Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2011

Registration No. 333-             

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Poage Bankshares, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   6712   Being applied for
(State or Other Jurisdiction of   (Primary Standard Industrial   (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)   Classification Code Number)   Identification Number)

1500 Carter Avenue

Ashland, Kentucky 41101

(606) 324-7196

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Mr. Darryl E. Akers

Vice Chairman, Co-President, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

1500 Carter Avenue

Ashland, Kentucky 41101

(606) 324-7196

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies to:

Kip A. Weissman, Esq.

Robert B. Pomerenk, Esq.

Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C.

5335 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.

Suite 780

Washington, D.C. 20015

(202) 274-2000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box:   x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer      ¨    Accelerated filer      ¨
Non-accelerated filer      ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company      x

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of

securities to be registered

 

Amount

to be

registered

 

Proposed

maximum
offering price

per share

 

Proposed

maximum

aggregate

offering price

  Amount of
registration fee

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

  3,041,750 shares   $10.00   $30,417,500(1)   $3,532
 
 
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

POAGE BANKSHARES, INC.

(Proposed Holding Company for Home Federal Savings and Loan Association)

Up to 2,645,000 Shares of Common Stock

Poage Bankshares, Inc., a Maryland corporation, is offering shares of common stock for sale in connection with the conversion of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, a federal mutual savings and loan association, from the mutual to the stock form of organization. All shares of common stock are being offered for sale at a price of $10.00 per share. We expect that our common stock will be traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol              , upon conclusion of the stock offering. There is currently no public market for the shares of our common stock.

We are offering up to 2,645,000 shares of common stock for sale on a best efforts basis. We may sell up to 3,041,750 shares of common stock because of demand for the shares or changes in market conditions without resoliciting subscribers. We must sell a minimum of 1,955,000 shares in order to complete the offering.

We are offering the shares of common stock in a “subscription offering.” Depositors of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association with aggregate account balances of at least $50 as of the close of business on September 30, 2009 will have first priority rights to buy our shares of common stock. Shares of common stock not purchased in the subscription offering may be offered for sale to the general public in a “community offering.” We also may offer for sale shares of common stock not purchased in the subscription offering or community offering through a “syndicated community offering” managed by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.

The minimum number of shares of common stock you may order is 25 shares. The maximum number of shares of common stock that can be ordered through a single qualifying account is 15,000 shares, and no person by himself or with an associate or group of persons acting in concert may purchase more than 30,000 shares. The offering is expected to expire at 12:00 p.m., Kentucky time, on [expire date]. We may extend this expiration date without notice to you until [extension date1], or such later date as the Office of Thrift Supervision may approve, which may not be beyond [extension date2]. Once submitted, orders are irrevocable unless the offering is terminated or is extended beyond [extension date1], or the number of shares of common stock to be sold is increased to more than 3,041,750 shares or decreased to fewer than 1,955,000 shares. If the offering is extended beyond [extension date1], or if the number of shares of common stock to be sold is increased to more than 3,041,750 shares or decreased to fewer than 1,955,000 shares, we will resolicit subscribers, giving them an opportunity to change or cancel their orders. Funds received during the offering will be held in a segregated account at Home Federal Savings and Loan Association and will earn interest at      %, which is our current statement savings rate.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. will assist us in selling our shares of common stock on a best efforts basis. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. is not required to purchase any shares of the common stock that are being offered. Purchasers will not pay a commission to purchase shares of common stock in the offering. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. has advised us that following the offering it intends to make a market in the common stock, but is under no obligation to do so.

This investment involves a degree of risk, including the possible loss of your investment.

Please read “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 15.

 

 

OFFERING SUMMARY

Price: $10.00 per Share

 

     Minimum      Maximum      Adjusted Maximum  

Number of shares

     1,955,000         2,645,000         3,041,750   

Gross offering proceeds

   $ 19,550,000       $ 26,450,000       $ 30,417,500   

Estimated offering expenses (excluding selling agent fees and expenses)

   $ 1,022,825       $ 1,022,825       $ 1,022,825   

Estimated selling agent fees and expenses (1)

   $ 396,630       $ 507,720       $ 571,597   

Estimated net proceeds

   $ 18,130,545       $ 24,919,455       $ 28,823,078   

Estimated net proceeds per share

   $ 9.27       $ 9.42       $ 9.48   

 

(1) See “The Conversion; Plan of Distribution—Marketing and Distribution; Compensation” for a discussion of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.’s compensation for this offering. If 50% of the shares of common stock are sold in the subscription offering and 50% of the shares of common stock are sold in the direct community offering (excluding shares purchased by the employee stock ownership plan and shares purchased by insiders of Poage Bankshares, Inc., for which no selling agent commissions would be paid), the maximum selling agent commissions and expenses would be $0.4 million at the minimum, $0.5 million at the maximum and $0.6 million at the maximum, as adjusted.

These securities are not deposits or accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Office of Thrift Supervision, nor any state securities regulator has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

For assistance, please call the Stock Information Center, toll free at [sic phone].

K EEFE , B RUYETTE  & W OODS

The date of this prospectus is              , 2011.


Table of Contents

[MAP SHOWING MARKET AREA APPEARS ON INSIDE FRONT COVER]


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

SUMMARY

     1   

RISK FACTORS

     15   

SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

     26   

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     28   

HOW WE INTEND TO USE THE PROCEEDS FROM THE OFFERING

     29   

OUR POLICY REGARDING DIVIDENDS

     31   

MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK

     32   

HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA REGULATORY CAPITAL COMPLIANCE

     33   

CAPITALIZATION

     34   

PRO FORMA DATA

     35   

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

     39   

BUSINESS OF POAGE BANKSHARES, INC.

     53   

BUSINESS OF HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

     53   

TAXATION

     79   

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

     80   

MANAGEMENT OF POAGE BANKSHARES, INC.

     92   

SUBSCRIPTIONS BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     106   

THE CONVERSION; PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     107   

RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITION OF POAGE BANKSHARES, INC.

     131   

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     137   

TRANSFER AGENT

     139   

EXPERTS

     139   

LEGAL MATTERS

     140   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     140   

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

     F-1   

 

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SUMMARY

The following summary highlights material information in this prospectus. It may not contain all the information that is important to you. For additional information, you should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the Financial Statements and the notes to the Financial Statements.

In this prospectus, the terms “we, “our,” and “us” refer to Poage Bankshares, Inc. and Home Federal Savings and Loan Association unless the context indicates another meaning.

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, which we sometimes refer to as Home Federal, is a federal mutual savings and loan association headquartered in Ashland, Kentucky. Home Federal was originally chartered in 1889.

Home Federal’s business consists primarily of accepting savings accounts and certificates of deposits from the general public and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, primarily in first lien one- to four-family mortgage loans and, to a lesser extent, commercial and multi-family real estate loans, consumer loans, consisting primarily of automobile loans and home equity loans and lines of credit, and construction loans. We also purchase investment securities consisting primarily of mortgage-backed securities issued by United States Government agencies and government-sponsored enterprises, and obligations of state and political subdivisions. Home Federal offers a variety of deposit accounts, including passbook accounts, NOW and demand accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts and retirement accounts. We provide financial services to individuals, families and businesses through our banking offices located in and around Ashland, Kentucky.

Home Federal had total assets of $291.1 million, total loans, net, of $182.4 million, total liabilities of $263.4 million, including total deposits of $227.8 million, and equity of $27.7 million as of September 30, 2010. At that date, 52.9% of our assets were one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, and 15.5% were investment securities.

Home Federal’s executive offices are located at 1500 Carter Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101. Our telephone number at this address is (606) 324-7196.

Poage Bankshares, Inc.

Poage Bankshares is a newly formed Maryland corporation that will own all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Home Federal upon completion of the mutual-to-stock conversion and the offering. Poage Bankshares has not engaged in any business to date.

The executive offices of Poage Bankshares are located at 1500 Carter Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101. Our telephone number at this address is (606) 324-7196.

 

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Our Organizational Structure

Home Federal is a federal mutual savings and loan association that has no stockholders. Pursuant to the terms of Home Federal’s plan of conversion, Home Federal will convert from the mutual to the stock form of ownership. As part of the conversion, we are offering for sale in a subscription offering, and, potentially, a community offering and a syndicated community offering, shares of common stock of Poage Bankshares. Upon the completion of the conversion and offering, Home Federal will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Poage Bankshares.

Business Strategy

Our current business strategy is focused on:

 

   

continuing to emphasize one- to four-family residential mortgage loans while increasing our holdings of such loans with adjustable rates;

 

   

increasing our origination of commercial real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and other consumer loans;

 

   

managing interest rate risk while enhancing to the extent practicable our net interest margin;

 

   

increasing our “core” deposit base;

 

   

expanding our banking relationships to a larger base of customers; and

 

   

maintaining strong asset quality.

A full description of our products and services begins on page 53 of this prospectus under the heading “Business of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association.”

These strategies are intended to guide our investment of the net proceeds of the offering. We intend to continue to pursue our business strategy after the conversion and the offering, subject to changes necessitated by future market conditions and other factors. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Business Strategy” for a further discussion of our business strategy.

Reasons for the Conversion

Our primary reasons for converting and raising additional capital through the offering are:

 

   

to increase our capital to support lending and deposit growth;

 

   

to enhance our lending capacity by increasing our regulatory lending limits;

 

   

to have greater flexibility to structure and finance opportunities for expansion into new markets, including through de novo branching, branch acquisitions or

 

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acquisitions of other financial institutions, although we have no current arrangements or agreements with respect to any such transactions; and

 

   

to retain and attract qualified personnel by establishing stock-based benefit plans for management and employees.

Historically, Home Federal has operated as a traditional mutual savings institution dedicated primarily to offering residential mortgage loans and various deposit products to customers in our market area. Our market area did not experience the extreme growth in 2003 through 2007 that characterized many “bubble” markets across the country. As a result, our market area has not experienced the extreme economic downturn, or the significant increase in loan delinquencies and foreclosures, that has occurred in many other markets. However, the significant changes in the financial services industry that have occurred in recent years as a result of the collapse of the financial markets in 2008, and the severe nationwide economic recession that followed, have severely strained the financial and managerial resources of community banks and will continue to do so in the future. Management believes that Home Federal will be better equipped to address these challenges as a more well-capitalized institution in the stock holding company structure.

While our mutual savings and loan association charter enabled us in the past to operate successfully in our local market, it is not suitable for our future plans for growth through expanding our customer base. Specifically, mutual institutions cannot raise capital or issue stock to support growth. In addition, mutual institutions cannot offer stock incentives to attract and retain highly qualified management personnel. Management believes that the additional capital raised in the offering will enable us to take advantage of business opportunities that may not otherwise be available to us.

As of September 30, 2010, Home Federal was considered “well capitalized” for regulatory purposes and was not subject to a directive or a recommendation from the Office of Thrift Supervision to raise capital. The proceeds from the stock offering will further improve our capital position during a period of significant economic, regulatory and political uncertainty.

Terms of the Conversion and the Offering

Under Home Federal’s plan of conversion, our organization will convert to a fully public stock holding company structure. In connection with the conversion, we are offering between 1,955,000 and 2,645,000 shares of common stock of Poage Bankshares to eligible depositors of Home Federal, to our employee benefit plans, to eligible borrowers of Home Federal and, to the extent shares remain available, to residents of Greenup, Lawrence and Boyd Counties in Kentucky, and to the general public. The number of shares of common stock to be sold may be increased to up to 3,041,750 as a result of demand for the shares or changes in the market for financial institution stocks. Unless the number of shares of common stock to be offered is increased to more than 3,041,750 or decreased to less than 1,955,000, or the offering is extended beyond [extension date1], subscribers will not have the opportunity to change or cancel their stock orders.

 

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The purchase price of each share of common stock to be issued in the offering is $10.00. All investors will pay the same purchase price per share. Investors will not be charged a commission to purchase shares of common stock in the offering. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., our marketing advisor in the offering, will use its best efforts to assist us in selling shares of our common stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. is not obligated to purchase any shares of common stock in the offering.

Persons Who May Order Shares of Common Stock in the Offering

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

 

   

First, to depositors of Home Federal with aggregate account balances of at least $50 as of the close of business on September 30, 2009.

 

   

Second, to Home Federal’s tax-qualified employee benefit plans.

 

   

Third, to depositors of Home Federal with aggregate account balances of at least $50 as of the close of business on                      .

 

   

Fourth, to depositors of Home Federal as of              , 2011, and to borrowers of Home Federal as of September 30, 2006, whose borrowings remain outstanding as of              , 2011.

Shares of common stock not purchased in the subscription offering may be offered for sale to the general public in a “community offering,” with a preference given to natural persons residing in Boyd, Greenup and Lawrence Counties, Kentucky. The community offering may begin concurrently with, during and/or promptly after the subscription offering as we may determine at any time. If shares remain available for sale following the subscription offering and community offering, we also may offer for sale shares of common stock through a “syndicated community offering” managed by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.

We have the right to accept or reject, in our sole discretion, orders received in the community offering or syndicated community offering. We have not established any set criteria for determining whether to accept or reject a purchase order in the community offering or the syndicated community offering. Accordingly, any determination to accept or reject purchase orders in the community offering or the syndicated community offering will be based on the facts and circumstances known to us at the time.

To ensure a proper allocation of stock, each subscriber eligible to purchase stock in the subscription offering must list on his or her stock order and certification form all deposit or loan accounts in which he or she had an interest at September 30, 2009,              , 2011, or              , 2011, as applicable. Failure to list all accounts or providing incorrect information could result in the loss of all or part of a subscriber’s stock allocation. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the plan of conversion and of the acceptability of the order forms will be final.

 

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If we receive orders for more shares than we are offering, we may not be able to fully or partially fill your order. Shares will be allocated first to subscribers in the subscription offering in the order of priority set forth above. A detailed description of share allocation procedures can be found in the section entitled “The Conversion; Plan of Distribution.”

How We Determined the Offering Range

The amount of common stock that we are offering is based on an independent appraisal of the estimated market value of Poage Bankshares, assuming the conversion and the offering are completed. RP Financial, LC., our independent appraiser, has estimated that, as of January 14, 2011, this estimated market value was $23.0 million. Based on Office of Thrift Supervision regulations, this market value forms the midpoint of a valuation range with a minimum of $19.6 million and a maximum of $26.5 million. Based on this valuation and a $10.00 per share price, the number of shares of common stock being offered for sale by us will range from 1,955,000 shares to 2,645,000 shares. We may sell up to 3,041,750 shares of common stock because of demand for the shares or changes in market conditions without resoliciting subscribers. The $10.00 per share price was selected by the Board of Directors primarily because it is the price most commonly used in mutual-to-stock conversions of financial institutions.

The appraisal is based in part on our financial condition and results of operations, the effect of the additional capital raised by the sale of shares of common stock in the offering and an analysis of a peer group of ten publicly traded savings bank and thrift holding companies that RP Financial, LC. considered comparable to us.

The appraisal peer group consists of the following ten companies.

 

Company Name and Ticker Symbol

   Exchange      Headquarters    Total Assets (1)  
                 (in thousands)  

Athens Bancshares Corporation (AFCB)

     NASDAQ       Athens, TN    $ 286,270   

FFD Financial Corporation (FFDF)

     NASDAQ       Dover, OH      205,777   

First Advantage Bancorp (FABK)

     NASDAQ       Clarksville,
TN
     344,854   

Louisiana Bancorp, Inc. (LABC)

     NASDAQ       Metairie, LA      322,390   

LSB Financial Corp. (LSBI)

     NASDAQ       Lafayette, IN      384,736   

Mayflower Bancorp, Inc. (MFLR)

     NASDAQ       Middleboro,
MA
     253,602   

OBA Financial Services, Inc. (OBAF)

     NASDAQ       Germantown,
MD
     365,793   

River Valley Bancorp (RIVR)

     NASDAQ       Madison, IN      382,309   

Wayne Savings Bancshares, Inc. (WAYN)

     NASDAQ       Wooster, OH      410,627   

WVS Financial Corp. (WVFC)

     NASDAQ       Pittsburgh,
PA
     317,944   

 

(1) At September 30, 2010.

The following table presents a summary of selected pricing ratios for Poage Bankshares and the peer group companies identified by RP Financial, LC. The pro forma price-to-core earnings multiple is based on core earnings for the 12 months ended September 30, 2010, and the pro forma price-to-book value and price-to-tangible book value ratios are based on equity as of September 30, 2010. Compared to the median pricing of the peer group, our pro forma pricing ratios at the maximum of the offering range indicated a premium of 159.40% on a price-to-core

 

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earnings basis, a discount of 31.2% on a price-to-book basis and a discount of 31.2% on a price-to-tangible book basis. The higher price-to-core-earnings pricing ratios compared to the peer group result from our having a relatively low level of core income over the most recent 12-month period. In reviewing and approving the valuation, our Board of Directors considered the range of price-to-core earnings multiples and the range of price-to-book value ratios and price-to-tangible book value ratios at the different amounts of shares to be sold in the offering.

 

     Price-to-book
value ratio (1)
    Price-to-tangible
book value ratio (1)
    Price-to-earnings
multiple (2)
 

Poage Bankshares, Inc. (pro forma)

      

Maximum, as adjusted

     57.47     57.47     60.52x   

Maximum

     53.45     53.45     50.35x   

Midpoint

     49.46     49.46     42.19x   

Minimum

     44.92     44.92     34.61x   

Valuation of peer group companies using stock prices as of January 14, 2011

      

Average

     76.25     76.72     19.95x   

Median

     77.63     77.63     19.41x   

 

(1) Pro forma pricing ratios for Poage Bankshares are based on financial information through September, 2010. These ratios are different than those presented in “Pro Forma Data.”
(2) Price-to-earnings multiples calculated by RP Financial, LC. in the independent appraisal are based on an estimate of “core” or recurring earnings. These ratios are different than those presented in “Pro Forma Data.”

RP Financial, LC. advised the Board of Directors that the appraisal was prepared in conformance with the appraisal methodology required by the Office of Thrift Supervision. Our Board of Directors carefully reviewed the information provided to it by RP Financial, LC. through the appraisal process, but did not make any determination regarding whether prior standard mutual-to-stock conversions have been undervalued or overvalued, nor did the Board of Directors draw any conclusions regarding how the historical pricing data reflected above may affect Poage Bankshares’ appraised value. Instead, we engaged RP Financial, LC. to help us understand the regulatory process as it applies to the appraisal and to advise the Board of Directors as to how much capital Poage Bankshares would be required to raise under the regulatory appraisal guidelines.

The independent appraisal does not indicate per share market value. Do not assume or expect that the valuation of Poage Bankshares as indicated above means that, after the conversion and the offering, the shares of common stock will trade at or above the $10.00 offering price. Furthermore, the pricing ratios presented above were utilized by RP Financial, LC. to estimate our market value and not to compare the relative value of shares of our common stock with the value of the capital stock of the peer group. The value of the capital stock of a particular company may be affected by a number of factors such as financial performance, asset size and market location.

The independent appraisal will be updated prior to the completion of the conversion. If the appraised value decreases below $19.6 million or increases above $30.4 million, subscribers may be resolicited with the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision and be given the opportunity to confirm, change or cancel their orders. If you do not respond, we will cancel your

 

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stock order and return your subscription funds, with interest, and cancel any authorization to withdraw funds from your deposit accounts for the purchase of shares of common stock.

For a more complete discussion of the amount of common stock we are offering for sale and the independent appraisal, see “The Conversion; Plan of Distribution—Determination of Share Price and Number of Shares to be Issued.”

After-Market Stock Price Performance Provided by Independent Appraiser

The following table presents stock price appreciation information for all standard mutual-to-stock conversions completed between January 1, 2009 and January 14, 2011. These companies did not constitute the group of ten comparable public companies utilized in RP Financial, LC.’s valuation analysis.

Mutual-to-Stock Conversion Offerings with Closing Dates

between January 1, 2009 and January 14, 2011

 

                   Percentage Price Appreciation (Depreciation)
From Initial Trading Date
 

Company Name and Ticker Symbol

   Conversion
Date
     Exchange      One Day     One Week     One Month     Through
January 14,
2011
 

SP Bancorp, Inc. – TX (SPBC)

     11/1/10         NASDAQ         (6.00 )%      (6.60 )%      (8.00 )%      (0.10 )% 

Standard Financial Corp. – PA (STND)

     10/7/10         NASDAQ         19.00        18.90        29.50        39.50   

Madison Bancorp, Inc. – MD (MDSN)

     10/7/10         OTCBB         25.00        25.00        25.00        4.00   

Century Next Fin. Corp. – LA (CTUY)

     10/1/10         OTCBB         25.00        15.00        10.00        10.00   

Peoples Fed Bncshres, Inc. – MA (PEOP)

     7/7/10         NASDAQ         4.00        6.90        4.20        38.00   

Fairmount Bancorp, Inc. – MD (FMTB)

     6/3/10         OTCBB         10.00        20.00        10.00        50.00   

Harvard Illinois Bancorp, Inc. – IL (HARI)

     4/9/10         OTCBB         —          —          (1.00     (20.00

OBA Financial Services, Inc. – MD (OBAF)

     1/22/10         NASDAQ         3.90        1.10        3.10        40.00   

OmniAmerican Bancorp, Inc. – TX (OABC)

     1/21/10         NASDAQ         18.50        13.20        9.90        40.60   

Versailles Financial Corp. – OH (VERF)

     1/13/10         OTCBB         —          —          —          —   (1) 

Athens Bancshares, Corporation – TN (AFCB)

     1/7/10         NASDAQ         16.00        13.90        10.60        23.50   

Territorial Bancorp, Inc. – HI (TBNK)

     7/15/09         NASDAQ         49.90        47.50        48.70        100.12   

St. Joseph Bancorp, Inc. – MO (SJBA)

     2/2/09         OTCBB         —          —          —          25.00   

Hibernia Homestead Bancorp, Inc. – LA (HIBE)

     1/28/09         OTCBB         5.00        5.00        5.00        50.00   

Average

           12.16        11.42        10.50        28.62   

Median

           7.50        10.05        7.45        31.50   

 

(1) There were no reported trades during these periods that affected the initial offering price at the dates indicated.

Stock price appreciation is affected by many factors, including, but not limited to: general market and economic conditions; the interest rate environment; the amount of proceeds a company raises in its offering; and numerous factors relating to the specific company, including the experience and ability of management, historical and anticipated operating results, the nature and quality of the company’s assets, and the company’s market area. The companies listed in the table above may not be similar to Poage Bankshares, the pricing ratios for their stock offerings were in some cases different from the pricing ratios for Poage Bankshares’ common stock and the market conditions in which these offerings were completed were, in some cases, different from current market conditions. Any or all of these differences may cause our stock to perform differently from the stock sold in these other offerings.

 

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There can be no assurance that our stock price will not trade below $10.00 per share. Before you make an investment decision, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus, including, but not limited to, the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15.

How We Intend to Use the Proceeds From the Offering

Assuming we sell 2,645,000 shares of common stock in the stock offering at the maximum of the offering range, and we have net proceeds of $24.9 million, we intend to distribute the net proceeds as follows:

 

   

$12.5 million (50% of the net proceeds) will be invested in Home Federal;

 

   

$2.1 million (8% of the gross proceeds) will be loaned to our employee stock ownership plan to fund its purchase of our shares of common stock; and

 

   

$10.3 million (50% of the net proceeds, less the amount of the loan to the employee stock ownership plan) will be retained by Poage Bankshares.

We may use the funds we retain for investments, to pay cash dividends, to repurchase shares of common stock and for other general corporate purposes. Home Federal may use the proceeds it receives to support increased lending and other products and services and to repay short-term borrowings. The net proceeds retained by Poage Bankshares and Home Federal also may be used for future business expansion through acquisitions of banks, thrifts and other financial services companies, and opening or acquiring branch offices. We have no current arrangements or agreements with respect to any such acquisitions. Initially, a substantial portion of the net proceeds will be invested in short-term investments consistent with our investment policy.

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

Our Policy Regarding Dividends

Following completion of the stock offering, our Board of Directors will have the authority to declare dividends on our common stock, subject to statutory and regulatory requirements. However, no decision has been made with respect to the amount, if any, and timing of any dividend payments. The payment and amount of any dividend payments will depend upon a number of factors, including the following:

 

   

regulatory capital requirements;

 

   

our financial condition and results of operations;

 

   

tax considerations;

 

   

statutory and regulatory limitations; and

 

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general economic conditions and forecasts.

Limits on How Much Common Stock You May Purchase

The minimum number of shares of common stock that may be purchased is 25 shares ($250). Generally, no individual, or individuals exercising subscription rights through a single qualifying account held jointly, may purchase more than 15,000 shares ($150,000) of common stock. If any of the following persons purchases shares of common stock, their purchases, in all categories of the offering, when combined with your purchases, cannot exceed 30,000 shares ($300,000):

 

   

your spouse or relatives of you or your spouse living in your house;

 

   

most companies, trusts or other entities in which you are a trustee, have a substantial beneficial interest or hold a senior management position; or

 

   

other persons who may be your associates or persons acting in concert with you.

See the detailed descriptions of “acting in concert” and “associate” in “The Conversion; Plan of Distribution—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases.”

How You May Purchase Shares of Common Stock

In the subscription offering and community offering, you may pay for your shares only by:

 

   

personal check, bank check or money order, made payable to Poage Bankshares; or

 

   

authorizing us to withdraw funds from the types of Home Federal deposit accounts permitted on the stock order and certification form.

Home Federal is not permitted to knowingly lend funds to anyone for the purpose of purchasing shares of common stock in the offering. Additionally, you may not use a check drawn on a Home Federal line of credit or a third-party check to pay for shares of common stock.

You can subscribe for shares of common stock in the offering by delivering a signed and completed original stock order and certification form, together with full payment or authorization to withdraw from one or more of your Home Federal deposit accounts, so that it is received (not postmarked) before 12:00 p.m., Kentucky time, on [expire date], which is the expiration of the offering period. For orders paid for by check or money order, the funds will be cashed promptly and held in a segregated account at Home Federal. We will pay interest on those funds calculated at Home Federal’s current statement savings rate from the date funds are received until completion or termination of the conversion and the offering. Withdrawals from certificates of deposit to purchase shares of common stock in the offering may be made without incurring an early withdrawal penalty; however, if a withdrawal results in a certificate account with a balance less than the applicable minimum balance requirement, the certificate will be canceled at the time of withdrawal without penalty and the remaining balance will be transferred

 

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to a savings account and earn interest at our statement savings rate subsequent to the withdrawal. All funds authorized for withdrawal from deposit accounts with Home Federal must be in the accounts at the time the stock order is received. However, funds will not be withdrawn from the accounts until the completion of the conversion and offering and will earn interest at the applicable deposit account rate until that time. A hold will be placed on those funds when your stock order is received, making the designated funds unavailable to you. After we receive your order, your order cannot be changed or canceled unless the number of shares of common stock to be offered is increased to more than 3,041,750 shares or decreased to fewer than 1,955,000 shares, or the offering is extended beyond [extension date1].

By signing the stock order and certification form, you are acknowledging receipt of a prospectus and that the shares of common stock are not deposits or savings accounts that are federally insured or otherwise guaranteed by Poage Bankshares, Home Federal, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

You may be able to subscribe for shares of common stock using funds in your individual retirement account, or IRA. However, shares of common stock must be purchased through and held in a self-directed retirement account, such as those offered by a brokerage firm. By regulation, Home Federal’s individual retirement accounts are not self-directed, so they cannot be used to purchase or hold shares of our common stock. If you wish to use some or all of the funds in your Home Federal individual retirement account to purchase our common stock, the applicable funds must be transferred to a self-directed account maintained by an independent trustee, such as a brokerage firm, and the purchase must be made through that account. If you do not have such an account, you will need to establish one before placing your stock order. It will take time to transfer your Home Federal individual retirement account to an independent trustee, so please allow yourself sufficient time to take this action. An annual administrative fee may be payable to the independent trustee. Because individual circumstances differ and processing of retirement fund orders takes additional time, we recommend that you contact our Stock Information Center promptly, preferably at least two weeks before the [expire date] expiration of the offering period, for assistance with purchases using your Home Federal individual retirement account or any other retirement account that you may have. Whether you may use such funds for the purchase of shares in the stock offering may depend on time constraints and, possibly, limitations imposed by the brokerage firm or institution where the funds are held, and the brokerage firm or other institution may impose fees for withdrawals of funds, transfer of funds and other administrative items.

Delivery of Stock Certificates

Certificates representing shares of common stock sold in the offering will be mailed to the persons entitled thereto at the certificate registration address noted by them on the order form as soon as practicable following consummation of the offering and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. It is possible that, until certificates for the common stock are delivered, purchasers might not be able to sell the shares of common stock that they ordered, even though the common stock will have begun trading.

 

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You May Not Sell or Transfer Your Subscription Rights

Office of Thrift Supervision regulations prohibit you from transferring your subscription rights. If you order shares of common stock in the subscription offering, you will be required to state that you are purchasing the shares of common stock for yourself and that you have no agreement or understanding to sell or transfer your subscription rights. We intend to take legal action, including reporting persons to federal or state regulatory agencies, against anyone who we believe has sold or given away his or her subscription rights. We will not accept your order if we have reason to believe that you have sold or transferred your subscription rights. When completing your stock order and certification form, you should not add the name(s) of persons who do not have subscription rights or who qualify in a lower subscription priority than you do. In addition, the stock order and certification form requires that you list all deposit or loan accounts, giving all names on each account and the account number at the applicable eligibility record date. Your failure to provide this information, or providing incomplete or incorrect information, may result in a loss of part or all of your subscription.

