by an increase in conversion activity and the relative success of those offerings.  For the most part, the recent conversion offerings experienced healthy subscription takedowns and have traded at or slightly above their IPO prices in initial trading activity.  Consistent with the broader thrift market, conversion pricing reflects continued investor uncertainty over stock market trends, credit quality trends, economic trends and financial reform legislation.  As shown in Table 4.1, one standard conversion and one second-step conversions were completed during the past three months.   The standard conversion offering, Harvard Illinois Bancorp, Inc (“Harvard”), is considered to be more relevant for our analysis.  Harvard’s offering was completed in April 2010 and closed between the minimum and midpoint of the offering range.  Harvard’s closing pro forma price/tangible book ratio equaled 43.1%.  Harvard’s stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board and, as of May 21, 2010, Harvard’s stock price closed at $8.35 or 16.5% below its IPO price.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.15
 
Table 4.1
Pricing Characteristics and After-Market Trends
Recent Conversions Completed (Last Three Months)
 
[Table Omitted]
 
Note: * - Appraisal performed by RP Financial; BOLD=RP Financial did the Conversion Business Plan. “NT” - Not Traded; “NA” - Not Applicable, Not Available; C/S-Cash/Stock.
 
(1)
Non-OTS regulated thrift.
(2)
As a percent of MHC offering for MHC transactions.
(3)
Does not take into account the adoption of SOP 93-6.
(4)
Latest price if offering is less than one week old.
(5)
Latest price if offering is more than one week but less than one month old.
(6)
Mutual holding company pro forma data on full conversion basis.
(7)
Simultaneously completed acquisition of another financial institution.
(8)
Simultaneously converted to a commercial bank charter.
(9)
Former credit union.
 
May 21, 2010
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.16
 
Shown in Table 4.2 are the current pricing ratios for Eagle Bancorp Montana, which is the only company that has completed a fully-converted offering during the past three months and is traded on NASDAQ or an Exchange.  Eagle Bancorp’s offering was a second-step conversion, which tends to be priced higher on a P/TB basis relative to full standard conversion offerings.  Eagle Bancorp’s current  P/TB ratio equaled 81.61%.
 
The most recent minority stock issuance by a mutual holding company was completed by Cullman Bancorp, Inc. of Alabama in October 2009, raising gross proceeds of $10.8 million and closing at a fully converted P/TB equal to 53.5%.
 
c.             The Acquisition Market
 
Also considered in the valuation was the potential impact on Charter Financial stock price of recently completed and pending acquisitions of other savings institutions and banks operating in Georgia and Alabama.  As shown in Exhibit IV-4, there were 11 Georgia and Alabama thrift and bank acquisitions completed from the beginning of 2007 through year-to-date 2010.  The recent acquisition activity involving Georgia and Alabama savings institutions and banks may imply a certain degree of acquisition speculation for the Company’s stock.  To the extent that speculation of a re-mutualization may impact the Company’s valuation, we have largely taken this into account in selecting companies which operate in the MHC form of ownership.  Accordingly, the Peer Group companies are considered to be subject to the same type of acquisition speculation that may influence the Company’s trading price.
 
d.           Trading in Charter Financial Stock
 
Since Charter Financial’s minority stock currently trades under the symbol “CHFN” on the OTC Bulletin Board, RP Financial also considered the recent trading activity in the valuation analysis.  Charter Financial had a total of 18,672,361 shares issued and outstanding at May 21, 2010, of which 2,814,437 shares were held by shareholders other than the MHC and traded as public securities.  As of May 21, 2010, the Company’s closing stock price was $9.85 per share, implying an aggregate value of $27.2 million for the minority shares and $183.9 million for all the shares.  There are some differences between the Company’s minority stock (currently being traded) and the stock which will be offered to the public for sale pursuant to the Stock Issuance Plan.  In this regard, the incremental offering of minority stock is expected to enhance the liquidity of the stock owing to larger number of public shares available to trade.  Additionally, the Company will increase its capital and ability to grow and leverage but the ROE may initially be depressed.  Since the pro forma impact of these considerations has not been fully disseminated publicly to date, it is appropriate to discount the current trading price level.  As the pro forma impact of the offering is made known publicly through the related securities filings, the trading price level will become more informative.
 
*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.17
 
Table 4.2
Market Pricing Comparatives
Prices As of May 21, 2010
 
[Table Omitted]
 
(1)
Average of High/Low or Bid/Ask price per share.
(2)
EPS (estimate core basis) is based on actual trailing 12 month data, adjusted to omit non-operating items on a tax-effected basis.
(3)
P/E = Price to earnings; P/B = Price to book; P/A = Price to assets; P/TB = Price to tangible book value; and P/Core = Price to core earnings.
(4) Indicated 12 month dividend, based on last quarterly dividend declared.
(5)
Indicated 12 month dividend as a percent of trailing 12 month estimated core earnings.
(6)
ROA (return on assets) and ROE (return on equity) are indicated ratios based on trailing 12 month common earnings and average common equity and total assets balances.
(7) Excludes from averages and medians those companies the subject of actual or rumored acquisition activities or unusual operating characteristics.
 
Source: SNL Financial, LC. and RP® Financial, LC. calculations. The information provided in this report has been obtained from sources we believe are reliable, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information.
 
Copyright (c) 2010 by RP® Financial, LC.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.18
 
In determining our valuation adjustment for marketing of the issue, we considered trends in both the overall thrift market, the new issue market including the new issue market for thrift conversions and the local acquisition market for thrift stocks.  Importantly, we noted that recent full conversions have been priced at a significant discount to the market, perhaps requiring more of a downward valuation adjustment for marketing of the issue than offerings where per share trading price information is available.  In the case of Charter Financial and the second-step conversions currently in the market, pricing information in the form of a trading price is already available as a market indicator of value.  For these institutions, a significant downward adjustment for marketing of the issue does not appear to be necessary.  Taking these factors and trends into account, coupled with the potential attractiveness of Charter Financials stated acquisition strategy as a use of capital RP Financial concluded that no adjustment was appropriate in the valuation analysis for purposes of marketing of the issue.
 
8.             Management
 
Charter Financial management team appears to have experience and expertise in all of the key areas of the Company’s operations.  Exhibit IV-5 provides a listing of Charter Financial Board of Directors and senior management.  The Company’s management and Board of Directors have been effective in implementing an operating strategy that can be well managed by the Company’s present organizational structure as indicated by the financial characteristics of the Company.  Currently, the Company has no vacancies in executive management positions.  Similarly, the returns, capital positions, and other operating measures of the Peer Group companies are indicative of well-managed financial institutions, which have Boards and management teams that have been effective in implementing competitive operating strategies.  Therefore, on balance, we concluded no valuation adjustment relative to the Peer Group was appropriate for this factor.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.19
 
9.             Effect of Government Regulation and Regulatory Reform
 
As an OTS regulated mutual holding company institution, Charter Financial will operate in substantially the same regulatory environment as the Peer Group members -- all of whom are adequately capitalized mutual holding company institutions and are operating with no apparent restrictions.  Exhibit IV-6 reflects the Company’s pro forma regulatory capital ratios.  On balance, no adjustment has been applied for the effect of government regulation and regulatory reform.
 
Summary of Adjustments
 
Overall, based on the factors discussed above, we concluded that the Company’s pro forma market value should reflect the following valuation adjustments relative to the Peer Group:
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.20
 
Key Valuation Parameters:
 
Valuation Adjustment
     
Financial Condition
 
No Adjustment
Profitability, Growth and Viability of Earnings
 
Moderate  Upward
Asset Growth
 
Slight Upward
Primary Market Area
 
No Adjustment
Dividends
 
No Adjustment
Liquidity of the Shares
 
No Adjustment
Marketing of the Issue
   
No Adjustment
Management
 
No Adjustment
Effect of Govt. Regulations and Regulatory Reform
 
No Adjustment
 
Basis of Valuation - Fully-Converted Pricing Ratios
 
As indicated in Section III, the valuation analysis included in this section places the Peer Group institutions on equal footing by restating their financial data and pricing ratios on a “fully-converted” basis.  We believe there are a number of characteristics of MHC shares that make them different from the shares of fully-converted companies.  These factors include:  (1) lower aftermarket liquidity in the MHC shares since less than 50% of the shares are available for trading; (2) no opportunity for public shareholders to exercise voting control, thus limiting the potential for acquisition speculation in the stock price; (3) the potential pro forma impact of second-step conversions on the pricing of MHC institutions; and (4) the regulatory policies regarding the dividend waiver policy by MHC institutions.  The above characteristics of MHC shares have provided MHC shares with different trading characteristics than fully-converted companies.  To account for the unique trading characteristics of MHC shares, RP Financial has placed the financial data and pricing ratios of the Peer Group on a fully-converted basis to make them comparable for valuation purposes.  Using the per share and pricing information of the Peer Group on a fully-converted basis accomplishes a number of objectives.  First, such figures eliminate distortions that result when trying to compare institutions that have different public ownership interests outstanding.  Secondly, such an analysis provides ratios that are comparable to the pricing information of fully-converted public companies, and more importantly, are directly applicable to determining the pro forma market value range of the 100% ownership interest in the Company as an MHC.  Lastly, such an analysis allows for consideration of the potential dilutive impact of dividend waiver policies adopted by the Federal agencies.  This technique is validated by the investment community’s evaluation of MHC pricing, which also incorporates the pro forma impact of a second-step conversion based on the current market price.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.21
 
To calculate the fully-converted pricing information for MHCs, the reported financial information for the public MHCs must incorporate the following assumptions, based on completed second step conversions to date:  (1) all shares owned by the MHC are assumed to be sold at the current trading price in a second step-conversion; (2) the gross proceeds from such a sale were adjusted to reflect reasonable offering expenses and standard stock based benefit plan parameters that would be factored into a second-step conversion of MHC institutions; (3) net proceeds are assumed to be reinvested at market rates on an after-tax basis; and (4) for FDIC-regulated institutions, the public ownership interest is adjusted to reflect the pro forma impact of the waived dividends pursuant to applicable regulatory policy.  Book value per share and earnings per share figures for the public MHCs were adjusted by the impact of the assumed second step conversion, resulting in an estimation of book value per share and earnings per share figures on a fully-converted basis.  Importantly, no explicit adjustment has been made to the Peer Group to account for the potential impact to a change in the regulatory structure, particularly as it may apply to the treatment of waived dividends in calculating the Peer Group’s fully converted pricing ratios as the potential treatment is uncertain at this time and thus, cannot be quantified.  Table 4.3 on the following page shows the calculation of per share financial data (fully-converted basis) for each of the 10 public MHC institutions that form the Peer Group.
 
Valuation Approaches: Fully-Converted Basis
 
In applying the accepted valuation methodology promulgated by the OTS and adopted by the FDIC, i.e., the pro forma market value approach, including the fully-converted analysis described above, we considered the three key pricing ratios in valuing the Company’s to-be-issued stock -- price/earnings (“P/E”), price/book (“P/B”), and price/assets (“P/A”) approaches -- all performed on a pro forma basis including the effects of the stock proceeds.  In computing the pro forma impact of the Additional Stock Issuance and the related pricing ratios, we have incorporated the valuation parameters disclosed in the Company’s prospectus for reinvestment rate, effective tax rate and stock benefit plan assumptions (summarized in Exhibits IV-7 and IV-8).  Pursuant to the incremental offering, we have also incorporated the valuation parameters disclosed in the Company’s prospectus for offering expenses.  The assumptions utilized in the pro forma analysis in calculating the Company’s full conversion value are described more fully below.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.22
 
Table 4.3
Calculation of Implied Per Share Data -- Incorporating MHC Second Step Conversion
Comparable Institution Analysis
For the 12 Months Ended March 31, 2010
 
[Table Omitted]
 
(1)
Gross proceeds calculated as stock price multiplied by the number of shares owned by the mutual holding company (i.e., non-public shares).
(2)
Net increase in capital reflects gross proceeds less offering expenses, contra-equity account for leveraged ESOP and deferred compensation account for restricted stock plan. For institutions with assets at the MHC level, the net increase in capital also includes consolidation of MHC assets with the capital of the institution concurrent with hypothetical second step.
Offering expense percent
4.00
%
ESOP percent purchase
8.00
%
Recognition plan percent
4.00
%
(3)
Net increase in earnings reflects after-tax reinvestment income (assumes ESOP and recognition plan do not generate reinvestment income), less after-tax ESOP amortization and recognition plan vesting:
After-tax reinvestm ent
3.18
%
ESOP loan term (years)
10
 
Recognition plan vesting (years)
5
 
Effective tax rate
34.00
%
(4)
Figures reflect adjustments to “non-grandfathered” companies to reflect dilutive impact of cumulative dividends waived by the MHC (reflect FDIC policy regarding waived dividends).
(5)
Reflects pro forma ownership position of minority stockholders after taking into account the OTS and FDIC policies regarding waived dividends assum ing a hypothetical second step.
  For OTS “grandfathered” companies, dilution reflects excess waived dividends and MHC assets. For all other companies, dilution reflects all waived dividends and MHC assets.
 
