Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-QSB

 


 

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2005

 

Commission File No: 0-24479

 


 

AF Financial Group

(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

 


 

Federally Chartered   56-2098545

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

21 East Ashe Street

West Jefferson, North Carolina 28694

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(336) 246-4344

(Issuer’s telephone number)

 


 

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

 

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

 

As of January 31, 2006 there were 1,050,804 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding, $.01 par value.

 

Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format:    Yes  ¨    No  x

 



Table of Contents

AF FINANCIAL GROUP

CONTENTS

 

          Pages

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
     Item 1. Financial Statements     
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2005 (unaudited) and June 30, 2005    1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the Three and Six Months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004    2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Six Months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004    3
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    4 – 8
     Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis    9 –18
     Item 3. Controls and Procedures    18
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION     
     Item 1. Legal Proceedings    19
     Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    19
     Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities    19
     Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    19
     Item 5. Other Information    20
     Item 6. Exhibits    20-21
     Signatures    22


Table of Contents

AF FINANCIAL GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

As of December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005

 

    

December 31,

2005


   

June 30,

2005


 
     (Unaudited)     (*)  

ASSETS

                

Cash and cash equivalents:

                

Interest-bearing deposits

   $ 4,278,587     $ 2,657,931  

Noninterest-bearing deposits

     8,517,431       6,150,597  

Securities held to maturity

     153,787       153,787  

Securities available for sale

     3,672,371       3,891,711  

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     1,704,800       1,704,800  

Loans

     184,816,645       182,627,642  

Less allowance for loan losses

     (1,429,532 )     (1,385,412 )
    


 


Loans receivable, net

     183,387,113       181,242,230  

Loans held for sale

     990,500       1,226,750  

Office properties and equipment, net

     12,576,780       12,756,375  

Accrued interest receivable on loans

     1,152,010       886,813  

Accrued interest receivable on investment securities

     21,315       62,373  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     1,562,421       1,719,280  

Goodwill

     1,648,468       1,648,468  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 219,665,583     $ 214,101,115  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Liabilities:

                

Savings deposits

   $ 170,865,350     $ 163,976,928  

Short-term borrowings

     300,000       2,570,544  

Long-term borrowings

     32,136,251       31,968,407  

Accounts payable and other liabilities

     2,199,053       1,853,628  

Deferred income taxes, net

     57,746       76,373  

Redeemable common stock held by the ESOP, net of unearned ESOP shares

     688,853       616,266  
    


 


Total liabilities

     206,247,253       201,062,146  
    


 


Commitments and Contingencies

                

Stockholders’ Equity:

                

Common stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized 5,000,000 shares; 1,054,644 issued and 1,050,804 outstanding shares at December 31, 2005 and 1,053,675 issued and 1,049,835 outstanding shares at June 30, 2005

     10,546       10,537  

Additional paid-in capital

     4,727,712       4,687,955  

Retained earnings, substantially restricted

     8,743,776       8,375,186  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     11,176       40,171  
    


 


       13,493,210       13,113,849  

Less the cost of 3,840 shares of treasury stock

     (74,880 )     (74,880 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     13,418,330       13,038,969  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 219,665,583     $ 214,101,115  
    


 



* The Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition as of June 30, 2005 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements.

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

1


Table of Contents

AF FINANCIAL GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

For the Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2005 and 2004

 

    

Three Months Ended

December 31,


   

Six Months Ended

December 31,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 

Interest and dividend income:

                                

Loans

   $ 3,242,667     $ 2,928,697     $ 6,339,135     $ 5,751,438  

Investment securities

     62,048       49,750       108,598       105,040  

Interest-bearing deposits

     34,581       16,230       79,959       22,704  
    


 


 


 


Total interest income

     3,339,296       2,994,677       6,527,692       5,879,182  
    


 


 


 


Interest expense:

                                

Savings deposits

     921,158       670,958       1,777,927       1,318,478  

Short-term borrowings

     3,401       57,538       14,550       83,880  

Long-term borrowings

     450,549       441,845       898,466       882,007  
    


 


 


 


Total interest expense

     1,375,108       1,170,341       2,690,943       2,284,365  
    


 


 


 


Net interest income

     1,964,188       1,824,336       3,836,749       3,594,817  

Provision for loan losses

     39,000       (293,922 )     69,000       (213,922 )
    


 


 


 


Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     1,925,188       2,118,258       3,767,749       3,808,739  
    


 


 


 


Noninterest income:

                                

Insurance commissions

     597,328       572,092       1,282,022       1,248,554  

Other

     404,107       385,372       817,128       723,677  
    


 


 


 


       1,001,435       957,464       2,099,150       1,972,231  
    


 


 


 


Noninterest expense:

                                

Compensation and employee benefits

     1,436,472       1,466,282       2,924,575       2,849,637  

Occupancy and equipment

     342,592       358,780       680,901       670,608  

Computer processing charges

     235,857       169,778       424,205       336,221  

Other

     517,239       754,252       1,016,093       1,307,391  
    


 


 


 


       2,532,160       2,749,092       5,045,774       5,163,857  
    


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

     394,463       326,630       821,125       617,113  

Income taxes

     167,524       144,742       346,825       275,902  
    


 


 


 


Net income

     226,939       181,888       474,300       341,211  
    


 


 


 


Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

                                

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax

     (2,229 )     5,464       (28,995 )     33,681  
    


 


 


 


Comprehensive income

   $ 224,710     $ 187,352     $ 445,305     $ 374,892  
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings per share of common stock

   $ 0.22     $ 0.17     $ 0.45     $ 0.33  
    


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per share of common stock

   $ 0.22     $ 0.17     $ 0.45     $ 0.33  
    


 


 


 


Basic weighted average shares outstanding

     1,049,005       1,044,336       1,048,057       1,043,872  
    


 


 


 


Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     1,050,342       1,045,886       1,049,331       1,044,769  
    


 


 