Deadline for Orders of Common Stock

If you wish to purchase shares of common stock in the offering, we must receive a properly completed original stock order and certification form, together with full payment for the shares of common stock, at the Stock Information Center no later than 12:00 p.m., Kentucky time, on [expire date]. A postmark prior to [expire date] will not entitle you to purchase shares of common stock unless we receive the envelope by 12:00 p.m., Kentucky time on [expire date].

You may submit your stock order and certification form by mail using the order reply envelope provided, by overnight delivery to our stock order processing center at the address indicated on the stock order form, or by hand delivery to our Stock Information Center, located at 1500 Carter Avenue, Ashland, KY, or to any of our branch offices. Please do not mail stock order forms to Home Federal’s offices. Once we receive it, your order is irrevocable unless the offering is terminated or extended beyond [extension date1] or the number of shares of common stock to be sold is decreased to less than 1,955,000 shares or increased to more than 3,041,750 shares. If the offering is extended beyond [extension date1], or if the number of shares of common stock to be sold is decreased to less than 1,955,000 shares or increased to more than 3,041,750 shares, we will, with the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision, resolicit subscribers, giving them the opportunity to confirm, cancel or change their stock orders during a specified resolicitation period.

Although we will make reasonable attempts to provide a prospectus and offering materials to all holders of subscription rights, the subscription offering and all subscription rights will expire at 12:00 p.m., Kentucky time, on [expire date], whether or not we have been able to locate each person entitled to subscription rights.

Steps We May Take If We Do Not Receive Orders for the Minimum Number of Shares

If we do not receive orders for at least 1,955,000 shares of common stock, we may take steps to issue the minimum number of shares of common stock in the offering range. Specifically, we may:

 

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increase the purchase limitations; and/or

 

   

seek the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision to extend the offering beyond [extension date1], so long as we resolicit subscriptions that we have previously received in the offering.

If a purchase limitation is increased, subscribers in the subscription offering who ordered the maximum amount will be, and, in our sole discretion, some other large subscribers may be, given the opportunity to increase their subscriptions up to the then-applicable limit.

Possible Change in the Offering Range

RP Financial, LC. will update its appraisal before we complete the offering. If, as a result of demand for the shares, or changes in market conditions, RP Financial, LC. determines that our pro forma market value has increased, we may sell up to 3,041,750 shares in the offering without further notice to you. If our pro forma market value at that time is either below $19.6 million or above $30.4 million, then, after consulting with the Office of Thrift Supervision, we may:

 

   

terminate the stock offering and promptly return all funds;

 

   

set a new offering range and give all subscribers the opportunity to confirm, modify or rescind their purchase orders for shares of Poage Bankshares’ common stock; or

 

   

take such other actions as may be permitted by the Office of Thrift Supervision and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Conditions to Completion of the Conversion and the Offering

We cannot complete the conversion and the offering unless:

 

   

the plan of conversion is approved by at least a majority of votes eligible to be cast by members of Home Federal. A special meeting of members to consider and vote upon the plan of conversion has been set for [meeting date];

 

   

we have received orders to purchase at least the minimum number of shares of common stock offered; and

 

   

we receive final approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision to complete the conversion and the offering.

Possible Termination of the Offering

We may terminate the offering at any time prior to the special meeting of members of Home Federal that is being called to vote upon the conversion, and at any time after member approval with the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision.

 

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We must sell a minimum of 1,955,000 shares to complete the offering. If we terminate the offering because we fail to sell the minimum number of shares or for any other reason, we will promptly return your funds with interest at our statement savings rate and we will cancel deposit account withdrawal authorizations.

Purchases by Officers and Directors

We expect our directors and executive officers, together with their associates, to subscribe for 146,000 shares of common stock in the offering, or 7.5% of the shares to be sold at the minimum of the offering range. However, there can be no assurance that any individual director or executive officer, or the directors and executive officers as a group, will purchase any specific number of shares of our common stock. The purchase price paid by our directors and executive officers for their subscribed shares will be the same $10.00 per share price paid by all other persons who purchase shares of common stock in the offering. Purchases by directors, executive officers and their associates will be included in determining whether the required minimum number of shares has been subscribed for in the offering.

Benefits to Management and Potential Dilution to Stockholders Following the Conversion

We expect our tax-qualified employee stock ownership plan to purchase 8% of the total number of shares of common stock that we sell in the offering, or 211,600 shares of common stock, assuming we sell the maximum of the shares proposed to be sold. If we receive orders for more shares of common stock than the maximum of the offering range, the employee stock ownership plan will have first priority to purchase shares over this maximum, up to a total of 8% of the total number of shares of common stock sold in the offering. Purchases by the employee stock ownership plan will be included in determining whether the required minimum number of shares has been sold in the offering. Assuming the employee stock ownership plan purchases 211,600 shares in the offering, we will recognize additional pre-tax compensation expense of $2.1 million over a 20-year period, assuming the shares of common stock have a fair market value of $10.00 per share for the full 20-year period. If, in the future, the shares of common stock have a fair market value greater or less than $10.00, the compensation expense will increase or decrease accordingly.

We also intend to implement one or more stock-based benefit plans no earlier than six months after completion of the conversion. Stockholder approval of these plans will be required, and the stock-based benefit plans cannot be implemented until at least six months after the completion of the conversion pursuant to applicable regulations. If adopted within 12 months following the completion of the conversion, the stock-based benefit plan will reserve a number of shares of common stock equal to not more than 4% of the shares sold in the offering, or up to 105,800 shares of common stock at the maximum of the offering range, for restricted stock awards to key employees and directors, at no cost to the recipients. If adopted within 12 months following the completion of the conversion, the stock-based benefit plan will also reserve a number of shares of common stock equal to not more than 10% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering, or up to 264,500 shares of common stock at the maximum of the offering range, for issuance pursuant to options to be granted to key employees and directors. If the stock-based benefit plans are adopted after one year from the date of the completion of the conversion, the 4% and 10% limitations described above will no longer apply, and we may adopt stock-based

 

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benefit plans encompassing more than 370,300 shares of our common stock. We have not yet determined whether we will present these plans for stockholder approval within 12 months following the completion of the conversion or whether we will present these plans for stockholder approval more than 12 months after the completion of the conversion.

If 4% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering are awarded under a stock-based benefit plan and come from authorized but unissued shares of common stock, stockholders would experience dilution of up to approximately 3.8% in their ownership interest in Poage Bankshares. If 10% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering are issued upon the exercise of options granted under a stock-based benefit plan and come from authorized but unissued shares of common stock, stockholders would experience dilution of up to approximately 9.1% in their ownership interest in Poage Bankshares. The dilution will be greater if the plans are adopted more than 12 months after the conversion and the plans exceed the noted 4% and 10% limitations. See “Management of Poage Bankshares, Inc.—Benefits to be Considered Following Completion of the Stock Offering.”

Market for Common Stock

We expect that our common stock will be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “                      .” Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. currently intends to make a market in the shares of our common stock, but is under no obligation to do so. See “Market for the Common Stock.”

Tax Consequences

As a general matter, the conversion will not be a taxable transaction for federal or state income tax purposes to Home Federal, Poage Bankshares, or persons eligible to subscribe in the subscription offering. See “The Conversion; Plan of Distribution—Material Income Tax Consequences” for additional information.

How You Can Obtain Additional Information

Employees of Home Federal or its affiliates may assist in the offering in ministerial capacities, providing clerical work in effecting a sales transaction or answering questions of a ministerial nature. However, our employees may not, by law, assist with investment-related questions about the offering. If you have any questions regarding the conversion or the offering, please call our Stock Information Center, toll free, at [sic phone], Monday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Kentucky time. The Stock Information Center will be closed on weekends and bank holidays.

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

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

You should consider carefully the following risk factors in evaluating an investment in our

shares of common stock.

Risks Related to Our Business

Future Changes in Interest Rates Could Reduce Our Profits.

Future changes in interest rates could impact our financial condition and results of operations.

Net income is the amount by which net interest income and non-interest income exceeds non-interest expense and the provision for loan losses. Net interest income makes up a majority of our income and is based on the difference between:

 

   

interest income earned on interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities; and

 

   

interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings.

We are vulnerable to changes in interest rates including the shape of the yield curve because of a mismatch between the terms to repricing of our assets and liabilities. Historically, our liabilities repriced more quickly than our assets, which made us vulnerable to increases in interest rates. For the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, our net interest margin was 3.11% and 2.85%, respectively. Our Asset/Liability Management Committee utilizes a computer simulation model to provide an analysis of estimated changes in net interest income in various interest rate scenarios. At September 30, 2010, in the event of an immediate 100 basis point decrease in interest rates, our model projects a decrease in our net portfolio value of $(289,000), or (1.0)%. In the event of an immediate 200 basis point increase in interest rates, our model projects a decrease in our net portfolio value of ($1.9 million), or (5.0)%.

Changes in interest rates can affect the average life of loans and mortgage-backed and related securities. A reduction in interest rates results in increased prepayments of loans and mortgage-backed and related securities, as borrowers refinance their debt in order to reduce their borrowing costs. This creates reinvestment risk, which is the risk that we may not be able to reinvest prepayments at rates that are comparable to the rates we earned on the prepaid loans or securities. Additionally, increases in interest rates may decrease loan demand and/or make it more difficult for borrowers to repay adjustable-rate loans.

We Have Increased and Plan to Continue to Increase Our Levels of Non-Residential Loans, Which in Turn Increase Our Exposure to Credit Risks.

At September 30, 2010, our portfolio of non-residential loans totaled $26.6 million, or 14.5% of our total loans, compared to $21.2 million, or 12.7% of our total loans at September 30, 2009. We intend to continue to emphasize the origination of these types of loans consistent with safety and soundness.

 

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Non-residential loans generally expose a lender to a greater risk of loss than one- to four-family residential loans. Repayment of such loans generally depends, in large part, on sufficient income from the property or the borrower’s business, respectively, to cover operating expenses and debt service. These types of loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers compared to one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Changes in economic conditions that are beyond the control of the borrower and lender could affect the value of the security for the loan, the future cash flow of the affected property or business, or the marketability of a construction project with respect to loans originated for the acquisition and development of property. As we increase our portfolio of these loans, we may experience higher levels of non-performing assets and/or loan losses.

We target our business lending and marketing strategy towards small- to medium-sized businesses. These small- to medium-sized businesses generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities. If general economic conditions negatively impact these businesses, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

While We Intend to Increase our Portfolio of Adjustable-Rate Residential Mortgage Loans, Market Conditions, Competition and Demand for such Loans in our Market Area May Not Allow Us To Do So. Such Loans Also Present Certain Risks.

We may not be successful in executing our plan to increase significantly the percentage of our one- to four-family residential mortgage loans consisting of adjustable-rate mortgages. In order to reduce our vulnerability to changes in interest rates, in 2009, we changed our business strategy to increase our focus on adjustable-rate mortgage loans. In addition, in fiscal year 2010, we began selling substantially all of our fixed-rate one- to four-family residential mortgage loan originations.

Historically, it has often been difficult for thrift institutions to originate adjustable-rate mortgage loans with a spread that compares favorably with the cost of funds. During the year ended September 30, 2010, we were able to originate $15.6 million of adjustable-rate mortgage loans, most of which carried rates that adjust annually at a spread of 3.5% over the applicable index (the weekly average yield on United States Treasury securities). At September 30, 2010, $47.9 million, or 16.5% of our assets consisted of adjustable-rate mortgage loans.

Although adjustable-rate mortgage loans may reduce to an extent our vulnerability to changes in market interest rates because they periodically reprice, as interest rates increase the required payments due from the borrower also increase (subject to rate caps), increasing the potential for default by the borrower. At the same time, the ability of the borrower to repay the loan and the marketability of the underlying collateral may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. Upward adjustments of the contractual interest rate are also limited by the maximum periodic and lifetime rate adjustments permitted by our loan documents. Moreover, the interest rates on most of our adjustable-rate loans do not adjust for up to five years after origination. As a result, the effectiveness of adjustable-rate mortgage loans in compensating for changes in general interest rates may be limited during periods of rapidly rising interest rates.

 

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If Our Allowance for Loan Losses is Not Sufficient to Cover Actual Loan Losses, Our Earnings Will Decrease.

We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, we review our loans and our loss and delinquency experience, and we evaluate economic conditions. If our assumptions are incorrect, our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover probable incurred losses in our loan portfolio, resulting in additions to our allowance. While our allowance for loan losses was 0.62% of total loans at September 30, 2010, future additions to our allowance could materially decrease our net income.

In addition, the Office of Thrift Supervision periodically reviews our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs. Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs as required by regulatory authorities might have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Higher Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Insurance Premiums Have Increased Our Expenses and Any Future Insurance Premium Increases Will Adversely Affect Our Earnings.

Effective April 1, 2009, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation increased its quarterly deposit insurance assessment rates and amended the method by which rates are calculated. Institutions are assigned an initial base assessment rate ranging from 12 to 45 basis points of deposits depending on risk category. The initial base assessment is then adjusted based upon the level of unsecured debt, secured liabilities and brokered deposits, to establish a total base assessment rate ranging from seven to 77.5 basis points. On May 22, 2009, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation levied a five basis point special assessment on each insured depository institution’s assets minus Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2009. We recorded an expense of $121,000 during the quarter ended June 30, 2009, to reflect the special assessment. Any further special assessments that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation levies will be recorded as an expense during the appropriate period.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation also adopted a rule pursuant to which all insured depository institutions were required to prepay their estimated assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012. The prepayment amount was collected on December 30, 2009. The assessment rate for the fourth quarter of 2009 and for 2010 was based on each institution’s total base assessment rate for the third quarter of 2009, modified to assume that the assessment rate in effect on September 30, 2009 had been in effect for the entire third quarter, and the assessment rate for 2011 and 2012 was equal to the modified third quarter assessment rate plus an additional three basis points. In addition, each institution’s base assessment rate for each period was calculated using its third quarter assessment base, adjusted quarterly for an estimated 5% annual growth rate in the assessment base through the end of 2012. We recorded the pre-payment as a prepaid expense, which is being amortized to expense over three years. Based on our deposits and assessment rate as of September 30, 2009, our

 

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prepayment amount was $1.1 million, $198,000 of which has been expensed through September 30, 2010. If our FDIC assessments increase we may be required to incur additional expense if our prepaid assessments do not satisfy any such increase.

On November 9, 2010, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation published a rulemaking proposal under the Dodd-Frank Act that would alter the way an institution’s assessment base is calculated. Under the proposal, an institution’s assessment base will be its average consolidated total assets less its average tangible equity. In addition, certain current rate adjustments will be modified or eliminated, and a new rate adjustment will be established. The proposal will not become effective before the second quarter of 2011.

The United States Economy Remains Weak and Unemployment Levels Are High. Continued Adverse Economic Conditions, Especially Affecting Our Geographic Market Area, Could Adversely Affect Our Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The United States experienced a severe economic recession in 2008 and 2009, the effects of which have continued. Recent growth has been slow and unemployment remains at high levels; as a result, economic recovery is expected to be slow. Loan portfolio quality has remained poor at many financial institutions reflecting, in part, the weak United States economy and high unemployment rates. In addition, the value of real estate collateral supporting many commercial loans and home mortgages throughout the United States has declined. The real estate downturn also has resulted in reduced demand for the construction of new housing and increased delinquencies in construction, residential and commercial mortgage loans in many markets across the United States.

Our lending market area consists of Greenup, Lawrence and Boyd Counties in Kentucky, and Lawrence and Scioto Counties in Ohio. These five counties have experienced minimal growth in population and households over the last decade. While we did not originate or invest in sub-prime mortgages, our lending business is tied, in part, to the real estate market, which has been weakened by the recession. Although most of our lending is located in Greenup, Lawrence and Boyd Counties, in Kentucky, and Lawrence and Scioto Counties in Ohio, which we believe have not been as adversely affected by the real estate crisis as some other areas of the country, real estate values and demand have softened and we remain vulnerable to adverse changes in the real estate market. In addition, a significant weakening in general economic conditions such as inflation, recession, unemployment or other factors beyond our control could negatively affect our financial results. Finally, negative developments in the securities markets could adversely affect the value of our securities.

Financial Reform Legislation Recently Enacted by Congress Will Result in New Laws and Regulations That Are Expected to Increase Our Costs of Operations.

Congress recently enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). This new law will significantly change the current bank regulatory structure and affect the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of new implementing rules and regulations, and to prepare numerous studies and reports for Congress. The federal agencies are given significant discretion in drafting

 

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the implementing rules and regulations, and consequently, many of the details and much of the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act may not be known for many months or years.

Certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act are expected to have a near term effect on us. For example, the new law provides that the Office of Thrift Supervision, which is the current primary federal regulator for Home Federal, will cease to exist one year from the date of the new law’s enactment. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which is currently the primary federal regulator for national banks, will become the primary federal regulator for federal thrifts. Moreover, the Federal Reserve Board will supervise and regulate all savings and loan holding companies that were formerly regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision, including Poage Bankshares.

Also effective one year after the date of enactment is a provision of the Dodd-Frank Act that eliminates the federal prohibitions on paying interest on demand deposits, thus allowing businesses to have interest bearing checking accounts. Depending on competitive responses, this significant change to existing law could have an adverse effect on our interest expense.

The Dodd-Frank Act also broadens the base for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance assessments. Assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution. The Dodd-Frank Act also permanently increases the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2008, and non-interest bearing transaction accounts have unlimited deposit insurance through December 31, 2012.

The Dodd-Frank Act requires publicly traded companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation and so-called “golden parachute” payments, and authorizes the Securities and Exchange Commission to promulgate rules that would allow stockholders to nominate their own candidates using a company’s proxy materials. The legislation also directs the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to bank holding company executives, regardless of whether the company is publicly traded or not.

The Dodd-Frank Act creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. Banks and savings institutions with $10 billion or less in assets will be examined by their applicable bank regulators. The Dodd-Frank Act also weakens the federal preemption rules that have been applicable for national banks and federal savings associations, and gives state attorneys general the ability to enforce federal consumer protection laws.

It is difficult to predict at this time what specific impact the Dodd-Frank Act and the yet to be written implementing rules and regulations will have on community banks. However, it is expected that at a minimum they will increase our operating and compliance costs and could increase our interest expense.

 

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Strong Competition Within Our Market Areas May Limit Our Growth and Profitability.

Competition in the banking and financial services industry is intense. In our market areas, we compete with commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage brokerage firms, credit unions, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, and brokerage and investment banking firms operating locally and elsewhere. Some of our competitors have greater name recognition and market presence that benefit them in attracting business, and offer certain services that we do not or cannot provide. In addition, larger competitors may be able to price loans and deposits more aggressively than we do, which could affect our ability to grow and remain profitable on a long-term basis. Our profitability depends upon our continued ability to successfully compete in our market areas. If we must raise interest rates paid on deposits or lower interest rates charged on our loans, our net interest margin and profitability could be adversely affected. For additional information see “Business of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association—Market Area and Competition.”

The financial services industry could become even more competitive as a result of new legislative, regulatory and technological changes and continued consolidation. Banks, securities firms and insurance companies can merge under the umbrella of a financial holding company, which can offer virtually any type of financial service, including banking, securities underwriting, insurance (both agency and underwriting) and merchant banking. Also, technology has lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks, such as automatic transfer and automatic payment systems. Many of our competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures. Additionally, due to their size, many competitors may be able to achieve economies of scale and, as a result, may offer a broader range of products and services as well as better pricing for those products and services than we can.

We Depend On Our Management Team To Implement Our Business Strategy And Execute Successful Operations And We Could Be Harmed By The Loss Of Their Services.

We are dependent upon the services of our senior management team. Our strategy and operations are directed by the senior management team. Any loss of the services of the president and chief executive officer or other members of our management team could impact our ability to implement our business strategy, and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and our ability to compete in our markets. See “Management of Poage Bankshares, Inc.—Benefit Plans and Agreements—Employment Agreement.”

We Will Need to Implement Additional Finance and Accounting Systems, Procedures and Controls in Order to Satisfy Our New Public Company Reporting Requirements. This Will Increase Our Operating Expenses.

In connection with the stock offering, we are becoming a public company. The federal securities laws and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission require that we file annual, quarterly and current reports and that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. We expect that the obligations of being a public company, including substantial public reporting obligations, will require significant expenditures and place additional demands on our management team. These obligations will

 

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increase our operating expenses and could divert our management’s attention from our operations. Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission will require us to certify the adequacy of our internal controls and procedures, which will require us to upgrade our accounting systems, which will increase our operating costs. In addition, such requirements may cause us to hire additional accounting, internal audit and/or compliance personnel.

We Are in the Process of Formalizing our Internal Control over Financial Reporting, the Finalization of which Could Cause our Financial Results to Change.

As we convert Home Federal from a mutual savings and loan association to the subsidiary of a public holding company, we are in the process of formalizing certain internal controls over financial reporting and upgrading our accounting systems and processes, as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a relatively small mutual savings and loan association, our current controls were not as formalized as would be expected for a public company. As we formalize our internal control structure and realign duties to achieve better segregation of duties among our personnel, our financial results could change.

We Operate in a Highly Regulated Environment and May Be Adversely Affected by Changes in Laws and Regulations.

We are subject to extensive regulation, supervision, and examination by the Office of Thrift Supervision and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In addition, when the operations of the Office of Thrift Supervision terminate on or about June 30, 2011, the federal regulator of Home Federal will be transferred to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, while the regulation of Poage Bankshares will be transferred to the Federal Reserve Board. Such regulators govern the activities in which we may engage, primarily for the protection of depositors. These regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on the operation of a financial institution, the classification of assets by a financial institution, and the adequacy of a financial institution’s allowance for loan losses. Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, or legislation, could have a material impact on us and our operations. Because our business is highly regulated, the laws, rules and applicable regulations are subject to regular modification and change. There can be no assurance that proposed laws, rules and regulations, or any other laws, rules or regulations, will not be adopted in the future, which could make compliance more difficult or expensive or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition or prospects.

Changes in Accounting Standards Could Affect Reported Earnings.

The accounting standard setters, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory bodies, periodically change the financial accounting and reporting guidance that governs the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. These changes can be hard to predict and can materially impact how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, we could be required to apply new or revised guidance retroactively.

 

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Risks Related to this Stock Offering

The Future Price of the Shares of Common Stock May Be Less Than the Purchase Price in the Stock Offering.

If you purchase shares of common stock in the stock offering, you may not be able to sell them at or above the purchase price in the stock offering. The purchase price in the offering is determined by an independent, third-party appraisal, pursuant to federal banking regulations and subject to review and approval by the Office of Thrift Supervision. The appraisal is not intended, and should not be construed, as a recommendation of any kind as to the advisability of purchasing shares of common stock. Our aggregate pro forma market value as reflected in the final, approved independent appraisal may exceed the market price of our shares of common stock after the completion of the offering, which may result in our stock trading below the initial offering price of $10.00 per share.

The Capital We Raise in the Stock Offering Will Reduce Our Return on Equity. This Could Negatively Affect the Trading Price of Our Shares of Common Stock.

Net income divided by average equity, known as “return on equity,” is a ratio many investors use to compare the performance of a financial institution to its peers. For the year ended September 30, 2010, our return on average equity was 8.14%. Following the stock offering, we expect our equity to increase from $27.7 million to between $43.5 million at the minimum of the offering range and $49.5 million at the maximum of the offering range. Based upon our earnings for the year ended September 30, 2010, and these pro forma equity levels, our return on equity would be 4.81% and 4.17% at the minimum and maximum of the offering range, respectively. We expect our return on equity to remain lower until we are able to leverage the additional capital we receive from the stock offering. Although we believe we will be able to increase net interest income using proceeds of the stock offering, our return on equity will be reduced by the capital raised in the stock offering, higher expenses from the costs of being a public company, and added expenses associated with our employee stock ownership plan and the stock-based benefit plan we intend to adopt. Until we can increase our net interest income and non-interest income, we expect our return on equity to remain at a relatively low level, which may reduce the value of our shares of common stock.

Our Stock-Based Benefit Plans Will Increase Our Costs, Which Will Reduce Our Income.

We anticipate that our employee stock ownership plan will purchase 8% of the total shares of common stock sold in the stock offering, with funds borrowed from Poage Bankshares. The cost of acquiring the shares of common stock for the employee stock ownership plan will be between $1.6 million and $2.1 million at the minimum and maximum of the offering range, respectively. We will record an annual employee stock ownership plan expense in an amount equal to the fair value of shares of common stock committed to be released to employees. See “Management of Poage Bankshares, Inc.—Employee Stock Ownership Plan.”

We also intend to adopt a stock-based benefit plan after the stock offering that would award participants restricted shares of our common stock (at no cost to them) and/or options to

 

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purchase shares of our common stock. The number of shares of restricted stock or stock options reserved for issuance under any initial stock-based benefit plan may not exceed 4% and 10%, respectively, of our total outstanding shares, if these plans are adopted within 12 months after the completion of the conversion. We may grant shares of common stock and stock options in excess of these amounts provided the stock-based benefit plan is adopted more than one year following the stock offering. Assuming the market price of the common stock is $10.00 per share; the options are granted with an exercise price of $10.00 per share; the dividend yield on the stock is 0%; the expected option life is 7.5 years; the risk free interest rate is 2.53% (based on the ten-year Treasury rate) and the volatility rate on the shares of common stock is 17.86% (based on an index of publicly traded thrift institutions), the estimated grant-date fair value of the options utilizing a Black-Scholes option pricing analysis is $2.76 per option granted. Assuming this value is amortized over a five-year vesting period, the corresponding annual pre-tax expense associated with the stock options would be $167,905 at the adjusted maximum. In addition, assuming that all shares of restricted stock are awarded at a price of $10.00 per share, and that the awards vest over a five-year period, the corresponding annual pre-tax expense associated with restricted stock awarded under the stock-based benefit plan would be $243,340 at the adjusted maximum. However, if we grant shares of common stock or options in excess of these amounts, such grants would increase our costs further.

The shares of restricted stock granted under the stock-based benefit plan will be expensed by us over their vesting period at the fair market value of the shares on the date they are awarded. If the shares of restricted stock to be granted under the plan are repurchased in the open market (rather than issued directly from authorized but unissued shares by Poage Bankshares) and cost the same as the purchase price in the stock offering, the reduction to stockholders’ equity due to the plan would be between $0.8 million at the minimum of the offering range and $1.2 million at the adjusted maximum of the offering range. To the extent we repurchase shares of common stock in the open market to fund the grants of shares under the plan, and the price of such shares exceeds the offering price of $10.00 per share, the reduction to stockholders’ equity would exceed the range described above. Conversely, to the extent the price of such shares is below the offering price of $10.00 per share, the reduction to stockholders’ equity would be less than the range described above.

The Implementation of Stock-Based Benefit Plans May Dilute Your Ownership Interest.

We intend to adopt one or more stock-based benefit plans, which will allow participants to be awarded shares of common stock (at no cost to them) and/or options to purchase shares of our common stock, following the stock offering. If these stock-based benefit plans are funded from the issuance of authorized but unissued shares of common stock, stockholders would experience a reduction in ownership interest totaling 12.9%.

Although the implementation of the stock-based benefit plan will be subject to stockholder approval, historically, the overwhelming majority of stock-based benefit plans adopted by savings institutions and their holding companies following mutual-to-stock conversions have been approved by stockholders.

 

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We Have Broad Discretion in Using the Proceeds of the Stock Offering. Our Failure to Effectively Use Such Proceeds Could Reduce Our Profits.

We will use a portion of the net proceeds to finance the purchase of shares of common stock in the stock offering by the employee stock ownership plan and may use the remaining net proceeds to pay dividends to stockholders, repurchase shares of common stock, purchase investment securities, provide capital to Home Federal or for other general corporate purposes. Home Federal may use the proceeds it receives to fund new loans, repay short-term borrowings, purchase investment securities, or for other general corporate purposes. We have not identified specific amounts of proceeds for any of these purposes and we will have significant flexibility in determining the amount of net proceeds we apply to different uses and the timing of such applications. Our failure to utilize these funds effectively could reduce our profitability. We have not established a timetable for the effective deployment of the proceeds and we cannot predict how long we will require to effectively deploy the proceeds, if at all.

Our Stock Value May be Negatively Affected By Federal Regulations That Restrict Takeovers. In Addition, the Corporate Governance Provisions in Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, and the Corporate Governance Provisions Under Maryland Law, May Prevent or Impede the Holders of Our Common Stock From Obtaining Representation On Our Board of Directors and May Impede Takeovers of the Company That Our Board Might Conclude Are Not In the Best Interest of Poage Bankshares or Its Stockholders.

For three years following the stock offering, Office of Thrift Supervision regulations prohibit any person from acquiring or offering to acquire more than 10% of our common stock without the prior written approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision. See “Restrictions on Acquisition of Poage Bankshares, Inc.” for a discussion of applicable Office of Thrift Supervision regulations regarding acquisitions.

In addition, provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws may prevent or impede holders of our common stock from obtaining representation on our Board of Directors and may make takeovers of Poage Bankshares more difficult. For example, our Board of Directors is divided into three staggered classes. A classified board makes it more difficult for stockholders to change a majority of the directors because it takes at least two annual elections of directors for this to occur. Our articles of incorporation include a provision that no person will be entitled to vote any shares of our common stock in excess of 10% of our outstanding shares of common stock. This limitation does not apply to the purchase of shares by a tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan established by us. In addition, our articles of incorporation and bylaws restrict who may call special meetings of stockholders and how directors may be removed from office. We also can issue additional shares of common and preferred stock without the prior approval of shareholders and such preferred shares may have terms more favorable than our common shares. Additionally, in certain instances, the Maryland General Corporation Law requires a supermajority vote of our stockholders to approve a merger or other business combination with a large stockholder, if the proposed transaction is not approved by a majority of our directors. See “Restrictions on Acquisition of Poage Bankshares, Inc.”

