-----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, Gk+EU7U3aBWwSq58spsq1Lg8iZJTWvqht1mb5f7JfZ4XuU43hGObuomfdGzrnQ1v Jax7t17ikBNGsBW6HD9koA== 0000950135-04-001554.txt : 20040326 0000950135-04-001554.hdr.sgml : 20040326 20040326151728 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950135-04-001554 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 16 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20031231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20040326 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: LSB CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001143848 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021] IRS NUMBER: 043557612 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-32955 FILM NUMBER: 04692790 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O LSB CORP. STREET 2: 30 MASSACHUSETTS AVE. CITY: NORTH ANDOVER STATE: MA ZIP: 01845 BUSINESS PHONE: 9789757500 10-K 1 b48778lce10vk.htm LSB CORPORATIO LSB CORPORATION
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-K

     
x   Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003
 
o   Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number 000-32955

LSB CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Massachusetts
  04-3557612

 
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
30 Massachusetts Avenue, North Andover, MA
  01845

 
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
  (Zip Code)

(978) 725-7500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

     
Titles of each Class
  Name of each Exchange on which registered
None
  None
     
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share

 
(Title of Class)
 
(a) Preferred Stock Purchased Rights

 
(Title of Class)

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act)    Yes o    No x

State the aggregate market value of the voting common equity stock held by
non-affiliates* of the registrant based on the closing sale price of $16.48 per share as of June 30, 2003

Approximately $68,251,426

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

     
Class
  Outstanding as of March 22, 2004
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share
  4,293,142 shares

Documents Incorporated by Reference. Portions of the LSB Corporation (the “Company”) Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 (the “Annual Report”), attached hereto as Exhibit (13) and the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting (the “Proxy Statement”), attached hereto as Exhibit (20), are incorporated by reference into Parts I, II, and III of this Form 10-K. An index to the exhibits attached to this Form 10-K can be found on page 11 of this Form 10-K.
     
 
*   For purposes of this calculation only, the common stock of LSB Corporation held by directors and executive officers of LSB Corporation has been treated as owned by affiliates.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

             
        Page#
  Part I        
  Business     3  
  Properties     4  
  Legal Proceedings     4  
  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     5  
 
  Part II        
  Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     5  
  Selected Financial Data     5  
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     5  
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     5  
  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     5  
  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountant on Accounting and Financial Disclosures     5  
  Controls and Procedures     6  
 
  Part III        
  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant     6  
  Executive Compensation     6  
  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     6  
  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions     6  
 
  Part IV        
  Principal Accountant Fees and Services     6  
  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K     7  
  Signatures     10  
  Index to Exhibits attached to Form 10-K     11  


 

Forward-Looking Statements and Factors Which May Affect Future Results

     This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as amended) that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Corporation, projected or anticipated benefits, or events related to other future developments involving the Corporation or the industry in which it operates. When verbs in the present tense such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “continues,” “attempts” or similar expressions are used, forward-looking statements are being made. Stockholders should note that many factors, some of which are discussed elsewhere in this document and in other documents which we incorporate by reference here in, could affect the future financial results of the Corporation and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in or incorporated by reference in this document. Those factors include fluctuations in interest rates, or in the relationship between long and short term rates, inflation, changes in government regulations and economic conditions. Other factors include competition in the geographic and business areas in which the Corporation conducts its operations such as might, result, for example: increased mergers and acquisitions, consolidation of size of competing financial institutions in the Company’s market area, or increased competition in the Company’s market area from other types of lending institutions such as credit unions or lending institutions based outside of the Company’s market area. As a result of such risks and uncertainties, the Corporation’s actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. The Corporation does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation to publicly release revisions to any such forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

PART I

Item 1. Business

     The response is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion respectively under the captions entitled “FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS” on page 4, “BUSINESS” on pages 5 through 7, “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” on pages 8 through 21 and Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on pages 24 through 45 of the Annual Report.


 

Item 2. Properties

     The Company conducts its business at its Corporate offices in North Andover and multiple branch locations listed here. The Company believes that all of its properties are well maintained and are suitable for banking needs and operations. Rent expense for 2003 totaled $152,000. The following table sets forth the locations of the offices of the Lawrence Savings Bank (the “Bank”), the wholly owned bank subsidiary of the Company, as well as certain information relating to these offices as of December 31, 2003:

                                         
                    Lease
   
    Year                   Current    
    Acquired   Square   Owned/   Term   Renewal
    Or Leased
  Feet
  Leased
  Expires
  Options
CORPORATE OFFICES
                                       
 
North Andover
    1992       45,315     Owned            
30 Massachusetts Ave.
No. Andover, MA 01845
                                       
 
BRANCH OFFICES
                                       
 
Essex Street
    1998       3,432     Leased     2003     One (5) yr.
300 Essex Street
                                  Renewal Option
Lawrence, MA 01840
                                       
 
Jackson Street
    1998       2,369     Leased     2003     One (5) yr.
20 Jackson Street
                                  Renewal Option
Methuen, MA 01844
                                       
 
West Methuen
    1979       5,234     Owned            
148 Lowell Street
Methuen, MA 01844
                                       
 
Andover
    1995       2,449     Leased     2010     Two (5) yr.
342 North Main Street
                                  Options
Andover, MA 01810
                                       

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

     The Bank is involved in various ordinary, routine legal proceedings incidental to the ordinary course of its business. After review with legal counsel, management does not believe resolution of such litigation will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and operating results of the Company.

     In one litigation matter, the Bank was awarded a $4.2 million judgment against the debtor in 1997. On February 13, 2002, the debtor filed a petition in bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. Post-judgment interest calculated from the date of judgment to the date of the bankruptcy filing is approximately $1.9 million. As of year end 2003, none of the judgment or post-judgment interest had been collected or recognized in the Company’s reported financial results.

     In February 2004, the Bankruptcy Trustee filed a motion seeking Bankruptcy Court approval to make an interim distribution to the creditors. After payment to one other creditor and reserves for anticipated taxes and administrative costs, the Trustee has proposed to make an interim distribution to the Bank of approximately $2.6 million. The Bank has agreed to return any of the interim distribution as would be necessary to pay additional taxes imposed on the bankruptcy estate in the event reserves set aside for taxes are insufficient.


 

     The diluted earnings per share impact of the proposed interim distribution are approximately $0.37 per share based on estimated average shares outstanding for the first quarter of 2004. No recognition of this proposed judgment or interim distribution has been recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Any such interim distribution will be recognized in the Company’s reported financial results if and when the proposed interim distribution is approved by the Bankruptcy court.

     It is management’s opinion the collection of any remaining balance beyond the amount of the proposed interim distribution is substantially uncertain and is not susceptible to meaningful estimation at this time.

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

     There were no matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s security holders during the fourth quarter of 2003.

PART II

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

     The response is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion under the caption “STOCKHOLDERS’ INFORMATION” on page 46, the discussion under the subcaption “Capital Adequacy” of the caption “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” on page 18 of the Annual Report, and from the table titled “Financial Highlights” on page 4 of the Annual Report.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

     The response is incorporated herein by reference from the table titled “FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS” on page 4 of the Annual Report.

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

     The response is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion under the caption “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” on pages 8 through 21 of the Annual Report.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     The response is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion under the subcaption “Interest Rate Sensitivity” of the caption “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” on pages 18 through 20 of the Annual Report.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     The response is incorporated herein by reference from the LSB Corporation and Subsidiary Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto on pages 23 through 45 of the Annual Report.

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

     None.


 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

     The Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its subsidiary required to be included in the Company’s periodic Securities and Exchange Commission filings would be made known to them by others within those entities in time to be included in the Company’s periodic Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

     There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or, to the Company’s knowledge, in other factors that could significantly affect the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect the internal controls over financial reporting.

PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

     The response is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion under the caption “INFORMATION REGARDING DIRECTORS” on pages 4 through 6, the discussion under the caption “EXECUTIVE OFFICERS” on page 10 through 11 and the discussion under the caption “SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE” on page 21 of the Proxy Statement.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

     The response is incorporated herein by reference from the section entitled “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION” on pages 12 through 17 of the Proxy Statement.

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

     The response is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion under the caption entitled “EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION” on page 16 and “SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT” on pages 20 through 21 of the Proxy Statement.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

     The response is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion under the caption entitled “INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS” on page 18 and 19 of the Proxy Statement.

PART IV

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

     The response is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion under the caption entitled “SERVICES OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR FOR THE 2003 FISCAL YEAR” on page 22 of the Proxy Statement and sub-caption “Audit Committee” of the caption “THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES” on pages 8 and 9 of the Proxy Statement.

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

     
(a)(1)
  Financial Statements: The following LSB Corporation and Subsidiary Consolidated Financial Statements are incorporated herein by reference from the Annual Report, listed below and attached as Exhibit (13).


 

           
    Page number(s)
    in Annual
    Report
Report of Management Responsibility
    22  
Independent Auditors’ Report
    23  
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
   December 31, 2003 and 2002
    24  
Consolidated Statements of Operations
   for the years ended December 31,
   2003, 2002 and 2001
    25  
Consolidated Statements of Changes
   in Stockholders’ Equity for the
   years ended December 31, 2003,    2002 and 2001
    26  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
   for the years ended December 31, 2003,
   2002 and 2001
    27  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
    28-45  
     
(a)(2)
  Financial Statement Schedules:
  None.
(b)
  Reports on Form 8-K:
  The following is a list of Form 8-K’s that have been filed by LSB Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission during the quarter ended December 31, 2003:
     
Date Filed
  Items reported
October 20, 2003
  LSB Corporation’s press release announcing Company’s earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2003
October 27, 2003
  LSB Corporation’s press release announcing Company’s Dividends to shareholders’ for the fourth quarter 2003
October 31, 2003
  LSB Corporation’s press release announcing Appeals Court Rendered Favorable Opinion on Lawsuit
     
(c)
  List of Exhibits:
 
  Exhibits to the Form 10-K have been included (unless otherwise noted) only with the copies of the Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Upon request to Investors Relations, LSB Corporation, 30 Massachusetts Avenue, North Andover, MA 01845, copies of the individual exhibits will be furnished upon payment of a reasonable reproduction fee.


 

     
Exhibits:
   
(2)
  Plan of Reorganization *
 
(3) (i)
  Articles of incorporation *
(3) (ii)
  Corporate By-Laws, as amended *
(3) (iii)
  Certificate of vote of directors establishing a series of a class of stock *
 
(4.1)
  Specimen certificate of shares of common stock of the Company *
(4.2)
  Rights Agreement dated as of December 12, 1996 *
 
(10.1)
  Employment Agreement by and between the Bank and Paul A. Miller dated April 21, 1989 *
(10.2)
  Amendment dated December 23, 1992 to Employment Agreement dated April 21, 1989 *
(10.3)
  Amendment dated May 25, 2000 to Employment Agreement dated April 21, 1989 *
(10.4)
  Employment Agreement by and between the Bank and Robert P. Perreault dated May 9, 1986 *
(10.5)
  Amendment dated December 23, 1992 to Employment Agreement dated May 9, 1986 *
(10.6)
  Special Termination Agreement by and between the Bank and Robert P. Perreault dated May 9, 1986 *
(10.7)
  Amendment dated May 25, 2000 to Special Termination Agreement dated May 9, 1986 *
(10.8)
  Supplemental Retirement Agreement by and between the Bank and Paul A. Miller dated April 21, 1989 *
(10.9)
  Supplemental Retirement Agreement by and between the Bank and Paul A. Miller dated April 21, 1996 *
(10.10)
  Employment Agreement by and between the Bank and Jeffrey W. Leeds dated February 24, 2000 *
(10.11)
  Employment Agreement by and between the Bank and Timothy L. Felter dated February 24, 2000 *
(10.12)
  Employment Agreement by and between the Bank and John E. Sharland dated February 24, 2000 *
(10.13)
  Employment Agreement by and between the Bank and Richard J. D’Ambrosio dated February 24, 2000 *
(10.14)
  Lawrence Savings Bank 1986 Stock Option Plan *
(10.15)
  Lawrence Savings Bank 1997 Stock Option Plan *
 
(13)
  2003 Annual Report to Shareholders of LSB Corporation
 
(14)
  Code of Professional Conduct
 
(20)
  2004 Proxy Statement


 

     
(21)
  Subsidiary of LSB Corporation and subsidiaries of Lawrence Savings Bank
(23.1)
  Consent of KPMG LLP
 
(31.1)
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(31.2)
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(32.1)
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as added by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(32.2)
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as added by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

*   Incorporated herein by reference from LSB Corporation Form 8-K filed July 2, 2001.

     
(d)
  Financial Statement Schedules:
  None.

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the LSB Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

         
  LSB Corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ Paul A. Miller
     
 
      Paul A. Miller, President
and Chief Executive Officer
DATE:    March 25, 2004
       


 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the LSB Corporation and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Each person whose signature appears below hereby makes, constitutes and appoints Paul A. Miller acting individually, his true and lawful attorney, with full power to sign for such person and in such person’s name and capacity indicated below any and all amendments to this Form 10-K, hereby ratifying and confirming such person’s signature as it may be signed by said attorney to any and all amendments.

         
Signature
  Title
  Date
/s/ Paul A. Miller

Paul A. Miller
  President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  March 25, 2004
/s/ John E. Sharland

John E. Sharland
  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Principal Accounting
Officer)
  March 25, 2004
/s Thomas J. Burke

Thomas J. Burke
  Chairman of the Board
Director
  March 25, 2004
/s/ Eugene A. Beliveau

Eugene A. Beliveau
  Director   March 25, 2004
/s/ Malcolm W. Brawn

Malcolm W. Brawn
  Director   March 25, 2004
/s/ Byron R. Cleveland, Jr.

Byron R. Cleveland, Jr.
  Director   March 25, 2004
/s/ Neil H. Cullen

Neil H. Cullen
  Director   March 25, 2004
/s/ Robert F. Hatem

Robert F. Hatem
  Director   March 25, 2004
/s/ Richard Hart Harrington

Richard Hart Harrington
  Director   March 25, 2004
/s/ Marsha A. McDonough

Marsha A. McDonough
  Director   March 25, 2004
/s / Kathleen Boshar Reynolds

Kathleen Boshar Reynolds
  Director   March 25, 2004


 

Index to Exhibits attached to Form 10-K

     
Item Description
(13)
  2003 Annual Report to Shareholders of LSB Corporation
 
(14)
  Code of Professional Conduct
 
(20)
  2004 Proxy Statement
 
(21)
  Subsidiary of the LSB Corporation and Lawrence Savings Bank
 
(23.1)
  Consent of KPMG LLP
 
(31.1)
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
(31.2)
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
(32.1)
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as added by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
(32.2)
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as added by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
EX-13 3 b48778lcexv13.htm EX-13 2003 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS EX-13 2003 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
Table of Contents

Letter to the Stockholders

LSB Corporation (the “Company”) reported net income of $4,136,000 or $0.94 diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to net income of $3,100,000 or $0.69 diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2002. During 2003, there were several financial highlights or other items worth noting for the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Lawrence Savings Bank, (the “Bank”), such as the Bank’s commitment to the local community, net interest income, non-interest income, non-interest expense, lawsuit recovery, capital adequacy and shareholders’ value.

The Company conducts its business in the Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. The Company helps meet the needs of the community through various means. The Directors and Officers meet these needs through participation in various organizations located in or around the community. Almost all Directors and Officers have had direct or indirect participation for many years with community organizations. During 2003, approximately 43 community organizations had 71 positions held by 32 Officers of the Company. Some of these organizations provide direct care to individuals such as Family Services, Inc., Lawrence General Hospital, YWCA, Salvation Army and Samaritans. Other organizations provide a higher level of service to the community such as the Chamber of Commerce, Exchange Club, Kiwanis and Rotary. There are industry organizations that our Officers actively participate beside these community organizations such as the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF), Savings Bank Employee Retirement Associations (SBERA) and MassBankers. All these organizations severed by our Directors and Officers keep us in touch with the needs of our customers and the community.

Meeting these customer and community needs can be a challenging job especially in a declining interest rate environment. The focus has been to originate commercial real estate, construction and commercial loans while improving upon our core deposits. The net-interest margin has declined in the past three years to 2.90% in 2003 from 3.20% in 2002 and 3.21% in 2001. Lower interest rates give loan customers incentive to refinance existing loans at lower rates. The average yield on loans has dropped to 6.55% in 2003 from 7.20% in 2002 and 7.93% in 2001. The Company has purchased investment securities when profitable to do so in order to maintain net interest income at approximately $12.4 million in 2003 down from $13.6 million in 2002 and $13.2 million in 2001. Deposits and borrowed funds are the main sources of financing assets for the Company. Although the cost of funds for deposits and borrowings do not always rise or fall in tandem with loan or investment security yields, the Company constantly monitors these cost of funds, which were 2.44% in 2003, 3.14% in 2002 and 4.36% in 2001, in order to help maintain net interest income with declining asset yields.

 


Table of Contents

Non-interest income increased by $2,111,000 (including the lawsuit payment noted below) for the year ended 2003 compared to $1,493,000 in 2002. Income on loan fees increased to $20,000 in 2003 compared to a loss of $145,000 in 2002. The income on loan fees can be attributed to $186,000 in commercial loan prepayment penalties for the year ended 2003. Also contributing to the increase were deposit account fees of $713,000 in 2003 compared to $665,000 in the same period of 2002. Partially offsetting these increases was a reduction in gains on the sale of mortgage loans to $467,000 from $529,000 in 2003 and 2002, respectively.

Non-interest expenses decreased to $9,738,000 from $10,155,000 in 2002. This decline is primarily attributable to a reduction in professional fees to $643,000 from $806,000 resulting from lower legal fees. Salaries and employee benefits decreased to $5,923,000 from $6,006,000 resulting from the salary reduction initiatives and lower headcount. Other expenses decreased $148,000 mainly attributable to reductions in marketing, professional development and administrative expenses due to expense reduction efforts.

On October 21, 2003 the Massachusetts Appeals Court rendered a favorable opinion on a lawsuit in which the Bank was the plaintiff. The Company received payment in the amount of $1,996,000 on October 30, 2003. This payment received was recorded in non-interest income. The after tax impact is approximately $1,251,000, which represents approximately $0.29 per basic earnings per share.

Capital levels have been consistent in 2003 from 2002 for the Company. The Company is considered to be “well capitalized” as defined by the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for all periods presented. The Corporation’s leverage ratio was 12.11% and 12.10% at December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively.

The Company’s stock price closed at $17.31 and $12.24 at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The increase of $5.07 represents approximately a 41% increase at December 31, 2003 compared to December 31, 2002. Shareholders received an increase in the dividend paid during the year to $0.48 per share in 2003 compared to $0.44 per share in 2002 with a dividend payout ratio of approximately 50% or more for both years. During 2004, our Board of Directors, management and staff will continue to work to further improve the earnings of the Company and shareholder value.

-s- PAUL A. MILLER

Paul A. Miller
President and Chief Executive Officer
LSB Corporation

2


Table of Contents

Financial Table of Contents

     
  Financial Highlights
 
   
  Business
 
   
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
 
   
  Report of Management Responsibility
 
   
  Independent Auditors’ Report
 
   
  Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
   
  Consolidated Statements of
Operations
 
   
  Consolidated Statements of Changes in
Stockholders’ Equity
 
   
  Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows
 
   
  Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements
 
   
  Stockholders’ Information
 EX-13 2003 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
 EX-14 CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
 EX-20 2004 PROXY STATEMENT
 EX-21 SUBSIDIARIES OF LSB CORPORATION
 EX-23.1 CONSENT OF KPMG LLP
 EX-31.1 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF C.E.O.
 EX-31.2 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF C.F.O.
 EX-32.1 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF C.E.O.
 EX-32.2 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF C.F.O.

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

                                         
December 31,
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)                                        
Balance Sheet Data:
                                       
Total assets
  $ 466,108     $ 439,134     $ 438,267     $ 413,090     $ 404,172  
Loans, gross
    211,503       243,127       236,397       222,045       198,098  
Allowance for loan losses
    4,220       4,167       4,070       3,685       3,381  
Other real estate owned
    2       12       22       32       519  
Federal funds sold
    889       9,633       5,705       15,427        
U.S. Treasury, Government agency and Corporate obligations
    226,338       155,132       160,337       125,542       151,358  
Municipal obligations
    1,624       4,021       2,062       60       113  
Other securities
    4,916       7,256       11,369       25,231       26,301  
Deposits
    272,540       279,465       268,450       270,548       246,040  
Borrowed funds
    133,352       101,591       111,099       86,161       104,167  
Equity
    55,002       54,059       54,092       52,313       48,408  
                                         
Year Ended December 31,
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
Operating Data:
                                       
Interest income
  $ 21,334     $ 25,138     $ 28,792     $ 29,037     $ 26,097  
Interest expense
    8,977       11,565       15,611       16,358       13,183  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income
    12,357       13,573       13,181       12,679       12,914  
Provision for loan losses
                175       250       75  
Non-interest income
    1,608       1,493       1,426       1,124       844  
Lawsuit judgment collected
    1,996                          
Non-interest expense
    9,738       10,155       9,122       8,376       9,347  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income before income taxes
    6,223       4,911       5,310       5,177       4,336  
Income tax expense
    2,087       1,811       1,953       854       1,582  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 4,136     $ 3,100     $ 3,357     $ 4,323     $ 2,754  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.98     $ 0.71     $ 0.77     $ 0.99     $ 0.63  
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.94     $ 0.69     $ 0.74     $ 0.97     $ 0.61  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
                                         
At or for the year ended December 31,
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
Other Data:
                                       
Interest rate spread
    2.57 %     2.78 %     2.64 %     2.66 %     3.05 %
Net interest margin on average earning assets
    2.90       3.20       3.21       3.22       3.55  
Return on average assets (net income / average assets)
    0.94       0.71       0.79       1.05       0.72  
Return on average equity (net income / average stockholders’ equity)
    7.76       5.72       6.35       8.72       5.77  
Dividend payout ratio (dividends declared per share divided by basic earnings per share)
    48.98       61.97       51.95       26.26       23.81  
Average stockholders’ equity to average assets ratio
    12.16       12.34       12.39       12.06       12.47  
Cash dividends declared and paid per common share
  $ 0.48     $ 0.44     $ 0.40     $ 0.26     $ 0.15  
Book value per share at year end
    12.99       12.71       12.35       11.99       11.11  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

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BUSINESS

Summary

LSB Corporation (the “Corporation” or the “Company”) is a one bank-holding company principally conducting business through Lawrence Savings Bank (the “Bank”). The Corporation became the holding company for the Bank on July 1, 2001 pursuant to a plan of reorganization in which each share of Bank common stock then outstanding (and accompanying preferred stock purchase rights) was converted into and exchanged for one share of the Corporation’s common stock (and accompanying preferred stock purchase rights). The Corporation’s common stock is currently traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “LSBX”. Prices of the common stock are reported in the Wall Street Journal as “LSB Corp”.

The Bank was established as a Massachusetts savings bank in 1868; the Bank converted from mutual to stock form on May 9, 1986.

The Corporation is subject to regulation and supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”), and Massachusetts Division of Banks. The Bank is subject to supervision and regulation of, and periodic examination by, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Massachusetts Division of Banks.

The Bank has four wholly-owned subsidiaries at December 31, 2003. Shawsheen Security Corporation and Shawsheen Security Corporation II engage exclusively in buying, selling, dealing in and holding securities for their own accounts. Pemberton Corporation and Spruce Wood Realty Trust, respectively, hold foreclosed real estate and real estate used in the ordinary course of the Bank’s business.

The Bank offers various financial products to the general public. These products include loans for residential real estate, commercial real estate, construction, consumer and commercial businesses. The Bank offers various deposit accounts including savings, checking, money market, certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts. The Bank invests a portion of its funds in federal funds and investment securities.

The principal source of funds for the Corporation is dividends from its Bank subsidiary. The principal sources of funds for the Bank’s lending and investment activities are deposits, loan payments and prepayments, investment securities payments and maturities, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

Market Area

The Bank’s primary market area is the Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. The Bank has five banking offices in the communities of Andover, Lawrence, Methuen (2), and North Andover, Massachusetts. The Bank has a remote ATM location in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

Lending Activities

The Bank’s loan portfolio consists of commercial real estate, commercial business, construction, residential mortgage, home equity and consumer loans. The Bank is aggressive in seeking loans from creditworthy customers; competition on both pricing and underwriting terms has been strong in the Bank’s market area. Gross loans at December 31, 2003 were $211.5 million down from $243.1 million at December 31, 2002.

Commercial real estate. The Bank originates loans secured by real estate other than 1-4 family residential properties. These loans are generally secured by various types of commercial real estate including income properties, commercial facilities (including retail, manufacturing, office and office condominiums) and small businesses. The interest rates on these loans are fixed or variable. The interest rates are based on a margin over the Treasury note rate or another index (such as the Prime Rate as published in The Wall Street Journal) for a similar term. The margin is determined by the Bank based on the creditworthiness of the borrower, relationship profitability and competitive factors.

Commercial business. The Bank originates loans secured by business assets which are not real estate. The Bank has “Preferred Lender” status from the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). The interest rates on these loans may be fixed or variable. The rates are primarily based on a margin over the Prime Rate as published in the The Wall Street Journal or the Base Rate determined by the Bank. The margin is determined based on the creditworthiness of the borrower, security offered and competitive factors.

Construction. These loans are generally short-term in nature and are for land development, construction of residential homes built on speculation, construction of homes for homeowners with permanent financing, and for construction of commercial facilities (including retail, manufacturing and office space). These loans are generally priced to yield the The Wall Street Journal Prime Rate plus a margin. Construction loans may involve additional risk due to uncertainty of estimated cost of completion of a project, or ultimate sale of the property to an end buyer. The Bank attempts to reduce these risks by lending to contractors with pre-arranged buyers or having financing commitments upon completion, or to businesses that are expanding and will occupy the completed project.

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Residential mortgages. The Bank originates fixed and adjustable rate residential mortgage loans which are underwritten to be eligible for sale in the secondary market. These loans are secured primarily by owner occupied 1-4 family primary residential properties. Adjustable rate mortgage loans are generally held by the Bank in the loan portfolio as a means to manage interest rate risk. Fixed rate mortgages are generally sold into the secondary market unless management believes they represent a good long-term asset based on various factors such as loan-to-value ratios, interest rates and management’s expectations of a loan’s duration.

Secondary mortgage market. The Bank is an approved seller and servicer for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) and the Massachusetts Housing Financing Agency (“MHFA”). Sales of mortgage loans may be made at a premium or discount resulting in gains or losses on the transaction. Based on the structure of the sale, loans sold to the secondary market provide the Bank with service fee income over the life of the loan.

Home equity. The Bank makes second mortgage and home equity loans. Home equity loans can be accessed by the borrower by a deposit account established with the Bank. These loans carry interest rates that are either fixed or variable based on the Prime Rate published in the The Wall Street Journal plus or minus a margin above or below this rate depending on the particular product selected by the borrower.

Consumer. The Bank offers a variety of consumer loan products including overdraft lines of credit, collateral loans, and secured and unsecured personal loans. These loans are generally fixed rate in nature. The Bank adjusts interest rates on these products from time-to-time based on competitive factors in the marketplace.

Deposit Activity and Other Sources of Funds

Deposits and borrowings are the primary source of funds for funding loans and purchasing investment securities. The mix of deposits and borrowings is dependent on many factors, such as loan demand, competition, the economy, interest rates, and capital resources. Deposits are obtained from the general public through the Bank’s branch offices by additions to various deposit accounts, including checking, savings, money market, certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts. The interest rates on these accounts generally are competitive with other local financial institutions. The Bank’s core deposit products (savings, checking and money market accounts) allow customers more flexibility and access and generally earn lower interest rates than other types of accounts due to the Bank’s operating costs to service these accounts. Certificates of deposit provide customers with higher interest rates, but less flexibility and access to deposits. Increasing and decreasing interest rates offered on certificates of deposit allows the Bank to adjust its sources of funds while providing a competitive interest rate. In addition to deposit accounts, other sources of funds include advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLB”), Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

The Bank is a member of the FHLB. As a member, the Bank is required to hold FHLB stock equal to at least 1% of residential mortgage loans or 5% of outstanding FHLB advances, whichever is higher. All FHLB advances are secured by a blanket lien on the Bank’s qualifying collateral. These FHLB advances may be used to fund loans and investment securities or meet other cash needs of the Bank. The terms of FHLB advances can be short or long-term with interest rates based on U.S. Treasury obligations with similar maturities.

