10-Q 1 l21355ae10vq.htm FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION 10-Q/QTR END 6-30-06 FirstMerit Corp. 10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED June 30, 2006
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-10161
FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
OHIO
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  34-1339938
(IRS Employer Identification
Number)
III CASCADE PLAZA, 7TH FLOOR, AKRON,
OHIO 44308-1103
(Address of principal executive offices)
(330) 996-6300
(Telephone Number)
     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 þ NO o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer þ Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO þ
     As of July 31, 2006 80,060,459 shares, without par value, were outstanding.
 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
FirstMerit Corporation and
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
Fully-tax Equivalent Interest Rates and Interest Differential
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
SIGNATURES
EX-10.5
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32.1


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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                         
(In thousands)                  
(Unaudited, except December 31, 2005, which is derived from the   June 30,     December 31,     June 30,  
audited financial statements)   2006     2005     2005  
 
ASSETS
                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 228,690       225,953       201,240  
Investment securities (at fair value)
    2,436,086       2,546,496       2,828,127  
Federal funds sold
    25,000             890  
Loans held for sale
    49,207       42,566       52,555  
Loans:
                       
Commercial loans
    3,659,687       3,519,483       3,422,758  
Mortgage loans
    618,560       628,581       634,777  
Installment loans
    1,561,757       1,524,355       1,601,022  
Home equity loans
    763,585       778,697       737,207  
Credit card loans
    136,966       145,592       138,335  
Leases
    64,214       70,619       76,286  
 
                 
Total loans
    6,804,769       6,667,327       6,610,385  
Less allowance for loan losses
    (87,727 )     (90,661 )     (92,808 )
 
                 
Net loans
    6,717,042       6,576,666       6,517,577  
Premises and equipment, net
    119,233       120,420       118,038  
Goodwill
    139,245       139,245       139,245  
Intangible assets
    3,311       3,756       4,200  
Accrued interest receivable and other assets
    536,959       499,257       452,083  
 
                 
Total assets
  $ 10,254,773       10,154,359       10,313,955  
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                       
Deposits:
                       
Demand-non-interest bearing
  $ 1,466,628       1,523,731       1,439,800  
Demand-interest bearing
    842,354       830,248       834,315  
Savings and money market accounts
    2,261,557       2,304,177       2,350,829  
Certificates and other time deposits
    2,831,700       2,575,494       2,548,913  
 
                 
Total deposits
    7,402,239       7,233,650       7,173,857  
 
                 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    1,156,346       1,426,037       1,699,337  
Wholesale borrowings
    658,720       401,104       333,627  
Accrued taxes, expenses, and other liabilities
    166,770       155,988       131,118  
 
                 
Total liabilities
    9,384,075       9,216,779       9,337,939  
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies Shareholders’ equity:
                       
Preferred stock, without par value:
                       
authorized and unissued 7,000,000 shares
                 
Preferred stock, Series A, without par value:
                       
designated 800,000 shares; none outstanding
                 
Convertible preferred stock, Series B, without par value:
                       
designated 220,000 shares; none outstanding
                 
Common stock, without par value:
                       
authorized 300,000,000 shares; issued 92,026,350 at June 30, 2006, December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005
    127,937       127,937       127,937  
Capital surplus
    105,397       108,210       108,736  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (62,013 )     (42,850 )     (19,651 )
Retained earnings
    1,007,346       994,487       977,052  
Treasury stock, at cost, 11,968,035, 9,691,424 and 8,504,487 shares at June 30, 2006, December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005, respectively
    (307,969 )     (250,204 )     (218,058 )
 
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    870,698       937,580       976,016  
 
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 10,254,773       10,154,359       10,313,955  
 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 


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FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                                 
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
(Unaudited)   June 30,     June 30,  
(In thousands except per share data)   2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Interest income:
                               
Interest and fees on loans, including held for sale
  $ 123,450       105,975       241,190       206,124  
Interest and dividends on investment securities and federal funds sold
    24,820       27,802       50,152       55,494  
 
                       
Total interest income
    148,270       133,777       291,342       261,618  
 
                       
Interest expense:
                               
Interest on deposits:
                               
Demand-interest bearing
    2,583       1,230       4,945       2,186  
Savings and money market accounts
    12,079       7,517       22,827       13,892  
Certificates and other time deposits
    29,326       20,696       55,427       41,296  
Interest on securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    12,957       10,624       24,880       19,465  
Interest on wholesale borrowings
    5,595       5,933       11,560       10,992  
 
                       
Total interest expense
    62,540       46,000       119,639       87,831  
 
                       
Net interest income
    85,730       87,777       171,703       173,787  
Provision for loan losses
    13,159       5,972       19,265       17,586  
 
                       
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    72,571       81,805       152,438       156,201  
 
                       
Other income:
                               
Trust department income
    5,744       5,684       11,138       11,189  
Service charges on deposits
    18,010       17,800       34,076       32,620  
Credit card fees
    11,478       10,523       22,149       19,934  
ATM and other service fees
    3,273       3,298       6,381       6,257  
Bank owned life insurance income
    5,310       3,024       8,296       6,098  
Investment services and insurance
    2,581       2,828       5,178       5,686  
Investment securities gains, net
    4       (25 )     20       1,847  
Loan sales and servicing income
    2,833       1,520       4,278       2,653  
Other operating income
    2,845       5,443       5,959       8,750  
 
                       
Total other income
    52,078       50,095       97,475       95,034  
 
                       
Other expenses:
                               
Salaries, wages, pension and employee benefits
    46,721       41,351       89,752       80,744  
Net occupancy expense
    6,120       5,881       12,669       12,417  
Equipment expense
    2,914       3,002       5,872       6,187  
Stationery, supplies and postage
    2,403       2,484       4,856       4,945  
Bankcard, loan processing and other costs
    7,417       5,444       13,244       11,168  
Professional services
    3,738       3,843       6,501       5,993  
Amortization of intangibles
    222       222       445       445  
Other operating expense
    15,683       17,170       33,778       33,409  
 
                       
Total other expenses
    85,218       79,397       167,117       155,308  
 
                       
Income before federal income tax expense
    39,431       52,503       82,796       95,927  
Federal income tax expense
    11,770       16,358       25,171       29,694  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 27,661       36,145       57,625       66,233  
 
                       
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
Unrealized securities’ holding gain (loss), net of taxes
    (8,652 )     18,111       (18,400 )     (4,493 )
Unrealized hedging gain (loss), net of taxes
    37       538       (750 )     556  
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of taxes
          (122 )           (305 )
Less: reclassification adjustment for securities’ gains losses realized in net income, net of taxes
    3       (16 )     13       1,201  
 
                       
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
    (8,618 )     18,543       (19,163 )     (5,443 )
 
                       
Comprehensive income
  $ 19,043       54,688       38,462       60,790  
 
                       
Net income applicable to common shares
  $ 27,661       36,145       57,625       66,233  
 
                       
Net income used in diluted EPS calculation
  $ 27,666       36,152       57,635       66,247  
 
                       
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic
    79,983       83,603       80,177       83,849  
 
                       
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted
    80,203       83,890       80,420       84,187  
 
                       
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.35       0.43       0.72       0.79  
 
                       
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.35       0.43       0.72       0.79  
 
                       
Dividend per share
  $ 0.28       0.27       0.56       0.54  
 
                       
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 


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FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                 
    Six months ended June 30,  
(Unaudited)   2006     2005  
    (In thousands)  
Operating Activities
               
Net income
  $ 57,625       66,233  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    19,265       17,586  
Provision for depreciation and amortization
    7,251       6,801  
Amortization of investment securities premiums, net
    1,464       2,198  
Accretion of income for lease financing
    (1,941 )     (2,335 )
Gains on sales of investment securities, net
    (20 )     (1,847 )
(Increase) decrease in interest receivable
    1,912       (1,690 )
Increase in interest payable
    7,620       330  
Increase in prepaid assets
    (4,337 )     (3,175 )
Increase in bank owned life insurance
    (4,278 )     (6,100 )
Originations of loans held for sale
    (167,936 )     (175,771 )
Proceeds from sales of loans, primarily mortgage loans sold in the secondary mortgage markets
    161,653       171,026  
(Gains) losses on sales of loans, net
    (358 )     573  
Amortization of intangible assets
    445       445  
Other changes
    (1,885 )     (2,046 )
 
           
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    76,480       72,228  
Investing Activities
               
Dispositions of investment securities:
               
Available-for-sale — sales
          87,524  
Available-for-sale — maturities
    255,007       249,222  
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities
    (174,370 )     (310,887 )
Net (increase) decrease in fed funds sold
    (25,000 )     685  
Net increase in loans and leases, except sales
    (170,541 )     (197,667 )
Purchases of premises and equipment
    (8,017 )     (4,783 )
Sales of premises and equipment
    1,953       1,142  
 
           
 
NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    (120,968 )     (174,764 )
Financing Activities
               
Net decrease in demand accounts
    (44,997 )     (38,023 )
Net decrease in savings and money market accounts
    (42,620 )     (33,681 )
Net increase (decrease) in certificates and other time deposits
    256,206       (119,886 )
Net increase (decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    (269,691 )     362,866  
Net increase in wholesale borrowings
    257,616       30,562  
Cash dividends — common
    (44,766 )     (45,983 )
Purchase of treasury shares
    (65,430 )     (25,605 )
 
           
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, conversion of debentures or conversion of preferred stock
    907       4,474  
 
           
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    47,225       134,724  
 
           
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
    2,737       32,188  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    225,953       169,052  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 228,690       201,240  
 
           
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION:
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest, net of amounts capitalized
  $ 69,702       49,660  
 
           
Federal income taxes
  $ 25,150       30,020  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 


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FirstMerit Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2006 (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands except per share data)
1. Company Organization and Financial Presentation — FirstMerit Corporation (“Corporation”) is a bank holding company whose principal asset is the common stock of its wholly-owned subsidiary, FirstMerit Bank, N. A. The Corporation’s other subsidiaries include Citizens Savings Corporation of Stark County, FirstMerit Capital Trust I, FirstMerit Community Development Corporation, FMT, Inc., SF Development Corp and Realty Facility Holdings XV, L.L.C.
     The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2005 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date. The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normally recurring accruals) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The consolidated financial statements of the Corporation as of June 30, 2006 and 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full fiscal year or for any future period. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
     Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current reporting presentation.
2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements — During February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Standards (“SFAS”) No. 156 “Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets,” which amends SFAS No. 140 “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities” with respect to the accounting for separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. This statement requires that all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities be initially measured at fair value. SFAS No. 156 permits, but does not require, the subsequent measurement of separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities at fair value. SFAS No.156 is effective for the first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006, but permits earlier adoption. Management has not elected to early adopt and does not anticipate that adoption will have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
     During February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155 “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” which amends SFAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and SFAS No. 140 “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities.” SFAS No. 155 permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation. It also clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of SFAS No. 133 and establishes a requirement to

 


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evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interest that contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation. This statement is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of the entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. Management is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 155 and does not anticipate that it will have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
     On July 13, 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”.) This interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statement in accordance with SFAS No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. This interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Management is currently evaluating the impact of FIN 48 and does not anticipate that it will have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
     On July 13, 2006 the FASB also issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 13-2, “Accounting for a Change or Projected Change in the Timing of Cash Flows Relating to Income Taxes Generated by a Leveraged Lease Transaction.” This FSP amends SFAS No. 13 to require a lessor in a leveraged-lease transaction to recalculate the leveraged lease for the effect of a change or projected change in the timing of cash flows relating to income taxes that are generated by the leveraged lease. The Corporation is currently evaluating the impact of FSP FAS 13-2 and does not anticipate that it will have a material impact on the Corporation’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
3. Investment Securities — All investment securities of the Corporation are classified as available-for-sale. The available-for-sale classification provides the Corporation with more flexibility to respond, through the portfolio, to changes in market interest rates, or to increases in loan demand or deposit withdrawals.
     The components of investment securities are as follows:
                                 
    June 30, 2006  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
 
Available for sale:
                               