Source:
Corporate reports, offering circulars, and RP® Financial, LC. calculations. The information provided in this report has been obtained from sources we believe are reliable, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information.
 
Copyright (c) 2010 by RP® Financial, LC.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.23
 
   ●
Conversion Expenses.  Offering expenses reflect fixed expenses of $1.95 million and variable expenses assuming 25% of the stock is sold in subscription at a commission of 1.0% (subject to a minimum commission of $125 thousand for the subscription offering) and the remaining stock is sold in a syndicated community offering at a commission of 6.0%.  These assumptions are substantially consistent with the fixed expenses assumed by the Company in its Offering and the selling expenses typical in larger deals in the market currently.
     
   
Effective Tax Rate.  The Company has determined the marginal effective tax rate on the net reinvestment benefit of the offering proceeds to be 38.6%.
     
   
Reinvestment Rate.  The pro forma section in the prospectus incorporates a 2.55% reinvestment rate, equivalent 5 Year U.S. Treasury rate as of March 31, 2010.
     
   
ESOP.  The ESOP is assumed to purchase 300,000 shares at each point in the offering range funded internally with an ESOP loan amortized on a straight-line basis over 30 years.
     
   
Recognition and Retention Plan (“RRP”).  The RRP is assumed to purchase 82,000 shares at each point in the offering range at a price equivalent to the initial public offering price and will be amortized on a straight-line basis over 5 years.
     
   
Stock Options:  Options to purchase 207,000 shares are granted at a fair value calculated to equal $1.90 per option, assuming an $8.60 per share offering price (at the midpoint) with options vested over five years.
     
   
Mutual Holding Company Equity.  Pursuant to a second step conversion, the MHC would be consolidated with the Company and a net liability of $743 thousand at the MHC level would be added to the Company’s March 31, 2010 reported financial information.  This adjustment was made in calculating the Company’s fully converted value (but is not included in the pro forma calculations for the incremental offerings because no MHC consolidation will take place in the incremental offerings).
 
Importantly, after making the foregoing adjustments, the equity valuation base is slightly different (i.e., as reported in the prospectus) in preparing the pro forma pricing ratios on a minority issuance basis versus the equity base employed for appraisal purposes in developing the value pursuant to a hypothetical second step conversion.  In our estimate of value, we assessed the relationship of the pro forma pricing ratios relative to the Peer Group, recent conversions and MHC offerings.
 
RP Financial’s valuation placed an emphasis on the following:
 
   
P/E Approach.  The P/E approach is generally the best indicator of long-term value for a stock.  While there are similarities between the Company’s and the Peer Group’s earnings composition and overall financial condition, the high level of non-operating income for the Company and the potential benefit of the Company’s recent acquisitions introduce some key differences between the Company and the Peer Group.  Coupled with the fact that (1) the earnings multiples will be evaluated on a pro forma fully-converted basis for the Company as well as for the Peer Group and (2) the Peer Group on average has had the opportunity to realize the benefit of reinvesting proceeds from their minority stock issuances to a greater extent than the Company, given their higher minority ownership ratios, we also considered the other valuation approaches.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.24
 
   
P/B Approach.  P/B ratios have generally served as a useful benchmark in the valuation of thrift stocks, particularly in the context of an initial public offering, as the earnings approach involves assumptions regarding the use of proceeds.  RP Financial considered the P/B approach to be a valuable indicator of pro forma value taking into account the pricing ratios under the P/E and P/A approaches.  We have also modified the P/B approach to exclude the impact of intangible assets (i.e., price/tangible book value or “P/TB”), in that the investment community frequently makes this adjustment in its evaluation of this pricing approach.  In our valuation, we placed considerable weight on the P/TB approach because it was our conclusion that investors will evaluate this factor in determining value over the short- and mid-term.
     
   
P/A Approach.  P/A ratios are generally a less reliable indicator of market value, as investors typically assign less weight to assets and attribute greater weight to book value and earnings.  Furthermore, this approach as set forth in the regulatory valuation guidelines does not take into account the amount of stock purchases funded by deposit withdrawals, thus understating the pro forma P/A ratio.  At the same time, the P/A ratio is an indicator of franchise value, and, in the case of highly capitalized institutions, high P/A ratios may limit the investment community’s willingness to pay market multiples for earnings or book value when ROE is expected to be low.
 
Based on the application of the three valuation approaches, taking into consideration the valuation adjustments discussed above, RP Financial concluded that, as of May 21, 2010, the Company’s aggregate pro forma market value on a fully converted basis, was $9.15 per share  at the midpoint, equal to $170,852,103 based on the 18,672,361 shares issued and outstanding before and after the offerings.  This pro forma market value forms the midpoint of the valuation range with a minimum of $145,270,969 and a maximum of $196,433,238 ased on a minimum price per share of $7.78 and a maximum price per share of $10.52 .  The resulting range of value pursuant to regulatory guidelines and the corresponding pro forma valuation per share based upon 18,672,361 shares issued and outstanding is set forth below:
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.25
 
   
Pro Forma
Valuation
Per Share
   
Total Shares
Issued and Outstanding (1)
   
Pro Forma
Market
Value
 
Maximum
 
$
10.52
     
18,672,361
   
$
196,433,238
 
Midpoint
 
$
9.15
     
18,672,361
   
$
170,852,103
 
Minimum
 
$
7.78
     
18,672,361
   
$
145,270,969
 
                         
(1)   Pursuant to the Stock Issuance Plan, the number of shares will not change as a result of the incremental offering.
 
 
1.           Price-to-Earnings (“P/E”).  The application of the P/E valuation method requires calculating the Company’s pro forma market value by applying a valuation P/E multiple (fully-converted basis) to the pro forma earnings base.  In applying this technique, we considered both reported earnings and core earnings, that is, earnings adjusted to exclude any one-time non-operating items, plus the estimated after-tax earnings benefit of the reinvestment of the net proceeds.  The reinvestment rate of 2.55% was based on the Company’s business plan for reinvestment of the net proceeds, which assumes that the net proceeds will be invested at a blended rate equivalent to the five year U.S. Treasury yield at March 31, 2010.  In deriving Charter Financial’s estimated core earnings for purposes of the valuation, adjustments made to reported net income included elimination of FHLB prepayment penalties, securities gains and gains on the sale of property, OTTI related charges, and income recognition from the bargain purchase of MCB.  As shown below, on a tax-effected basis, assuming an effective marginal tax rate of 38.6%, the Company’s core earnings were calculated at negative $0.5 million for the twelve months ended March 31, 2010 (Note: see Exhibit IV-13 for the adjustments applied to the Peer Group’s earnings in the calculation of core earnings).
 
   
Twelve
Months
Ended
March 31, 2010
Amount
 
   
(in millions)
 
Reported Net Income
 
$
8.6
 
Addback: Prepayment Penalties on Advances
   
1.4
 
Addback: OTTI Impairment Charges
   
3.5
 
Deduct: Net Gain on Sale of Property
   
(2.1
)
Deduct: Net Gain on Sale of Investment Securities
   
(2.2
)
Deduct: Bargain Purchase Income
   
(15.6
)
Tax effect on adjustments @ 38.6% effective rate
   
5.8
 
Core earnings estimate
 
($
0.5
)
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.26
 
Based on the Company’s pre-conversion reported and core earnings, and incorporating the impact of the pro forma assumptions discussed previously, the Company’s pro forma reported and core P/E multiples (fully-converted basis) at the $170.9 million midpoint value equaled   16.31x and 130.77x , respectively, indicating a discount of 35.7% and premium of 439.3% respectively, to the Peer Group’s median reported and core P/E multiples (fully-converted basis) of 25.38x and 24.25x , respectively (see Table 4.4).  The implied discounts or premiums reflected in the Company’s pro forma P/E multiples take into consideration the Company’s pro forma P/B and P/A ratios.
 
On a “reported” basis, reflecting the actual amount of the incremental offering (as opposed to the fully converted ratios), the Company’s pro forma P/E multiple based on reported earnings equaled 19.21x assuming the midpoint valuation of $9.15 per share and an offering of 4,281,060 shares (public ownership increased to 38%) while the P/E equaled 18.72x assuming the midpoint valuation of $9.15 per share and an offering of 5,961,573 shares (public shareholder ownership percent increased to 47%).  The P/E multiples ranged from 16.06x assuming the minimum valuation of $7.78 per share and an offering of 5,961,573 shares (public shareholder ownership percent increased to 47%) to 21.97x assuming the maximum valuation of $10.52 per share and an offering of 4,281,060 shares (public ownership increased to 38%).  These pricing ratios reflected a discounts of 24.0% and premium of 4.0%, respectively, from the Peer Group median P/E on a reported basis of 21.12x.  P/E multiples based on core earnings were not meaningful (see Table 4.5).  The pro forma analysis sheet and pro forma effects exhibits for the 38% offering are included as Exhibit IV-9 and IV-10 and the exhibits for the 47% offering are included as Exhibit IV-11 and IV-12.
 
We concluded the significant premiums in the Company’s fully converted pro forma core earnings multiples in comparison to the Peer Group are warranted based on the discount indicated for P/B and P/TB multiples discussed below and owing to the Company’s earnings growth potential.  With regard to this latter factor, we concluded that the Company’s core earnings may be subject to increase over the near term as the earnings benefits of the NCB and MCB acquisitions are fully realized and owing to other factors which may facilitate future earnings growth including the repricing of high cost borrowings and CDs to lower market rates and the targeted transition of deposits to a greater retail orientation.  Additionally, the Company believes there may likely be additional acquisition opportunities locally given the large number of distressed financial institutions and management has indicated the intent to pursue growth through acquisition to leverage its strong pro forma capital position if such acquisitions are estimated to be accretive to earnings.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.27
 

 
2.  Price-to-Book (“P/B”). The application of the P/B valuation method requires calculating the Company’s pro forma market value by applying a valuation P/B ratio, as derived from the Peer Group’s P/B ratio (fully-converted basis), to the Company’s pro forma book value (fully-converted basis).  Based on the $170.9 million midpoint valuation, the Company’s pro forma fully converted P/B and P/TB ratios equaled 70.38% and 71.99%, respectively.  In comparison to the median P/B and P/TB ratios for the Peer Group of 76.40% and 80.41% the Company’s ratios reflected a discount of 7.9% on a P/B basis and a discount of 10.5% on a P/TB basis.  At the maximum of the valuation range, the Company’s pro forma P/B and P/TB ratios (fully-converted basis) equaled 74.73% and 76.31%, respectively, indicating discounts of 2.2% on a P/B basis and of 5.1% on a P/TB basis relative to the Peer Group median multiples.
 