 

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We Have Never Issued Common Capital Stock and There Is No Guarantee That a Liquid Market For Our Common Stock Will Develop.

We have never issued capital stock and there is no established market for our common stock. We expect that our common stock will be traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “                      ,” subject to completion of the offering and compliance with certain conditions, including the presence of at least three registered and active market makers. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. has advised us that it intends to make a market in shares of our common stock following the offering, but it is under no obligation to do so or to continue to do so once it begins. While we will attempt before completion of the offering to obtain commitments from at least two other broker-dealers to make a market in shares of our common stock, we may not be able to obtain such commitments. This would result in our common stock not being eligible to be listed for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market, which could reduce the liquidity of our common stock.

 

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SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

The following tables set forth selected historical financial and other data of Home Federal for the years and at the dates indicated. The information at September 30, 2010 and 2009 and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 is derived in part from, and should be read together with, the audited financial statements and notes thereto of Home Federal that appear in this prospectus. The information at September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006 is derived in part from audited financial statements that do not appear in this prospectus.

 

     At or For the Year Ended September 30,  
     2010      2009      2008     2007     2006  
     (In thousands)  

Financial Condition Data:

            

Total assets

   $ 291,147       $ 278,988       $ 231,451      $ 204,237      $ 199,871   

Cash and cash equivalents

     43,233         18,715         2,200        3,610        4,526   

Investment securities

     45,234         77,684         101,666        107,757        110,107   

Loans held for sale

     1,701         —           —          —          —     

Loans receivable, net

     182,358         166,904         111,650        76,573        68,489   

Deposits

     227,812         209,698         179,119        176,666        171,648   

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

     32,205         39,368         27,149        2,510        3,514   

Retained earnings

     27,067         24,880         23,511        22,979        22,898   

Total equity

     27,746         26,880         23,664        23,227        23,245   

Operating Data:

            

Interest and dividend income

     13,729         13,342         11,615        11,048        10,250   

Interest expense

     5,571         6,603         7,367        7,504        6,059   

Net interest income

     8,158         6,739         4,248        3,544        4,191   

Provision for loan losses

     650         312         102        116        7   

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     7,508         6,427         4,145        3,428        4,184   

Non-interest income

     3,111         1,090         562        416        378   

Non-interest expenses

     7,781         5,792         4,399        4,168        4,197   

Income (loss) before income taxes

     2,838         1,725         309        (323     365   

Income taxes (benefit)

     651         265         (137     (404     (184

Net income

     2,187         1,460         446        81        549   

 

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     At or For the Year Ended September 30,  
     2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  

Performance Ratios:

          

Return on average assets

     0.78     0.58     0.20     0.04     0.28

Return on average equity

     8.14     5.84     1.91     0.35     2.35

Interest rate spread (1)

     3.01     2.71     1.72     1.55     2.04

Net interest margin (2)

     3.11     2.85     1.98     1.85     2.28

Noninterest expense to average assets

     2.77     2.29     1.95     2.04     2.10

Efficiency ratio (3)

     86.46     78.77     93.52     64.16     92.22

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

     104.64     104.99     107.52     107.78     107.27

Average equity to average assets

     9.55     9.89     10.37     11.23     11.68

Capital Ratios:

          

Total capital to risk weighted assets

     9.32     8.98     10.13     11.26     11.48

Tier I capital to risk weighted assets

     19.76     18.94     23.03     27.60     31.06

Tier I capital to average assets

     18.97     18.52     22.80     27.42     29.85

Tangible equity to tangible assets

     9.32     8.98     10.13     11.26     11.48

Asset Quality Ratios:

          

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans

     0.62     0.33     0.23     0.23     0.25

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans

     50.85     70.25     65.80     54.32     19.18

Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average outstanding loans during the period

     0.04     0.01     0.02     0.15     0.10

Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans

     1.21     0.47     0.34     0.42     1.32

Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets

     0.84     0.34     0.22     0.32     0.67

Other:

          

Number of offices

     6        6        6        5        5   

 

(1) Represents the difference between the weighted average yield on average interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(2) Represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets.
(3) Represents noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income, excluding gains or losses on the sale of securities.

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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

 

   

statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;

 

   

statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies;

 

   

statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and

 

   

estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.

These forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. Except as may be required by law, we do not take any obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements:

 

   

general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market area, that are worse than expected;

 

   

our success in increasing our originations of adjustable-rate mortgage loans;

 

   

our success in increasing our originations of nonresidential real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, other consumer loans and commercial business loans;

 

   

competition among depository and other financial institutions;

 

   

inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments;

 

   

adverse changes in the securities markets;

 

   

changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements;

 

   

our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities;

 

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changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;

 

   

decreases in asset quality;

 

   

future deposit insurance premium levels and special assessments;

 

   

future regulatory compliance costs, including any increase caused by new regulations imposed by the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau;

 

   

changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;

 

   

changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans;

 

   

changes in our financial condition or results of operations that reduce capital available to pay dividends; and

 

   

changes in the financial condition or future prospects of issuers of securities that we own.

Because of these and a wide variety of other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. Please see “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15.

HOW WE INTEND TO USE THE PROCEEDS FROM THE OFFERING

Although we cannot determine what the actual net proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock in the offering will be until the offering is completed, we anticipate that the net proceeds will be between $18.1 million and $24.9 million at the minimum and maximum of the offering range, respectively, or $28.8 million if the offering range is increased by 15%. We intend to distribute the net proceeds from the stock offering as follows:

 

     Based Upon the Sale at $10.00 Per Share of  
     1,955,000 Shares     2,300,000 Shares     2,645,000 Shares     3,041,750 Shares (1)  
     Amount     Percent
of Net
Proceeds
    Amount     Percent
of Net
Proceeds
    Amount     Percent
of Net
Proceeds
    Amount     Percent
of Net
Proceeds
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Stock offering proceeds

   $ 19,550        $ 23,000        $ 26,450        $ 30,418     

Less offering expenses

     (1,419       (1,475       (1,531       (1,594  
                                        

Net offering proceeds

   $ 18,131        100.0   $ 21,525        100.0   $ 24,919        100.0   $ 28,824        100.0
                                                                

Use of net proceeds:

                

To Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

   $ 9,065        50.00   $ 10,763        50.00   $ 12,460        50.00   $ 14,412        50.00

To fund loan to employee stock ownership plan

     1,564        8.6        1,840        8.5        2,116        8.5        2,433        8.4   
                                                                

Retained by Poage Bankshares, Inc.

   $ 7,501        41.4   $ 8,923        41.5   $ 10,344        41.5   $ 11,979        41.6
                                        

 

(1) As adjusted to give effect to an increase in the number of shares, which could occur due to a 15% increase in the offering range to reflect demand for the shares or changes in market conditions following the commencement of the offering.

 

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

Poage Bankshares may use the proceeds it retains from the stock offering:

 

   

to fund a loan to the employee stock ownership plan to purchase shares of common stock in the stock offering;

 

   

to invest in investment securities, including obligations of state and political subdivisions and securities issued by the Unites States Government and United States Government-sponsored agencies or entities;

 

   

to pay cash dividends to stockholders;

 

   

to repurchase shares of our common stock; and

 

   

for other general corporate purposes.

With the exception of the funding of the loan to the employee stock ownership plan, Poage Bankshares has not quantified its plans for use of the offering proceeds for any of the foregoing purposes. Initially, we intend to invest a substantial portion of the net proceeds in short-term investments, investment-grade debt obligations or mortgage-backed securities.

Under current Office of Thrift Supervision regulations, we may not repurchase shares of our common stock during the first year following the conversion, except to fund equity benefit plans other than stock options or except when extraordinary circumstances exist and with prior regulatory approval.

Home Federal may use the net proceeds it receives from the stock offering:

 

   

to fund new loans;

 

   

to repay short-term borrowings;

 

   

to expand its banking franchise by establishing or acquiring new branches, although we have no current plans to do so;

 

   

to invest in investment securities, including obligations of state and political subdivisions and securities issued by the Unites States Government and United States Government-sponsored agencies or entities; and

 

   

for other general corporate purposes.

 

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Home Federal has not quantified its plans for use of the offering proceeds for any of the foregoing purposes. Our short-term and long-term growth plans anticipate that, upon completion of the offering, we will experience growth through increased lending and expansion into new markets as opportunities arise, including through de novo branching, branch acquisitions or acquisitions of other financial institutions. We currently have no understandings or agreements to acquire any other financial institutions, branches of other financial institutions, or other financial services companies.

Initially, the net proceeds Home Federal receives will be invested in short-term investments, investment-grade debt obligations and mortgage-backed securities.

OUR POLICY REGARDING DIVIDENDS

Following completion of the stock offering, our Board of Directors will have the authority to declare dividends on our shares of common stock, subject to statutory and regulatory requirements. However, no decision has been made with respect to the payment of dividends. In determining whether to pay a cash dividend and the amount of such cash dividend, the Board of Directors is expected to take into account a number of factors, including capital requirements, our financial condition and results of operations, tax considerations, statutory and regulatory limitations and general economic conditions. No assurances can be given that any dividends will be paid or that, if paid, will not be reduced or eliminated in the future. Special cash dividends, stock dividends or returns of capital, to the extent permitted by the Office of Thrift Supervision policy and regulations, may be paid in addition to, or in lieu of, regular cash dividends. We will file a consolidated tax return with Home Federal. Accordingly, it is anticipated that any cash distributions made by us to our stockholders would be treated as cash dividends and not as a non-taxable return of capital for federal and state tax purposes. Additionally, pursuant to Office of Thrift Supervision regulations, during the three-year period following the stock offering, we will not take any action to declare an extraordinary dividend to stockholders that would be treated by recipients as a tax-free return of capital for federal income tax purposes.

Pursuant to our articles of incorporation, we are authorized to issue preferred stock. If we issue preferred stock, the holders thereof may have a priority over the holders of our shares of common stock with respect to the payment of dividends. For a further discussion concerning the payment of dividends on our shares of common stock, see “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock.” Dividends we can declare and pay will depend, in part, upon receipt of dividends from Home Federal, because initially we will have no source of funds for the payment of dividends other than proceeds received from the stock offering and no sources of income other than dividends from Home Federal, earnings from the investment of proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock, and interest payments received in connection with the loan to the employee stock ownership plan. Regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision impose limitations on “capital distributions” by savings institutions, which include dividends. See “Supervision and Regulation—Federal Banking Regulation—Capital Distributions.”

Any payment of dividends by Home Federal to us that would be deemed to be drawn out of Home Federal’s bad debt reserves would require a payment of taxes at the then-current tax rate by Home Federal on the amount of earnings deemed to be removed from the reserves for

 

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such distribution. Home Federal does not intend to make any distribution to us that would create such a federal tax liability. See “Taxation—Federal Taxation” and “—State Taxation.”

MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK

We have never issued capital stock and there is no established market for our shares of common stock. We expect that our shares of common stock will be traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “                      ,” subject to completion of the offering and compliance with certain conditions, including the presence of at least three registered and active market makers. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. has advised us that it intends to make a market in shares of our common stock following the offering, but it is under no obligation to do so or to continue to do so once it begins. While we will attempt before completion of the offering to obtain commitments from at least two other broker-dealers to make a market in shares of our common stock, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining such commitments.

The development and maintenance of a public market, having the desirable characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness, depends on the existence of willing buyers and sellers, the presence of which is not within our control or that of any market maker. The number of active buyers and sellers of shares of our common stock at any particular time may be limited, which may have an adverse effect on the price at which shares of our common stock can be sold. There can be no assurance that persons purchasing the shares of common stock will be able to sell their shares at or above the $10.00 offering purchase price per share. You should have a long-term investment intent if you purchase shares of our common stock and you should recognize that there may be a limited trading market in the shares of our common stock.

 

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HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA REGULATORY CAPITAL COMPLIANCE

At September 30, 2010, Home Federal exceeded all applicable regulatory requirements and was considered “well capitalized.” The table below sets forth the historical equity capital and regulatory capital of Home Federal at September 30, 2010, and the pro forma regulatory capital of Home Federal, after giving effect to the sale of shares of common stock at $10.00 per share. The table assumes the receipt by Home Federal of at least 50% of the net offering proceeds. See “How We Intend to Use the Proceeds from the Offering.”

 

     Home Federal
Historical at

September 30, 2010
    Pro Forma at September 30, 2010, Based Upon the Sale in the Offering of (1)  
       1,955,000 Shares     2,300,000 Shares     2,645,000 Shares     3,041,750 Shares (2)  
     Amount      Percent of
Assets (3)
    Amount     Percent of
Assets (3)
    Amount     Percent of
Assets (3)
    Amount     Percent of
Assets (3)
    Amount     Percent of
Assets (3)
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Equity

   $ 27,746         9.53   $ 35,248        11.74   $ 36,669        12.15   $ 38,090        12.55   $ 39,724        13.00

Core capital

   $ 27,067         9.32   $ 34,568        11.60   $ 35,989        12.02   $ 37,411        12.44   $ 39,045        12.91

Core

requirement (4)

     11,619         4.00        11,919        4.00        11,976        4.00        12,032        4.00        12,098        4.00   
                                                                                 

Excess

   $ 15,448         5.32   $ 22,649        7.60   $ 24,013        8.02   $ 25,379        8.44   $ 26,947        8.91
                                                                                 

Tier 1 risk-based capital (5)

   $ 27,067         18.97   $ 34,569        23.92   $ 35,990        24.84   $ 37,411        25.76   $ 39,045        26.82

Risk-based requirement

     5,708         4.00        5,781        4.00        5,795        4.00        5,808        4.00        5,824        4.00   
                                                                                 

Excess

   $ 21,359         14.97   $ 28,788        19.92   $ 30,195        20.84   $ 31,603        21.76   $ 33,221        22.82
                                                                                 

Total risk-based capital (5)

   $ 28,201         19.76   $ 35,703        24.70   $ 37,124        25.63   $ 38,545        26.55   $ 40,179        27.60

Risk-based requirement

     11,417         8.00        11,562        8.00        11,589        8.00        11,616        8.00        11,647        8.00   
                                                                                 

Excess

   $ 16,784         11.76   $ 24,141        16.70   $ 25,535        17.63   $ 26,929        18.55   $ 28,532        19.60
                                                                                 

Reconciliation of capital infused into Home Federal:

                     

Net proceeds

  

  $ 9,065        $ 10,763        $ 12,460        $ 14,412     

Less: Common stock acquired by employee stock ownership plan

   

    (1,564       (1,840       (2,116       (2,433  
                                             

Pro forma increase

  

  $ 7,501        $ 8,922        $ 10,344        $ 11,978     
                                             

 

(1) Pro forma capital levels assume that the employee stock ownership plan purchases 8% of the shares of common stock sold in the stock offering with funds we lend. Pro forma generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and regulatory capital have been reduced by the amount required to fund this plan. See “Management” for a discussion of the employee stock ownership plan.
(2) As adjusted to give effect to an increase in the number of shares which could occur due to a 15% increase in the offering range to reflect demand for the shares or changes in market conditions following the commencement of the offering.
(3) Tangible and core capital levels are shown as a percentage of total adjusted assets. Risk-based capital levels are shown as a percentage of risk-weighted assets.
(4) The current Office of Thrift Supervision core capital requirement for financial institutions is 3% of total adjusted assets for financial institutions that receive the highest supervisory rating for safety and soundness and a 4% to 5% core capital ratio requirement for all other financial institutions.
(5) Pro forma amounts and percentages assume net proceeds are invested in assets that carry a 20% risk weighting.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table presents the historical capitalization of Home Federal at September 30, 2010 and the pro forma consolidated capitalization of Poage Bankshares, after giving effect to the conversion and the offering, based upon the assumptions set forth in the “Pro Forma Data” section.

 

     Home Federal
Savings and
Loan
Association
Historical at
September 30,
2010
    Poage Bankshares, Inc. Pro Forma,
Based Upon the Sale in the Offering at $10.00 per Share of
 
       1,955,000
Shares
    2,300,000
Shares
    2,645,000
Shares
    3,041,750
Shares (1)
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Deposits (2)

   $ 227,812      $ 227,812      $ 227,812      $ 227,812      $ 227,812   

Borrowings

     32,205        32,205        32,205        32,205        32,205   
                                        

Total deposits and borrowed funds

   $ 260,017      $ 260,017      $ 260,017      $ 260,017      $ 260,017   
                                        

Stockholders’ equity:

          

Preferred stock $0.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Common stock $0.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized; assuming shares outstanding as shown (3)

     —          20        23        26        30   

Additional paid-in capital (4)

     —          18,111        21,502        24,893        28,793   

Retained earnings (5)

     27,067        27,067        27,067        27,067        27,067   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     679        679        679        679        679   

Less:

          

Common stock to be acquired by employee stock ownership plan (6)

     —          (1,564     (1,840     (2,116     (2,433

Common stock to be acquired by stock-based benefit plans (7)

     —          (782     (920     (1,058     (1,217
                                        

Total stockholders’ equity

   $ 27,746      $ 43,531      $ 46,511      $ 49,491      $ 52,919   
                                        

Total stockholders’ equity as a percentage of
total assets (2)

     9.53     14.18     15.01     15.82     16.73

 

(1) As adjusted to give effect to an increase in the number of shares of common stock that could occur due to a 15% increase in the offering range to reflect demand for shares or changes in market conditions following the commencement of the subscription and community offerings.
(2) Does not reflect withdrawals from deposit accounts for the purchase of shares of common stock in the conversion and offering. These withdrawals would reduce pro forma deposits and assets by the amount of the withdrawals.
(3) No effect has been given to the issuance of additional shares of Poage Bankshares common stock pursuant to one or more stock-based benefit plans. If these plans are implemented within 12 months following the completion of the stock offering, an amount up to 10% and 4% of the shares of Poage Bankshares common stock sold in the offering will be reserved for issuance upon the exercise of stock options and for issuance as restricted stock awards, respectively. See “Management of Poage Bankshares, Inc.”
(4) The sum of the par value of the total shares outstanding and additional paid-in capital equals the net stock offering proceeds at the offering price of $10.00 per share.
(5) The retained earnings of Home Federal will be substantially restricted after the conversion. See “Our Policy Regarding Dividends,” “The Conversion; Plan of Distribution—Liquidation Rights” and “Supervision and Regulation.”
(6) Assumes that 8% of the shares sold in the offering will be acquired by the employee stock ownership plan financed by a loan from Poage Bankshares. The loan will be repaid principally from Home Federal’s contributions to the employee stock ownership plan. Since Poage Bankshares will finance the employee stock ownership plan debt, this debt will be eliminated through consolidation and no asset or liability will be reflected on Poage Bankshares’ consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the amount of shares of common stock acquired by the employee stock ownership plan is shown in this table as a reduction of total stockholders’ equity.
(7) Assumes a number of shares of common stock equal to 4% of the shares of common stock to be sold in the offering will be purchased for grant by one or more stock-based benefit plans in open market purchases. The dollar amount of common stock to be purchased is based on the $10.00 per share subscription price in the offering and represents unearned compensation. This amount does not reflect possible increases or decreases in the value of common stock relative to the subscription price in the offering. As Poage Bankshares accrues compensation expense to reflect the vesting of shares pursuant to the stock-based benefit plans, the credit to equity will be offset by a charge to noninterest expense. Implementation of the stock stock-based benefit plans will require stockholder approval. The funds to be used by the stock-based benefit plans will be provided by Poage Bankshares.

 

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PRO FORMA DATA

The following table summarizes historical data of Home Federal and pro forma data of Poage Bankshares at and for the year ended September 30, 2010. This information is based on assumptions set forth below and in the table, and should not be used as a basis for projections of market value of the shares of common stock following the conversion and offering.

The net proceeds in the table are based upon the following assumptions:

 

   

50% of the shares of common stock will be sold in the subscription offering and 50% of the shares of common stock will be sold in the direct community offering;

 

   

75,000 shares of common stock will be purchased by our executive officers and directors, and their associates;

 

   

our employee stock ownership plan will purchase 8% of the shares of common stock sold in the stock offering with a loan from Poage Bankshares. The loan is a fully amortizing loan with a term of 20 years;

 

   

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. will receive a fee equal to 1.5% of the dollar amount of the shares of common stock sold in the subscription offering, and 2.0% of the dollar amount of the shares of common stock sold in the direct community offering. Shares purchased by our employee stock benefit plans or by our officers, directors and employees, and their immediate families will not be included in calculating the shares of common stock sold for this purpose; and

 

   

expenses of the stock offering, other than fees and expenses to be paid to Keefe Bruyette & Woods, Inc., will be $1,022,825.

We calculated pro forma consolidated net income for the year ended September 30, 2010 as if the estimated net proceeds we received had been invested at an assumed interest rate of 1.27%, or 0.84% net of tax. This represents the five-year United States Treasury Note as of September 30, 2010 which, in light of current market interest rates, we consider to more accurately reflect the pro forma reinvestment rate than the arithmetic average of the weighted average yield earned on our interest earning assets and the weighted average rate paid on our deposits, which is the reinvestment rate generally required by applicable regulations.

We calculated historical and pro forma per share amounts by dividing historical and pro forma amounts of consolidated net income and stockholders’ equity by the indicated number of shares of common stock. For pro forma earnings per share calculations we adjusted these figures to give effect to the shares of common stock purchased by the employee stock ownership plan and the restricted stock plan. We computed pro forma stockholders’ equity per share amounts for the year as if the shares of common stock were outstanding at the beginning of the year, but we did not adjust per share historical or pro forma stockholders’ equity to reflect the earnings on the estimated net proceeds. For pro forma earnings per share calculations, we utilized the average number of shares outstanding over the one year period.

 

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The pro forma table gives effect to the implementation of stock-based benefit plans. Subject to the receipt of stockholder approval, we have assumed that the stock-based benefit plans will acquire for restricted stock awards a number of shares of common stock equal to 4% of our outstanding shares of common stock at the same price for which they were sold in the stock offering. We assume that shares of common stock are granted under the plans in awards that vest over a five-year period.

We have also assumed that the stock-based benefit plans will grant options to acquire shares of common stock equal to 10% of our outstanding shares of common stock. In preparing the table below, we assumed that stockholder approval was obtained, that the exercise price of the stock options and the market price of the stock at the date of grant were $10.00 per share and that the stock options had a term of 7.5 years and vested over five years. We applied the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate a grant-date fair value of $2.76 for each option. In addition to the terms of the options described above, the Black-Scholes option pricing model assumed an estimated volatility rate of 17.86% for the shares of common stock, a dividend yield of 0%, and a risk-free interest rate of 2.53%.

We may grant options and award shares of common stock under one or more stock-based benefit plans in excess of 10% and 4%, respectively, of our total outstanding shares if the stock-based benefit plans are adopted more than one year following the stock offering. In addition, we may grant options and award shares that vest sooner than over a five-year period if the stock-based benefit plans are adopted more than one year following the stock offering.

As discussed under “How We Intend to Use the Proceeds from the Stock Offering,” we intend to contribute at least 50% of the net proceeds from the stock offering to Home Federal, and we will retain the remainder of the net proceeds from the stock offering. We will use a portion of the proceeds we retain for the purpose of making a loan to the employee stock ownership plan and retain the rest of the proceeds for future use.

The pro forma table does not give effect to:

 

   

withdrawals from deposit accounts for the purpose of purchasing shares of common stock in the stock offering;

 

   

our results of operations after the stock offering; or

 

   

changes in the market price of the shares of common stock after the stock offering.

The following pro forma information may not represent the financial effects of the stock offering at the date on which the stock offering actually occurs and you should not use the table to indicate future results of operations. Pro forma stockholders’ equity represents the difference between the stated amount of our assets and liabilities, computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Pro forma stockholders’ equity is not intended to represent the fair market value of the shares of common stock and may be different than the amounts that would be available for distribution to stockholders if we liquidated. Pro forma stockholders’

 

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equity does not give effect to the impact of intangible assets, the liquidation account we will establish in the conversion or tax bad debt reserves in the unlikely event we are liquidated.

 

     At or For the Year Ended September 30, 2010
Based Upon the Sale at $10.00 Per Share of
 
     1,955,000
Shares
    2,300,000
Shares
    2,645,000
Shares
    3,041,750
Shares (1)
 
     (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Gross Proceeds of Offering

   $ 19,550      $ 23,000      $ 26,450      $ 30,418   

Less: expenses

     (1,419     (1,475     (1,531     (1,594
                                

Estimated net proceeds

     18,131        21,525        24,919        28,824   

Less: Common stock purchased by ESOP (2)

     (1,564     (1,840     (2,116     (2,433

Less: Common stock awarded under stock-based benefit plans (3)

     (782     (920     (1,058     (1,217
                                

Estimated net cash proceeds

   $ 15,785      $ 18,765      $ 21,745      $ 25,173   
                                

For the Year Ended September 30, 2010

        

Consolidated net income:

        

Historical

   $ 2,187      $ 2,187      $ 2,187      $ 2,187   

Pro forma income on net proceeds

     132        157        182        211   

Pro forma ESOP adjustment (2)

     (52     (61     (70     (80

Pro forma stock award adjustment (3)

     (103     (121     (140     (161

Pro forma stock option adjustment (4)

     (99     (116     (134     (154
                                

Pro forma net income

   $ 2,065      $ 2,046      $ 2,025      $ 2,003   
                                

Per share net income

        

Historical

   $ 1.26      $ 1.07      $ 0.93      $ 0.81   

Pro forma income on net proceeds

     0.08        0.08        0.08        0.08   

Pro forma ESOP adjustment (2)

     (0.03     (0.03     (0.03     (0.03

Pro forma stock award adjustment (3)

     (0.06     (0.06     (0.06     (0.06

Pro forma stock option adjustment (4)

     (0.06     (0.06     (0.06     (0.06
                                

Pro forma net income per share (5)

   $ 1.19      $ 1.00      $ 0.86      $ 0.74   
                                

Offering price as a multiple of pro forma net earnings per share

     8.40x        10.00x        11.63x        13.51x   

Number of shares outstanding for pro forma net income per share calculations (5)

     1,732,130        2,037,800        2,343,470        2,694,991   

At September 30, 2010

        

Stockholders’ equity:

        

Historical

   $ 27,746      $ 27,746      $ 27,746      $ 27,746   

Estimated net proceeds

     18,131        21,525        24,919        28,824   

Less: Common stock acquired by ESOP (2)

     (1,564     (1,840     (2,116     (2,433

Less: Common stock awarded under stock-based benefit plans (3) (4)

     (782     (920     (1,058     (1,217
                                

Pro forma stockholders’ equity

   $ 43,531      $ 46,511      $ 49,491      $ 52,919   
                                

Stockholders’ equity per share:

        

Historical

   $ 14.19      $ 12.06      $ 10.49      $ 9.12   

Estimated net proceeds

     9.27        9.36        9.42        9.48   

Less: Common stock acquired by ESOP (2)

     (0.80     (0.80     (0.80     (0.80

Less: Common stock awarded under stock-based benefit plans (3) (4)

     (0.40     (0.40     (0.40     (0.40
                                

Pro forma stockholders’ equity per share (6)

   $ 22.26      $ 20.22      $ 18.71      $ 17.40   
                                

Offering price as percentage of pro forma stockholders’ equity per share

     44.92     49.46     53.45     57.47

Number of shares outstanding for pro forma book value per share calculations

     1,955,000        2,300,000        2,645,000        3,041,750   

(footnotes begin on following page)

 

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(Footnotes from previous page)

 

(1) As adjusted to give effect to an increase in the number of shares which could occur due to a 15% increase in the offering range to reflect demand for the shares or changes in market conditions following the commencement of the offering.
(2) Assumes that 8% of shares of common stock sold in the offering will be purchased by the employee stock ownership plan. For purposes of this table, the funds used to acquire these shares are assumed to have been borrowed by the employee stock ownership plan from Poage Bankshares. Home Federal intends to make annual contributions to the employee stock ownership plan in an amount at least equal to the required principal and interest payments on the debt. Home Federal’s total annual payments on the employee stock ownership plan debt are based upon 20 equal annual installments of principal and interest. Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 718-40, “Employers’ Accounting for Employer Stock Ownership Plans” (“ASC 718-40”) requires that an employer record compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the shares committed to be released to employees. The pro forma adjustments assume that the employee stock ownership plan shares are allocated in equal annual installments based on the number of loan repayment installments assumed to be paid by Home Federal, the fair value of the common stock remains equal to the subscription price and the employee stock ownership plan expense reflects an effective combined federal and state tax rate of 34%. The unallocated employee stock ownership plan shares are reflected as a reduction of stockholders’ equity. No reinvestment is assumed on proceeds contributed to fund the employee stock ownership plan. The pro forma net income further assumes that 7,820, 9,200, 10,580 and 12,167 shares were committed to be released during the fiscal year at the minimum, midpoint, maximum, and adjusted maximum of the offering range, respectively, and in accordance with ASC 718-40, only the employee stock ownership plan shares committed to be released during the period were considered outstanding for purposes of income per share calculations. The committed to be released shares were assumed to be earned evenly throughout the year.
(3) If approved by Poage Bankshares’ stockholders, one or more stock-based benefit plans plan may purchase an aggregate number of shares of common stock equal to 4% of the shares to be sold in the offering (or possibly a greater number of shares if the plan is implemented more than one year after completion of the conversion). Stockholder approval of the stock-based benefit plans, and purchases by the plan may not occur earlier than six months after the completion of the conversion. The shares may be acquired directly from Poage Bankshares or through open market purchases. The funds to be used by the stock-based benefit plans to purchase the shares will be provided by Poage Bankshares. The table assumes that (i) the stock-based benefit plans acquire the shares through open market purchases at $10.00 per share, (ii) 20% of the amount contributed to the stock-based benefit plans is amortized as an expense during the fiscal year and (iii) the stock-based benefit plans expense reflects an effective combined federal and state tax rate of 34%. Assuming stockholder approval of the stock-based benefit plans and that shares of common stock (equal to 4% of the shares sold in the offering) are awarded through the use of authorized but unissued shares of common stock, stockholders would have their ownership and voting interests diluted by approximately 3.8%.
(4) If approved by Poage Bankshares’ stockholders, one or more stock-based benefit plans may grant options to acquire an aggregate number of shares of common stock equal to 10% of the shares to be sold in the offering (or possibly a greater number of shares if the plan is implemented more than one year after completion of the conversion). Stockholder approval of the stock-based benefit plans may not occur earlier than six months after the completion of the conversion. In calculating the pro forma effect of the stock options to be granted under stock-based benefit plans, it is assumed that the exercise price of the stock options and the trading price of the common stock at the date of grant were $10.00 per share, the estimated grant-date fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model was $2.76 for each option, 25% of the stock options were non-qualified options granted to directors, resulting in a tax benefit (at an assumed tax rate of 34.0%) for a deduction equal to the grant date fair value of the options; and, the aggregate grant-date fair value of the stock options was amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over a five-year vesting period of the options. The actual expense of the stock options to be granted under the stock-based benefit plans will be determined by the grant-date fair value of the options, which will depend on a number of factors, including the valuation assumptions used in the option pricing model ultimately adopted. Under the above assumptions, the adoption of the stock-based benefit plans will result in no additional shares under the treasury stock method for purposes of calculating earnings per share. There can be no assurance that the actual exercise price of the stock options will be equal to the $10.00 price per share. If a portion of the shares to satisfy the exercise of options under the stock-based benefit plans is obtained from the issuance of authorized but unissued shares, our net income per share and stockholders’ equity per share would decrease. Assuming stockholder approval of the stock-based benefit plans and that shares of common stock used to fund stock options (equal to 10% of the shares sold in the offering) are awarded through the use of authorized but unissued shares of common stock, stockholders would have their ownership and voting interests diluted by approximately 9.1%.
(5) Income per share computations are determined by taking the number of shares assumed to be sold in the offering and, in accordance with ASC 718-40, subtracting the employee stock ownership plan shares that have not been committed for release during the period and subtracting non-vested stock awards granted under one or more stock-based benefit plans. Shares outstanding reflect the weighted average number of shares outstanding over the period. See notes 2 and 3, above.
(6) The retained earnings of Home Federal will be substantially restricted after the conversion. See “Our Policy Regarding Dividends,” “The Conversion; Plan of Distribution—Liquidation Rights” and “Supervision and Regulation.” The number of shares used to calculate pro forma stockholders’ equity per share is equal to the total number of shares to be outstanding upon completion of the offering.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN

ASSOCIATION

This section is intended to help potential investors understand the financial performance of Home Federal through a discussion of the factors affecting our financial condition at September 30, 2010 and 2009 and our results of operations for the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. This section should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes to the financial statements that appear elsewhere in this prospectus. Poage Bankshares had not engaged in any activities at September 30, 2010; therefore, the information reflected in this section reflects the financial performance of Home Federal.