 


Cash dividends declared per share

   $ 0.05     $ 0.05     $ 0.10     $ 0.10  
    


 


 


 


 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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AF FINANCIAL GROUP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

For the Six Months Ended December 31, 2005 and 2004

 

    

Six Months Ended

December 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

                

Net income

   $ 474,300     $ 341,211  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                

Provision for loan losses

     69,000       (213,922 )

Depreciation

     518,955       437,922  

Gain on loans held for sale

     (15,766 )     (42,148 )

Proceeds from loans held for sale

     10,679,836       8,037,398  

Orgination of loans held for sale

     (10,427,820 )     (7,065,850 )

ESOP expense

     39,331       35,890  

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     1,027       —    

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Accrued interest receivable

     (224,139 )     (34,082 )

Accrued interest payable

     104,200       (109,227 )

Prepaid expense and other assets

     319,045       353,994  

Accounts payable and other liabilities

     332,137       (86,387 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     1,870,106       1,654,799  
    


 


Cash Flows from Investing Activities

                

Increase in Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     —         (393,800 )

Purchases of investments held to maturity

     —         (285,000 )

Proceeds from maturities of investments held to maturity

     —         480,000  

Purchases of securities available for sale

     —         (1,900,000 )

Proceeds from principal repayment and maturities of securities available for sale

     167,349       2,065,037  

Net originations of loans receivable

     (2,213,883 )     (6,208,017 )

Recovery in insurance agency assets

     —         27,978  

Purchases of office properties and equipment

     (342,177 )     (2,091,014 )

Proceed from sale of real estate owned

     —         80,000  
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,388,711 )     (8,224,816 )
    


 


Cash Flows from Financing Activities

                

Net increase in savings deposits

     6,797,510       5,658,389  

Short-term borrowings (repayments), net

     (2,270,544 )     4,409,085  

Long-term borrowings (repayments), net

     12,844       (348,828 )

Net proceeds from common stock issued

     17,927       —    

Dividends paid

     (51,642 )     (51,546 )
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     4,506,095       9,667,100  
    


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     3,987,490       3,097,083  

Cash and cash equivalents:

                

Beginning

     8,808,528       7,674,052  
    


 


Ending

   $ 12,796,018     $ 10,771,135  
    


 


 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

AF FINANCIAL GROUP

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1. Nature of Business

 

AF Financial Group (the “Company”) is a federally chartered thrift holding company which owns 100% of the common stock of AF Bank (the “Bank”), AF Insurance Services, Inc. (an independent insurance agency) and AF Capital Trust I (a Delaware business trust). AF Bank conducts business from its main office located in West Jefferson, North Carolina, with branches in Boone, Jefferson, Sparta, Warrensville, and West Jefferson, North Carolina. Headquartered in West Jefferson, North Carolina, AF Insurance Services, Inc., has branches in Boone, Elkin, Jefferson, Lenoir, Sparta, West Jefferson, and North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

 

Note 2. Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (except for the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition at June 30, 2005, which is derived from audited consolidated financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-QSB of Regulation S-B. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (none of which were other than normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented have been included. The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended December 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the Company’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2006.

 

The Company’s accounting policies are set forth in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2005 audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended June 30, 2005. This quarterly report should be read in conjunction with such annual report.

 

Note 3. Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share amounts are based on the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share assumes the exercise or issuance of all potential common stock instruments such as options, unless the effect is antidilutive (to reduce a loss or increase earnings per share). Shares owned by the Company’s ESOP that have not been committed to be released are not considered to be outstanding for the purposes of computing earnings per share. Earnings per share have been calculated in accordance with Statement of Position 93-6 “Employers’ Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans” and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128: Earnings Per Share.

 

Earnings per share have been computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock and potentially dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

December 31,


  

Six Months Ended

December 31,


     2005

   2004

   2005

   2004

Weighted average shares outstanding

   1,049,005    1,044,336    1,048,057    1,043,872

Potentially dilutive effect of stock options

   1,337    1,550    1,274    897
    
  
  
  

Weighted average shares outstanding, including potentially dilutive effect of stock options

   1,050,342    1,045,886    1,049,331    1,044,769
    
  
  
  

 

4


Table of Contents

Note 4. Dividends Declared

 

On December 19, 2005, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a dividend of $0.05 a share for stockholders of record as of December 30, 2005 and payable on January 16, 2006. The dividends declared were accrued and reported in accounts payable and other liabilities in the December 31, 2005 Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. AsheCo, MHC, the mutual holding company, waived the receipt of dividends declared by the Company.

 

Note 5. Stockholders’ Equity

 

    

Common

Stock


  

Additional

Paid-in

Capital


  

Retained

Earnings


   

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income


   

Treasury

Stock


   

Total

Stockholders’

Equity


 

Balance, June 30, 2005

   $ 10,537    $ 4,687,955    $ 8,375,186     $ 40,171     $ (74,880 )   $ 13,038,969  

Transfer to redeemable common stock net of unearned ESOP shares

     —        —        (72,587 )     —         —         (72,587 )

ESOP contribution

     —        20,812      18,519       —         —         39,331  

Cash dividend, $.10 per share

     —        —        (51,642 )     —         —         (51,642 )

Net income

     —        —        474,300       —         —         474,300  

Common stock issued in connection with stock option exercise

     9      18,945      —         —         —         18,954  

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:

                                              

Unrealized holding loss arising during period, net of tax benefit of $18,627

     —        —        —         (28,995 )     —         (28,995 )
                                          


Comprehensive income

                                           445,305  
    

  

  


 


 


 


Balance, December 31, 2005

   $ 10,546    $ 4,727,712    $ 8,743,776     $ 11,176     $ (74,880 )   $ 13,418,330  
    

  

  


 


 


 


 

Note 6. Stock Options

 

The Company’s stockholders approved the Bank’s Stock Option Plan on December 8, 1997. The stock option plan provides for the issuance of up to 21,707 stock options to certain officers and directors in the form of incentive stock options or non-incentive stock options. No options have been granted since December 8, 1997.