U.S. Government agency obligations
  $ 959,392             26,827       932,565  
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
    103,376       780       514       103,642  
Mortgage-backed securities
    1,213,682       153       61,615       1,152,220  
Other securities
    247,375       2,752       2,468       247,659  
 
                       
 
  $ 2,523,825       3,685       91,424       2,436,086  
 
                       
                 
    Book Value     Fair Value  
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 352,238       347,932  
Due after one year through five years
    1,967,860       1,885,006  
Due after five years through ten years
    73,518       71,832  
Due after ten years
    130,209       131,316  
 
           
 
  $ 2,523,825       2,436,086  
 
           

 


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    December 31, 2005  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
 
Available for sale:
                               
U.S. Government agency obligations
  $ 926,459       1       22,056       904,404  
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
    92,378       1,512       53       93,837  
Mortgage-backed securities
    1,338,694       819       39,964       1,299,549  
Other securities
    248,376       2,071       1,741       248,706  
 
                       
 
  $ 2,605,907       4,403       63,814       2,546,496  
 
                       
                 
            Fair  
    Book Value     Value  
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 150,505       149,204  
Due after one year through five years
    2,158,175       2,101,053  
Due after five years through ten years
    178,355       176,118  
Due after ten years
    118,872       120,121  
 
           
 
  $ 2,605,907       2,546,496  
 
           
                                 
    June 30, 2005  
            Gross     Gross        
    Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
 
Available for sale:
                               
U.S. Treasury securities
    747       34       3       778  
U.S. Government agency obligations
  $ 973,290       434       13,200       960,524  
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
    100,128       2,474       30       102,572  
Mortgage-backed securities
    1,526,454       2,090       20,409       1,508,135  
Other securities
    255,805       1,599       1,286       256,118  
 
                       
 
  $ 2,856,424       6,631       34,928       2,828,127  
 
                       
                 
            Fair  
    Book Value     Value  
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 140,094       138,877  
Due after one year through five years
    2,326,571       2,297,868  
Due after five years through ten years
    256,565       256,768  
Due after ten years
    133,194       134,614  
 
           
 
  $ 2,856,424       2,828,127  
 
           
     Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities based on the issuers’ rights to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities with remaining maturities over five years consist of mortgage and asset backed securities.

 


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     The carrying amount of investment securities pledged to secure trust and public deposits and for purposes required or permitted by law amounted to approximately $1.8 billion at June 30, 2006, $1.9 billion at December 31, 2005, and $2.0 billion at June 30, 2005.
     At June 30, 2006, December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005, the Corporation’s investment in Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) common stock was $8.6 million for each period. At June 30, 2006, December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005, the Corporation’s investment in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock amounted to $111.2 million, $108.1 million and $105.2 million, respectively and is included in other securities in the preceding table. FRB and FHLB stock are classified as a restricted investment, carried at cost, and their value is determined by the ultimate recoverability of par value.
     The following tables show the unrealized losses that have not been recognized as other-than-temporary in accordance with FASB Staff Position (“FSP) No. FAS 115-1. Management believes that due to the credit-worthiness of the issuers and the fact that the Corporation has the intent and the ability to hold the securities for the period necessary to recover the cost of the securities, the decline in the fair values is temporary in nature.

 


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    At June 30, 2006  
    Less than 12 months     12 months or longer     Total  
                                    No.                
Description of           Unrealized             Unrealized     Securities             Unrealized  
Securities   Fair Value     Losses     Fair Value     Losses     Impaired     Fair Value     Losses  
U.S. Government agency obligations
  $ 141,141       (738 )     761,424       (26,089 )     39       902,565       (26,827 )
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    30,268       (426 )     2,261       (88 )     4       32,529       (514 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    96,579       (2,495 )     1,024,252       (59,120 )     57       1,120,831       (61,615 )
Other securities
    40,210       (1,718 )     38,809       (750 )     5       79,019       (2,468 )
 
                                         
Total temporarily impaired securities
  $ 308,198       (5,377 )     1,826,746       (86,047 )     105       2,134,944       (91,424 )
 
                                         
                                                         
    At December 31, 2005  
    Less than 12 months     12 months or longer     Total  
                                    No.                
Description of           Unrealized             Unrealized     Securities             Unrealized  
Securities   Fair Value     Losses     Fair Value     Losses     Impaired     Fair Value     Losses  
U.S. Government agency obligations
  $ 289,001       (5,361 )     615,319       (16,695 )     33       904,320       (22,056 )
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    3,795       (11 )     1,988       (42 )     3       5,783       (53 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    420,506       (7,630 )     834,827       (32,334 )     41       1,255,333       (39,964 )
Other securities
    79,095       (1,232 )     14,403       (509 )     3       93,498       (1,741 )
 
                                         
Total temporarily impaired securities
  $ 792,397       (14,234 )     1,466,537       (49,580 )     80       2,258,934       (63,814 )
 
                                         
                                                         
    At June 30, 2005  
    Less than 12 months     12 months or longer     Total  
                                    No.                
Description of           Unrealized             Unrealized     Securities             Unrealized  
Securities   Fair Value     Losses     Fair Value     Losses     Impaired     Fair Value     Losses  
U.S. Treasury securities
  $ 247       (3 )                       247       (3 )
U.S. Government agency obligations
    385,285       (2,057 )     536,901       (11,144 )     30       922,186       (13,201 )
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    4,633       (13 )     1,724       (6 )     2       6,357       (19 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    526,963       (3,241 )     792,859       (17,168 )     37       1,319,822       (20,409 )
Other securities
    18,243       (245 )     40,723       (1,041 )     6       58,966       (1,286 )
 
                                         
Total temporarily impaired securities
  $ 935,371       (5,559 )     1,372,207       (29,359 )     75       2,307,578       (34,918 )
 
                                         
4. Allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) — The Corporation’s Credit Policy Division manages credit risk by establishing common credit policies for its subsidiary bank, participating in approval of its loans, conducting reviews of loan portfolios, providing centralized consumer underwriting, collections and loan operation services, and overseeing loan workouts. The Corporation’s objective is to minimize losses from its commercial lending activities and to maintain consumer losses at acceptable levels that are stable and consistent with growth and profitability objectives.
     The activity within the ALL for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 and the full year ended December 31, 2005 is shown in the following table:

 


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                    Six     Six        
    Quarter ended     Quarter ended     months ended     months ended     Year ended  
    June 30,     June 30,     June 30,     June 30,     December 31,  
    2006     2005     2006     2005     2005  
 
                                       
Allowance for loan losses-beginning of period
  $ 87,589       97,115       90,661       97,296       97,296  
Loans charged off:
                                       
Commercial
    10,086       4,502       16,152       8,653       19,349  
Mortgage
    325       415       698       682       1,721  
Installment
    4,524       6,514       10,554       14,057       29,307  
Home equity
    1,146       571       1,766       1,323       4,340  
Credit cards
    1,951       2,662       3,725       5,082       11,320  
Leases
    6       758       57       2,365       3,068  
 
                             
Total charge-offs
  $ 18,038       15,422       32,952       32,162       69,105  
 
                             
Recoveries:
                                       
Commercial
    945       1,184       2,382       2,212       4,166  
Mortgage
    30       52       86       107       190  
Installment
    2,965       2,580       6,111       5,305       9,495  
Home equity
    307       318       685       611       1,302  
Credit cards
    585       734       1,034       1,310       2,348  
Manufactured housing
    84       147       185       355       710  
Leases
    101       129       270       189       439  
 
                             
Total recoveries
  $ 5,017       5,144       10,753       10,089       18,650  
 
                             
 
                                       
Net charge-offs
  $ 13,021       10,278       22,199       22,073       50,455  
Provision for loan losses
    13,159       5,971       19,265       17,585       43,820  
 
                             
Allowance for loan losses-end of period
  $ 87,727       92,808       87,727       92,808       90,661  
 
                             
     Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) and Note 4 (Allowance for Loan Losses) in the 2005 Form 10-K, as amended more fully describe the components of the allowance for loan loss model.

 


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5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets — The following table summarizes goodwill and intangible assets:
                                                                         
    At June 30, 2006     At December 31, 2005     At June 30, 2005  
    Gross     Accumulated     Net     Gross     Accumulated     Net     Gross     Accumulated     Net  
    Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amount     Amortization     Amount  
 
                                                                       
Amortizable intangible assets:
                                                                       
 
                                                                       
Deposit base intangible assets
  $ 10,137       6,826       3,311       10,137       6,381       3,756       10,137       5,937       4,200  
 
                                                     
 
                                                                       
Unamortizable intangible assets:
                                                                       
 
                                                                       
Goodwill
  $ 139,245               139,245       139,245               139,245       139,245               139,245  
 
                                                           
     Amortization expense for intangible assets was $0.22 million for both quarters ended June 30, 2006 and 2005. The following table shows the estimated future amortization expense for deposit base intangible assets based on existing asset balances at December 31, 2005:
For the years ended:
         
December 31, 2006
  $ 889  
December 31, 2007
    889  
December 31, 2008
    573  
December 31, 2009
    347  
December 31, 2010
    347  
     During the first quarter of 2006, the Corporation conducted its annual impairment testing as required by SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” and concluded that goodwill was not impaired.

 


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6. Earnings per share — The reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated utilizing the treasury stock method and presented as follows:
                                 
                    Six     Six  
    Quarter ended     Quarter ended     months ended     months ended  
    June 30,     June 30,     June 30,     June 30,  
    2006     2005     2006     2005  
BASIC EPS:
                               
Net income applicable to common shares
  $ 27,661       36,145       57,625       66,233  
 
                       
 
                               
Average common shares outstanding
    79,983       83,603       80,177       83,849  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income per share — basic
  $ 0.35       0.43       0.72       0.79  
 
                       
 
                               
DILUTED EPS:
                               
 
                               
Net income available to common shares
  $ 27,661       36,145       57,625       66,233  
Add: interest expense on convertible bonds
    5       7       10       14  
 
                       
 
    27,666       36,152       57,635       66,247  
 
                       
Avg common shares outstanding
    79,983       83,603       80,177       83,849  
Add: Equivalents from stock options and restricted stock
    170       235       193       285  
Add: Equivalents-convertible bonds
    50       52       50       53  
 
                       
Average common shares and equivalents outstanding
    80,203       83,890       80,420       84,187  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income per common share — diluted
  $ 0.35       0.43       0.72       0.79  
 
                       
     For the quarters ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, options to purchase 6.7 million and 5.8 million shares, respectively, were outstanding, but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were antidilutive.
     On January 20, 2006 the Corporation entered into an accelerated share repurchase arrangement with Goldman, Sachs & Co. to repurchase 2.5 million common shares. The initial price paid per common shares was $25.97. The repurchased common shares were subject to a volume weighted average share price during the repurchase period that ended on March 29, 2006. The 103,728 shares received by the Corporation as a purchase price adjustment at settlement, as well as the repurchased common shares, were reflected in treasury stock on the consolidated balance sheet to be used solely to satisfy the obligations of the Corporation under its various employee stock option, thrift savings, purchase programs or other corporate purposes.
7. Segment Information — The Corporation provides a diversified range of banking and certain nonbanking financial services and products through its various subsidiaries. Management reports the Corporation’s results through its major segment classification, Supercommunity Banking. Included in the Parent Company and Other Subsidiaries category are certain nonbanking affiliates and portions of certain assets, capital, and support functions not specifically identifiable with Supercommunity Banking.
     The Corporation’s business is conducted solely in the United States of America. The following tables present a summary of financial results as of and for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 and the full year ended December 31, 2005:

 


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    Supercommunity   Parent Company and                   FirstMerit
    Banking   Other Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated
June 30, 2006   2nd Qtr   YTD   2nd Qtr   YTD   2nd Qtr   YTD   2nd Qtr   YTD
OPERATIONS (thousands) :
                                                               
Net interest income
  $ 83,714       167,758       28,073       56,049       (26,057 )     (52,104 )     85,730       171,703  
Provision for loan losses
    13,160       19,313       (1 )     (48 )                 13,159       19,265  
Other income
    52,078       97,475                               52,078       97,475  
Other expenses
    82,757       163,443       2,458       3,665       3       9       85,218       167,117  
Net income
    28,305       57,642       29,153       60,597       (29,797 )     (60,614 )     27,661       57,625  
AVERAGES (millions) :
                                                               