Overview

We have historically operated as a traditional thrift institution headquartered in Ashland, Kentucky. Our principal business consists of attracting retail deposits from the general public in our market area and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations, and to a lesser extent, borrowings, in one- to four-family residential mortgage loans and, to a lesser extent, commercial and multi-family real estate loans, consumer loans, consisting primarily of automobile loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and construction loans. We also purchase investment securities consisting primarily of securities issued by United States Government agencies and government sponsored entities, including obligations of state and political subdivisions and mortgage-backed securities. At September 30, 2010, we had total assets of $291.1 million, total deposits of $227.8 million and total equity of $27.7 million.

Our results of operations depend primarily on our net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets and the interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities. Our results of operations also are affected by our provisions for loan losses, non-interest income and non-interest expense. Non-interest income currently consists primarily of service charges on deposit accounts, net gain on sales of securities and loans, income from bank-owned life insurance and miscellaneous other income. Non-interest expense currently consists primarily of expenses related to compensation and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment, data processing, federal deposit insurance, foreclosed assets, advertising, professional and accounting fees, and other operating expenses.

Other than our loans for the construction of one- to four-family properties, we do not offer “interest only” mortgage loans (where the borrower pays only interest for an initial period, after which the loan converts to a fully amortizing loan) on one- to four-family residential properties. We also do not offer loans that provide for negative amortization of principal, such as “Option ARM” loans, where the borrower can pay less than the interest owed on his or her loan, resulting in an increased principal balance during the life of the loan. We do not offer “subprime loans” (i.e., loans that generally target borrowers with weakened credit histories typically characterized by payment delinquencies, previous charge-offs, judgments, bankruptcies, or borrowers with questionable repayment capacity as evidenced by low credit scores or high debt-burden ratios) or Alt-A loans (i.e., loans that generally target borrowers with better credit scores who borrow with alternative documentation, such as little or no verification of income).

 

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Business Strategy

Highlights of our current business strategy include the following:

 

   

Continuing to emphasize one- to four-family residential mortgage loans while increasing our holdings of such loans with adjustable rates. We have been and will continue to be primarily a one- to four-family residential mortgage lender to borrowers in our market area. As of September 30, 2010, $154.1 million, or 52.9%, of our total assets consisted of one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, compared to $145.1 million, or 52.0%, of total assets at September 30, 2009.

We historically have held primarily fixed-rate loans in our one- to four-family residential mortgage loan portfolio. However, in order to better manage the interest rate sensitivity of our loan portfolio, in 2009 we began to increase our emphasis on adjustable-rate mortgage loan originations. In addition, in fiscal year 2010, we began selling substantially all of our new fixed-rate one- to four-family residential mortgage loans through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati Mortgage Purchase Program.

 

   

Increasing our origination of commercial real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and other consumer loans. While we will continue to emphasize one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, we also intend to continue to increase our origination of nonresidential real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, other consumer loans and commercial business loans in order to increase the yield of, and reduce the term to repricing of, our total loan portfolio. Between September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2010, commercial real estate loans increased $4.5 million, or 47.6%, home equity loans and lines of credit increased $1.7 million, or 52.6%, and other consumer loans increased $2.8 million, or 46.9%. We expect each of these loan categories to continue to grow over the next three years. Although commercial business loans decreased $1.9 million, or 49.6%, during fiscal year 2010, we expect to increase these loans moderately in the future. The additional capital raised in the stock offering will increase our commercial real estate lending capacity by enabling us to originate more loans and loans with larger balances. See “Business of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association—Lending Activities—Commercial Real Estate Lending.”

 

   

Managing interest rate risk while enhancing to the extent practicable our net interest margin . During the last several years, we have taken steps that are intended to enhance our interest rate margin (in relation to what it would have been had we remained exclusively a residential lender) as well as our ability to manage our interest rate risk in the future. In particular, we have attempted to increase our holdings of nonresidential loans including commercial real estate loans and consumer loans, which generally have shorter terms to maturity and higher yields than fixed-rate one- to four-family mortgage loans. In addition, we have increased our origination of adjustable-rate one- to four-family residential

 

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loans and have developed a secondary market capability with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati so that we can sell our new fixed-rate one- to four-family mortgage loans that do not fit within our asset/liability management parameters.

 

   

Increasing our “core” deposit base. We are seeking to build our core deposit base. We believe such core deposits not only have favorable cost and interest rate change resistance, but also allow us greater opportunity to connect with our customers and offer them other financial services and products. As part of this plan, we added a new branch office in Greenup in 2009 and installed ATMs at all of our retail offices. While we do not expect to offer any new deposit products in the short term, we will continue to provide our high quality service and products, including our reward checking program, as well as competitive pricing to attract deposits.

 

   

Expanding our banking relationships to a larger base of customers . We were established in 1889 and have been operating continuously since that time. As of June 30, 2010 (the latest date for which deposit market share information is available from the FDIC), our market share of deposits represented 15.4% of FDIC-insured deposits in Boyd, Greenup and Lawrence Counties in Kentucky, combined. We will seek to expand our customer base and offer our products and services to the new base of customers by using our recognized brand name and the goodwill developed over years of providing timely, efficient banking services.

 

   

Maintaining strong asset quality . We have emphasized maintaining strong asset quality by following conservative underwriting guidelines, sound loan administration, and focusing on loans secured by real estate located within our market area only. Our non-performing assets totaled $2.4 million or 0.84% of total assets at September 30, 2010. Our ratio of total nonperforming loans to total loans was 1.21% at September 30, 2010.

Anticipated Increase in Non-Interest Expense Due to Stock Benefit Plans

Following the completion of the conversion and stock offering, we anticipate that our non-interest expense will increase as a result of increased compensation expenses associated with the implementation of our employee stock ownership plan and the implementation of a stock-based incentive plan, if that incentive plan is approved by our stockholders.

Assuming that the maximum number of shares is sold in the offering:

 

   

the employee stock ownership plan will acquire 211,600 shares of common stock with a $2.1 million fully amortizing loan with a term of 20 years, resulting in an annual pre-tax expense of approximately $106,000 (assuming that the common stock maintains a value of $10.00 per share);

 

   

the stock-based incentive plan would permit us to grant options to purchase shares equal to 10.0% of the total outstanding shares, or 264,500 shares, to eligible

 

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participants, which would result in compensation expense over the vesting period of the options. Assuming a five-year vesting period, a Black-Scholes option pricing analysis of $2.76 per option, as described in “Pro Forma Data”, the pre-tax expense associated with the stock options would be approximately $146,000; and

 

   

the stock-based incentive plan would award a number of restricted shares of common stock equal to 4.0% of the outstanding shares, or 105,800 shares, to eligible participants, which would be expensed as the awards vest. Assuming that all shares are awarded under the stock-based incentive plan at a price of $10.00 per share, and that the awards vest over a five-year period, the corresponding annual pre-tax expense associated with restricted shares awarded under the stock-based incentive plan would be approximately $211,600.

These estimates are subject to change. The actual expense that will be recorded for the employee stock ownership plan will be determined by the fair market value of the shares of common stock as they are released to employees over the term of the loan, and whether the loan is repaid faster than its contractual term. Accordingly, increases in the stock price above $10.00 per share will increase the total employee stock ownership plan expense, and any accelerated repayment of the loan will increase the annual employee stock ownership plan expense. Further, the actual expense of the stock awards issued under the stock-based incentive plan will be determined by the fair market value of the stock on the grant date, which might be greater than $10.00 per share. The actual expense of the stock options issued under the stock-based incentive plan will be determined by the grant-date fair value of the options which will depend on a number of factors, including the valuation assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

Critical Accounting Policy

We consider accounting policies that require management to exercise significant judgment or discretion or make significant assumptions that have, or could have, a material impact on income or on the carrying value of certain assets, to be critical accounting policies. We consider the following to be our critical accounting policy:

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and other factors. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired or loans otherwise classified as substandard or doubtful. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors.

 

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A loan is impaired when full payment under the terms of the loan is not expected. Commercial and non-residential real estate loans are individually evaluated for impairment. If a loan is impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as consumer and residential real estate loans, are collectively evaluated for impairment, and accordingly, they are not separately identified for impairment disclosures.

Comparison of Financial Condition at September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009

Total assets increased $12.1 million, or 4.3%, to $291.1 million at September 30, 2010, from $279.0 million at September 30, 2009. The increase in total assets reflected increases of $15.5 million in net loans receivable and $24.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, partially offset by a decrease of $32.5 million in investment securities.

Net loans totaled $182.4 million at September 30, 2010, compared to $166.9 million at September 30, 2009, an increase of $15.5 million, or 9.3%. The increase was primarily due to an increase in one- to four-family loans of $9.0 million, or 6.2%, to $154.1 million at September 30, 2010, from $145.1 million at September 30, 2009. The increase in one- to four-family loans reflected favorable market conditions for the origination of adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans as well as an increased emphasis on originating such loans. In addition, home equity loans and lines of credit increased $1.7 million, or 52.6%, other consumer loans increased $2.8 million, or 46.9%, and other real estate loans increased $4.5 million, or 47.6%, while commercial business loans decreased $1.9 million, or 49.6%.

Total investment securities decreased $32.5 million, or 41.8%, to $45.2 million at September 30, 2010, from $77.7 million at September 30, 2009. The decrease was primarily due to the sale of mortgage-backed securities during the quarter ended June 30, 2010 for aggregate proceeds of $48.8 million and a gain of $2.3 million. The sale of mortgage-backed securities was part of our strategy to minimize interest rate risk and fund increased loan demand. Partially offsetting the sale of mortgage-backed securities was a $10.0 million, or 52.0%, increase in obligations of states and political subdivisions to $29.2 million at September 30, 2010, from $19.2 million at September 30, 2009. The higher allocation of municipal securities reflected our efforts to generate higher after-tax yields from our investment portfolio.

Cash and cash equivalents increased $24.5 million, or 131.0%, to $43.2 million at September 30, 2010, from $18.7 million at September 30, 2009. We have maintained increased balances of cash and cash equivalents while we evaluate opportunities to deploy funds into higher-yielding investments such as loans and securities with acceptable risk and return characteristics.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati stock, at cost, increased $49,000 to $1.9 million at September 30, 2010. This increase was attributable to complying with FHLB requirements.

Other real estate owned increased $71,000, or 48.0%, to $219,000 at September 30, 2010.

 

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We invest in bank-owned life insurance to provide a funding source for benefit plan obligations. Bank-owned life insurance also generally provides non-taxable non-interest income. Federal regulations generally limit the investment in bank-owned life insurance to 25% of the sum of a savings bank’s tier 1 capital and its allowance for loan losses. At September 30, 2010, this limit was $28.2 million, and our investment in bank-owned life insurance at that date totaled $6.2 million, an increase of $234,000 from September 30, 2009.

Other assets increased $2.2 million, to $2.4 million at September 30, 2010, from $149,000 at September 30, 2009. The increase in other assets was attributable to prepaid FDIC insurance, increases in prepaid income taxes and deferred income taxes.

Deposits increased $18.1 million, or 8.6%, to $227.8 million at September 30, 2010, from $209.7 million at September 30, 2009. The increase in deposits during fiscal year 2010 was primarily due to an increase of certificates of deposit. In addition, NOW and demand deposit accounts, and savings and other deposits accounts increased $5.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively, to September 30, 2010 from September 30, 2009.

Borrowings, consisting of Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati advances, decreased $7.2 million, or 18.2%, to $32.2 million at September 30, 2010, from $39.4 million at September 30, 2009. The decrease in borrowings was primarily the result of early payoffs and regular amortization.

Total equity increased $0.9 million, or 3.2%, to $27.7 million at September 30, 2010, from $26.9 million at September 30, 2009. The increase was primarily attributable to net income of $2.2 million for fiscal year 2010, partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income due to changes in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities resulting from the sale of mortgage-backed securities.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009

General. Net income for the year ended September 30, 2010 was $2.2 million, compared to net income of $1.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $0.7 million, or 46.7%. The increase in net income was primarily due to the $2.3 million gain on sale of mortgage-backed securities during the quarter ended June 30, 2010, partially offset by $          in non-recurring costs related to our change in data processors during fiscal year 2010.

Interest Income. Total interest income increased $387,000, or 2.9%, to $13.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2010 from $13.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2009. This increase was primarily due to a $1.7 million increase in interest and fees on loans, partially offset by a decrease of $1.3 million in interest income from investment securities. The average balance of loans during fiscal year 2010 increased $34.1 million to $175.6 million, while the average yield on loans decreased by 29 basis points to 6.26% for fiscal year 2010 from 6.55% for fiscal year 2009. The decrease in yield reflected the generally lower interest rate environment. The decrease in income from investment securities reflected a $23.9 million decrease in the average balance of investment securities due to the sale of $48.8 million of mortgage-backed

 

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securities in the third quarter of fiscal year 2010, while the average yield on investment securities decreased by 37 basis points for fiscal year 2010 from 4.67% for fiscal year 2009.

Interest Expense. Total interest expense decreased $1.0 million, or 15.6%, to $5.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2010 from $6.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2009. Interest expense on deposit accounts decreased $1.2 million, or 21.1%, to $4.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2010 from $5.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2009. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in average cost of deposits to 2.1% in fiscal year 2010 from 2.9% for fiscal year 2009, reflecting the declining interest rate environment. The decrease in average cost was partially offset by a $20.8 million, or 10.7%, increase in the average balance of deposits to $215.0 million for fiscal year 2010 from $194.3 million for fiscal year 2009.

Interest expense on Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati advances increased $150,000 to $1.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2010 from $908,000 for the year ended September 30, 2009. The average balance of advances increased $5.8 million to $36.4 million for fiscal year 2010 from $30.6 million for fiscal year 2009, while the average cost of advances decreased by 6 basis points to 2.91% for fiscal year 2010 from 2.97% for fiscal year 2009. The decrease in the cost of these funds reflected the generally lower interest rate environment. The increase in the average balance of advances was due to increased borrowings.

Net Interest Income . Net interest income increased $1.4 million, or 21.1%, to $8.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2010 from $6.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2009. The increase reflected an increase in our interest rate spread to 3.01% in fiscal year 2010 from 2.71% in fiscal year 2009, and an increase in our net interest margin to 3.11% in fiscal year 2010 from 2.85% in fiscal year 2009.

Provision for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to income. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when we believe the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

We evaluate the allowance for loan losses on a regular basis and the provision is based upon our periodic review of the collectibility of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The factors we considered in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. We determine the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length

 

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of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

Groups of loans with similar loan characteristics, including individually evaluated loans not determined to be impaired, are collectively evaluated for impairment based on the group’s historical loss experience adjusted for changes in trends, conditions and other relevant factors that affect repayment of the loans. Accordingly, we do not separately identify individual consumer and residential loans for impairment measurements.

Based upon our evaluation of these factors, a provision of $650,000 was recorded for the year ended September 30, 2010, an increase of $338,000, or 108.3%, from the provision of $312,000 for the year ended September 30, 2009. The provision for loan losses reflected net charge-offs of $71,000 for the year ended September 30, 2010, compared to net charge-offs of $11,000 for fiscal year 2009. The allowance for loan losses was $1.1 million, or 0.62% of total loans, at September 30, 2010, compared to $555,000, or 0.33% of total loans, at September 30, 2009. Total nonperforming loans were $2.2 million at September 30, 2010, compared with $790,000 at September 30, 2009. Although we used the same methodology in assessing the provision for both periods, the increase in the provision and resulting allowance reflected increases in our general valuation allowance due to increases in our nonperforming loans, net charge-offs, and consideration of current economic factors. At September 30, 2010 and 2009, we had no impaired loans.

To the best of our knowledge, we recorded all losses that are both probable and reasonably estimable for the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Noninterest Income . Noninterest income increased $2.0 million to $3.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2010 from $1.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2009. The increase in fiscal year 2010 was primarily related to the $2.3 million gain on sale of mortgage-backed securities in the quarter ended June 30, 2010. The sale of mortgage-backed securities generated liquidity to fund increased loan demand and also reflected our efforts to limit interest rate risk.

Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $2.0 million, or 34.3%, to $7.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2010 from $5.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2009. The increase primarily reflected increases of $485,000 in salaries and employee benefits expense due to increased personnel and an employee severance payment, $167,000 in occupancy and equipment expense, $39,000 in loss and expense on foreclosed real estate, $1.1 million in data processing expense, including $          in non-recurring costs associated with changing data processors, $35,000 in advertising expense, and $148,000 in expense associated with our contribution to Home Federal’s multi-employer pension plan. We anticipate that our contribution to this multi-employer pension plan in fiscal year 2011 will be $703,000. These increases in noninterest expense were partially offset by a decrease of $66,000 in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation premiums.

 

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Provision for Income Taxes. Income tax expense was $651,000 for the year ended September 30, 2010 compared to $265,000 for fiscal year 2009. The effective tax rate as a percent of pre-tax income was 22.9% and 15.4% for the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Analysis of Net Interest Income

Net interest income represents the difference between the income we earn on interest-earning assets and the interest expense we pay on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income also depends upon the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the interest rates earned or paid on them.

 

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The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information at the dates and for the periods indicated. All average balances are daily average balances. Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances, but have been reflected in the tables as loans carrying a zero yield. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income.

 

     For the Year Ended September 30,  
     At September 30, 2010     2010     2009     2008  
     Balance      Yield/
Cost
    Average
Balance
     Interest
and
Dividends
    Yield/
Cost
    Average
Balance
     Interest
and
Dividends
    Yield/
Cost
    Average
Balance
     Interest
and
Dividends
    Yield/
Cost
 

Assets:

                          

Interest-earning assets:

                          

Loans

   $ 184,059         5.97   $ 175,563       $ 10,985        6.26   $ 141,430       $ 9,260        6.55   $ 109,137       $ 6,337        5.81

Investment securities

     45,234         5.84        61,437         2,643        4.30        85,338         3,985        4.67        102,459         5,024        4.90   

FHLB stock

     1,883         4.41        1,858         83        4.47        1,834         87        4.74        1,810         103        5.69   

Other interest-earning assets

     39,275         0.05        23,825         18        0.08        7,505         10        0.13        961         151        15.71   
                                                                                            

Total interest-earning assets

     270,451         5.08        262,683         13,729        5.23        236,107         13,342        5.65        2214,367         11,615        5.42   

Noninterest-earning assets

     20,696           18,606             16,601             11,363        
                                                  

Total assets

     291,147           281,289             252,708             225,730        

Liabilities and equity:

                          

Interest bearing liabilities:

                          

Interest bearing deposits:

                          

NOW, savings, money market and other

     64,483         0.88        57,315         566        0.99        46,000         822        1.79        44,212         770        1.74   

Certificates of deposit

     162,584         2.43        157,351         3,947        2.51        148,293         4,873        3.29        136,640         6,379        4.67   
                                                                                            

Total interest-bearing deposits

     227,067         1.99        214,666         4,513        2.10        194,293         5,695        2.93        180,852         7,149        3.95   

FHLB advances

     32,205         3.29        36,367         1,058        2.91        30,593         908        2.97        18,516         218        1.18   
                                                                                            

Total interest bearing liabilities

     259,272         2.15        251,033         5,571        2.22        224,886         6,603        2.94        199,368         7,367        3.70   

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

                          

Non-interest bearing deposits

     745           407             27             43        

Accrued interest payable

     505           636             860             1,248        

Other liabilities

     2,879           2,342             1,937             1,667        
                                                  

Total non-interest bearing liabilities

     4,129           254,418             227,710             202,326        

Retained earnings

     27,067           25,331             24,713             23,097        

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     679           1,540             285             307        
                                                  

Total equity

     27,746           26,871             24,998             23,404        
                                                  

Total liabilities and equity

     291,147           281,289             252,708             225,730        

Net interest income

             8,158             6,739             4,248     

Interest rate spread

        2.93          3.01          2.71          1.72

Net interest margin

        3.02          3.11          2.85          1.98

Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

             104.64          104.99          107.52  

 

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Rate/Volume Analysis

The following tables present, for the periods indicated, the dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense for the major categories of Home Federal’s interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Information is provided for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities with respect to (i) changes attributable to changes in volume (i.e., changes in average balances multiplied by the prior-period average rate) and (ii) changes attributable to rate (i.e., changes in average rate multiplied by prior-period average balances). For purposes of these tables, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to rate.

 

2010 Compared to 2009

   Volume     Rate     Net  
     (In thousands)  

Interest income:

      

Loans receivable

   $ 2,151      $ (426   $ 1,725   

Investment securities

     (1,047     (295     (1,342

Other interest-earning assets

     15        (11     4   
                        

Total

     1,119        (732     387   

Interest expense:

      

NOW, Savings, Money Market, and other

     170        (426     (256

Certificates

     283        (1,209     (926

FHLB advances

     168        (18     150   
                        

Total

     621        (1,653     (1,032
                        

Increase (decrease) in net interest income

   $ 498      $ 921      $ 1,419   
                        

2009 Compared to 2008

   Volume     Rate     Net  
     (In thousands)  

Interest income:

      

Loans receivable

   $ 2,042      $ 881      $ 2,923   

Investment securities

     (808     (231     (1,039

Other interest-earning assets

     139        (296     (157
                        

Total

     1,373        354        1,727   

Interest expense:

      

NOW, Savings, Money Market, and Other

     32        18        50   

Certificates

     508        (2,012     (1,504

FHLB advances

     207        483        690   
                        

Total

     747        (1,511     (764
                        

Increase (decrease) in net interest income

   $ 626      $ 1,865      $ 2,491   
                        

Management of Market Risk

Our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk because, as a financial institution, the majority of our assets and liabilities are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Therefore, a principal part of our operations is to manage interest rate risk and limit the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates.

Our Board of Directors is responsible for the review and oversight of our asset/liability strategies. The Asset/Liability Committee of the Board of Directors meets quarterly and is charged with developing an asset/liability management plan. Our Board of Directors has also established an Asset/Liability Management Committee consisting of senior management. This committee is responsible for evaluating the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, for determining the level of risk that is appropriate, given our business strategy, operating

 

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environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives, and for managing this risk consistent with the guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.

Among the techniques we are currently using to manage interest rate risk are: (i) increasing our portfolio of adjustable-rate one- to four-family residential loans; (ii) increasing our origination of commercial and multifamily residential real estate, commercial business and consumer loans as they generally reprice more quickly than residential mortgage loans; (iii) maintaining a strong capital position, which provides for a favorable level of interest-earning assets relative to interest-bearing liabilities; and (iv) emphasizing less interest rate sensitive and lower-costing “core deposits.” We also maintain a portfolio of short-term or adjustable-rate assets and from time to time have used fixed-rate Federal Home Loan Bank advances and brokered deposits to extend the term to repricing of our liabilities.

Depending on market conditions, from time to time we place more emphasis on enhancing net interest margin rather than matching the interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities. In particular, we believe that the increased net interest income resulting from a mismatch in the maturity of our assets and liabilities portfolios can, during periods of stable or declining interest rates, provide high enough returns to justify increased exposure to sudden and unexpected increases in interest rates. As a result of this philosophy, our results of operations and the economic value of our equity will remain vulnerable to increases in interest rates and to declines due to differences between long- and short-term interest rates.

An important measure of interest rate risk is the amount by which the net present value of an institution’s cash flow from assets, liabilities and off balance sheet items changes in the event of a range of assumed changes in market interest rates. We have utilized the Office of Thrift Supervision net portfolio value model (“NPV”) to provide an analysis of estimated changes in our NPV under the assumed instantaneous changes in the United States treasury yield curve. The financial model uses a discounted cash flow analysis and an option-based pricing approach to measuring the interest rate sensitivity of the NPV.

Set forth below is an analysis of the changes to the economic value of our equity that would occur to our NPV as of September 30, 2010 in the event of designated changes in the United States treasury yield curve. At September 30, 2010, the economic value of our equity exposure related to these hypothetical changes in market interest rates was within the current guidelines we have established.

 

   

Net Portfolio Value (Dollars in thousands)

 

NPV as % of PV of Assets

Change in

Rates

 

$ Amount

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

NPV Ratio

 

Change

+300 bp   31,731   (5,314)   (14)   10.89   -123 bp
+200 bp   35,193   (1,851)     (5)   11.83     -30 bp
+100 bp   37,002        (43)   —     12.24     +11 bp
  +50 bp   37,182       137    —     12.23     +10 bp
      0 bp   37,045   —     —     12.12   —  
   -50 bp   36,804   (240)     (1)   12.00     -13 bp
-100 bp   36,756   (289)     (1)   11.95     -17 bp

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodology used in the above interest rate risk measurement. Modeling changes in net portfolio value requires making certain assumptions that

 

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may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. In this regard, the net portfolio value table presented assumes that the composition of our interest-sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and assumes that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Accordingly, although the net portfolio value table provides an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to and do not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on our net interest income and will differ from actual results.

Our policies do not permit hedging activities, such as engaging in futures, options or swap transactions, or investing in high-risk mortgage derivatives, such as collateralized mortgage obligation residual interests, real estate mortgage investment conduit residual interests or stripped mortgage backed securities.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of funds are deposits and the proceeds from principal and interest payments on loans and investment securities. We also utilize Federal Home Loan Bank advances. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predicable sources of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition. We generally manage the pricing of our deposits to be competitive within our market and to increase core deposit relationships.

Our cash flows are comprised of three primary classifications: (i) cash flows used by operating activities, (ii) investing activities, and (iii) financing activities. Net cash flows used in operating activities were $2.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2010 and net cash flows provided by operating activities were $2.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2009. Net cash flows from investing activities consisted primarily of disbursements for loan originations and the purchase of securities, offset by principal collections on loans, and proceeds from maturities and sales of securities. Net cash flows from investing activities were $15.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2010 and net cash used by investing activities was $29.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2009. Net cash flows from financing activities for fiscal year 2010 consisted of activity in deposits and FHLB borrowings and equaled $11.0 million, while net cash flows from financing activities in fiscal year 2009 consisted of activity in deposits and FHLB borrowings and equaled $42.8 million. The change in net cash flows provided by financing activities over the periods was primarily due to increased deposits and repayments of FHLB borrowings.