 

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Table of Contents

At December 31, 2005, 13,604 options have been granted at an exercise price of $18.50, of which 13,604 options are fully vested and therefore currently exercisable. A summary of the changes in the Company’s options during the six months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 is presented below:

 

     2005

    2004

 

Stock options outstanding at beginning of the year

   14,573     21,707  

Granted

   —       —    

Exercised

   (969 )   —    

Terminated

   —       (7,134 )
    

 

Stock options outstanding at the end of the quarter

   13,604     14,573  
    

 

Stock options exercisable at the end of the quarter

   13,604     14,573  
    

 

 

Note 7. Segment Reporting

 

The Company had additional reportable segments: AF Bank, AF Brokerage, Inc. and AF Insurance Services, Inc. During the year ended June 30, 2005, AF Brokerage, Inc. was dissolved as a separate entity and as of June 30, 2005, operated as AF Investments, a subsidiary of AF Bank. The information below includes the operating results of AF Brokerage, Inc. during the 2005 fiscal year prior to the dissolution. AF Bank is a federally chartered stock savings bank. The principal activities of the Bank consist of obtaining savings deposits and providing credit to customers in its primary market area. AF Insurance Services, Inc. provides insurance services. Information about reportable segments, and reconciliation of such information to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and six months ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2005


  

AF

Financial

Group


    AF Bank

  

AF

Insurance
Services, Inc.


   

Inter-

segment
Elimination


   

Consolidated

Totals


Interest income

   $ —       $ 3,340    $ —       $ (1 )   $ 3,339

Interest expense

     133       1,229      14       (1 )     1,375
    


 

  


 


 

Net interest income

     (133 )     2,111      (14 )     —         1,964

Provision for loan losses

     —         39      —         —         39
    


 

  


 


 

Net interest income after provision

     (133 )     2,072      (14 )     —         1,925

Non-interest income

     —         431      611       (41 )     1,001

Non-interest expense

     38       1,976      559       (41 )     2,532
    


 

  


 


 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (171 )     527      38       —         394

Income taxes

     (55 )     206      16       —         167
    


 

  


 


 

Net income (loss)

   $ (116 )   $ 321    $ 22     $ —       $ 227
    


 

  


 


 

Assets

   $ 371     $ 217,505    $ 2,239     $ (449 )   $ 219,666
    


 

  


 


 

 

6


Table of Contents

Three Months Ended December 31, 2004


  

AF

Financial

Group


    AF Bank

   

AF

Insurance
Services, Inc.


   

AF

Brokerage
Inc.


   

Inter-

segment
Elimination


   

Consolidated

Totals


 

Interest income

   $ —       $ 2,996     $ —       $ —       $ (2 )   $ 2,994  

Interest expense

     132       1,024       16       —         (2 )     1,170  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net interest income

     (132 )     1,972       (16 )     —         —         1,824  

Provision for loan losses

     —         (294 )     —         —         —         (294 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net interest income after provision

     (132 )     2,266       (16 )     —         —         2,118  

Non-interest income

     —         371       585       87       (85 )     958  

Non-interest expense

     93       2,030       608       103       (85 )     2,749  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Income (loss) before income taxes

     (225 )     607       (39 )     (16 )     —         327  

Income taxes

     (72 )     237       (15 )     (5 )     —         145  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ (153 )   $ 370     $ (24 )   $ (11 )   $ —       $ 182  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Assets

   $ 346     $ 219,184     $ 2,254     $ 200     $ (328 )   $ 221,656  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

Six Months Ended December 31, 2005


  

AF

Financial

Group


    AF Bank

  

AF

Insurance
Services, Inc.


   

Inter-

segment

Elimination


   

Consolidated

Totals


Interest income

   $ —       $ 6,530    $ —       $ (3 )   $ 6,527

Interest expense

     266       2,399      29       (3 )     2,691
    


 

  


 


 

Net interest income

     (266 )     4,131      (29 )     —         3,836

Provision for loan losses

     —         69      —         —         69
    


 

  


 


 

Net interest income after provision

     (266 )     4,062      (29 )     —         3,767

Non-interest income

     —         883      1,315       (99 )     2,099

Non-interest expense

     84       3,896      1,165       (99 )     5,046
    


 

  


 


 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (350 )     1,049      121       —         820

Income taxes

     (112 )     410      48       —         346
    


 

  


 


 

Net income (loss)

   $ (238 )   $ 639    $ 73     $ —       $ 474
    


 

  


 


 

Assets

   $ 371     $ 217,505    $ 2,239     $ (449 )   $ 219,666
    


 

  


 


 

 

7


Table of Contents

Six Months Ended December 31, 2004


  

AF

Financial

Group


    AF Bank

   

AF

Insurance
Services, Inc.


    AF
Brokerage
Inc.


   

Inter-

segment
Elimination


    Consolidated
Totals


 

Interest income

   $ —       $ 5,882     $ —       $ —       $ (3 )   $ 5,879  

Interest expense

     263       1,994       30       —         (3 )     2,284  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net interest income

     (263 )     3,888       (30 )     —         —         3,595  

Provision for loan losses

     —         (214 )     —         —         —         (214 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net interest income after provision

     (263 )     4,102       (30 )     —         —         3,809  

Non-interest income

     —         712       1,286       148       (174 )     1,972  

Non-interest expense

     169       3,791       1,177       201       (174 )     5,164  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Income (loss) before income taxes

     (432 )     1,023       79       (53 )     —         617  

Income taxes

     (138 )     399       31       (16 )     —         276  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ (294 )   $ 624     $ 48     $ (37 )   $ —       $ 341  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Assets

   $ 346     $ 219,184     $ 2,254     $ 200     $ (328 )   $ 221,656  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 

This Form 10-QSB contains certain forward-looking statements consisting of estimates with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and other business of the Company, that are subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the estimates. These factors include: changes in general, economic and market conditions; the development of an interest rate environment that adversely affects the interest rate spread or other income anticipated from the Company’s operations and investments; our ability to offer new products and increase lower cost core deposits; and depositor and borrower preferences. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly announce future events or developments that may affect the forward-looking statements contained herein.