Competition

The Bank competes with local, regional and national financial service providers in its lending and deposit activities. The Bank competes in the local market against other local and branch offices of regional financial institutions such as banks, thrifts and credit unions. In addition, less regulated local and national businesses such as mortgage companies, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies and mutual funds offer services competitive with those of the Bank. Bank mergers and recent legislation permitting interstate and cross-industry expansion may increase competition. The Bank competes on the basis of interest rates, deposit and loan terms, fees, office location, product and service arrays, customer convenience and technological advantages. Competition in the Bank’s deposit taking and lending activities is affected by movements in interest rates, local and national market developments, economic trends and the Bank’s ability to adjust to change.

Supervision and regulation

The Corporation is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and files with the FRB an annual report and such additional reports as the FRB may require. The Corporation is also subject to the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Division of Banks. As a bank holding company, the Corporation’s activities are limited to the business of banking and activities closely related or incidental to banking. The Corporation may not directly or indirectly acquire the ownership or control of more than five percent of any class of voting shares or substantially all of the assets of any company that is not engaged in activities closely related to banking and also generally must provide notice to or obtain approval of the FRB in connection with any such acquisition. The Bank is a state-chartered savings bank subject to the regulations and supervisory authority of, and periodic examinations by, both the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Massachusetts Division of Banks. These examinations test the Bank’s safety and soundness and compliance with various statutory and regulatory requirements. The Corporation and the Bank are subject to federal and state taxation authorities. The Bank is subject to certain reserve and reporting requirements as a non-member bank of the Federal Reserve System. Federal and state bank regulatory agencies have authority to issue cease and desist orders, assess civil money penalties, remove officers and directors, issue capital directives and impose prompt corrective action restrictions or requirements to address safety and soundness and compliance issues of the Bank. In addition, the Bank must obtain prior regulatory approvals to undertake certain banking transactions and initiatives, including establishment, relocation or termination of a banking office, and merger or acquisition transactions with other banks or non-

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banking entities. The supervision and regulation of the Bank are intended primarily for the protection of depositors and non-business borrowers.

The results of examinations provide regulators with a means of measuring and assessing each institution and taking prompt corrective actions to address any safety and soundness or compliance issues.

USA Patriot Act. On October 26, 2001, President George W. Bush signed into law the “Uniting and Strengthening America by providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001” (or “USA Patriot Act”). Title III of the USA Patriot Act, known as “The International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001” (the “Act”) is intended to make it more difficult for terrorists to launder money in the United States. In addition, the Act also makes it easier for law enforcement and regulatory officials to share information and identify illegal money laundering activity.

Pursuant to Section 326 of the Act the Secretary of the Treasury promulgated regulations that substantially increase the identification and verification requirements for customers of financial institutions. The regulations require financial institutions to develop procedures for verifying the identity of a person opening an account, maintaining records of such information, and, consulting lists of suspected terrorists and terrorist organizations “to determine whether a person seeking to open an account appears on any such list.”

In addition, under Section 311 of the Act the Secretary of the Treasury may require, by regulation or by order, that financial institutions take certain “special measures” for all institutions, accounts or transactions that the Secretary deems to be a “primary money laundering concern.” Most significant among these are requirements to maintain records and report information which identify the participants in a transaction involving a money laundering concern (also known as “know your customer”), and to maintain information relative to the beneficiaries of such a transaction.

Section 352 of the Act amends the Bank Secrecy Act to require all financial institutions to establish anti-money laundering programs. These must include, at a minimum: “(A) the development of internal policies, procedures, and controls; (B) the designation of a compliance officer; (C) an ongoing employee training program; and (D) an independent audit function to test programs.”

Pursuant to Section 314 of the USA Patriot Act, the Secretary of the Treasury promulgated regulations to encourage cooperation among financial institutions, their regulators, and law enforcement officials. The purpose is to help provide financial institutions with information regarding suspected terrorist or money laundering activity. The regulations require each financial institution to designate one or more individuals to receive such information and may establish procedures for the protection of such information.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. On July 30, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the “Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002” (or the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). The Sarbanes-Oxley Act establishes a comprehensive framework for modernizing and reforming the oversight of public company financial accounting and disclosure practices. Principal components of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act include:

  The creation of a public Company Accounting Oversight Board, with which all accounting firms performing audits for public companies are required to register, and which is empowered to set auditing, quality control and independence standards, to inspect registered firms, and to conduct investigations and to take disciplinary actions, subject to SEC oversight.
 
  The strengthening of auditor independence from corporate management by limiting the type and scope of non-audit services that auditors can offer their public company audit clients, requiring periodic rotation of public company audit partners, requiring direct auditor reports to company audit committees, and prohibiting public companies from exerting improper influence over their outside auditors.
 
  The imposition of new corporate governance requirements including among other things, independence and financial expertise requirements for audit committee membership and empowerment of public company audit committees to appoint, compensate and oversee their company’s outside auditors.
 
  Requirements that the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer certify financial statements included in public company filings with the SEC and disgorge bonuses and stock-based compensation for periods for which the company is forced to restate its financial results, a prohibition of insider stock trades during “black-out” periods when a company’s employee benefits plans are precluded from trading, and a prohibition of public company loans or extensions of credit to directors and officers.
 
  Requirements that public companies disclose whether they have a code of ethics for their senior financial officers and if not, why not, and that management periodically assess and report on the adequacy of the company’s internal controls.
 
  The imposition of new and accelerated public company disclosure requirements, requirements to report off balance sheet transactions and of accelerated reporting of insider transactions in company stock

The SEC has issued and continues to issue final and proposed regulations implementing many of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act provisions.

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Securities and Exchange Commission Filings on Company’s Web Site. Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Sections 13 and 15(d), periodic and current reports must be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company electronically files the following reports with the SEC: Form 10-K (Annual Report), Form 10-Q (Quarterly Report), Form 8-K (Report of Unscheduled Material Events), Forms 3, 4 & 5 (Statements of Ownership), Form S-3 and 8-A (Registration Statements, and Form DEF 14A (Proxy Statement). The Company may file additional forms. The SEC maintains an Internet site, www.sec.gov in which all forms filed electronically may be accessed. The Company’s website: www.lawrencesavings.com has a new section for SEC filings available free of charge and provides a link under www.lawrencesavings.com/stockholder-info.asp.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements and Factors Which May Affect Future Results

This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as amended) that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Corporation, projected or anticipated benefits, or events related to other future developments involving the Corporation or the industry in which it operates. When verbs in the present tense such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “continues,” “attempts” or similar expressions are used, forward-looking statements are being made. Stockholders should note that many factors, some of which are discussed elsewhere in this document and in other documents which we incorporate by reference here in, could affect the future financial results of the Corporation and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in or incorporated by reference in this document. Those factors include fluctuations in interest rates, or in the relationship between long and short term rates, inflation, changes in government regulations and economic conditions. Other factors include competition in the geographic and business areas in which the Corporation conducts its operations such as might, result, for example: increased mergers and acquisitions, consolidation of size of competing financial institutions in the Company’s market area, or increased competition in the Company’s market area from other types of lending institutions such as credit unions or lending institutions based outside of the Company’s market area. As a result of such risks and uncertainties, the Corporation’s actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. The Corporation does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation to publicly release revisions to any such forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

Executive Level Overview

The Company’s financial results are dependent on the following areas of the income statement: net interest income, provision for loan losses, non-interest income, non-interest expense and provision for income taxes. Net interest income is the primary earnings of the Company and the main focus of management. Net interest income is the difference between interest earned on loans and investment securities and interest paid on deposits and borrowings. Deposits and borrowings have short durations and the cost of these funds do not rise and fall in tandem with loans and investment securities. There are many risks involved in managing net interest income including, but not limited to underwriting standards, interest rate and duration risk. These risks have a direct impact on the level of net interest income. The Company manages these risks through credit review by an outside firm and the Asset and Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) meetings on a regular basis. The credit review process reviews loans for underwriting and grading of loan quality while ALCO reviews the liquidity, interest rate risk and capital resources. Loan quality has a direct impact on the amount of provisions for loan losses the Company reports.

Non-interest income has a direct impact on earnings of the Company. Maintenance of customers’ accounts for loans and deposits generate fee income depending on the product selected. The Company generates gains on sales of mortgage loans and receives fee income from servicing loans sold. Non-interest income is primarily impacted by the volume of transactions from customers, which could change based on interest rates, pricing and competition.

Non-interest expenses include various expenses of the Company which are controlled by a budget process. In 2003, management determined that net-interest income would experience some compression due to lower interest rates and implemented various expense reduction programs to help offset the reduction in net interest income.

Provisions for income taxes are directly related to earnings or implemented tax strategies of the Company. Changes in the statutory tax rates and the earnings of the Company, the Bank and its subsidiaries, would effect the amount of income taxes reported.

There are areas in the Consolidated Financial Statements were significant estimates or assumptions are used in preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Management monitors the application of the Company’s Critical Accounting Policies due to the nature and impact of these estimates and assumptions on earnings. The Critical Accounting Policies are discussed below.

Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are defined as those policies that have significant judgments and uncertainties, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. Management believes that the Company’s critical accounting policies upon which the Consolidated Financial Statements depend and which involve the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments are as follows:

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Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance balance reflects management’s assessment of losses and is based on a review of the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio. The Company considers many factors in determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Collateral value on a loan-by-loan basis, trends of loan delinquencies on a portfolio segment level, risk classification identified in the Company’s regular review of individual loans, and economic conditions are primary factors in establishing the allowance. The allowance for loan losses reflects all information available at the end of the year. The allowance is increased by provisions for loan losses, which are a charge to the income statement, and by recoveries on loans previously charged-off. The allowance is reduced by loans charged-off. For a further discussion of the Company’s methodology of assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation and see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more details on establishing the allowance for loan losses.

Income Taxes: Operating losses in the early 1990’s resulted in available tax loss carry-forwards. A deferred tax valuation allowance is required to reduce the potential deferred tax asset when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the potential deferred tax asset will not be realized due to the lack of sufficient taxable income in the carry-forward period. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year 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. Deferred tax valuation allowances are established and based on management’s judgment as to whether it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the future tax benefits of prior operating losses will be realized. It should be noted, however, that factors beyond management’s control, such as the general state of the economy and real estate values, can affect future levels of taxable income and that no assurance can be given that sufficient taxable income will be generated to fully absorb gross deductible temporary differences. For a further discussion on income taxes, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation and see Notes 1 & 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Mortgage Servicing Rights (“MSR”): When loans are sold with servicing rights retained, the Company allocates the carrying amount of the loan between the underlying asset sold and the rights retained, based on their relative fair values. The fair value is estimated using market prices when available or using a valuation model that calculates the present value of future servicing fee income using discount rates and prepayment assumptions that management believes represent current market conditions. The following risk characteristics are considered for determining fair value; loan type, interest rate, loan term and remaining maturities. The resulting MSR are amortized over the period of estimated net servicing income using a method which approximates the interest method. Actual prepayment experience is reviewed periodically. When actual prepayments exceed estimated prepayments, the balance of the MSR is adjusted accordingly through the establishment of a valuation allowance. Periodically, the MSR are assessed for impairment based on the fair value of such rights and recognized by a charge to the valuation allowance. For further details on Mortgage Servicing Rights see Notes 1 & 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financial Condition

Overview

Total assets amounted to $466.1 million at December 31, 2003 up from $439.1 million at December 31, 2002. The increase in asset size is due to an increase of $66.5 million in investment securities. The cash used for the net securities purchase came from the payoff of loans which declined by $31.6 million, a reduction of $8.7 million in Federal funds sold and an increase in borrowed funds totaling $31.8 million from December 31, 2002.

Interest Earning Assets

The Company manages its earning assets by utilizing available capital resources in a manner consistent with the Company’s credit, investment and leverage policies. Loans, U.S. Treasury and Government Agency obligations, mortgage-backed securities, other investment securities, and short-term investments comprise the Company’s earning assets. Total earning assets averaged $425.7 million in 2003, an increase of $919 thousand or 0.2% from 2002.

One of the Company’s primary objectives continues to be the origination of loans that are soundly underwritten and collateralized. The Company’s loan portfolios decreased in 2003. The change in these portfolios caused the average balance of the loan portfolio to decrease in 2003 by $15.9 million to $219.2 million.

The Company increases the investment portfolio through funds obtained from the FHLB, repurchase agreements and other borrowings when it is profitable to do so. The average balance of investment securities, including U.S. Treasury and Government Agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, other bonds and equity securities, and short-term investments amounted to $206.5 million in 2003 as compared to $189.7 million in 2002. These securities represent 47.1% of the Company’s average assets for the year ended December 31, 2003 versus 43.2% of average assets for the year ended December 31, 2002.

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Investment Securities

The investment portfolio totaled $232.9 million and $166.4 million, respectively, at December 31, 2003 and 2002, an increase of $66.5 million or 39.9%. The largest increase of $58.2 million was in U.S. Government Agency obligations. Also experiencing increases were mortgage-backed securities and mutual funds increasing $30.0 million and $969 thousand, respectively. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases of $15.3 million, $2.4 million and $1.2 million in corporate obligations, municipal obligations and U.S. Treasury obligations, respectively, as these securities matured. Asset-backed securities decreased $3.8 million due to higher than normal prepayment speeds. For more information on investment securities, see Financial Highlights and Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loans

Total loans at December 31, 2003 and 2002 amounted to $211.5 million and $243.1 million, respectively, a decrease of $31.6 million or 13.1%. Residential loans decreased $3.1 million or 5.2% during 2003 and commercial loans, construction loans and commercial real estate loans decreased by $17.2 million, $7.5 million and $242 thousand, respectively. The decrease in the portfolios was due to prepayment or loan payoffs during 2003. Equity loans decreased $1.3 million or 10.9% as a result of the heavy refinance market. For more information on loans, see Interest Rate Sensitivity and Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The components of the loan portfolio at December 31, follow:

                                                                                 
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
    Balance
  Percent
  Balance
  Percent
  Balance
  Percent
  Balance
  Percent
  Balance
  Percent
(Dollars in Thousands)                                                                                
Residential real estate loans:
                                                                               
Fixed rate
  $ 33,059       15.7 %   $ 31,583       13.0 %   $ 40,861       17.3 %   $ 44,350       20.0 %   $ 49,825       25.1 %
Adjustable rate
    23,958       11.3       28,557       11.7       37,744       16.0       33,576       15.1       30,232       15.3  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    57,017       27.0       60,140       24.7       78,605       33.3       77,926       35.1       80,057       40.4  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Home equity loans:
                                                                               
Fixed rate
    5,882       2.7       7,915       3.3       10,155       4.3       12,367       5.6       8,716       4.4  
Adjustable rate
    4,354       2.1       3,575       1.5       3,238       1.4       3,630       1.6       3,890       2.0  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    10,236       4.8       11,490       4.8       13,393       5.7       15,997       7.2       12,606       6.4  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Commercial real estate loans:
                                                                               
Fixed rate
    16,508       7.8       16,651       6.8       16,447       7.0       10,247       4.6       10,898       5.5  
Adjustable rate
    95,995       45.3       96,094       39.4       83,663       35.3       76,882       34.6       69,995       35.3  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
    112,503       53.1       112,745       46.2       100,110       42.3       87,129       39.2       80,893       40.8  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Construction loans
    16,040       7.6       23,502       9.7       20,593       8.7       17,148       7.7       9,666       4.9  
Loans held for sale
    338       0.2       2,579       1.1       4,156       1.8             0.0              
Commercial loans
    14,805       7.0       32,017       13.2       18,549       7.8       22,602       10.2       13,143       6.6  
Consumer loans
    564       0.3       654       0.3       991       0.4       1,243       0.6       1,733       0.9  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total loans
    211,503       100.0 %     243,127       100.0 %     236,397       100.0 %     222,045       100.0 %     198,098       100.0 %
 
           
 
             
 
             
 
             
 
             
 
 
Allowance for loan losses
    4,220               4,167               4,070               3,685               3,381          
 
   
 
             
 
             
 
             
 
             
 
         
Loans, net
  $ 207,283             $ 238,960             $ 232,327             $ 218,360             $ 194,717          
 
   
 
             
 
             
 
             
 
             
 
         

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is maintained through the provision for loan losses which is a charge to operations. The allowance balance reflects management’s assessment of losses and is based on a review of the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio. The Company considers many factors in determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Collateral value on a loan-by-loan basis, trends of loan delinquencies on a portfolio segment level, risk classification identified in the Company’s regular review of individual loans, and economic conditions are primary factors in establishing the allowance. The allowance for loan losses reflects all information available at the end of each year. The Company considers the current year end 2003 level of the allowance for loan losses to be appropriate. The allowance as a percentage of total loans was 2.0% at December 31, 2003 and 1.7% at December 31, 2002. See Note 1 to the financial statements for further details on establishing the allowance for loan losses.

“Impaired loans” are commercial, commercial real estate and individually significant residential mortgage loans for which it is probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are not the same as “non-accrual loans,” although the two categories overlap. Non-accrual loans include impaired loans and are those on which the accrual of interest is discontinued when principal or interest has become contractually past due 90 days. The Company may choose to place a loan on non-accrual status due to payment delinquency or the uncertainty of collectibility, while not classifying the loan as impaired, if (i) it is probable that the Company will collect all amounts due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan or (ii) the loan is not a commercial, commercial real estate or an individually significant residential mortgage loans. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status and collateral value. The amount of impairment is determined by the difference between the present value of the expected cash flows related to the loan, using the original contractual interest rate, and its recorded value, or, as a practical expedient in the case of collateral dependent loans, the difference between the fair

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value of the collateral and the recorded amount of the loans. When foreclosure is probable, impairment is based on the fair value of the collateral.

The Company maintained a low level of risk assets and delinquencies during the year 2003. As a result, there was no charge to the provision for loan losses in the years 2003 or 2002. The Company had net recoveries of $53 thousand in 2003 and $97 thousand in 2002.

The following table summarizes changes in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31:

                                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
(Dollars in Thousands)                                        
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 4,167     $ 4,070     $ 3,685     $ 3,381     $ 3,272  
Charge-offs by loan type:
                                       
Residential mortgage
                            (17 )
Commercial
                (3 )            
Commercial real estate
                      (27 )      
Consumer
          (1 )           (1 )      
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total charge-offs
          (1 )     (3 )     (28 )     (17 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Recoveries by loan type:
                                       
Residential mortgage
    31             2       6       28  
Commercial
                      5       3  
Commercial real estate
    16       89       201       62       13  
Consumer
    6       9       10       9       7  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total recoveries
    53       98       213       82       51  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net recoveries (charge-offs)
    53       97       210       54       34  
Provision for loan losses
                175       250       75  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Ending balance
  $ 4,220     $ 4,167     $ 4,070     $ 3,685     $ 3,381  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Ratio of net recoveries (charge-offs) to average loans outstanding during the period
    0.02 %     0.04 %     0.09 %     0.03 %     0.02 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

The following table sets forth the breakdown of the allowance for loan losses by loan category for the years ended December 31. The allocation of the allowance to each category is not necessarily indicative of future losses and does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in any category.

                                                                                 
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
            Percent           Percent           Percent           Percent           Percent
            of loans           of loans           of loans           of loans           of loans
            in each           in each           in each           in each           in each
            category           category           category           category           category
            to Total           to Total           to Total           to Total           to Total
(Dollars in Thousands)   Amount
  Loans
  Amount
  Loans
  Amount
  Loans
  Amount
  Loans
  Amount
  Loans
                                                                                 
Construction, commercial and commercial real estate
  $ 3,175       67.7 %   $ 3,525       69.1 %   $ 3,251       58.8 %   $ 2,711       57.1 %   $ 1,933       52.3 %
Residential mortgage and home equity
    270       32.0       314       30.6       397       40.8       436       42.3       526       46.8  
Consumer
    26       0.3       29       0.3       41       0.4       49       0.6       55       0.9  
Unallocated
    749       N/A       299       N/A       381       N/A       489       N/A       867       N/A  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 4,220       100.0 %   $ 4,167       100.0 %   $ 4,070       100.0 %   $ 3,685       100.0 %   $ 3,381       100.0 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

In determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, the Company aggregates the estimated credit loss on individual loans, pools of loans and other pools of risk having geographic, industry or other common exposures where inherent losses are identified or anticipated.

All loans classified as “Substandard” or “Doubtful” are evaluated for collectibility and an allocation is made based on an assessment of the net realizable value of any collateral.

The Company categorizes each commercial loan into different pools of risk. Each risk level allocation factor has been determined based upon the Company’s review of common practices within the industry, its estimate of expected loss for loans with similar credit characteristics based upon historical experience and migration analysis, the losses experienced by the Company in the most recent 36 months, together with the Company’s assessment of future economic trends, conditions and other relevant factors that may have an impact on or may affect repayment of loans in these pools.

Residential mortgages, home equity loans, equity lines of credit, second mortgages and all other small consumer loans are considered in the aggregate and an allocation factor is assessed based upon the Company’s most recent 24-month historical loss experience together with an assessment of future economic trends, conditions and other relevant factors that may have an impact on, or may affect repayment of, the loans in these pools.

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On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates all allocation factors for appropriateness, considering (i) significant changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, (ii) the Company’s assessment of local and national economic business conditions, and (iii) any other relevant factor that it considers may have an impact on loan portfolio risk.

Based upon these evaluations, changes to the reserve provision may be made to maintain the overall level of the reserve at a level that the Company deems appropriate and adequate to cover the estimated credit losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio.

Potential Problem Loans

The Company has a loan review and grading system. During the loan review process, deteriorating conditions of certain loans come to management’s attention in which erosion of the borrower’s ability to comply with the original terms of the loan agreement could potentially result in the classification of the loan as a risk asset. This may result from deteriorating conditions such as cash flows, collateral values or creditworthiness of the borrower. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, there were $2.5 million and $1.5 million respectively, identified as potential problem loans.

Risk Assets

Risk assets consist of non-performing loans, OREO, and restructured loans. The components of risk assets at December 31, for the years indicated are as follows:

                                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
(Dollars in Thousands)                                        
Risk assets:
                                       
Non-performing loans:
                                       
Residential real estate
  $     $ 1     $ 10     $ 10     $  
Commercial real estate
                730              
Commercial business
                211              
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total non-performing loans
          1       951       10        
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Other real estate owned:
                                       
Land
    47       57       67       77       87  
Commercial real estate
                            477  
OREO valuation allowance
    (45 )     (45 )     (45 )     (45 )     (45 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total other real estate owned
    2       12       22       32       519  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total risk assets
  $ 2     $ 13     $ 973     $ 42     $ 519  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Risk assets as a percent of total loans and OREO
    0.0 %     0.0 %     0.4 %     0.0 %     0.3 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Risk assets as a percent of total assets
    0.0 %     0.0 %     0.2 %     0.0 %     0.1 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Non-performing loans consist of both (i) loans 90 days or more past due, and (ii) loans placed on a non-accrual status because full collection of the principal balance is in doubt. Non-performing loans at December 31, 2003 were zero and at December 31, 2002 were $1 thousand, a decrease from $951 thousand at December 31, 2001.

The Company actively monitors risk assets. The Company attempts to work with delinquent borrowers in order to bring loans current. If the borrower is not able to bring the loan current, the Company commences collection efforts. Valuation of property at foreclosure, and periodically thereafter, is based upon appraisals and management’s best estimates of fair value less selling costs. The Company’s policy is to sell such property as quickly as possible at fair value.

Interest Bearing Liabilities

The Company’s earning assets are primarily funded with deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, FHLB advances and stockholders’ equity. The Company manages its interest bearing liabilities to maintain a stable source of funds while providing competitively priced deposit accounts. Interest bearing deposits include regular savings accounts, NOW and Super NOW accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit.

In 2003 total average interest bearing liabilities were $367.9 million which was a $453 thousand or 0.1% decrease from $368.4 million in 2002. Average total interest bearing deposits of $265.6 million comprised 72.2% of interest bearing liabilities in 2003 while in 2002 such deposits totaling $261.4 million comprised 71.0% of interest bearing liabilities.

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Changing interest rates can affect the mix and level of various deposit categories. The lower average interest rate paid on money market accounts and certificates of deposit had an impact on the overall interest rate paid on deposits and caused a decrease of 65 basis points in 2003 and 155 basis points in 2002. The average balance of money market investment accounts increased by $10.5 million to $69.5 million in 2003 and by $4.7 million to $59.0 million in 2002. The average balance for NOW and Super NOW accounts increased by $2.6 million to $36.2 million in 2003 and by $2.4 million to $33.6 million in 2002. The average balance for certificates of deposit decreased by $8.6 million to $115.1 million in 2003 and decreased by $13.3 million to $123.7 million in 2002.

Average borrowed funds in 2003, 2002 and 2001 were $102.3 million, $107.0 million and $95.1 million, respectively, including advances from the FHLB and other borrowed funds. The increase of $11.9 million in 2002 resulted from the utilization of available credit in a low interest rate environment with longer maturities of three to five years.

Deposits

Total deposits decreased $6.9 million or 2.5% during 2003 to $272.5 million at December 31, 2003 from $279.5 million at December 31, 2002. Certificates of deposit had the largest decrease of $18.1 million or 19.6%. Also decreasing were savings accounts, retirement accounts and demand deposits by $515 thousand, $316 thousand and $72 thousand, respectively, in 2003. Partially offsetting these decreases were increases in money market investment accounts and NOW accounts of $11.5 million and $540 thousand, respectively, during 2003. For more information, see Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Borrowed Funds

Total borrowed funds increased $31.8 million or 31.3% during 2003 to $133.4 million at December 31, 2003 from $101.6 million at December 31, 2002. FHLB advances totaled $78.9 million in 2003 and $94.2 million in 2002, a decrease of $15.4 million due to repayments. Other borrowed funds are comprised of FHLB short-term advances which totaled $52.0 million and zero, respectively, at December 31, 2003 and 2002, agreements to repurchase which totaled $2.5 million and $4.0 million, at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively and other secured borrowings which totaled zero and $3.4 million, respectively, at year end 2003 and 2002. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Results of Operations

Overview

The Company’s net earnings amounted to $4.1 million or $0.94 diluted earnings per share, $3.1 million or $0.69 diluted earnings per share and $3.4 million or $0.74 diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. On October 21, 2003 the Massachusetts Appeals Court rendered a favorable decision on a lawsuit in which the Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Lawrence Savings Bank, was the Plaintiff. The Bank received payment for the judgment in the amount of $2.0 million on October 30, 2003. This payment received was recorded in non-interest income. The after-tax impact was approximately $1.3 million, which represents approximately $0.29 basic earnings per share. The Company’s earnings decreased by 7.7% or $257 thousand in 2002 compared to 2001, impacted by an increase in net-interest and non-interest income offset by an increase in net-interest expenses.

The Company’s net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on assets and interest paid on liabilities, totaled $12.4 million in 2003, $13.6 million in 2002 and $13.2 million in 2001. The decrease in 2003 versus 2002 resulted from lower rates earned on average earning assets. The Company’s net interest margin was 2.90% in 2003 versus 3.20% and 3.21% in 2002 and 2001, respectively. The decrease in 2003 resulted primarily from lower average rates earned on interest earning assets.

There was no provision for loan losses in 2003 and 2002 due to the low level of risk assets and minimal delinquent loans. The provision for loan losses was a charge of $175 thousand in 2001. The provision for loan losses was made to maintain an appropriate allowance for loan losses in 2001.

Non-interest income amounted to $3.6 million, $1.5 million and $1.4 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The increase during 2003, excluding the payment from the lawsuit, totaled $115 thousand and was attributable mainly to income on loan fees of $20 thousand from a loss of $145 thousand in 2002. Deposit account fees also increased $48 thousand during 2003. The increase in 2002 and 2001 was primarily due to gains on sales of mortgage loans of $529 thousand and $249 thousand, respectively. Deposit account fees increased $71 thousand during 2002, offsetting these increases was a decrease in loan fees to a net loss of $145 thousand from income of $155 thousand in 2001.

Non-interest expense totaled $9.7 million in 2003, $10.2 million in 2002 and $9.1 million in 2001. The decline is primarily attributable to a reduction in professional fees of $163 thousand during 2003 resulting from lower legal fees associated with collection efforts on loan previously charged off. Salaries and employee benefits decreased $83 thousand resulting from salary reduction initiatives and a lower headcount in 2003. Salaries and employee benefits increased during 2002 by $742 thousand, of which $358 thousand was attributable to pension expense associated with the employees defined benefit pension plan, and professional fees increased by $135 thousand in 2002 due to increased legal expenses associated with collection efforts. Expenses attributable to the establishment of the holding company totaled $188 thousand in 2001, of which $107 thousand were professional fees.