Our most liquid assets are cash and short-term investments. The levels of these assets are dependent on our operating, financing, lending, and investing activities during any given period. At September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, cash and short-term investments totaled $42.2 million and $18.7 million, respectively. We may also utilize the sale of securities available for sale, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati advances and other borrowings as sources of funds.

At September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, we had outstanding commitments to originate loans of $2.4 million and $2.2 million, respectively, unfunded commitments under lines

 

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of credit of $4.4 million and $4.8 million, respectively, and standby letters of credit of $40,000 and $20,000, respectively. We anticipate that we will have sufficient funds available to meet our current loan commitments. Loan commitments have, in recent periods, been funded through liquidity and normal deposit flows.

Certificates of deposit scheduled to mature in one year or less from September 30, 2010 totaled $95.0 million. Management believes, based on past experience, that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with us. Based on the foregoing, in addition to our level of core deposits and capital, we consider our liquidity and capital resources sufficient to meet our outstanding short-term and long-term needs.

Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term responsibility of management. We adjust our investments in liquid assets based upon management’s assessment of (i) expected loan demand, (ii) expected deposit flows, (iii) yields available on interest-earning deposits and investment securities, and (iv) the objectives of our asset/liability management program. Excess liquid assets are invested generally in interest-earning overnight deposits, federal funds sold, and short and intermediate-term investment securities. If we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, we have additional borrowing capacity with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. At September 30, 2010, we had $32.2 million in advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and an additional borrowing capacity of $87.9 million. It is anticipated that immediately upon completion of the conversion and offering, the liquid assets of Poage Bankshares and Home Federal will be increased. See “How We Intend to Use the Proceeds from the Offering.”

We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements. At September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with all applicable capital requirements. See “Supervision and Regulation—Federal Banking Regulation—Capital Requirements”, “Pro Forma Data” and Note 12 of the Notes to our Financial Statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. In the normal course of operations, we engage in a variety of financial transactions that, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, are not recorded in our financial statements. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate and liquidity risk. Such transactions are used primarily to manage customers’ requests for funding and take the form of loan commitments and lines of credit. For information about our loan commitments and unused lines of credit, see Note 13 of the Notes to our Financial Statements.

For the fiscal years ended 2010 and 2009, we did not engage in any off-balance-sheet transactions other than loan origination commitments in the normal course of our lending activities.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of the impact of recent accounting pronouncements, and newly issued, but not yet effective accounting standards, see Note 1 of the notes to our Financial Statements.

 

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BUSINESS OF POAGE BANKSHARES, INC.

Poage Bankshares was incorporated in the State of Maryland in January 2011. The name “Poage” is derived from Poage Landing, which was renamed Ashland in 1854. Poage Landing was settled by the Scots-Irish Poage family after they migrated from the Shenandoah Valley in 1786.

Poage Bankshares has not engaged in any business to date. Upon completion of the conversion, we will own all of the issued and outstanding stock of Home Federal. We will retain up to 50% of the net proceeds from the offering and initially invest the remaining net proceeds in Home Federal as additional capital of Home Federal. Poage Bankshares will use a portion of the net proceeds to make a loan to the employee stock ownership plan. At a later date, we may use the net proceeds to pay dividends to stockholders and may repurchase shares of common stock, subject to regulatory limitations. We will invest our initial capital as discussed in “How We Intend to Use the Proceeds from the Offering.”

In the future, Poage Bankshares, as the holding company of Home Federal, will be authorized to pursue other business activities permitted by applicable laws and regulations. See “Supervision and Regulation—Holding Company Regulation” for a discussion of the activities that are permitted for savings and loan holding companies. We may also borrow funds for reinvestment in Home Federal.

Following the offering, our cash flow will depend on earnings from the investment of the net proceeds from the offering that we retain, and any dividends we receive from Home Federal. Initially, Poage Bankshares will neither own nor lease any property, but will instead pay a fee to Home Federal for the use of its premises, equipment and furniture. At the present time, we intend to employ only persons who are officers of Home Federal to serve as officers of Poage Bankshares. We will, however, use the support staff of Home Federal from time to time. We will pay a fee to Home Federal for the time devoted to Poage Bankshares by employees of Home Federal. However, these persons will not be separately compensated by Poage Bankshares. Poage Bankshares may hire additional employees, as appropriate, to the extent it expands its business in the future.

BUSINESS OF HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

General

Home Federal is a mutual savings and loan association chartered and regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision. Home Federal was established in Ashville, Kentucky in 1889 as Home and Saving Fund Association.

Our principal business consists of attracting retail deposits from the general public in our market and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations and, to a lesser extent, borrowings, primarily in first lien one- to four-family residential mortgage loans and, to a lesser extent, commercial and multi-family real estate loans, consumer loans, consisting primarily of automobile loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and construction loans. We also purchase investment securities consisting primarily of securities issued by United States

 

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Government agencies and government sponsored entities, including obligations of state and political subdivisions and mortgage-backed securities.

Since 2007, we have enhanced our ability to provide additional services by hiring a new senior lender as well as a co-president appointment in commercial lending, implementing a mortgage banking operation, adopting a more commercial bank-like data processing platform, implementing remote commercial deposit capture and introducing an electronic banking product.

Our revenues are derived principally from the interest on loans and securities, loan origination fees, deposit fees and, going forward, sales of fixed-rate residential mortgages to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, loan servicing fees and fees levied on deposit accounts. Our primary sources of funds are principal and interest payments on loans and securities, deposits and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati.

Our website address is www.hfsl.com . Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus and should not be considered part of this prospectus.

Market Area and Competition

Our lending markets are in Boyd, Greenup and Lawrence Counties in Kentucky, and Lawrence and Scioto Counties in Ohio. Our retail deposit market includes the areas surrounding our six offices in northeastern Kentucky, including our main office in Ashland and our branch offices in Flatwoods, Greenup, Louisa, South Shore and Summit. We also operate an automated teller machine at each of our offices.

Our market area includes both rural and urban committees. The total population base in the three counties where we operate offices was 103,000 in 2010, with Boyd County comprising approximately 50% of the population base. This represents a slight increase in total population base in these three counties from approximately 102,000 in 2000. The economic base in our lending market was in the past primarily industrial and reliant upon a small number of large employers, particularly in the steel and petroleum industries. A decline in these segments of the local economy has resulted in slow economic growth and population loss over the last several decades. However, during recent years, a diversification of our employment base into services including healthcare has offset to some extent the adverse impact of the decline of our industrial base.

Per capita incomes in the counties comprising our lending market all lag the applicable Kentucky or Ohio State averages, with the exception of Boyd County where our headquarters is located. As of August 2010, the unemployment rates in Boyd and Greenup Counties in Kentucky, and Lawrence County, Ohio were below the national unemployment rates, while the unemployment rates in Lawrence County, Kentucky and Scioto County, Ohio exceeded the national rate. Our market area did not experience the high growth in 2003 through 2007 that characterized many “bubble” markets across the country. As a result, although real estate values have softened, our market area has not experienced the level of decline in real estate values that has occurred in many other markets.

We compete with national financial institutions, as well as numerous state chartered banking institutions of comparable or larger size and resources, smaller community banking

 

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organizations and a variety of nonbank competitors. We compete for deposits with other commercial banks, savings associations and credit unions and with the issuers of commercial paper and other securities, such as shares in money market mutual funds. In making loans, we compete with other banks, savings associations, consumer finance companies, credit unions, leasing companies and other lenders. Many of the institutions against whom we compete are national and regional banks that are significantly larger than us and, therefore, have significantly greater resources and the ability to achieve economies of scale by offering a broader range of products and services at more competitive prices than we can offer. We expect competition to increase in the future as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and the continuing trend of consolidation in the financial services industry.

As of June 30, 2010 our market share of deposits represented 15.38% of FDIC-insured deposits in Boyd, Greenup and Lawrence Counties in Kentucky combined. To effectively compete, we seek to emphasize our community orientation, local and timely decision making and superior customer service.

Lending Activities

The principal lending activity of Home Federal has been the origination of first lien one- to four-family residential mortgage loans and, to a lesser extent, commercial and multi-family real estate loans, consumer loans, consisting primarily of automobile loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and construction loans. In order to diversify our loan portfolio, we recently increased our emphasis on commercial business loans, commercial real estate loans and consumer loans.

During July 2010, we began selling substantially all of our fixed-rate residential mortgages to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLB–Cincinnati”) with servicing retained. Total mortgages sold under this program equaled approximately $4.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2010. See “—One- to Four-Family Residential Real Estate Lending” below for more information regarding this program.

The sale of our fixed-rate residential mortgage originations to the FHLB–Cincinnati, and our increased originations of nonresidential loans, which generally have shorter terms than one- to four-family residential loans, will give us new tools to manage the interest rate risk associated with our portfolio of long-term fixed rate one- to four-family residential loans.

 

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Loan Portfolio Composition. The following table sets forth the composition of our loan portfolio by type of loan at the dates indicated.

 

     At or For the Year Ended September 30,  
     2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
     Amount      Percent     Amount      Percent     Amount      Percent     Amount      Percent     Amount      Percent  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Real estate loans:

                         

One- to four-family

   $ 154,098         83.94   $ 145,077         86.59   $ 97,075         86.66   $ 66,860         86.93   $ 63,131         91.70

Multi-family

     2,860         1.56        1,232         0.74        1,188         1.06        910         1.18        740         1.08   

Commercial real estate

     7,331         3.99        5,292         3.16        5,120         4.57        1,214         1.58        1,435         2.08   

Construction and land

     3,700         2.02        2,888         1.72        4,003         3.57        2,955         3.84        2,151         3.12   
                                                                                     

Total real estate loans

     167,989         91.51        154,489         92.21        107,386         95.86        71,939         93.53        67,457         97.98   

Commercial business loans

     1,970         1.07        3,910         2.33        758         0.67        3,020         3.93        —           —     

Consumer loans:

                         

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     5,005         2.72        3,280         1.96        1,250         1.12        37         0.04        —           —     

Motor vehicle

     5,544         3.02        3,027         1.81        1,118         0.99        192         0.25        —           —     

Other

     3,076         1.68        2,839         1.69        1,511         1.35        1,727         2.25        1,392         2.02   
                                                                                     

Total consumer loans

     13,625         7.42        9,146         5.46        3,879         3.46        1,956         2.54        1,392         2.02   
                                                                                     

Total loans

     183,584         100.00     167,545         100.00     112,023         100.00     76,915         100.00     68,849         100.00

Net deferred loan fees

     92           86           119           166           186      

Allowance for losses

     1,134           555           254           176           174      
                                                       

Loans, net

   $ 182,358         $ 166,904         $ 111,650         $ 76,573         $ 68,489      
                                                       

Contractual Maturities and Interest Rate Sensitivity. The following table summarizes the scheduled maturities of our loan portfolio at September 30, 2010. Demand loans, loans having no stated repayment schedule or maturity, and overdraft loans are reported as being due in one year or less. Loans are presented net of loans in process.

 

September 30, 2010

   One- to Four-
Family
     Home
Equity
     Multi-Family
and Commercial
Real Estate
     Construction
and Land
     Commercial
Business
     Consumer      Total  
     (In thousands)  

Amounts due in:

                    

One year or less

   $ 610       $ —         $ —         $ 2,777       $ 928       $ 111       $ 4,426   

More than one to two years

     33         79         88         —           125         197         522   

More than two to three years

     163         —           —           12         428         403         1,006   

More than three to five years

     569         —           278         5         255         2,811         3,918   

More than five to ten years

     8,292         3,099         2,396         135         —           3,247         17,169   

More than ten to fifteen years

     22,634         1,827         2,669         659         234         104         28,127   

More than fifteen years

     121,797         —           4,760         112         —           1,747         128,416   
                                                              

Total

   $ 154,098       $ 5,005       $ 10,191       $ 3,700       $ 1,970       $ 8,620       $ 183,584   
                                                              

 

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The following table sets forth our fixed and adjustable-rate loans at September 30, 2010 that are contractually due after September 30, 2011. Loans are presented net of loans in process.

 

     Due After September 30, 2011  
     Fixed      Adjustable      Total  
     (In thousands)  

Real Estate:

        

One- to four-family

   $ 109,885       $ 43,603       $ 153,488   

Multi-family and commercial real estate

     5,856         4,335         10,191   

Construction and land

     923         —           923   
                          

Total real estate loans

     116,664         47,938         164,602   

Consumer and other loans:

        

Consumer

     8,509         —           8,509   

Home equity lines-of-credit

     2,932         2,073         5,005   

Commercial business

     644         398         1,042   
                          

Total consumer and other loans

     12,085         2,471         14,556   
                          

Total

   $ 128,749       $ 50,409       $ 179,158   
                          

One- to Four-Family Residential Real Estate Lending . The focus of our lending program has long been the origination of one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. At September 30, 2010, $154.1 million, or 83.9% of our total loan portfolio, consisted of loans secured by one- to four-family residences.

Historically, we have originated both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate one- to four-family mortgage loans. At September 30, 2010, 71.6% of our total one- to four-family mortgage loans were fixed-rate loans, and 28.4% were adjustable-rate.

Our fixed-rate one- to four-family residential mortgage loans are generally underwritten according to secondary market standards (e.g., Freddie Mac guidelines), and we refer to loans that conform to such guidelines as “conforming loans.” We generally originate both fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgage loans in amounts up to the maximum conforming loan limits as established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which as of September 30, 2010 was generally $417,000 for single-family homes in our market. We also originate adjustable rate loans above the lending limit for conforming loans, which are referred to as “jumbo loans.” Virtually all of our residential loans are secured by properties located in our market area.

We generally limit the loan-to-value ratios of our mortgage loans to 80% of the sales price or appraised vale, whichever is lower. Loans with certain credit enhancements, such as private mortgage insurance, may be made with loan-to-value ratios up to 95%. We participate in the Welcome Home Program for affordable housing provided by the FHLBC.

Our fixed-rate one- to four-family mortgage loans typically have terms of 15 or 30 years, with a 30-year term constituting the majority of these loans and representing 57.4% of our fixed-rate one- to four-family mortgage loans.

Although we have offered adjustable-rate loans for many years, beginning in fiscal 2010 we began to increase our emphasis on such loans in order to enhance the interest rate sensitivity of our loan portfolio. Our owner occupied adjustable-rate one- to four-family residential mortgage loans generally have fixed rates for initial terms of one to five years, and adjust annually thereafter at a margin (generally of 3.5% for owner occupied properties and 4.5% for

 

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investment properties in the current market place) over the weekly average yield on U.S. treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year. The maximum amount by which the interest rate may be increased or decreased is generally 2% per adjustment period and the lifetime interest rate cap is generally 6% over the initial interest rate of the loan. Our adjustable-rate loans carry terms to maturity of up to 30 years.

Although adjustable-rate mortgage loans may reduce to an extent our vulnerability to changes in market interest rates because they periodically reprice, as interest rates increase the required payments due from the borrower also increase (subject to rate caps), increasing the potential for default by the borrower. At the same time, the ability of the borrower to repay the loan and the marketability of the underlying collateral may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. Upward adjustments of the contractual interest rate are also limited by the maximum periodic and lifetime rate adjustments permitted by our loan documents. Moreover, the interest rates on most of our adjustable-rate loans do not adjust for up to five years after origination. As a result, the effectiveness of adjustable-rate mortgage loans in compensating for changes in general interest rates may be limited during periods of rapidly rising interest rates.

We do not offer “interest only” mortgage loans on one- to four-family residential properties (where the borrower pays interest for an initial period, after which the loan converts to a fully amortizing loan). We also do not offer loans that provide for negative amortization of principal, such as “Option ARM” loans, where the borrower can pay less than the interest owed on the loan, resulting in an increased principal balance during the life of the loan. We do not offer “subprime loans” (i.e., loans that generally target borrowers with weakened credit histories typically characterized by payment delinquencies, previous charge-offs, judgments, bankruptcies, or borrowers with questionable repayment capacity as evidenced by low credit scores or high debt-burden ratios), or “Alt-A” (i.e., loans that generally target borrowers with better credit scores who borrow with alternative documentation such as little or no verification of income).

Until fiscal 2010, we generally retained in our portfolio all of the loans that we originated. In July 2010, as part of our interest rate risk management strategy, we initiated a secondary market program focused on reducing the origination of fixed-rate residential mortgage loans for our portfolio and instead selling all of our fixed rate mortgage originations in the FHLB–Cincinnati Mortgage Purchase Program, with servicing retained. Since beginning this program, we have sold an aggregate of $4.7 million in fixed-rate mortgage loans to the FHLB–Cincinnati. We expect that loans sold under this program will continue to increase.

Based on our emphasis on adjustable rate lending and our initiation of a secondary market program for new fixed rate loan originations, we expect that adjustable-rate one- to four-family residential mortgage loans will account for the largest increase in our loan portfolio over the next three years.

Consumer Lending and Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit. At September 30, 2010, $5.0 million, or 2.7% of our total loan portfolio, consisted of home equity loans and lines of credit, and $8.6 million, or 4.7% of our total loan portfolio consisted of other consumer loans. In order to reduce the term of our loans and enhance the yields thereof, we intend to increase our consumer loans and home equity loans and lines of credit over the next three years.

 

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Our consumer loans include, among other loans, new and used automobile and truck loans, recreational vehicle loans and personal loans.

Consumer loans may entail greater credit risk than residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured or that are secured by rapidly depreciable assets, such as automobiles. In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus are more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans. In determining whether to make a consumer loan, we consider the appraised value of collateral, and the borrower’s residence, employment history, annual income and debt service ratio (which, including all mortgage payments and the credit line payment, generally does not exceed 40% of net monthly income without prior approval of the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer or the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer).

We have offered home equity loans and lines of credit secured by a first or second mortgage on residential property (principal dwelling, condominium, etc.) since fiscal 2007. Home equity loans and lines of credit are made with fixed or adjustable rates, and with combined loan-to-value ratios up to 85% on an owner occupied principal residence and up to 80% on a second home, condominium or vacation home. On a limited basis, loan-to-value ratios may exceed 90% of appraised value if approved by the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, or the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Home equity loans and lines of credit may entail greater credit risk than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, as they typically involve higher loan-to-value ratios. Therefore, any decline in real estate values may have a more detrimental effect on our home equity loans and lines of credit than on our one- to four-family residential mortgage loans.

At September 30, 2010, the average balance of our outstanding home equity loans and lines of credit was $18,000, and the largest outstanding balance of any such loan was $492,000. This loan was performing in accordance with its terms at September 30, 2010.

Commercial Real Estate and Multi-Family Loans. At September 30, 2010, our commercial real estate loans totaled $7.3 million and our multi-family loans totaling $2.9 million. Subject to market conditions, we intend to continue to increase the proportion of these nonresidential loans in the next few years.

Maturities for our commercial real estate and multi family loans generally do not exceed 15 year, although exceptions may be made for terms of up to 20 years. Rates are generally adjustable based upon the weekly average yield on U.S. treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year or another floating index. The maximum loan-to-value ratio on our commercial real estate and multi-family loans is 80% for owner occupied commercial real estate and one- to four-family residential rental properties, and 75% for office or retail non-owner occupied commercial real estate or rental properties with greater than five units. We generally require a first mortgage on all commercial real estate loans, as well as a debt service coverage of

 

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1.25:1. At September 30, 2010, our largest outstanding commercial real estate loan was a $1.037 million loan secured by a newly constructed grocery store. Our largest multi-family real estate loan at September 30, 2010 was a $354,000 loan secured by a 20-unit apartment complex. Both of these loans were performing in accordance with their terms at September 30, 2010.

Set forth below is information regarding our commercial real estate loans at September 30, 2010.

 

Type of Loan

   Number of Loans      Balance  
            (In thousands)  

Office

     10       $ 1,671   

Industrial

     1         427   

Retail

     12         3,204   

Mixed Use

     3         468   

Church

     7         726   

Other

     9         835   
                 

Total

     42       $ 7,331   
                 

Commercial and multi-family real estate loans generally carry higher interest rates and have shorter terms than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Multi-family and commercial real estate loans, however, entail greater credit risks compared to one- to four-family residential mortgage loans because they typically involve larger loan balances concentrated with single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. In addition, the payment of loans secured by income-producing properties typically depends on the successful operation of the property, as repayment of the loan generally is dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the property to cover operating expenses and debt service. Changes in economic conditions that are not in the control of the borrower or lender could affect the value of the collateral for the loan or the future cash flow of the property. Additionally, any decline in real estate values may be more pronounced for commercial and multi-family real estate than residential properties.

Commercial Business Loans . Our portfolio of commercial business loans increased from $758,000 at September 30, 2008, to $2.0 million at September 2010. Our commercial business loans generally consist of regular lines of credit and revolving lines of credit to businesses to finance short-term working capital needs like accounts receivable and inventory. These loans are generally priced on an adjustable-rate basis and may be secured or unsecured. We generally obtain personal guarantees with all commercial business loans. Business assets such as accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, furniture and fixtures may be used to secure lines of credit. Our regular lines of credit typically have a maximum term of 12 months. Revolving lines of credit generally have a maximum term of five years, but may be up to seven years.

We also originate commercial term loans to fund long-term borrowing needs such as purchasing equipment, property improvements or other fixed asset needs. We fix the maturity of a term loan to correspond to 75% of the useful life of any equipment purchased or seven years, whichever is less. Term loans can be secured with a variety of collateral, including business assets such as accounts receivable and inventory or long-term assets such as equipment, furniture, fixtures or real estate.

 

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Unlike single-family residential real estate loans, which we generally originate on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment and other income, and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, we typically originate commercial loans (including real estate as well as non-real estate loans) on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business or rental income produced by the property. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business or rental property itself and the general economic environment. Therefore, commercial loans that we originate have greater credit risk than one- to four-family residential real estate loans or consumer loans. In addition, commercial loans generally result in larger outstanding balances to single borrowers, or related groups of borrowers, and also generally require substantially greater evaluation and oversight efforts. The additional capital we receive in connection with the conversion and the offering will increase our maximum lending limits.

At September 30, 2010, the average balance of our outstanding commercial business loans was $56,800, and the largest outstanding balance of such loans was a $539,000 loan secured by accounts receivable. This loan was performing in accordance with its terms at September 30, 2010.

Construction and Land Loans. We make construction loans to individuals for the construction of their primary residences. These loans generally have maximum terms of 12 months, and upon completion of construction convert to conventional amortizing mortgage loans. These construction loans have rates and terms comparable to one- to four-family residential mortgage loans that we originate. During the construction phase, the borrower generally pays interest only. The maximum loan-to-value ratio of our owner-occupied construction loans is generally 80% of construction costs or completed-appraised-value, whichever is less. Residential construction loans are generally underwritten pursuant to the same guidelines used for originating permanent residential mortgage loans.

We also make construction loans for the construction of homes “on speculation.” These loans are limited to “pre-sold” homes, and no more than two such loans may be outstanding to one borrower at any time. These loans generally have initial maximum terms of nine months, although the term may be extended to up to 18 months. The loans generally carry variable rates of interest. The maximum loan-to-value ratio of these construction loans is generally 80% of construction costs or completed-appraised-value, whichever is less.

To a much lesser extent, we make loans for the construction of commercial buildings.

In addition, we make loans secured by unimproved land to complement our construction and non-residential lending activities. These loans have terms of up to 15 years, and maximum loan-to-value ratios of 75%.

 

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Set forth below is information regarding our construction and land loans at September 30, 2010.

 

     Number of Loans      Loans in Process      Net Principal
Balance
     Non-Performing  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

One- to four-family construction

     14       $ 2,107       $ 2,306       $ —     

Multi-family construction

     —           —           —           —     

Residential land

     37         —           1,394         —     
                                   

Total construction and land loans

     51       $ 2,107       $ 3,700       $ —     
                                   

To the extent our construction loans are not made to owner-occupants of single-family homes, they are more vulnerable to changes in economic conditions and the concentration of credit with a limited number of borrowers. Further, the nature of these loans is such that they are more difficult to evaluate and monitor. Our risk of loss on a construction or land loan is dependent largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value upon completion of the project and the estimated cost (including interest) of the project. If the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, we may be confronted, at or prior to the maturity of the loan, with a project with a value which is insufficient to assure full repayment and/or the possibility of having to make substantial investments to complete and sell the project. Because defaults in repayment may not occur during the construction period, it may be difficult to identify problem loans at an early stage.

Loan Approval Procedures and Authority . The aggregate amount of loans that we are permitted to make to any one borrower or group of related borrowers is generally limited to 15% of Home Federal’s unimpaired capital and surplus (25% if the amount in excess of 15% is secured by “readily marketable collateral”). At September 30, 2010, based on the 15% limitation, Home Federal’s loans-to-one-borrower limit was approximately $4.2 million. On the same date, Home Federal had no borrowers with outstanding balances in excess of this amount.

Our lending is subject to written underwriting standards and origination procedures. Decisions on loan applications are made on the basis of detailed applications submitted by the prospective borrower and property valuations (consistent with our appraisal policy) prepared by outside independent licensed appraisers approved by our Board of Directors, as well as internal evaluations, where permitted by regulations. The loan applications are designed primarily to determine the borrower’s ability to repay the requested loan, and the more significant items on the application are verified through use of credit reports, financial statements and tax returns.

Under our loan policy, the individual processing an application is responsible for ensuring that all documentation is obtained prior to the submission of the application to an officer for approval. An officer then reviews these materials and verifies that the requested loan meets our underwriting guidelines.

Our President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer have approval authority of up to $200,000 for one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, up to $100,000 for other secured loans, and up to $25,000 for unsecured loans. Loans above these amounts require approval by the Loan Committee or the Directors Loan Committee. The Loan Committee, comprised of the Chairman of the Board, a designated director of Home Federal, our

 

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Executive Vice President Chief Information Officer, our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and our designated Vice President in lending, has the authority to approve Commercial loans up to $100,000, and one- to four-family residential loans, multi-family units and other real estate loans up to $250,000. The Directors Loan Committee, comprised of the Board of Directors, may approve loans up to our legal lending limit.

Generally, we require title insurance or abstracts on our mortgage loans as well as fire and extended coverage casualty insurance in amounts at least equal to the principal amount of the loan or the value of improvements on the property, depending on the type of loan.

Originations, Sales and Servicing. Lending activities are conducted solely by our salaried loan personnel. All loans originated by us are underwritten pursuant to our policies and procedures. We originate both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans. Our ability to originate fixed or adjustable-rate loans is dependent upon relative customer demand for such loans, which is affected by current and expected future levels of market interest rates. We originate real estate and other loans through our loan officers, marketing efforts, our customer base, walk-in customers and referrals from real estate brokers, builders and attorneys.

Until recently, we have retained in our portfolio all of the loans that we have originated. In July 2010, as part of our interest rate risk management strategy, we initiated a secondary market program focused on selling some or all of our fixed rate one- to four-family mortgage loan originations in the FHLB-Cincinnati Mortgage Purchase Program. We have also undertaken a review of our existing loan portfolio to identify customers who may qualify and benefit from this product. Loans are sold to the FHLB-Cincinnati without recourse, except for limited circumstances including failure of the mortgage to meet FHLB–Cincinnati guidelines or our breach of any representation and warranty in the sales transaction. Loan servicing includes collecting and remitting loan payments, accounting for principal and interest, contacting delinquent borrowers, supervising foreclosures and property dispositions in the event of unremedied defaults, making certain insurance and tax payments on behalf of the borrowers and generally administering the loans. We retain a portion of the interest paid by the borrower on the loans we service as consideration for our servicing activities. For the year ended September 30, 2010, we received loan servicing fees of $61,000. As of September 30, 2010, the principal balance of loans serviced for the FHLB-Cincinnati totaled $3.1 million.

We currently do not purchase whole loans or interests in loans from third parties. However, we may in the future elect to do so, depending on market conditions, in order to supplement our loan production.

The following table shows our loan origination and principal repayment activity for loans originated during the periods indicated. Loans are presented net of loans in process.

 

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     Years Ended September 30,  
     2010      2009  
     (In thousands)  

Total loans at beginning of period

   $ 167,545       $ 112,023   

Loans originated:

     

Real estate loans:

     

One- to four-family

     32,304         59,800   

Multi-family

     1,650         450   

Commercial real estate

     3,813         2,000   

Construction and land

     3,325         504   
                 

Total real estate loans

     41,092         62,754   

Commercial and industrial loans

     1,402         1,509   

Consumer loans:

     

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     2,407         3,100   

Motor vehicle

     4,280         1,811   

Other

     1,434         551   
                 

Total loans originated

     50,615         69,725   

Loans purchased:

     

Real estate loans:

     

One- to four-family

     —           —     

Multi-family

     —           —     

Commercial real estate

     —           —     

Construction and land

     —           —     
                 

Total real estate loans

     —           —     

Commercial and industrial loans

     —           —     

Consumer loans:

     

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     —           —     

Motor vehicle

     —           —     

Other

     —           —     
                 

Total loans purchased

     —           —     

Loans sold:

     

Real estate loans:

     

One- to four-family

     4,721         —     

Multi-family

     —           —     

Commercial real estate

     —           —     

Construction and land

     —           —     

Commercial business loans

     —           —     

Consumer loans

     —           —     
                 

Total loans sold

     4,721         —     

Deduct:

     

Principal repayments

     29,855         14,203   

Net other

     —           —     
                 

Net loan activity

     16,039         55,522   
                 

Total loans at end of period

   $ 183,584       $ 167,545   
                 

 

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Delinquencies and Non-Performing Assets

Delinquency Procedures . When a borrower fails to make a required monthly loan payment by the due date, a late notice is generated stating the payment and late charges due. Our policies provide that borrowers that become 60 days or more delinquent are contacted by mail and instructed to contact the branch manager to establish a payment schedule to bring the account current. If the loan is not brought current, the branch manager will continue efforts to secure payment and/or, if required by the note, send a 30 day demand letter. If no 30 day demand letter is required, the branch manager may determine to bring a foreclosure action immediately. This decision is based on know information, including the customer’s employment status, health and other factors affecting credit worthiness. Once litigation is begun, all communications with the customer are handled through our main office.