 

Overview

 

AF Financial Group (the “Company”) is a federally chartered thrift holding company that owns 100% of the common stock of AF Bank (the “Bank”), AF Insurance Services, Inc. (an independent insurance agency) and AF Capital Trust I (a Delaware business trust). The Company has no operations and conducts no business of its own other than ownership of its subsidiaries. The Bank is a federally chartered stock savings bank which was chartered in 1939 and the historical operations of AF Bank have been to provide fixed rate loans for the residents of Ashe County, North Carolina. Over the past several years, we have expanded our market area to include Alleghany, Caldwell, Surry, Watauga and Wilkes counties and have diversified our product lines by engaging in non-residential mortgage and non-mortgage lending and offering insurance and uninsured investment products. In July 1997, we started offering traditional property and casualty, life and health insurance products through AF Insurance Services, Inc., headquartered in West Jefferson, North Carolina and operating in Boone, Elkin, Jefferson, Lenoir, Sparta, West Jefferson and Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

 

During the fourth quarter of the 2005 fiscal year, AF Financial Group dissolved the broker/dealer subsidiary, AF Brokerage, Inc. We continue to offer the same level of service through a third party relationship that AF Bank has entered into with LaSalle Street Securities. This new structure allows us to offer a full array of investment products, including fixed-rate and variable annuities and mutual funds while reducing expenses associated with maintaining an independent broker/dealer registration. This new third party relationship operates as a division of AF Bank under the name AF Investments.

 

We are committed to the long-term profitability and success of AF Financial Group. There are a number of positive factors and recent events, which reflect our progress toward our long-term goals during the six months ended December 31, 2005:

 

    An increase in net loans of $2.1 million or 1.2%;

 

    An increase in savings deposits of $6.9 million or 4.2%

 

    Asset growth of $5.6 million or 2.6%;

 

    An increase in stockholders’ equity of $379,361 or 2.9%;

 

    An increase in net income of $133,089 during the six months ended December 31, 2005 as compared to the six months ended December 31, 2004;

 

    An increase in noninterest income of $126,919 or 6.4% during the six months ended December 31, 2005 as compared to the six months ended December 31, 2004;

 

Our operating results are primarily dependent upon net interest income, fees and charges and insurance commissions. Net interest income is the difference between interest earned on loans and investments and the

 

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interest paid on savings deposits and our borrowings. Our primary interest-earning asset is our loan portfolio representing 83.5% of total assets. Our net interest income is affected by changes in economic conditions that influence market interest rates and to a large extent by the monetary actions by the Federal Reserve. We have reduced the exposure to rising rates by limiting the term or the time to reprice the loans that we retain in our portfolio.

 

Net income increased $45,051 to $226,939 for the three months ended December 31, 2005 from $181,888 for the three month period ended December 31, 2004. Net income increased $133,089, or 39.0%, to $474,300 for the six month period ended December 31, 2005 from $341,211 for the six month period ended December 31, 2004. This change is primarily due to an increase in interest income due to the 200 basis point interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve during the twelve months ended December 31, 2005. We believe that a positive upturn in economic indicators will continue to have a positive impact on our net income. At December 31, 2005 we had approximately $64.7 million in loans priced at prime or a margin thereto which provides for adjusting rates immediately when market rates change. In a rising rate environment, our ability to make immediate rate adjustments serves to protect the interest margin against increases in rates at a more rapid speed than the increase in funding costs.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The notes to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2005 included in the AF Financial Group 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-KSB contain a summary of our significant accounting policies. We believe that our policies with respect to the methodology for our determination of the allowance for loan losses, the fair value of mortgage servicing assets and asset impairment judgments, including the recoverability of goodwill, involve a higher degree of complexity and require management to make difficult and subjective judgments which often require assumptions or estimates about highly uncertain matters. Changes in these judgments, assumptions or estimates could cause reported results to differ materially. These critical policies and their application are periodically reviewed with the Audit Committee and our Board of Directors. We consider the following accounting policies to be most critical in their potential effect on our financial position or results of operations:

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The Allowance for Loan Losses (“ALL”) is established through a provision for loan losses based on our evaluation of the risks inherent in AF Bank’s loan portfolio, prior loss history and the general economy. The ALL is maintained at an amount we consider adequate to cover loan losses which are deemed probable and estimable. The allowance is based upon a number of factors, including asset classifications, economic trends, industry experience and trends, industry and geographic concentrations, estimated collateral values, our assessment of the credit risk inherent in the portfolio, historical loan loss experience, and AF Bank’s underwriting policies.

 

All loans in the portfolio are assigned an allowance percentage requirement based on the type of underlying collateral and payment terms. Furthermore, loans are evaluated individually and are assigned a credit grade using such factors as the borrower’s cash flow, the value of the collateral and the strength of any guarantee. Loans identified as having weaknesses, or adverse credit grades, are assigned a higher allowance percentage requirement than loans where no weaknesses are identified. We routinely monitor our loan portfolio to determine if a loan is deteriorating, therefore requiring a higher allowance requirement. Factors we consider are payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.

 

The allowance percentage requirement changes from period to period as a result of a number of factors, including: changes in the mix of types of loans; changes in credit grades within the portfolio, which arise from a deterioration or an improvement in the performance of the borrower; changes in the historical loss percentages and delinquency trends; current charge offs and recoveries; and changes in the amounts of loans outstanding.

 

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Although we believe that we have established and maintained the allowance for loan losses at adequate levels, future adjustments may be necessary if economic, real estate and other conditions differ substantially from the current operating environment. We will continue to monitor and modify our ALL as conditions dictate.