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Average Balances, Net Interest Income and Average Interest Rates

The table below presents the Company’s average balance sheet, net interest income and average interest rates for the years ended December 31. Average real estate, commercial business, and consumer loans include non-performing loans.

                                                                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
                    Average                   Average                   Average
    Average           Interest   Average           Interest   Average           Interest
    Balance
  Interest
  Rate
  Balance
  Interest
  Rate
  Balance
  Interest
  Rate
(Dollars in Thousands)                                                                        
Assets
                                                                       
Loans:
                                                                       
Residential real estate
  $ 68,150     $ 4,027       5.91 %   $ 87,122     $ 5,848       6.71 %   $ 97,982     $ 7,123       7.27 %
Commercial real estate
    126,950       9,005       7.09       126,083       9,759       7.74       112,021       9,577       8.55  
Commercial business
    23,511       1,282       5.45       20,918       1,256       6.00       19,379       1,490       7.69  
Consumer
    543       42       7.73       905       69       7.62       1,236       105       8.50  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
Total loans
    219,154       14,356       6.55       235,028       16,932       7.20       230,618       18,295       7.93  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
Investment securities:
                                                                       
U.S. Treasury and Government Agency obligations
    122,238       3,964       3.24       105,438       4,763       4.52       67,293       4,189       6.23  
Other bonds and equity securities
    39,698       1,580       3.98       57,228       2,275       3.98       76,789       4,237       5.52  
Mortgage-backed securities
    37,746       1,362       3.61       18,715       1,040       5.56       26,290       1,618       6.15  
Short-term investments
    6,843       72       1.05       8,351       128       1.53       10,236       453       4.43  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
Total investment securities
    206,525       6,978       3.38       189,732       8,206       4.33       180,608       10,497       5.81  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
Total interest earning assets
    425,679       21,334       5.01 %     424,760       25,138       5.92 %     411,226       28,792       7.00 %
 
           
 
                     
 
                     
 
         
Allowance for loan losses
    (4,247 )                     (4,131 )                     (3,864 )                
Cash and due from banks
    7,450                       7,132                       5,950                  
Other real estate owned
    8                       18                       28                  
Other assets
    9,604                       11,841                       13,432                  
 
   
 
                     
 
                     
 
                 
Total assets
  $ 438,494                     $ 439,620                     $ 426,772                  
 
   
 
                     
 
                     
 
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                                                                       
Deposits:
                                                                       
Regular savings accounts
  $ 44,842     $ 196       0.44 %   $ 45,102     $ 389       0.86 %   $ 40,938     $ 720       1.76 %
NOW and Super NOW accounts
    36,175       44       0.12       33,596       86       0.26       31,187       155       0.50  
Money market accounts
    69,498       900       1.30       59,011       1,097       1.86       54,266       1,664       3.07  
Certificates of deposit
    115,121       3,036       2.64       123,673       4,232       3.42       136,952       7,390       5.40  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
Total interest bearing deposits
    265,636       4,176       1.57       261,382       5,804       2.22       263,343       9,929       3.77  
Borrowed funds
    102,294       4,801       4.69       107,001       5,761       5.38       95,089       5,682       5.98  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
Total interest bearing liabilities
    367,930       8,977       2.44       368,383       11,565       3.14       358,432       15,611       4.36  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
Non-interest bearing deposits
    13,727                       13,515                       12,015                  
Other liabilities
    3,510                       3,488                       3,469                  
 
   
 
                     
 
                     
 
                 
Total liabilities
    385,167                       385,386                       373,916                  
Stockholders’ equity
    53,327                       54,234                       52,856                  
 
   
 
                     
 
                     
 
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 438,494                     $ 439,620                     $ 426,772                  
 
   
 
                     
 
                     
 
                 
Net interest rate spread
                    2.57 %                     2.78 %                     2.64 %
Net interest income
          $ 12,357                     $ 13,573                     $ 13,181          
 
           
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
 
Net interest margin on average earning assets
                    2.90 %                     3.20 %                     3.21 %
 
                   
 
                     
 
                     
 
 

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Rate-Volume Analysis

The effect on net interest income of changes in interest rates and in the amounts of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities is shown in the following table. Information is provided on changes for the years indicated and is attributable to (i) changes in volume (change in average balance multiplied by prior year rate), (ii) changes in interest rate (change in rate multiplied by prior year average balance) and (iii) the combined effects of changes in interest rates and volume (change in rate multiplied by change in average balance).

                                                                 
    2003 vs. 2002
  2002 vs. 2001
    Total                   Rate/   Total                   Rate/
    Change
  Volume
  Rate
  Volume
  Change
  Volume
  Rate
  Volume
(In Thousands)                                                                
Interest income:
                                                               
Loans:
                                                               
Residential real estate
  $ (1,821 )   $ (1,273 )   $ (700 )   $ 152     $ (1,275 )   $ (789 )   $ (546 )   $ 60  
Commercial real estate
    (754 )     67       (815 )     (6 )     182       1,202       (906 )     (114 )
Commercial business
    26       156       (115 )     (15 )     (234 )     118       (326 )     (26 )
Consumer
    (27 )     (28 )     1             (36 )     (28 )     (11 )     3  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total loans
    (2,576 )     (1,078 )     (1,629 )     131       (1,363 )     503       (1,789 )     (77 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Investment securities:
                                                               
U.S. Treasury and Government Agency obligations
    (799 )     759       (1,344 )     (214 )     574       2,375       (1,149 )     (652 )
Other bonds and equity securities
    (695 )     (697 )     3       (1 )     (1,962 )     (1,079 )     (1,184 )     301  
Mortgage-backed securities
    322       1,058       (365 )     (371 )     (578 )     (466 )     (157 )     45  
Short-term investments
    (56 )     (23 )     (40 )     7       (325 )     (83 )     (296 )     54  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total investments
    (1,228 )     1,097       (1,746 )     (579 )     (2,291 )     747       (2,786 )     (252 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest income
    (3,804 )     19       (3,375 )     (448 )     (3,654 )     1,250       (4,575 )     (329 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Interest expense:
                                                               
Deposits:
                                                               
Regular savings accounts
    (193 )     (2 )     (192 )     1       (331 )     73       (367 )     (37 )
NOW and Super NOW accounts
    (42 )     7       (45 )     (4 )     (69 )     12       (75 )     (6 )
Money market accounts
    (197 )     195       (333 )     (59 )     (567 )     145       (655 )     (57 )
Certificates of deposit
    (1,196 )     (293 )     (970 )     67       (3,158 )     (717 )     (2,704 )     263  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest bearing deposits
    (1,628 )     (93 )     (1,540 )     5       (4,125 )     (487 )     (3,801 )     163  
Borrowed funds
    (960 )     (253 )     (739 )     32       79       712       (562 )     (71 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest expense
    (2,588 )     (346 )     (2,279 )     37       (4,046 )     225       (4,363 )     92  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income
  $ (1,216 )   $ 365     $ (1,096 )   $ (485 )   $ 392     $ 1,025     $ (212 )   $ (421 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the difference between the interest income earned on earning assets and the interest expense paid on interest bearing liabilities. Interest income and interest expense are affected by changes in earning assets and interest bearing liability balances in addition to changes in interest rates.

The Company’s net interest income was $12.4 million in 2003, $13.6 million in 2002 and $13.2 million in 2001. Interest income from earning assets was $21.3 million, $25.1 million and $28.8 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The reduction in interest income during 2003 compared to 2002 was due primarily to decreases in interest rates earned on investment securities and loans with a decrease in loan volume also contributing to the decrease. The decrease in interest income during 2002 compared to 2001 was due to a decrease in rates earned on investment securities and loans coupled with the acceleration of the amortization of premiums associated with collateralized mortgage obligations in the amount of $243 thousand due to the low interest rate environment of mortgage loans which has decreased the duration of these investment securities.

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Interest expense on interest bearing deposits was $4.2 million in 2003, $5.8 million in 2002 compared to $9.9 million in 2001. Average deposit balances increased during 2003 while decreased in 2002 and 2001. The primary increase during 2003 was in money market investment accounts. NOW accounts increased partially offset by decreases in certificates of deposit and regular savings accounts in 2003. Interest expense continued to decline during 2003 attributable mainly to the reduction of all deposit rates. The primary decrease was in certificates of deposit in 2002. Although there were increases in all other deposit categories in 2002, interest expense decreased due to a decrease in rates paid on all deposit categories. Average rates paid on certificates of deposit decreased to 2.64% during 2003 from 3.42% in 2002 resulting in a net decrease of $1.2 million in interest expense in 2003. Average rates paid on money market investment accounts declined to 1.30% in 2003 from 1.86% in 2002 reducing interest expense by $197 thousand net. Average rates paid on certificates of deposit decreased to 3.42% during 2002 from 5.40% in 2001 resulting from a net decrease of $3.2 million in interest expense during 2002. Average rates paid on money market accounts decreased to 1.86% in 2002 from 3.07% in 2001 which resulted in $567 thousand net decrease in interest expense. Interest expense on borrowed funds decreased by $1.0 million to $4.8 million in 2003 and remained stable at $5.8 million in 2002 and $5.7 million in 2001. The decrease in interest expense on borrowed funds is attributable mainly to a reduction in rates paid coupled with a decline in the average balances outstandings and resulted in a net decrease to interest expense of $960 thousand. The increase in interest expense on borrowed funds in 2002 resulted from an increase in average balances partially offset by a decrease in rates paid. Interest expense on total interest bearing liabilities totaled $9.0 million, $11.6 million and $15.6 million during 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Over the past three years, the Company has been operating in a declining interest rate environment. The result of this environment has been lower yields on assets and a lower cost of funds. The average yield on earning assets in 2003 declined 91 basis points to 5.01% and in 2002 and 2001, respectively, was down 108 basis points and 37 basis points to 5.92% in 2002 and 7.00% in 2001. The average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities in 2003 was 2.44%, or a decrease of 70 basis points, in 2002 was 3.14% and in 2001 was 4.36%. The net interest rate spread in 2003 was 2.57%, a 21 basis point decline, from 2002 in which the net interest rate spread was 2.78% up 14 basis points from 2.64% in 2001. In an environment of declining asset yields, management strives to control the cost of funds and maintain net-interest margin. The Company’s net-interest margin declined to 2.90% in 2003 from 3.20% and 3.21% in 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Provision for loan losses

There was no provision for loan losses in 2003 and 2002 due to the low level of risk assets and minimal delinquent loans. The provision for loan losses was a charge of $175 thousand in 2001.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income increased 141.4% and totaled $3.6 million versus $1.5 million and $1.4 million for the years ended 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. In 2003, the increase is primarily due to the payment of $2.0 million in connection with a lawsuit judgment. Excluding the lawsuit, non-interest income increased $115 thousand during 2003. Loan servicing fees increased to income of $20 thousand from a loss of $145 thousand in 2002 mainly attributable to $186 thousand in commercial loan prepayments and the recovery of fair values on MSR. Deposit account fees increased to $713 thousand in 2003 from $665 thousand for the year 2002. Partially offsetting these increases were a reduction in gains on the sale of mortgage loans totaling $62 thousand, loss on sale of investment securities of $14 thousand and a decrease of $22 thousand in other income.

The increase in 2002 was due to gains on the sale of mortgage loans of $529 thousand compared to $249 thousand in 2001 and an increase in deposit fees and other income. Partially offsetting these increases in 2002 was a decrease in loan servicing fees by $300 thousand. The primary decrease in loan servicing fees is due to the decline in fair value of MSR which was recognized by a charge to loan servicing fees of $302 thousand. See Note 4 in the Consolidated Financial Statements on Mortgage Servicing Rights.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense decreased to $9.7 million in 2003 versus $10.2 million in 2002 and $9.1 million in 2001. The decrease in 2003 was attributable to a reduction of $163 thousand in professional fees from lower legal fees associated with collection efforts and a reduction of $83 thousand in salaries and employee benefits resulting from the salary reduction initiatives and a lower headcount. The increase in 2002 was primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $742 thousand and an increase of $135 thousand in professional expenses which include legal expenses relating to collection efforts.

Salaries and employee benefits expense totaled $5.9 million in 2003, $6.0 million in 2002 and $5.3 million in 2001. Full-time equivalent employees were 99 at December 31, 2003, 105 at December 31, 2002 and 102 at December 31, 2001. The decrease in 2003 relates to several salary reduction initiatives instituted during 2003 as a result of the net-interest margin declining during 2003. Increases in normal merit raises and an increase of $358 thousand in pension expense associated with the employees’ defined benefit pension plan accounted for the increase in 2002. The Company continually evaluates staffing levels in order to control salaries and employee benefits while managing business volumes.

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Table of Contents

Occupancy and equipment expenses decreased to $752 thousand in 2003, compared to $790 thousand in 2002 and $872 thousand in 2001. Data processing expenses decreased to $727 thousand in 2003, compared to $749 thousand in 2002 and $705 thousand in 2001. This includes the Company’s service contract to provide on-line deposit accounting, loan accounting and item processing services. Insurance expenses totaled $151 thousand, $153 thousand and $146 thousand in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, and other expenses decreased to $1.5 million in 2003, as compared to $1.7 million in 2002 and $1.4 million in 2001.

Income Taxes

The Company reported income tax expense of $2.1 million in 2003, $1.8 million in 2002 and $2.0 million in 2001. The effective income tax rate for the year 2003 was 33.5% and for 2002 was 36.9% compared to 36.8% in 2001. The decrease in the effective income tax rate for 2003 from 2002 is due to change in estimate for tax contingencies. The effective income tax rates for 2002 and 2001 were consistent.

Subsequent event

In one litigation matter, the Bank was awarded a $4.2 million judgment against the debtor in 1997. On February 13, 2002, the debtor filed a petition in bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. Post-judgment interest calculated from the date of judgment to the date of the bankruptcy filing is approximately $1.9 million.

In February 2004, the Bankruptcy Trustee filed a motion seeking Bankruptcy Court approval to make an interim distribution to the creditors. After payment to one other creditor and reserves for anticipated taxes and administrative costs, the Trustee has proposed to make an interim distribution to the Bank of approximately $2.6 million. The Bank has agreed to return any of the interim distribution as would be necessary to pay additional taxes imposed on the bankruptcy estate in the event reserves set aside for taxes are insufficient.

The diluted earnings per share impact of the proposed interim distribution are approximately $0.37 per share based on estimated average shares outstanding for the first quarter of 2004. This distribution will be recognized in the Company’s reported financial results when the proposed interim distribution is approved by the Bankruptcy court.

It is management’s opinion the collection of any remaining balance beyond the amount of the proposed interim distribution is substantially uncertain and is not susceptible to meaningful estimation at this time. Accordingly, no recognition of this judgment or interim distribution has been recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Liquidity

Managing liquidity involves planning to meet anticipated funding needs at a reasonable cost, as well as contingency plans to meet unanticipated funding needs or a loss of funding sources. The following factors are considered in managing liquidity; marketability of assets, the sources and stability of funding and the level of unfunded commitments. The Company’s primary source of funds is dividends from its Bank subsidiary. The Bank’s loans and investments are primarily funded by deposits, Federal Home Loan Bank advances, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and stockholders’ equity.

The investment portfolio is one of the primary sources of liquidity for the Bank. Maturities of securities provide a flow of funds which are available for cash needs such as loan originations and net deposit outflows. In addition, the investment portfolio consists of high quality, and, therefore, readily marketable, U.S. Treasury and Government Agency obligations. At December 31, 2003, the Bank’s investment securities and mortgage-backed securities available for sale totaled $48.6 million which is available to meet the Bank’s liquidity needs.

Loan maturities and amortization as well as deposit growth provide for a constant flow of funds. In addition, the Bank has two overnight lines of credit totaling $11.8 million to meet short-term liquidity needs. The Bank did not utilize these overnight lines at December 31, 2003 and had the full $11.8 million available.

The liquidity position of the Company is managed by the Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”). The duties of ALCO are to periodically review the Company’s level of liquidity under prescribed policies and procedures. It is the responsibility of ALCO to report to the Board of Directors on a regular basis the Company’s liquidity position as it relates to these policies and procedures. At December 31, 2003, the Company’s liquidity position was above policy guidelines. Management believes that the Bank has adequate liquidity to meet current and future liquidity demands.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The company enters into off-balance sheet contractual obligations and commitments in the normal course of business. The Company has contractual obligations such as payments on FHLB advances, operating lease obligations and customer repurchase agreements. The Company has commitments in the form of financial instruments that are for loan originations, lines of credit, letters of credit and to sell mortgage loans. These commitments have various expiration dates. The following table summarizes the expiration dates of these commitments at December 31, 2003.

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Table of Contents

                                         
            Payments Due – By Period
            Less than   One to   Four to   After
Contractual Obligations
  Total
  One Year
  Three Years
  Five Years
  Five Years
(In Thousands)                                        
FHLB Advances
  $ 78,866     $ 20,000     $ 11,000     $ 15,000     $ 32,866  
FHLB Short-term borrowings
    52,000       52,000                    
Lease Obligations
    1,176       166       364       367       279  
Data processing vendor
    5,148       803       1,648       1,762       935  
Employee benefit contributions (1)
    372       372                    
Customer Repurchase Agreements
    2,486       2,486                    
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Contractual Cash Obligations
  $ 140,048     $ 75,827     $ 13,012     $ 17,129     $ 34,080  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

1)   Employee benefit contributions include expected contributions to the Company’s defined pension benefit plan, post retirement plan and supplemental executive retirement plans. Expected contributions for the defined pension benefit plan have been included only through the plan year November 2, 2003 through October 31, 2004. Contributions beyond the plan year can not be quantified as contributions will be determined based upon the return on the investments retirees is unknown, interest rates and average salary amounts have not yet been determined in the plan.

                                         
            Amount of Commitment Expiring – By Period
            Less than   One to   Four to   After
Commitments
  Total
  One Year
  Three Years
  Five Years
  Five Years
(In Thousands)                                        
Loan Originations
  $ 18,463     $ 18,463     $     $     $  
Lines of Credit
    34,852       17,926       9,105       5,474       2,347  
Letters of Credit
    851       851                    
Sell mortgage Loans
    340       340                    
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total commitments
  $ 54,506     $ 37,580     $ 9,105     $ 5,474     $ 2,347  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

The Corporation has no off-balance sheet arrangements except those discussed in the commitment table in the Liquidity section or Note 12 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Capital Adequacy

The Company and the Bank are required to maintain a leverage capital ratio of 5% and risk-based capital ratios of at least 10% in order to be categorized as “well capitalized” in accordance with definitions in regulatory guidelines promulgated by the FDIC and FRB. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company’s and the Bank’s leverage and risk-based capital ratios exceeded the required levels for the category of “well-capitalized” as defined by applicable regulatory agencies. The Company and the Bank may not declare or pay cash dividends on its shares of common stock if the effect thereof would cause its stockholders’ equity to be reduced below applicable capital requirements or if such declaration and payments would otherwise violate regulatory requirements. See note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding capital adequacy.

On July 25, 2002, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a stock repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”) authorizing the Company to repurchase up to five percent of its common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2002 for cash. As of December 31, 2003 the number of shares repurchased and included as Treasury Stock was 219,300, which had an average purchase price of $12.57. The Company’s book value per share was $12.99 at December 31, 2003. The Company was able to purchase shares of Treasury Stock at a price close to book value, which had a minimal impact in the calculation of book value at December 31, 2003 and 2002. The book value per share increased from $12.71 at December 31, 2002 due to net income of $4.1 million and exercise of stock options of $511 thousand. Offsetting these increases were the declaration of dividends of $2.0 million, purchase of Treasury Stock $1.0 million and a decrease in market value of investment securities available for sale (net of taxes) $659 thousand.

Asset/Liability Management

Managing interest rate risk is fundamental to banking. The Company has continued to manage its liquidity, capital, and GAP position so as to control its exposure to interest rate risk.

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Table of Contents

As of December 31, 2003, the Company had interest rate sensitive assets which repriced or matured within one year of $212.7 million and interest rate sensitive liabilities which repriced or matured within one year of $215.7 million. As of December 31, 2002, the Company had interest rate sensitive assets which matured or repriced within one year of $228.0 million and interest rate sensitive liabilities which repriced or matured within one year of $173.5 million.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

The Company actively manages its interest rate sensitivity position. The objectives of interest rate risk management are to control exposure of net interest income to risks associated with interest rate movements and to achieve a stable and rising flow of net interest income. The Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) using policies approved by the Board of Directors, is responsible for managing the Bank’s rate sensitivity position.

The asset/liability management policy establishes guidelines for acceptable exposure to interest rate risk, liquidity, and capital. The objective of ALCO is to manage earning assets and liabilities to produce results which are consistent with the Company’s policy for net interest income, liquidity and capital and identify acceptable levels of growth, risk and profitability. ALCO establishes and monitors origination and pricing strategies consistent with ALCO policy. ALCO meets regularly to review the current economic environment, income simulation model and GAP analysis and implements appropriate changes in strategy that will manage the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk, liquidity and capital.

ALCO manages the Company’s interest rate risk using both income simulation and GAP analysis. Income simulation is used to quantify interest rate risk inherent in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet by showing the effect of a change in net interest income over a 24 month period. The income simulation model uses parallel interest rate shocks of up 200 basis points (bp) or down 100 basis points (bp) for earning assets and liabilities in the first year of the model. Interest rates are not shocked in the second year of the model. The composition of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2003 remains relatively well matched over the 24 month horizon with a slight bias towards liability sensitivity in the first year. The simulation takes into account the dates for repricing, maturing, prepaying and call options assumptions of various financial categories which may vary under different interest rate scenarios. Prepayment speeds are estimates for the loans and are adjusted according to the degree of rate changes. Call options and prepayment speeds for investment securities are estimates using industry standards for pricing and prepayment assumptions. The assumptions of financial instrument categories are reviewed before each simulation by ALCO in light of current economic trends. As of December 31, 2003, the income simulation model indicated some negative exposure of net interest income to rising interest rates to a degree that remains within tolerance levels established by the Company’s policy. The interest rate scenario used does not necessarily reflect ALCO’s view of the “most likely” change in interest rates over the model’s period. Furthermore, the model assumes a static consolidated balance sheet. These results do not reflect the anticipated future net interest income of the Company for the same periods.

The following table summarizes the net interest income for the 24 month period of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet for earning assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31;

Net Interest Income Simulation Model Results:

                         
            Interest Rate Shock
            Down   Up
2003
  Flat Rates
  100bp
  200 bp
(Dollars in Thousands)                        
Year One
  $ 13,246     $ 13,538     $ 12,902  
Year Two
    12,122       12,201       11,994  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total net interest income for 2 year period
  $ 25,368     $ 25,739     $ 24,896  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
                         
            Interest Rate Shock
            Down   Up
2002
  Flat Rates
  100 bp
  200 bp
(Dollars in Thousands)                        
Year One
  $ 13,501     $ 13,227     $ 14,190  
Year Two
    12,953       12,236       14,141  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total net interest income for 2 year period
  $ 26,454     $ 25,463     $ 28,331  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

The income simulation model reflects negative exposure to net interest income in a rising interest rate environment from flat rates to up 200 bp, which would result from shorter liabilities due to short-term borrowings from FHLB. Margins would narrow as deposits and borrowings are faster to reprice to higher interest rates. The Company’s primary measure of interest rate risk is GAP analysis. GAP measurement attempts to analyze any mismatches in the timing of interest rate repricing between assets and liabilities. It identifies those balance sheet sensitivity areas which are vulnerable to unfavorable interest

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rate movements. As a tool of asset/liability management, the GAP position is compared with potential changes in interest rate levels in an attempt to measure the favorable and unfavorable effect such changes would have on net interest income. For example, when the GAP is positive, (i.e., assets reprice faster than liabilities) a rise in interest rates will increase net interest income; and, conversely, if the GAP is negative, a rise in interest rates will decrease net interest income. The accuracy of this measure is limited by unpredictable loan prepayments and the lags in the interest rate indices used for repricing variable rate loans or investment securities.

The Company’s one-year cumulative GAP to total assets decreased from 12% at December, 2002, to less than 1% at December, 2003. The table below shows the interest rate sensitivity gap position as of December 31, 2003. The table excludes non-performing loans and assumes that all deposits except savings and NOWs will be withdrawn within the legal time period for withdrawal. This withdrawal of deposit assumption is not likely to occur.

Rate Sensitivity GAP Position

                                                 
    Position/Volume
Time interval from December 31, 2003
  0-3 Mo.
  4-6 Mo.
  7-12 Mo.
  13-36 Mo.
  37-60 Mo.
  +60 Mo.
(Dollars in Thousands)                                                
Earning Assets:
                                               
Investment securities held to maturity
  $ 5,393     $ 18,691     $ 14,937     $ 64,106     $ 69,986       11,173  
Investments securities available for sale
    2,100       11,116       14,038       10,948       1,045       9,177  
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock and other earning assets
    8,119                               168  
Fixed rate mortgages loans
    2,736       2,452       5,588       12,698       7,463       8,342  
Adjustable rate mortgages loans
    7,902       1,859       4,244       7,960       6,347        
Consumer loans
    530       1       2       30       1        
Fixed rate commercial real estate loans
    1,360       536       1,076       3,656       4,062       5,817  
Adjustable rate commercial real estate loans
    81,433       1,193       2,524       5,830       5,015        
Construction loans
    13,100       17       35       153       174       2,562  
Fixed rate commercial business loans
    773       523       891       1,643       118       9  
Adjustable rate commercial business loans
    9,460       21       42       1,325              
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total earning assets
    132,906       36,409       43,377       108,349       94,211       37,248  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Interest Bearing Liabilities:
                                               
Savings and escrow accounts
                                  44,774  
NOW and Super Now accounts
                                  36,108  
Money market accounts
    76,148                                
Certificates of deposit and retirement accounts
    23,360       17,115       24,489       27,551       9,335        
FHLB advances and other borrowed funds
    54,510       15,025       5,052       11,223       15,254       32,288  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest bearing liabilities
    154,018       32,140       29,541       38,774       24,589       113,170  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Interest Sensitivity Gap
  $ (21,112 )   $ 4,269     $ 13,836     $ 69,575     $ 69,622     $ (75,922 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cumulative GAP
  $ (21,112 )   $ (16,843 )   $ (3,007 )   $ 66,568     $ 136,190     $ 60,268  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cumulative GAP as a percent of total assets
    (5 )%     (4 )%     (1 )%     14 %     29 %     13 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Recent Accounting Developments

In April 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 149 “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, which amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, resulting in more consistent reporting of contracts as either derivatives or hybrid instruments. SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, and should be applied prospectively. Implementation issues that have been effective for fiscal quarters that began prior to June 15, 2003 should continue to be applied in accordance with their respective effective dates. This statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operation.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150 “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity” , which establishes standards for how certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity should be measured and classified. Certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity will be required to be classified as a liability. This statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and July 1, 2003 for all other financial instruments with the exception of existing mandatorily redeemable financial instruments issued by limited life subsidiaries which have been indefinitely deferred from the scope of the statement. The Company does not believe the adoption of SFAS 150 will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

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Recent Accounting Developments (Continued)

In December 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) issued Statement of Position 03-3 (“SOP 03-3”): “Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer” . SOP 03-3 requires loans acquired through a transfer, such as a business combination, where there are differences in expected cash flows and contractual cash flows due in part to credit quality be recognized at their fair value. The excess of contractual cash flows over expected cash flows is not to be recognized as an adjustment of yield, loss accrual, or valuation allowance. Valuation allowances can not be created nor “carried over” in the initial accounting for loans acquired in a transfer on loans subject to SFAS 114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan”. This SOP is effective for loans acquired after December 31, 2004, with early adoption encouraged. The Company does not believe the adoption of SOP 03-3 will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The Company’s asset and liability structure is substantially different from that of an industrial company in that virtually all assets and liabilities of the Company are monetary in nature. Management believes the impact of inflation on financial results depends upon the Company’s ability to react to changes in interest rates and by such reaction reduce the inflationary impact on performance. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction, or at the same magnitude, as the prices of other goods and services. As discussed previously, management seeks to manage the relationship between interest-sensitive assets and liabilities in order to protect against wide net interest income fluctuations, including those resulting from inflation.