When we acquire real estate as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure, the real estate is classified as foreclosed real estate until it is sold. The real estate is recorded at estimated fair value at the date of acquisition less estimated costs to sell, and any write-down resulting from the acquisition is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent decreases in the value of the property are charged to operations through the creation of a valuation allowance. After acquisition, all costs in maintaining the property are expensed as incurred. Costs relating to the development and improvement of the property, however, are capitalized to the extent of estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell.

Delinquent Loans . The following table sets forth our loan delinquencies, including non-accrual loans, by type and amount at the dates indicated.

 

     At September 30,  
     2010      2009  
     30-59
Days
Past Due
     60-89
Days
Past Due
     90 Days
or More
Past Due
     30-59
Days
Past Due
     60-89
Days
Past Due
     90 Days
or  More
Past Due
 
     (In thousands)  

Real estate loans:

                 

One- to four-family

   $ 407       $ 1,439       $ 2,212       $ 956       $ 316       $ 765   

Multi-family

     —           —           —           —           —           —     

Commercial real estate

     308         35         —           —           —           —     

Construction and land

     —           —           —           —           —           —     
                                                     

Total real estate loans

     715         1,474         2,212         956         316         765   

Commercial and industrial loans

     55         —           6         16         —           —     

Consumer loans:

                 

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     —           —           —           18         —           —     

Motor vehicle

     18         30         8         48         9         25   

Other

     —           2         4         22         —           —     
                                                     

Total consumer loans

   $ 18       $ 32       $ 12       $ 88       $ 9       $ 25   
                                                     

Total delinquent loans

   $ 788       $ 1,506       $ 2,230       $ 1,060       $ 1,385       $ 790   
                                                     

Classified Assets . Federal regulations provide for the classification of loans and other assets, such as debt and equity securities considered by the Office of Thrift Supervision to be of lesser quality, as “substandard,” “doubtful” or “loss.” An asset is considered “substandard” if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. “Substandard” assets include those characterized by the “distinct possibility” that the insured institution will sustain “some loss” if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as “doubtful” have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified “substandard,” with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make “collection or

 

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liquidation in full,” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, “highly questionable and improbable.” Assets classified as “loss” are those considered “uncollectible” and of such little value that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted. Assets which do not currently expose the insured institution to sufficient risk to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories but possess weaknesses are designated as “special mention” by our management.

When an insured institution classifies problem assets as either substandard or doubtful, it may establish general allowances in an amount deemed prudent by management to cover probable incurred losses. General allowances represent loss allowances which have been established to cover probable incurred losses associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets. When an insured institution classifies a problem asset as “loss,” it is required either to establish a specific allowance for losses equal to 100% of that portion of the asset so classified or to charge-off such amount. An institution’s determination as to the classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances is subject to review by the regulatory authorities, which may require the establishment of additional general or specific loss allowances.

In connection with the filing of our periodic reports with the Office of Thrift Supervision and in accordance with our classification of assets policy, we regularly review the problem loans in our portfolio to determine whether any loans require classification in accordance with applicable regulations.

On the basis of this review of our assets, our classified and special mention assets at the dates indicated were as set forth below. Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days still on accrual include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans. Thus, certain of these loans are not considered for classification or special mention status.

 

     At September 30,  
     2010      2009  
     (In thousands)  

Special mention assets

   $ —         $ —     

Substandard assets

     2,054         425   

Doubtful assets

     —           —     

Loss assets

     —           —     
                 

Total classified assets

   $ 2,054       $ 425   
                 

Non-Performing Assets. We generally cease accruing interest on our loans when contractual payments of principal or interest have become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collectibility of principal or interest, even though the loan is currently performing. A loan may remain on accrual status if it is in the process of collection and is either guaranteed or well secured. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income is reversed. Funds received on nonaccrual loans generally are applied against principal. Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time and the ultimate collectibility of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt.

 

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The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of our non-performing assets at the dates indicated. At the dates indicated, we had no loan classified as a troubled debt restructuring.

 

     At September 30,  
     2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Non-accrual loans:

          

Real estate loans:

          

One- to four-family

   $ 1,322      $ 747      $ 386      $ 324      $ 907   

Multi-family

     —          —          —          —          —     

Commercial real estate

     —          —          —          —          —     

Construction and land

     —          —          —          —          —     
                                        

Total real estate loans

     1,322        747        386        324        907   

Commercial and industrial loans

     —          —          —          —          —     

Consumer loans:

          

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     —          —          —          —          —     

Motor vehicle

     8        —          —          —          —     

Other

     4        —          —          —          —     
                                        

Total nonaccrual loans

     1,334        747        386        324        907   

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more:

          

Real estate loans:

          

One- to four-family

     890        18        —          —          —     

Multi-family

     —          —          —          —          —     

Commercial real estate

     —          —          —          —          —     

Construction and land

     —          —          —          —          —     
                                        

Total real estate loans

     890        18        —          —          —     

Commercial and industrial loans

     6        —          —          —          —     

Consumer loans:

          

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     —          —          —          —          —     

Motor vehicle

     —          —          —          —          —     

Other

     —          25        —          —          —     
                                        

Total accruing loans past due 90 days or more

     896        43        —          —          —     
                                        

Total of nonaccrual and 90 days or more past due loans

     2,230        790        386        324        907   

Real estate owned:

          

One- to four-family

     207        125        68        285        197   

Multi—family

     —          —          43        43        43   

Commercial

     —          —          —          —          185   

Other

     12        32        8        12        20   

General valuation allowance

     —          (9     (6     (17     (22

Total nonperforming assets

     219        148        113        323        423   

Troubled debt restructurings:

          

One- to four-family

     —          —          —          —          —     
                                        

Troubled debt restructurings and total nonperforming assets

     219        148        113        323        907   

Total nonperforming loans to total loans

     1.21     0.47     0.34     0.42     1.32

Total nonperforming assets to total assets

     0.84     0.34     0.22     0.32     0.67

Total nonperforming assets and troubled debt restructurings to total assets

     0.84     0.34     0.22     0.32     0.67

There were no loans that are not disclosed above where there is information about possible credit problems of borrowers that caused us serious doubts about the ability of the borrowers to comply with present loan repayment terms and that may result in disclosure of such loans in the future.

For the year ended September 30, 2010 and the year ended September 30, 2009, gross interest income that would have been recorded had our non-accruing loans been current in accordance with their original terms was $41,000 and $7,000, respectively. Interest of $0 and $4,000 was recognized on these loans and included in net income for the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

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Allowance for Loan Losses

Analysis and Determination of the Allowance for Loan Losses . Our allowance for loan losses is the amount considered necessary to reflect probable incurred losses in our loan portfolio. We evaluate the need to establish allowances against losses on loans on a quarterly basis. When additional allowances are necessary, a provision for loan losses is charged to earnings.

Our methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses consists of two key elements: (i) specific allowances for identified problem loans; and (ii) a general valuation allowance on the remainder of the loan portfolio. Although we determine the amount of each element of the allowance separately, the entire allowance for loan losses is available for the entire portfolio.

Specific Allowances for Identified Problem Loans . We establish a specific allowance when loans are determined to be impaired. Loss is measured by determining the present value of expected future cash flows or, for collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of the collateral adjusted for market conditions and selling expenses. Factors in identifying a specific problem loan include: (i) the strength of the customer’s personal or business cash flows; (ii) the availability of other sources of repayment; (iii) the amount due or past due; (iv) the type and value of collateral; (v) the strength of our collateral position; (vi) the estimated cost to sell the collateral; and (vii) the borrower’s effort to cure the delinquency. In addition, for loans secured by real estate, we consider the extent of any past due and unpaid property taxes applicable to the property serving as collateral on the mortgage.

General Valuation Allowance on the Remainder of the Loan Portfolio . We establish a general allowance for loans that are not classified as impaired to recognize the inherent losses associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, has not been allocated to particular problem assets. This general valuation allowance is determined by segregating the loans by loan category and assigning allowance percentages based on our historical loss experience, delinquency trends and management’s evaluation of the collectibility of the loan portfolio. The allowance may be adjusted for significant factors that, in management’s judgment, affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation date. These significant factors may include changes in lending policies and procedures, changes in existing general economic and business conditions affecting our primary market area, credit quality trends, collateral value, loan volumes and concentrations, seasoning of the loan portfolio, recent loss experience in particular segments of the portfolio, duration of the current business cycle and bank regulatory examination results. The applied loss factors are re-evaluated quarterly to ensure their relevance in the current real estate environment.

In addition, as an integral part of their examination process, the Office of Thrift Supervision will periodically review our allowance for loan losses, and they may require that we recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination.

Allowance for Loan Losses . The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated.

 

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     Year Ended September 30,  
     2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Allowance at beginning of period

   $ 555      $ 254      $ 176      $ 174      $ 236   

Provision for loan losses

     650        312        102        116        7   

Charge offs:

          

Real estate loans

          

One- to four-family

     48        20        24        114        72   

Multi-family

     —          —          —          —          —     

Commercial real estate

     —          —          —          —          —     

Construction and land

     4        —          —          —          —     

Commercial and industrial loans

     —          —          —          —          —     

Consumer loans:

          

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     —          —          —          —          —     

Other

     19        —          —          —          —     
                                        

Total charge-offs

     71        20        24        114        72   

Recoveries:

          

Real estate loans

          

One- to four-family

     —          (9     —          —          (3

Multi-family

     —          —          —          —          —     

Commercial real estate

     —          —          —          —          —     

Construction and land

     —          —          —          —          —     

Commercial and industrial loans

     —          —          —          —          —     

Consumer loans:

          

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     —          —          —          —          —     

Motor vehicle

     —          —          —          —          —     

Other

     —          —          —          —          —     
                                        

Total recoveries

     —          (9     —          —          (3

Net charge-offs (recoveries)

     71        11        24        114        69   

Allowance at end of period

     1,134        555        254        176        174   

Allowance to nonperforming loans

     50.85     70.25     65.80     54.32     19.18

Allowance to total loans outstanding at the end of the period

     0.62     0.33     0.23     0.23     0.25

Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans outstanding during the period

     0.04     0.01     0.02     0.15     0.10

Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses. The following table sets forth the allowance for loan losses allocated by loan category, the total loan balances by category, and the percent of loans in each category to total loans at the dates indicated. The allowance for loan losses allocated to each category is not necessarily indicative of future losses in any particular category and does not restrict the use of the general allowance to absorb losses in other categories.

 

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    At September 30,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    Amount     % of
Allowance to
Total
Allowance
    % of
Loans in
Category
to Total
Loans
    Amount     % of
Allowance to
Total
Allowance
    % of
Loans in
Category
to Total
Loans
    Amount     % of
Allowance to
Total
Allowance
    % of
Loans in
Category
to Total
Loans
 
    (Dollars in thousands)  

Real estate loans:

                 

One- to four-family

  $ 684        60.32     0.37   $ 280        50.45     0.17   $ 143        56.30     0.13

Multi-family

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Commercial real estate

    184        16.23     0.10     97        17.48     0.06     67        26.38     0.06

Construction and land

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
                                                                       

Total real estate loans

    868        76.54     0.47     377        67.93     0.23     210        82.68     0.19

Commercial and industrial loans

    49        4.32     0.03     71        12.79     0.04     9        3.54     0.01

Consumer loans:

                 

Home equity loans and lines
of credit

    —          —          —          —          —       —       —          —       —  

Motor vehicle

    139        12.26 %%      0.08     55        9.91     0.03     15        5.91     0.01

Other

    78        6.88     0.04     52        9.37     0.03        20        7.87     0.02
                                                                 

Total consumer

    217        19.14        0.12     107        19.28     0.06     35        13.78     0.03

Unallocated

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
                                                                       

Total allowance for loan losses

  $ 1,134        100.00     $ 555        100.00     —        $ 254        100.00     —     
                                                                 

 

     At September 30,  
     2007     2006  
     Amount      % of
Allowance to
Total
Allowance
    % of
Loans in
Category
to Total
Loans
    Amount      % of
Allowance to
Total
Allowance
    % of
Loans in
Category
to Total
Loans
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Real estate loans:

              

One- to four-family

   $ 119         67.61     0.15   $ 174         100     —     

Multi-family

     —           —          —          —           —          —     

Commercial real estate

     11         6.25     0.01     —           —          —     

Construction and land

     —           —          —          —           —          —     
                                                  

Total real estate loans

     130         73.86     0.17     174         100     100

Commercial and industrial loans

     28         15.91     0.04     —           —          —     

Consumer loans:

              

Home equity loans and lines
of credit

     —           —          —          —           —          —     

Motor vehicle

     2         1.14     0.003     —           —          —     

Other

     16         9.09     0.02     —           —          —     
                                                  

Total consumer

     18         10.23     0.02     —           —          —     

Unallocated

     —           —          —          —           100.00        —     
                                                  

Total allowance for loan losses

   $ 178         100.00     —        $ 174         100.00     100
                                                  

 

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At September 30, 2010, our allowance for loan losses represented 0.62% of total loans and 50.85% of nonperforming loans. The allowance for loan losses increased to $1.1 million at September 30, 2010 from $555,000 at September 30, 2009, due to the provision for loan losses of $650,000 and net charge-offs of $71,000.

Although we believe that we use the best information available to establish the allowance for loan losses, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary and results of operations could be adversely affected if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the determinations. Furthermore, while we believe we have established our allowance for loan losses in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, there can be no assurance that regulators, in reviewing our loan portfolio, will not require us to increase our allowance for loan losses. In addition, because future events affecting borrowers and collateral cannot be predicted with certainty, there can be no assurance that the existing allowance for loan losses is adequate or that increases will not be necessary should the quality of any loan deteriorate as a result of the factors discussed above. Any material increase in the allowance for loan losses may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Investment Activities

General . The goals of our investment policy are to provide and maintain liquidity to meet deposit withdrawal and loan funding needs, to help manage our interest rate risk, and to generate a favorable return on idle funds within the context of our interest rate and credit risk objectives.

Our Board of Directors is responsible for adopting our investment policy. The investment policy is reviewed annually by management and any changes to the policy are recommended to and subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. A management committee made up of four of the highest ranking officers or a combination of directors and officers generally equaling that of the Executive Committee may purchase investments based on recommendations of the Asset/Liability Committee and submit the purchase to the full Board of Directors at the next scheduled meeting.

Our current investment policy permits investments in securities issued by the United States Government and its agencies or government sponsored entities, including residential mortgage-backed securities, municipalities, school boards and fully insured certificates of deposit. We maintain investment securities concentration limits which we periodically amend based on market conditions and changes in our assets. Current concentration restrictions limit investments to no more than $50 million of mortgage backed securities per each U.S. Government sponsored entity, $25 million of securities per each of U.S. Government agency, $5 million per issuing municipal authority and an aggregate of $30 million of all municipal investments. Our investment policy also permits investment in Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati stock.

At September 30, 2010, we did not have an investment in the securities of any single non-government issuer that exceeded 10% of equity at that date.

 

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Our current investment policy does not permit investment in stripped mortgage-backed securities, complex securities and derivatives as defined in federal banking regulations and other high-risk securities. Our current policy does not permit hedging activities, such as engaging in futures, options or swap transactions, or investing in high-risk mortgage derivatives, such as collateralized mortgage obligation residual interests, real estate mortgage investment conduit residual interests or stripped mortgage backed securities.

At September 30, 2010, none of the collateral underlying our securities portfolio was considered subprime or Alt-A and we did not hold any common or preferred stock issued by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae as of that date.

State and Political Subdivision Debt Securities . We have purchased primarily bank-qualified and rated general obligation and revenue bonds of certain state and political subdivisions, which provide interest income that is exempt from federal income taxation. All purchases are approved by Home Federal’s Board of Directors and are reviewed each quarter. At September 30, 2010, substantially all of our portfolio was Kentucky revenue bonds.

U.S. Government and Federal Agency Obligations. We may invest in U.S. Government and federal agency securities. While these securities generally provide lower yields than other investments in our securities investment portfolio, we maintain these investments, to the extent appropriate, for liquidity purposes, as collateral for borrowings and for prepayment protection.

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities . Residential mortgage-backed securities are securities issued in the secondary market that are collateralized by pools of mortgages. We have, from time to time, invested in mortgage-backed securities commonly referred to as “pass-through” certificates. The principal and interest of the loans underlying these certificates “pass through” to investors, net of certain costs, including servicing and guarantee fees. We invest primarily in residential mortgage-backed securities backed by one- to four-family mortgages. The issuers of such securities pool and resell the participation interests in the form of securities to investors such as Home Federal. The interest rate of the security is lower than the interest rates of the underlying loans to allow for payment of servicing and guaranty fees. Most of our MBS are either backed by Ginnie Mae, a United States Government agency, or government sponsored entities, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Residential mortgage-backed securities issued by United States Government agencies and government sponsored entities are more liquid than individual mortgage loans because there is an active trading market for such securities. In addition, residential mortgage-backed securities may be used to collateralize our borrowings. Investments in residential mortgage-backed securities involve a risk that actual payments will be greater or less than the prepayment rate estimated at the time of purchase, which may require adjustments to the amortization of any premium or accretion of any discount relating to such interests, thereby affecting the net yield on our securities. Current prepayment speeds determine whether prepayment estimates require modification that could cause amortization or accretion adjustments.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2010, we realized a gain of $2.3 million on the sale of an aggregate of $48.8 million of our mortgage-backed securities. We determined to sell these

 

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securities to increase our liquidity, decrease our interest rate risk and fund increased loan demand.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock. We hold common stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati in connection with our borrowing activities totaling $1.9 million at September 30, 2010. The common stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank is carried at cost and classified as restricted equity securities.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance. We invest in bank-owned life insurance to provide us with a funding source for our benefit plan obligations. Bank-owned life insurance also generally provides us non-interest income that is non-taxable. Federal regulations generally limit our investment in bank-owned life insurance to 25% of our Tier 1 capital plus our allowance for loan losses. At September 30, 2010, we had invested $6.2 million in bank-owned life insurance.

Securities Portfolio Composition . The following table sets forth the composition of our securities portfolio at the dates indicated.

 

     At September 30,  
     2010      2009      2008  
     Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
     Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
     Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
 
     (In thousands)  

Securities available for sale:

                 

U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored entities

   $ 16,003       $ 16,024       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     

Mortgage-backed securities:

                 

Government agency pass through

     —           —           55,724         57,960         —           —     

Other

     —           —           503         508         —           —     

State and political subdivisions

     28,201         29,210         18,426         19,216         16,604         16,835   
                                                     

Total available for sale

     44,204         45,234         74,653         77,684         16,604         16,835   

Securities held to maturity:

                 

U.S. Government agencies and government-sponsored entities

     —           —           —           —           30,514         30,411   

Mortgage-backed securities:

                 

Government agency pass through

     —           —           —           —           53,579         53,542   

Other

     —           —           —           —           738         742   

Total held to maturity

     —           —           —           —           84,831         84,695   
                                                     

Total

   $ 44,204       $ 45,234       $ 74,653       $ 77,684       $ 101,435       $ 101,530   
                                                     

 

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Securities Portfolio Maturities and Yields . The following table sets forth the contractual maturities and weighted average yields of our securities portfolio at September 30, 2010. Mortgage-backed securities are anticipated to be repaid in advance of their contractual maturities as a result of projected mortgage loan prepayments.

 

       One Year or Less     More than One Year  to
Five Years
    More than Five Years  to
Ten Years
    More than Ten Years     Total  

September 30, 2010

   Amortized
Cost
     Weighted
Average
Yield
    Amortized
Cost
     Weighted
Average
Yield
    Amortized
Cost
     Weighted
Average
Yield
    Amortized
Cost
     Weighted
Average
Yield
    Amortized
Cost
     Weighted
Average
Yield
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Securities available for sale:

                         

U.S. Government agencies and government-sponsored entities

   $ —           —     $ 12,921         0.90   $ 3,082         1.04   $ —           —     $ 16,003         0.92

Mortgage-backed securities

     —           —          —           —          —           —          —           —          —           —     

State and political subdivisions

     445         3.20        2,899         3.14        14,100         3.83        10,757         3.93        28,201         3.78   
                                                       

Total available for sale

     445           15,820           17,182           10,757           44,204      
                                                       

 

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Sources of Funds

General. Deposits have traditionally been our primary source of funds for use in lending and investment activities. We also use borrowings, primarily Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati advances, to supplement cash flow needs, lengthen the maturities of liabilities for interest rate risk purposes and to manage the cost of funds. In addition, we receive funds from scheduled loan payments, investment maturities, loan prepayments, retained earnings, income on earning assets and the sale of assets from time to time. While scheduled loan payments and income on earning assets are relatively stable sources of funds, deposit inflows and outflows can vary widely and are influenced by prevailing interest rates, market conditions and levels of competition.

Deposits. Our deposits are generated primarily from within our primary market area. We offer a selection of deposit accounts, including passbook accounts and NOW accounts, business checking, certificates of deposit, money market accounts and retirement accounts. Deposit account terms vary, with the principal differences being the minimum balance required, the amount of time the funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate. We have not accepted brokered deposits in the past, although we have the authority to do so.

Interest rates, maturity terms, service fees and withdrawal penalties are established on a periodic basis. Deposit rates and terms are based primarily on current operating strategies and market rates, liquidity requirements, rates paid by competitors and growth goals. We rely upon personalized customer service, long-standing relationships with customers, convenient offices and ATM locations and the favorable image of Home Federal in the community to attract and retain deposits. We have also expanded our products to include debit cards for the convenience of our customers.

The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, changes in interest rates and competition. Our ability to gather deposits is impacted by the competitive market in which we operate, which includes numerous financial institutions of varying sizes offering a wide range of products. We often use promotional rates to meet asset/liability and market segment goals.

The variety of rates and terms on the deposit accounts we offer allows us to be competitive in obtaining funds and responding to changes in consumer demand. Based on our experience, we believe that NOW and demand deposits may be somewhat more stable sources of funding than certificates of deposits.

 

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The following table sets forth the distribution of total deposits by account type, at the dates indicated.

 

     At September 30,  
     2010     2009     2008  
     Amount      Percent     Amount      Percent     Amount      Percent  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

NOW and demand deposits

   $ 21,033         9.23   $ 15,775         7.52   $ 14,638         8.17

Money market deposits

     6,509         2.86        5,378         2.56        4,111         2.30   

Savings and other deposits

     38,299         16.81        35,868         17.10        28,336         15.82   

Certificates of deposit

     139,171         61.09        131,562         62.74        114,385         63.86   

Retirement accounts

     22,800         10.01        21,115         10.07        17,649         9.85   
                                                   

Total

   $ 227,812         100.00   $ 209,698         100.00   $ 179,119         100.00
                                                   

As of September 30, 2010, the aggregate amount of our outstanding time deposits in amounts greater than or equal to $100,000 was $77.5 million. The following table sets forth the maturity of these time deposits as of September 30, 2010.

 

September 30, 2010

   Certificates
of Deposit
 
     (In thousands)  

Maturity Period:

  

Three months or less

   $ 12,497   

Over three through six months

     12,871   

Over six through twelve months

     19,032   

Over twelve months

     33,146   
        

Total

   $ 77,546   
        

The following table sets forth our time deposits classified by interest rate as of the dates indicated.

 

     At September 30,  
     2010      2009      2008  
     (In thousands)  

Interest Rate:

        

Less than 1%

   $ 61       $ —         $ —     

1.00% - 1.99%

     76,062         19,006         64   

2.00% - 2.99%

     58,685         67,315         17,311   

3.00% - 3.99%

     23,130         41,052         65,498   

4.00% - 4.99%

     2,784         20,377         36,552   

5.00% - 5.99%

     1,249         4,927         12,609   
                          

Total

   $ 161,971       $ 152,673       $ 132,034   
                          

 

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The following table sets forth the amount and maturities of our time deposits at September 30, 2010.

 

     At September 30, 2010  
     Period to Maturity  
     Less Than
One Year
     Over One
Year to Two
Years
     Over Two
Years  to

Three Years
     Over Three
Years
     Total      Percentage of
Total
Certificate
Accounts
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Interest Rate:

                 

Less than 1%

   $ 30       $ —         $ 31       $ —         $ 61         0.04

1.00% - 1.99%

     64,689         10,939         434         —           76,062         46.96   

2.00% - 2.99%

     9,358         29,934         19,313         80         58,685         36.23   

3.00% - 3.99%

     20,012         1,175         316         1,627         23,130         14.28   

4.00% - 4.99%

     690         170         327         1,597         2,784         1.72   

5.00% - 5.99%

     226         1,023         —           —           1,249         0.77   
                                                     

Total

   $ 95,005       $ 43,241       $ 20,421       $ 3,304       $ 161,971         100.00
                                                     

Borrowings . Our borrowings currently consist primarily of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. We obtain advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati upon the security of our capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and certain of our mortgage loans. Such advances may be made pursuant to several different credit programs, each of which has its own interest rate and range of maturities. To the extent such borrowings have different terms to repricing than our deposits, they can change our interest rate risk profile.

From time to time during recent years, we have utilized short-term borrowings to fund loan demand. To a limited extent, we have also used borrowings where market conditions permit us to purchase securities and make loans of a similar duration in order to increase our net interest income by the amount of the spread between the asset yield and the borrowing cost. Finally, from time to time, we have obtained advances with longer terms for asset liability management.

The following table sets forth information concerning balances and interest rates on our Federal Home Loan Bank advances at the date and for the noted year.

 

     Year Ended September 30,  
     2010     2009     2008  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Average amount outstanding during the period:

      

FHLB advances

   $ 36,408      $ 31,019      $ 6,739   

Other borrowings

     —          —          —     

Weighted average interest rate during the period:

      

FHLB advances

     2.91     2.93     3.23

Other borrowings

     —          —          —     

Balance outstanding at end of period:

      

FHLB advances

   $ 32,205      $ 39,368      $ 27,149   

Other borrowings

     —          —          —     

Weighted average interest rate at end of period:

      

FHLB advances

     2.94     2.94     3.49

Other borrowings

     —          —          —     

 

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At September 30, 2010, based on available collateral and our ownership of FHLB tock, we had access to additional Federal Home Loan Bank advances of up to $87.9 million.

Properties

As of September 30, 2010, the net book value of our offices was $5.3 million.

 

Location

  

Leased or
Owned

  

Year Acquired

or Leased

    

Square Footage

    

Net Book Value
of Real Property

 
                        (Dollars in
thousands)
 

Main Office:

           

1500 Carter Avenue,

Ashland, Kentucky

   Owned      2007         12,000       $ 3,721   

Branch Offices:

           

1608 Argilite Road,

Flatwoods, Kentucky

   Owned      1969         1,728         286   

US 23, South Shore, Kentucky

   Owned      1978         1,575         76   

Main Cross, Louisa, Kentucky

   Owned      1984         1,748         138   

6628 US 60, Summit, Kentucky

   Owned      1993         8,640         544   

501 US 23, Greenup, Kentucky

   Owned      2008         1,120         489   

We believe that current facilities are adequate to meet our present and foreseeable needs, subject to possible future expansion.

Subsidiary and Other Activities

Home Federal has no subsidiaries.

Legal Proceedings

We are not involved in any pending legal proceedings as a plaintiff or a defendant other than routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business. At September 30, 2010, we were not involved in any legal proceedings, the outcome of which would be material to our financial condition or results of operations.

Expense and Tax Allocation

Home Federal will enter into an agreement with Poage Bankshares to provide it with certain administrative support services for compensation not less than the fair market value of the services provided. In addition, Home Federal and Poage Bankshares will enter into an agreement to establish a method for allocating and for reimbursing the payment of their consolidated tax liability.

 

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Personnel

As of September 30, 2010, we had 53 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees. Our employees are not represented by any collective bargaining group. Management believes that we have good relations with our employees.

TAXATION

Federal Taxation

General. Poage Bankshares and Home Federal are subject to federal income taxation in the same general manner as other corporations, with some exceptions discussed below. The following discussion of federal taxation is intended only to summarize material federal income tax matters and is not a comprehensive description of the tax rules applicable to Poage Bankshares and Home Federal.

Method of Accounting . For federal income tax purposes, Home Federal currently reports its income and expenses on the accrual method of accounting and uses a tax year ending September 30th for filing its federal income tax return. The Small Business Protection Act of 1996 eliminated the use of the reserve method of accounting for bad debt reserves by savings institutions, effective for taxable years beginning after 1995.

Minimum Tax. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, imposes an alternative minimum tax at a rate of 20% on a base of regular taxable income plus certain tax preferences, referred to as “alternative minimum taxable income.” The alternative minimum tax is payable to the extent alternative minimum taxable income is in excess of an exemption amount. Net operating losses can, in general, offset no more than 90% of alternative minimum taxable income. Certain payments of alternative minimum tax may be used as credits against regular tax liabilities in future years. At September 30, 2010, Home Federal had minimum tax credit carryforwards of approximately $616,000.