Assets
  $ 9,944       9,979       1,081       1,091       (973 )     (993 )     10,052       10,077  
Loans
    6,728       6,711       3       3                   6,731       6,714  
Earning assets
    9,169       9,205       1,040       1,045       (1,035 )     (1,040 )     9,174       9,210  
Deposits
    7,458       7,407                   (32 )     (37 )     7,426       7,370  
Shareholders’ equity
    714       718       1,047       1,057       (891 )     (895 )     870       880  
                                         
            Supercommunity   Parent Company and           FirstMerit
            Banking   Other Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated
December 31, 2005           YTD   YTD   YTD   YTD
OPERATIONS (thousands) :
                                       
Net interest income
          $ 342,089       200,687       (193,781 )     348,995  
Provision for loan losses
            43,853       (33 )           43,820  
Other income
            190,056       410             190,466  
Other expenses
            309,213       4,287       8       313,508  
Net income
            128,427       137,933       (135,877 )     130,483  
AVERAGES (millions) :
                                       
Assets
          $ 10,177       1,253       (1,165 )     10,265  
Loans
            6,605       6             6,611  
Earning assets
            9,418       1,116       (1,100 )     9,434  
Deposits
            7,334             (36 )     7,298  
Shareholders’ equity
            800       1,151       (984 )     967  
                                                                 
    Supercommunity   Parent Company and                   FirstMerit
    Banking   Other Subsidiaries   Eliminations   Consolidated
June 30, 2005   2nd Qtr   YTD   2nd Qtr   YTD   2nd Qtr   YTD   2nd Qtr   YTD
OPERATIONS (thousands) :
                                                               
Net interest income
  $ 86,120       170,552       27,234       53,029       (25,577 )     (49,794 )     87,777       173,787  
Provision for loan losses
    5,820       17,586       152                         5,972       17,586  
Other income
    49,933       94,719       162       315                   50,095       95,034  
Other expenses
    78,046       152,765       1,347       2,536       4       7       79,397       155,308  
Net income
    35,938       65,571       38,328       69,626       (38,121 )     (68,964 )     36,145       66,233  
AVERAGES (millions) :
                                                               
Assets
  $ 10,242       10,194       1,248       1,254       (1,161 )     (1,170 )     10,329       10,278  
Loans
    6,597       6,543       4       4                   6,601       6,547  
Earning assets
    9,473       9,438       1,113       1,114       (1,097 )     (1,098 )     9,489       9,454  
Deposits
    7,357       7,380                   (35 )     (42 )     7,322       7,338  
Shareholders’ equity
    798       799       1,146       1,154       (982 )     (983 )     962       970  
8. Accounting for Derivatives — The Corporation follows the provisions of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended by SFAS No. 149, in accounting for its derivative activities.
     At June 30, 2006, the Corporation had various interest rate swaps in place that were accounted for as fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133 since their purpose is to “swap” fixed interest rate liabilities and assets to a variable interest rate basis. Substantially all of the interest rate swaps are associated with the Corporation’s fixed-rate commercial loan swap program that

 


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was initiated during the first quarter of 2003 and the remaining interest rate swaps convert the fixed interest rate of commercial real estate construction loans and the fixed interest rate of manditorily redeemable preferred securities to a variable interest rate basis. All of the interest rate swaps associated with the fixed-rate commercial loan swap program qualify for the “shortcut method of accounting” as prescribed in SFAS No. 133. The shortcut method of accounting requires that the hedge and the hedged item meet certain qualifying criteria. If the swap qualifies for the shortcut method of accounting, no hedge ineffectiveness can be assumed, and the need to test for ongoing effectiveness is eliminated. For hedges that qualify for the shortcut method of accounting, the fair value of the swap and the fair value of the hedged item are recorded on the balance sheets. The remaining hedges do not meet all the criteria necessary to be considered for the shortcut method of accounting. Therefore, the long-haul method of accounting is utilized. The long-haul method of accounting requires periodic testing of hedge effectiveness with the portion of the hedge deemed to be ineffective reported in other operating expense.
     During 2004, the Corporation began entering into forward swap agreements which, in effect, fixed the borrowing costs of certain variable rate liabilities in the future. These transactions do not qualify for the short-cut method of accounting under SFAS No. 133, as previously discussed. The Corporation classifies these transactions as cash flow hedges, with any hedge ineffectiveness being reported in other operating expense. It is anticipated that the hedges will prove to be effective. A correlation analysis performed at quarter-end verified that the hedges were effective. The Corporation has not entered into any new forward swap agreements and the one remaining swap will mature in August, 2006.
     Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Corporation sells originated mortgage loans into the secondary mortgage loan markets. The Corporation maintains a risk management program to protect and manage interest-rate risk and pricing associated with its mortgage commitment pipeline. The Corporation’s mortgage commitment pipeline included interest-rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) that have been extended to borrowers who have applied for loan funding and met certain defined credit and underwriting standards. During the term of the IRLCs, the Corporation is exposed to interest-rate risk, in that the value of the IRLCs may change significantly before the loans close. To mitigate this interest-rate risk, the Corporation enters into various derivatives by selling loans forward to investors using forward commitments. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, the Corporation classifies and accounts for IRLCs as nondesignated derivatives that are recorded at fair value with changes in value recorded to current earnings. The forward sale commitments used to manage the risk on the IRLCs are also classified and accounted for as nondesignated derivatives and, therefore, recorded at fair value with changes recorded to current earnings. During 2003, the Corporation implemented a SFAS No. 133 hedging program for its mortgage loan warehouse to gain protection for the changes in fair value of the mortgage loan warehouse and the forward commitments. As such, both the mortgage loan warehouse and the forward commitments are accounted for utilizing the long-haul method of accounting and any hedge ineffectiveness is reported in other operating expense.
9. Benefit Plans — The Corporation sponsors several qualified and nonqualified pension and other postretirement benefit plans for certain of its employees. The net periodic benefit cost is based on estimated values provided by outside actuaries. The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:

 


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    Pension Benefits  
                    Six     Six  
    Quarter ended     Quarter ended     months ended     months ended  
    June 30,     June 30,     June 30,     June 30,  
    2006     2005     2006     2005  
Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost Service Cost
  $ 1,771       1,597       3,542       3,194  
Interest Cost
    2,282       2,206       4,564       4,413  
Expected return on assets
    (2,837 )     (2,875 )     (5,674 )     (5,751 )
Amortization of unrecognized:
                               
Prior service costs
    45       57       90       114  
Cumulative net loss
    1,480       863       2,960       1,726  
 
                       
Net periodic pension cost
  $ 2,741       1,848       5,482       3,696  
 
                       
                                 
    Postretirement Benefits  
                    Six     Six  
    Quarter ended     Quarter ended     months ended     months ended  
    June 30,     June 30,     June 30,     June 30,  
    2006     2005     2006     2005  
Components of Net Periodic Postretirement Cost Service Cost
  $ 187       201       374       402  
Interest Cost
    416       386       831       772  
Amortization of unrecognized prior service costs
    (135 )     (135 )     (270 )     (270 )
Cumulative net loss
    107       24       214       48  
 
                       
Net periodic postretirement cost
  $ 575       476       1,149       952  
 
                       
     The Corporation does not anticipate making a contribution to the pension plan during 2006.
     On May 18, 2006 the Corporation’s Board of Directors approved freezing the current defined benefit pension plan for non-vested employees and closed it to new entrants after December 31, 2006. Participants vested in the current pension plan as of December 31, 2006 will remain participants in the existing pension plan. A new defined contribution plan was also approved for non-vested employees and new hires as of January 1, 2007. These plan amendments qualify as a curtailment of the defined benefit pension plan, the impact of which was a $1.4 million gain that was recognized by a direct reduction of the plan’s cumulative net loss with no impact on current period earnings.
10. Share-Based Compensation — The Corporation’s 1987, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2006 Stock and Equity Plans (the “Plans”) provide stock options and restricted stock awards to certain key employees (and to all full-time employees in the case of the 1999, 2002 and 2006 Plans) for up to 10,609,528 common shares of the Corporation. In addition, the 2002 and 2006 Plans provide for the granting of non-qualified stock options and nonvested (restricted)

 


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shares to certain non-employee directors of the Corporation. Outstanding options under these Plans are generally not exercisable for twelve months from date of grant.
     Options under these Plans are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Corporation’s stock at the date of grant; those option awards generally vest based on 3 years of continuous service and have a 10 year contractual terms. Options granted as incentive stock options must be exercised within ten years and options granted as non-qualified stock options have terms established by the Compensation Committee of the Board and approved by the non-employee directors of the Board. Options are cancelable within defined periods based upon the reason for termination of employment.
     The Corporation adopted the FASB’s SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (SFAS No. 123(R)) on the required effective date, January 1, 2006, using the modified prospective transition method provided for under the standard. SFAS 123(R) required an entity to recognize as compensation expense the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation granted to employees within the income statement using a fair-value-based method, eliminating the intrinsic value method of accounting previously permissible under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (APB No. 25) and related interpretations. The Corporation previously elected to use APB No. 25 and adopted the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure.”
     Pro forma information regarding net income and earning per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 is presented below as if the Corporation had accounted for all stock-based compensation under the fair value method of SFAS No. 123. The financial statements for the prior interim periods and fiscal years do not reflect any compensation expense calculated under the fair-value method.
                 
    Quarter     Six months  
    ended     ended  
    June 30, 2005     June 30, 2005  
Net income, as reported
  $ 36,145       66,233  
Deduct: total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects
    (937 )     (1,682 )
 
           
Pro forma net income
  $ 35,208       64,551  
 
           
Pro forma EPS — Basic
  $ 0.42       0.77  
Pro forma EPS — Diluted
  $ 0.42       0.77  
Reported EPS — Basic
  $ 0.43       0.79  
Reported EPS — Diluted
  $ 0.43       0.79  
 
               
Assumptions:
               
 
               
Dividend yield
    4.12 %     4.02 %
Expected volatility
    26.72 %     28.48 %
Risk free interest rate
    3.85 - 4.04 %     3.77 - 4.04 %
Expected lives
  5 Years     5 Years

 


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     Certain of the Corporation’s share-based award grants contain terms that provide for a graded vesting schedule whereby portions of the award vest in increments over the requisite service period. As provided for under SFAS No. 123(R), the Corporation has elected to recognize compensation expense for awards with graded vesting schedule on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. SFAS No. 123(R) requires companies to recognize compensation expense based on the estimated number of stock options and awards for which service is to be rendered. Upon stock option exercise or stock unit conversion, it is the policy of the Corporation to issue shares from treasury stock.
     The Black-Scholes option pricing model was used to estimate the fair market value of the options at the date of grant. This model was originally developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have different characteristics from the Corporation’s employee stock options. The model is also sensitive to changes in subjective assumptions, which can materially affect fair value estimates. Expected volatilities are based on implied volatilities from historical volatility of the Corporation’s stock, and other factors. The Corporation uses historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination with the valuation model. The expected term of options granted is derived from the output of the option valuation model and represent the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding; the range given below results from certain groups of employees exhibiting different behavior. The risk-free rate for periods within the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
                 
    Six Months Ended   Year Ended
    June 30, 2006   December 31, 2005
Assumptions:
               
Dividend yield
    4.24 %     4.02 %
Expected volatility
    23.50 %     28.39 %
Risk free interest rate
    4.88       3.77 - 4.38 %
Expected lives
  4.92 years     5 years  
     On December 27, 2005, with the approval of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, the Corporation accelerated the vesting of unvested out-of-the-money stock options (“Options”) outstanding under the Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan.
     The decision to accelerate these Options was made primarily to reduce non-cash compensation expense that would have been recorded in the Corporation’s income statement in future periods upon the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R). The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Corporation is authorized under the 2002 Plan to prescribe the time of the exercise of stock options and to accelerate the time at which stock options become exercisable. As a result of this decision, the Corporation reduced the after-tax stock option expense it would have been required to record by approximately $2.3 million in 2006 and $1.5 million in 2007.
     As a result of this vesting acceleration, options to purchase approximately 1.7 million shares became exercisable immediately. These Options would have vested through February 2008. Based upon the Corporation’s closing price of $26.32, on December 27, 2005, all of the Options accelerated were out-of-the-money, that is, the Options’ exercise price was greater than the current market value of the Corporation’s stock. The number of shares, exercise prices and terms of the Options, subject to acceleration, remain the same.