Various information shown elsewhere in this Annual Report will assist in the understanding of how well the Company is positioned to react to changing interest rates and inflationary trends. In particular, the summary of net interest income, the maturity distributions, the compositions of the loan and security portfolios and the data on the interest rate sensitivity of loans and deposits should be considered.

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Report of Management Responsibility

The management of LSB Corporation (the “Corporation” or the “Company”) is responsible for the preparation and integrity of the Consolidated Financial Statements and other financial information contained in this annual report. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and prevailing practices of the banking industry and, accordingly, include amounts based on management’s best estimates and judgments.

Management has established and is responsible for maintaining internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the integrity and reliability of the Consolidated Financial Statements, the protection of assets, and the prevention and detection of irregularities. The concept of reasonable assurance recognizes that the cost of a system of internal accounting controls should not exceed the benefits derived. The internal accounting control system is augmented by written policies and guidelines, careful selection and training of qualified personnel, a written program of internal audits, appropriate review by management, and a written code of professional conduct for directors, officers and all employees.

The Corporation’s Board of Directors has an Audit Committee composed solely of independent directors. The Committee meets periodically with management, the internal auditors and KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) to review the work of each and to inquire of each as to their assessment of the performance of the others in their work relating to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Both the independent and internal auditors have, at all times, the right of full access to the Audit Committee, without management present, to discuss any matter they believe should be brought to the attention of the Audit Committee.

Management recognizes that there are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control system. However, management believes that as of December 31, 2003 the Company’s internal accounting controls provide reasonable assurance as to the integrity and reliability of the Consolidated Financial Statements and related financial information.

The independent auditors, KPMG, are appointed by the Audit Committee. KPMG’s audits include reviews and tests of the Company’s internal controls to the extent they believe necessary to determine and conduct the audit procedures that support their report. Members of that firm also have the right of full access to each member of management in conducting their audits. The report of KPMG appears on the next page.

     
-s- PAUL A. MILLER
  -s- JOHN E. SHARLAND
Paul A. Miller
  John E. Sharland
President and
  Senior Vice President and
Chief Executive Officer
  Chief Financial Officer

December 31, 2003

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Independent Auditors’ Report

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
LSB Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of LSB Corporation and its subsidiary as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003. 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 auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Consolidated Financial Statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the Consolidated Financial Statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall Consolidated Financial Statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the Consolidated Financial Statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of LSB Corporation and its subsidiary as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

(KPMG LLP)

Boston, Massachusetts
March 11, 2004

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Consolidated Balance Sheets

                 
December 31,
  2003
  2002
(In Thousands)                
Assets:
               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 7,872     $ 7,136  
Fed funds sold
    889       9,633  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total cash and cash equivalents
    8,761       16,769  
Investment securities held to maturity market value of $184,592 in 2003 and $116,321 in 2002 (notes 2 and 7)
    184,286       113,325  
Investment securities available for sale amortized cost of $48,571 in 2003 and $52,055 in 2002 (notes 2 and 7)
    48,592       53,084  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost (note 3)
    6,593       5,950  
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $4,220 in 2003 and $4,167 in 2002 (notes 4 and 7)
    207,283       238,960  
Bank premises and equipment (note 5)
    2,875       3,050  
Accrued interest receivable
    2,552       2,459  
Deferred income tax asset (note 8)
    3,519       3,686  
Other assets
    1,647       1,851  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total assets
  $ 466,108     $ 439,134  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
               
Liabilities:
               
Interest bearing deposits (note 6)
  $ 258,430     $ 265,283  
Non-interest bearing deposits (note 6)
    14,110       14,182  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances (note 7)
    78,866       94,237  
Other borrowed funds (note 7)
    54,486       7,354  
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
    450       518  
Other liabilities
    4,764       3,501  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities
    411,106       385,075  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (notes 5, 11 and 12):
               
Stockholders’ equity (notes 9 and 10):
               
Preferred stock, $.10 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
           
Common stock, $.10 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 4,454,262 and 4,389,705 shares issued in 2003 and 2002, respectively, 4,234,962 and 4,253,205 shares outstanding in 2003 and 2002, respectively
    445       439  
Additional paid-in capital
    58,350       57,845  
Accumulated deficit
    (1,055 )     (3,168 )
Treasury stock, at cost (219,300 and 136,500 shares in 2003 and 2002, respectively)
    (2,758 )     (1,736 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    20       679  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    55,002       54,059  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 466,108     $ 439,134  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Consolidated Statements of Operations

                         
Year Ended December 31,
  2003
  2002
  2001
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)                        
Interest and dividend income:
                       
Loans
  $ 14,356     $ 16,932     $ 18,295  
Investment securities held to maturity
    4,938       6,056       8,166  
Investment securities available for sale
    1,785       1,817       1,514  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    183       205       364  
Other interest income
    72       128       453  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest and dividend income
    21,334       25,138       28,792  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Interest expense:
                       
Deposits (note 6)
    4,176       5,804       9,929  
Borrowed funds
    4,583       5,458       4,984  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    17       20       58  
Other borrowed funds
    201       283       640  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest expense
    8,977       11,565       15,611  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income
    12,357       13,573       13,181  
Provision for loan losses (note 4)
                175  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    12,357       13,573       13,006  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Non-interest income:
                       
Deposit account fees
    713       665       594  
Loan servicing fees, net
    20       (145 )     155  
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net
    467       529       249  
Gains (losses) on sale of investment securities
    (14 )           38  
Lawsuit judgment collected
    1,996              
Other income
    422       444       390  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total non-interest income
    3,604       1,493       1,426  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Non-interest expense:
                       
Salaries and employee benefits
    5,923       6,006       5,264  
Occupancy and equipment expense
    752       790       872  
Data processing expense
    727       749       705  
Professional expense
    643       806       671  
Insurance expense
    151       153       146  
Other expense
    1,542       1,651       1,464  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total non-interest expense
    9,738       10,155       9,122  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income before income tax expense
    6,223       4,911       5,310  
Income tax expense (note 8)
    2,087       1,811       1,953  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 4,136     $ 3,100     $ 3,357  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Average shares outstanding
    4,215,944       4,348,085       4,374,195  
Average diluted shares outstanding
    4,391,812       4,518,649       4,535,305  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.98     $ 0.71     $ 0.77  
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.94     $ 0.69     $ 0.74  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Consolidated Statements of Changes in

Stockholders’ Equity
                                                 
                                    Accumulated    
            Additional                   Other   Total
    Common   Paid-in   Accumulated   Treasury   Comprehensive   Stockholders’
    Stock
  Capital
  Deficit
  Stock
  Income (Loss)
  Equity
(In Thousands)                                                
Balance at December 31, 2000
  $ 436     $ 57,711     $ (5,956 )   $     $ 122     $ 52,313  
Net income
                3,357                   3,357  
Other comprehensive income unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale (tax effect $34)
                            67       67  
 
                                           
 
 
Total comprehensive income
                                    3,424  
Exercise of stock options
    2       102                         104  
Dividends declared and paid ($0.40 per share)
                (1,749 )                 (1,749 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2001
    438       57,813       (4,348 )           189       54,092  
Net income
                3,100                   3,100  
Other comprehensive income unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale (tax effect $253)
                            490       490  
 
                                           
 
 
Total comprehensive income
                                    3,590  
Exercise of stock options
    1       32                         33  
Purchase of treasury stock
                      (1,736 )           (1,736 )
Dividends declared and paid ($0. 44 per share)
                (1,920 )                 (1,920 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2002
    439       57,845       (3,168 )     (1,736 )     679       54,059  
Net income
                4,136                   4,136  
Other comprehensive income unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale (tax effect $338)
                            (659 )     (659 )
 
                                           
 
 
Total comprehensive income
                                            3,447  
Exercise of stock options
    6       505                         511  
Purchase of treasury stock
                      (1,022 )           (1,022 )
Dividends declared and paid ($0.48 per share)
                (2,023 )                 (2,023 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2003
  $ 445     $ 58,350     $ (1,055 )   $ (2,758 )   $ 20     $ 55,002  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
                         
Disclosure of reclassification amount:
  2003
  2002
  2001
(In Thousands)                        
Gross unrealized (depreciation) appreciation arising during the period
  $ (1,011 )   $ 743     $ 124  
Tax effect
    343       (253 )     (42 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Unrealized holding (depreciation) appreciation net of tax
    (668 )     490       82  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income
    (14 )           22  
Tax effect
    5             (7 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Unrealized (depreciation) appreciation on securities, net of reclassification
  $ (659 )   $ 490     $ 67  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows

                         
Year Ended December 31,
  2003
  2002
  2001
(In Thousands)                        
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net income
  $ 4,136     $ 3,100     $ 3,357  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Provision for loan losses
                175  
Gains on sales of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities
    (467 )     (529 )     (249 )
(Gains) losses on investment securities available for sale
    14             (22 )
Gains on calls of investment securities held to maturity
                (29 )
Net amortization (accretion) of investment securities
    2,117       1,426       (37 )
Depreciation of premises and equipment and other assets
    398       454       484  
Loans originated for sale
    (21,139 )     (35,415 )     (25,301 )
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities
    23,847       37,521       21,394  
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable
    (93 )     145       365  
Decrease in deferred income tax asset
    516       1,798       1,742  
Decrease (increase) in other assets
    194       (309 )     55  
(Decrease) increase in advance payments by borrowers
    (68 )     (55 )     60  
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
    1,263       (552 )     498  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    10,718       7,584       2,492  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities held to maturity
    171,500       337,318       642,579  
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities available for sale
    12,000       5,493       6,532  
Purchases of investment securities held to maturity
    (248,915 )     (351,927 )     (678,882 )
Purchases of investment securities available for sale
    (16,712 )     (31,194 )     (26,037 )
Purchase of mutual funds available for sale
    (1,000 )            
Purchases of mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
    (38,118 )     (2,967 )     (4,335 )
Purchases of mortgage-backed securities available for sale
    (14,775 )            
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale
                6,119  
Proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities available for sale
    5,684              
Principal payments of securities held to maturity
    43,209       38,283       23,557  
Principal payments of securities available for sale
    17,519       11,670       7,765  
Purchase of other equity securities
                (46 )
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    (643 )            
(Increase) decrease in loans, net
    29,436       (8,210 )     (9,986 )
Proceeds from payments on OREO
    10       10       10  
Purchases of Bank premises and equipment
    (223 )     (337 )     (314 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (41,028 )     (1,861 )     (33,038 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Net (decrease) increase in deposits
    (6,925 )     11,015       (2,098 )
Additions to Federal Home Loan Bank advances
          11,000       48,120  
Payments on Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    (15,371 )     (19,755 )     (27,411 )
Net increase (decrease) in agreements to repurchase securities
    (1,464 )     (270 )     4,220  
Increase (decrease) in other borrowed funds
    48,596       (483 )     9  
Dividends paid
    (2,023 )     (1,920 )     (1,749 )
Treasury stock purchased
    (1,022 )     (1,736 )      
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    511       33       104  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    22,302       (2,116 )     21,195  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (8,008 )     3,607       (9,351 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    16,769       13,162       22,513  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 8,761     $ 16,769     $ 13,162  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Cash paid during the year for:
                       
Interest on deposits and borrowed funds
  $ 9,039     $ 11,632     $ 15,603  
Income taxes
    538       271       188  
Cash received during the year for:
                       
Income taxes
          133        
Supplemental Schedule of non-cash activities:
                       
Change in valuation of investment securities available for sale
    (1,008 )     743       99  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

Basis of Presentation – LSB Corporation (the “Corporation” or the “Company”) is a Massachusetts corporation and the holding company of its wholly-owned subsidiary Lawrence Savings Bank (the “Bank”) a state-chartered Massachusetts savings bank. The Corporation was organized by the Bank on July 1, 2001 to be a bank holding company and to acquire all of the capital stock of the Bank. The Consolidated Financial Statements presented herein reflect the accounts of the Corporation and its predecessor, Lawrence Savings Bank. The Corporation is supervised by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”), and it is also subject to the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Division of Banks, while the Bank is subject to the regulations of, and periodic examination by, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Massachusetts Division of Banks. The Bank’s deposits are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund of the FDIC up to $100,000 per account, as defined by the FDIC, and the Depositors Insurance Fund, Inc. (“DIF”) for customer deposit amounts in excess of $100,000. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of LSB Corporation and its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary, Lawrence Savings Bank, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Shawsheen Security Corporation, Shawsheen Security Corporation II, Pemberton Corporation, and Spruce Wood Realty Trust. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company has one reportable operating segment. Certain amounts in prior periods have been re-classified to conform to the current presentation.

The LSB Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Accordingly, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the balance sheets and statements of operations. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates and judgments. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to change relate to the allowance for loan losses, income taxes and MSR.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – For the purpose of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks and Federal Funds sold. Generally, Federal Funds are sold with overnight maturities.

Investment and Mortgage-Backed Securities – Debt securities that the Company has the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” and reported at amortized cost; debt, mortgage-backed and equity securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term are classified as “trading” and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings; and debt, mortgage-backed and equity securities not classified as either held to maturity or trading are classified as “available for sale” and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as other comprehensive income, net of estimated income taxes.

Premiums and discounts on debt and mortgage-backed securities are amortized or accreted into income by use of a method that approximates the interest method. If a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis of a debt or mortgage-backed security is judged to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the investment is written down to fair value and the amount of the write-down is included as a charge to earnings. Gains and losses on the sale of debt and mortgage-backed securities are recognized at the time of sale on a specific identification basis.

Equity Securities – Includes Northeast Retirement Services (“NRS”) stock. NRS stock is closely held and not publicly traded and is carried at cost. Dividend income is recorded when dividends are declared.

Interest on Loans – Interest on loans is accrued as earned. Loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued are designated as non-accrual loans. It is management’s policy to discontinue the accrual of interest on a loan when there is a reasonable doubt as to its collectibility. Interest on loans 90 days or more contractually delinquent is generally excluded from interest income. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, all interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current period interest income. Interest accruals are resumed on loans that have been 90 days or more past due only when they are brought fully current with respect to interest and principal and when, in the judgment of management, the loans are expected to be fully collectible as to both principal and interest.

Loan Fees – Loan origination fees, net of direct loan acquisitions costs, are deferred and recognized over the contractual life of the loan as an adjustment of the loan’s yield using a basis, which approximates the interest method. Amortization of loan fees is discontinued once a loan is designated as non-accrual status. When loans are sold or paid-off, the unamortized portion of net fees and costs is credited to income.

Mortgage Banking Activities – Loans held for sale are valued at the lower of their amortized cost or market value. The Bank, from time-to-time, enters into forward commitments to sell loans or mortgage-backed securities for the purpose of reducing interest rate risk associated with the origination of loans for sale. Gains or losses on sales of loans are recognized to the extent that the sale proceeds exceed or are less than the carrying amount of the loans. Gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method.

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When loans are sold with servicing rights retained, the Bank allocates the carrying amount of the loans between the underlying asset sold and the rights retained, based on their relative fair values. The resulting MSR are amortized over the period of estimated net servicing income using a method which approximates the interest method. Actual prepayment experience is reviewed periodically. When actual prepayments exceed estimated prepayments, the balance of the MSR is adjusted accordingly. Periodically, the MSR are assessed for impairment based on the fair value of such rights using market prices.

Transfers and Servicing of Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities – The Company accounts and reports for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities based on consistent application of a financial components approach that focuses on control. This approach distinguishes transfers of financial assets that are sales from transfers that are secured borrowings. After a transfer of financial assets, the Company recognizes all financial and servicing assets it controls and liabilities it has incurred and derecognizes financial assets it no longer controls and liabilities that have been extinguished. This financial components approach focuses on the assets and liabilities that exist after the transfer. Many of these assets and liabilities are components of financial assets that existed prior to the transfer. If a transfer does not meet the criteria for the sale, the Company accounts for the transfer as a secured borrowing with a pledge of collateral.

Allowance for Loan Losses – Losses on loans are provided for under the allowance method of accounting. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to operations on the basis of many factors including the risk characteristics of the portfolio, current economic conditions and trends in loan delinquencies and charge-offs. When management believes that the collection of a loan’s principal balance is unlikely, the principal amount is charged against the allowance. Recoveries on loans which have been previously charged off are credited to the allowance as received.

Management’s methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance consists of several key elements, which include a formula allowance, specific allowances for identified problem loans and an unallocated allowance.

The formula allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to outstanding loans, in each case based on the internal risk grade of such loans. Changes in risk grades affect the amount of the formula allowance. Loss factors are based on the Bank’s historical loss experience as well as regulatory guidelines.

Specific allowances are established in cases where management has identified significant conditions related to a credit such that management believes it is probable that a loss has been incurred in excess of the amount determined by the application of the formula allowance.

The unallocated allowance recognizes the model and estimation risk associated with the formula allowance and specific allowances as well as management’s evaluation of various conditions, the effects of which are not directly measured in the determination of the formula and specific allowances. The evaluation of the inherent loss with respect to these conditions is subject to a higher degree of uncertainty because they are not identified with specific problem credits.

In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance for loan losses based on judgments different from those of management.

Impaired loans are commercial, commercial real estate, and individually significant residential mortgage loans for which it is probable that the Bank will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans, except those loans that are accounted for at fair value or at lower of cost or fair value, are accounted for at the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate.

Premises and Equipment – Premises and equipment are stated at cost less allowances for depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the terms of the leases, if shorter.

Other Real Estate Owned – Other real estate owned (OREO) is comprised of foreclosed properties where the Bank has formally received title or has possession of the collateral. Properties are carried at the lower of the investment in the related loan or the estimated fair value of the property or collateral less selling costs.

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Stock Options – The Corporation measures compensation cost for stock-based plans using the intrinsic value method. The intrinsic value method measures compensation cost, if any, as the fair market value of the Company’s stock at the grant date over the exercise price. All options granted have an exercise price equivalent to the fair market value at the date of grant and, accordingly, no compensation cost has been recorded. If the fair value based method of accounting for stock options had been used, the Company’s net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the proforma amounts for the years ended December 31, and are presented in the table which follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
(In Thousands except per share data)                        
Net Income:
                       
As Reported
  $ 4,136     $ 3,100     $ 3,357  
Less: Pro forma stock based compensation cost (net of taxes)
    182       233       271  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Pro forma
    3,954       2,867       3,086  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
                       
As Reported
  $ 0.98     $ 0.71     $ 0.77  
Pro forma
    0.94       0.66       0.71  
Diluted earnings per share:
                       
As Reported
  $ 0.94     $ 0.69     $ 0.74  
Pro forma
    0.90       0.63       0.68  

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
Expected volatility
                35.00 %
Risk-free interest rate
                5.12 %
Expected dividend yield
                3.37 %
Expected life in years
              10 years

Pension Expense – The Bank is a participant in a multiple employer defined benefit pension plan. Pension expense is recognized on a net periodic pension cost method over the employee’s approximate service period. Pension costs are funded in the year of accrual using the aggregate cost method.

Income Taxes – Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year 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. Deferred tax valuation allowances are established and based on management’s judgment as to whether it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the future tax benefits will be realized.

Earnings per Share – Basic EPS is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Stock options outstanding, accounted for under the treasury stock method, have a dilutive effect to the computation of diluted EPS.

Recent Accounting Developments

In April 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 149 “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, which amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, resulting in more consistent reporting of contracts as either derivatives or hybrid instruments. SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, and should be applied prospectively. Implementation issues that have been effective for fiscal quarters that began prior to June 15, 2003 should continue to be applied in accordance with their respective effective dates. This statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operation.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150 “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity”, which establishes standards for how certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity should be measured and classified. Certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity will be required to be classified as a liability. This statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and July 1, 2003 for all other financial instruments with the exception of existing mandatorily redeemable financial instruments issued by limited life subsidiaries which have been indefinitely deferred from the scope of the statement. The Company does not believe the adoption of SFAS 150 will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

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In December 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) issued Statement of Position 03-3 (“SOP 03-3”): “Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer”. SOP 03-3 requires loans acquired through a transfer, such as a business combination, where there are differences in expected cash flows and contractual cash flows due in part to credit quality be recognized at their fair value. The excess of contractual cash flows over expected cash flows is not to be recognized as an adjustment of yield, loss accrual, or valuation allowance. Valuation allowances can not be created nor “carried over” in the initial accounting for loans acquired in a transfer on loans subject to SFAS 114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan”. This SOP is effective for loans acquired after December 31, 2004, with early adoption encouraged. The Company does not believe the adoption of SOP 03-3 will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

(2) Investment Securities

The amortized cost and market value of investment securities at December 31, follows:

                                                                 
    2003
  2002
    Amortized   Unrealized   Market   Amortized   Unrealized   Market
    Cost
  Gain
  Loss
  Value
  Cost
  Gain
  Loss
  Value
(In Thousands)                                                                
Investment securities held to maturity:
                                                               
US Treasury obligations
  $     $     $     $     $ 6,002     $ 58     $     $ 6,060  
US Government Agency obligations
    94,798       1,058       (367 )     95,489       26,243       1,471             27,714  
Mortgage-backed securities
    39,467       188       (686 )     38,969       13,440       407       (7 )     13,840  
Asset-backed securities
    32,735       204       (284 )     32,655       32,551       610       (14 )     33,147  
Corporate obligations
    15,662       323       (133 )     15,852       33,068       456       (16 )     33,508  
Municipal obligations
    1,624       3             1,627       2,021       31             2,052  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 184,286     $ 1,776     $ (1,470 )   $ 184,592     $ 113,325     $ 3,033     $ (37 )   $ 116,321  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Investment securities available for sale:
                                                               
US Treasury obligations
  $ 5,146     $     $ (351 )   $ 4,795     $     $     $     $  
US Government Agency obligations
    21,015       464             21,479       31,078       742             31,820  
Mortgage-backed securities
    6,858       34       (30 )     6,862       2,770       80             2,850  
Asset-backed securities
    8,139       13       (61 )     8,091       12,074       14       (9 )     12,079  
Corporate obligations
    6,245       81       (98 )     6,228       3,965       212       (10 )     4,167  
Municipal obligations
                            2,000                   2,000  
Mutual funds
    1,000             (31 )     969                          
Equity securities
    168                   168       168                   168  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 48,571     $ 592     $ (571 )   $ 48,592     $ 52,055     $ 1,048     $ (19 )   $ 53,084  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Proceeds from sales, realized gains and losses on investments available for sale for the years ended December 31, follow:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
(In Thousands)                        
Proceeds from sales
  $ 5,684     $     $ 6,119  
Realized gains on sales
                38  
Realized losses on sales
    14              

Other Than Temporarily Impaired Securities

The table below details the Company’s investment securities which were at an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2003. At December 31, 2003 the Company had $122.8 million at fair value of investment securities with $2.0 million in unrealized losses on these investments. The majority of the investment securities, $119.9 million at fair value with losses of $2.0 million, have been at a loss position for less than 12 months and $2.9 million at fair value of these investment securities, with losses of $10 thousand, have been at a loss position for longer than 12 months. The Company believes that these securities are only temporarily impaired and that the full principal will be collected as anticipated. Of the total, $4.8 million were US Treasury obligations and $41.5 million were direct obligations of U.S. Government Agencies and are at a loss position because they were acquired when the general level of interest rates were lower than that on December 31, 2003. As of December 31, 2003, $37.8 million and $28.8 million were mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities, respectively, in the less than 12 month category 100% of which are guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies. The majority of the mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are also at a loss because they were purchased during a lower interest rate environment coupled with losses due to accelerated prepayments driven by the low rate environment. As of December 31, 2003, $8.9 million and $1.0 million of corporate obligations and mutual funds, respectively, were at a loss because of the interest rate environment at the time of purchase.

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Table of Contents

(2) Investment Securities – (continued)

                                                 
    Less Than 12 Months
  12 Months or Longer
  Total
            Unrealized           Unrealized           Unrealized
    Fair Value
  Losses
  Fair Value
  Losses
  Fair Value
  Losses
(In Thousands)                                                
US Treasury obligations
  $ 4,795     $ (351 )   $     $     $ 4,795     $ (351 )
US Government Agency obligations
    41,517       (367 )                 41,517       (367 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    37,819       (716 )                 37,819       (716 )
Asset-backed securities
    26,844       (343 )     1,921       (2 )     28,765       (345 )
Corporate obligations
    7,921       (223 )     992       (8 )     8,913       (231 )
Mutual funds
    969       (31 )                 969       (31 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total temporarily impaired securities
  $ 119,865     $ (2,031 )   $ 2,913     $ (10 )   $ 122,778     $ (2,041 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

The following table is a summary of the contractual maturities of investment securities held to maturity and available for sale at December 31, 2003. These amounts exclude mutual funds and equity securities, which have no contractual maturities. Mortgage-backed securities consist of FHLMC, FNMA, and GNMA certificates. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are shown at their final contractual maturity date but are expected to have shorter average lives.

                                                 
    Held to maturity
  Available for Sale
                    Weighted                   Weighted
    Amortized   Market   Average   Amortized   Market   Average
December 31, 2003
  Cost
  Value
  Yield
  Cost
  Value
  Yield
(Dollars in Thousands)                                                
US Treasury & Agencies obligations:
                                               
Within 1 year
  $ 2,011       2,034       3.36 %     16,016       16,337       3.77 %
1 to 2 years
    14,977       15,799       6.20       4,999       5,142       3.89  
2 to 3 years
    20,513       20,470       3.23                    
3 to 5 years
    57,297       57,186       3.13                    
5 to 10 years
                      5,146       4,795       3.25  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
 
    94,798       95,489       3.64       26,161       26,274       3.69  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
Mortgage-backed securities:
                                               
Within 1 year
    627       638       8.56                    
1 to 2 years
    1,076       1,078       6.27       61       63       5.24  
3 to 5 years
    366       388       7.13                    
5 to 10 years
    36,445       35,901       3.62       5,142       5,112       2.73  
After 10 years
    953       964       3.99       1,655       1,687       3.99  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
 
    39,467       38,969       3.81       6,858       6,862       3.06  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
Asset-backed securities:
                                               
3 to 5 years
    2,850       2,959       6.49                    
5 to 10 years
    4,415       4,424       3.49       1,826       1,825       1.81  
After 10 years
    25,470       25,272       3.29       6,313       6,266       3.00  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
 
    32,735       32,655       3.60       8,139       8,091       2.73  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
Corporate obligations:
                                               
Within 1 year
    5,540       5,693       5.60       2,989       3,070       7.28  
1 to 2 years
    1,038       1,084       4.84                    
2 to 3 years
    1,085       1,189       7.92                    
3 to 5 years
    7,999       7,886       3.19       1,000       992       1.95  
5 to 10 years
                      2,256       2,166       2.98  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
 
    15,662       15,852       4.48       6,245       6,228       4.87  
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
Municipal obligations:
                                               
Within 1 year
    1,624       1,627       2.92                    
 
   
 
     
 
             
 
     
 
         
 
  $ 184,286     $ 184,592       3.74 %   $ 47,403     $ 47,455       3.59 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. This right may cause actual maturities and yields to differ from the contractual maturities summarized above. As of December 31, 2003, the Company had callable investment securities with an amortized cost of $10.0 million and a market value of $10.1 million in the held to maturity portfolio which are callable during 2004. There were no callable investment securities in the available for sale portfolio.

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\

(3) Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

The Bank is required to own stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLB”). The minimum investment is 5% of outstanding FHLB advances, or 1% of outstanding residential mortgages, whichever is largest. The Bank receives an amount equal to the par value of the stock when excess stock is redeemed.

(4) Loans

The components of the loan portfolio at December 31, follow:

                 
    2003
  2002
(In Thousands)                
Residential real estate
  $ 57,017     $ 60,140  
Loans held for sale
    338       2,579  
Home equity
    10,236       11,490  
Construction
    16,040       23,502  
Commercial real estate
    112,503       112,745  
Commercial business
    14,805       32,017  
Consumer
    564       654  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total loans
    211,503       243,127  
Allowance for loan losses
    (4,220 )     (4,167 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 207,283     $ 238,960  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The amounts above include net deferred loan origination fees and costs totaling $81 thousand at December 31, 2003 and $153 thousand at December 31, 2002.

Mortgage loans serviced by the Company for others amounted to $57.9 million and $77.1 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

There were no non-performing loans at December 31, 2003. Non-performing loans at December 31, 2002 amounted to $1 thousand. There were no impaired loans at December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002.