Net Operating Loss Carryovers. Generally, a financial institution may carry back net operating losses to the preceding two taxable years and forward to the succeeding 20 taxable years. At September 30, 2010, Home Federal had no net operating loss carryforward for federal income tax purposes.

Corporate Dividends-Received Deduction. Poage Bankshares will be able to exclude from its income 100% of dividends received from Home Federal as a member of the same affiliated group of corporations.

Audit of Tax Returns. Home Federal’s federal income tax returns have not been audited in the most recent five-year period.

State Taxation

Poage Bankshares will be subject to the Kentucky corporation income tax and Limited Liability Entity Tax (“LLET”). The income of corporations subject to Kentucky income tax is similar to income reported for federal income tax purposes except that dividend income, among

 

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other income items, is exempt from taxation. Corporations pay the greater of the income tax or the LLET. The LLET is the greater of (i) $175 or (ii) the lesser of (a) $0.095 per $100 of the corporation’s gross receipts, or (b) $0.75 per $100 of the corporation’s gross profits. Gross profits equal gross Kentucky receipts reduced by returns and allowances attributable to Kentucky gross receipts, less Kentucky cost of goods sold. Poage Bankshares, in its capacity as a holding company for a financial institution, will not have a material amount of cost of good sold.

Home Federal is exempt from both the Kentucky corporation income tax and LLET, but is subject to an annual franchise tax imposed on federally or state chartered savings and loan associations, savings banks and other similar institutions operating in Kentucky. The tax is 0.1% of taxable capital stock held as of January 1 each year. Taxable capital stock includes an institution’s undivided profits, surplus and general reserves plus deposits and paid-up stock less deductible items. Deductible items include certain exempt federal obligations and Kentucky municipal bonds. Savings and loans that are subject to tax both within and without Kentucky must apportion their net capital .

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

General

As a federal savings association, Home Federal is subject to examination and regulation by the Office of Thrift Supervision and is also subject to examination by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. However, under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which is discussed further below, the Office of Thrift Supervision’s functions relating to federal savings associations, including rulemaking authority, will be transferred to the Comptroller of the Currency by July 21, 2011, unless extended by up to six months by the Secretary of the Treasury.

The federal system of regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework of activities in which Home Federal may engage and is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s deposit insurance fund. Home Federal is periodically examined by the Office of Thrift Supervision to ensure that it satisfies applicable standards with respect to its capital adequacy, assets, management, earnings, liquidity and sensitivity to market interest rates. Home Federal also is regulated to a lesser extent by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or Federal Reserve Board, which governs the reserves to be maintained against deposits and other matters. In addition, Home Federal is a member of and owns stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, which is one of the twelve regional banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Home Federal’s relationship with its depositors and borrowers also is regulated to a great extent by federal law and, to a much lesser extent, state law, including in matters concerning the ownership of deposit accounts and the form and content of Home Federal’s loan documents.

As a savings and loan holding company following the conversion, Poage Bankshares will be subject to examination and supervision by, and will be required to file certain reports with, the Office of Thrift Supervision. Poage Bankshares will also be subject to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the federal securities laws. However, under the Dodd-Frank Act, as further discussed below, the Office of Thrift Supervision’s functions

 

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relating to savings and loan holding companies, will be transferred to the Federal Reserve Board by July 21, 2011, unless extended by up to six months by the Secretary of the Treasury.

Set forth below are certain material regulatory requirements that are or will be applicable to Home Federal and Poage Bankshares after the conversion. This description of statutes and regulations is not intended to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations and their effects on Home Federal and Poage Bankshares. Any change in these laws or regulations, whether by Congress or the applicable regulatory agencies, could have a material adverse impact on Poage Bankshares, Home Federal and their operations.

Dodd-Frank Act

The Dodd-Frank Act will significantly change the current bank regulatory structure and affect the lending, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act will eliminate our current primary federal regulator, the Office of Thrift Supervision, and will require Home Federal to be regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the primary federal regulator for national banks). The Dodd-Frank Act also authorizes the Federal Reserve Board to supervise and regulate all savings and loan holding companies, such as Poage Bankshares, in addition to bank holding companies, which the Federal Reserve Board currently regulates. As a result, the Federal Reserve Board’s current regulations applicable to bank holding companies, including holding company capital requirements, will apply to savings and loan holding companies like Poage Bankshares, unless an exemption exists. These capital requirements are substantially similar to the capital requirements currently applicable to Home Federal, as described in “—Federal Banking Regulation—Capital Requirements.” The Dodd-Frank Act also requires the Federal Reserve Board to set minimum capital levels for bank holding companies that are as stringent as those required for the insured depository subsidiaries, and the components of Tier 1 capital would be restricted to capital instruments that are currently considered to be Tier 1 capital for insured depository institutions. Bank holding companies with assets of less than $500 million are exempt from these capital requirements. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the proceeds of trust preferred securities are excluded from Tier 1 capital unless such securities were issued prior to May 19, 2010 by bank or savings and loan holding companies with less than $15 billion of assets. The legislation also establishes a floor for capital of insured depository institutions that cannot be lower than the standards in effect today, and directs the federal banking regulators to implement new leverage and capital requirements within 18 months. These new leverage and capital requirements must take into account off-balance sheet activities and other risks, including risks relating to securitized products and derivatives.

The Dodd-Frank Act also creates a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions such as Home Federal, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has examination and enforcement authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. Banks and savings institutions with $10 billion or less in assets will be examined by their applicable bank regulators. The new legislation also weakens the

 

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federal preemption available for national banks and federal savings associations, and gives state attorneys general the ability to enforce applicable federal consumer protection laws.

The Dodd-Frank Act also broadens the base for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance assessments. Assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution. The legislation also permanently increases the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2008, and non-interest bearing transaction accounts have unlimited deposit insurance through December 31, 2012. Lastly, the Dodd-Frank Act will increase stockholder influence over boards of directors by requiring companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation and so-called “golden parachute” payments, and authorizing the Securities and Exchange Commission to promulgate rules that would allow stockholders to nominate and solicit votes for their own candidates using a company’s own proxy materials. The legislation also directs the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to bank holding company executives, regardless of whether the company is publicly traded or not.

Federal Banking Regulation

Business Activities. A federal savings and loan association derives its lending and investment powers from the Home Owners’ Loan Act, as amended, and the regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision. Under these laws and regulations, Home Federal may invest in mortgage loans secured by residential and commercial real estate, commercial business and consumer loans, certain types of debt securities and certain other assets, subject to applicable limits. Home Federal also may establish subsidiaries that may engage in activities not otherwise permissible for Home Federal, including real estate investment and securities and insurance brokerage.

Capital Requirements. Office of Thrift Supervision regulations currently require savings and loan associations to meet three minimum capital standards: a 1.5% tangible capital ratio, a 4% leverage ratio (3% for savings banks receiving the highest rating on the CAMELS rating system), a 4% core capital to risk-weighted assets ratio and an 8% risk-based capital ratio.

The risk-based capital standard for savings banks requires the maintenance of Tier 1 (core) and total capital (which is defined as core capital and supplementary capital) to risk-weighted assets of at least 4% and 8%, respectively. In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets, are multiplied by a risk-weight factor of 0% to 200%, assigned by the Office of Thrift Supervision, based on the risks believed inherent in the type of asset. Core capital is defined as common stockholders’ equity (including retained earnings), certain noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less intangibles other than certain mortgage servicing rights and credit card relationships. The components of supplementary capital currently include cumulative preferred stock, long-term perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, subordinated debt and intermediate preferred stock, the allowance for loan and lease losses limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets and up to 45% of net unrealized gains on available-for-sale equity securities with readily determinable fair market values. Overall, the amount of supplementary capital included as part

 

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of total capital cannot exceed 100% of core capital. Additionally, a federal savings and loan association that retains credit risk in connection with an asset sale may be required to maintain additional regulatory capital because of the recourse back to the savings and loan association. In assessing an institution’s capital adequacy, the Office of Thrift Supervision takes into consideration not only these numeric factors but also qualitative factors as well, and has the authority to establish higher capital requirements for individual associations where necessary.

At September 30, 2010, Home Federal’s capital exceeded all applicable requirements. See “Historical and Pro Forma Regulatory Capital Compliance.”

Loans-to-One Borrower. Generally, a federal savings and loan association may not make a loan or extend credit to a single or related group of borrowers in excess of 15% of unimpaired capital and surplus. An additional amount may be loaned, equal to 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus, if the loan is secured by readily marketable collateral, which generally does not include real estate. As of September 30, 2010, Home Federal was in compliance with its loans-to-one borrower limitations.

Qualified Thrift Lender Test. As a federal savings and loan association, Home Federal must satisfy the qualified thrift lender, or “QTL,” test. Under the QTL test, Home Federal must maintain at least 65% of its “portfolio assets” in “qualified thrift investments” (primarily residential mortgages and related investments, including mortgage-backed securities) in at least nine months of the most recent 12-month period. “Portfolio assets” generally means total assets of a savings institution, less the sum of specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, and the value of property used in the conduct of the savings bank’s business.

A federal savings and loan association that fails the QTL test must either convert to a commercial bank charter or operate under specified restrictions set forth in the Home Owners’ Loan Act. At September 30, 2010, Home Federal satisfied the QTL test with approximately 78.5% of its portfolio assets in qualified thrift investments.

Capital Distributions. Office of Thrift Supervision regulations govern capital distributions by a savings and loan association, which include cash dividends, stock repurchases and other transactions charged to the savings and loan association’s capital account. A federal savings and loan association must file an application for approval of a capital distribution if:

 

   

the total capital distributions for the applicable calendar year exceed the sum of the savings and loan association’s net income for that year to date plus the savings and loan association’s retained net income for the preceding two years;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

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the savings and loan association is not eligible for expedited treatment of its filings.

Even if an application is not otherwise required, every savings and loan association that is a subsidiary of a holding company must still file a notice with the Office of Thrift Supervision at least 30 days before the Board of Directors declares a dividend or approves a capital distribution.

The Office of Thrift Supervision may disapprove a notice or application if:

 

   

the savings and loan association would be undercapitalized following the distribution;

 

   

the proposed capital distribution raises safety and soundness concerns; or

 

   

the capital distribution would violate a prohibition contained in any statute, regulation or agreement.

In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act provides that an insured depository institution shall not make any capital distribution, if after making such distribution the institution would be undercapitalized.

Liquidity. A federal savings and loan association is required to maintain a sufficient amount of liquid assets to ensure its safe and sound operation.

Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Laws. All savings institutions have a responsibility under the Community Reinvestment Act and related regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including low- and moderate-income borrowers. In connection with its examination of a federal savings and loan association, the Office of Thrift Supervision is required to assess the institution’s record of compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act. In addition, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act prohibit lenders from discriminating in their lending practices on the basis of characteristics specified in those statutes. A savings and loan association’s failure to comply with the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act could, at a minimum, result in denial of certain corporate applications such as branches or mergers, or in restrictions on its activities. The failure to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act could result in enforcement actions by the Office of Thrift Supervision, as well as other federal regulatory agencies and the Department of Justice. Home Federal received a satisfactory Community Reinvestment Act rating in its most recent federal examination. The Community Reinvestment Act requires all Federal Deposit Insurance-insured institutions to publicly disclose their rating.

Transactions with Related Parties. A savings and loan association’s authority to engage in transactions with its affiliates is limited by Office of Thrift Supervision regulations and by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and its implementing Regulation W promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board. An affiliate is generally a company that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with an insured depository institution such as Home Federal. Poage Bankshares is an affiliate of Home Federal. In general, transactions between an

 

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insured depository institution and its affiliates are subject to certain quantitative and collateral requirements. In this regard, transactions between an insured depository institution and its affiliate are limited to 10% of the institution’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus for transactions with any one affiliate, and 20% of unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus for transactions in the aggregate with all affiliates. Collateral in specified amounts ranging from 100% to 130% of the amount of the transaction must usually be provided by affiliates in order to receive loans from the depository institution. In addition, Office of Thrift Supervision regulations prohibit a savings and loan association from lending to any of its affiliates that are engaged in activities that are not permissible for bank holding companies and from purchasing the securities of any affiliate, other than a subsidiary. Finally, transactions with affiliates must be consistent with safe and sound banking practices, not involve low-quality assets and be on terms that are as favorable to the institution as comparable transactions with non-affiliates. The Office of Thrift Supervision requires savings banks to maintain detailed records of all transactions with affiliates.

Home Federal’s authority to extend credit to its directors, executive officers and 10% stockholders, as well as to entities controlled by such persons, is currently governed by the requirements of Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board. Among other things, these provisions require that extensions of credit to insiders:

 

  (i) be made on terms that are substantially the same as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons and that do not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features, and

 

  (ii) not exceed certain limitations on the amount of credit extended to such persons, individually and in the aggregate, which limits are based, in part, on the amount of Home Federal’s capital.

In addition, extensions of credit in excess of certain limits must be approved by Home Federal’s Board of Directors. Home Federal is in compliance with these credit limitations.

Enforcement. The Office of Thrift Supervision has primary enforcement responsibility over FDIC insured savings and loan associations and has the authority to bring enforcement action against all “institution-affiliated parties,” including directors, officers, stockholders, attorneys, appraisers and accountants who knowingly or recklessly participate in wrongful action likely to have an adverse effect on the savings and loan association. Formal enforcement action by the Office of Thrift Supervision may range from the issuance of a capital directive or cease and desist order to removal of officers and/or directors of the institution, and the appointment of a receiver or conservator. Civil money penalties cover a wide range of violations and actions, and range up to $25,000 per day, unless a finding of reckless disregard is made, in which case penalties may be as high as $1 million per day. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation also has the authority to terminate deposit insurance or to recommend to the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision that enforcement action be taken with respect to a particular savings institution. If action is not taken by the Director, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has authority to take action under specified circumstances.

 

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Standards for Safety and Soundness. Federal law requires each federal banking agency to prescribe certain standards for all insured depository institutions. These standards relate to, among other things, internal controls, information systems and audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, compensation, and other operational and managerial standards as the agency deems appropriate. Interagency guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired. The guidelines address internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, credit underwriting, loan documentation, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits. If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any standard prescribed by the guidelines, the agency may require the institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard. If an institution fails to meet these standards, the appropriate federal banking agency may require the institution to implement an acceptable compliance plan. Failure to implement such a plan can result in further enforcement action, including the issuance of a cease and desist order or the imposition of civil money penalties.

Prompt Corrective Action Regulations . Under prompt corrective action regulations, the Office of Thrift Supervision is authorized and, under certain circumstances, required to take supervisory actions against undercapitalized savings and loan associations. For this purpose, a federal savings and loan association is placed in one of the following five categories based on the savings bank’s capital:

 

   

well-capitalized (at least 5% leverage capital, 6% Tier 1 risk-based capital and 10% total risk-based capital);

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

critically undercapitalized (less than 2% tangible capital).

Generally, the Office of Thrift Supervision is required to appoint a receiver or conservator for a savings bank that is “critically undercapitalized” within specific time frames. The regulations also provide that a capital restoration plan must be filed with the Office of Thrift Supervision within 45 days of the date a savings bank receives notice that it is “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.” Any holding company for a savings and loan holding company that is required to submit a capital restoration plan must guarantee the lesser of an amount equal to 5% of the association’s assets at the time it was notified or deemed to be undercapitalized by the Office of Thrift Supervision, or the amount necessary to restore the savings bank to adequately capitalized status. This guarantee remains in place until the Office of Thrift Supervision notifies the federal saving and loan

 

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association that it has maintained adequately capitalized status for each of four consecutive calendar quarters, and the Office of Thrift Supervision has the authority to require payment and collect payment under the guarantee. Failure by a holding company to provide the required guarantee will result in certain operating restrictions on the savings and loan association, such as restrictions on the ability to declare and pay dividends, pay executive compensation and management fees, and increase assets or expand operations. The Office of Thrift Supervision may also take any one of a number of discretionary supervisory actions against undercapitalized associations, including the issuance of a capital directive and the replacement of senior executive officers and directors.

At September 30, 2010, Home Federal met the criteria for being considered “well-capitalized.”

Insurance of Deposit Accounts. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, insures deposits at FDIC insured financial institutions such as Home Federal. Deposit accounts in Home Federal are insured by the FDIC generally up to a maximum of $250,000 per separately insured depositor and up to a maximum of $250,000 for self-directed retirement accounts. The FDIC charges the insured financial institutions premiums to maintain the Deposit Insurance Fund.

Under the FDIC’s current risk-based assessment system, insured institutions are assigned to one of four risk categories based on supervisory evaluations, regulatory capital levels and certain other risk factors. The rates for nearly all of the financial institutions industry vary between five and seven cents for every $100 of domestic deposits.

Federal law requires the FDIC to establish a deposit reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund of between 1.15% and 1.50% of estimated deposits. As part of its plan to restore the Deposit Insurance Fund in the wake of the large number of bank failures following the financial crisis, the FDIC imposed a special assessment of 5 basis points for the second quarter of 2009. In addition, the FDIC has required all insured institutions to prepay their quarterly risk-based assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012. As part of this prepayment, the FDIC assumed a 5% annual growth in the assessment base and applied a 3 basis point increase in assessment rates effective January 1, 2011.

On November 9, 2010, the FDIC published a notice of a proposed rulemaking under the Dodd-Frank Act to reform the deposit insurance assessment system. The proposal would redefine the assessment base used for calculating deposit insurance assessments. Specifically, the rule would base assessments on an institution’s total assets as opposed to total deposits. Since the new base would be much larger than the current base, the FDIC also proposed lowering assessment rates so that the proposed rules would not significantly alter the total amount of revenue collected from the industry. The proposal is expected to benefit smaller financial institutions, which typically rely more on deposits for funding, and shift more of the burden for supporting the insurance fund to larger institutions, which have greater access to non-deposit sources of funding. There are no assurances when the FDIC will issue a final rule reforming the deposit insurance assessment system and what that final rule may ultimately provide.

 

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The Dodd-Frank Act also extended the unlimited deposit insurance on non-interest bearing transaction accounts through December 31, 2012.

Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that an institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. We do not currently know of any practice, condition or violation that may lead to termination of our deposit insurance.

In addition to the FDIC assessments, the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) is authorized to impose and collect, with the approval of the FDIC, assessments for anticipated payments, issuance costs and custodial fees on bonds issued by the FICO in the 1980s to recapitalize the former Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the annualized FICO assessment rate equaled 1.06 basis points for each $100 in domestic deposits maintained at an institution. The bonds issued by the FICO are due to mature in 2017 through 2019.

U.S. Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 provided the Secretary of the Treasury with broad authority to implement certain actions to help restore stability and liquidity to U.S. financial markets. One of the programs established under the legislation is the Troubled Asset Relief Program—Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”), which provided for direct equity investment by the U.S. Treasury Department in perpetual preferred stock or similar securities of qualified financial institutions. CPP participants must comply with a number of restrictions and provisions, including limits on executive compensation, stock redemptions and declaration of dividends. We opted not to participate in the CPP.

Prohibitions Against Tying Arrangements . FDIC insured savings and loan associations are prohibited, subject to some exceptions, from extending credit to or offering any other service, or fixing or varying the consideration for such extension of credit or service, on the condition that the customer obtain some additional service from the institution or its affiliates or not obtain services of a competitor of the institution.

Federal Home Loan Bank System. Home Federal is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which consists of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks. The Federal Home Loan Bank System provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions as well as other entities involved in home mortgage lending. As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, Home Federal is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank. As of September 30, 2010, Home Federal was in compliance with this requirement.

Other Regulations

Interest and other charges collected or contracted for by Home Federal are subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates. Home Federal’s operations are also subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as the:

 

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Truth-In-Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;

 

   

Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the community it serves;

 

   

Equal Credit Opportunity Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed or other prohibited factors in extending credit;

 

   

Fair Credit Reporting Act, governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies;

 

   

Fair Debt Collection Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies;

 

   

Truth in Savings Act; and

 

   

rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing such federal laws.

The operations of Home Federal also are subject to the:

 

   

Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records;

 

   

Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E promulgated thereunder, which govern automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers’ rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services;

 

   

Check Clearing for the 21 st Century Act (also known as “Check 21”), which gives “substitute checks,” such as digital check images and copies made from that image, the same legal standing as the original paper check;

 

   

The USA PATRIOT Act, which requires savings and loan associations operating to, among other things, establish broadened anti-money laundering compliance programs, due diligence policies and controls to ensure the detection and reporting of money laundering. Such required compliance programs are intended to supplement existing compliance requirements, also applicable to financial institutions, under the Bank Secrecy Act and the Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations; and

 

   

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which places limitations on the sharing of consumer financial information by financial institutions with unaffiliated third

 

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parties. Specifically, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires all financial institutions offering financial products or services to retail customers to provide such customers with the financial institution’s privacy policy and provide such customers the opportunity to “opt out” of the sharing of certain personal financial information with unaffiliated third parties.

Holding Company Regulation

General . Upon completion of the conversion, Poage Bankshares will be a non-diversified savings and loan holding company within the meaning of the Home Owners’ Loan Act. As such, Poage Bankshares will be registered with the Office of Thrift Supervision and subject to Office of Thrift Supervision regulations, examinations, supervision and reporting requirements. In addition, the Office of Thrift Supervision will have enforcement authority over Poage Bankshares and its subsidiaries. Among other things, this authority permits the Office of Thrift Supervision to restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to be a serious risk to the subsidiary savings institution. However, under the Dodd-Frank Act, the functions of the Office of Thrift Supervision relating to savings and loan holding companies and their non-insured subsidiaries, as well as rulemaking and supervision authority over thrift holding companies, will be transferred to the Federal Reserve Board. See “—Dodd-Frank Act” above.

Permissible Activities. Under present law, the business activities of Poage Bankshares will be generally limited to those activities permissible for financial holding companies under Section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or for multiple savings and loan holding companies. A financial holding company may engage in activities that are financial in nature, including underwriting equity securities and insurance as well as activities that are incidental to financial activities or complementary to a financial activity. A multiple savings and loan holding company is generally limited to activities permissible for bank holding companies under Section 4(c)(8) of the Bank Holding Company Act, subject to the prior approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision, and certain additional activities authorized by Office of Thrift Supervision regulations.

Federal law prohibits a savings and loan holding company, including Poage Bankshares, directly or indirectly, or through one or more subsidiaries, from acquiring more than 5% of another savings institution or holding company thereof, without prior written approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision. It also prohibits the acquisition or retention of, with certain exceptions, more than 5% of a nonsubsidiary company engaged in activities that are not closely related to banking or financial in nature, or acquiring or retaining control of an institution that is not federally insured. In evaluating applications by holding companies to acquire savings institutions, the Office of Thrift Supervision must consider the financial and managerial resources, future prospects of the company and institution involved, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the federal deposit insurance fund, the convenience and needs of the community and competitive factors.

The Office of Thrift Supervision is prohibited from approving any acquisition that would result in a multiple savings and loan holding company controlling savings institutions in more than one state, subject to two exceptions:

 

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  (i) the approval of interstate supervisory acquisitions by savings and loan holding companies; and

 

  (ii) the acquisition of a savings institution in another state if the laws of the state of the target savings institution specifically permit such acquisition.

The states vary in the extent to which they permit interstate savings and loan holding company acquisitions.

Federal Securities Laws

We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 for the registration of the shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to the stock offering. Upon completion of the stock offering, our common stock will be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We will be subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Under regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision the shares of common stock must remain registered for a period of at least three years following completion of the conversion. Following the three year period, and pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Poage Bankshares may determine to deregister the common stock provided there are less than 300 record holders as calculated under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of shares of common stock to be issued in the stock offering does not cover the resale of those shares. Shares of common stock purchased by persons who are not our affiliates may be resold without registration. Shares purchased by our affiliates will be subject to the resale restrictions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. If we meet the current public information requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, each affiliate of ours that complies with the other conditions of Rule 144, including those that require the affiliate’s sale to be aggregated with those of other persons, would be able to sell in the public market, without registration, a number of shares not to exceed, in any three-month period, the greater of 1% of our outstanding shares, or the average weekly volume of trading in the shares during the preceding four calendar weeks. In the future, we may permit affiliates to have their shares registered for sale under the Securities Act of 1933.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 addresses, among other issues, corporate governance, auditing and accounting, executive compensation, and enhanced and timely disclosure of corporate information. As directed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer will be required to certify that our quarterly and annual reports do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact. The rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act have several requirements, including having these officers certify that: they are responsible for establishing, maintaining and regularly evaluating the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; they have made certain disclosures to our auditors and the audit committee of the Board of Directors about our

 

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internal control over financial reporting; and they have included information in our quarterly and annual reports about their evaluation and whether there have been changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could materially affect internal control over financial reporting. We will be subject to further reporting and audit requirements beginning with the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011 under the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will prepare policies, procedures and systems designed to ensure compliance with these regulations.

MANAGEMENT OF POAGE BANKSHARES, INC.

Shared Management Structure

The directors of Poage Bankshares are the same persons who are the directors of Home Federal. In addition, each executive officer of Poage Bankshares is also an officer of Home Federal. We expect that Poage Bankshares and Home Federal will continue to have common executive officers until there is a business reason to establish separate management structures.

Executive Officers of Poage Bankshares, Inc.

The following table sets forth information regarding the executive officers of Poage Bankshares. The executive officers of Poage Bankshares are elected annually.

 

Name

  

Age

  

Position

Robert S. Curtis

   60    Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer

Darryl E. Akers

   59    Vice Chairman, Co-President, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

James W. King

   52    Chief Information Officer and Corporate Secretary

The officers of Poage Bankshares and Home Federal are appointed annually by the Board of Directors. The business experience of our executive officer who is not also a director is set forth below.

Robert S. Curtis is Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Home Federal. Prior to these appointments in February 2011, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Home Federal. Prior to joining Home Federal, Mr. Curtis served as President, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Classic Bank, Ashland, Kentucky.

Directors of Poage Bankshares, Inc.

Poage Bankshares has seven directors. Directors serve three-year staggered terms so that approximately one-third of the directors are elected at each annual meeting. Directors of Home Federal will be elected by Poage Bankshares as its sole stockholder. In the first quarter of 2011, the board of directors expects to expand the board of directors by one seat and to appoint Robert S. Curtis to the board as Vice Chairman.

 

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The following table states our directors’ names, their ages as of September 30, 2010, the year in which each began serving as a director of Home Federal and the year in which their current terms as a director of Poage Bankshares and Home Federal expire:

 

Name

  

Position(s) Held With

Poage Bankshares, Inc.

  

    Age    

  

    Director    

Since*

  

Current Term
Expires

J. Thomas Rupert

   Chairman of the Board    65    1981    2012

Darryl E. Akers

   Vice Chairman, Co-President, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer    59    1991    2012

James W. King

   Director, Chief Information Officer and Secretary    52    1997    2013

Thomas P. Carver

   Director    60    2006    2012

Everette B. Gevedon

   Director    53    1998    2013

Stuart N. Moore

   Director    53    2005    2014

Charles W. Robinson

   Director    65    1996    2014

 

* Includes service as a director of Home Federal.

The Business Background of Our Directors and Executive Officers

Directors:

Darryl Akers currently serves as Vice Chairman, Co-President, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association. Prior to these officer appointments in February 2011, he served as President, Chief Executive Officer and director. Mr. Akers was appointed to the board of directors in 1991 and became President and Chief Executive Officer in 1997. He has been employed by Home Federal Savings and Loan Association since 1973, and has held several positions prior to being named President and Chief Executive Officer, including President, Vice President, loan officer and controller. Mr. Akers was selected to service as a director of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association because his extensive experience in a variety of roles at Home Federal Savings and Loan Association provides a broad and unique perspective on the challenges facing our organization and our business strategies and operations.

James W. King currently serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer and as a member of the board of directors of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association. Mr. King was appointed to the board of directors in 1997 and currently serves as Corporate Secretary. Mr. King has been employed by Home Federal Savings and Loan Association since 1983, and has held several positions prior to being named Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Mr. King was selected to serve as a director of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association because his experience in a variety of roles at Home Federal Savings and Loan Association provides perspective on the challenges facing our organization and our business strategies and operations.

 

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J. Tom Rupert currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association and was appointed to that position in 2006. He has been a member of the board of directors of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association since 1981. He retired as President of Kentucky-Rupert Insurance Agency, Inc., an independent insurance agency in Ashland, Kentucky, on December 31, 2009, however he continues to serve as a director of Kentucky-Rupert Insurance Agency. Mr. Rupert is a past board member of the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce and is a member and past President of the Kiwanis Club of Ashland. Mr. Rupert was selected to serve as a director of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association because his experience in insurance and financial services provides insight and perspective with respect to general business operations, as well as experience reviewing financial statements.

Thomas P. Carver is President of Light Express, Inc., Cascar Management & Leasing Corp. and Light Logistics, Inc. Mr. Carver was selected to serve as director of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association because his extensive experience in industry provides a broad and unique perspective on the challenges facing our organization and our business strategies and operations.

E. B. Gevedon, MD is President and Chief Executive Officer of Family Allergy Services, Inc., a position he has held for twenty-three (23) years. Dr. Gevedon is a founding member and past Chairman of the Ashland Alliance, the new Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development serving a two-county area. He also served as Chairman of the City of Ashland’s Economic Development Board for five years. His other community service and business activities include current service on the Ashland City Park Board and the Boyd County Board of Health. Dr. Gevedon has previously served as Chairman of the Ashland Tourism Commission and as a board member of the Ashland Community College Foundation and the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center. Dr. Gevedon was selected to serve as a director of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association because his extensive experience in a variety of roles provides a broad and unique perspective on the challenges facing our organization and our business strategies and operations.