 

Mortgage Servicing Assets

 

Mortgage servicing assets represent the present value of the future net servicing fees from servicing mortgage loans sold to the secondary market. The most critical accounting policy associated with mortgage servicing is the methodology used to determine the fair value of mortgage servicing assets, which requires the development of a number of assumptions, including anticipated loan principal amortization and prepayments of principal. The value of mortgage servicing rights is significantly affected by mortgage interest rates available in the marketplace that influence the speed of mortgage loan prepayments. During periods of declining interest rates, the value of mortgage servicing assets generally declines due to increasing prepayments attributable to increased mortgage refinance activity. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the value of servicing assets generally increases due to reduced refinance activity. We amortize mortgage servicing assets over the estimated period that servicing income is expected to be received based on estimates of the amount and timing of future cash flows. The amount and timing of servicing asset amortization is adjusted quarterly based on actual results and updated projections.

 

Goodwill

 

We evaluate the carrying value of goodwill annually by comparing the market value of each reporting segment to the respective total equity at that level. Impairment would then be determined if the equity exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. This evaluation is subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant change. Goodwill is recorded in our reportable segment, AF Insurance Services, Inc.

 

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Table of Contents

Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005:

 

Total assets increased by $5.6 million, or 2.6%, to $219.7 million at December 31, 2005 from $214.1 million at June 30, 2005. The increase in assets was primarily the result of an increase of $4.0 million, or 45.3%, in cash and cash equivalents and an increase of $2.1 million, or 1.2%, in net loans receivable, partially offset by a decrease of $236,250 in loans held for sale from June 30, 2005 to December 31, 2005. The increase in net loans receivable is due to the increase in non-residential loans during the six months ended December 31, 2005. AF Bank operates in lending markets that have had sustained loan demand for non-residential loans over the last several years. Non-residential loans increased $3.3 million from $27.2 million at June 30, 2005 to $30.5 million at December 31, 2005.

 

Securities available for sale decreased $219,340, or 5.6%, to $3.7 million at December 31, 2005 from $3.9 million at June 30, 2005. This decrease was due to maturing investments. At December 31, 2005, our investment portfolio had $18,356 in net unrealized gains as compared to net unrealized gains of $65,978 at June 30, 2005.

 

As mentioned above, net loans increased $2.1 million, or 1.2%, to $183.4 million at December 31, 2005 from $181.2 million at June 30, 2005. The following table sets forth the composition of our mortgage and other loan portfolios in dollar amounts and percentages at the dates indicated.

 

    

At December 31,

2005


   

At June 30,

2005


 
     Amount

   % of Total

    Amount

   % of Total

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Mortgage loans:

                          

One-to four-family

   $ 96,936    52.86 %   $ 96,368    53.17 %

Multi-family

     3,741    2.04 %     4,171    2.30 %

Non-residential

     30,485    16.62 %     27,154    14.98 %

Land

     16,524    9.01 %     17,155    9.47 %

Construction

     11,973    6.53 %     11,416    6.30 %
    

  

 

  

Total mortgage loans

   $ 159,659    87.06 %   $ 156,264    86.22 %
    

  

 

  

Other loans:

                          

Commercial

   $ 15,042    8.20 %   $ 15,972    8.82 %

Consumer loans

     10,343    5.64 %     10,611    5.85 %
    

  

 

  

Total other loans

   $ 25,385    13.84 %   $ 26,583    14.67 %
    

  

 

  

Gross loans

   $ 185,044    100.90 %   $ 182,847    100.89 %
    

  

 

  

Less:

                          

Unearned discounts and net deferred loan fees

   $ 227    0.12 %   $ 220    0.13 %

Allowance for loan losses

     1,430    0.78 %     1,385    0.76 %
    

  

 

  

       1,657    0.90 %     1,605    0.89 %
    

  

 

  

Loans, net

   $ 183,387    100.00 %   $ 181,242    100.00 %
    

  

 

  

 

Savings deposits increased by $6.9 million, or 4.2%, from $164.0 million at June 30, 2005 to $170.9 million at December 31, 2005. We believe that the increase in deposits is attributable to our continuing efforts directed towards increasing balances in savings and transaction accounts and in smaller, stable certificates of deposits. We intend to further focus our marketing efforts and to offer new products to increase lower cost core deposits.

 

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Short-term borrowings decreased $2.3 million, or 88.3%, to $300,000 at December 31, 2005 from $2.6 million at June 30, 2005. Long-term borrowings increased $167,844, or 0.5%, to $32.1 million at December 31, 2005 from $32.0 million at June 30, 2005. The decrease in short-term borrowings was funded by the $6.9 million increase in savings deposits discussed above. Management decided to pay off some borrowings with the increase in savings deposits because interest rates on new deposits were lower than rates on the borrowings that were repaid.

 

The Bank’s level of non-performing loans, defined as loans past due 90 days or more, increased to $660,208, or 0.30% of total assets, at December 31, 2005 compared to $219,670, or 0.10% of total assets, at December 31, 2004. The Bank recognized total charge-offs of $49,695 during the six months ended December 31, 2005 compared to total charge-offs of $106,447 during the six months ended December 31, 2004. Total recoveries during the six months ended December 31, 2005 decreased to $24,815 for the six months ended December 31, 2005 from $383,354 for the six months ended December 31, 2004. The Bank recognized net charge-offs of approximately $24,880 during the six months ended December 31, 2005 compared to a net recovery of $276,907 for the six months ended December 31, 2004. The net recovery during the six months ended December 31, 2004 is primarily due to a recovery on one commercial loan that was charged off in a prior year.