 


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     A summary of stock option activity under the Plans as of June 30, 2006, and changes during the six months then ended is as follows:
                                 
                    Weighted—Average        
    Shares     Weighted—Average     Remaining     Aggregate Intrinsic  
Options   (000’s)     Exercise Price     Contractual Term     Value (000’s)  
 
                               
Outstanding at January 1, 2006
    7,495     $ 25.66                  
Granted
    501       24.16                  
Exercised
    (57 )     16.49                  
Forfeited
    (25 )     25.22                  
Expired
    (237 )     26.72                  
 
                             
Outstanding at June 30, 2006
    7,677       25.59       5.78     $ 1,683  
 
                       
 
                               
Exercisable at June 30, 2006
    6,861     $ 25.71       5.49     $ 1,492  
 
                       
     The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2006 was $4.20. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2006 was $0.4 million.
     Cash received from option exercise under all share-based payment arrangements for the six months ended June 30, 2006 was a $0.9 million. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deduction from option exercise of the share-based payment arrangements totaled $0.1 million.
     The Corporation has a policy of repurchasing shares on the open market to satisfy share option exercises. During the first quarter of 2006 the Corporation repurchased 2.6 million common shares of stock which Management estimates will be adequate to cover option exercises for the full year.
     At June 30, 2006, there was $2.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options granted under the Plans which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.33 years.
     A summary of the status of the Corporation’s nonvested shares as of December 31, 2005, and changes during the six months ended June 30, 2006, is as follows:
                 
            Weighted—Average  
    Shares     Grant—Date  
Nonvested (restricted) Shares   (000’s)     Fair Value  
 
               
Nonvested at January 1, 2006
    68     $ 24.52  
Granted
    287       24.18  
Vested
    (29 )     23.76  
Forfeited or expired
    (1 )     24.18  
 
             
Nonvested at June 30, 2006
    325     $ 24.14  
 
           
     As of June 30, 2006, there was $5.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested (restricted) share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.91 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the six months ended June 30, 2006 was $0.7 million.
     In accordance with the Corporation’s stock option and nonvested (restricted) shares plans, employee participants that are 55 or older and have 15 years of service are eligible to retire. At retirement, all unvested awards immediately vest. As required by SFAS 123(R), the Corporation began accelerating the recognition of compensation costs for share-based awards granted to retirement-eligible employees and employees who become retirement-eligible prior to full vesting of the awards. Compensation cost for awards granted or modified after the adoption of SFAS 123(R) will be recognized over a period to the date an employee first becomes eligible for retirement. In accordance with this change in policy, share-based compensation for the three months ending June 30, 2006 included expense of $2.8 million for share-based compensation that was granted to retirement-eligible employee participants.
     The total share-based compensation expense recognized during the six months ended June, 30, 2006 was $4.1 million and the related tax benefits thereto was $1.5 million.

 


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11. Contingencies — The nature of the Corporation’s business results in a certain amount of litigation. Accordingly, the Corporation and its subsidiaries are subject to various pending and threatened lawsuits in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, is of the opinion that the ultimate liability of such pending matters will not have a material effect on the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations.

 


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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
Fully-tax Equivalent Interest Rates and Interest Differential

 
FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                                         
    Three months ended     Year ended     Three months ended  
    June 30, 2006     December 31, 2005     June 30, 2005  
    Average             Average     Average             Average     Average             Average  
(Dollars in thousands)   Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate  
ASSETS
                                                                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 188,915                       194,485                       197,548                  
Investment securities and federal funds sold:
                                                                       
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government agency obligations (taxable)
    2,054,338       20,102       3.92 %     2,416,360       91,814       3.80 %     2,478,319       23,722       3.84 %
Obligations of states and political subdivisions (tax exempt)
    88,144       1,490       6.78 %     99,487       6,707       6.74 %     99,756       1,673       6.73 %
Other securities and federal funds sold
    249,726       3,823       6.14 %     255,568       12,291       4.81 %     255,743       3,037       4.76 %
 
                                                           
 
                                                                       
Total investment securities and federal funds sold
    2,392,208       25,415       4.26 %     2,771,415       110,812       4.00 %     2,833,818       28,432       4.02 %
 
                                                                       
Loans held for sale
    51,269       512       4.01 %     52,740       2,854       5.41 %     54,409       804       5.93 %
Loans
    6,730,531       122,990       7.33 %     6,610,509       430,402       6.51 %     6,601,204       105,196       6.39 %
 
                                                         
Total earning assets
    9,174,008       148,917       6.51 %     9,434,664       544,068       5.77 %     9,489,431       134,432       5.68 %
Allowance for loan losses
    (86,583 )                     (94,118 )                     (96,342 )                
Other assets
    775,283                       729,398                       738,530                  
 
                                                                 
Total assets
  $ 10,051,623                       10,264,429                       10,329,167                  
 
                                                                 
 
                                                                       
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                                                       
Deposits:
                                                                       
Demand - non-interest bearing
  $ 1,455,229                   1,466,106                   1,470,673              
Demand - interest bearing
    865,563       2,583       1.20 %     827,829       5,871       0.71 %     834,708       1,230       0.59 %
Savings and money market accounts
    2,280,657       12,079       2.12 %     2,356,813       32,944       1.40 %     2,370,280       7,517       1.27 %
Certificates and other time deposits
    2,824,580       29,326       4.16 %     2,647,908       86,764       3.28 %     2,646,199       20,696       3.14 %
 
                                                           
Total deposits
    7,426,029       43,988       2.38 %     7,298,656       125,579       1.72 %     7,321,860       29,443       1.61 %
 
                                                                       
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    1,212,470       12,957       4.29 %     1,409,135       45,423       3.22 %     1,385,644       10,624       3.08 %
Wholesale borrowings
    371,309       5,595       6.04 %     431,787       21,449       4.97 %     498,088       5,933       4.78 %
 
                                                           
Total interest bearing liabilities
    7,554,579       62,540       3.32 %     7,673,472       192,451       2.51 %     7,734,919       46,000       2.39 %
 
                                                                       
Other liabilities
    171,581                       158,125                       161,336                  
 
                                                                       
Shareholders’ equity
    870,234                       966,726                       962,239                  
 
                                                                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 10,051,623                       10,264,429                       10,329,167                  
 
                                                                 
Net yield on earning assets
  $ 9,174,008       86,377       3.78 %     9,434,664       351,617       3.73 %     9,489,431       88,432       3.74 %
 
                                                     
Interest rate spread
                    3.19 %                     3.26 %                     3.30 %
 
                                                                 
Notes:   Interest income on tax-exempt securities and loans have been adjusted to a fully-taxable equivalent basis.
  Nonaccrual loans have been included in the average balances.
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) Continued
Fully-tax Equivalent Interest Rates and Interest Differential
 
FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                 
    Six months ended     Six months ended  
    June 30, 2006     June 30, 2005  
    Average             Average     Average             Average  
(Dollars in thousands)   Balance     Interest     Rate     Balance     Interest     Rate  
             
ASSETS
                                               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 191,465                       194,163                  
Investment securities:
                                               
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government agency obligations (taxable)
    2,107,527       40,951       3.92 %     2,496,528       47,540       3.84 %
Obligations of states and political subdivisions (tax exempt)
    89,376       3,018       6.81 %     100,659       3,436       6.88 %
Other securities
    245,278       7,265       5.97 %     253,816       5,743       4.56 %
 
                                               
Total investment securities
    2,442,181       51,234       4.23 %     2,851,003       56,719       4.01 %
 
                                               
Federal funds sold
    3,635       85       4.72 %     2,083       57       5.52 %
Loans held for sale
    49,708       1,597       6.48 %     53,825       1,431       5.36 %
Loans
    6,714,222       239,663       7.20 %     6,546,926       204,742       6.31 %
 
                                               
Total earning assets
    9,209,746       292,579       6.41 %     9,453,837       262,949       5.61 %
 
                                               
Allowance for loan losses
    (88,396 )                     (96,390 )                
Other assets
    764,305                       726,859                  
 
                                           
Total assets
  $ 10,077,120                       10,278,469                  
 
                                           
 
                                               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                               
Deposits:
                                               
Demand — non-interest bearing
  $ 1,458,807                   1,459,014              
Demand — interest bearing
    856,934       4,945       1.16 %     827,879       2,186       0.53 %
Savings and money market accounts
    2,286,727       22,827       2.01 %     2,381,092       13,892       1.18 %
Certificates and other time deposits
    2,767,489       55,427       4.04 %     2,670,199       41,296       3.12 %
 
                                               
Total deposits
    7,369,957       83,199       2.28 %     7,338,184       57,374       1.58 %
 
                                               
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    1,253,596       24,880       4.00 %     1,356,106       19,465       2.89 %
Wholesale borrowings
    402,111       11,560       5.80 %     455,357       10,992       4.87 %
 
                                               
Total interest bearing liabilities
    7,566,857       119,639       3.19 %     7,690,633       87,831       2.30 %
 
                                               
Other liabilities
    171,858                       158,804                  
 
                                               
Shareholders’ equity
    879,598                       970,018                  
 
                                           
 
                                               
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 10,077,120                       10,278,469                  
 
                                           
 
                                               
Net yield on earning assets
  $ 9,209,746       172,940       3.79 %     9,453,837       175,118       3.74 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Interest rate spread
                    3.22 %                     3.31 %
 
                                           
Notes:   Interest income on tax-exempt securities and loans have been adjusted to a fully-taxable equivalent basis.
  Nonaccrual loans have been included in the average balances.

 


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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
     FirstMerit Corporation reported second quarter 2006 net income of $27.7 million, or $0.35 per diluted share. This compares with $36.1 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, for the second quarter 2005. Returns on average common equity (“ROE”) and average assets (“ROA”) for 2006 second quarter were 12.75% and 1.10%, respectively, compared with 15.07% and 1.40% for the second quarter 2005.
     For the first six months of 2006, the Corporation reported net income of $57.6 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, compared with $66.2 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, for the first six months of 2005.
     Total revenue, defined as net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) basis plus non-interest income net of securities transactions, totaled $138.5 million for the second quarter 2006, compared with $138.6 million reported in the second quarter 2005. FTE net interest income was $86.4 million for the second quarter 2006, a decline of $2.1 million, or 2.32%, compared with the year-ago quarter. During the quarter, the net interest margin expanded 4 basis points to 3.78%, from 3.74% in the second quarter 2005.
     The Corporation expanded its net interest margin amidst a challenging interest rate environment by taking advantage of opportunities within its flexibly structured investment portfolio. For the second quarter 2006, average investment securities accounted for 23.80% of average assets, compared with 27.44% for the second quarter 2005. The $441.6 million, or 15.58%, reduction in the securities portfolio supported a $300.0 million, or 15.92%, reduction of average borrowed funds, along with $129.3 million, or 1.96%, growth in the average loan portfolio. Average commercial loan growth of $168.1 million, or 4.89%, and average home equity loan growth of $68.1 million, or 9.68%, offset declining average balances in the mortgage, installment and lease portfolios.
     Non-interest income excluding securities transactions totaled $52.1 million for the second quarter 2006, compared with $50.1 million for the second quarter 2005, an increase of $2.0 million, or 3.90%. Credit card fees increased $1.0 million, or 9.08%, and service charges increased $0.2 million, or 1.18%. Compared with the first quarter 2006, credit card fees increased $0.8 million, or 7.56%, and deposit service charges rose $1.9 million, or 12.10%.
     Non-interest expense totaled $85.2 million for the second quarter 2006, compared with $79.4 million for the second quarter 2005. Salary, wages, pension and employee benefits increased $5.4 million, or 12.99%, driven primarily by the increase in share-based compensation expense of $3.3 million. Additionally, expenses related to organizational restructurings also increased overall non-interest expense during the quarter. The organizational changes are part of the Corporation’s initiatives to improve efficiency and generate revenue through a realigned and streamlined business structure.
     Net charge-offs totaled $13.0 million in the second quarter 2006, compared with $10.3 million for the second quarter 2005, or 0.78% and 0.62% of average loans, respectively.