                On a reported basis, reflecting the actual amount of the incremental offering (as opposed to the fully converted ratios), the Company’s pro forma P/B ratio equaled 119.92% assuming the midpoint valuation of $9.15 per share and an offering of 4,281,060 shares (public ownership increased to 38%) while the P/B ratio equaled 108.67% assuming the midpoint valuation of $9.15 per share and an offering of 5,961,573 shares (public shareholder ownership percent increased to 47%).  The pro forma P/TB ratio equaled 124.66% at the midpoint assuming the public shareholder ownership is increased to 38% while equaling 112.55% at the midpoint assuming the public shareholder ownership is increased to 47%.  Reflecting the entire range of value, the Company’s pro forma P/B ratio based on reported book value ranged from 96.86% assuming the minimum valuation of $7.78 per share and an offering of 5,961,573 shares (public shareholder ownership percent increased to 47%) to 133.20% assuming the maximum valuation of $10.52 per share and an offering of 4,281,060 shares (public ownership increased to 38%).  The P/B ratios reflect a discount of 25.9% and a premium of 1.9%, respectively, in comparison to the median reported P/B ratio of 130.73% for the Peer Group (see again Table 4.5).  The Company’s pro forma P/TB ratio based on tangible book value ranged from 100.48% assuming the minimum valuation of $7.78 per share and an offering of 5,961,573 shares (public shareholder ownership percent increased to 47%) to 138.09% assuming the maximum valuation of $10.52 per share and an offering of 4,281,060 shares (public ownership increased to 38%).  The P/TB ratios reflect a discount of 25.4% and a premium of 2.5%, respectively, in comparison to the median reported P/TB ratio of 134.71% for the Peer Group.
 
3.  Price-to-Assets (“P/A”).  The P/A valuation methodology determines market value by applying a valuation P/A ratio (fully-converted basis) to the Company’s pro forma asset base, conservatively assuming no deposit withdrawals are made to fund stock purchases.  In all likelihood there will be deposit withdrawals, which results in understating the pro forma P/A ratio which is computed herein.  At the midpoint of the valuation range, the Company’s full conversion value equaled 12.43% of pro forma assets.  Comparatively, the Peer Group companies exhibited a median P/A ratio (fully-converted basis) of 13.52%, and thus, the Company’s pro forma P/A ratio (fully-converted basis) reflects a 8.1% discount relative to the Peer Group average.  At the midpoint on a reported basis, reflecting the actual amount of the incremental offering (as opposed to the fully converted ratios), the Company’s pro forma P/A ratio equaled 13.40% assuming the midpoint valuation of $9.15 per share and an offering of 4,281,060 shares (public ownership increased to 38%) while the P/B ratio equaled 13.25% assuming the midpoint valuation of $9.15 per share and an offering of 5,961,573 shares (public shareholder ownership percent increased to 47%).  Over the full offering range, the Company’s pro forma P/A ratio ranged from 11.33% at the low end of ratios, which implies a discount of 21.6% relative to the Peer Group median ratio, to 15.35% at the high end of pro forma P/A ratios which results in a 6.2% premium relative to the Peer Group’s median P/A ratio of 14.46%.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.28
  
Comparison to Recent Offerings
 
As indicated at the beginning of this chapter, RP Financial’s analysis of recent conversion offering pricing characteristics at closing and in the aftermarket has been limited to a “technical” analysis and, thus, the pricing characteristics of recent conversion offerings can not be a primary determinate of value.  Particular focus was placed on the P/TB approach in this analysis, since the P/E multiples do not reflect the actual impact of reinvestment and the source of the stock proceeds (i.e., external funds vs. deposit withdrawals).  As discussed previously, there have been no minority stock issuances by MHCs over the last three months and the most recent minority stock issuance by a mutual holding company was completed by Cullman Bancorp, Inc. of Alabama in October 2009, raising gross proceeds of $10.8 million and closing at a fully converted P/TB equal to 53.5% (versus the Charter Financial midpoint P/TB valuation of 71.99%).  Recent limited trading activity in Cullman Bancorp’s stock indicates that appreciation of less than 1% in aftermarket trading based on a recent closing price of $10.08 per share.
 
 
Harvard Illinois was the only standard conversion offering completed during the past three months.  In comparison to Harvard Illinois’ 43.1% closing forma P/TB ratio, the Company’s P/TB ratio of 71.99% at the midpoint value reflects an implied premium of 67.0%.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.29
 
Valuation Conclusion
           
Based on the foregoing, RP Financial concluded that, as of May 21, 2010, the Company’s aggregate pro forma market value on a fully converted basis, was $9.15 per share  at the midpoint, equal to $170,852,103 based on the 18,672,361 shares issued and outstanding before and after the offerings.  This pro forma market value forms the midpoint of the valuation range with a minimum of $145,270,969 and a maximum of $196,433,238 based on a minimum price per share of $7.78 and a maximum price per share of $10.52. The Stock Issuance Plan allows the Board of Directors to determine the number of shares that will be sold in the Offering, with a minimum number of shares sold that will increase the public stockholders’ ownership to 38.0% and a maximum number of share sold that will increase the public stockholders’ ownership to 47.0%.  Based on the midpoint pro forma market value of $9.15 per share and the valuation range discussed above, the offering assuming the minimum shares and maximum shares offered are set forth below.
                               
                     
Percent of Company Shares
 
   
Pro Forma
   
Total Shares
               
Outstanding
 
   
Valuation
   
Sold in the
   
Offering
   
Sold in the
   
After the
 
   
Per Share
   
Offering
   
Amount
   
Offering
   
Offering
 
                               
Assuming the minimum number of shares sold
                         
Maximum
  $ 10.52       5,961,573     $ 62,715,748       31.9 %     47.0 %
Midpoint
  $ 9.15       5,961,573     $ 54,548,393       31.9 %     47.0 %
Minimum
  $ 7.78       5,961,573     $ 46,381,038       31.9 %     47.0 %
                                         
Assuming the maxmum number of shares sold
                                 
Maximum
  $ 10.52       4,281,060     $ 45,036,751       22.9 %     38.0 %
Midpoint
  $ 9.15       4,281,060     $ 39,171,699       22.9 %     38.0 %
Minimum
  $ 7.78       4,281,060     $ 33,306,647       22.9 %     38.0 %
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC.  VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.30
 
Table 4.4
MHC Institutions -- Pricing Ratios Fully Converted Basis
As of May 21, 2010
 
[Table Omitted]
 
(1)
Average of High/Low or Bid/Ask price per share.
(2)
EPS (estimate core basis) is based on actual trailing 12 month data, adjusted to omit non-operating items on a tax-effected basis, and is shown on a pro forma basis where appropriate.
(3)
P/E = Price to earnings; P/B = Price to book; P/A = Price to assets; P/TB = Price to tangible book value; and P/Core = Price to core earnings.
(4)
Indicated 12 month dividend, based on last quarterly dividend declared.
(5)
Indicated 12 month dividend as a percent of trailing 12 month estimated core earnings.
(6)
ROA (return on assets) and ROE (return on equity) are indicated ratios based on trailing 12 month common earnings and average common equity and total assets balances.
(7) Excludes from averages and medians those companies the subject of actual or rumored acquisition activities or unusual operating characteristics.
 
Source: Corporate reports, offering circulars, and RP Financial, LC. calculations. The information provided in this report has been obtained from sources we believe are reliable, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information.
 
Copyright (c) 2010 by RP® Financial, LC.
 
 
 

 
 
RP® Financial, LC. VALUATION ANALYSIS
 
IV.31
 
Table 4.5
MHC Institutions -- Pricing Ratios Reported Basis
As of May 21, 2010
 
[Table Omitted]
 
(1)
Average of High/Low or Bid/Ask price per share.
(2)
EPS (estimate core basis) is based on actual trailing 12 month data, adjusted to omit non-operating items on a tax-effected basis, and is shown on a pro forma basis where appropriate.
(3)
P/E = Price to earnings; P/B = Price to book; P/A = Price to assets; P/TB = Price to tangible book value; and P/Core = Price to core earnings.
(4)
Indicated 12 month dividend, based on last quarterly dividend declared.
(5)
Indicated 12 month dividend as a percent of trailing 12 month estimated core earnings.
(6)
ROA (return on assets) and ROE (return on equity) are indicated ratios based on trailing 12 month common earnings and average common equity and total assets balances.
(7)
Excludes from averages and medians those companies the subject of actual or rumored acquisition activities or unusual operating characteristics.
   
Source: Corporate reports, offering circulars, and RP Financial, LC. calculations. The information provided in this report has been obtained from sources we believe are reliable, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information.
 
 
EX-99.3 6 ex99-3.htm EXHIBIT 99.3 ex99-3.htm

Exhibit 99.3
 
(CHARTERBANK LOGO)
 
Dear Friend:
 
We are pleased to invite you to invest during Charter Financial Corporation’s stock offering. The proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock will allow Charter Financial Corporation and its subsidiary, CharterBank, to grow and to offer new products and services. The stock offering will not result in changes to our corporate structure, bank name, management or offices. Enclosed you will find a Prospectus and a Questions and Answers Brochure with important information about the stock offering.
 
We are offering up to 5,961,573 shares of common stock. The purchase price, to be established at the conclusion of the stock offering, will be within the range of $7.78 to $10.52 per share. You will not be charged a sales commission for purchases during the stock offering.
 
As a depositor of CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank or McIntosh Commercial Bank on December 31, 2008 or a depositor or eligible borrower of CharterBank on _____________, 2010, you have a priority right, but no obligation, to buy shares of Charter Financial Corporation common stock during the offering, before they are offered to the general public.
 
Please read the enclosed materials carefully before making an investment decision. If you are interested in purchasing shares of Charter Financial Corporation common stock, complete the enclosed Stock Order Form and return it, with full payment, in the Stock Order Reply Envelope provided. Stock Order Forms and full payment must be received (not postmarked) by 2:00 p.m., Georgia time, on _____________, 2010. If you are considering purchasing stock with funds you have in an IRA or other retirement account, please call our Stock Information Center promptly for guidance, because these orders require additional processing time.
 
I invite you to consider this opportunity to share in our future and, together with our Board of Directors, I thank you for your continued support as a CharterBank customer.
 
Sincerely,
 
GRAPHIC
 
Robert L. Johnson
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
This letter is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy common stock. The offer is made only by the Prospectus. These securities are not deposits or savings accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
 
 
Questions?
Call our Stock Information Center, toll-free, at 1-(877) 821-5782
From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Georgia time, Monday through Friday, except weekends and bank holidays.
 
Charter Financial Corporation has filed a registration statement (including a Prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the Prospectus and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, if you would like another copy of the enclosed Prospectus, please call Charter Financial Corporation's Stock Information Center, at the above telephone number.
 
 
VS
 
 
 

 
 
(CHARTER FINANCIAL LOGO)
 
Dear Friend:
 
We are pleased to invite you to invest during Charter Financial Corporation’s stock offering. The proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock will allow Charter Financial Corporation and its subsidiary, CharterBank, to grow and to offer new products and services.
 
We are offering up to 5,961,573 shares of common stock. The purchase price, to be established at the conclusion of the stock offering, will be within the range of $7.78 to $10.52 per share. You will not be charged a sales commission for purchases during the stock offering.
 
Please read the enclosed materials carefully before making an investment decision. If you are interested in purchasing shares of Charter Financial Corporation common stock, complete the enclosed Stock Order Form and return it, with full payment, in the Stock Order Reply Envelope provided. Stock Order Forms and full payment must be received (not postmarked) by 2:00 p.m., Georgia time, on __________, 2010. If you are considering purchasing stock with funds you have in an IRA or other retirement account, please call our Stock Information Center promptly for guidance, because these orders require additional processing time.
 
If you have questions about our organization or purchasing shares, please refer to the enclosed Prospectus and Questions and Answers Brochure, or call our Stock Information Center at the number shown below.
 
I invite you to consider this opportunity to share in our future as a Charter Financial Corporation shareholder.
 
Sincerely,
 
GRAPHIC
 
Robert L. Johnson
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
This letter is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy common stock. The offer is made only by the Prospectus. These securities are not deposits or savings accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
 
 
Questions?
Call our Stock Information Center, toll-free, at 1-(877) 821-5782
From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Georgia time, Monday through Friday, except weekends and bank holidays.
 
Charter Financial Corporation has filed a registration statement (including a Prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the Prospectus and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, if you would like another copy of the enclosed Prospectus, please call the Stock Information Center, at the above telephone number.
 
 
C
 
 
 

 
 
(LOGO)
 
Dear Sir/Madam:
 
At the request of Charter Financial Corporation, we are enclosing materials regarding the offering of shares of Charter Financial Corporation common stock. Included in this package is a Prospectus describing the stock offering. We encourage you to read the enclosed information carefully, including the “Risk Factors” section of the Prospectus.
 