 

Allowance for loan losses to total non-performing assets and to total non performing loans totaled 216.53% at December 31, 2005 compared to 748.87% at June 30, 2005. This decrease was primarily attributable to an increase of $475,208 in the level of non-performing loans during the six months ended December 31, 2005. Non-performing loans totaled $185,000 at June 30, 2005 compared to $660,208 at December 31, 2005. The increase in non-performing loans is primarily due to commercial construction loans where the borrower had an unexpected delay in selling the property and to four loans where the borrowers filed bankruptcy during the six months ended December 31, 2005. Due to this increase in non-performing loans and based upon a detailed analysis of the overall quality of our loan portfolio, we made a $69,000 provision to the allowance for loan losses during the six month period ended December 31, 2005. This additional provision increased the level of allowance for loan losses by $44,120 during the six months ended December 31, 2005. Allowance for loan losses to total loans totaled 0.77% at December 31, 2005 compared to 0.76% at June 30, 2005.

 

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The following table sets forth activity in the Bank’s ALL at or for the dates indicated.

 

    

For the Six

Months Ended

December 31,

2005


   

For the Six

Months Ended

December 31,

2004


 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 1,385     $ 1,245  

Provision for loan losses

     69       (214 )
    


 


Charge-offs:

                

One- to four-family residential

     (28 )     (16 )

Multi-family residential

     —         —    

Non-residential and land

     —         —    

Construction

     —         —    

Commercial

     —         —    

Consumer loans

     (21 )     (90 )
    


 


Total charge-offs

     (49 )     (106 )
    


 


Recoveries:

                

One- to four-family residential

     2       13  

Multi-family residential

     —         —    

Non-residential and land

     —         —    

Construction

     —         —    

Commercial

     —         309  

Consumer loans

     23       61  
    


 


Total recoveries

     25       383  
    


 


Balance at end of period

   $ 1,430     $ 1,308  
    


 


    

At December 31,

2005


   

At June 30,

2005


 

Total loans outstanding

   $ 185,044     $ 182,847  
    


 


Allowance for loan losses

   $ 1,430     $ 1,385  
    


 


Allowance for loan losses to total loans at end of period

     0.77 %     0.76 %
    


 


Allowance for loan losses to total non-performing assets at end of period

     216.53 %     748.87 %
    


 


Allowance for loan losses to total non-performing loans at end of period

     216.53 %     748.87 %
    


 


 

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Table of Contents

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2005 and 2004:

 

Net income for the three month period ended December 31, 2005 increased $45,051 to $226,939 compared to net income of $181,888 during the same period in 2004. Net income for the six month period increased $133,089 to $474,300 compared to $341,211 during the six month period ended December 31, 2004. The increase in net income during the three and six month periods was attributable to an increase in interest income and noninterest income partially offset by an increase in interest expense.

 

Interest Income. Interest income increased by $344,619, or 11.5%, from $2,994,677 for the three month period ended December 31, 2004 to $3,339,296 for the three month period ended December 31, 2005. Interest income increased by $648,510, or 11.0%, from $5,879,182 for the six month period ended December 31, 2004 to $6,527,692 for the six month period ended December 31, 2005. Interest income from loans increased $313,970, or 10.7%, from $2,928,697 for the three month period ended December 31, 2004 to $3,242,667 for the three month period ended December 31, 2005. Interest income from loans increased $587,697, or 10.2%, from $5,751,438 for the six month period ended December 31, 2004 to $6,339,135 for the six month period ended December 31, 2005. The increase in interest income from loans for the three and six month periods was attributable to an increase in the weighted average rate on portfolio loans partially offset by a decrease of $1.5 million in the average volume of outstanding loan balances. The weighted average rate on portfolio loans increased .78% from 6.13% at December 31, 2004 to 6.91% at December 31, 2005, primarily due to the 200 basis point interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve during the twelve months ended December 31, 2005. Total loans decreased $2.6 from $187.6 million at December 31, 2004 to $185.0 million at December 31, 2005. The decrease in loans during the twelve months ended December 31, 2005 is due to borrowers refinancing to take advantage of lower rates offered on long term fixed rate loans. We sold these long term fixed rate loans to the secondary market, thus reducing our net loans outstanding.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased by $204,767, or 17.5%, to $1,375,108 for the three month period ended December 31, 2005 from $1,170,341 for the three months ended December 31, 2004. Interest expense increased by $406,578, or 17.8%, to $2,690,943 for the six month period ended December 31, 2005 from $2,284,365 for the six months ended December 31, 2004. Interest expense on savings deposits increased $250,200 from $670,958 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 to $921,158 for the three months ended December 31, 2005. Interest expense on savings deposits increased $459,449 from $1,318,478 for the six months ended December 31, 2004 to $1,777,927 for the six months ended December 31, 2005. These increases were primarily attributable to the increase in savings deposits and to an increase of the weighted average rate paid on deposits. Savings deposits increased $7.7 million from $162.8 million at December 31, 2004 to $170.5 million at December 31, 2005. The weighted average rate paid on savings deposits increased .59% from 1.72% at December 31, 2004 to 2.31% at December 31, 2005.

 

Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased by $139,852, or 7.7%, from $1,824,336 for the three month period ended December 31, 2004 to $1,964,188 for the three month period ended December 31, 2005. Net interest income increased by $241,932, or 6.7%, from $3,594,817 for the six month period ended December 31, 2004 to $3,836,749 for the six month period ended December 31, 2005. The increases in net interest income during the three and six month periods ended December 31, 2005 is the result of the increase in the weighted average interest rate earned on the loan portfolio, partially offset by the increase in interest expense, as discussed above. In a rising rate environment, we have the ability to make immediate rate adjustments on our loans priced at prime or a margin thereto, which allows us to increase loan rates at a more rapid speed than the increase in funding costs. We believe that a positive upturn in economic indicators will have a positive impact on our net income. We do not believe that there has been a material change in interest rate risk from the end of our most recent fiscal year.