In the ordinary course of business, the Bank makes loans to its Directors and Officers and their associates and affiliated companies (“related parties”) at substantially the same terms and conditions as those prevailing at the time of origination for comparable transactions with other borrowers.

An analysis of total related party loans for the year ended December 31, 2003 follows:

                         
Balance at                   Balance at
January 1, 2003
  Additions
  Repayments
  December 31, 2003
(In Thousands)                        
$1,933
  $ 545     $ 810     $ 1,668  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

The activity in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
(In Thousands)                        
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 4,167     $ 4,070     $ 3,685  
Total charge-offs
          (1 )     (3 )
Total recoveries
    53       98       213  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net recoveries
    53       97       210  
Provision for loan losses
                175  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance at end of year
  $ 4,220     $ 4,167     $ 4,070  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

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(4) Loans – (continued)

The following table summarizes the balances of mortgage service rights at December 31:

                 
    2003
  2002
(In Thousands)                
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 1,015     $ 948  
Additions
    201       336  
Amortization
    (728 )     (269 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Mortgage servicing rights
    488       1,015  
Valuation allowance
    (96 )     (377 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Balance at end of year
  $ 392     $ 638  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The following table summarizes activity in the mortgage service rights valuation allowance for the years ended December 31:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
(In Thousands)                        
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 377     $ 75     $  
(Recoveries) provision charged to operations
    (281 )     302       75  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance at end of year
  $ 96     $ 377     $ 75  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

The following table summarizes activity in the loan servicing rights net for the years ended December 31:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
(In Thousands)                        
Service fee income
  $ 216     $ 269     $ 281  
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights
    (728 )     (269 )     (158 )
Recoveries (provision) for valuation allowance
    281       (302 )     (75 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Mortgage servicing (expense) income
    (231 )     (302 )     48  
Late charges and other loan fees
    251       157       107  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Loan servicing fees, net
  $ 20     $ (145 )   $ 155  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

(5) Bank Premises and Equipment

The components of premises and equipment at December 31, follow:

                 
    2003
  2002
(In Thousands)                
Premises
  $ 3,657     $ 3,609  
Equipment
    2,648       2,503  
Leasehold improvements
    408       378  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
    6,713       6,490  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (3,838 )     (3,440 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 2,875     $ 3,050  
 
   
 
     
 
 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001 amounted to $398,000, $454,000, and $484,000, respectively.

Rent expense for leased premises for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 amounted to $152,000, $152,000 and $144,000, respectively. The Company is obligated, under non-cancelable leases for premises and equipment, for minimum payments in future periods of $166,000 in the year 2004, and $182,000 for each of the years 2005 and 2006, $184,000 in the year 2007 and $143,000 in the year 2008.

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6) Deposits

The following table shows the components of deposits at December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the range of interest rates paid as of December 31, 2003.

                         
    Rates as of        
    December 31,        
    2003
  2003
  2002
(Dollars in Thousands)                        
Interest bearing accounts:
                       
NOW and Super NOW accounts
    0.10-0.25 %   $ 36,108     $ 35,568  
Savings accounts
    0.35 %     44,324       44,839  
Money market investment accounts
    0.25-1.45 %     76,148       64,653  
Certificates of deposit
    0.75-6.25 %     74,184       92,241  
Retirement accounts
    0.75-6.25 %     27,666       27,982  
 
           
 
     
 
 
Total interest bearing deposits
            258,430       265,283  
Non-interest bearing demand deposit accounts
          14,110       14,182  
 
           
 
     
 
 
 
          $ 272,540     $ 279,465  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

The components of interest expense on deposits for the years ended December 31, follow:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
(In Thousands)                        
Now and Super NOW accounts
  $ 40     $ 81     $ 150  
Savings accounts
    200       394       725  
Money market investment accounts
    900       1,097       1,664  
Certificates of deposit
    2,088       3,109       5,908  
Retirement accounts
    948       1,123       1,482  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 4,176     $ 5,804     $ 9,929  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

The amount and weighted average interest rate on certificates of deposit, including retirement accounts, by periods to maturity at December 31, 2003 are summarized as follows:

                                 
            Equal to           Weighted
    Less   and greater           Average
    than   than           Interest
    $100,000
  $100,000
  Total
  Rate
(Dollars in Thousands)                                
3 months or less
  $ 18,027     $ 5,312     $ 23,339       1.55 %
From three to six months
    13,656       3,332       16,988       1.45  
From six to twelve months
    20,156       4,403       24,559       2.05  
From one to two years
    19,605       3,004       22,609       2.53  
From two to three years
    4,032       985       5,017       4.14  
Three years and thereafter
    6,387       2,951       9,338       3.64  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
         
 
  $ 81,863     $ 19,987     $ 101,850       2.19 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

There were no brokered deposits at December 31, 2003. Brokered deposits at December 31, 2002 totaled $2.0 million.

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(7) Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Other Borrowed Funds

The FHLB permits member institutions to borrow funds for various purposes. Outstanding advances at December 31, 2003 are collateralized by a blanket lien against residential mortgages and other qualifying collateral.

Advances outstanding at December 31, follow:

                                 
    2003
  2002
    Weighted Average   Weighted Average
Maturity
  Amount
  Interest Rate
  Amount
  Interest Rate
(Dollars in Thousands)                                
2003
  $       %   $ 15,275       4.84 %
2004
    20,000       4.73       20,000       4.73  
2005
    6,000       5.91       6,000       5.91  
2006
    5,000       4.69       5,000       4.69  
2007
    15,000       4.53       15,000       4.53  
2009
    240       6.42       255       6.42  
2010
    20,000       6.03       20,000       6.03  
2011
    10,000       4.93       10,000       4.93  
2021
    2,626       6.23       2,707       6.23  
 
   
 
             
 
         
 
  $ 78,866       5.19 %   $ 94,237       5.13 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. This right may cause actual maturities to differ from the contractual maturities summarized above. As of December 31, 2003 the Company had callable advances totaling $50.0 million and amortizing advances totaling $2.9 million.

The Company may enter into agreements to repurchase securities sold. These agreements are treated as secured borrowings and the obligations to repurchase securities sold are reflected as liabilities and the securities collateralized by the agreements remain as assets. Generally, the outstanding collateral consists of U.S. Treasury and Government Agency obligations and is held by third party custodians.

The components of other borrowed funds at December 31, follows:

                 
    2003
  2002
(Dollars In Thousands)                
FHLB Short-term borrowings
  $ 52,000     $  
Customer repurchase agreements
    2,486       3,950  
Secured borrowings
          3,404  
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
  $ 54,486     $ 7,354  
 
   
 
     
 
 

Information relating to other borrowed funds for the years ended, follows:

                                                 
    2003
  2002
  2001
    Repurchase   FHLB/FRB   Repurchase   FHLB/FRB   Repurchase   FHLB/FRB
    Agreements
  Advances
  Agreements
  Advances
  Agreements
  Advances
(Dollars In Thousands)                                                
Outstanding at December 31
  $ 2,486     $ 52,000     $ 3,950     $     $ 4,220     $  
Average balance outstanding during the year
    2,719       12,152       3,254       41       2,468       21  
Maximum outstanding at any month end
    3,610       52,000       5,463             5,836        
Weighted average rate at December 31
    0.50 %     1.10 %     0.75 %     %     0.31 %     %
Weighted average rate during the year
    0.62       0.91       0.58       2.11       2.35       4.42  

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(8) Income Taxes

An analysis of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
(In Thousands)                        
Current expense (benefit):
                       
Federal
  $ 1,095     $ (214 )   $ 65  
State
    476       227       146  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total current expense
    1,571       13       211  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Deferred expense (benefit):
                       
Federal
    541       1,791       1,730  
State
    (24 )     (11 )     (11 )
Change in valuation reserve
    (1 )     18       23  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total deferred expense
    516       1,798       1,742  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total income tax expense
  $ 2,087     $ 1,811     $ 1,953  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

A reconciliation of the difference between the expected federal income tax expense computed by applying the federal statutory rate of 34% to the amount of actual income tax expense for the years ended December 31, follows:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
(In Thousands)                        
Expected federal income tax expense
  $ 2,116     $ 1,670     $ 1,805  
Items affecting expected tax:
                       
State income tax, net of federal benefit
    298       143       89  
Other
    (26 )     (20 )     36  
Change in valuation reserve
    (1 )     18       23  
Change in estimate for tax contingencies
    (300 )            
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total income tax expense
  $ 2,087     $ 1,811     $ 1,953  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

The tax effects of temporary differences (the difference between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, follow:

                 
    2003
  2002
(In Thousands)                
Deferred tax assets:
               
Allowance for loan losses
  $ 2,464     $ 2,464  
Net operating loss carryforward
          438  
Alternative minimum tax carryforward
          244  
Pension costs
    386       379  
Deferred compensation
    486       426  
Loan origination fees
    10       37  
Depreciation
    318       314  
Other
    248       292  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Gross deferred tax asset
    3,912       4,594  
Valuation reserve
    (55 )     (56 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Deferred tax asset
    3,857       4,538  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Unrealized gains on investment securities available for sale
    (1 )     (350 )
Other
    (337 )     (502 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Gross deferred tax liability
    (338 )     (852 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net deferred income tax asset
  $ 3,519     $ 3,686  
 
   
 
     
 
 

Capital losses on the sale of securities resulted in capital loss carryforwards. A deferred tax valuation allowance on capital loss carryforwards is required to reduce the potential deferred tax asset when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the potential deferred tax asset will not be realized due to the lack of sufficient capital gains in the carryforward period. At December 31, 2003, the Company has $161 thousand of capital loss carryforwards available that expire between 2004 and 2007.

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(8) Income Taxes – (continued)

At December 31, 2003, the Bank would need to generate approximately $10.4 million of future net taxable income to realize the net deferred income tax asset. Management believes that it is more likely than not that the net deferred income tax asset at December 31, 2003 will be realized based upon recent operating results.

It should be noted, however, that factors beyond Management’s control, such as the general state of the economy and real estate values, can affect future levels of taxable income and that no assurance can be given that sufficient taxable income will be generated to fully absorb gross deductible temporary differences.

The unrecaptured base year tax reserves as of October 31, 1998 will not be subject to recapture as long as the institution continues to carry on the business of banking. In addition, the balance of the pre-1988 bad debt tax reserves continue to be subject to a provision of the current law that requires recapture in the case of certain excess distribution to shareholders. The tax effect of pre-1988 bad debt tax reserves subject to recapture in the case of certain excess distributions is approximately $1.1 million.

(9) Stockholders’ Equity

The Company and the Bank are regulated by federal and state regulatory agencies. Failure by the Company or the Bank to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by federal or state regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and of Tier 1 capital to average assets (Leverage ratio). There are two categories of capital under the guidelines. Tier 1 capital as it applies to the Company and the Bank, includes stockholders’ equity exclusive of the net unrealizable gains/losses on investment securities available for sale and the deferred tax asset is disallowed. Tier 2 capital includes the allowance for loan losses, subject to guideline limitations.

At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the Company and the Bank not only exceeded each of the minimum capital requirements but also met the definition of “well capitalized” as defined by the FRB and the FDIC under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as “well capitalized” the Company or the Bank must maintain Tier 1 Total, and Leverage ratios as set forth in the table below. There are no conditions or events that management believes have changed the Company’s or the Bank’s classification as “well capitalized.”

The Company’s and the Bank’s actual capital ratios and amounts at December 31, 2003 and 2002, follow:

                                                 
    Risk-Based Ratios
    Tier 1 Capital
  Total Capital
  Leverage Capital
    2003
  2002
  2003
  2002
  2003
  2002
(Dollars in Thousands)                                                
Capital Ratios:
                                               
Adequately capitalized
    4.00 %     4.00 %     8.00 %     8.00 %     4.00 %     4.00 %
Well capitalized
    6.00 %     6.00 %     10.00 %     10.00 %     5.00 %     5.00 %
LSB Corporation
    19.25 %     16.49 %     20.50 %     17.74 %     12.11 %     12.10 %
Lawrence Savings Bank
    19.00 %     15.68 %     20.25 %     16.93 %     11.94 %     11.49 %
Capital Amounts:
                                               
Adequately capitalized
                                               
LSB Corporation
  $ 11,421     $ 12,799     $ 22,842     $ 25,599     $ 18,163     $ 17,445  
Lawrence Savings Bank
    11,392       12,720       22,784       25,441       18,125       17,356  
Well capitalized
                                               
LSB Corporation
    17,132       19,199       28,553       31,999       22,703       21,807  
Lawrence Savings Bank
    17,088       19,081       28,480       31,801       22,656       21,695  
Actual Amounts:
                                               
LSB Corporation
    54,969       52,775       58,546       56,777       54,969       52,775  
Lawrence Savings Bank
    54,100       49,869       57,668       53,846       54,100       49,869  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

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Table of Contents

(9) Stockholders’ Equity – (continued)

Stockholders’ Rights Plan

In 1996, the Board of Directors adopted a stockholder rights plan declaring a dividend of one preferred stock purchase right for each share of outstanding common stock. The rights will remain attached to the common stock and are not exercisable except under limited circumstances relating to (i) acquisition of beneficial ownership of more than 10% of the outstanding shares of common stock, or (ii) a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a person or group beneficially owning more than 10% of the outstanding share of common stock. The rights are not exercisable until those aforementioned circumstances occur. The rights expire in 2006. Until a right is exercised, the holder has no rights to vote or to receive dividends. The rights are not taxable to stockholders until exercisable.

(10) Employee Benefits

The Company provides pension benefits for its employees through membership in the Savings Bank Employees’ Retirement Association (the “Plan”). The Plan is a multiple-employer, non-contributory, defined benefit plan. Bank employees become eligible after attaining age 21 and completing one year of service. Additionally, benefits become fully vested after three years of eligible service. The Company’s annual contribution to the Plan is based upon standards established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The contribution is based on an actuarial method intended to provide not only for benefits attributable to service to date, but also for those expected to be earned in the future. The Company expects to contribute approximately $372 thousand during the Plan Year ending at October 31, 2004. The following table sets forth the Plan’s funded status and amounts recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements through the Plan’s latest valuation dates which were October 31, 2003 and 2002.

                 
    2003
  2002
(In Thousands)                
Change in benefit obligation:
               
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
  $ 6,042     $ 5,396  
Service cost
    355       319  
Interest cost
    408       377  
Actuarial loss
    332       157  
Benefits paid
    (377 )     (207 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 6,760     $ 6,042  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Change in plan assets:
               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  $ 5,308     $ 5,710  
Actual return on plan assets
    789       (550 )
Employer contribution
    340       355  
Benefits paid
    (377 )     (207 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
  $ 6,060     $ 5,308  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Funded status
  $ (700 )   $ (734 )
Unrecognized net actuarial gain
    (168 )     (136 )
Unrecognized prior service cost
    (28 )     (32 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Accrued benefit cost included in other liabilities
  $ (896 )   $ (902 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Accumulated benefit obligation
  $ 4,424     $ 4,127  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The discount rate and rate of increase in future compensation levels used in determining the actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation were 6.25% and 4.50% for 2003 and 6.75% and 4.50% for 2002.

The Plan assets are an integral part of the Company’s defined benefit plan and the asset mix between debt and equity securities plays an important factor in the determination of the funded status and net periodic pension cost based on Plan assumptions, interest rates and the overall economic climate. The following table shows the allocation of assets between debt and equity for the Plan as of October 31:

                 
    2003
  2002
Debt securities
    45 %     38 %
Equity securities
    55 %     62 %
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Plan assets
    100 %     100 %
 
   
 
     
 
 

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(10) Employee Benefits – (continued)

The Plan’s assets are distributed to Plan participants in the form of benefits. The Plan paid $377 thousand and $207 thousand for the Plan years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The Company anticipates that the Plan is expected to pay benefits of $355 thousand, $1.3 million, $96 thousand, $103 thousand and $209 thousand during the Plan year ended October 31, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The aggregate benefits expected to be paid in the five-year period from 2009-2013 are $2.4 million. These expected benefits to be paid are based on the same assumptions used to measure the Company’s benefit obligation at October 31, 2003 and include estimated future employee services.

Net pension cost components for the years ended October 31, follow:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
(In Thousands)                        
Service cost
  $ 355     $ 319     $ 280  
Interest cost
    408       377       360  
Expected return on plan assets
    (425 )     (456 )     (518 )
Amortization of net gains
          (81 )     (240 )
Net amortization and deferrals
    (4 )     (4 )     (4 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net periodic pension cost
  $ 334     $ 155     $ (122 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

Assumptions used to develop the net periodic pension cost were:

                         
    2003
  2002
  2001
Discount rate
    6.75 %     7.00 %     7.75 %
Rate of increase in compensation levels
    4.50       4.50       4.50  
Expected long-term rate of return on assets
    8.00       8.00       8.00  

In general, the Company has selected the assumptions with respect to the expected long-term rate of return based on prevailing yields on high quality debt securities increased by a premium of 3% to 5% for equity securities.

The Company provides an employee savings plan (the “Savings Plan”) through the Savings Banks Employees’ Retirement Association. The Savings Plan qualifies as a deferred salary arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the Savings Plan, employees may defer a portion of their pretax earnings, up to the Internal Revenue Service annual contribution limit. Employees are eligible to participate in the Savings Plan immediately upon employment with the Company provided they have attained 21 years of age. Company employees become eligible for matching contributions after completing one year of service with 1,000 hours or more. On an annual basis, the Company determines whether or not to contribute to the Savings Plan. The Company contributed $55 thousand and $104 thousand on behalf of the employees who were in the Savings Plan in 2003 and 2002, respectively.

The Board offers options on its common stock to Directors, Management and Officers to purchase unissued common stock of the Company at a price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. All options expire ten years from the date of grant. Under the 1986 and 1997 Stock Option Plans, the Company may grant options to Directors, Officers or employees up to 859,100 of which 238,270 shares have been exercised. As of December 31, 2003, 505,730 options were outstanding with 114,100 available for future use. The vesting schedule provided for 50% of options granted are vested after the first year and an additional 25% vest each year thereafter. Options are fully vested three years after the grant date. The summary of the status of the Stock Option Plan as of December 31, and changes during the years ended follow:

                                                 
    2003
  2002
  2001
            Weighted           Weighted           Weighted
            Average           Average           Average
    Number of   Exercise   Number of   Exercise   Number of   Exercise
    Options
  Price
  Options
  Price
  Options
  Price
Outstanding at beginning of year
    586,330     $ 8.69       601,030     $ 8.63       452,030     $ 6.67  
Granted
                            165,000       13.87  
Exercised
    (71,600 )     6.83       (14,700 )     6.32       (14,750 )     7.00  
Canceled
    (9,000 )     13.90                   (1,250 )     9.13  
 
   
 
             
 
             
 
         
Outstanding at end of year
    505,730       8.86       586,330       8.69       601,030       8.63  
 
   
 
             
 
             
 
         
Options exercisable end of year
    466,730       8.44       503,830       7.84       397,530       6.42  
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year
          $             $             $ 5.47  

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(10) Employee Benefits – (continued)

The following table summarizes information about the Stock Option Plans based on a range of exercise prices as of December 31, 2003.

                                         
    Options Outstanding
  Options Exercisable
            Weighted   Weighted           Weighted
            Average   Average           Average
    Number of   Exercise   Remaining   Number of   Exercise
Range of Exercise Price
  Options
  Price
  Life
  Options
  Price
$2.00 to $5.00
    77,230     $ 4.37       0.7  years     77,230     $ 4.37  
$5.01 to $8.00
    158,000       6.06       2.5       158,000       6.06  
$8.01 to $11.00
    119,000       9.13       5.6       119,000       9.13  
$11.01 to $14.00
    151,500       13.87       7.6       112,500       13.87  
 
   
 
                     
 
         
Outstanding at end of year
    505,730       8.86       4.5       466,730       8.44  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

In addition to the Company’s defined benefit pension plan, the Company sponsors a defined benefit post-retirement plan that provides limited post-retirement medical benefits to certain full-time employees who retire before age 65 and life insurance benefits to full-time employees who retire after age 62 and after completing 10 years of service. The plan is non-contributory. The Company’s policy is to fund the cost of postretirement benefits in amounts determined at the discretion of management. The amounts of accrued postretirement benefit cost reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet were $338 thousand and $291 thousand as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

The Company has two supplemental executive retirement plans with one of its key officers. At December 31, 2003 and 2002 the accrued liability was $1.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Expense associated with the plans was $118 thousand, $143 thousand and $139 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

(11) Contingencies

The Bank is involved in various legal proceedings incidental to its business. After review with legal counsel, management does not believe resolution of such litigation will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and operating results of the Company.

In one litigation matter, the Bank was awarded a $4.2 million judgment against the debtor in 1997. On February 13, 2002, the debtor filed a petition in bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. Post-judgment interest calculated from the date of judgment to the date of the bankruptcy filing is approximately $1.9 million.

In February 2004, the Bankruptcy Trustee filed a motion seeking Bankruptcy Court approval to make an interim distribution to the creditors. After payment to one other creditor and reserves for anticipated taxes and administrative costs, the Trustee has proposed to make an interim distribution to the Bank of approximately $2.6 million. The Bank has agreed to return any of the interim distribution as would be necessary to pay additional taxes imposed on the bankruptcy estate in the event reserves set aside for taxes are insufficient.

The diluted earnings per share impact of the proposed interim distribution are approximately $0.37 per share based on estimated average shares outstanding for the first quarter of 2004. This distribution will be recognized in the Company’s reported financial results when the proposed interim distribution is approved by the Bankruptcy court.

It is management’s opinion the collection of any remaining balance beyond the amount of the proposed interim distribution is substantially uncertain and is not susceptible to meaningful estimation at this time. Accordingly, no recognition of this judgment or interim distribution has been recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(12) Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These instruments, in the form of commitments to extend credit and financial and standby letters of credit, are offered in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of customers. The company is exposed to varying degrees of credit and interest rate risk in excess of amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements as a result of such transactions. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is compliance with conditions established in the agreement. These extensions of credit are based upon traditional underwriting standards and generally have a fixed expiration date of less than five years.

Letters of credit are documents issued by the Company on behalf of its customers in favor of third parties, who can present requests for drafts from the Company within specified terms and conditions. Letters of credit are secured by cash deposits. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee payment to a third party. Outstanding letters of credit generally expire within one year. The credit risk involved with these instruments is similar to the risk of extending loans and, accordingly, the underwriting standards are also similar. It is expected that most letters of credit will not require cash disbursements.

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(12) Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk – (continued)

The components of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at December 31, follow:

                         
    Fixed   Variable    
2003
  Rate
  Rate
  Total
(In Thousands)                        
Financial instruments with contract amounts represent credit risk:
                       
Unused commitments to extend credit:
                       
Residential mortgages
  $ 1,327     $ 377     $ 1,704  
Home equity lines of credit
    1,615       7,737       9,352  
Personal lines of credit
    165             165  
Commercial real estate mortgage
    6       6,502       6,508  
Construction
          17,160       17,160  
Commercial loans
    10       18,416       18,426  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total unused commitments
  $ 3,123     $ 50,192     $ 53,315  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Letters of credit and standby letters of credit
  $     $ 851     $ 851  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Forward commitments to sell mortgage loans
  $ 340     $     $ 340  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
                         
    Fixed   Variable    
2002
  Rate
  Rate
  Total
(In Thousands)                        
Financial instruments with contract amounts represent credit risk:
                       
Unused commitments to extend credit:
                       
Residential mortgages
  $ 2,866     $ 1,311     $ 4,177  
Home equity lines of credit
    1,919       6,342       8,261  
Personal lines of credit
    223             223  
Commercial real estate mortgage
    3,199       9,748       12,947  
Construction
    345       11,296       11,641  
Commercial loans
    9,062       16,669       25,731  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total unused commitments
  $ 17,614     $ 45,366     $ 62,980  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Letters of credit and standby letters of credit
  $     $ 1,120     $ 1,120  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Forward commitments to sell mortgage loans
  $ 5,349     $     $ 5,349  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

Forward commitments to sell mortgage loans are contracts which the Company enters into for the purpose of reducing the interest rate risk associated with originating loans held for sale. Risk may arise from the possible inability of the Company to originate loans to fulfill the contracts.

(13) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash and Due From Banks, Short-Term Investments, Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, Accrued Interest Receivable and Accrued Interest Payable.

The carrying amount of each of these assets and liabilities is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Investment Securities

For investment securities, fair values are based on quoted market prices or dealer quotes. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities.

Loans

Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as commercial, commercial real estate, residential mortgage, and other consumer. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and by classified and non-classified categories.

The fair value of non-classified loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the expected maturity using current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings. For non-classified residential mortgage loans, maturity estimates are based on secondary market sources.

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(13) Fair Value of Financial Instruments – (continued)

Fair value for significant classified 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.

Deposits and Mortgagors’ Escrow Accounts

The fair value of demand deposits, NOW accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts, and mortgage escrow accounts of borrowers is the amount payable on demand at the balance sheet date. The fair value of certificates of deposit 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.

Borrowed Funds

The fair value of borrowed funds is determined as the cost of extinguishing the debt inclusive of any and all prepayment penalties. The prepayment penalties are determined by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston.

The estimated fair values of the Bank’s financial instruments at December 31, follow:

                                 
    2003
  2002
    Carrying   Fair   Carrying   Fair
    Value
  Value
  Value
  Value
(In Thousands)                                
Financial assets:
                               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 7,872     $ 7,872     $ 7,136     $ 7,136  
Short-term investments
    889       889       9,633       9,633  
Investment securities
    232,878       233,184       166,409       169,405  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    6,593       6,593       5,950       5,950  
Accrued interest receivable
    2,552       2,552       2,459       2,459  
Loans, net
    207,283       210,457       238,960       240,311  
Financial liabilities:
                               
Deposits
  $ 272,540     $ 273,248     $ 279,465     $ 281,216  
Borrowed funds
    133,352       139,039       101,591       107,134  
Mortgagors’ escrow accounts
    450       450       518       518  
Accrued interest payable
    369       369       431       431  

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments

Off-balance sheet financial instruments generally have interest rates which reflect current market rates.

Management has determined that the difference between the carrying and fair value of these instruments is not material.

Limitations

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market 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 active 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. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision.

Changes in assumptions and market conditions could significantly affect these estimates.

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 that are not considered financial assets include other real estate acquired, banking premises and equipment, and core deposit and other intangibles. 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.

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(14) Condensed Parent Company Financial Statements

The condensed financial statements for LSB Corporation, referred to as the “Parent Company” for purposes of this Note only at and for the year ended December 31, follow:

                 
Balance Sheets
  2003
  2002
(In Thousands)                
Assets:
               
Cash deposits in subsidiaries
  $ 159     $ 958  
Investment securities held to maturity at amortized cost
    500       1,999  
Investment in subsidiary, at equity
    54,133       51,045  
Other assets
    217       61  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total assets
  $ 55,009     $ 54,063  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
               
Liabilities:
               
Accrued income taxes
  $ (17 )   $ (4 )
Accrued expenses
    24       8  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities
    7       4  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    55,002       54,059  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 55,009     $ 54,063  
 
   
 
     
 
 
                         
Statements of Operations
  2003
  2002
  2001
(In Thousands)                        
Dividends from bank subsidiary
  $ 518     $ 4,547     $ 3,320  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total operating income
    518       4,547       3,320  
Non-interest expenses
    180       235       188  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income before income taxes and undistributed earnings
    338       4,312       3,132  
Income tax benefit
    (51 )     (50 )     (7 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income before undistributed earnings of subsidiary
    389       4,362       3,139  
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary
    3,747       (1,262 )     218  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 4,136     $ 3,100     $ 3,357  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

The Parent Company’s statements of changes in stockholders’ equity are identical to the consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity and therefore are not presented here.