 


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     The Corporation’s longer term trend of improving charge-off levels was interrupted by costs related to a credit relationship that accounted for $6.6 million of the quarter’s total net charge-offs. The Company expects to return to its trend of lower charge-off levels for the balance of 2006. As of June 30, 2006, nonperforming assets were $58.8 million, or 0.86%, of period-end loans plus other real estate, compared with $54.0 million, or 0.82%, at June 30, 2005. Nonperforming assets declined $14.2 million, or 19.41%, from March 31, 2006.
     The Corporation recorded $13.2 million of loan loss provision in the second quarter 2006, compared with loan loss provision of $6.0 million in the second quarter 2005. On June 30, 2006, criticized commercial assets accounted for 6.93% of total commercial loans, compared with criticized commercial asset levels of 7.59% on June 30, 2005.
     At June 30 2006, the allowance for loan losses was 1.29% of loans, compared with 1.36% at December 31, 2005. The allowance for credit losses is the sum of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments. For comparative purposes the allowance for credit losses was 1.37% at June 30, 2006, compared with 1.45% at December 31, 2005.
     Assets at June 30, 2006, totaled $10.3 billion, equivalent to $10.3 billion total at June 30, 2005. Period-end loan growth of $194.4 million, or 2.94%, was driven by a $236.9 million, or 6.90% increase in the commercial lending portfolio, offsetting declines in the mortgage, installment and leasing portfolios.
     Deposits totaled $7.4 billion at June 30, 2006, an increase of $228.4 million, or 3.18%, from June 30, 2005. Non interest bearing demand deposit accounts (DDA) increased $26.8 million, or 1.86%, over that time. For the second quarter of 2006, average deposits increased $104.2 million, or 1.42%, compared with the second quarter of 2005.
     Shareholders’ equity was $870.7 million at June 30, 2006. The Corporation’s capital position remains strong as tangible equity to assets was 7.20% at quarter-end. The common dividend per share paid in the second quarter 2006 was $0.28, a $0.01 increase from the second quarter 2005.

 


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Net Interest Income
     Net interest income, the Corporation’s principal source of earnings, is the difference between interest income generated by earning assets (primarily loans and investment securities) and interest paid on interest-bearing funds (namely customer deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and wholesale borrowings). Net interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 was $85.7 million compared to $87.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2005. Net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2006 was $152.4 million compared to $156.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. For the purpose of this remaining discussion, net interest income is presented on an FTE basis, to provide a comparison among all types of interest earning assets. That is, interest on tax-free securities and tax-exempt loans has been restated as if such interest were taxed at the statutory Federal income tax rate of 35%, adjusted for the non-deductible portion of interest expense incurred to acquire the tax-free assets. Net interest income presented on an FTE basis is a non-GAAP financial measure widely used by financial services organizations. The FTE adjustment was $0.6 million and $0.7 million for the quarters ending June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
     FTE net interest income for the quarter ended June, 2006 was $86.4 million compared to $88.4 million for the three months ended June, 2005. The $2.0 million decrease in FTE net interest income occurred because the $16.5 million increase in interest expense, compared to the same quarter last year, was more than the $14.5 million increase in interest income during the same period.
     FTE net interest income for the six months ended June, 2006 was $172.9 million compared to $175.1 million for the six months ended June, 2005. The $2.2 million decrease in FTE net interest income occurred because the $31.8 million increase in interest expense, compared to the same period last year, was more than the $29.6 million increase in interest income during the same period.
     As illustrated in the following rate/volume analysis table, interest income and interest expense both increased due to the rising interest rate environment.

 


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    Quarters ended June 30, 2006 and 2005     Six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005  
RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS   Increases (Decreases)     Increases (Decreases)  
  Volume     Rate     Total     Volume     Rate     Total  
(Dollars in thousands)
                                               
INTEREST INCOME — FTE
                                               
Investment securities
  $ (4,610 )     1,584       (3,026 )     (8,401 )     2,916       (5,485 )
Loans held for sale
    (44 )     (248 )     (292 )     (115 )     281       166  
Loans
    2,097       15,697       17,794       5,345       29,576       34,921  
Federal funds sold
    34       (25 )     9       37       (9 )     28  
 
                                   
Total interest income — FTE
  $ (2,523 )     17,008       14,485       (3,134 )     32,764       29,630  
 
                                   
INTEREST EXPENSE
                                               
Demand deposits-interest bearing
  $ 47       1,306       1,353       80       2,679       2,759  
Savings and money market accounts
    (295 )     4,857       4,562       (572 )     9,507       8,935  
Certificates of deposits and other time deposits
    1,473       7,157       8,630       1,554       12,577       14,131  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    (1,454 )     3,787       2,333       (1,565 )     6,980       5,415  
Wholesale borrowings
    (1,706 )     1,368       (338 )     (1,379 )     1,947       568  
 
                                   
Total interest expense
  $ (1,935 )     18,475       16,540       (1,882 )     33,690       31,808  
 
                                   
Net interest income — FTE
  $ (588 )     (1,467 )     (2,055 )     (1,252 )     (926 )     (2,178 )
 
                                   
     As illustrated in the preceding table, the increased amount of interest income recorded in the 2006 second quarter compared to the same 2005 period was primarily rate driven as higher yields on loans increased interest income by $15.7 million during those periods. The table also depicts a similar three-month increase in interest expense, again caused by the continued rise in interest rates from 2005 through the second quarter of 2006. The higher rates paid on customer deposits and securities sold under agreements to repurchase in the 2006 quarter compared to the same 2005 period increased interest expense by $17.1 million. The six-month changes were also primarily rate driven as the higher yield on loans increased interest income by $29.6 million while the increase in rates paid on deposits and securities sold under agreements to repurchase increased interest expense by $31.7 million.
Net Interest Margin
     The following table provides 2006 FTE net interest income and net interest margin totals as well as 2005 comparative amounts:
                                 
    Quarters ended     Six months ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
(Dollars in thousands)   2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Net interest income
  $ 85,730       87,777       171,703       173,787  
Tax equivalent adjustment
    647       655       1,237       1,331  
 
                       
Net interest income — FTE
  $ 86,377       88,432       172,940       175,118  
 
                       
 
                               
Average earning assets
  $ 9,174,008       9,489,431       9,209,746       9,453,837  
 
                       
Net interest margin — FTE
    3.78 %     3.74 %     3.79 %     3.74 %
 
                       

 


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     Average loans outstanding for the current year and prior year second quarters totaled $6.7 billion and $6.6 billion, respectively. Increases in average loan balances from second quarter 2005 to the second quarter this year occurred in commercial and home equity loans while mortgage loans, installment loans, credit card loans, and leases declined. Efforts to grow loans outstanding continue to be tempered by the less than robust economy that currently exists in the Corporation’s primary lending areas.
     Specific changes in average loans outstanding, compared to the second quarter 2005, were as follows: commercial loans were up $168.1 million or 4.89%; home equity loans, as a result of targeted marketing, rose $68.1 million or 9.68%; credit card loans were down $0.4 million or 0.27%; installment loans, both direct and indirect, were down $75.7 million or 4.72%; mortgage loans were down $15.4 million or 2.4%; and leases were down $15.5 million, or 19.23%. The majority of fixed-rate mortgage loan originations are sold to investors through the secondary mortgage loan market. Average outstanding loans for the 2006 and 2005 second quarters equaled 73.37% and 69.56% of average earning assets, respectively.
     Average deposits were $7.4 billion during the 2006 second quarter, up $104.2 million, or 1.42%, from the same period last year. For the quarter ended June 30, 2006, average core deposits (which are defined as checking accounts, savings accounts and money market savings products) decreased $74.2 million or 1.59% and represented 61.96% of total average deposits compared to 63.86% for the 2005 second quarter. Average certificates of deposit (“CDs”) increased $178.4 million or 6.74% compared to the prior year quarter. Average wholesale borrowings decreased $126.8 million and as a percentage of total interest-bearing funds equaled 4.92% for the 2006 second quarter and 6.44% for the same quarter one year ago. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased $173.2 million and as a percentage of total interest bearing funds equaled 16.05% for the 2006 second quarter and 17.91% for the 2005 second quarter. Average interest-bearing liabilities funded 82.35% of average earning assets in the current year quarter and 81.51% during the quarter ended June 30, 2005.
Other Income
     Other (non-interest) income for the quarter totaled $52.1 million, an increase of $2.0 million from the $50.1 million earned during the same period one year ago.
     Other income, net of securities gains, as a percentage of net revenue for the second quarter was 37.61% compared to 36.17% for the same quarter one year ago. Net revenue is defined as net interest income, on a FTE basis, plus other income, less gains from securities sales.
     The primary changes in other income for the 2006 second quarter as compared to the second quarter of 2005, were as follows: trust department income was $5.7 million, up 1.06%; service charges on deposit accounts totaled $18.0 million, up 1.18% due in part to new fee strategies; credit card fees increased $1.0 million or 9.08%; loan sales and servicing income was $2.8 million, an increase of $1.3 million or 86.38%, due to the $1.0 million gain on the sale of nonperforming loans; income from bank owned life insurance increased $2.3 million, or 75.60%, due to death benefit proceeds; investment services and insurance fees decreased $0.2 million, or 8.73%, primarily due to the sale of the credit life portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2005; there

 


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were no significant sales of investment securities during the second quarter of 2006 or 2005; and other operating income decreased $2.6 million or 47.99% due to a one time settlement of manufactured housing contractual obligations of $2.5 million in the 2005 second quarter.
The changes in other income for the six months ended June 30, 2006 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2005 were consistent with the quarter results: trust department income was $11.3 million, down 0.46%; service charges on deposit accounts totaled $34.1 million, up 4.46% due in part to new fee strategies initiated in the third quarter of 2005; credit card fees increased $2.2 million or 11.11%; loan sales and servicing income was $4.3 million an increase of $1.6 million or 61.25%; income from bank owned life insurance increased $2.2 million or 26.04% due to death benefit proceeds in the second quarter of 2006; investment services and insurance fees decreased $0.5 million or 8.93% primarily due to the sale of the credit life portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2005; investment security gains were down $1.8 million or 98.92%; and other operating income decreased $2.7 million or 47.99% primarily due to a one time settlement of manufactured housing contractual obligations of $2.5 million.
A significant component of loan sales and servicing income category is the income derived from mortgage servicing activities. The following is a summary of changes in capitalized mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”), net of accumulated amortization and valuation allowance, included in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets:
                                         
    Quarter ended     Quarter ended     Quarter ended     Quarter ended     Quarter ended  
    June 30,     March 31,     December 31,     September 30,     June 30,  
(Dollars in thousands)   2006     2006     2005     2005     2005  
 
                                       
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 19,945       19,971       19,523       18,635       18,396  
Addition of mortgage servicing rights
    814       723       1,230       1,657       1,072  
Amortization
    (734 )     (773 )     (786 )     (825 )     (759 )
Changes in valuation allowance
          24       4       56       (74 )
 
                             
Balance at end of period
  $ 20,025       19,945       19,971       19,523       18,635  
 
                             
     On a quarterly basis, the Corporation assesses its MSRs for impairment based on their current fair value. As permitted, the Corporation disaggregates its MSRs portfolio based on loan type and interest rate which are the predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans. If any impairment results after current market assumptions are applied, the value of the servicing rights is reduced through the use of a valuation allowance, the balance of which is $0, $24 thousand and $10 thousand at June 30, 2006, December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005, respectively. The MSRs are amortized over the period of and in proportion to the estimated net servicing revenues.
     These balances represent the rights to service approximately $2.0 billion, $2.1 billion and $2.0 billion of mortgage loans at June 30, 2006, December 31, 2005, and June 30, 2005, respectively. The portfolio primarily consists of conventional mortgages.
     The Corporation continues to focus upon non-interest income (fee income) as a means by which to diversify revenue.