 

Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses charged to earnings is an amount sufficient to bring the allowance for loan losses to an estimated balance considered adequate to absorb probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. Loans are charged off against the allowance when we believe collection is unlikely. The allowance for loan losses changes from period to period as a result of a number of

 

15


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factors, including: changes in the mix of types of loans; changes in credit grades within the portfolio, which arise from a deterioration or an improvement in the performance of the borrower; changes in the historical loss percentages and delinquency trends; current charge offs and recoveries; and changes in the amounts of loans outstanding. The net change in all of the components results in the provision for loan losses. We had no significant changes in any of the factors mentioned above during the three and six months ended December 31, 2005.

 

All loans in the portfolio are assigned an allowance percentage requirement based on the type of underlying collateral and payment terms. Furthermore, loans are evaluated individually and are assigned a credit grade using such factors as the borrower’s cash flow, the value of the collateral and the strength of any guarantee. Loans identified as having weaknesses, or adverse credit grades, are assigned a higher allowance percentage requirement than loans where no weaknesses are identified. We routinely monitor our loan portfolio to determine if a loan is deteriorating, therefore requiring a higher allowance requirement. Factors we consider are payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payment when due. Although we believe that we have established and maintained the allowance for loan losses at adequate levels, future adjustments may be necessary if economic, real estate and other conditions differ substantially from the current operating environment.

 

We made a $39,000 provision to the allowance for loan losses during the three month period ended December 31, 2005, compared to a net reversal of provisions for loan losses of $293,922 made during the three month period ended December 31, 2004. We made a $69,000 provision to the allowance for loan losses during the six month period ended December 31, 2005, compared to a net reversal of provisions for loan losses of $213,922 made during the six month period ended December 31, 2004. The increases in the amount of the provision expense during the three and six month periods ended December 31, 2005 is primarily due to a $309,080 recovery from a commercial loan that was previously charged off during the six months ended December 31, 2004 resulting in net recoveries for the period of $276,907. Conversely, we had net charge-offs of $24,880 during the six months ended December 31, 2005.

 

As mentioned above, during the six month period ended December 31, 2005 we had net charge-offs of $24,880. We made a $69,000 provision to the allowance for loan losses during the six month period ended December 31, 2005 based upon an analysis of the quality of our loan portfolio. Future loan loss provision requirements are uncertain. At December 31, 2005, our level of allowance for loan losses amounted to $1,429,532, or 0.77% of total loans, as compared to $1,385,412 of allowance for loan losses, or 0.76% of total loans at June 30, 2005, which we believe is adequate to absorb any probable losses inherent in our loan portfolio.

 

Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased by $43,971, or 4.6%, from $957,464 for the three month period ended December 31, 2004 to $1,001,435 for the three months ended December 31, 2005. Noninterest income increased by $126,919, or 6.4%, from $1,972,231 for the six month period ended December 31, 2004 to $2,099,150 for the six months ended December 31, 2005. The increase in noninterest income during the three and six month periods ended December 31, 2005 was primarily attributable to increases in transaction fees on deposit accounts and an increase in insurance commissions. The increase in transaction fees on deposit accounts is primarily attributable to an increase in the number of transaction accounts and an increase in the amount of transaction fees charged for services on deposit accounts. These trends are expected to continue to produce growth in non-interest income.

 

Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense decreased by $216,932, or 7.9%, from $2,749,092 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 to $2,532,160 for the three months ended December 31, 2005. Non-interest expense decreased by $118,083, or 2.3%, from $5,163,857 for the six months ended December 31, 2004 to $5,045,774 for the six months ended December 31, 2005. The decrease in non-interest expense for the three and six month periods ended December 31, 2005 is primarily attributable to a decrease in expenses on real estate owned. Expenses on real estate owned decreased $152,308 during the six month period ended December 31, 2005 compared to the six month period ended December 31, 2004. No REO was held by the Company at December 31, 2005 as compared to REO of $250,000 at December 31, 2004.

 

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Table of Contents

The decrease in real estate owned expense was partially offset by an increase in computer processing charges. Computer processing charges increased $66,079 from $169,778 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 to $235,857 for the three months ended December 31, 2005. Computer processing charges increased $87,984 from $336,221 for the six months ended December 31, 2004 to $424,205 for the six months ended December 31, 2005. These increases are due to expenses associated with the Bank’s core data processing conversion scheduled to occur during the third quarter of the current fiscal year.

 

Income Taxes. Income taxes resulted from applying normal, expected tax rates on income earned during the three and six months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. The income tax expense was $167,524 for the three months ended December 31, 2005 compared to the income tax expense of $144,742 for the three months ended December 31, 2004. The income tax expense was $346,825 for the six months ended December 31, 2005 compared to the income tax expense of $275,902 for the six months ended December 31, 2004. The effective tax rate was higher than statutory tax rates, resulting primarily from the fact that North Carolina corporations may not file consolidated income tax returns. This has the effect of taxing all income in a particular member of a consolidated group without permitting an offsetting benefit for losses incurred in another member of the same group, creating a higher than expected “overall” state income tax expense.

 

Capital Resources and Liquidity:

 

The term “liquidity” generally refers to an organization’s ability to generate adequate amounts of funds to meet its needs for cash. More specifically, for financial institutions, liquidity ensures that adequate funds are available to meet deposit withdrawals, fund loan demand and capital expenditure commitments, maintain reserve requirements, pay operating expenses, and provide funds for debt service, dividends to stockholders, and other institutional commitments. The Company’s primary sources of funds consist of deposits, borrowings, repayment and prepayment of loans, sales and participations of loans, maturities of securities and interest-bearing deposits, and funds provided from operations. While scheduled repayments of loans and maturities of securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by the general level of interest rates, economic conditions, and competition. The Company uses its liquid resources primarily to fund existing and future loan commitments, to fund net deposit outflows, to invest in other interest-earning assets, to maintain liquidity, and to meet operating expenses. For additional information about cash flows from the Company’s operating, financing and investing activities, see “Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow.”