                 
Cash flows
  2003
  2002
(In Thousands)                
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 4,136     $ 3,100  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Increase in deferred income tax asset
          (43 )
Net distributed earnings of subsidiaries
    (3,747 )     1,262  
(Increase) decrease in other assets
    (156 )     26  
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
    3       (12 )
Accretion of discounts
    (18 )     (47 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    218       4,286  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of investment securities held to maturity
    (20,833 )     (50,153 )
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities held to maturity
    22,350       50,200  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by investing activities
    1,517       47  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    511       33  
Treasury stock purchased
    (1,022 )     (1,736 )
Dividends paid
    (2,023 )     (1,920 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    (2,534 )     (3,623 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (799 )     710  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    958       248  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 159     $ 958  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during the year for:
               
Income taxes
  $ 5     $ 30  
 
   
 
     
 
 

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(15) Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

                                 
    2003
    March   June   September   December
    31
  30
  30
  31
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)                                
Interest and dividend income
  $ 5,662     $ 5,314     $ 4,977     $ 5,381  
Interest expense
    2,399       2,316       2,165       2,097  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income
    3,263       2,998       2,812       3,284  
Provision for loan losses
                       
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    3,263       2,998       2,812       3,284  
Non-interest income
    280       383       658       287  
Lawsuit judgment collected
                      1,996  
Non-interest expense
    2,672       2,372       2,417       2,277  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income before income tax
    871       1,009       1,053       3,290  
Income tax
    321       374       399       993  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 550     $ 635     $ 654     $ 2,297  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.13     $ 0.15     $ 0.16     $ 0.54  
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.13     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.52  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
                                 
    2002
    March   June   September   December
    31
  30
  30
  31
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)                                
Interest and dividend income
  $ 6,421     $ 6,480     $ 6,158     $ 6,079  
Interest expense
    3,103       2,936       2,923       2,603  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income
    3,318       3,544       3,235       3,476  
Provision for loan losses
                       
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    3,318       3,544       3,235       3,476  
Non-interest income
    429       349       323       392  
Non-interest expense
    2,459       2,601       2,529       2,566  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income before income tax
    1,288       1,292       1,029       1,302  
Income tax
    472       473       334       532  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 816     $ 819     $ 695     $ 770  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.19     $ 0.19     $ 0.16     $ 0.18  
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.18     $ 0.18     $ 0.15     $ 0.17  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

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Stockholders’ Information

The Company’s stock trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “LSBX”. Sales prices of the stock are reported in The Wall Street Journal as “LSXCorp”. Prior to July 1, 2001, the Bank’s common stock traded on the Nasdaq stock market under the symbol “LSBX”. Prices of the Bank’s common stock were reported in The Wall Street Journal as “LawrenceSvg”.

The following table sets forth for the fiscal periods indicated certain information with respect to the sales prices of the Company’s common stock.

                 
    Price
Fiscal Year
  High
  Low
2003
               
First Quarter
  $ 13.00     $ 12.01  
Second Quarter
    17.40       12.60  
Third Quarter
    17.52       15.31  
Fourth Quarter
    17.99       16.00  
2002
               
First Quarter
  $ 13.20     $ 12.00  
Second Quarter
    14.02       12.26  
Third Quarter
    14.00       12.00  
Fourth Quarter
    13.51       11.00  
2001
               
First Quarter
  $ 11.86     $ 9.81  
Second Quarter
    13.65       10.50  
Third Quarter
    14.00       9.81  
Fourth Quarter
    13.10       10.11  

The Company declared and paid a cash dividend of $0.48 per share ($0.12 in each quarter) during 2003. The Company expects to pay dividends during 2004.

On December 31, 2003 there were approximately 1,006 holders of common stock. This number does not reflect the number of persons or entities who hold their stock in nominee or “street” name through various brokerage firms.

The Annual Meeting of the stockholders of LSB Corporation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 at the Andover Country Club, Canterbury Street, Andover, Massachusetts.

Corporate Headquarters
LSB Corporation
30 Massachusetts Avenue
North Andover, MA 01845-3460

Mailing Address
30 Massachusetts Avenue
North Andover, MA 01845-3460

Investor Relations
Barbara A. Biondo
Telephone (978) 725-7556
Fax (978) 725-7593

A copy of the Company’s Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, is available without charge upon written request to Investor Relations.

Transfer Agent
EquiServe
P.O. Box 43010
Providence, RI 02940-3010

Independent Auditors
KPMG LLP
99 High Street
Boston, MA 02110

Legal Counsel
Goulston & Storrs, P.C.
400 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02110-3333

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Directors Of
LSB Corporation and
Lawrence Savings Bank

Eugene A. Beliveau, D.D.S.
Dentist

Kathleen Boshar Reynolds
Prudential/Howe and Doherty

Malcolm W. Brawn
Executive Vice President & Secretary
The Andover Companies

Thomas J. Burke
Chairman of the Board
Lawrence Savings Bank
Register of Deeds
Attorney

Byron R. Cleveland, Jr.
President
J. H. Horne & Sons

Neil H. Cullen
Chief Financial Officer
Phillips Academy

Richard Hart Harrington, CPA
Chairman
Gordon, Harrington & Osborn, P.C.

Robert F. Hatem
Business Consultant

Marsha A. McDonough
Education Consultant

Paul A. Miller
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Lawrence Savings Bank and
LSB Corporation

Officers of
LSB Corporation

Paul A. Miller
President and
Chief Executive Officer

John E. Sharland
Senior Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

Barbara A. Biondo
Secretary

Richard J. D’Ambrosio
Assistant Treasurer

Timothy L. Felter
Assistant Treasurer and
Investment Officer

Jeffrey W. Leeds
Assistant Treasurer

47


Table of Contents

Officers of
Lawrence Savings Bank

Paul A. Miller
President and
Chief Executive Officer

Barbara A. Biondo
Clerk

Carla M. Friedrich
Vice President and
Human Resources Officer

Robyn K. LeBuff
Vice President and
Marketing Officer

Brenda Miskinis
Assistant Vice President and
Marketing Officer

Lending Division
Jeffrey W. Leeds
Executive Vice President and
Chief Lending Officer

Commercial Banking
Jacob Kojalo
Senior Vice President and
Senior Lending Officer

Robert J. DeLuca
Vice President

Steven K. Ventre
Vice President

Scott P. McDuffee
Commercial Credit Officer

Commercial Real Estate Lending
Frederick P. Maloof
Vice President

Paul M. Vallace
Vice President

Credit Policy and Administration
Lee. D. Dickey
Senior Vice President

John P. Malynn
Vice President

Linda A. Bailey
Assistant Vice President and
Credit Administration Officer

Consumer Lending
Maureen McCarthy
Vice President and
Compliance/CRA Officer

Residential Mortgage Lending
John P. Teoli
Vice President

Susan M. Cain
Assistant Vice President and
Senior Mortgage Underwriter

Finance Division
John E. Sharland
Senior Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer

Linda M. Chase Borrelli
Vice President and Controller

Personal Banking Division
Timothy L. Felter
Executive Vice President and
Investment Officer

Gayle M. Fili
Vice President and Branch
Administration/Security Officer

Cheryl A. Parent
Vice President and
Branch Manager

Susan M. Dancause
Assistant Vice President and
Retirement Services Officer

Linda Buell
Assistant Vice President and
Branch Manager

Paul M. Frank
Branch Manager

Carrie Higginbottom
Branch Manager

Johanny Rodriguez
Branch Manager

Support Service Division
Richard J. D’Ambrosio
Senior Vice President

Carmela A. Cutuli
Vice President and
Loan Servicing Manager

Cheryl A. Vining
Vice President and
Deposit Servicing Manager

Stanley R.Ward, Jr.
Assistant Vice President

Laura LaVoie
Assistant Vice President
Senior Computer Network Engineer

46


Table of Contents

Corporate Headquarters
of LSB Corporation

30 Massachusetts Avenue
North Andover, MA 01845-3460
(978) 725-7500

Banking Offices of
Lawrence Savings Bank

Main Office:
30 Massachusetts Avenue
North Andover, MA 01845-3460
(978) 725-7500
Fax: (978) 725-7607

Branch Offices:
342 North Main Street
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 725-7590

300 Essex Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
(978) 725-7530

20 Jackson Street
Methuen, MA 01844
(978) 725-7545

148 Lowell Street
Methuen, MA 01844
(978) 725-7570

Lawrence Savings Bank
24 Hour Information
Phone: (978) 725-7700

Remote ATM Location:

36 Knipe Road
Haverhill, MA 01835

www.LawrenceSavings.com

Member
FDIC

Member
DIF

     
  This Annual Report is printed on recycled paper. LSBCM-AR-03
EX-14 4 b48778lcexv14.htm EX-14 CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT EX-14 CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
 

Exhibit 14

LSB CORPORATION/LAWRENCE SAVINGS BANK
CODE OF PROFESSIIONAL CONDUCT

Table of Contents

             
I.
  Statement of Purpose     2  
II.
  Conduct of Personal Affairs     2  
III.
  Conflict of Interest     2  
 
(a) Insider Transactions     2  
 
(b) Role of Personal Friendship and Family Ties in the Conduct of Corporation/Bank Business     2  
 
(c) Reciprocity with other Financial Institutions     3  
 
(d) Borrowing from Customers or Vendors     3  
IV.
  Professional Conduct     3  
 
(a) Confidential Information     3  
 
(b) Disclosure to Auditors and Examiners     3  
 
(c) The Giving and Receipt of Gifts     3  
 
(d) Entertainment     3  
 
(e) Disclosure of Corporate News and Information     4  
 
(f) Release of Lists of Customers' Names     4  
 
(g) Recommending Firms and Services to Customers     4  
 
(h) Legal, Tax or Investment Advise     4  
 
(i) Fee for Speeches or Articles     4  
 
(j) Major Civil or Criminal Proceedings     4  
V.
  Outside Activities     4  
 
(a) External Employment and Affiliations that may Conflict with Corporation/Bank Business     4  
 
(b) Charitable Contributions     5  
 
(c) Involvement in Political Activities     5  
VI.
  Bank Resources     5  
 
(a) Use of Corporation/Bank Resources for Personal Needs     5  
 
(b) Purchase of Assets from the Corporation/Bank     5  
VII.
  Loans to Officers or Directors     6  
VIII.
  Information Disclosure     6  
IX.
  Accountability     6  
 
(a) Violation and Internal Reporting     6  
 
(b) Waivers     6  
 
(c) Investigations     6  
X.
  Code Changes     7  

-1-


 

LSB CORPORATION/LAWRENCE SAVINGS BANK
CODE OF PROFESSIIONAL CONDUCT

I.   Statement of Purpose

Our Corporation/Bank is a public trust that is dependent on the confidence of our customers, depositors, and the community at large. The people and institutions we serve have a right to expect that all those associated with the Corporation/Bank will fulfill their professional responsibilities and conduct their personal affairs in accordance with high ethical standards and with a total commitment to the maintenance of public confidence, respect and trust.

Given the importance of this fundamental concept and in recognition of the need to develop a common understanding of its implications, the Directors have adopted the following code as a guide for all Corporation/Bank Officers, Directors and employees (“Company Personnel” or “Company Persons”). The code is not a reiteration of those behavioral prohibitions and restrictions contained in current law and regulation. Rather, the code focuses on some of the more sensitive issues that are subject to individual judgment, in addition to our general obligation to abide by all applicable law and regulation. It is designed to complement existing personnel policies and current law. In addition, the code recognizes the fact that the appearance of inappropriate conduct can be just as harmful to the Corporation/Bank’s reputation as actual misconduct.

All Company Personnel are expected to subscribe, not only to the provisions of the code, but also to the spirit in which it is being presented. Questions concerning any aspect of the code should be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation/Bank or, if you prefer, to your manager.

II.   Conduct of Personal Affairs

In the business of banking, personal integrity must be considered a basic measure of the professional competence of management and the Corporation/Bank as a whole. To deny or ignore this special requirement could seriously jeopardize LSB Corporation/Lawrence Savings Bank’s most important strength – the confidence and respect of customers, employees and depositors.

In judging personal integrity, the banking public will not only be aware of our professional behavior but will also rate our personal conduct. It is vital, therefore, that all Company Personnel conduct their professional affairs, including financial matters, in a manner that will serve to enhance their leadership credibility and the Corporation/Bank’s reputation in the community.

III.   Conflict of Interest

(a)   Insider Transactions

If any Company Person (or a member of the immediate family) has a personal or professional financial interest, either direct or indirect, in a Bank loan, purchase, sale, or investment decision, the individual must disclose the interest and disqualify himself or herself from participating in the transaction. In addition, the individual must not, either directly or indirectly, attempt to influence those who make the decision. All such insider transactions, regardless of amount, shall be recorded and maintained on file by the clerk/secretary.

(b)   Role of Personal Friendship and Family Ties in the Conduct of Corporation/Bank Business

Company Personnel shall not use their positions with the Corporation/Bank to obtain or seek to obtain personal favors from other persons or institutions for themselves, family members of personal friends.

-2-


 

(c)   Reciprocity with other Financial Institutions

Under no circumstances will the Corporation/Bank be a party to a formal or informal reciprocal arrangement with any other financial institution for the purpose of providing personal benefit or gain to any Company Person that is not available to the general public.

(d)   Borrowing from Customers or Vendors

Borrowing from customers or vendors is prohibited except from those firms that normally engage in lending as a primary business function. When borrowing from such a firm, a Company Person must not accept more favorable personal loan terms than are available to the general public. In addition, any personal loan must not be preconditioned on any reciprocal agreements involving the Corporation/Bank of bank business. This policy prohibits implicit as well as explicit arrangements.

IV.   Professional Conduct

(a)   Confidential Information

Confidential information about Corporation/Bank’s shareholders, customers and suppliers acquired by any Company Person through affiliation with the Corporation/Bank is considered to be privileged and must be held in the strictest confidence. It is to be used solely for corporation purposes and not as a basis for personal gain. Except for normal credit reporting procedures and properly documenting legal demands, such information shall not be transmitted to persons outside the Corporation/Bank, including family or associates, or even to others within the Corporation/Bank who do not need to know such information in discharging their duties. The restrictions in this paragraph shall also apply to the reports and statements prepared for use in the Corporation/Bank’s business and not generally released.

(b)   Disclosure to Auditors and Examiners

Questions put by the Corporation/Bank’s outside independent auditors, members of our internal audit division, or state and federal examiners shall be responded to candidly, and no adverse data in response to a question shall be concealed. In addition, Company Personnel have an obligation to offer any other information which may help the auditors or examiners prepare a proper evaluation.

(c)   The Giving and Receipt of Gifts

Company Personnel must decide conscientiously whether or not acceptance of a gift or benefit from a Corporation/Bank shareholder, customer or supplier will give rise to a feeling of obligation or will cause misinterpretation. As a general rule, gifts of nominal value that constitute tokens which serve as general advertising may be accepted. Any gift of significant value should be politely refused. A gift of money should never be accepted regardless of the amount. This policy also pertains to the receipt of gifts by members of the immediate family of any Company Person.

No Company Person may give a gift of other than nominal value to a recipient if the relationship between the donor and recipient was created through a banking transaction.

(d)   Entertainment

Company Personnel may engage in reasonable business-related entertainment of nominal value, such as lunches, dinners, etc. Significant entertainment expense for any one person or firm is to be avoided whether the expense is attributable to infrequent, expensive affairs or frequent, nominally expensive occasions. In accepting entertainment, Company Personnel must decide conscientiously whether or not the result will give rise to a feeling of obligation or cause misinterpretation. Accepting significant entertainment from any one person or firm is to be avoided.

-3-


 

(e)   Disclosure of Corporate News and Information

Financial information about the Corporation/Bank is not to be released to any person not officially authorized to have such information unless it has been published in official Corporation/Bank reports or otherwise made generally available to the public in accordance with applicable regulations. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the Chief Executive Officer.

All Company Personnel should be sensitive to the problems which could result by the premature release of confidential information related to Corporation/Bank activities or the Corporation/Bank’s future plans.

(f)   Release of Lists of Customers’ Names

Lists of customer names may not be released in any form.

(g)   Recommending Firms and Services to Customers

Company Personnel should not recommend attorneys, accountants, insurance brokers or agents, stockbrokers, real estate agents and the like to customers unless in every case several names are given without indicating favoritism.

(h)   Legal, Tax or Investment Advise

No Company Person should provide advice to customers on matters concerning the law, taxes, the preparation of tax returns or investment decisions, except, in the case of Directors, as may be required in the ordinary course of his or her duties or profession.

(i)   Fee for Speeches or Articles

Company Personnel should not accept fees for speeches made or articles written in conjunction with official Corporation/Bank business. If fees are offered, they should be given to the Corporation/Bank.

(j)   Major Civil or Criminal Proceedings

Should any Company Person become involved in a major civil or criminal proceeding that might prove embarrassing to the Corporation/Bank, the Chief Executive Officer should be notified immediately.

V.   Outside Activities

(a)   External Employment and Affiliations that may Conflict with Corporation/Bank Business

Company Personnel must obtain prior approval for contemplated outside employment from their division head or the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. Approval normally will be given unless such outside employment is not consistent with the best interests of the Corporation/Bank. In no instance should a Company Person engage in any outside employment or affiliation which may reasonably subject the Corporation/Bank to criticism or adverse publicity, or which will encroach on Corporation/Bank working time or necessitate such long hours as to affect his or her physical or mental effectiveness with the Corporation/Bank.

Any Director who serves on an outside board of directors should abstain from Board votes on matters that affect the business of the Corporation/Bank.

Under no circumstances shall any Company Person engage in any lending or other activity competitive with those services offered by the Corporation/Bank without the prior approval of the Board of Directors of the Corporation/Bank.

-4-


 

By the same token, it is generally not acceptable for any Company Person to (1) prepare, audit, or certify for any third party statements or documents upon which the Corporation/Bank might rely for lending or other purposes; (2) render investment counsel or other advice based upon information, reports, or analyses that are accessible primarily from or through bank employment; or (3) render professional services for any Corporation/Bank vendor or customer.

(b)   Charitable Contributions

Charitable contributions in terms of both time and money by Company Personnel are encouraged. The Corporation/Bank will not reimburse Company Personnel for financial contributions, but will authorize the use of Bank time and facilities for reasonable charitable involvement with, in the case of Officers and employees, approval of the appropriate major department head, Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of the Board.

(c)   Involvement in Political Activities

Corporation/Bank facilities, equipment, and supplies may not be used by or on behalf of any political party or candidate. Federal and state laws prohibit or restrict these kinds of corporate non-monetary contributions as well as corporate financial contributions.

Officers and employees may engage in political activities (for example: campaign treasurer) provided these activities are not conducted on Bank time, and provided that they are done as individuals and not as representatives of the Corporation/Bank. The Corporation/Bank itself may not be placed on record as favoring or opposing any political party or candidate.

The Corporation/Bank will not reimburse Company Personnel for political contributions.

Officers and employees who wish to run for major elective office must obtain the approval of the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank.

The Corporation/Bank may make political loans in connection with campaigns provided the loans are made in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and within the constraints of normal bank underwriting requirements.

VI.   Bank Resources

(a)   Use of Corporation/Bank Resources for Personal Needs

As a general rule, Corporation/Bank resources may not be used for personal needs. However, Company Personnel who donate their time and energy in support of charitable or socially desirable projects which will reflect credit on the Corporation/Bank may make reasonable use of bank resources such as occasional secretarial assistance, use of community rooms, etc. Under no circumstances is Corporation/Bank property to be removed from the appropriate office.

(b)   Purchase of Assets from the Corporation/Bank

Sale of assets to Officers and Directors are subject to the Massachusetts Statute of Banks and Banking, Chapter 168, Sections 19 & 20.

These sections require the prior approval of the Board of Directors.

Officers and Directors may purchase assets, except assets acquired as a result of collection of a loan or being sold by the Corporation/Bank at fair market value as determined by the Chief Financial Officer.

-5-


 

The sale of a Corporation/Bank asset acquired as a result of collection of a loan needs the prior approval of the Chief Executive Officer.

VII.   Loans to Officers or Directors

All loans to Officers and/or Directors and especially those to policy making Officers, members of the Corporation/Bank’s Board of Directors and/or other business entities over which they exercise any degree of control are subject to Chapter 168, Section 19 and Chapter 172, Section 18 of The Massachusetts Statute on Banks and Banking, and Section 337 of the FDIC Rules and Regulations, and to the restrictions contained in subpart A of Federal Reserve Bank Regulation O.

All loans to Officers and Directors are to be made in accordance with Section 8 of the Bank’s Credit Policy Manual.

Officers who are authorized or who do make investment transactions will report annually in writing to the Board of Directors of the Bank a list of brokers or banks with which they have made transactions for their own account. They do not have to describe the transaction, only who they have done business with and how many transactions. The required reporting date will be at the regularly scheduled September Board meeting.

(The currently authorized Officers who effect security transactions are Messrs. Miller, Leeds and Felter.)

VIII.   Information Disclosure

The Corporation/Bank’s public communications and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, bank regulators and other governmental authorities should be full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable.

Without limiting any other requirements of this code, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller and any other person acting in a similar capacity is expected by the Corporation/Bank to

-   Act honestly and objectively and with integrity and diligence
 
-   Avoid actual and apparent conflicts of interest in personal and professional relationships
 
-   Will timely provide information in an understandable fashion that is full, fair and accurate
 
-   Comply in good faith with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations

IX.   Accountability

(a)   Violation and Internal Reporting

Violations of this code, including failure to report potential violations by others, is a serious matter that may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment. If any Company Person believes that a violation of this code has occurred, he or she should notify promptly the Chief Executive Officer, any Executive Vice President, the Head of Personnel or a member of the Audit Committee of the Corporation’s Board. The notification will be handled in a sensitive and appropriate manner. No Company Person will be subject to retaliation for raising, in good faith, legitimate concerns or questions about possible violations of this code. Anonymous reports are welcome. Knowingly false reports will be subject to disciplinary action.

(b)   Waivers

Any waiver of this code for Directors or executive officers may be made only by the Board of Directors of the Corporation and must be promptly disclosed to the Corporation’s stockholders, along with the reasons for the waiver. The Board of Directors will consider requests for waivers on a case by case basis and reserves the right to grant or deny such a request in its sole discretion.

-6-


 

(c)   Investigations

Appropriate departmental personnel will investigate objectively allegations of violations of the code or other wrongdoing. Depending on the circumstances, alleged violations will be reported to the Corporation’s Board of Directors (or, as appropriate, to the Audit Committee) or to applicable authorities. Company Personnel are expected to cooperate fully with both internal and external investigations. Unless specifically authorized by the Chief Executive Officer or the Audit Committee, Company Personnel must maintain the confidentiality of any investigation and all related documentation. The Corporation/Bank may determine, in its sole discretion, the nature, manner and extent of any disciplinary action.

X.   Code Changes

The Corporation/Bank may modify this code in any manner in its sole discretion and without notice.

(Revised 3/25/04)

-7-

EX-20 5 b48778lcexv20.htm EX-20 2004 PROXY STATEMENT EX-20 2004 PROXY STATEMENT
 

March 31, 2004

(LSB CORPORATION LETTERHEAD)

Dear LSB Corporation Stockholders:

      You are cordially invited to attend LSB Corporation’s (the “Company”) Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Andover Country Club, 60 Canterbury Street, Andover, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 at 10:00 a.m.

      Accompanying this letter are the official Notice of Annual Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card. The matters listed in the Notice of Annual Meeting are described in detail in the proxy statement. At this year’s Annual Meeting, we are asking stockholders to elect three Class B Directors, each to a three-year term.

      Every stockholder’s vote is important to us. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting in person, we urge you to submit your proxy as soon as possible. You may submit your proxy by completing the enclosed proxy card and mailing it to the Company in the envelope provided. For stockholders mailing from within the United States, the postage is prepaid. Please complete and submit your proxy even if you plan to attend the meeting in person.

      We look forward to seeing those of you who are able to attend the meeting in person.

  Sincerely,
 
  -s- Paul A. Miller
 
  PAUL A. MILLER
  President and Chief Executive Officer


 

LSB CORPORATION

30 Massachusetts Avenue
North Andover, Massachusetts 01845
(978) 725-7500

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on May 4, 2004

Dear Stockholder of LSB Corp.:

      Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of LSB Corporation (the “Company”) will be held at 10:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 at the Andover Country Club, 60 Canterbury Street, Andover, Massachusetts, for the following purposes:

        1. To elect three Class B Directors for a three-year term.
 
        2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

      Pursuant to the By-Laws, the Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 5, 2004 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

      The above matters are described in detail in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

  By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
  BARBARA A. BIONDO
  Clerk

March 31, 2004

      PURSUANT TO RULES OF THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (12 C.F.R. PART 350) AND THE REQUIREMENT THAT LAWRENCE SAVINGS BANK MAKE AVAILABLE ITS ANNUAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT, ANY PERSON, UPON REQUEST, IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A COPY OF THE 2003 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMPANY ON FORM 10-K AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (the “SEC”). TO RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS REPORT WITHOUT CHARGE, PLEASE WRITE TO: BARBARA A. BIONDO, CLERK, LSB CORPORATION, 30 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS 01845.

      WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE COMPLETE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. IF YOU DO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING AND DESIRE TO WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON, YOU MAY DO SO.


 

LSB CORPORATION

30 Massachusetts Avenue
North Andover, Massachusetts 01845
(978) 725-7500

PROXY STATEMENT

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on May 4, 2004

       This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card are furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of LSB Corporation (the “Company”) for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at the Andover Country Club, 60 Canterbury Street, Andover, Massachusetts at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 and any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Annual Meeting”).

      At the Annual Meeting, stockholders of the Company will be asked to consider and vote upon the following matters:

        1. To elect three Class B Directors, each for a three-year term to continue until the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders in the year 2007 and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
 
        2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

      This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy are first being mailed to stockholders of the Company on or about March 31, 2004 in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Company for the Annual Meeting.

The Company

      The Company is a one-bank holding company principally conducting business through Lawrence Savings Bank (the “Bank”). On July 1, 2001, the Company and the Bank completed a reorganization (the “Reorganization”) in which the Bank became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, the Company adopted the Shareholder Rights and Stock Option Plans of the Bank, and each issued and outstanding share of common stock of the Bank (and accompanying preferred stock purchase rights under the Shareholder Rights Plan) was converted into and exchanged for one share of common stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Company and accompanying preferred stock purchase rights under the Shareholder Rights Plan (the “Common Stock”).

      For purposes of this Proxy Statement, unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to the Company shall be deemed to be a reference to the Company and the Bank.

Record Date; Voting

      The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 5, 2004 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Record Date”). Holders of Common Stock at the Record Date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. At the Record


 

Date, the Company had Common Stock of 4,512,442 shares issued, of which 4,293,142 shares were outstanding and entitled to vote. Each such outstanding share is entitled to one vote at the Annual Meeting.

Quorum and Stockholder Vote Required

      The presence, in person or by proxy, of at least a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. The affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of Common Stock present or represented by proxy and voting is required to elect each of the three (3) nominees for Class B Directors.

      Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. A “broker non-vote” is a proxy from a broker or other nominee indicating that such person has not received instructions from the beneficial owner or other person entitled to vote the shares on a particular matter with respect to which the broker or other nominee does not have discretionary voting power. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of votes cast for a proposal.

Proxies

      Stockholders of the Company are requested to complete, date, sign, and promptly return the accompanying proxy in the enclosed envelope. Common Stock represented by properly executed proxies received by the Company and not revoked will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions contained therein. If instructions are not given therein, properly executed proxies will be voted FOR the election of the three (3) nominees for Class B Directors listed in the Proxy Statement.

      Although it is anticipated that all the nominees for Director will be available to serve as Directors if elected, should any one or more of them be unable to serve, proxies may be voted for the election of a substitute nominee or nominees. It is not anticipated that any matters other than the election of three Class B Directors will be presented at the Annual Meeting. If other matters are presented, proxies will be voted in accordance with the discretion of the proxy holders.

      Any properly completed proxy may be revoked at any time before it is voted by giving written notice of such revocation to the Clerk of the Company, or by signing and duly delivering a proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a proxy.

      The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. Morrow & Co. has been retained to assist in the solicitation process and will be compensated in the estimated amount of $4,000.00. After the initial mailing of this Proxy Statement, officers and regular employees of the Company may solicit proxies personally, by telephone or by facsimile without additional compensation. The Company intends to request banks, brokers and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries who hold Common Stock for beneficial owners to forward the proxy materials to the beneficial owners and to obtain authorizations for the execution of proxies, and will reimburse such institutions and persons for their reasonable expenses.

      The Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders, including financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, is being mailed to stockholders of record of the Company concurrently with this Proxy Statement. The Annual Report, however, is not part of the proxy soliciting material. ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMPANY ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003, AS FILED WITH THE SEC (WITHOUT EXHIBITS), ARE AVAIL-

2


 

ABLE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, WITHOUT CHARGE, FROM THE COMPANY. SUCH REQUESTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO: BARBARA A. BIONDO, CLERK, LSB CORPORATION, 30 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS 01845, ATTENTION: SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS.