 


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Other Expenses
     Other (non-interest) expenses totaled $85.2 million for the second quarter 2006 compared to $79.4 million for the same 2005 quarter, an increase of $5.8 million, or 7.33%.
     For the three months ended June 30, 2006, increases in operating costs compared to the second quarter 2005 occurred as follows: salaries, wages, pension and employee benefits rose $5.4 million, primarily due to the $3.3 million increase in share-based compensation expense, as well as $1.3 million additional expense associated with severance expenses of organizational restructurings; bankcard, loan processing and other costs increased $1.9 million, primarily attributable to the increase in loans outstanding and higher credit card activity; other operating expense decreased $1.5 million reflecting specific reserves on other real estate and manufactured housing contracts that were established in the second quarter of 2005; while other categories of expense remain relatively consistent.
     For the six months ended June 30, 2006, increases in operating costs compared to the six months ended June 30, 2005 occurred as follows: salaries, wages, pension and employee benefits rose $9.0 million, primarily due to increased pension and postretirement benefits as well as $3.3 million of share-based compensation expense, and $1.3 million additional expense associated with severance expenses of organizational restructurings; bankcard, loan processing and other costs increased $2.1 million primarily attributable to the increase in loans outstanding and higher credit card activity; while other categories of expense remain relatively consistent.
     The efficiency ratio of 61.39% for second quarter 2006 reflected an increase over the efficiency ratio of 57.14% recorded for the second quarter, 2005. The efficiency ratio for the three months ended June 30, 2006 indicates 61.39 cents of operating costs were spent in order to generate each dollar of net revenue.
Federal Income Taxes
     Federal income tax expense was $11.8 million and $16.4 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The effective federal income tax rate for the second quarter 2006 was 29.85% compared to 31.20% for the same quarter 2005. For the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, the effective tax rate was 30.40% and 30.95%. Additional federal income tax information is contained in Note 11 (Federal Income Taxes) in the 2005 Form 10-K, as amended.

 


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FINANCIAL CONDITION
Investment Securities
     The June 30, 2006 amortized cost and market value of investment securities, including mortgage-backed securities, by average remaining term, are included in Note 4 (Investment Securities) to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
     These securities are purchased within an overall strategy to maximize future earnings, taking into account an acceptable level of interest rate risk. While the maturities of the mortgage and asset-backed securities are beyond five years, these instruments provide periodic principal payments and include securities with adjustable interest rates, reducing the interest rate risk associated with longer-term investments.

 


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Allowance for Credit Losses
     The allowance for credit losses is the sum of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments.
                         
    Quarter ended     Year Ended     Quarter ended  
    June 30,     December 31,     June 30,  
Allowance for Loan Losses   2006     2005     2005  
(In thousands)                        
Allowance for loan losses-beginning of period
  $ 87,589       97,296       97,115  
Provision for loan losses
    13,159       43,820       5,971  
Loans charged off
    (18,038 )     (69,105 )     (15,422 )
Recoveries on loans previously charged off
    5,017       18,650       5,144  
 
                 
Allowance for loan losses-end of period
  $ 87,727       90,661       92,808  
 
                 
 
                       
Reserve for Unfunded Lending Commitments
                       
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 5,853       5,774       6,479  
Provision for credit losses
    (137 )     298       (694 )
 
                 
Balance at end of period
  $ 5,716       6,072       5,785  
 
                 
 
Allowance for Credit Losses
  $ 93,443       96,733       98,593  
 
                 
 
Annualized net charge-offs as a % of average loans
    0.78 %     0.76 %     0.62 %
 
                 
 
                       
Allowance for loan losses:
                       
As a percentage of loans outstanding
    1.29 %     1.36 %     1.40 %
 
                 
As a percentage of nonperforming loans
    174.80 %     145.61 %     208.74 %
 
                 
As a multiple of annualized net charge offs
    1.68 X     1.80 X     2.25 X
 
                 
 
                       
Allowance for credit losses:
                       
As a percentage of loans outstanding
    1.37 %     1.45 %     1.49 %
 
                 
As a percentage of nonperforming loans
    186.19 %     155.36 %     221.76 %
 
                 
As a multiple of annualized net charge offs
    1.79 X     1.92 X     2.39 X
 
                 
     The allowance for credit losses decreased $3.2 million from December 31, 2005 to June 30, 2006, and decreased $5.2 million from June 30, 2005 to June 30, 2006. The decrease for both periods was attributable to an overall improvement in criticized assets (“individually impaired,” “substandard” and “doubtful”). The following tables show this overall trend in increased credit quality by specific asset and risk categories.

 


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    At June 30, 2006  
    Loan Type  
Allowance for Loan   Commercial     Commercial R/E             Installment Home EquityCredit Card Res Mortgage        
Losses Components:   Loans     Loans     Leases     Loans     Loans     Loans     Loans     Total  
(In thousands)
                                                               
Individually Impaired Loan Component:
                                                               
Loan balance
  $ 17,099       16,772                                     33,871  
Allowance
    4,773       2,650                                     7,423  
Collective Loan Impairment Components:
                                                               
Credit risk-graded loans
                                                               
Grade 1 loan balance
    18,140       2,558                                             20,698  
Grade 1 allowance
    74       4                                             78  
Grade 2 loan balance
    122,432       94,050       13,653                                       230,135  
Grade 2 allowance
    974       375       121                                       1,470  
Grade 3 loan balance
    333,361       359,740       17,110                                       710,211  
Grade 3 allowance
    2,645       1,742       142                                       4,529  
Grade 4 loan balance
    939,873       1,532,492       26,727                                       2,499,092  
Grade 4 allowance
    17,114       13,080       862                                       31,056  
Grade 5 (Special Mention) loan balance
    60,153       58,771       124                                       119,048  
Grade 5 allowance
    3,314       1,731       8                                       5,053  
Grade 6 (Substandard) loan balance
    53,004       50,664       2,573                                       106,241  
Grade 6 allowance
    5,950       3,157       320                                       9,427  
Grade 7 (Doubtful) loan balance
    317       261                                             578  
Grade 7 allowance
    121       39                                             160  
Consumer loans based on payment status:
                                                               
Current loan balances
                    3,683       1,547,435       760,963       132,392       591,280       3,035,753  
Current loans allowance
                    34       16,026       1,689       3,566       893       22,208  
30 days past due loan balance
                    204       8,847       1,545       1,708       11,544       23,848  
30 days past due allowance
                    4       787       99       646       96       1,632  
60 days past due loan balance
                    129       3,131       631       1,157       3,986       9,034  
60 days past due allowance
                    12       809       107       710       115       1,753  
90+ days past due loan balance
                    11       2,344       446       1,709       11,750       16,260  
90+ days past due allowance
                    2       1,072       129       1,576       159       2,938  
 
                                               
Total loans
  $ 1,544,379       2,115,308       64,214       1,561,757       763,585       136,966       618,560       6,804,769  
 
                                               
Total Allowance for Loan Losses
  $ 34,965       22,778       1,505       18,694       2,024       6,498       1,263       87,727  
 
                                               

 


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    At December 31, 2005  
    Loan Type  
Allowance for Loan   Commercial     Commercial R/E             Installment Home Equity Credit Card Res Mortgage        
Losses Components:   Loans     Loans     Leases     Loans     Loans     Loans     Loans     Total  
(In thousands)
                                                               
Individually Impaired Loan Component:
                                                               
Loan balance
  $ 27,515       18,254                                     45,769  
Allowance
    4,534       2,851                                     7,385  
Collective Loan Impairment Components:
                                                               
Credit risk-graded loans
                                                               
Grade 1 loan balance
    16,353       2,233                                             18,586  
Grade 1 allowance
    64       3                                             67  
Grade 2 loan balance
    159,785       99,392       3,643                                       262,820  
Grade 2 allowance
    1,297       341       33                                       1,671  
Grade 3 loan balance
    244,116       355,950       25,245                                       625,311  
Grade 3 allowance
    2,008       1,583       231                                       3,822  
Grade 4 loan balance
    851,968       1,514,990       31,428                                       2,398,386  
Grade 4 allowance
    15,600       11,387       1,018                                       28,005  
Grade 5 (Special Mention) loan balance
    58,878       46,657       127                                       105,662  
Grade 5 allowance
    3,463       1,110       8                                       4,581  
Grade 6 (Substandard) loan balance
    69,358       53,333       3,111                                       125,802  
Grade 6 allowance
    8,265       3,089       413                                       11,767  
Grade 7 (Doubtful) loan balance
    324       377                                             701  
Grade 7 allowance
    117       40                                             157  
Consumer loans based on payment status:
                                                               
Current loan balances
                    6,687       1,500,694       775,912       141,888       597,705       3,022,886  
Current loans allowance
                    95       18,962       1,918       4,014       969       25,958  
30 days past due loan balance
                    250       15,574       1,764       1,453       14,461       33,502  
30 days past due allowance
                    8       1,456       108       545       133       2,250  
60 days past due loan balance
                    75       5,296       511       1,154       4,569       11,605  
60 days past due allowance
                    9       1,401       87       699       133       2,329  
90+ days past due loan balance
                    53       2,791       510       1,097       11,846       16,297  
90+ days past due allowance
                    16       1,377       155       975       146       2,669  
 
                                               
Total loans
  $ 1,428,297       2,091,186       70,619       1,524,355       778,697       145,592       628,581       6,667,327  
 
                                               
Total Allowance for Loan Losses
  $ 35,348       20,404       1,831       23,196       2,268       6,233       1,381       90,661  
 
                                               

 


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    At June 30, 2005  
    Loan Type  
    Commercial     Commercial R/E             Installment Home EquityCredit Card Res Mortgage        
Allowance for Loan Losses Components:   Loans     Loans     Leases     Loans     Loans     Loans     Loans     Total  
(In thousands)                                                                
Individually Impaired Loan Component:
                                                               
Loan balance
  $ 13,510       15,694                                     29,204  
Allowance
    3,020       1,993                                     5,013  
Collective Loan Impairment Components:
                                                               
Credit risk-graded loans
                                                               
Grade 1 loan balance
    27,190       1,378                                             28,568  
Grade 1 allowance
    100       2                                             102  
Grade 2 loan balance
    165,035       95,489       14,581                                       275,105  
Grade 2 allowance
    1,341       285       130                                       1,756  
Grade 3 loan balance
    255,714       319,928       18,231                                       593,873  
Grade 3 allowance
    2,004       1,257       171                                       3,432  
Grade 4 loan balance
    867,753       1,422,815       39,142                                       2,329,710  
Grade 4 allowance
    18,118       9,885       1,200                                       29,203  
Grade 5 (Special Mention) loan balance
    55,682       37,789       594                                       94,065  
Grade 5 allowance
    3,754       708       44                                       4,506  
Grade 6 (Substandard) loan balance
    80,429       63,398       22                                       143,849  
Grade 6 allowance
    10,956       3,056       3                                       14,015  
Grade 7 (Doubtful) loan balance
    461       493                                             954  
Grade 7 allowance
    179       61                                             240  
Consumer loans based on payment status:
                                                               
Current loan balances
                    3,301       1,579,334       733,272       134,285       607,828       3,058,020  
Current loans allowance
                    177       20,765       2,273       3,646       1,070       27,931  
30 days past due loan balance
                    230       13,942       2,657       1,835       11,423       30,087  
30 days past due allowance
                    7       1,155       135       648       125       2,070  
60 days past due loan balance
                    131       4,857       576       948       4,055       10,567  
60 days past due allowance
                    15       1,135       86       523       138       1,897  
90+ days past due loan balance
                    54       2,889       702       1,267       11,471       16,383  
90+ days past due allowance
                    15       1,304       195       1,001       128       2,643  
 
                                               
Total loans
  $ 1,465,774       1,956,984       76,286       1,601,022       737,207       138,335       634,777       6,610,385  
 
                                               
Total Allowance for Loan Losses
  $ 39,472       17,247       1,762       24,359       2,689       5,818       1,461       92,808  
 
                                               
     Total charge-offs were $18.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 up $2.6 million, or 16.96%, from the year ago quarter and up $0.8 million or 2.46% for the six months ended June 30, 2006 from the six month ended June 30, 2005. Criticized commercial assets (“individually impaired,” “substandard” and “doubtful”) decreased $8.3 million and accounted for 6.93% of total commercial loans for the 2006 second quarter compared with criticized commercial asset levels of 7.59% at June 30, 2005. The Corporations long-term trend of improving charge-off levels was interrupted by costs related to a single credit relationship that accounted for $6.6 million of the quarter’s net charge-offs.
     Installment, mortgage credit card charge-offs were down $2.8 million from the prior year quarter reflecting the minimal negative residual impact from the October 2005 bankruptcy legislative change. Loans past due 90 days or more accruing interest were down $1.5 million or 8.27% reflecting the favorable trends in the retail portfolio.