 

Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of management. If we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, we believe we could borrow additional funds from the FHLB and use the wholesale deposit markets. At December 31, 2005, we had borrowings of $26.1 million from the FHLB. The Bank also maintains borrowing agreements with the FRB of Richmond, Virginia.

 

The Company anticipates that it will have sufficient funds available to meet its current loan origination commitments. Certificates of deposit scheduled to mature in less than one year totaled $55.0 million at December 31, 2005. Based upon historical experience, we believe that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with the Bank.

 

As of December 31, 2005, cash and cash equivalents, a significant source of liquidity, totaled $12.8 million. The OTS regulations require the Company to maintain sufficient liquidity to ensure its safe and sound operation. Given our level of liquidity and our ability to borrow from the FHLB, we believe that we will have sufficient funds available to meet anticipated future loan commitments, unexpected deposit withdrawals, and other cash requirements. We do not anticipate any financial or insurance acquisitions at this time.

 

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Table of Contents

Capital management is another important daily and long-term function of management. While we currently meet all regulatory capital levels, we monitor this level on an ongoing basis. Our principal goals related to capital management are to provide an adequate return to shareholders while retaining a sufficient foundation from which to support future growth and to comply with all regulatory guidelines.

 

Off Balance-Sheet Arrangements:

 

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital resources or expenditures that are material to investors.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements:

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS No. 123(R)). SFAS No. 123(R) establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. This Statement focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. SFAS No. 123(R) requires that the fair value of such equity instruments be recognized as an expense in the historical financial statements as services are performed. Prior to SFAS No. 123(R), only certain pro forma disclosures of fair value were required. The provisions of this Statement are effective for the first interim reporting period of the first fiscal year that begins on or after December 15, 2005. Accordingly, we will adopt SFAS No. 123(R) commencing with the quarter ending September 30, 2006. Since all options granted were fully vested on December 8, 2001 there would be no cost of employee stock option compensation in our consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Item 3. Controls and Procedures

 

The Company maintains a system of internal controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of our published financial statements and other disclosures included in this report. The Company’s Board of Directors, operating through its Audit Committee, which is composed entirely of independent outside directors, provides oversight of the Company’s financial reporting process.

 

Management, including the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective, in all material respects, to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files and submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required.

 

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is not a party to, and its property is not the subject of, any pending legal proceedings at the present time other than routine litigation that is incidental to the business.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not applicable

(c) During the three and six month periods ended December 31, 2005, the Company did not repurchase any of its common stock. The Company does not have a stock repurchase program in place at the present time.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None

 

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

 

The Company held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Meeting”) on November 7, 2005. All of the proposals submitted to the shareholders at the Meeting were approved. The proposals submitted to shareholders and the tabulation of votes for each proposal is as follows:

 

  1. Election of three candidates to the Board of Directors, each to serve for a term of three years.

 

The number of votes cast with respect to this matter was as follows:

 

Nominee


   For

   Withheld

  

Broker

Non-Votes


Wayne R. Burgess

   914,089    7,864    127,882

Donald R. Moore

   912,164    9,789    127,882

Robert E. Washburn

   912,164    9,789    127,882

 

The following six directors were not up for reelection; however, they remain on the board to serve their existing term: Jan R. Caddell, Kenneth R. Greene, Claudia L. Kelley, Jimmy D. Reeves, Jerry L. Roten and Michael M. Sherman.

 

  2. Ratification of the appointment of Dixon Hughes PLLC as independent auditors for fiscal year ending June 30, 2006.

 

The number of votes cast with respect to this matter was as follows:

 

      For      


   Against

   Abstained

  

Broker

Non-Votes


920,322

   156    1,475    127,882

 

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Item 5. Other Information

 

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not applicable

(c) Not applicable

(d) Not applicable

 

Item 6. Exhibits

2.1    Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated September 15, 1997 by and among Ashe Federal Bank, AF Bankshares, Inc. and Ashe Interim Savings Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as filed with the SEC on June 16, 1998 (the “Form 8-A”)).
3.1    Federal Stock Charter of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Form 8-A).
3.2    Bylaws of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Form 8-A).
4.1    Common Stock Certificate of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Form 8-A).
4.2    Indenture dated July 16, 2001 by and between AF Bankshares, Inc. and The Bank of New York (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, as filed with the SEC on September 29, 2003 (the “2003 Form 10-KSB”)).
4.3    Guarantee Agreement of AF Bankshares, Inc. dated July 16, 2001 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the 2003 Form 10-KSB).
10.1    Employment Agreement between AF Bank and Melanie Paisley Miller dated November 18, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the 2003 Form 10-KSB).
10.2    Employment Agreement with Martin G. Little, Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, as filed with the SEC on September 29, 1998 (the “1998 Form 10-KSB”).
10.3    Employee Stock Ownership Plan of Ashe Federal Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the 1998 Form 10-KSB).
10.4    Amendment No. 1 to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan of AF Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the 2003 Form 10-KSB).
10.5    Amendment No. 2 to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan of AF Bank
     (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the 2003 Form 10-KSB).
10.6    Amendment No. 3 to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan of AF Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the 2003 Form 10-KSB).

 

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10.7    Amendment No. 4 to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan of AF Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the 2003 Form 10-KSB).
10.8    Salary Continuation Agreement between AF Bankshares, Inc. and Melanie Paisley Miller dated April 15, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the 2003 Form 10-KSB).
10.9    Employment Agreement between AF Financial Group and Melanie Paisley Miller dated November 18, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the 2003 Form 10-KSB).
10.10    Amended and Restated Retirement Plan for Board Members of AF Bank (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 of the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 26, 2005).
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
32.1    Section 1350 Certifications

 

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SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    AF Financial Group

Dated February 3, 2006

 

By:

 

/s/ Melanie Paisley Miller


       

Melanie Paisley Miller

       

Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President,

Secretary, Treasurer

 

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