3


 

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF A CLASS OF DIRECTORS

      The Board of Directors of the Company currently comprises ten members divided into three classes, Classes A, B and C. Classes A and B consist of three members each. Class C consists of four members. The Directors in each class serve a term of three years, with the terms of the various classes expiring in different years and when the Directors’ successors are duly elected and qualified.

      At the Annual Meeting, three Class B Directors will be elected to serve until the Annual Meeting of stockholders of the Company in the year 2007 and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The Board of Directors has nominated Malcolm W. Brawn, Neil H. Cullen, and Richard Hart Harrington as Class B Directors (each, a “Nominee,” collectively, the “Nominees”). Each of the Nominees is currently serving as a Director of the Company. Unless authority to do so has been withheld or limited in a proxy, it is the intention of the persons named as proxies to vote the shares to which the proxy relates FOR the election of the Nominees to the Board of Directors.

      The Board of Directors anticipates that each of the Nominees will stand for election and serve, if elected, as a Director. However, if any person nominated by the Board of Directors fails to stand for election, the proxies will be voted for the election of such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may recommend.

      The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” each of the nominees.

INFORMATION REGARDING DIRECTORS

      The following table sets forth, for each of the three (3) Nominees for election as Class B Director at the Annual Meeting, the Nominee’s name and, as of February 28, 2004, the Nominee’s age and the date from which the Nominee has served as a Director of the Company and, prior to the Reorganization, the Bank. Similar information is provided for continuing Class A and Class C Directors (each, a “Continuing Director,” collectively, the “Continuing Directors”) whose terms do not expire until the annual meetings of the stockholders of the Company in 2005 and 2006, respectively, and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each Nominee and Continuing Director has served as a director of the Company since July 1, 2001,

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the effective date of the Reorganization (the “Effective Date”). Prior to the Effective Date, each Nominee and Continuing Director served as a Director of the Bank.
                   
Trustee or
Director
Names of Nominees and Continuing Directors Age Since



 
Nominees for Class B Directorships (Term expiring 2007)
               
Malcolm W. Brawn
    64       1991  
Neil H. Cullen
    61       1991  
Richard Hart Harrington
    67       1995  
 
Continuing Directors Class A (Term expiring 2006)
               
Thomas J. Burke
    63       1985  
Marsha A. McDonough
    60       1993  
Kathleen Boshar Reynolds
    48       1991  
 
Continuing Directors Class C (Term expiring 2005)
               
Eugene A. Beliveau
    73       1978  
Byron R. Cleveland, Jr.
    72       1968  
Robert F. Hatem
    68       1974  
Paul A. Miller
    64       1989  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OF NOMINEES AND CONTINUING DIRECTORS

      Eugene A. Beliveau, practicing dentist in North Andover, Massachusetts.

      Malcolm W. Brawn, Executive Vice President and Secretary of The Andover Companies, Andover, Massachusetts, a property and casualty insurance company.

      Thomas J. Burke, Register of Deeds of Essex County, Massachusetts and attorney.

      Byron R. Cleveland, Jr., President of J.H. Horne & Sons, Lawrence, Massachusetts, a manufacturer of paper mill machinery.

      Neil H. Cullen, Chief Financial Officer of Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, a private secondary school.

      Richard Hart Harrington, CPA, Chairman, Gordon, Harrington & Osborn, P.C., certified public accountants, North Andover, Massachusetts.

      Robert F. Hatem, Business Consultant, Lowell, Massachusetts.

      Marsha A. Mcdonough, Education Consultant, Falmouth, MA.

      Paul A. Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank.

      Kathleen Boshar Reynolds, Sales Manager, Prudential Howe & Doherty, Andover, Massachusetts, a real estate brokerage company.

      Each of the Nominees and Continuing Directors has held such position(s) for five or more years with the exceptions of Robert F. Hatem, who has held his present position since October 2002, and previously was Executive Assistant to the President, Northern Essex Community College, Lawrence/ Haverhill, Massachu-

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setts; Kathleen Boshar Reynolds, who has held her present position since October 2002, and was previously Sales Manager DeWolfe Companies, North Andover, Massachusetts between July 2000 and October 2002 and previously Executive Director, Residential Association of Realtors, Greater Boston Real Estate Board, Boston, Massachusetts; and Marsha A. McDonough, who has held her present position since December 2003, and previously was Regional Education Officer, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. between August and November 2000, and prior to August 2000 served as Associate Dean, Endicott College, Beverly, Massachusetts.

The Board of Directors and its Committees

      The following sets forth certain information concerning the Board of Directors of the Company. The Board of Directors of the Company held 5 meetings in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. Each Continuing Director and Nominee attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings held by the Board and all committees of the Board on which such Director served during the period of such Director’s service in 2003. The Board of Directors of the Company has determined that each Continuing Director and Nominee is independent as defined in the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (the “NASD”) Independence Rules (the “NASD Independence Rules”) other than Paul A. Miller, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. It is the policy of the Company that all Directors should attend each annual meeting of stockholders. All of the Continuing Directors and Nominees attended the Company’s last annual meeting of stockholders held on May 6, 2003.

      The Company’s Board of Directors has not established a formal process for stockholders to send communications to the Board of Directors and individual Directors. However, the names of all Directors are available to stockholders in this proxy statement. If the Company receives any stockholder communication intended for the full Board of Directors or any individual Director, the Company will forward the communication to the full Board of Directors or the individual Director, unless the communication is clearly of a marketing nature or is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly inappropriate, in which case the Company has the authority to discard the communications or take appropriate legal action regarding the communication.

      The Board of Directors of the Company has six standing committees: an Executive Committee, a Nominating Committee, a Stock Option Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Community Affairs Committee and an Audit Committee.

 
Executive Committee

      The members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Burke (Chairman), Beliveau, Brawn, and Miller (President & CEO) plus two additional Board members on a rotating basis. The rotating members of the Executive Committee are drawn from the six other Directors not listed in the preceding sentence. The Executive Committee is vested with authority of the Board on most matters between meetings of the Board. The Executive Committee held no meetings in 2003.

 
Nominating Committee

      The members of the Nominating Committee are Messrs. Burke (Chairman), Beliveau and Brawn, all of whom are independent of the Company as defined under the NASD Independence Rules. The Nominating Committee met two times in 2003.

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      The Nominating Committee is primarily responsible for identifying, evaluating and recommending individuals for nomination or appointment to the Board of Directors of the Company. In March, 2004, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a Nominating Committee charter, which sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Nominating Committee. The charter is reviewed annually by the Nominating Committee. A copy of the Nominating Committee’s charter is attached hereto as Appendix A.

      Pursuant to the charter, the Nominating Committee’s process for identifying and evaluating nominees is as follows: (1) in the case of an incumbent director whose term of office is set to expire, the Nominating Committee reviews such director’s overall service to the Company during such term, including the director’s attendance record at meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company and committees of the Board of Directors of the Company on which the director may serve, the director’s tenure as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and the quality of the director’s performance on the Board of Directors of the Company and (2) in the case of new Director candidates, the Nominating Committee first conducts an appropriate inquiry into the backgrounds and qualifications of possible candidates in relation to the identified needs of the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee meets to discuss and consider such candidates’ qualifications, and then selects a candidate for recommendation to the Board of Directors. While the Nominating Committee presently makes decisions by consensus, in the event of disagreement, the Nominating Committee acts by majority vote. With respect to new Director candidates, the Nominating Committee may consider the following factors: a candidate’s reputation, integrity, independence (as defined under the NASD Independence Rules), knowledge, judgement, skills and prior experience (business, professional and otherwise), record of public or community service and connections with or contributions to the local community served by the Bank. Any candidate recommended by the Nominating Committee to the Board of Directors of the Company for nomination must also comply with all applicable eligibility requirements set forth in the Company’s By-Laws. The Nominating Committee has authority under its charter to hire and pay a fee to consultants or search firms to assist in the process of identifying and evaluating candidates. During the period since the 2003 Annual Meeting of stockholders, no such consultants or search firms have been used and, accordingly, no fees have been paid to consultants or search firms.

      A stockholder of the Company may nominate one or more individuals for election to the Board of Directors of the Company so long as (a) such stockholder submits a timely written notification to the Clerk of the Company in accordance with the informational requirements discussed below and the notice procedures described in this Proxy Statement under the heading “STOCKHOLDERS PROPOSALS AT 2005 ANNUAL MEETING” (page 23) and (b) the candidate or candidates nominated satisfy the eligibility requirements relative to director qualifications set forth in the Company’s By-Laws. The Nominating Committee will not evaluate the qualifications of such a nominee based on the selection criteria that the Nominating Committee applies to review individuals that it identifies as possible candidates for the Board of Directors of the Company. Rather, the Nominating Committee will review any nomination submitted by a stockholder of the Company solely for the purpose of confirming compliance with the various requirements discussed herein. If the Nominating Committee determines that a nomination made by a stockholder of the Company does not comply with the applicable standards in any material respect, then the Nominating Committee by majority vote may reject such stockholder nomination. If the Nominating Committee determines that a stockholder nominee complies with all applicable requirements, then such nominee will be identified in the Company’s proxy statement as a stockholder nominee for election as a Director at the Annual Meeting.

      Any stockholder nomination must contain the following information: (1) the nominee’s name, age, business address, residence address, principal occupation or employment, the class and number of shares of

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the Company’s capital stock the nominee beneficially owns and any other information relating to the nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations thereunder; and (2) as to the stockholder proposing such nominee, that stockholder’s name and address, the class and number of shares of the Company’s capital stock the stockholder beneficially owns (and similar stock information with respect to any other stockholder known by such stockholder to be supporting such nominee on the date of such stockholder notice), a description of all arrangements and understandings between the stockholder and the nominee or any other person (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination is made, a representation that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting of stockholders to nominate the person named in its notice and any other information relating to the stockholder that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The notice must also be accompanied by a written consent of the proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

      No stockholder nominations were received by the Nominating Committee in connection with the 2004 Annual Meeting.

 
Stock Option Committee

      The members of the Stock Option Committee are Messrs. Burke (Chairman), Beliveau and Brawn. The Stock Option Committee administers the Company’s stock option plans. The Stock Option Committee held no meetings in 2003.

 
Community Affairs Committee

      The members of the Community Affairs Committee are Messrs. Hatem (Chairman) and Miller. The Community Affairs Committee reviews and approves requests for contributions from non-profit organizations. The Community Affairs Committee held no meetings in 2003.

 
Compensation Committee

      The members of the Compensation Committee of the Bank are Messrs. Burke (Chairman), Beliveau and Brawn, all of whom have been determined by the Board of Directors to be “independent” as defined in the NASD Independence Rules. Prior to March, 2004, the sole responsibility of the Compensation Committee was to prepare an annual appraisal of the performance of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and recommend the annual compensation and benefits for the Chief Executive Officer to the Company’s Board of Directors for the approval of the Board. The Board of Directors recently expanded the duties of the Compensation Committee to include reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the annual compensation and benefits of all the executive officers of the Company. The Compensation Committee met six times in 2003.

 
Audit Committee

      The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Beliveau (Chairman), Cleveland, Hatem and Harrington, all of whom have been determined by the Board of Directors to be “independent” as defined in the NASD Independence Rules and Rule 10A-3 promulgated by the SEC under Section 10A(m)(3) of the Exchange Act. Recently, the Audit Committee recommended and the Board of Directors approved a revised

8


 

Audit Committee Charter, a copy of which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix B. The Audit Committee is primarily responsible for overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company, the audits of the financial statements of the Company and the appointment and oversight of the Company’s internal and independent auditors. In addition, the Audit Committee must pre-approve any non-audit services provided to the Company by the Company’s independent auditors. The charter of the Audit Committee is reviewed annually and updated as necessary by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has determined that Richard Hart Harrington is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined in Item 401 of Regulation S-K, as promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee held five meetings in 2003.

Audit Committee Report

      The Audit Committee is organized and conducts its business pursuant to a charter approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, a copy of which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix B. As more specifically set forth in the charter, the Audit Committee is primarily responsible for overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company, the audits of the financial statements of the Company and the appointment and oversight of the Company’s internal and independent auditors. In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit Committee:

  •  discussed and considered the independence of KPMG LLP, reviewing as necessary all relationships and services which might bear on KPMG LLP’s independence as outside auditor;
 
  •  received written affirmation from KPMG LLP that it is, in fact, independent;
 
  •  discussed the overall audit process, receiving and reviewing all reports of KPMG LLP;
 
  •  involved KPMG LLP in the Audit Committee’s review of the Company’s financial statements and related reports with management;
 
  •  provided to KPMG LLP access to the Audit Committee and the full Board of Directors to report on all appropriate matters; and
 
  •  discussed with KPMG LLP all matters required under auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America to be reviewed.

      The Audit Committee met with selected members of management and KPMG LLP to review financial statements (including quarterly reports), discussing such matters as the quality of earnings; estimates, reserves and accruals; the suitability of accounting principles; financial reporting decisions requiring a high degree of judgment; and audit adjustments, whether or not recorded.

      The Audit Committee appointed KPMG LLP as the Company’s outside auditor for the period ended December 31, 2004.

      In addition, the Committee considered the quality and adequacy of the Company’s internal controls, the status of pending litigation, taxation matters and such other areas of oversight of the Company’s financial reporting and audit process as the Audit Committee felt appropriate.

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      Based upon its work and the information received in the inquiries outlined above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Company’s Board of Directors that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

  Respectfully submitted,
 
  EUGENE A. BELIVEAU (CHAIRMAN)
  BYRON R. CLEVELAND, JR.
  ROBERT F. HATEM
  RICHARD HART HARRINGTON

Compensation of Directors

      The members of the Board of Directors of the Company who serve on the Executive Committee, except for the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Mr. Miller, currently receive an annual retainer of $15,865 plus a fee of $425 for each Executive Committee and Board meeting attended plus a fee of $835 for each other Committee meeting attended (other than meetings of the Executive Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating Committee and Stock Option Committee). The Chairman of the Board of Directors receives an annual retainer of $18,240 plus a fee of $480 for each board and committee meeting attended, except conferences and training meetings outside of the Company for which the fee is $835. Each Director of the Company other than members of the Executive Committee receives an annual retainer of $9,200 plus a fee of $425 for each Board or Committee meeting attended. Each Director receives a fee of $835 for all conferences and training meetings attended outside the Company. Mr. Miller does not receive any separate compensation for service as a Director or as a member of any of the Committees of the Board of Directors.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

      The following table sets forth, for each of the executive officers of the Company, as of February 28, 2004 each such person’s name, age and position or office held with the Company and the Bank as well as other biographical information. Each of the listed executive officers is employed by the Bank under the terms and conditions of certain employment agreements. In connection with the Reorganization, the Company assumed

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joint contractual responsibility as employer under each of these agreements. See “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION — Employment Agreements” (page 13).
             
Name Position Age



Paul A. Miller
  Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank     64  
Jeffrey W. Leeds(1)
  Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of the Bank, Assistant Treasurer of the Company     64  
Timothy L. Felter(2)
  Executive Vice President, Personal Banking and Investment Officer of the Bank, Assistant Treasurer of the Company     43  
John E. Sharland(3)
  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company and the Bank     41  
Richard J. D’Ambrosio(4)
  Senior Vice President, Support Services Operations of the Bank, Assistant Treasurer of the Company     56  


(1)  Jeffrey W. Leeds, who joined the Bank in 1987, has been its Chief Lending Officer since 1988. He was appointed Assistant Treasurer of the Company in July 2001.
 
(2)  Timothy L. Felter, who joined the Bank in 1990, was appointed Senior Vice President of the Bank in 1993, Senior Vice President, Department Manager of Residential Lending in 1994, Investment Officer in 1995 and Executive Vice President, Personal Banking, and Investment Officer in January 1999. He was appointed Assistant Treasurer of the Company in July 2001.
 
(3)  John E. Sharland, who joined the Bank in 1992, was appointed Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 1994, Senior Vice President in 1998 and Senior Vice President, CFO and Treasurer in January 1999. He was appointed Senior Vice President, CFO and Treasurer of the Company in March 2001.
 
(4)  Richard J. D’Ambrosio, who joined the Bank in 1983, was elected Vice President of Servicing in 1986 and Senior Vice President of Support Services/ Operations in 1998. He was appointed Assistant Treasurer of the Company in July 2001.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

      The following table sets forth for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 certain information concerning the compensation paid or accrued to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the other executive officers of the Company whose total salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 during the year ended December 31, 2003, for services rendered in all capacities to the Company (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”).

Summary Compensation Table

                                           
Long Term
Compensation

Awards

Securities
Underlying
Annual Compensation Options/ All Other
Year Ended
SARs Compensation
Name and Principal Position December 31, Salary Bonus (#) ($)






(a) (b) (c) (d) (g) (i)
Paul A. Miller
    2003     $ 350,601     $ 0       0     $ 151,706 (1)(2)
 
President and
    2002     $ 352,106     $ 68,100       0     $ 148,722 (1)(2)
 
Chief Executive Officer
    2001     $ 335,401     $ 65,000       12,000     $ 144,414 (1)(2)
Jeffrey W. Leeds
    2003     $ 178,990     $ 0       0     $ 2,738 (2)
 
Executive Vice President
    2002     $ 176,250     $ 18,500       0     $ 5,287 (2)
 
and Chief Lending Officer
    2001     $ 165,000     $ 17,000       9,000     $ 4,523 (2)
Timothy L. Felter
    2003     $ 132,404     $ 0       0     $ 2,025 (2)
 
Executive Vice President-
    2002     $ 128,750     $ 18,500       0     $ 3,862 (2)
 
Personal Banking and Investment
    2001     $ 117,250     $ 17,000       9,000     $ 3,517 (2)
 
Officer
                                       


(1)  Includes amounts accrued to fund supplemental retirement plans for the benefit of Mr. Miller pursuant to Supplemental Retirement Agreements with Mr. Miller. See “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION — Employment Agreements” (page 13).
 
(2)  Includes matching contributions by the Bank to the Bank’s 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan for the Named Executive Officer.

      The Bank provides an automobile for use by Mr. Miller and pays his membership dues to certain organizations. The aggregate amount of such benefits is less than 10% of Mr. Miller’s cash compensation. With the exception of certain insurance premiums paid by the Bank, no other benefits are made available to executive officers that are not made available to all employees of the Bank. See “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION — Benefits” (page 16). Employees of the Bank, including the executive officers, are covered by the Bank’s group health insurance program, group life insurance program, long-term disability program and business related travel accident insurance plan.

      No stock options or stock appreciation rights were granted to any of the Named Executive Officers during fiscal year 2003.

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      The following table sets forth certain information concerning stock options exercised during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 and the number and value of shares of Common Stock of the Company subject to options held by the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2003:

Aggregated Option/ SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year

and Fiscal Year End Option/ SAR Values
                                 
Number of
Securities Value of
Underlying Unexercised
Unexercised In-The-Money
Options/SARs Options/SARs
Shares at Fiscal at Fiscal
Acquired Value Year End(#) Year End($)
on Realized Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name Exercise ($)(1) Unexercisable Unexercisable(2)





Paul A. Miller
    0       0       148,500/3,000     $ 1,651,560/$10,230  
Jeffrey W. Leeds
    0       0       45,750/2,250     $ 435,983/$7,673  
Timothy L. Felter
    10,000     $ 77,600       30,430/2,250     $ 272,733/$7,673  


(1)  Based on the closing price per share of the Company’s common stock on the day the shares were exercised.
 
(2)  Based on a closing price of $17.31 per share of the Company’s Common Stock on December 31, 2003, less the option exercise price.

Employment Agreements

      The Company entered into an employment agreement with Paul A. Miller effective on April 21, 1989 that was amended effective December 23, 1992, and with Jeffrey W. Leeds and Timothy L. Felter effective on February 24, 2000. Each of the employment agreements requires the Company to pay the executive a “Base Salary,” which may be increased but shall not be reduced during the term of the agreement and provides for the executive’s participation in the Company’s employee benefit plans and arrangements. In addition, the Company’s agreement with Mr. Miller provides the executive with the use of an automobile. Each of the agreements prohibits the executive from disclosing or converting to the executive’s own use the Company’s confidential information.

      The agreement with Mr. Miller had an initial term of three years. The agreements with Mr. Leeds and Mr. Felter had an initial term of two years. Each of the agreements provides that commencing on the second anniversary of the agreement and on each anniversary date thereafter, in the absence of notice of non-extension, the term of the agreement will automatically be extended for an additional one-year period. On January 22, 2004, Mr. Miller and Mr. Leeds’ Employment Agreements were amended to eliminate any payments for Mr. Miller for any period after December 31, 2006 and for Mr. Leeds after December 31, 2005.

      Under the employment agreements, the Company may terminate the executive’s employment at any time, with or without “cause” as defined in the agreements. If after notice and reasonable opportunity for the executive to respond, the Company terminates the executive’s employment for “cause,” the Company has no continuing obligations to the executive. If the Company terminates the executive’s employment without cause, the Company is obligated to continue providing the executive compensation and benefits specified in the agreement for the then remaining term of the agreement.

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      Each of the employment agreements provides for payment of a lump sum to the executive equal to up to three times the “base amount” of the executive’s compensation in the event of a termination of the executive’s employment within two years following a “change in control” of the Company as defined in the agreement, provided that the Company may reduce this amount to the extent necessary to avoid tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code and no payments will be made for any period after the executive’s planned retirement date.

      In addition to Mr. Miller’s employment agreement, the Company has adopted two supplemental executive retirement plans for Mr. Miller. The purpose of the supplemental plans, when taken together with the Savings Banks Employees Retirement Association plan described below, and a supplemental plan from a previous employer, is to provide Mr. Miller with annual retirement benefits equal to 70% of the average of his three highest consecutive years gross compensation. The plans also provide certain termination benefits under certain circumstances equal to Mr. Miller’s earned and accrued benefits to date, subject to a vesting schedule and other conditions.

Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation

      The following report has been adopted by the Compensation Committee of the Company.

 
Compensation Policy

      The Company’s executive compensation program is designed to provide executives with annual salary and benefit plans which are competitive in the industry and with long-term incentives in the form of stock options. The Compensation Committee believes that in order to attract and retain talented executives and to motivate them to achieve the goals of the Company, compensation opportunities should be comparable to those offered to executives with similar responsibility and position by peer companies. To assist the Compensation Committee, various industry compensation surveys are made available to the Committee.

      Recently, the Board of Directors expanded the duties of the Compensation Committee to include reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the annual compensation and benefits for all the executive officers of the Company. The Compensation Committee recommends annual executive salary adjustments and bonus awards which are made from time to time. The adjustments and bonuses recommended by the Compensation Committee reflect the overall performance of the Company, the performance of each affected executive officer and information for comparable positions in other like institutions. The Compensation Committee’s recommendation for compensation adjustment and if applicable a bonus is then acted upon by the Board of Directors of the Company.

      The Company periodically grants stock options to some or all of its executive officers as long-term incentives. All stock options granted have exercise prices at or above the market value of shares of Common Stock on the date of grant; therefore no benefit accrues to the executives from the stock option unless the market value of the Company’s Common Stock increases and the options are exercised. These grants motivate executives to enhance equity value of the Company which in turn coincides with the interest of the stockholders. During 2003, there were no stock options granted to any of the Named Executive Officers. However, stock options were granted to the Named Executive Officers and the remaining executive officers of the Company on January 22, 2004 (Mr. Miller 10,000 options; Messrs. Felter and Leeds 8,000 options each; and Messrs. D’Ambrosio and Sharland 6,500 options each). Each Director of the Company was also awarded 2,000 stock options on January 22, 2004.

      Executives may also participate in the Bank’s 401(k) Savings Plan and Pension Plan.

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Chief Executive Officer Compensation

      The Bank’s Chief Executive Officer’s compensation is reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee and is based upon his performance, the overall performance of the Bank relative to budget objectives and information regarding compensation for the Chief Executive Officer position at like institutions. The Compensation Committee’s recommendation for compensation adjustment and if applicable a bonus is then acted upon by the Board.

  Respectfully submitted,
 
  Thomas J. Burke (Chairman)
  Eugene A. Beliveau
  Malcolm W. Brawn

      The foregoing report is provided by the three named directors in their capacity as members of the Compensation Committee of the Company during 2003.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

      Messrs. Beliveau, Brawn and Burke served on the Compensation Committee of the Company during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. None of the members of the Compensation Committee has ever served as an officer or employee of the Company or the Bank. See also, “Indebtedness of Directors and Management and Certain Transactions with Management and Others” (page 18).

      No executive officer of the Company served (i) as a member of the Compensation Committee of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Compensation Committee of the Company, (ii) as a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Compensation Committee of the Company, or (iii) as a member of the Compensation Committee of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a Director of the Company.

Stock Option Plans

      On July 1, 2001, the Company assumed the Bank’s two stock option plans, the Lawrence Savings Bank 1986 Stock Option Plan (the “1986 Stock Option Plan”) and the Lawrence Savings Bank 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “1997 Stock Option Plan”).

      The 1986 Stock Option Plan was in effect until 1996, expiring by its own terms in May, 1996. Notwithstanding the expiration of the 1986 Stock Option Plan, outstanding options granted under the 1986 Stock Option Plan continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. The 1997 Stock Option Plan was adopted by the Bank’s Board of Directors on December 18, 1997 and approved by the Bank’s stockholders on May 5, 1998. The Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks approved the 1997 Stock Option Plan on June 22, 1998. Both “incentive stock options” and “nonqualified stock options” may be granted pursuant to the 1997 Stock Option Plan. The 1997 Stock Option Plan also permits the inclusion of stock appreciation rights in any option granted.

      The 1986 and 1997 Stock Option Plans are administered by the Stock Option Committee of the Company, which is comprised of non-employee Directors of the Company. The Stock Option Committee currently consists of Messrs. Beliveau, Brawn and Burke.

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      As of February 28, 2004, stock options for the purchase of an aggregate of 561,650 shares of Common Stock at an average purchase price per share of $10.85 were outstanding under the 1986 and 1997 Stock Option Plans. Of these options, 409,800 were exercisable on that date. There were 385,000 stock options outstanding under the 1997 Stock Option Plan included in the 561,650 outstanding options. In 2003, 45,600 options were exercised to purchase 38,557 shares of Common Stock under the 1986 Stock Option Plan and 26,000 options were exercised to purchase shares of Common Stock under the 1997 Stock Option Plan.

Benefits

      Insurance and Other Benefits. The Company provides full-time officers and employees with hospitalization, major medical, life, dental, travel accident, and long-term disability insurance under group plans which are available generally and on the same basis to all full-time employees; provided, however, that with respect to the hospitalization and major medical insurance plan, full-time employees hired on or after September 1, 1984, other than Messrs. Miller and Leeds, are required to pay 25% of each month’s premiums. The travel accident insurance plan is also made available to part-time employees. The Company also sponsors a 401(k) Savings Plan which allows participants to defer a percentage of their before-tax compensation from the Company as a contribution under this plan. Participants have several investment options, including a fund which invests solely in Common Stock of the Company. All full-time and certain part-time employees are eligible to participate in this plan. The Company may match officer and employee contributions for all employees who participate in the 401(k) plan. The Bank matched 50% of employees’ contributions up to 3% of each employee’s salary through June 30, 2003. No matches were made from July to December 2003.

      Pension Plan. The Company provides a retirement plan for all eligible employees through Savings Banks Employees Retirement Association (“SBERA”), an unincorporated association of savings banks operating within Massachusetts and other organizations providing services to or for savings banks. SBERA’s sole purpose is to enable participating employers to provide pensions and other benefits for their employees.

      At October 31, 2003, the latest date for which information is available, the present value of accumulated benefits under the retirement plan was fully funded by the market values of related available assets.

      The following table illustrates annual pension benefits for retirement at age 65 under the most advantageous plan provisions available for various levels of compensation and years of service. The figures in

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this table are based upon the assumption that the plan continues in its present form and upon certain other assumptions regarding compensation trends and social security.