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated has been retained by Charter Financial Corporation as selling agent in connection with the stock offering.
 
Sincerely,
 
(LOGO)
 
This letter is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy common stock. The offer is made only by the Prospectus. These securities are not deposits or savings accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
 
Charter Financial Corporation has filed a registration statement (including a Prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the Prospectus and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, if you would like another copy of the enclosed Prospectus, please call Charter Financial Corporation's Stock Information Center, at 1-(877) 821-5782.
 
 
BD
 
 
 

 
 
Office of Thrift Supervision Guidance for Accountholders
 
          Your financial institution is in the process of selling stock to the public in a stock issuance by a subsidiary of a mutual holding company. As an accountholder at this institution, you have certain priority subscription rights to purchase stock in the offering. These priority subscription rights are non-transferable. If you subscribe for stock, you will be asked to sign a statement that the purchase is for your own account, and that you have no agreement or understanding regarding the subsequent sale or transfer of any shares you receive.
 
          On occasion, unscrupulous people attempt to persuade accountholders to transfer subscription rights, or to purchase shares in the offering based on the understanding that the shares will subsequently be transferred to others. Such arrangements violate federal regulations. If you participate in these schemes, you are breaking the law and may be subject to prosecution. If someone attempts to persuade you to participate in such a scheme, please contact the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) Consumer Inquiries, toll-free, at (800) 842-6929. The OTS is very interested in ensuring that the prohibitions on transfer of subscription rights are not violated.
 
          How will you know if you are being approached illegally? Typically, a fraudulent opportunist will approach you and offer to “loan” you money to purchase a significant amount of stock in the offering. In exchange for that “loan” you most likely will be asked either to transfer control of any stock purchased with that money to an account the other person controls, or sell the stock and give the majority of the profits to the other person. You may be told, untruthfully, that there is no risk to you, that the practice is common, and even if you are caught, that your legal expenses will be covered.
 
          On the back of this page is a list of some key concepts that you should keep in mind when considering whether to participate in a stock issuance by a mutual holding company subsidiary. If you have questions, please contact the Stock Information Center phone number listed elsewhere in the literature you are receiving. Alternatively, you can contact us at: ombudsman@ots.treas.gov.
 
(over)
 
OTS
 
 
 

 
 
What Investors Need to Know
 
          Key concepts for investors to bear in mind when considering whether to participate in a stock offering by a subsidiary of a mutual holding company, include the following:
   
Know the Rules — By law, accountholders cannot sell or transfer their priority subscription rights, or the stock itself, prior to the completion of a financial institution’s offering. Moreover, accountholders cannot enter into agreements or arrangements to sell or transfer either their subscription rights or the underlying stock.
   
“Neither a Borrower nor a Lender Be” — If someone offers to lend you money so that you can participate — or participate more fully — in a stock offering, be extremely wary. Be even more wary if the source of the money is someone you do not know. The loan agreement may make you unable to certify truthfully that you are the true holder of the subscription rights and the true purchaser of the stock and that you have no agreements regarding the sale or transfer of the stock.
   
Watch Out for Opportunists — The opportunist may tell you that he or she is a lawyer — or a consultant or a professional investor or some similarly impressive tale — who has experience with similar stock transactions. The opportunist may go to extreme lengths to assure you that the arrangement you are entering into is legitimate. They might tell you that they have done scores of these transactions and that this is simply how they work. Or they might downplay the warnings or restrictions in the prospectus or order form, telling you that “everyone” enters into such agreements or that the deal they are offering is legitimate. They may also tell you that you have no risk in the transaction. The cold, hard truth is that these are lies, and if you participate, you are breaking the law.
   
Get the Facts from the Source — If you have any questions about the securities offering, ask the savings bank or savings association for more information. If you have any doubts about a transaction proposed to you by someone else, ask the financial institution whether the proposed arrangement is proper. You may be able to find helpful resources on the institution’s website or by visiting a branch office.
   
 
The bottom line for investors is always to remember that if an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.
 
OTS   
 
 
 

 
 
Q. How may I pay for the shares?
A. Payment for shares can be remitted in two ways:
   
(1)
By personal check, bank check or money order, payable to Charter Financial Corporation. These will be cashed upon receipt. We cannot accept wires or third party checks, and CharterBank line of credit checks may not be remitted for this purchase.
 
Please do not submit cash!
   
(2)
By authorized deposit account withdrawal of funds from CharterBank deposit account(s). The Stock Order Form section titled “Method of Payment –Deposit Account Withdrawal” allows you to list the account number(s) and amount(s) to be withdrawn. Funds designated for direct withdrawal must be in the account(s) at the time the Stock Order Form is received. You may not authorize direct withdrawal from accounts with check-writing privileges. Please submit a check instead. Also, IRA or other retirement accounts held at CharterBank, may not be listed for direct withdrawal. See information on retirement accounts below.
 
Q. How do I order shares given that the actual purchase price has not been determined?
A. The Stock Order Form provides detailed instructions. You will place your order for common stock shares based on an order price of $10.52 per share, filling in the number of shares and total dollar amount.  If the actual purchase price at which shares will be sold is less than $10.52, you will either receive additional whole shares, or you will receive a refund of your overpayment, based on your method of payment (check/money order or deposit account withdrawal).  If you prefer to receive additional shares, you must check the box entitled “Option to Purchase Additional Shares”.
 
Fractional shares will not be issued.  If the actual purchase price is less than the $10.52 order price, a refund will be issued, based on your method of payment.  For example, if you remit $526.00 and the actual price per share is $8.00, you would receive 65 shares and a refund of $6.00.
 
Q. Will I earn interest on my funds?
A. Yes. If you pay by personal check, bank check or money order, you will earn interest at the CharterBank passbook rate from the day we process your payment until the completion of the offering. At that time, you will be issued a check for interest earned on these funds. The check will also include any refund due to you, as described above. If you pay for shares by authorizing a direct withdrawal from your CharterBank deposit account(s), your funds will continue earning interest within the account, at the applicable deposit account rate. The interest will remain in your account(s) when the designated withdrawal is made, upon completion of the offering.
 
Q. May I use my CharterBank individual retirement account to purchase the shares?
A. You may use funds currently held in retirement accounts with CharterBank. However, before you place your stock order, the funds you wish to use must be transferred to a self-directed retirement account maintained by an independent trustee or custodian, such as a brokerage firm. If you are interested in using IRA or any other retirement funds held at CharterBank or elsewhere, please call our Stock Information Center as soon as possible for guidance, but preferably at least two weeks before the ______, 2010 offering deadline. Your ability to use such funds for this purchase may depend on time constraints because this type of purchase requires additional processing time, and may be subject to limitations imposed by the institution where the funds are held.
 
Q. May I use a loan from CharterBank to pay for shares?
A. No. CharterBank, by regulation, may not extend a loan for the purchase of Charter Financial Corporation common stock during the offering. Similarly, you may not use existing CharterBank line of credit checks to purchase stock during the offering.
 
Q. May I change my mind after I place an order to subscribe for stock?
A. No. After receipt, your executed Stock Order Form may not be modified, amended or rescinded without our consent, unless the offering is not completed by ________, 2010.
 
Q. Will the stock be insured?
A. No. Like any common stock, Charter Financial Corporation’s stock is not insured.
 
Q. Will dividends be paid on the stock?
A. Yes. After the conversion, Charter Financial Corporation intends to pay a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share. This dividend represents a 2.6% and 1.9% annual yield, assuming a share price of $7.78 and $10.52, respectively. The dividend rate and the continued payment of dividends will depend upon various factors, including our earnings, alternative uses for capital, acquisition opportunities, capital requirements, our financial condition and general economic conditions.
 
Q. How will Charter Financial Corporation shares trade?
A. Our common stock is currently quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol “CHFN.OB”. Upon completion of the stock offering, we expect that our shares of common stock will trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market, under the symbol “CHFN”. On _______, 2010, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $_____ per share. Once the shares have begun trading, you may contact a firm offering investment services in order to buy or sell Charter Financial Corporation shares in the future.
 
Q. If I purchase shares in Charter Financial Corporation’s Subscription Offering or Community Offering, when will I receive my stock certificate?
A. Stock certificates will be mailed by our transfer agent by first class mail, as soon as possible after completion of the stock offering. Although the shares of Charter Financial Corporation common stock will have begun trading, brokerage firms may require that you have received your stock certificate(s) prior to selling your shares.
 
WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION
 
Q. Where can I call to get more information?
A. For more information, refer to the enclosed Prospectus or call our Stock Information Center, toll-free, at 1-(877) 821-5782, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Georgia time, Monday through Friday. The Stock Information Center will be closed weekends and bank holidays.
 
Charter Financial Corporation has filed a registration statement (including a Prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the Prospectus and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, if you would like another copy of the enclosed Prospectus, please call the Stock Information Center, at the above telephone number.
 
This brochure is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of common stock. The offer is made only by the Prospectus. The securities are not deposits or savings accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
 
(CHARTER FINANCIAL LOGO)
 
 
 

 
 
Q&A About Our Stock Offering
 
This pamphlet answers questions about the Charter Financial Corporation stock offering. Investing in shares of common stock involves certain risks. Before making an investment decision, please read the enclosed Prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page __.
 
BACKGROUND
 
In 2001, our organization formed a mutual (meaning no stockholders) holding company (“MHC”). We also formed Charter Financial Corporation, which offered shares of its common stock for sale. By regulation, at least 50.1% of Charter Financial Corporation’s common stock must be owned by the MHC, which currently owns 84.9% of the common stock. The remaining shares are held by the public.
 
Charter Financial Corporation is now conducting a secondary stock offering, pursuant to a Stock Issuance Plan (the “Plan”). Upon completion of the stock offering, there will be no change to the number of outstanding shares, because we will issue new shares to the offering’s investors, and we will cancel an equal number of the shares currently held by the MHC. Depending on the number of shares issued to investors, our MHC’s ownership interest will decrease to between 53.0% and 62.0% of Charter Financial Corporation’s outstanding shares of stock, while the ownership interest of public shareholders will increase from the current 15.1%.
 
Q. What are some of the reasons for the sale of stock?
A. The increased capital resources will support internal growth through increased lending in the communities we serve, including our new markets resulting from the Neighborhood Community Bank and McIntosh Commercial Bank acquisitions; provide capital to support acquisitions of financial institutions as opportunities arise, especially troubled financial institutions with FDIC assistance, although we do not currently have any agreements to acquire a financial institution or other entity; improve our capital position during a period of significant economic, regulatory and political uncertainty, especially for the financial services industry; enable us to enhance existing products and services to meet the needs of our marketplace; and assisting us in managing interest rate risk.
 
The stock offering will not result in changes to the terms of deposit and loan accounts at CharterBank.
 
Q. May the organization convert to a fully public company in the future?
A. Yes. The Plan does not preclude our converting from the partially-public MHC corporate structure to the 100% publicly-owned structure. If this occurs, it must be done through conducting a mutual-to-stock conversion of the MHC, which would be subject to regulations in effect at that time and to a vote of approval by our depositors and shareholders.
 
Q. Is CharterBank considered “well-capitalized” for regulatory purposes?
A. Yes. As of June 30, 2010, CharterBank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and was considered “well-capitalized.”
 
THE STOCK OFFERING AND
PURCHASING SHARES
 
As detailed in the Prospectus section entitled “The Stock Offering”, we are conducting a Subscription Offering to eligible depositors and borrowers of CharterBank and to eligible former depositors of CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank and McIntosh Commercial Bank. (We acquired Neighborhood Community Bank in 2009 and McIntosh Commercial Bank in 2010). Shares not sold in the Subscription Offering will be offered for sale in a Community Offering to our community members, Charter Financial Corporation public shareholders and other members of the general public.
 
Q. How many shares are being offered and at what price?
A. Charter Financial Corporation is offering for sale between 4,281,060 and 5,961,573 shares of common stock. The actual purchase price per share, to be determined after the offering deadline, is expected to be within a price range of $7.78 and $10.52. All purchasers will pay the actual purchase price per share and will not be charged a sale commission.
 