 


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Loans
     Total loans outstanding at June 30, 2006 were $6.8 billion compared to $6.7 billion at December 31, 2005 and $6.6 billion at June 30, 2005.
     The commercial loan portfolio for the 2006 second quarter increased by 6.92% over the prior year second quarter, but continues to be impacted by lower demand for credit in our region. While the Corporation originated $116.3 million of mortgage loans in the second quarter 2006, compared to $126.0 million in same quarter of 2005, and $509.9 million for the full year ended December 31, 2005, the majority of these loans were fixed rate mortgages which were sold with servicing rights retained. Further discussion of the Corporation’s loan mix strategy as well as changes in average balances for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2005 can be found under the Net Interest Income sub-caption in this report.
                         
    As of     As of     As of  
    June 30,     December 31,     June 30,  
(Dollars in thousands)   2006     2005     2005  
 
Commercial loans
  $ 3,659,687       3,519,483       3,422,758  
Mortgage loans
    618,560       628,581       634,777  
Installment loans
    1,561,757       1,524,355       1,601,022  
Home equity loans
    763,585       778,697       737,207  
Credit card loans
    136,966       145,592       138,335  
Leases
    64,214       70,619       76,286  
 
                 
Total Loans
  $ 6,804,769       6,667,327       6,610,385  
 
                 
     Expected cash flow and interest rate information for commercial loans is presented in the following table:
         
    As of  
    June 30, 2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Due in one year or less
  $ 1,620,127  
Due after one year but within five years
    1,652,164  
Due after five years
    387,396  
 
     
Totals
  $ 3,659,687  
 
     
 
Due after one year with a predetermined fixed interest rate
  $ 975,947  
Due after one year with a floating interest rate
    1,063,613  
 
     
Totals
  $ 2,039,560  
 
     
     The Corporation has interest rate hedge strategy in place that swaps fixed interest rate commercial real estate loans to a variable interest rate basis. At June 30, 2006, $457.7 million of

 


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fixed rate commercial real estate loans were hedged. This strategy is more fully described in Footnote 8, Accounting for Derivatives, in these consolidated financial statements.
     The following table summarizes the Corporation’s nonperforming assets:
                         
    June 30,     December 31,     June 30,  
    2006     2005     2005  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Nonperforming commercial loans
  $ 41,927       54,176       38,124  
Other nonaccrual loans:
    8,261       8,086       6,336  
 
                 
Total nonperforming loans
    50,188       62,262       44,460  
Other real estate (“ORE”)
    8,598       9,995       9,525  
 
                 
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 58,786       72,257       53,985  
 
                 
 
Loans past due 90 day or more accruing interest
  $ 16,483       17,931       17,969  
 
                 
Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total loans and ORE
    0.86 %     1.08 %     0.82 %
 
                 
     The allowance for credit losses covers nonperforming loans by 186.19% at June 30, 2006 compared to 221.76% at the end of the prior year quarter. This decrease is primarily attributable to the increase in nonperforming commercial loans. See Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) of the 2005 Form 10-K, as amended for a summary of the Corporation’s nonaccrual and charge-off policies.
     The following table is a nonaccrual commercial loan flow analysis:
                                         
    Period End  
    2Q06     1Q06     4Q05     3Q05     2Q05  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Nonaccrual commercial loans beginning of period
  $ 56,258       54,176       34,144       38,124       34,207  
 
Credit Actions:
                                       
New
    6,652       10,259       29,778       4,848       22,498  
Loan and lease losses
    (1,927 )     (3,385 )     (3,005 )     (2,722 )     (3,332 )
Charged down
    (5,079 )     (2,681 )     (5,285 )     (253 )     (2,444 )
Return to accruing status
    (2,260 )     (368 )     (1,179 )     (228 )     (801 )
Payments and tranfers to ORE
    (2,864 )     (1,743 )     (277 )     (5,625 )     (12,004 )
Sales
    (8,853 )                        
 
                             
Nonaccrual commercial loans end of period
  $ 41,927       56,258       54,176       34,144       38,124  
 
                             
     Nonaccrual commercial loans have decreased $14.3 million from the first quarter of 2006. As previously mentioned, nonaccrual loans were sold in April 2006. Additionally, the

 


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collateral for a large commercial nonaccrual loan was auctioned during the second quarter resulting in an additional charge-off of $6.6 million.
Deposits
     The following schedule illustrates the change in composition of the average balances of deposits and average rates paid for the noted periods:
                                                 
    Quarter Ended     Year Ended     Quarter Ended  
    June 30, 2006     December 31, 2005     June 30, 2005  
    Average     Average     Average     Average     Average     Average  
    Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate     Balance     Rate  
                    (Dollars in thousands)                  
 
Non-interest DDA
  $ 1,455,229             1,466,106             1,470,673        
Interest-bearing DDA
    865,563       1.20 %     827,829       0.71 %     834,708       0.59 %
Savings and money market
    2,280,657       2.12 %     2,356,813       1.40 %     2,370,280       1.27 %
CDs and other time deposits
    2,824,580       4.16 %     2,647,908       3.28 %     2,646,199       3.14 %
 
                                   
Total customer deposits
  $ 7,426,029       2.38 %     7,298,656       1.72 %     7,321,860       1.61 %
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    1,212,470       4.29 %     1,409,135       3.22 %     1,385,644       3.08 %
Wholesale borrowings
    371,309       6.04 %     431,787       4.97 %     498,088       4.78 %
 
                                   
Total funds
  $ 9,009,808               9,139,578               9,205,592          
 
                                   
     Interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing demand deposits, on a combined basis, averaged $2.3 billion during the 2006 second quarter, up $15.4 million or 0.67% from the second quarter 2005. Savings deposits, including money market savings accounts, averaged $2.3 billion, $89.6 million or 3.78% lower than the year ago quarter. The sum of demand and savings accounts, often referred to as “core deposits,” dropped $74.2 million or 1.59%, and represented 61.96% of total average deposits for the second quarter, 2006 compared to 63.86% last year. The drop was attributable to intense competition for core deposits within the Corporation’s regional banking areas.
     The weighted-average yield paid on interest-bearing core deposits during the quarter at 1.86% was 77 basis points more than last year’s average core deposits rate. Average CDs, still the largest individual component of deposits, totaled $2.8 billion for the first quarter, up 6.74% from the same quarter last year. Average rates paid on CDs rose 102 basis points from 3.14% in the 2005 quarter to 4.16% this year. On a percentage basis, average CDs were 37.39% and 34.21%, respectively, of total interest-bearing funds for the June 30, 2006 and 2005 quarters.
     Securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased to 16.05% of interest-bearing funds during the three months ended June, 2006 from 17.91% for the June 30, 2005 quarter. Interest-bearing liabilities funded 82.35% of average earning assets during the quarter ended

 


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June 30, 2006 and 81.51% during the quarter ended June 30, 2005. Wholesale funds decreased to 4.92% of interest-bearing funds during the second quarter, 2006 from 6.44% in the year ago quarter. In summary, the decrease in average core deposits during the quarter compared to the same period in 2005 was offset by the larger decrease in higher rate wholesale borrowings. The funding mix from higher priced wholesale borrowing towards less expensive CDs has helped to mitigate the effect of the flat yield curve and support the increase in the net interest margin.
     The following table summarizes scheduled maturities of CDs of $100 thousand or more (“Jumbo CDs”) that were outstanding as of June 30, 2006:
         
Maturing in:   Amount  
    (In thousands)  
 
Under 3 months
  $ 507,584  
3 to 6 months
    243,489  
6 to 12 months
    250,188  
Over 1 year through 3 years
    105,281  
Over 3 years
    41,764  
 
     
 
  $ 1,148,306  
 
     
Market Risk
     Market risk refers to potential losses arising from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices and commodity prices, including the correlation among these factors and their volatility. The Corporation is primarily exposed to interest rate risk as a result of offering a wide array of financial products to its customers.
     Changes in market interest rates may result in changes in the fair market value of the Corporation’s financial instruments, cash flows, and net interest income. The Corporation seeks to achieve consistent growth in net interest income and capital while managing volatility arising from shifts in market interest rates. The Asset and Liability Committee (“ALCO”) oversees market risk management, establishing risk measures, limits, and policy guidelines for managing the amount of interest rate risk and its effect on net interest income and capital. According to these policies, responsibility for measuring and the management of interest rate risk resides in the Corporate Treasury function.
     Interest rate risk on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets consists of reprice, option, and basis risks. Reprice risk results from differences in the maturity, or repricing, of asset and liability portfolios. Option risk arises from “embedded options” present in many financial instruments such as loan prepayment options, deposit early withdrawal options and interest rate options. These options allow customers opportunities to benefit when market interest rates change, which typically results in higher net revenue for the Corporation. Basis risk refers to the potential for changes in the underlying relationship between market rates or indices, which subsequently result in a narrowing of profit spread on an earning asset or liability. Basis risk is also present in administered rate liabilities, such as interest-bearing checking

 


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accounts, savings accounts and money market accounts where historical pricing relationships to market rates may change due to the level or directional change in market interest rates.
     The interest rate risk position is measured and monitored using risk management tools, including earnings simulation modeling and economic value of equity sensitivity analysis, which capture both near-term and long-term interest rate risk exposures. Combining the results from these separate risk measurement processes allows a reasonably comprehensive view of short-term and long-term interest rate risk in the Corporation.
     Earnings simulation involves forecasting net interest earnings under a variety of scenarios including changes in the level of interest rates, the shape of the yield curve, and spreads between market interest rates. The sensitivity of net interest income to changes in interest rates is measured using numerous interest rate scenarios including shocks, gradual ramps, curve flattening, curve steepening as well as forecasts of likely interest rates scenarios. Presented below is the Corporation’s interest rate risk profile as of June 30, 2006 and 2005:
Immediate Change in Rates and Resulting Percentage Increase/(Decrease) in Net Interest Income:
                         
    -100 basis points   +100 basis points   +200 basis points
 
June 30, 2006
    0.08 %     0.07 %     (0.05 %)
June 30, 2005
    (2.12 %)     (0.19 %)     (1.31 %)
     Modeling the sensitivity of net interest earnings to changes in market interest rates is highly dependent on numerous assumptions incorporated into the modeling process. To the extent that actual performance is different than what was assumed, actual net interest earnings sensitivity may be different than projected. The assumptions used in the models are management’s best estimate based on studies conducted by ALCO. ALCO uses a data-warehouse to study interest rate risk at a transactional level and uses various ad-hoc reports to refine assumptions continuously. Assumptions and methodologies regarding administered rate liabilities (e.g., savings, money market and interest-bearing checking accounts), balance trends, and repricing relationships reflect management’s best estimate of expected behavior and these assumptions are reviewed regularly.
     The Corporation also has longer-term interest rate risk exposure, which may not be appropriately measured by earnings sensitivity analysis. ALCO uses economic value of equity, or EVE, sensitivity analysis to study the impact of long-term cash flows on earnings and capital. Economic value of equity involves discounting present values of all cash flows on the balance sheet and off balance sheet items under different interest rate scenarios. The discounted present value of all cash flows represents the Corporation’s economic value of equity. The analysis requires modifying the expected cash flows in each interest rate scenario, which will impact the discounted present value. The amount of base-case measurement and its sensitivity to shifts in the yield curve allow management to measure longer-term repricing and option risk in the balance sheet. Presented below is the Corporation’s EVE profile as of June 30, 2006 and 2005:

 


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Immediate Change in Rates and Resulting Percentage Increase/(Decrease) in EVE:
                         
    -100 basis points   +100 basis points   +200 basis points
 
June 30, 2006
    (1.20 %)     2.37 %     1.84 %
June 30, 2005
    (2.72 %)     (0.16 %)     (1.77 %)
Capital Resources
     Shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2006 totaled $870.7 million compared to $937.6 million at December 31, 2005 and $976.0 million at June 30, 2005.
     The following table reflects the various measures of capital:
                                                 
    June 30,   December 31,   June 30,
    2006   2005   2005
                    (Dollars in thousands)                
Consolidated
                                               
Total equity
  $ 870,698       8.49 %     937,580       9.23 %     976,016       9.46 %
Common equity
    870,698       8.49 %     937,580       9.23 %     976,016       9.46 %
Tangible common equity (a)
    728,142       7.20 %     794,579       7.93 %     832,571       8.19 %
Tier 1 capital (b)
    811,605       9.91 %     858,879       10.60 %     873,672       11.01 %
Total risk-based capital (c)
    995,630       12.15 %     1,075,987       13.28 %     1,092,262       13.76 %
Leverage (d)
    811,605       8.13 %     858,879       8.48 %     873,672       8.54 %
 
                                               
Bank Only
                                               
Total equity
  $ 706,647       6.90 %     712,378       7.02 %     805,645       7.83 %
Common equity
    706,647       6.90 %     712,378       7.02 %     805,645       7.83 %
Tangible common equity (a)
    564,091       5.58 %     569,377       5.69 %     662,200       6.53 %
Tier 1 capital (b)
    736,787       9.01 %     722,814       8.94 %     792,486       10.01 %
Total risk-based capital (c)
    918,006       11.22 %     937,233       11.59 %     1,008,606       12.74 %
Leverage (d)
  $ 736,787       7.39 %     722,814       7.15 %     792,488       7.77 %
 
(a)   Common equity less all intangibles; computed as a ratio to total assets less intangible assets.
 
(b)   Shareholders’ equity minus net unrealized holding gains on equity securities, plus or minus net unrealized holding losses or gains on available for sale debt securities, less goodwill; computed as a ratio to risk-adjusted assets, as defined in the 1992 risk-based capital guidelines.
 
(c)   Tier 1 capital plus qualifying loan loss allowance, computed as a ratio to risk-adjusted assets, as defined in the 1992 risk-based capital guidelines.
 
(d)   Tier 1 capital; computed as a ratio to the latest quarter’s average assets less goodwill.

 


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     The risk-based capital guidelines issued by the Federal Reserve Bank in 1988 require banks to maintain adequate capital equal to 8% of risk-adjusted assets effective December 31, 1993. At June 30, 2006, the Corporation’s risk-based capital equaled 12.15% of risk-adjusted assets, exceeding minimum guidelines.
     The cash dividend of $0.28 per share paid in the second quarter, has an indicated annual rate of $1.12 per share.
Liquidity Risk Management
     Liquidity risk is the possibility of the Corporation being unable to meet current and future financial obligations in a timely manner. Liquidity is managed to ensure stable, reliable and cost-effective sources of funds to satisfy demand for credit, deposit withdrawals and investment opportunities. The Corporation considers core earnings, strong capital ratios and credit quality essential for maintaining high credit ratings, which allow the Corporation cost-effective access to market-based liquidity. The Corporation relies on a large, stable core deposit base and a diversified base of wholesale funding sources to manage liquidity risk.
     The Treasury Group is responsible for identifying, measuring and monitoring the Corporation’s liquidity profile. The position is evaluated daily, weekly and monthly by analyzing the composition of all funding sources, reviewing projected liquidity commitments by future month and identifying sources and uses of funds. The Treasury Group also prepares a contingency funding plan that details the potential erosion of funds in the event of a systemic financial market crisis or institutional-specific stress. In addition, the overall management of the Corporation’s liquidity position is integrated into retail deposit pricing policies to ensure a stable core deposit base.
     The Corporation’s primary source of liquidity is its core deposit base, raised through its retail branch system, along with unencumbered, or unpledged, investment securities. The Corporation also has available unused wholesale sources of liquidity, including advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, issuance through dealers in the capital markets and access to certificates of deposits issued through brokers. Liquidity is also provided by unencumbered, or unpledged investment securities that totaled $741.7 million at June 30, 2006.
     Funding Trends for the Quarter — During the three months ended June 30, 2006, total average deposits increased $112.5 million from the linked quarter and $61.9 million of higher rate wholesale borrowings were repaid.
     Parent Company Liquidity — The Corporation manages its liquidity principally through dividends from the bank subsidiary. During the second quarter ended June 30, 2006, FirstMerit Bank paid FirstMerit Corporation $24.0 million in dividends. As of June 30, 2006, FirstMerit Bank had an additional $9.6 million available to pay dividends without regulatory approval.

 


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Critical Accounting Policies
     The accounting and reporting policies of the Corporation are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted within the United States of America and conform to general practices within the banking industry. Accounting and reporting policies for the allowance for loan losses, income taxes, mortgage servicing rights, derivative instruments and hedging activities, and pension and postretirement benefits are deemed critical since they involve the use of estimates and require significant management judgments. Application of assumptions different than those used by management could result in material changes in the Corporation’s financial position or results of operations. Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) and Note 4 (Allowance for Loan Losses), as described in the 2005 Form 10-K, as amended, provide detail with regard to the Corporation’s methodology and reporting of the allowance for loan losses. Additional information for income tax accounting is contained within Note 1, as well as in Note 11 (Federal Income Taxes) as described in the 2005 Form 10-K, as amended. Accounting for mortgage servicing rights was also discussed in the 2005 Form 10-K, as amended, in Note 1 and Note 6 (Mortgage Servicing Rights and Mortgage Servicing Activity). Derivative instruments and hedging activities are described more fully in Note 9 (Accounting for Derivatives) in these consolidated financial statements, as well as Note 1, Note 16 (Fair Value Disclosure of Financial Instruments), and Note 17 (Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk) of the 2005 Form 10-K, as amended. A description of the plans and the assumptions used to estimate the liabilities for pension and postretirement benefits is described in Note 12 (Benefit Plans) to the 2005 Form 10-K, as amended as well as Note 10 (Benefit Plans) in these consolidated financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
     A detailed discussion of the Corporation’s off-balance sheet arrangements, including swaps, hedges, forward swap agreements, IRLCs, TBA securities, options and swaptions is included in Note 8 (Accounting for Derivatives) in these consolidated financial statements and in Note 17 to the 2005 Form 10-K, as amended. There have been no significant changes since December 31, 2005.
Forward-looking Safe-harbor Statement
     The Corporation cautions that any forward-looking statements contained in this report, in a report incorporated by reference to this report or made by management of the Corporation, involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based upon various factors. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied. Reference is made to the section titled “Forward-looking Statements” in the Corporation’s 2005 Form 10-K, as amended.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
     See Market Risk Section in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 


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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
     Management, including the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has made an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15.
     During the period covered by the report, there was no change in internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.
     Based upon the evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded, as of the end of the period covered by this report, that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
     In the normal course of business, the Corporation is at all times subject to pending and threatened legal actions, some for which the relief or damages sought are substantial. Although the Corporation is not able to predict the outcome of such actions, after reviewing pending and threatened actions with counsel, management believes that the outcome of any or all such actions will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or shareholders’ equity of the Corporation.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
     There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K as amended.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
(a)   Not applicable.
 
(b)   Not applicable.
     The following table provides information with respect to purchases the Corporation made of its common shares during the first quarter of the 2006 fiscal year:

 


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                    Total Number of     Maximum  
                    Shares Purchased     Number of Shares  
                    as Part of Publicly     that May Yet be  
    Total Number of     Average Price     Announced Plans     Purchased Under  
    Shares Purchased (2)     Paid per Share     or Programs (1)     Plans or Programs  
 
Balance as of March 31, 2006:
                            396,272  
 
April 1, 2006 - April 30, 2006
                      396,272  
May 1, 2006 - May 31, 2006
    1,329     $ 23.93             396,272  
June 1, 2006 - June 30, 2006
                      396,272  
 
                       
 
Balance as of June 30, 2006:
    1,329     $ 23.93       0       396,272  
 
                       
 
(1)   On January 19, 2006, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 3 million             shares (the “New Repurchase Plan”). The New Repurchase Plan superseded all other repurchase programs, including that authorized by the Board of Directors on July 15, 2004 (the “Prior Repurchase Plan”). The Corporation had purchased all of the shares it was authorized to acquire under the Prior Repurchase Plan.
(2)   1,329 of these common shares were either delivered by the option holder with respect to the exercise of stock options or the settlement of performance share awards, or in the case of restricted shares of common stock, withheld to pay income tax or other tax liabilities with respect to the vesting of restricted shares.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
(a) The Corporation held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 19, 2006, for which the Board of Directors solicited proxies.
(b) Three Class III Directors were elected at the Annual Meeting for terms expiring at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, with the following voting results:
                         
                    Authority
    For   Against   Withheld
John C. Blickle
    65,209,684       *       1,182,993  
Gina D. France
    65,328,179       *       1,064,598  
Terry L. Haines
    65,188,840       *       1,208,937  
 
*   Proxies provide that shareholders may either cast a vote for, or abstain from voting for, directors.

 


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Continuing Class I Directors serving until the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are John R. Cochran, Richard Colella, Philip A. Lloyd, II, Roger T. Read and Richard Seaman.
Continuing Class II Directors serving until the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are Karen S. Belden, R. Cary Blair, Robert W. Briggs, J. Michael Hochschwender and Clifford J. Isroff.
In addition, on May 18, 2006, the Paul G. Greig was appointed to the Board as a Class III Director with a term expiring at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
(c) In addition to the election of Directors, the following matters were voted on at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders:
(1)   Adoption of the FirstMerit Corporation 2006 Equity Plan
                         
                    Broker
Votes For   Votes Against   Abstentions   Non-Votes
44,377,815
    8,166,884       627,465       13,220,613  
(2)   Ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accountants of the Corporation for the year ending December 31, 2006:
                         
                    Broker
Votes For   Votes Against   Abstentions   Non-Votes
65,591,595
    589,667       211,512       0  
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.

 


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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits
         
Exhibit
Number
       
 
  10.1    
Employment Agreement, dated May 15, 2006, by and between the Company and Paul G. Greig (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K filed by the registrant on May 18, 2006)*
       
 
  10.2    
Change of Control Agreement, dated May 18, 2006, by and between the Company and Paul G. Greig (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.2 to the Form 8-K filed by the registrant on May 18, 2006)*
       
 
  10.3    
Displacement Agreement, dated May 18, 2006, by and between the Company and Paul G. Greig (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.3 to the Form 8-K filed by the registrant on May 18, 2006)*
       
 
  10.4    
Transition Agreement, effective May 18, 2006, by and between the Company and John R. Cochran (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K filed by the registrant on June 21, 2006)*
       
 
  10.5    
FirstMerit Corporation 2006 Equity Plan*
       
 
  31.1    
Rule 13a-14(a)/Section 302 Certification of Paul G. Greig, Chief Executive Officer of FirstMerit Corporation
       
 
  31.2    
Rule 13a-14(a)/Section 302 Certification of Terrence E. Bichsel, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of FirstMerit Corporation
       
 
  32.1    
Rule 13a-14(b)/Section 906 Certifications of Paul G. Greig, Chief Executive Officer of FirstMerit Corporation, and Terrence E. Bichsel, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of FirstMerit Corporation
 
     
*  
Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 


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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ TERRENCE E. BICHSEL    
    Terrence E. Bichsel, Executive Vice President   
    and Chief Financial Officer  
    (duly authorized officer of registrant and principal financial officer)   
 
Date: August 4, 2006