Annual Pension Benefit* Based on Years of Service(1)(2)

                                 
Average 25 or
Compensation(3) 10 Years 15 Years 20 Years More Years





$20,000
  $ 2,500     $ 3,750     $ 5,000     $ 6,250  
$40,000
  $ 5,000     $ 7,500     $ 10,000     $ 12,500  
$60,000
  $ 8,461     $ 12,692     $ 16,923     $ 21,153  
$80,000
  $ 12,161     $ 18,242     $ 24,323     $ 30,403  
$100,000
  $ 15,861     $ 23,792     $ 31,723     $ 39,653  
$120,000
  $ 19,561     $ 29,342     $ 39,123     $ 48,903  
$125,000
  $ 20,486     $ 30,730     $ 40,973     $ 51,216  
$140,000
  $ 23,261     $ 34,892     $ 46,523     $ 58,153  
$150,000
  $ 25,111     $ 37,667     $ 50,223     $ 62,778  
$175,000
  $ 29,736     $ 44,605     $ 59,473     $ 74,341  
$200,000**
  $ 34,361     $ 51,542     $ 68,723     $ 85,903  


  Based on age 65 retirement in 2004 (Plan Year 11/1/03 — 10/31/04)

  **  Federal law does not permit defined benefit pension plans to recognize compensation in excess of $200,000 for plan year 2003.

(1)  The annual pension benefit is computed on the basis of a straight life annuity.
 
(2)  The Company provides additional retirement benefits to Mr. Miller through two supplemental retirement plans. See “Employment Agreements” (page 13).
 
(3)  Average compensation for purposes of this table is based on the average of the highest three consecutive years preceding retirement.

      The estimated retirement benefits under the plan at normal retirement date computed on the basis of their present salary levels and years of service at such date for Mr. Miller, Mr. Leeds and Mr. Felter are $54,761 and 16 years, $53,985 and 18 years, and $48,958 and 36 years, respectively.

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PERFORMANCE GRAPH

      Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company’s Common Stock (or the Bank’s Common Stock in the periods prior to the Reorganization), based on the market price of the Company’s (or the Bank’s) Common Stock and assuming reinvestment of dividends, with the total return of companies within the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the Advest New England Thrift Index. The calculation of total cumulative return assumes a $100 investment in the Company’s Common Stock, the S&P 500 and the Advest New England Thrift Index on December 31, 1998.

LOGO

Indebtedness of Directors and Management and Certain Transactions with Management and Others

      Certain of the Directors and officers of the Company are at present, as in the past, customers of the Bank and from time-to-time have entered into transactions with the Company in the ordinary course of business. In addition, certain Directors of the Company are at present, as in the past, directors, officers or stockholders of corporations or members of partnerships that are customers of the Bank and have transactions with the Bank in the ordinary course of business. Such transactions with Directors and officers of the Company, and with such corporations and partnerships, are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons not affiliated with the Company, and do not involve more than normal risk of collectability, or present other features unfavorable to the Company. As a matter of policy, the Company also makes certain loans to other employees.

      In addition, from time-to-time, the Company obtains services from one or more of its Directors. However, at no time during the past year did payments to any Director for such services aggregate $60,000 or more.

      Extensions of credit to officers of the Company are restricted by Company policy and Massachusetts statute to an amount of not more than $20,000 generally, whether secured or unsecured, and not more than $75,000 for educational purposes, except that a loan not exceeding $275,000 may be made to officers secured

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by a mortgage on their primary residence. All extensions of credit and loans to officers must be approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, and all extensions of credit and loans to executive officers must also be approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors.

      In addition, the Company is subject to the provisions of Regulation “O” of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, which: (i) requires the Company’s executive officers, directors and control persons to report to the Bank’s Board of Directors any indebtedness to the Bank, (ii) establishes requirements and restrictions as to the terms, size of and approvals necessary for extensions of credit by the Bank to its executive officers, directors, and control persons and their “related interests,” and (iii) requires any such loans to be made at the same rates and on the same terms and conditions as comparable loans to unaffiliated persons.

      During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Bank had two arrangements (the “Participation Arrangements”) in loans owned and serviced by entities affiliated with Mr. William P. DeLuca, Jr., a direct and indirect beneficial owner of 9.00% of the outstanding common stock of the Company. In the first Participation Arrangement, the Bank provided automobile floor plan financing to various used car dealerships throughout the United States. In the second Participation Arrangement, the Bank purchased an interest in a pool of automobile leases made to individuals throughout the United States. Both arrangements terminated during the year, and at December 31, 2003, there were no outstanding balances.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

      The following table sets forth certain information, as of February 28, 2004 regarding the beneficial ownership of Common Stock by: (i) each Director and Nominee; (ii) each of the Named Executive Officers during the last fiscal year; (iii) all Directors, Nominees and such executive officers as a group; and (iv) each person who, to the knowledge of the Company, beneficially owned more than 5% of the Common Stock at the Record Date. Except as otherwise noted, the persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned.

                   
Amount
and Nature
of Beneficial Percent
Name of Beneficial Owner Ownership(1)(2) of Class(3)



Directors and Principal Officers
               
 
Eugene A. Beliveau
    8,975 (4)     *  
 
Kathleen Boshar Reynolds
    6,200       *  
 
Byron R. Cleveland, Jr.
    2,100       *  
 
Robert F. Hatem
    9,775       *  
 
Paul A. Miller
    169,585 **     3.95 %
 
Thomas J. Burke
    11,950       *  
 
Marsha A. McDonough
    5,800       *  
 
Malcolm W. Brawn
    22,500 (5)     *  
 
Neil H. Cullen
    7,500       *  
 
Richard Hart Harrington
    5,755       *  
 
Jeffrey W. Leeds
    68,070       1.59 %
 
Timothy L. Felter
    52,962 **     1.23 %
 
All Directors and Named Executive Officers as a Group (12 persons)
    371,172 (6)**     8.65 %
5% Stockholders
               
 
First Manhattan Co.
    385,800 (7)     9.10 %
 
William P. Deluca Jr. and Lease and Rental Management Corp.
    381,650 (8)     9.00 %


  Less than one percent

  **  Includes shares held in the Company’s 401(k) Plan. The estimated shares so held with respect to each such participant are: Paul A. Miller, 16,585 shares; Timothy L. Felter, 8,657 shares; and all Directors and Named Executive Officers as a group (12 persons), 25,242 shares, respectively.

(1)  In accordance with the applicable rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of shares of the Common Stock of the Company if he or she has or shares voting power or investment power with respect to such shares or has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such shares at any time within 60 days. As used herein, “voting power” means the power to vote or direct the voting of shares, and “investment power” means the power to dispose or direct the disposition of shares. Unless otherwise indicated, each person named has sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares indicated.

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(2)  Includes shares of the Company’s Common Stock which Directors and principal officers of the Company have the right to acquire within 60 days of February 28, 2004 pursuant to options granted under the 1986 and 1997 Stock Option Plans of the Company. The following persons have exercisable options to purchase the number of shares indicated: Mr. Miller, 108,500 shares; Mr. Leeds, 45,750 shares; Mr. Felter, 23,750 shares; Mr. Burke, 10,500 shares; Mr. Beliveau, 0 shares, Mr. Hatem, 6,500 shares; Mr. Cleveland, 1,000 shares; Mr. Harrington, 5,500 shares; Ms. McDonough and Ms. Boshar Reynolds and Messrs. Brawn and Cullen, 4,500 shares each; and all Directors and Named Executive Officers as a group, 219,500 shares.
 
(3)  Computed on the basis of 4,293,142 outstanding shares as of February 28, 2004 plus 219,500 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of February 28, 2004 held by the named individual or group.
 
(4)  Includes 700 shares owned by a household member, as to which Dr. Beliveau disclaims beneficial ownership.
 
(5)  Includes 1,000 shares owned by his spouse, as to which Mr. Brawn disclaims beneficial ownership.
 
(6)  The stated number of shares owned by the Named Executive Officers and Directors of the Company includes 126,430 shares currently issued and outstanding and 219,500 shares subject to stock options exercisable within 60 days of February 28, 2004
 
(7)  Based solely on Schedule 13G/ A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about February 12, 2004, First Manhattan Co. reports beneficial ownership of 385,800 shares of Common Stock. First Manhattan Co. reports sole voting power with respect to 328,300 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 328,300 shares, shared voting power with respect to 19,500 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 57,500 shares. First Manhattan Co.’s address is 437 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
 
(8)  Based solely on a Schedule 13G/ A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about March 4, 2004, Windham Equity Co. (f/k/a Lease and Rental Management Corp.) reports beneficial ownership of 381,650 shares of Common Stock of the Company. Based solely on a Form 13G/ A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about March 4, 2004, Mr. William P. DeLuca Jr. reports beneficial ownership of 381,650 shares of Common Stock of the Company with sole voting power with respect to 0 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 0 shares, and shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 381,650 shares. Both Mr. DeLuca and Windham Equity Co. have an address of 45 Haverhill Street, Andover, Massachusetts 01810.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

      Pursuant to regulations of the SEC and Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company’s officers and Directors and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities must file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market. Officers, Directors and greater-than-ten-percent stockholders are required to furnish the Company with copies of all ownership reports they file. Based solely on its review of the copies of such reports received by the Company with respect to its fiscal year 2003, or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that during 2003 all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, Directors, and greater-than-ten-percent stockholders were satisfied.

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SERVICES OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR FOR THE 2003 FISCAL YEAR

      In March 2003, upon recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed the public accounting firm of KPMG LLP as independent auditors of the Company for 2003. Fees billed for services rendered by KPMG LLP for each of the years 2003 and 2002 were as follows:

 
Audit Fees

      The aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003, including the reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, assistance with Securities Act filings and related matters and consultations on financial accounting and reporting standards arising during the course of the audit or reviews for that fiscal year were $115,000.

      The aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002, including the reviews of the financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, assistance with Securities Act filings and related matters and consultations on financial accounting and reporting standards arising during the course of the audit or reviews for that fiscal year were $103,000.

 
Audit-Related Fees

      The aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements, and are not reported above, were $0 for the year ended December 31, 2003 and $0 for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 
Tax Fees

      The aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning were $35,500 for the year ended December 31, 2003 and $21,050 for the year ended December 31, 2002. Such services consisted of tax compliance and consulting.

 
All Other Fees

      There were no other fees billed by KPMG LLP for services rendered to the Company, other than the services described above.

      Since the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Audit Committee has pre-approved all non-audit services provided by KPMG LLP.

NOTIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

      Recently, the Board of Directors expanded the duties of the Audit Committee to include appointing the Company’s independent auditors. In March, 2004, the Audit Committee appointed KPMG LLP as independent auditors for the Company to serve in such position for 2004. As previously noted, in March 2003, upon recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed KPMG LLP to serve as independent auditors of the Company for 2003. KPMG LLP has served as the independent auditors of the Company since 1980. The Board of Directors of the Company expects that representatives of

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KPMG LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting. Such representatives will have the opportunity to make statements if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AT 2005 ANNUAL MEETING

      Under the rules of the SEC, if any stockholder intends to present a proposal at the annual meeting of stockholders and desires that it be considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy for such meeting, it must be received by the Company not less than 120 calendar days before the anniversary of the mailing date of the Company’s proxy statement for the prior year. Accordingly, if any stockholder intends to present a proposal at the year 2005 annual meeting and wishes it to be considered in the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy, such proposal must be received by the Company on or before December 1, 2004. In addition, the Company’s By-Laws provide that any Director nominations and new business submitted by a stockholder must be filed with the Clerk of the Company no fewer than 60 days, but no more than 90 days, prior to the date of the one-year anniversary of the previous Annual Meeting, and that no other nominations or proposals by stockholders shall be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. If, however, the annual meeting is more than 30 days earlier or more than 60 days later than the anniversary date of the prior annual meeting, then notice shall be timely if delivered to or mailed and received by the Company not later than the close of business on the later of (a) the 75th day prior to the scheduled date of such annual meeting or (b) the 15th day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such Annual Meeting is first made by the Company. Certain exceptions under the By-Laws apply to Annual Meetings of stockholders at which newly created seats of the Board of Directors are to be filled. Any such proposal should be mailed to: Clerk, LSB Corporation, 30 Massachusetts Avenue, North Andover, Massachusetts 01845.

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

      The Company has adopted a Code of Professional Conduct (the “Code”) that applies to all of the Company’s Directors, officers and employees, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller. A copy of the Code is filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. The Code is posted on the Company’s website at www.LawrenceSavings.com. The Company intends to disclose any amendments to the Code by posting such amendments on its website. In addition, any waivers of the Code for Directors or executive officers of the Company will be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K.

OTHER MATTERS

      As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors of the Company knows of no matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting other than those specifically listed in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. However, if further business is properly presented, the persons named as proxies in the accompanying proxy will vote such proxy in their discretion in accordance with their best judgment.

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Appendix A

LSB CORPORATION

Nominating Committee Charter

I.     Purpose

      The purpose of the Nominating Committee (the “Committee”) is to (i) identify qualified individuals for nomination or appointment to the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of LSB Corporation (the “Company”), (ii) recommend to the Board a slate of director nominees for each annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company or, in the case of vacancies, individual nominees if and when such vacancies occur, and (iii) review stockholder recommendations, if any, received by the Board with respect to nomination to the Board for the purpose of determining compliance with the applicable requirements for stockholder nominations set forth in the By-Laws of the Company .

II.     Committee Membership, Meetings and Reports, Compensation

      The Committee shall consist of a minimum of three members of the Board, each of whom shall be appointed by and serve at the discretion of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall be one of the three members of the Nominating Committee. Each member of the Committee shall satisfy the listing standards and other regulatory requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. and the Securities & Exchange Commission relative to director independence.

      The Committee shall meet no less than once annually for the purpose of evaluating the qualifications of individuals to serve on the Board and to make recommendations to the Board for nomination to stand for election as directors at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company or to fill a vacancy on the Board. Committee meetings may be called by the Chairman of the Committee or the Chairman of the Board or by the Chief Executive officer of the Company. Each member shall be provided no less than seven days prior written notice of such meeting, which notice shall provide the date, time and place of such meeting. The Committee shall be chaired by one of its members who shall be appointed to such position by the Board. The approval of a majority of the members of the Committee is required for any recommendation to be made to the Board. Each member may participate in Committee meetings either in person or by such other means as permitted by the Company’s By-Laws and applicable law. The Committee shall keep written minutes of each meeting and shall report its actions to the Board. All Committee minutes shall be furnished to the Clerk of the Company who shall file such minutes with the minutes memorializing the meetings of the Board. At each regularly scheduled meeting of the Board, the Committee Chairman shall provide the Board with a report of the Committee’s activities.

      At the invitation of the Committee chair, non-independent directors may attend Committee meetings and assist the Committee in establishing its meeting agendas. From time to time, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, engage advisors and consultants, including, but not limited to, attorneys and accountants, to assist the Committee in the performance of its responsibilities. The Committee shall have sole authority to approve the terms of any such engagement including the fees to be paid to such advisor or consultant. In this connection, the Committee may, from time to time, invite such advisors or consultants to attend one or more Committee meetings.

      Compensation for service on the Committee shall be determined by the Board.

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III.     Committee Responsibilities and Duties

      The responsibilities and duties of the Committee shall include:

  •  Establishing and articulating qualifications and selection criteria for members of the Board consistent with the eligibility requirements set forth in the Company’s By-Laws. In setting such qualifications and criteria, the Committee may consider such factors as the Committee deems appropriate. In the case of an incumbent director whose term of office is set to expire, the Committee may review such director’s overall service to the Company during such term, including the director’s attendance record at Board and committee meetings, the director’s tenure as a member of the Board, the quality of the director’s performance on the Board and any other matter the Committee deems relevant. In the case of new director candidates, the Committee may consider such factors as an individual’s reputation, integrity, independence, knowledge, judgement, skills and prior experience (business, professional and otherwise), in each case taking into account the composition of the then existing Board and the then existing state of the Company and the economy.
 
  •  Evaluating potential nominees and making recommendations to the Board with respect to those candidates the Committee feels possess the appropriate skills and qualities to serve the best interests of the Company.
 
  •  Reviewing nominations for service on the Board made by stockholders of the Company for compliance with the applicable requirements contained in the By-Laws of the Company.
 
  •  Periodically, but not less than once annually, review and assess the adequacy of this charter and the processes used by the Committee to select nominees to the Board.

IV. Reliance

      In performing their responsibilities, each Committee member shall be entitled to rely in good faith on information, opinion, reports, statements or other materials or information prepared or presented to them by (i) one or more officers or employees of the Company whom such Committee member reasonably believes to reliable and competent in the matters prepared or presented, (ii) counsel, search firms, accountants or other persons as to matters such Committee member reasonably believes to be within the professional competence of such person, and (iii) members of other committees of the Board as to matters within such committee’s designated authority.

      Approved by Nominating Committee March 24, 2004

      Approved by the Board of Directors March 25, 2004

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Appendix B

LSB CORPORATION

LAWRENCE SAVINGS BANK

Audit Committee Charter

Audit Committee

      There shall be a Committee of the Board of Directors to be known as the Audit Committee. The purpose of this committee shall be to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and audits of the financial statements of the Company. The members of this Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.

      The Audit Committee shall be composed of at least three Directors. Each member shall satisfy the independence and experience requirements established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and NASDAQ. Each Audit Committee member must be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including the Company’s balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, at the time of his or her appointment. At least one Committee Member shall have such past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience or background which results in the individual’s financial sophistication, including being or having been a chief executive officer, chief financial officer or other senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities, as to qualify as a “financial expert” within the meaning of the rules of the SEC and NASDAQ. Audit Committee members are encouraged to enhance their familiarity with finance and accounting by participating in educational programs conducted by the Company or outside programs.

      The Audit Committee shall serve as the Audit Committee for both LSB Corporation and Lawrence Savings Bank. However, the committee membership for the LSB Corporation may be different than the membership of the Bank Audit Committee. Wherever reference is made herein to the term “Company,” such term includes, as applicable, both LSB Corporation and Lawrence Savings Bank.

Statement of Policy

      The Audit Committee shall provide assistance to the Company’s Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities to the Company’s shareholders, regulators and the investment community relating to the Company’s accounting and reporting practices, and the quality and integrity of the financial reports of the Company. In so doing, it shall be the responsibility of the Audit Committee to maintain free and open means of communication with the Board of Directors, the Independent Auditors, the Internal Auditors, and the financial management of the Company. The Independent Auditors shall be solely accountable to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall have direct authority and responsibility to select, evaluate, oversee, approve the compensation of, and, if and when warranted, replace the Independent Auditors.

Meetings

      The Audit Committee shall meet at least four times annually, and more frequently as circumstances warrant. The Audit Committee shall meet at least annually in separate executive sessions with Management, the CFO, the Independent Auditors and the Internal Auditors of the Company to discuss any matters that the Audit Committee or any of such groups or persons believes should be discussed privately.

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      Minutes shall be kept of all meetings of the Audit Committee.

Committee Powers and Responsibilities

      The powers and responsibilities of the Audit Committee shall include all of the following and such additional powers and responsibilities as are reasonably incidental to the enumerated powers and responsibilities:

      1.     Review and reassess the adequacy of this Audit Committee Charter at least annually and more frequently as circumstances warrant and recommend changes to the Board of Directors for approval. Ascertain that the Audit Committee Charter is reported in the Company’s proxy statement at least once every three years.

      2.     Report at least quarterly to the Board of Directors.

      3.     The Audit Committee has the sole authority for the selection of Independent Auditors to audit the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and for approval of the compensation of such Independent Auditors for audit and non-audit services performed for the Company. All audit and non-audit services provided to the Company by the Independent Auditors and estimated fees therefore must be approved in advance (pre-approved) by the Audit Committee. The Independent Auditors shall be directly accountable to the Audit Committee.

      4.     Meet with the Independent Auditors in advance to review the proposed scope of the audit for the current year and the audit procedures to be used therefore and review and approve an engagement letter therefore, and, at the conclusion of the audit, review audit findings, including any comments or recommendations of the Independent Auditors. The Audit Committee shall review with the Independent Auditors the annual audited financial statements, the 10K filed with the SEC and quarterly financial statements and SEC filings of the Company.

      5.     Review with the Independent Auditors and Management as appropriate the Company’s significant accounting policies, and audit conclusions regarding the Company’s significant accounting estimates.

      6.     Review with the Independent Auditors’ their judgments regarding the quality and appropriateness of the Company’s accounting principles and policies as applied in its financial statements. Review with the Independent Auditors, and Management as appropriate, alternative treatments of the Company’s financial information permitted by GAAP and the treatments preferred by the Independent Auditors. Discuss with the Independent Auditors, and Management as appropriate, any disagreements between the Independent Auditors and Management.

      7.     Consider and approve, if appropriate, changes in the Company’s auditing and accounting principles, policies and practices as suggested by the Independent Auditors, Management or the Internal Auditors.

      8.     Oversee the Internal Audit function of the Company including its independence and authority, its reporting obligations, the proposed audit plan for the current year, and the coordination of such plans with the independent Auditors. The Audit Committee shall have sole authority to approve, in advance, any special internal audit investigations which have not been included as part off the current Audit Plan. The Internal Auditors shall report directly to the Audit Committee.

      9.     Consult with the Independent and Internal Auditors regarding the integrity of the Company’s financial reporting processes (internal and external) and review with the Independent Auditors, the Internal Auditors, and Management as appropriate, the assessments of the Independent and Internal Auditors of the

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adequacy of the Company’s internal controls and the resolution of any identified deficiencies or material weaknesses in internal controls, including the prevention or detection of management overrides or compromises of internal control systems.

      10.     Review and approve reports of the Audit Committee required to be included in the Company’s proxy statement for the annual meeting of the shareholders.

      11.     On an annual basis, receive from the Independent Auditors and review a formal written statement identifying all relationships between the Independent Auditors and the Company or other persons that may affect the independence of the Independent Auditors. Such statement shall conform to all applicable requirements, including, if applicable, those of Independence Standards Board Standard 1, as hereafter modified or supplemented. Review and actively engage in dialogue with the Independent Auditors regarding any disclosed relationships or services that may impact such independence and take, or recommend that the Board of Directors take, appropriate actions to oversee and preserve the independence of the Independent Auditors.

      12.     Ascertain and confirm that the Independent Auditors maintain their professional qualifications to audit the financial statements of the Company and that the rotation of the Independent Auditors’ audit and review partners assigned to the Company’s audit conforms to all applicable legal and other requirements.

      13.     Evaluate the qualifications and performance of the Independent Auditors and discharge and replace the Independent Auditors if and when circumstances warrant.

      14.     Review with the Independent Auditors, the Internal Auditors, Management and legal counsel as appropriate, the Company’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including financial and other regulatory reporting requirements.

      15.     Evaluate, at least annually, the composition and functioning of the Committee.

      16.     Establish, and make known within the Company as appropriate, procedures to facilitate the receipt, review and processing of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters. Such procedures will provide that:

  •  Any employee or other person may submit a complaint regarding the Company’s accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters. Such complaints may be submitted confidentially or anonymously.
 
  •  Any such complaint may be submitted to the Chairman or to any member of the Audit Committee. Complaints may also be submitted to any member of Management.
 
  •  Upon receipt of a complaint by Management or a member of the Audit Committee, a copy will be given to the Chairman of the Audit Committee who will acknowledge the receipt thereof to sender if the sender is known.
 
  •  All such complaints shall be reviewed under Audit Committee direction and oversight. The Audit Committee may employ any external resources it considers appropriate, such as legal counsel, external auditors or other qualified consultants or experts to assist in this review.
 
  •  Prompt and appropriate corrective action responsive to a complaint will taken when and as warranted in the judgment of the Audit Committee.

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  •  The Company will not discharge, discipline, demote, suspend, threaten, harass or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against any employee with respect to any lawful action in good faith reporting of such complaints. The Audit Committee will oversee treatment of employee concerns in this area.

V. “When Necessary” Authority and Responsibilities

      1.     Appoint, replace, reassign, discipline or dismiss the Internal Auditors.

      2.     Approve, in advance, any engagement of the Independent Auditors to perform permissible non-audit services for the Company and any compensation therefore. The Committee may delegate to one or more Committee members authority to consider and pre-approve the provision of permissible non-audit services by the Independent Auditors when necessary or appropriate between meetings of the Committee provided that any exercise of such delegated pre-approval authority shall be reported to and reviewed at the next meeting of the Committee.

      3.     Consult with and/or retain legal counsel, accounting and other expert advisors as to matters and in such circumstances as the Committee deems appropriate, which may include, without limitation, litigation, regulatory and other legal matters that may have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements, regulatory status or good standing, or compliance policies and practices. The Company shall be obligated to pay any compensation for such services that may be approved by the Committee.

      4.     Conduct or authorize and oversee the conduct of investigations into any matters within the Committee’s scope of responsibilities. The Committee shall be empowered to retain independent legal counsel and other professionals to assist in the conduct of any such investigation. The Company shall be obligated to pay any compensation for such services that may be approved by the Committee.

      5.     Nothing herein shall preclude the Committee from consulting or retaining the Company’s legal counsel or other advisors for such matters and in such circumstances as the Committee deems appropriate.

      6.     Review and discuss with the Company’s federal and state regulators or other governmental authority, Management and legal counsel or other advisors as appropriate, any reports, communications or matters that may be directed to the attention of the Board of Directors or the Committee by such regulators or other governmental authority, and take or recommend to the Board of Directors the taking of such actions in response thereto as the Committee may deem appropriate.

 
VI. Update Responsibility

      The Chief Financial Officer of the Company shall be responsible for ensuring that this Audit Committee Charter is modified as appropriate to reflect any updated, alterations or enhancements that may be approved or adopted by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.

      Approved by the Audit Committee on March 23, 2004

      Approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on March 25, 2004

      Approved by the Board of Directors of the Bank on March 25, 2004

B-4 EX-21 6 b48778lcexv21.htm EX-21 SUBSIDIARIES OF LSB CORPORATION EX-21 SUBSIDIARIES OF LSB CORPORATION

 

Exhibit 21

SUBSIDIARY
OF
LSB CORPORATION

Lawrence Savings Bank: LSB Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary is a Massachusetts-chartered savings bank organized in 1868 and headquartered at 30 Massachusetts Avenue, North Andover, Massachusetts.

SUBSIDIARIES
OF
LAWRENCE SAVINGS BANK

Pemberton Corporation: Holds real estate for sale.

Spruce Wood Realty Trust: Holds real estate used in the normal course of business.

Shawsheen Security Corporation and Shawsheen Security Corporation II: Engages exclusively in buying, selling, dealing in and holding investment securities on its own behalf.

Each of the subsidiaries is organized or incorporated in Massachusetts.

  EX-23.1 7 b48778lcexv23w1.htm EX-23.1 CONSENT OF KPMG LLP EX-23.1 CONSENT OF KPMG LLP

 

Exhibit 23.1

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ CONSENT

The Board of Directors
LSB Corporation:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-65438) of LSB Corporation of our report dated March 11, 2004, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of LSB Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, which report is incorporated by reference into the December 31, 2003 annual report on Form 10-K of LSB Corporation.

     
  /s/ KPMG LLP
   
  KPMG LLP
 
   
Boston, Massachusetts
March 25, 2004
   

  EX-31.1 8 b48778lcexv31w1.htm EX-31.1 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF C.E.O. EX-31.1 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF C.E.O.

 

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS AMENDED, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Paul A. Miller, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Form 10-K of LSB Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiary, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusion about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation and;

c) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting and;

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting to the registrant’s auditors and the Audit Committee of registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information;

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting;

     
Date: March 25, 2004
   
 
   
  /s/ Paul A. Miller
   
  Paul A. Miller
President and
Chief Executive Officer

  EX-31.2 9 b48778lcexv31w2.htm EX-31.2 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF C.F.O. EX-31.2 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF C.F.O.

 

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS AMENDED, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, John E. Sharland, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of LSB Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiary, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusion about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered in this report based on such evaluation and;

c) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting and;

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting to the registrant’s auditors and the Audit Committee of registrant’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

     
Date: March 25, 2004
   
  /s/ John E. Sharland
   
  John E. Sharland
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

  EX-32.1 10 b48778lcexv32w1.htm EX-32.1 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF C.E.O. EX-32.1 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF C.E.O.

 

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADDED BY SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of LSB Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Paul A. Miller, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as added by section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)   The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of the Company.

     
Date: March 25, 2004
   
 
   
  /s/ Paul A. Miller
   
  Paul A. Miller
President and
Chief Executive Officer

  EX-32.2 11 b48778lcexv32w2.htm EX-32.2 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF C.F.O. EX-32.2 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF C.F.O.

 

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADDED BY SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of LSB Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, John E. Sharland, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as added by section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)   The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of the Company.

     
Date: March 25, 2004
   
 
   
  /s/ John E. Sharland
   
  John E. Sharland Senior
Vice President Chief
Financial Officer

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