Q. How will the actual purchase price per share be determined, and how will I be notified?
A. The $7.78 to $10.52 price range was based on an independent appraisal of the estimated market value of Charter Financial Corporation. The actual price per share, to be determined after the offering deadline, will be based on then–existing market and financial considerations, not the number of shares sold. On _______, 2010, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $_____. The cover letter accompanying stock certificates mailed to investors after the stock offering will state the actual purchase price per share and the number of shares issued in the stock offering. no assurance can be given that purchasers will be able to sell shares after the stock offering at or above the actual purchase price at which they bought shares during the stock offering.
 
Q. Who is eligible to purchase stock during the stock offering?
A. Pursuant to our Plan, non-transferable rights to subscribe for shares of Charter Financial Corporation common stock in the Subscription Offering have been granted in the following descending order of priority. In connection with our acquisitions of Neighborhood Community Bank in June 2009 and McIntosh Commercial Bank in March 2010, those banks’ former depositors have been granted the same subscription rights as depositors of CharterBank.
 
Priority #1 – Depositors with accounts at CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank or McIntosh Commercial Bank with combined aggregate balances of at least $50 at the close of business on December 31, 2008;
 
Priority #2 – Our tax-qualified employee benefit plans;
 
Priority #3 – Depositors with accounts at CharterBank with aggregate balances of at least $50 at the close of business on _________, 2010; and,
 
Priority #4 – Borrowers of CharterBank as of October 16, 2001 whose borrowings remained outstanding as of _________, 2010.
 
Shares of common stock not purchased in the Subscription Offering may be offered for sale to the general public in a Community Offering, with a first preference given to natural persons (including trusts of natural persons) residing in the States of Alabama and Georgia. A second preference will be granted to Charter Financial Corporation public shareholders.
 
Shares not sold in the Subscription and Community Offerings may be offered for sale through a Syndicated Community Offering to the general public.
 
Q. I am eligible to subscribe for shares of common stock in the Subscription Offering but am not interested in investing. May I allow someone else to use my Stock Order Form to take advantage of my priority as an eligible accountholder?
A. No…subscription rights are non-transferable! Only those eligible to subscribe in the Subscription Offering, as listed above, may purchase shares in the Subscription Offering. To preserve subscription rights, the shares may only be registered in the name(s) of the eligible accountholder(s). On occasion, unscrupulous people attempt to persuade accountholders to transfer subscription rights, or to purchase shares in the offering based on an understanding that the shares will be subsequently transferred to others. Participation in such schemes is against the law and may subject involved parties to prosecution. If you become aware of any such activities, please notify our Stock Information Center promptly so that we can take the necessary steps to protect our eligible accountholders’ subscription rights in the offering. We urge you to read the enclosed“Office of Thrift Supervision Guidance for Accountholders” for more information on this important topic.
 
Q. How may I buy shares during the Subscription and Community Offerings?
A. Shares can be purchased by completing a Stock Order Form and returning it, with full payment, so that it is physically received (not postmarked) by the offering deadline. Delivery of a Stock Order Form may be made by mail to our Stock Information Center, using the Stock Order Reply envelope provided, by overnight courier to the Stock Information Center address indicated on the Stock Order Form, or by hand-delivery to the Bank’s executive office, which is located at 1233 O.G. Skinner Drive, West Point, Georgia. Hand-delivered Stock Order Forms will only be accepted at this location. Stock Order Forms may NOT be delivered to any of our banking offices. Please do not mail Stock Order Forms to CharterBank.
 
Q. Are there limits to how much stock I can order?
A. Yes. A minimum of 25 shares must be purchased. The maximum purchase by a person or entity is $1.5 million. Also, no person or entity, together with associates or persons acting in concert with such person or entity, may purchase, in all categories of the offering combined, more than 5% of the shares of common stock issued in the offering. More detail on purchase limits, including the definition of “associate” and “acting in concert”, can be found beginning on page __ of the Prospectus.
 
Q. What is the deadline for purchasing shares?
a. To purchase shares in the Subscription or Community Offerings, you must deliver a properly-executed Stock Order Form, with full payment, so that it is received (not postmarked) by 2:00 p.m., Georgia time, on ______, 2010. Acceptable methods for delivery of Stock Order Forms are described above.
 
 
 
 

 
 
MARKETING MATERIALS

prepared for:



CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

INCREMENTAL OFFERING













Dated:  August 10, 2010


 
Charter Financial Corporation
Incremental Offering
Marketing Materials

TABLE OF CONTENTS


*
These documents are included behind this Index.  All other listed documents are included in the accompanying email attachment.


LETTERS
Letter to ERD and SERD Customers (Coded VS)
Letter to Potential Investors (Community Prospects) (Coded C)
Stifel Nicolaus “Broker Dealer” Letter (Coded BD)
OTS Required Letter (Coded OTS)
Subscription and Community Offering Stock Order Acknowledgment Letter *
Stock Certificate Mailing Letter *


ADVERTISEMENTS/SIGNS *
Branch Lobby Poster – Buy (Optional)
Bank Statement Reminder Clause (Optional)
Community Meeting Invitation (Optional)
Community Meeting Newspaper Advertisement (Optional)
Tombstone Newspaper Advertisement (Optional)


FORMS
Stock Order Form


OTHER
Q&A Brochure


 
SUBSCRIPTION AND COMMUNITY OFFERING STOCK ORDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER
[Charter Financial Corporation Letterhead]
 
 
Date

[imprinted with name & address of subscriber]

STOCK ORDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This letter confirms receipt of your order to purchase shares of Charter Financial Corporation common stock.  Please review the following information carefully to verify that we have accurately recorded your order information.  If any information does not agree with your records, please call our Stock Information Center, toll-free, at 1-(___) ___-____, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Georgia time.  Please refer to the batch and order number listed below when contacting our Stock Information Center.

Stock Registration:
Name1
Name2
Name3
Street1
Street2
City, State Zip

Other Order Information:
Batch #:   _____
Order #: _____                                
Number of Shares Requested:  _________
Offering Category:  _____ (subject to verification; see descriptions below)
Ownership Type: _____

This letter acknowledges only that your order and payment have been received.  It does not guarantee that your order will be filled, either completely or partially.  Purchase limitations and share allocation procedures in the event of an oversubscription are described in the Prospectus dated __________, 2010, in the section entitled “The Stock Offering” under the headings, “Subscription Offering and Subscription Rights” and “Limitations on Common Stock Purchases.”

The offering period ends at 2:00 p.m., Georgia time, on ________, 2010.  We are then required to receive final regulatory approval before stock certificates can be mailed and the newly issued shares can begin trading.   This may not occur for several weeks after ________, 2010.  Your patience is appreciated.

Thank you for your order,
CHARTER FINANCIALCORPORATION
 


Offering Category Descriptions:

1.  
Depositors with accounts at CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank or McIntosh Commercial Bank with combined aggregate balances among any of these banks of at least $50 at the close of business on December 31, 2008;
2.  
CharterBank’s tax-qualified employee benefit plans including the employee stock ownership plan;
3.  
Depositors with accounts at CharterBank with aggregate balances of at least $50 at the close of business on __________, 2010;
4.  
Borrowers of CharterBank as of October 16, 2001 whose borrowings remained outstanding at the close of business on _________, 2010;
5.  
General Public – Residents of Alabama or Georgia;
6.  
General Public – Charter Financial Corporation shareholders;
7.  
General Public – Other
 

 
STOCK CERTIFICATE MAILING LETTER
[Charter Financial Corporation Letterhead]

Dear Shareholder:

I would like to welcome you as a shareholder of Charter Financial Corporation.  A total of ___________ shares were purchased by investors at $__.__ per share.  Thank you for your investment and your confidence in our organization.

Your stock certificate is enclosed.  We recommend that you keep it in a safe place, such as in a safety deposit box or deposited with a brokerage firm.  Replacing a lost or destroyed stock certificate can be a costly and lengthy process.

Carefully review the certificate to make sure the registration name and address are correct.  If you find an error or have questions about your certificate, please contact our Transfer Agent:

on the web:
www.amstock.com
by mail:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
59 Maiden Lane
Plaza Level
New York, NY 10038
by phone:
(800) 937-5449

If the enclosed stock certificate must be forwarded to the Transfer Agent, we recommend that you deliver it using insured, registered mail.  If you change your address, please notify the Transfer Agent immediately, so that you will continue to receive all shareholder communications.

If you submitted a check or money order in full or partial payment for your stock order, you have received, or soon will receive, a check.  It reflects interest at the CharterBank passbook rate of ___%, calculated from the date your funds were processed until ____, 2010.  No fractional shares were issued, so the check also includes a refund of any unused funds, if applicable.

If your stock order was paid in full or in part by authorizing a withdrawal from a CharterBank deposit account, the withdrawal was made on _____, 2010. Until then, interest was earned at your applicable deposit account rate, and the interest remains in your account.

Charter Financial Corporation common stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market, under the symbol “CHFN.”  Should you wish to buy or sell shares in the future, please contact a brokerage firm.

Thank you for sharing in our company’s future.


Sincerely,


Robert L. Johnson
President and Chief Executive Officer


 
BRANCH LOBBY POSTER – BUY - (Optional)




******************************


OUR STOCK OFFERING EXPIRES _________ __, 2010
We are conducting an offering of shares of our common stock

UP TO 5,961,573 SHARES
COMMON STOCK

OFFERING PRICE RANGE
$7.78 TO $10.52 Per Share

THIS OFFERING EXPIRES AT 2:00 P.M., ON _______ __, 2010



******************************



If you have questions about the stock offering,
call our Stock Information Center, toll-free, at 1-(___) ___-____,
from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Our Stock Information Center is closed on weekends and bank holidays.




CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION [LOGO]





This notice is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of common stock.  The offer is made only by the Prospectus.  These securities are not deposits or savings accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.


 
BANK STATEMENT REMINDER NOTICE – (Optional)





In early _______, you may have received a large envelope from us containing materials related to Charter Financial Corporation’s stock offering.  If you are interested in purchasing common stock, we must receive your Stock Order Form and payment by 2:00 p.m. on ________, 2010.  If you have questions about the offering, call our Stock Information Center, toll-free at 1-(___) ___-____, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thank you.
 

 
COMMUNITY MEETING INVITATION – (Optional)
[included in initial mailing package]


[CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION LOGO]

You’re Invited!

You are cordially invited to an Informational Meeting to learn
more about the offering of Charter Financial Corporation common
stock and the business of CharterBank.

Executive officers of CharterBank will present information
and answer your questions.

DATE
TIME
PLACE
ADDRESS

FOR RESERVATIONS, PLEASE CALL:

Charter Financial Corporation
Stock Information Center,
toll-free at 1-(___) ___ - ____,
From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Georgia time,
Monday through Friday, except bank holidays.



This invitation is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy common stock.  The offer is made only by the Prospectus.  These securities are not deposits or savings accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.


 
COMMUNITY MEETING NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT- (Optional)


[CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION LOGO]
Holding Company for CharterBank


OFFERING UP TO 5,961,573 SHARES
COMMON STOCK


OFFERING PRICE RANGE
$7.78 TO $10.52 Per Share

Charter Financial Corporation is conducting an offering of its common stock.  Shares may be purchased directly from Charter Financial Corporation without sales commissions, during the offering period.

You Are Cordially Invited….

To an informational meeting to learn about the offering of Charter Financial Corporation common stock
and the business of CharterBank

[DATE]

_:00 p.m.
[Location]
[Street]
[City]

To make a reservation or to receive a copy of the Prospectus and Stock Order Form,
call our Stock Information Center, toll-free, at 1-(___) ___-____,
from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Stock Information Center is closed on weekends and bank holidays.



THIS OFFERING EXPIRES AT 2:00 P.M., ON _______, 2010.



This advertisement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy common stock.  The offer is made only by the Prospectus.  These common stock shares are not deposits or savings accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.


 
TOMBSTONE NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT- (Optional)
[Ads may be appropriate for some, not all, market areas.]


[CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION LOGO]
Holding Company for CharterBank


OFFERING OF UP TO 5,961,573 SHARES
COMMON STOCK


OFFERING PRICE RANGE
$7.78 TO $10.52 Per Share



Charter Financial Corporation is conducting an offering of its common stock.  Shares may be purchased directly from Charter Financial Corporation without sales commissions, during the offering period.

This offering expires at 2:00 p.m., on _______ __, 2010.

To receive a copy of the Prospectus and Stock Order Form,
call our Stock Information Center, toll-free, at 1-(___) ___-____,
from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Our Stock Information Center is closed on weekends and bank holidays.
 
 




This advertisement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of common stock.  The offer is made only by the Prospectus.  These common stock shares are not deposits or savings accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
 

 
GRAPHIC
 
Please join us.    
 
You are cordially invited to an INFORMATIONAL MEETING to learn more about the offering of Charter Financial Corporation common stock and the business of CharterBank.

Senior executives of CharterBank will present information about the stock offering and answer your questions.
     Date      


   Location

   Address          







   Date    


   Location   

   Address        




 
For reservations to attend one of these meetings, please call:
 
Charter Financial Corporation Stock Information Center, Toll-Free, 1-(877) 821-5782 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, Except Bank Holidays.
 
Charter Financial Corporation has filed a registration statement (including a Prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the Prospectus and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, if you would like another copy of the enclosed Prospectus, please call the Stock Information Center, at the above telephone number.
 
This invitation is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of common stock.
These securities are not deposits or savings accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.
EX-99.4 7 ex99-4.htm EXHIBIT 99.4 ex99-4.htm

Exhibit 99.4
 
 
 
STOCK ORDER FORM
GRAPHIC
 
Stock Information Center
C/O Stifel Nicolaus
18 Columbia Turnpike
Florham Park, NJ 07932
Call us toll-free, at
1-(877) 821-5782
     
    For Internal Use Only
   
 BATCH #                 ORDER #               CATEGORY
   
 RECD                                             O
         C
       
    ORDER DEADLINE AND DELIVERY: A Stock Order Form, properly completed and with full payment, must be received (not postmarked) by 2:00 p.m. Georgia time, on ________, 2010. Subscription rights will become void after this time. Stock Order Forms can be delivered by using the enclosed Stock Order Reply Envelope, by overnight delivery to the Stock Information Center address on top of this form, or by hand-delivery to CharterBank’s executive office, 1233 O.G. Skinner Drive, West Point, GA. Hand-delivered Stock Order Forms will only be accepted at this location. You may NOT deliver this form to CharterBank’s banking offices. Please do not mail Stock Order Forms to CharterBank. Faxes or copies of this form are not required to be accepted.

 
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY AND COMPLETE ALL APPLICABLE SHADED AREAS - READ THE ENCLOSED STOCK ORDER FORM INSTRUCTIONS (BLUE SHEET) AS YOU COMPLETE THIS FORM
 
       ORDER PRICE
PER SHARE
   
(2) METHOD OF PAYMENT CHECK OR MONEY ORDER
                     
 
 
(1a)  
NUMBER OF SHARES
(2)
TOTAL AMOUNT
 
Enclosed is a personal check, bank check or money order made payable to: Charter Financial Corporation in the amount of:
Cash, wire transfers and third party checks will not be accepted for this purchase. Checks and money orders will be cashed upon receipt. CharterBank line of credit checks may not be remitted as payment.
(3) METHOD OF PAYMENT – DEPOSIT ACCOUNT WITHDRAWAL
The undersigned authorizes withdrawal from the CharterBank deposit account(s) listed below. There will be no early withdrawal penalty applicable for funds authorized on this form. Funds designated for withdrawal must be in the account(s) listed at the time this form is received. IRA and other retirement accounts held at CharterBank and accounts with check-writing privileges may NOT be listed for direct withdrawal below.
 
     
x    $10.52    =
   $
 
   
  Minimum Number of Shares: 25
See Stock Order Form Instructions for information regarding maximum purchase.
 
 
 
(1b) OPTION TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SHARES
o     Check here if you would like to receive additional shares in the event the actual purchase price per share is less than $10.52.  You will receive the number of whole shares that the Total Amount Submitted above will purchase, calculated at the actual purchase price. Instead of a fractional share, a refund will be issued based on your Method of Payment. See section (2) and section (3).
If you do not check the box, you will receive the Number of Shares above.  The overpayment portion of your Total Amount will be refunded, based on your Method of Payment. See section (2) and section (3).
See Stock Order Form Instructions for more information.
 
 
     
 
For Internal Use Only
CharterBank Deposit Account Number(s)
Withdrawal Amount(s)
 
     
   $                          
 
     
   $    
 
     
   $
 
   
Total Withdrawal Amount   
   $
 
 
ATTACH A SEPARATE PAGE IF ADDITIONAL SPACE IS NEEDED.
   
 
(4) PURCHASER INFORMATION (descending order of priority)
Subscription Offering. Check the first box that applies to the subscriber(s) listed in Section 8:
 
ACCOUNT INFORMATION – SUBSCRIPTION OFFERING
If you checked box (a), (b) or (c) under “Subscription Offering,” please provide the following information as of the eligibility date under which purchaser(s) listed in Section 8 below qualify in the Subscription Offering:
 
 
a.
o
Depositors with accounts at CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank or McIntosh Commercial Bank with combined aggregate balances of at least $50 at the close of business on December 31, 2008.
   
        Deposit or Loan Account Title (Name(s) on Account) Bank Account Number   
 
b.
o
Depositors with accounts at CharterBank with aggregate balances of at least $50 at the close of business on ___________, 2010.
       
 
c.
o
Borrowers of CharterBank as of October 16, 2001 whose borrowings remained outstanding at the close of business on __________, 2010.
       
 
Community Offering. If (a) through (d) above do not apply to the purchaser(s) listed in Section 8, check the first box that applies to this order:
       
 
d.
o
You are a resident of the States of Alabama and Georgia.
 
NOTE: NOT LISTING ALL ELIGIBLE ACCOUNTS, OR PROVIDING INCORRECT OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION, COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF ALL OR PART OF ANY SHARE ALLOCATION. ATTACH A SEPARATE PAGE IF ADDITIONAL SPACE IS NEEDED.
 
  e.  o
You are a Charter Financial Corporation shareholder.
   
  f. 
o
You are placing an order in the Community Offering, but (d) and (e) above do not apply.
   
 
(5) MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES Check if you are a First Charter, MHC, Charter Financial Corporation or CharterBank:
 
 
o Director          o Officer         o Employee          o Immediate family member, as defined on the Stock Order Form Instructions.
 
 
(6) MAXIMUM PURCHASER IDENTIFICATION
 
 
o
Check here if you, individually or together with others (see Section 7), are subscribing for the maximum purchase allowed and are interested in purchasing more shares if the maximum purchase limitations are increased. See Stock Order Form Instructions for further guidance. If you do not check the box, you will not be contacted and resolicited in the event the maximum purchase limitations are increased.
 
 
(7) ASSOCIATES/ACTING IN CONCERT
 
 
o
Check here if you, or any associates or persons acting in concert with you, have submitted other orders for shares. If you check the box, list below all other orders submitted by you or your associates or by persons acting in concert with you. (continued on reverse side of this form)
 
                       
 
Name(s) listed in Section 8 on other Stock Order Forms
Number of shares ordered
   
Name(s) listed in Section 8 on other Stock Order Forms
Number of shares ordered
 
               
               
               
               
 
(8) STOCK REGISTRATION The name(s) and address that you provide below will be reflected on your stock certificate, and will be used for communications related to this order. Please PRINT clearly and use full first and last name(s), not initials. If purchasing in the Subscription Offering, you may not add the name(s) of persons/entities who do not have subscription rights or who qualify only in a lower purchase priority than yours. See Stock Order Form Instructions for further guidance.
 
 
 First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name
  Reporting SSN/Tax ID No.
 
       
 
 First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name
  SSN/Tax ID No.
 
       
 
 Street
  Daytime Phone Number (Important)
 
       
 
 City (Important)
  State
  Zip
  County (Important)
  Evening Phone Number (Important)
 
             
             
 
(9) FORM OF STOCK OWNERSHIP Check the applicable box. See Stock Order Form Instructions for ownership definitions.
 
FOR BROKER USE ONLY
 
 
o Individual
o Joint Tenants
o Tenants in Common
o Uniform Transfer to Minors Act
 
o
IRA
 
 
o Corporation/Partnership
o Other ___________
     (for reporting SSN, use minor’s)
 
SSN of Beneficial Owner: ____-___-___
 
 
(10) ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND SIGNATURE(S)
 
 
I understand that, to be effective, this form, properly completed, together with full payment, must be received no later than 2:00 p.m. Georgia time, on ______________, 2010, otherwise this form and all subscription rights will be void. (continued on reverse side of this form)
 
  GRAPHIC
ORDER NOT VALID UNLESS SIGNED
GRAPHIC  
         
 
ONE SIGNATURE REQUIRED, UNLESS SECTION 3 OF THIS FORM INCLUDES ACCOUNTS REQUIRING MORE THAN ONE SIGNATURE TO
 AUTHORIZE WITHDRAWAL. IF SIGNING AS A CUSTODIAN, TRUSTEE, CORPORATE OFFICER, ETC., PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR FULL TITLE.
 
         
             
             
 
    Signature (title, if applicable)
Date  
 
Signature (title, if applicable)
Date  
 
(over)
 
 
 

 
 
STOCK ORDER FORM – SIDE 2
 
           
 
(7) ASSOCIATES/ACTING IN CONCERT (continued from front of Stock Order Form)
 
     
  Associate - The term “associate” of a person means:  
 
(1)
any corporation or organization, other than Charter Financial Corporation, CharterBank or a majority-owned subsidiary of CharterBank, of which the person is a senior officer, partner or 10% beneficial stockholder;
 
 
(2)
any trust or other estate in which the person has a substantial beneficial interest or serves as a trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; provided, however, it does not include any employee stock benefit plan in which the person has a substantial benefical interest or serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and
 
 
(3)
any blood or marriage relative of the person, who either has the same home as the person or who is a director or officer of Charter Financial Corporation or CharterBank.
 
 
 
Acting in concert - The term “acting in concert” means:
 
 
(1)
knowing participation in a joint activity or interdependent conscious parallel action towards a common goal whether or not pursuant to an express agreement; or
 
 
(2)
a combination or pooling of voting or other interests in the securities of an issuer for a common purpose pursuant to any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement, whether written or otherwise.
 
 
A person or company that acts in concert with another person or company (“other party”) will also be deemed to be acting in concert with any person or company who is also acting in concert with that other party, except that any tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan will not be deemed to be acting in concert with its trustee or a person who serves in a similar capacity solely for the purpose of determining whether common stock held by the trustee and common stock held by the employee stock benefit plan will be aggregated.
 
     
 
We have the sole discretion to determine whether prospective purchasers are “associates” or “acting in concert.” Persons having the same address, and persons exercising subscription rights through qualifying accounts registered at the same address will be deemed to be acting in concert unless we determine otherwise.
 
     
 
Please see the Prospectus section entitled “The Stock Offering – Limitations on Common Stock Purchases” for more information on purchase limitations.
 
 
(10) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND SIGNATURE (continued from front of Stock Order Form)
 
     
 
I agree that, after receipt by Charter Financial Corporation, this Stock Order Form may not be modified or canceled without Charter Financial Corporation’s consent, and that if withdrawal from a deposit account has been authorized, the authorized amount will not otherwise be available for withdrawal. Under penalty of perjury. I certify that (1) the Social Security or Tax ID information and all other information provided hereon are true, correct and complete, (2) I am purchasing shares solely for my own account and that there is no agreement or understanding regarding the sale or transfer of such shares, or my right to subscribe for shares, and (3) I am not subject to backup withholding tax [cross out (3) if you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding]. I acknowledge that my order does not conflict with the purchase limitations as set forth in the Stock Issuance Plan and the Prospectus dated ______________, 2010.
 
     
 
Subscription rights pertain to those eligible to subscribe in the Subscription Offering. Subscription rights are only exercisable by completing and submitting a Stock Order Form, with full payment for the shares subscribed for. Federal regulations prohibit any person from transferring or entering into any agreement directly or indirectly to transfer the legal or beneficial ownership of subscription rights, or the underlying securities, to the account of another.
 
     
 
I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND ARE NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
 
     
 
If anyone asserts that the shares of common stock are federally insured or guaranteed, or are as safe as an insured deposit, I should call the Office of Thrift Supervision Consumer Inquiries, toll-free, at (800) 842-6929.
 
     
 
I further certify that, before purchasing the common stock of Charter Financial Corporation, I received the Prospectus dated ___________, 2010, and that I have read the terms and conditions described in the Prospectus, including disclosure concerning the nature of the security being offered and the risks involved in the investment, described by Charter Financial Corporation in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page __. Risks include, but are not limited to the following:
 
       
 
1.
The United States economy remains weak and unemployment levels are high. A prolonged economic downturn, especially one affecting our geographic market area, will adversely affect our business and financial results.
 
 
2.
Changes in interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
 
 
3.
Our business may be adversely affected by credit risk associated with residential property.
 
 
4.
Our non-covered non-residential loans increase our exposure to credit risks.
 
 
5.
If the allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings could decrease.
 
 
6.
We could record future losses on our securities portfolio.
 
 
7.
Higher FDIC insurance premiums and special assessments will adversely affect our earnings.
 
 
8.
Our business may continue to be adversely affected by downturns in our national and local economies.
 
 
9.
If our non-performing assets increase, our earnings will decrease.
 
 
10.
We may incur higher than expected loan charge-offs with respect to assets acquired in the Neighborhood Community Bank and McIntosh Commercial Bank acquisitions, all of which may not be supported by our loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC.
 
 
11.
Our ability to continue to receive benefits of our loss share arrangements with the FDIC is conditioned upon our compliance with certain requirements under the agreements.
 
 
12.
We may fail to realize any benefits and may incur unanticipated losses related to the assets we acquired and liabilities we assumed from Neighborhood Community Bank and McIntosh Commercial Bank.
 
 
13.
FDIC-assisted acquisition opportunities may not become available and increased competition may make it more difficult for us to successfully bid on failed bank transactions on terms we consider to be acceptable.
 
 
14.
The FDIC could condition our ability to acquire a failed depository institution on compliance by us with additional requirements.
 
 
15.
Acquisitions, including any additional FDIC-assisted acquisitions, could disrupt our business and adversely affect our operating results.
 
 
16.
Our continued growth through acquisitions may require us to raise additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available when it is needed.
 
 
17.
Strong competition may limit growth and profitability.
 
 
18.
The recently enacted financial reform legislation may have an adverse effect on our ability to pay dividends which would adversely affect the value of our common stock.
 
 
19.
Government responses to economic conditions may adversely affect our operations, financial condition and earnings.
 
 
20.
Financial reform legislation recently enacted by Congress will, among other things, eliminate the Office of Thrift Supervision, tighten capital standards, create a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and result in new laws and regulations that are expected to increase our costs of operations.
 
 
21.
Changes in laws and regulations and the cost of regulatory compliance with new laws and regulations may adversely affect our operations and our income.
 
 
22.
We hold certain intangible assets that in the future could be classified as either partially or fully impaired, which would reduce our earnings and the book values of these assets.
 
 
23.
If the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta continues to pay a reduced dividend, our earnings and stockholders’ equity could decrease.
 
 
24.
Our operations may be adversely affected if we are unable to hire and retain qualified employees.
 
 
25.
System failure or breaches of our network security could subject us to increased operating costs as well as litigation and other liabilities.
 
 
26.
Various factors may make takeover attempts more difficult to achieve.
 
 
27.
Our shares of common stock are being offered for sale at a subscription price of $10.52, the maximum of the offering range. It is possible that the actual price at which shares of common stock are sold in the offering will be higher than the trading price of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board at the time the offering is consummated.
 
 
28.
You may not revoke your decision to purchase Charter Financial common stock after you send us your stock order form.
 
 
29.
You may not be able to resell the common stock until the issuance and receipt of certificates.
 
 
30.
The market price of our common stock may decline after the stock offering.
 
 
31.
There is currently no active trading market for our common stock.
 
 
32.
Our failure to effectively deploy the net proceeds of the stock offering may have an adverse impact on our financial performance and the value of our common stock.
 
 
33.
Our return on equity will be low following the stock offering. This could negatively affect the trading price of our shares of common stock.
 
 
34.
The implementation of the stock-based incentive plan may dilute your ownership interest.
 
 
35.
Implementing the stock-based incentive plan would increase our compensation and benefit expenses and adversely affect our profitability.
 
 
36.
We will need to implement additional finance and accounting systems, procedures and controls in order to satisfy public company reporting requirements, which will increase our operating expenses.
 
 
37.
The distribution of subscription rights could have adverse income tax consequences.
 
       
 
By executing this form, the investor is not waiving any rights under the federal securities laws, including the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
   GRAPHIC
See Front of Stock Order Form
 
         
 
 
 

 
 

     
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
 
STOCK ORDER FORM INSTRUCTIONS – SIDE 1
 
     
 
Sections (1a), (1b), (2) – Subscription Amount. The shares are being offered at a maximum price of $10.52 per share. We may decrease the offering price to as low as a minimum price of $7.78 per share. The actual purchase price per share will be determined by us after the offering deadline. On this Stock Order Form, please indicate the Number of Shares ordered and the Total Amount. Because the actual price per share may be less than the $10.52 order price, you will receive a partial refund of your Total Amount, unless you elect to have the overpayment applied toward the purchase of additional whole shares, by checking the box in section (1b). Subscribers who do not check the box will receive the Number of Shares noted by them. Those who completed Method of Payment section (2) will receive a check reflecting the overpayment; for subscribers who completed Method of Payment section (3), we will reduce the amount of their authorized withdrawal.
 
     
 
Additionally, if the actual purchase price is less than the $10.52 order price, fractional shares will not be issued. Instead of a fractional share, a refund will be issued based on your Method of Payment.
 
     
 
The minimum purchase is 25 shares. The maximum purchase by a person or entity is $1.5 million. Further, no person or entity, together with associates and persons acting in concert with such person or entity, may purchase, in all categories of the stock offering combined, more than 5% of the shares of common stock issued in the offering. Current shareholders of Charter Financial Corporation are subject to these purchase limitations and an ownership limitation. Please see the Prospectus section entitled “The Stock Offering – Limitations on Common Stock Purchases” for more specific information. By signing this form, you are certifying that your order does not conflict with these purchase and ownership limitations.
 
     
 
Section (2) – Method of Payment – Check or Money Order. Payment may be made by including with this form a personal check, bank check or money order made payable to Charter Financial Corporation. These will be cashed upon receipt; the funds remitted by personal check must be available within the account(s) when your Stock Order Form is received. Indicate the amount. Please do not remit cash, a CharterBank line of credit check, wire transfers or third party checks for this purchase. Interest will be calculated at CharterBank’s passbook rate until the offering is completed, at which time, a subscriber will be issued a check for interest earned. As described above, if the actual purchase price is less than $10.52, and the box in section (1b) is not checked, the check will also include a partial refund of the Total Amount in section (2).
 
     
 
Section (3) – Method of Payment – Deposit Account Withdrawal. Payment may be made by authorizing a direct withdrawal from your CharterBank deposit account(s). There will be no early withdrawal penalty for withdrawal from a CharterBank certificate of deposit account. Indicate the account number(s) and the amount(s) you wish withdrawn. Attach a separate page, if necessary. Funds designated for withdrawal must be available within the account(s) at the time this Stock Order Form is received. Upon receipt of this order, we will place a hold on the amount(s) designated by you – the funds designated will be unavailable to you for withdrawal thereafter. The funds will continue to earn interest within the account(s) at the contract rate, and account withdrawals will be made at the completion of the offering. As described above, if the actual purchase price is less than $10.52, and the box in section (1b) is not checked, we will only withdraw from your account(s) the amount necessary to purchase Number of Shares noted by you in section (1a). Note that you may NOT designate deposit accounts with check-writing privileges. Submit a check instead. Additionally, you may not designate direct withdrawal from CharterBank IRA or other retirement accounts. For guidance on using retirement funds, whether held at CharterBank or elsewhere, please contact the Stock Information Center as soon as possible – preferably at least two weeks before the _______, 2010 offering deadline, and see the Prospectus section entitled “The Stock Offering – Using IRA Funds.” Your ability to use retirement accounts to buy shares cannot be guaranteed and depends on various factors, including timing constraints and where those funds are currently held.
 
     
 
Section (4) – Purchaser Information. Please check the one box that applies to the purchaser(s) listed in Section 8 of this form. Purchase priorities in the Subscription Offering are in descending order of priority and are based on eligibility dates. Boxes (a), (b), (c) and (d) refer to the Subscription Offering. If you checked box (a), list all deposit account numbers at the applicable bank(s) that the subscriber(s) had ownership in as of December 31, 2008. If you check box (b) or (c), list all CharterBank account numbers (deposit or loan, as applicable) that the subscriber(s) had ownership in as of the applicable eligibility date. Include all forms of account ownership (e.g. individual, joint, IRA, etc.) If purchasing shares for a minor, list only the minor’s eligible accounts. If purchasing shares for a corporation or partnership, list only that entity’s eligible accounts. Attach a separate page, if necessary. Failure to complete this section, or providing incorrect or incomplete information, could result in a loss of part or all of your share allocation in the event of an oversubscription. Boxes (d) and (e) refer to a Community Offering. Orders placed in the Subscription Offering will take preference over orders placed in a Community Offering. See the Prospectus section entitled “The Stock Offering,” for further details about the Subscription and Community Offerings.
 
     
 
Section (5) – Management and Employees. Check the box if you are an CharterBank, Charter Financial Corporation or First Charter, MHC director, officer or employee, or a member of their immediate family. Immediate family includes spouse, parents, siblings and children who live in the same house as the director, officer or employee.
 
     
 
Section (6) – Maximum Purchaser Identification. Check the box, if applicable. Your failure to check the box will result in you not receiving notification in the event the maximum purchase limit(s) is/are increased. If you check the box but have not subscribed for the maximum amount and did not complete section 7, you will not receive this notification.
 
     
 
Section (7) – Associates/Acting in Concert. Check the box, if applicable, and provide the requested information. Attach a separate page if necessary.
 
     
 
Section (8) – Stock Registration. Clearly PRINT the name(s) in which you want the shares registered and the mailing address for all correspondence related to your order, including a stock certificate. Each Stock Order Form will generate one stock certificate, subject to the stock allocation provisions described in the Prospectus. IMPORTANT: Subscription rights are non-transferable. If placing an order in the Subscription Offering, you may not add the names of persons/entities who do not have subscription rights or who qualify only in a lower purchase priority than yours. A Social Security or Tax ID Number must be provided. The first number listed will be identified with the stock certificate for tax reporting purposes. Listing at least one phone number is important, in the event we need to contact you about this form. NOTE FOR FINRA MEMBERS (Formerly NASD): If you are a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”), or a person affiliated or associated with a FINRA member, you may have additional reporting requirements. Please report this subscription in writing to the applicable department of FINRA member firm within one day of payment thereof.
 
     
(over)
 
 
 

 
 
         
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
 
STOCK ORDER FORM INSTRUCTIONS – SIDE 2
 
     
 
Section (9) – Form of Stock Ownership. For reasons of clarity and standardization, the stock transfer industry has developed uniform stockholder registrations for issuance of stock certificates. Beneficiaries may not be named on stock registrations. If you have any questions on wills, estates, beneficiaries, etc., please consult your legal advisor. When registering stock, do not use two initials – use the full first name, middle initial and last name. Omit words that do not affect ownership such as “Dr.” or “Mrs.” Check the one box that applies.
 
     
   
Buying Stock Individually Used when shares are registered in the name of only one owner. To qualify in the Subscription Offering, the purchaser named in Section 8 of the Stock Order Form must have had an eligible deposit account at CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank or McIntosh Commercial Bank on December 31, 2008; at CharterBank on __________, 2010; or a CharterBank loan on October 16, 2001 that remained outstanding at the close of business on ____________, 2010.
 
       
   
Buying Stock Jointly – To qualify in the Subscription Offering, the persons named in Section 8 of the Stock Order Form must have had an eligible deposit account at CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank or McIntosh Commercial Bank on December 31, 2008; at CharterBank on ______________, 2010; or a CharterBank loan on October 16, 2001 that remained outstanding at the close of business on ___________, 2010.
 
     
   
Joint Tenants – Joint Tenancy (with Right of Survivorship) may be specified to identify two or more owners where ownership is intended to pass automatically to the surviving tenant(s). All owners must agree to the sale of shares.
 
       
   
Tenants in Common – May be specified to identify two or more owners where, upon the death of one co-tenant, ownership of the stock will be held by the surviving co-tenant(s) and by the heirs of the deceased co-tenant. All owners must agree to the sale of shares.
 
     
   
Buying Stock for a Minor – Shares may be held in the name of a custodian for a minor under the Uniform Transfer to Minors Act. To qualify in the Subscription Offering, the minor (not the custodian) named in Section 8 of the Stock Order Form must have had an eligible deposit account at CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank or McIntosh Commercial Bank on December 30, 2008 or at CharterBank on ______________, 2010.
 
       
   
The standard abbreviation for custodian is “CUST.” The Uniform Transfer to Minors Act is “UTMA.” Include the state abbreviation. For example, stock held by John Smith as custodian for Susan Smith under the GA Uniform Transfer to Minors Act, should be registered as John Smith CUST Susan Smith UTMA-GA (list only the minor’s social security number).
 
       
   
Buying Stock for a Corporation/Partnership – On the first name line, indicate the name of the corporation or partnership and indicate the entity’s Tax ID Number for reporting purposes. To qualify in the Subscription Offering, the corporation or partnership named in Section 8 of the Stock Order Form must have had an eligible deposit account at CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank or McIntosh Commercial Bank on December 31, 2008; at CharterBank on ______________, 2010; or a CharterBank loan on October 16, 2001 that remained outstanding at the close of business on ______________, 2010.
 
       
   
Buying Stock in a Trust/Fiduciary Capacity – Indicate the name of the fiduciary and the capacity under which they are acting (for example, “Executor”), or name of the trust, the trustees and the date of the trust. Indicate the Tax ID Number to be used for reporting purposes. To qualify in the Subscription Offering, the entity named in Section 8 of the Stock Order Form must have had an eligible deposit account at CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank or McIntosh Commercial Bank on December 31, 2008; at CharterBank on ______________, 2010; or a CharterBank loan on October 16, 2001 that remained outstanding at the close of business on ______________, 2010.
 
       
   
Buying Stock in a Self-Directed IRA (for trustee/broker use only) – Registration should reflect the custodian or trustee firm’s registration requirements. For example, on the first name line indicate the name of the brokerage firm, followed by CUST or TRUSTEE. On the second name line, indicate the name of the beneficial owner (for example, “FBO John SMITH IRA”). You can indicate an account number or other underlying information and the custodian or trustee firm’s address and department to which all correspondence should be mailed related to this order, including a stock certificate. Indicate the TAX ID Number under which the IRA account should be reported for tax purposes. To qualify in the Subscription Offering, the beneficial owner named in Section 8 of this form mush have had an eligible deposit account at CharterBank, Neighborhood Community Bank or McIntosh Commercial Bank on December 31, 2008; at CharterBank on ______________, 2010; or a ChartBank loan on October 16, 2001 that remained outstanding at the close of business on ______________, 2010.
 
     
 
Section (10) – Acknowledgement and signature(s). Sign and date the Stock Order Form where indicated. Before you sign, please carefully review the information you provided and read the acknowledgment. Verify that you have printed clearly, and completed all applicable shaded areas on the Stock Order Form. Only one signature is required, unless any account listed in Section 3 requires more than one signature to authorize a withdrawal.
 
     
 
Please review the Prospectus carefully before making an investment decision. Deliver your completed Stock Order Form, with full payment or withdrawal authorization, so that it is received (not postmarked) by 2:00 p.m. Georgia time, on ___________, 2010. Stock Order Forms can be delivered by using the enclosed postage paid Stock Order Reply Envelope, by overnight delivery to the Stock Information Center address indicated on the front of the Stock Order Form, or by hand-delivery to CharterBank’s executive office, which is located at 1233 O.G. Skinner Drive, West Point, Georgia. Hand-delivered Stock Order Forms will only be accepted at this location. Please do not mail stock order forms to CharterBank. We are not required to accept Stock Order Forms that are found to be deficient or incorrect, or that do not include proper payment or the required signature.
 
     
 
OVERNIGHT DELIVERY can be made to the Stock Information Center address provided on the front of the Stock Order Form.
 
     
 
QUESTIONS? Call our Stock Information Center, toll-free at 1-(877) 821-5782 Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Georgia time. The Stock Information Center is not open on weekends or bank holidays.
 
     
 
Charter Financial Corporation has filed a registration statement (including a Prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the Prospectus and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, if you would like another copy of the enclosed Prospectus, please call the Stock Information Center, at the above telephone number.
 
     
 
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[LETTERHEAD OF LUSE GORMAN POMERENK & SCHICK, P.C.]


(202) 274-2011
rpomerenk@luselaw.com


August 11, 2010

 
Via Federal Express
 
Michael R. Clampitt, Esq.
Division of Corporation Finance
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C.  20549
 
 
Re:
Charter Financial Corporation
 
   
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1
 
   
Filed August 6, 2010
 
   
File No. 333-167634
 

Dear Mr. Clampitt:
 
On behalf of Charter Financial Corporation (the “Company”), and in accordance with Rule 101 of Regulation S-T, we are hereby transmitting Pre-effective Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Amended S-1”).  Set forth below are the comments from the Staff’s comment letter dated August 10, 2010, as well as the Company’s responses to those comments.  The Amended S-1 has been black-lined to reflect changes from Pre-effective Amendment No. 1, which was filed on August 6, 2010.  For ease of reference, the Staff’s comments have been reproduced below, followed by the Company’s supplemental responses.
 
General
 
1.
Please refer to comments 2 and 3 in our letter dated July 15, 2010.  It is our understanding based on our discussion with Bob Pomerenk, Eric Luse, John Gorman and Michael Brown of Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C. that the pricing structure of the offering will be revised.  In this regard, it is our understanding that you will establish a price per share that is subject to downward adjustment but not upward adjustment.  Please revise the marketing materials in Exhibit 99.3 – and any other materials that may be used – to reflect the revised pricing structure.  Please also confirm that any marketing materials used, including the stock order form, will be filed as free-writing prospectuses.  Please note that we may have additional comments after reviewing your next pre-effective amendment in which the new pricing structure is disclosed.
 

 
Michael R. Clampitt, Esq.
Securities and Exchange Commission
August 11, 2010
Page 2
 
 
Based on discussions with the Staff, the pricing structure of the offering has been revised.  The common stock will be offered in the subscription and community offerings at a price of $10.52 per share, which is the maximum of the offering range established by the independent appraisal. The $10.52 offering price will be subject to downward adjustment, but not upward adjustment.  If the actual price at which shares are sold is less than $10.52, the difference will be refunded or the withdrawal authorization reduced, except for subscribers who have elected on their order forms to have such difference applied to the purchase of additional shares (to the extent available).  The Amended S-1 now reflects this revised structure.

The marketing materials and stock order form included as Exhibits 99.3 and 99.4 to the Registration Statement, respectively, have been revised to reflect the new pricing structure and will be filed as free-writing prospectuses.  In addition, pursuant to discussions with the Staff, a prospectus supplement disclosing the actual purchase price will be filed with the SEC under Rule 424(b) no later than the second business day following the earlier of the determination of the offering price or the date that it is first used.

Prospectus Cover Page
 
2.
Please revise the prospectus cover page and add a risk factor to disclose that investors may be required to purchase the securities to be offered in the incremental offering at a price that exceeds the OTC Bulletin Board price.  Alternatively, disclose, if true, that investors will not be required to purchase the securities at a price that exceeds the OTC Bulletin Board price.
 
The prospectus cover page has been revised and a risk factor has been added on page 32 of the prospectus, as requested in the comment.
 
Summary, page 1
 
Purchases by Officers and Directors, page 9
 
3.
Please revise here and on page 141 to clarify, if true, that officers and directors are not obligated to purchase shares in the offering.
 
The referenced text has been revised on page 149 to clarify that the Company’s officers and directors are not obligated to purchase shares in the offering.
 

 
Michael R. Clampitt, Esq.
Securities and Exchange Commission
August 11, 2010
Page 3
 
 
Risk Factors, page 16
 
The United States economy remains weak…, page 16
 
4.
We note your response to comment 12 in our letter dated July 15, 2010.  We note instances in which non-covered amounts are disclosed and corresponding covered amounts are not disclosed.  For example, under the heading “If the allowance for loan losses…” on page 18, you disclose the percentage of the allowance for loan losses to total non-covered loans and non-covered non-performing loans.  Please revise throughout the document to disclose corresponding covered amounts where, as here, non-covered amounts are disclosed.
 
The prospectus has been revised on pages 22, 24, 44 and 46, as requested in the comment.
 
If the allowance for loan losses…, page 18
 
5.
Please refer to comment 15 in our letter dated July 15, 2010.  We note that you updated allowance for loan loss information as of June 30, 2010.  However, total non-performing asset information as of June 30, 2010 was not included.  Therefore, we reissue the comment.  Alternatively, tell us why you believe this information would not be helpful to investors.
 
The prospectus has been revised on page 22, as requested in the comment.
 
Market for Our Common Stock, page 45
 
6.
Please revise to clarify that the over-the-counter market quotations disclosed reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.  Refer to Item 201(a)(iii) of Regulation S-K.
 
The referenced disclosure has been added to page 51 of the prospectus, as requested in the comment.
 
Management, page 115
 
Cash Compensation, page 122
 
7.
We note your response to comment 16 in our letter dated July 15, 2010.  Benchmarking generally entails using compensation data about other companies as a reference point on which – either wholly or in part – to base, justify or provide a framework for a compensation decision.  Refer to Regulation S-K Compliance & Disclosure Interpretation 118.05.  Your disclosure on page 122 makes it appear that compensation data from Hay Group was evaluated in setting compensation in 2009.  Although you may not have conducted a comprehensive review, to the extent Hay Group data was used – either wholly or in part – to base, justify or provide a framework for a compensation decision, please disclose the component companies of the peer group evaluated.  If Hay Group data, or other peer group data, was not evaluated in setting compensation for 2009, please revise the disclosure to so clarify.
 

 
Michael R. Clampitt, Esq.
Securities and Exchange Commission
August 11, 2010
Page 4
 
 
Peer group data was not evaluated in setting compensation for 2009; we have supplemented the disclosure of page 129 to clarify this point.
 
Cash Incentive Awards, page 124
 
8.
We note your response to comment 17 in our letter dated July 15, 2010.  It appears based on the disclosure in the document that the compensation committee may have established performance targets in addition to the pre-tax income target.  Please either disclose the other performance targets or confirm that no additional performance targets were established with respect to 2009 compensation.
 
We confirm that no additional performance targets were established with respect to 2009 compensation and the disclosure has been supplemented on page 131 to clarify this.
 
Transactions with Certain Related Persons, page 138
 
9.
We note your response to comment 19 in our letter dated July 15, 2010.  We are unable to concur in your view that Instruction 4.c to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K applies to loans made to related persons where the origination fee is discounted.  Accordingly, we reissue the comment.
 
The referenced disclosure has been added to pages 145 and 146 of the prospectus.
 

 
*           *           *
 
We trust the foregoing is responsive to the staff’s comments.  The Company wishes to have the registration statement declared effective as soon as possible.  We therefore request that the Staff advise the undersigned at (202) 274-2011 as soon as possible if it has any further comments.

 
Respectfully,
   
 
/s/ Robert B. Pomerenk
   
 
Robert B. Pomerenk


cc:
Mr. Robert L. Johnson
 
Mr. Curtis Kollar
 
Eric Luse, Esq.
 
Michael Brown, Esq.
 
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----

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