Stuart N. Moore, DMD recently retired from dentisty after practicing for twenty-five (25) years in the Ashland area. He is currently President of Jasmine Properties LLC, which owns and manages residential and commercial rental properties. Dr. Moore obtained his real estate sales license in 1993 and is employed by Robinson Realty. Dr. Moore was selected to serve as a director because his knowledge of real estate value from construction, comparable sales and income approaches are helpful in evaluating loan approvals, as well as experience reviewing financial statements.

Charles W. Robinson is a certified public accountant who has worked extensively with businesses operating in the Home Federal Savings and Loan Association community. Mr. Robinson has worked in public accounting since 1973. Mr. Robinson performed the audit of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association prior to becoming a director. Mr. Robinson has experience in real estate. Mr. Robinson was selected to serve as a director of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association because his experience in public accounting and real estate provides a broad and unique perspective on the challenges facing our organization and our

 

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business strategies and operations, and because his experience as a certified public accountant provides unique insight into our financial accounting practices and procedures, financial reporting and our relationship with our auditors.

Board Independence

The Board of Directors affirmatively determines the independence of each director in accordance with Nasdaq Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) rules. The Board of Directors has determined that each of our directors is independent of Poage Bankshares under NASDAQ rules except for Co-President, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Darryl E. Akers, Chief Information Officer and Secretary James W. King. Mr. Akers and Mr. King are not independent because they are executive officers.

Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors

We conduct business through meetings of our Board of Directors and its committees. The Board of Directors of Poage Bankshares, which was established in January 2011, has established the following standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and the Compensation Committee. Each of these committees will operate under a written charter, which governs its composition, responsibilities and operations.

The Audit Committee will consist of Directors                      ,                      and                      , with Mr.                       serving as chairman. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consist of Directors                      ,                      and                      , with Mr.                       serving as chairman. The Compensation Committee will consist of Directors                      ,                      and                      , with Mr.                       serving as chairman.

Based on its review of the criteria of an “audit committee financial expert” under the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Board of Directors has determined that director Charles W. Robinson qualifies as an audit committee financial expert.

 

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Executive Officer Compensation

Summary Compensation Table. The table below summarizes for the year ended September 30, 2010 the total compensation paid to or earned by Darryl E. Akers, who served as our President and Chief Executive Officer during the year ended September 30, 2010, and our three other most highly compensated executive officers. Each individual listed in the table below is referred to as a “named executive officer.”

 

Summary Compensation Table For the Year Ended September 30, 2010

 

Name and principal position

  

Year

    

Salary

($)

    

Bonus

($)

    

Nonqualified

deferred

compensation

earnings

($)

    

All other

compensation

($) (1)

    

Total

($)

 

Darryl E. Akers

Co-President, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

     2010         136,810         20,000         —           37,821         194,361   

James W. King

Executive Vice President

     2010         92,146         20,000         —           63,153         175,299   

Cheryl Deborde (2)

Chief Financial Officer, Retired

     2010         57,673         20,000         —           105,807         183,480   

Robert S. Curtis

Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer

     2010         110,000         20,000         —           3,775         133,775   

 

(1) The amounts in this column reflect what Home Federal Savings and Loan Association paid for, or reimbursed, the applicable named executive officer for the various benefits and perquisites received. A break-down of the various elements of compensation in this column is set forth in the table provided below.
(2) Ms. Deborde resigned as our Chief Financial Officer effective July 20, 2010.

 

All Other Compensation

 

Name

  

Automobile
Expenses

($)

   

Board and
Other Fees

($)

   

Employer
Contributions

to 401(k) Plan

($)

    

Life
Insurance (3)

($)

    

Appraisal
Fees

($)

    

Total All Other
Compensation

($)

   

Total

($)

 

Darryl E. Akers

     1,202 (1)       17,400 (2)       —           19,219         —           —          37,821   

James W. King

     —          16,800 (2)       —           3,953         42,400         —          63,153   

Cheryl Deborde (4)

     —          16,800 (2)       —           162         —           84,588 (3)       105,875   

Robert S. Curtis

     —          —          3,613         4,419         —           —          3,775   

 

(1) Represents amount taxed to Mr. Akers for his use of an automobile provided by Home Federal Savings and Loan Association.
(2) Represents fees paid to Messrs. Akers and King and Ms. Deborde for service on the Board of Directors.
(3) Amounts in this column reflect imputed income from premiums paid by Home Federal Savings and Loan Association with respect to life insurance premiums as well as life insurance premiums paid by Home Federal Savings and Loan Association.
(4) In connection with Ms. Deborde’s termination of employment, Ms. Deborde received $77,500 in severance and $7,088 in lieu of unused vacation time.

Benefit Plans and Agreements

Executive Supplemental Retirement Plans. Home Federal Savings and Loan Association has purchased insurance policies on the lives of Messrs. Akers, King and Ms. Deborde and has

 

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entered into an Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (“Plan”) with each of Messrs. Akers, King and Ms. Deborde. The insurance policies are owned by Home Federal Savings and Loan Association which paid each premium due on the policies in a single lump sum. Under the Executive Supplemental Retirement Plans, upon an executive’s death while he or she was employed, the executive’s beneficiary will be paid a death benefit equal to the executive’s Pre-Retirement Account, as defined in the plan. In the event of the executive’s deaths as of September 30, 2010, the beneficiaries of Messrs. Akers, King and Ms. Deborde would receive a death benefit of approximately $293,792, $108,868, and $82,397, respectively.

In the event an executive remains in the employment of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association until normal retirement age (age 65), he or she shall receive the balance in the Pre-Retirement Account in two hundred and forty (240) equal monthly installments commencing thirty (30) days following the date of the executive’s retirement. In the event an executive terminates employment following a change in control, then the executive shall receive the benefits as if the executive had attained normal retirement age. In the event of a termination of employment following a change in control as of September 30, 2010, Messrs. Akers and King would receive, beginning at normal retirement age (as defined in the agreement), an estimated monthly benefit of $2,417 and $908, respectively, which would be payable for two hundred and forty months. Since Ms. Deborde terminated employment prior to September 30, 2010, she is not entitled to receive an additional benefit if a change in control occurred. Ms. Deborde currently receives a monthly benefit of $676, which is payable for two hundred and forty months.

Split Dollar Agreements. Home Federal Savings and Loan Association has purchased insurance policies on the lives of Messrs. Akers and King, and Home Federal Savings and Loan Association has entered into endorsement Split Dollar Agreements with each of Messrs. Akers and King. The policies are owned by Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, which paid each premium due on the policies in a single lump sum. The amount of the premiums paid for the life insurance policies was $1,058,635, $365,405, and $390,435, respectively, on behalf of Messrs. Akers, King and Ms. Deborde. Under the Split Dollar Agreements, upon an executive’s death while he is an executive of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, the executive’s beneficiary will be paid a death benefit equal to the 80% of the total death proceeds of the life insurance policies minus the cash surrender value of the policies. In the event of the executive’s deaths as of September 30, 2010, the beneficiaries of Messrs. Akers and King would receive a death benefit of $1,133,000, and $552,000, respectively.

In the event Mr. King dies after he terminated employment for any reason, including retirement, his beneficiary will be entitled to a reduced benefit, which will be determined based on the number of full years the executive has been employed since the date of hire. When Mr. King attains the age of 55, his beneficiary will be entitled to the full death benefit, as described above. Since Mr. Akers is over age 55, his beneficiary will be entitled to the full death benefit. The Split Dollar Agreement may be terminated if the executive is terminated for cause (as defined in the agreement) or upon Home Federal Savings and Loan Association’s cancellation of the life insurance policies. Upon termination, the executive will have an option to purchase the insurance policies for an amount equal to the greater of the cash value of the policies or the amount of premiums paid by the Bank.

 

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401(k) Plan. Home Federal Savings and Loan Association participates in the Pentegra Defined Contribution Plan for Financial Institutions, a tax-qualified defined contribution plan for eligible employees (the “401(k) Plan”). Employees who have completed two consecutive months of service and attained the age of 21 will be eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan.

Under the 401(k) Plan a participant may elect to defer, on a pre-tax basis, up to 75% of his or her salary in any plan year, subject to limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. For 2011, the salary deferral contribution limit is $16,500, provided, however, that a participant over age 50 may contribute an additional $5,500 to the 401(k) Plan. In addition, Home Federal Savings and Loan Association may also elect to provide a discretionary employer contribution, which is shared among all eligible participants. A participant is always 100% vested in his or her salary deferral contributions and a participant will become 100% vested in employer discretionary contributions, if any, after completing three years of service. Generally, unless the participant elects otherwise, the participant’s account balance will be distributed as a result of a participant’s termination of employment with Home Federal Savings and Loan Association.

Defined Benefit Pension Plan. Home Federal Savings and Loan Association participates in the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions, a multi-employer pension plan (the “Pension Plan”). The Pension Plan covers all eligible employees meeting certain service and age requirements that were employed by Home Federal Savings and Loan Association prior to January 1, 2007. Effective January 1, 2007, Home Federal Savings and Loan Association amended the Pension Plan to provide that employees hired after December 31, 2006 would not be eligible to participate in the Pension Plan. Eligible employees hired before January 1, 2007 continue to earn benefits under the Pension Plan. During the year ended September 30, 2010, Home Federal recognized $352,569 as a pension expense.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan. In connection with the conversion, Home Federal Savings and Loan Association adopted an employee stock ownership plan for eligible employees. Eligible employees who have attained age 21 and completed one year of service will begin participation in the employee stock ownership plan on the later of the effective date of the conversion or upon the first entry date commencing on or after the eligible employee’s completion of 1,000 hours of service during a continuous 12-month period.

The employee stock ownership plan trustee is expected to purchase, on behalf of the employee stock ownership plan, 8% of the total number of shares of Poage Bankshares, Inc. common stock issued in the offering. We anticipate that the employee stock ownership plan will fund its stock purchase with a loan from Poage Bankshares, Inc. equal to the aggregate purchase price of the common stock. The loan will be repaid principally through Home Federal Savings and Loan Association’s contribution to the employee stock ownership plan and dividends payable on common stock held by the employee stock ownership plan over the anticipated 20-year term of the loan. The interest rate for the employee stock ownership plan loan is expected to be an adjustable rate equal to the prime rate, as published in The Wall Street Journal , on the closing date of the offering. Thereafter the interest rate will adjust annually and will be the prime rate on the first business day of the calendar year, retroactive to January 1 of such year. See “Pro Forma Data.”

 

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The trustee will hold the shares purchased by the employee stock ownership plan in an unallocated suspense account, and shares will be released from the suspense account on a pro-rata basis as we repay the loan. The trustee will allocate the shares released among participants on the basis of each participant’s proportional share of compensation relative to all participants. A participant will become 100% vested in his or her account balance after completing three years of service. Participants who were employed by Home Federal Savings and Loan Association immediately prior to the offering will receive credit for vesting purposes for years of service prior to adoption of the employee stock ownership plan. Participants also will become fully vested automatically upon normal retirement, death or disability, a change in control, or termination of the employee stock ownership plan. Generally, participants will receive distributions from the employee stock ownership plan upon separation from service. The employee stock ownership plan reallocates any unvested shares forfeited upon termination of employment among the remaining participants.

The employee stock ownership plan permits participants to direct the trustee as to how to vote the shares of common stock allocated to their accounts. The trustee votes unallocated shares and allocated shares for which participants do not provide instructions on any matter in the same ratio as those shares for which participants provide instructions, subject to fulfillment of the trustee’s fiduciary responsibilities.

Under applicable accounting requirements, Home Federal Savings and Loan Association will record a compensation expense for the employee stock ownership plan at the fair market value of the shares as they are committed to be released from the unallocated suspense account to participants’ accounts, which may be more or less than the original issue price. The compensation expense resulting from the release of the common stock from the suspense account and allocation to plan participants will result in a corresponding reduction in Poage Bankshares, Inc.’s earnings.

 

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Director Compensation

The following table sets forth for the year ended September 30, 2010 certain information as to the total remuneration we paid to our directors other than Messrs. Akers, King and Ms. Deborde. Information with respect to director fees paid to Messrs. Akers, King and Ms. Deborde is included above in “Executive Officer Compensation—Summary Compensation Table.”

 

Directors Compensation Table For the Year Ended September 30, 2010

 

Name

  

Fees earned

or paid in

cash

($)

    

Nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings

($)

    

All Other
Compensation
($)

    

Total

($)

 

Thomas P. Carver

     19,900         —           —           19,900   

Everette B. Gevedon

     18,200         —           —           19,900   

Stuart N. Moore

     16,800         —           —           18,500   

Charles W. Robinson

     18,200         —           —           19,900   

J. Thomas Rupert

     19,500         —           —           21,200   

Director Fees

Each director of Poage Bankshares, Inc. will be paid a monthly meeting fee of $1,400, except Mr. Akers receives $1,450 as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Mr. Rupert receives $2,500 as Chairman of the Board. Each non-employee director receives $500 per committee meeting. Each non-employee director receives $500 for each special meeting and employee directors receive $500 for each special meeting only if it is held after regular office hours.

Each person who serves as a director of Poage Bankshares, Inc. also serves as a director of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association and earns director and committee fees only in his or her capacity as a board or committee member of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association. Upon completion of the conversion, we expect that directors of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association will continue to receive directors’ fees equivalent to the fees paid prior to the conversion and that Poage Bankshares, Inc. will not pay director or committee fees.

Director Plans

Director Supplemental Retirement Plans. Home Federal Savings and Loan Association has purchased insurance policies on the lives of Messrs. Carver, Gevedon, Moore, Robinson and Rupert and has entered into a Director Supplemental Retirement Plan (“Plan”) with each of Messrs. Carver, Gevedon, Moore, Robinson and Rupert. The insurance policies are owned by Home Federal Savings and Loan Association which paid each premium due on the policies in a single lump sum. The amount of the premiums paid for the life insurance policies was $220,000, $60,846, $121,000, $115,504 and $132,030, respectively, on behalf of Messrs. Carver, Gevedon, Moore, Robinson and Rupert. Under the Director Supplemental Retirement Plans, upon a director’s death, the director’s beneficiary will be paid a death benefit equal to the director’s accrued liability retirement plan, as defined in the plan. In the event of the director’s deaths as of

 

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September 30, 2010, the beneficiaries of Messrs. Carver, Gevedon, Moore, Robinson and Rupert would receive a death benefit of approximately $26,476, $13,121, $9,548, $58,638 and $60,037, respectively.

In the event Messrs. Carver, Gevedon, Moore, Robinson and Rupert remain in the service of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association until normal retirement age (age 70), he or she shall receive an annual benefit payable over thirteen years (fourteen for Messrs. Robinson and Rupert) in monthly installments commencing thirty (30) days following the date of the director’s retirement. In the event a director terminates employment following a change in control, then the director shall receive the benefits as if the director had attained normal retirement age. In the event of a termination of employment following a change in control as of September 30, 2010, Messrs. Carver, Gevedon, Moore, Robinson and Rupert would receive, beginning at normal retirement age (as defined in the plan), amounts specified in an exhibit to each director’s agreement, which provides for different payment amounts in different years. The first year’s payment amounts are $13,327, $12,921, $8,655, $11,832 and $12,601, respectively, which would be payable for up to thirteen years (fourteen for Messrs. Robinson and Rupert).

Benefits to be Considered Following Completion of the Stock Offering

Following the stock offering, we intend to adopt a new stock-based incentive plan that will provide for grants of stock options and restricted common stock awards. In accordance with applicable regulations, we anticipate that the plan will authorize a number of stock options and a number of shares of restricted stock, not to exceed 10% and 4%, respectively, of the shares issued in the offering. These limitations will not apply if the plan is implemented more than one year after the conversion.

The stock-based incentive plan will not be established sooner than six months after the stock offering and, if adopted within one year after the stock offering, would require the approval by stockholders owning a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of Poage Bankshares. If the stock-based incentive plan is established after one year after the stock offering, it would require the approval of our stockholders by a majority of votes cast.

The following additional restrictions would apply to our stock-based incentive plan only if the plan is adopted within one year after the stock offering:

 

   

non-employee directors in the aggregate may not receive more than 30% of the options and restricted stock awards authorized under the plan;

 

   

any non-employee director may not receive more than 5% of the options and restricted stock awards authorized under the plan;

 

   

any officer or employee may not receive more than 25% of the options and restricted stock awards authorized under the plan;

 

   

the options and restricted stock awards may not vest more rapidly than 20% per year, beginning on the first anniversary of stockholder approval of the plan; and

 

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accelerated vesting is not permitted except for death, disability or upon a change in control of Home Federal or Poage Bankshares.

Assuming the market price of the common stock is $10.00 per share; the options are granted with an exercise price of $10.00 per share; the dividend yield on the stock is 0%; the expected option life is 7.5 years; the risk free interest rate is 2.53% (based on the ten-year Treasury rate) and the volatility rate on the shares of common stock is 17.86% (based on an index of publicly traded thrift institutions), the estimated grant-date fair value of the options utilizing a Black-Scholes option pricing analysis is $2.76 per option granted. Assuming this value is amortized over a five-year vesting period, the corresponding annual pre-tax expense associated with the stock options would be $146,000 at the maximum of the offering range. In addition, assuming that all shares of restricted stock are awarded at a price of $10.00 per share, and that the awards vest over a five-year period, the corresponding annual pre-tax expense associated with restricted stock awarded under the stock-based benefit plan would be $211,600 at the maximum of the offering range. However, if we grant shares of common stock or options in excess of these amounts or at higher prices, such grants would increase our costs further.

The shares of restricted stock granted under the stock-based benefit plan will be expensed by us over their vesting period at the fair market value of the shares on the date they are awarded. If the shares of restricted stock to be granted under the plan are repurchased in the open market (rather than issued directly from authorized but unissued shares by Poage Bankshares) and cost the same as the $10.00 purchase price in the stock offering, the reduction to stockholders’ equity due to the plan would be between $782,000 at the minimum of the offering range and $1,058,000 at the maximum of the offering range. To the extent we repurchase shares of common stock in the open market to fund the grants of shares under the plan, and the price of such shares exceeds the offering price of $10.00 per share, the reduction to stockholders’ equity would exceed the range described above. Conversely, to the extent the price of such shares is below the offering price of $10.00 per share, the reduction to stockholders’ equity would be less than the range described above.

The following table summarizes the number of shares of common stock and aggregate dollar value of grants (valuing each share granted at the offering price of $10.00) that are available under one or more stock-based benefit plans if such plans are adopted within one year following the completion of the conversion and the offering. The table shows the dilution to stockholders if all these shares are issued from authorized but unissued shares, instead of shares purchased in the open market. The table also sets forth the number of shares of common stock to be acquired by the employee stock ownership plan for allocation to all employees. A portion of the stock grants shown in the table below may be made to non-management employees.

 

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     Number of Shares to be Granted or
Purchased
    Dilution
Resulting
From
Issuance of
Shares for
Stock
Benefit
Plans
    Value of Grants (1)  
   At
Minimum
of Offering
Range
     At
Maximum
of Offering
Range
     As a
Percentage
of Common
Stock to be
Issued (2)(3)
      At
Minimum
of
Offering
Range
     At
Maximum
of
Offering
Range
 
                               (Dollars in thousands)  

Employee stock ownership plan

     156,400         211,600         8.00     7.41   $ 1,564,000       $ 2,116,000   

Stock awards

     78,200         105,800         4.00        3.85     782,000         1,058,000   

Stock options

     195,500         264,500         10.00        9.09     539,580         730,020   
                                                   

Total

     430,100         581,900         22.00     20.34   $ 2,885,580       $ 3,904,020   
                                                   

 

(1) The actual value of restricted stock grants will be determined based on their fair value as of the date grants are made. For purposes of this table, fair value is assumed to be the same as the offering price of $10.00 per share. The fair value of stock options has been estimated at $2.76 per option using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: a grant-date share price and option exercise price of $10.00; dividend yield of 0%; an expected option life of 7.5 years; a risk-free interest rate of 2.53%; and a volatility rate of 17.86% based on an index of publicly traded thrift institutions. The actual expense of stock options granted under a stock-based benefit plan will be determined by the grant-date fair value of the options, which will depend on a number of factors, including the valuation assumptions used in the option pricing model ultimately adopted, which may or may not be the Black-Scholes model.
(2) The stock-based benefit plans may award a greater number of options and shares, respectively, if the plans are adopted more than 12 months after the completion of the conversion.
(3) The table assumes Home Federal will have 10% tangible capital following the conversion in order to allow stock awards equal to 4% of the stock issued.

The actual value of restricted stock grants will be determined based on their fair value (the closing market price of shares of common stock of Poage Bankshares) as of the date grants are made. The following table presents the total value of all shares to be available for awards of restricted stock under the stock-based benefit plan, assuming the shares for the plan are purchased or issued in a range of market prices from $8.00 per share to $16.00 per share at the time of the grant.

 

Share Price     

78,200 Shares

Awarded at

Minimum of
        Offering Range        

    

92,000 Shares

Awarded at

Midpoint of
        Offering Range        

    

105,800 Shares

Awarded at

Maximum of
        Offering Range        

    

121,670 Shares

Awarded at

Maximum of
Offering Range,

            As Adjusted             

 
(In thousands, except share price information)  
$ 8.00       $ 626       $ 736       $ 846       $ 973   
  10.00         782         920         1,058         1,217   
  12.00         938         1,104         1,270         1,460   
  14.00         1,095         1,288         1,481         1,703   
  16.00         1,251         1,472         1,693         1,947   

The grant-date fair value of the stock options granted under the stock-based benefit plans will be based, in part, on the closing price of shares of common stock of Poage Bankshares on the date the options are granted. The fair value will also depend on the various assumptions utilized in the option-pricing model ultimately adopted. The following table presents the total estimated value of the stock options to be available for grant under the stock-based benefit plans, assuming the range of market prices for the shares are $8.00 per share to $16.00 per share at the time of the grant.

 

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Exercise Price

    

Grant-Date

Fair Value
        Per Option        

    

195,500
Options at
Minimum
        of Range         

    

230,000
Options at
Midpoint
        of Range         

    

264,500
Options at
Maximum
        of Range         

    

304,175

Options at

Maximum

of Range,
        As Adjusted        

 
(In thousands, except share price information)  
$ 8.00       $ 2.21       $ 432       $ 508       $ 585       $ 672   
  10.00         2.76         540         635         730         840   
  12.00         3.31         547         761         875         1,007   
  14.00         3.86         755         888         1,021         1,174   

The tables presented above are provided for informational purposes only. There can be no assurance that our stock price will not trade below $10.00 per share. Before you make an investment decision, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus, including, but not limited to, the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15.

These restrictions do not apply to plans adopted after one year following the completion of the stock offering.

We have not yet determined whether we will present the stock-based incentive plan for stockholder approval within one year following the completion of the conversion or whether we will present this plan for stockholder approval more than one year after the completion of the conversion. In the event the Office of Thrift Supervision changes its regulations or policies regarding stock-based incentive plans, including any regulations or policies restricting the size of awards and vesting of benefits as described above, the restrictions described above may not be applicable.

We may obtain the shares needed for our stock-based benefit plans by issuing additional shares of common stock from authorized but unissued shares or through stock repurchases.

Transactions with Certain Related Persons

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

Home Federal makes loans to its directors, executive officers and employees through an employee loan program. The program applies only to first or second mortgage loans on a primary or secondary residence. Home Federal waives the $175 loan processing fee for loans made under the employee loan program. Except for the waived loan processing fee, these loans were made in the ordinary course of business, were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions

 

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with other persons and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.

The following table sets forth loans made by Home Federal to its directors and executive officers where the largest amount of all indebtedness outstanding during the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and all amounts of interest payable during each year, respectively, exceeded $120,000, and where the borrowers received reduced origination fees, as described above.

 

Name

  

Position

  

Nature

Of

Transaction

   Largest
Aggregate

Balance from
10/01/09 to
9/30/10
     Interest
Rate
    Principal
Balance
9/30/10
     Principal
Paid
10/01/09 to
9/30/10
     Interest Paid
10/01/09 to
9/30/10
 

Stuart Moore

   Director    Second Home    $ 934,796.89         5.50   $ 655,155.42       $ 279,641.47       $ 53,394.08   

Darryl Akers

   Director/ CEO    Personal Home Loan      316,102.81         6.25        311,908.04         4,194.77         19,629.30   

Darryl Akers

   Director/ CEO    Personal Home HELOC (1)      16,907.77         5.99        13,001.91         5,971.90         853.12   

James King

   Director/ CIO    Personal Home Loan      156,612.04         5.00        152,345.75         4,266.29         7,733.71   

James King

   Director/ CIO    Personal Auto Loan      25,954.57         6.25        20,798.49         5,156.08         1,492.28   

 

Name

  

Position

  

Nature

Of

Transaction

   Largest
Aggregate

Balance from
10/01/08 to
9/30/09
     Interest
Rate
    Principal
Balance
9/30/09
     Principal
Paid
10/01/08 to
9/30/09
     Interest Paid
10/01/09 to
9/30/09
 

Stuart Moore

   Director    Second Home    $ 980,072.85         5.50   $ 934,796.89       $ 45,275.96       $ 52,774.00   

Darryl Akers

   Director/ CEO    Personal Home Loan      320,905.69         6.25        316,102.81         4,802.88         19,917.12   

Darryl Akers

   Director/ CEO    Personal Home HELOC (1)      13,000.00         5.99        12,305.23         694.77         136.27   

James King

   Director/ CIO    Personal Home Loan      126,597.20         6.00        —           126,597.20         1,181.58   

James King

   Director/ CIO    Personal Auto      33,037.00         6.25        25,954.57         7,082.43         1,811.35   

 

(1) Home equity loan or line of credit.

Other than as described above and except for executive officers whose loans were made on preferential terms but for which the principal balance has been less than $120,000 since October 1, 2008, all loans made by Home Federal to executive officers, directors, immediate family members of executive officers and directors, or organizations with which executive officers and directors are affiliated, were made in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not related to Home Federal, and did not present any unusual risk of collectability or have any other unfavorable features. Home Federal is in compliance with these federal regulations with respect to its loans and extensions of credit to executive officers and directors.

In addition, loans made to a director or executive officer must be approved in advance by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors. The aggregate amount of our loans to our officers and directors and their related entities was $1.2 million at September 30, 2010. As of September 30, 2010, these loans were performing according to their original terms.

 

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SUBSCRIPTIONS BY DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth information regarding intended common stock subscriptions by each of the directors and executive officers of Poage Bancshares Inc. and Home Federal and their associates, and by all directors and executive officers as a group. However, there can be no assurance that any individual director or executive officer, or the directors and executive officers as a group, will purchase any specific number of shares of our common stock. In the event the individual maximum purchase limitation is increased, persons subscribing for the maximum amount may increase their purchase order. Directors and executive officers will purchase shares of common stock at the same $10.00 purchase price per share and on the same terms as other purchasers in the offering. This table excludes shares of common stock to be purchased by the employee stock ownership plan, as well as any stock awards or stock option grants that may be made no earlier than six months after the completion of the offering. The table includes, however, shares of common stock that may be purchased through the deferred compensation plans of Home Federal. The directors and officers have indicated their intention to subscribe in the offering for an aggregate of $1.46 million of shares of common stock, equal to 7.5% of the number of shares of common stock to be sold in the offering at the minimum of the offering range, assuming shares are available. Purchases by directors, executive officers and their associates will be included in determining whether the required minimum number of shares has been subscribed for in the offering. The shares being acquired by the directors, executive officers and their associates are being acquired for investment purposes, and not with a view towards resale.

 

Name

  

Number of
Shares

    

Aggregate
Purchase Price

    

Percent at
Minimum of
Offering Range

 

J. Thomas Rupert

     30,000       $ 300,000         1.5

Darryl E. Akers

     1,000         10,000         *   

James W. King

     5,000         50,000         *   

Thomas P. Carver

     30,000         300,000         1.5   

E. B. Gevedon

     15,000         150,000         *   

Stuart N. Moore

     30,000         300,000         1.5   

Charles W. Robinson

     30,000         300,000         1.5   

Robert S. Curtis

     5,000         50,000         *   
                          

All directors and executive officers as a group (8 persons)

   $ 146,000       $ 1,460,000         7.5
                          

 

* Less than 1%.

 

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THE CONVERSION; PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The Board of Directors of Home Federal has approved the plan of conversion. The plan of conversion must also be approved by Home Federal’s members. A special meeting of members has been called for this purpose. The Office of Thrift Supervision has conditionally approved the plan of conversion; however, such approval does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of the plan of conversion by the Office of Thrift Supervision.

General

The Board of Directors of Home Federal adopted the plan of conversion on December 21, 2010; the plan of conversion was amended and restated on February 3, 2011. Pursuant to the plan of conversion, Home Federal will convert from the mutual form of organization to the fully stock form and we will sell shares of common stock to the public in our offering. In connection with the conversion, we have organized a new Maryland stock holding company named Poage Bankshares, Inc. When the conversion is completed, all of the capital stock of Home Federal will be owned by Poage Bankshares, and all of the common stock of Poage Bankshares will be owned by public stockholders.

We intend to retain between $9.1 million and $12.5 million of the net proceeds of the offering, or $14.4 million if the offering range is increased by 15%, and to contribute the balance of the net proceeds to Home Federal. The conversion will be consummated only upon the issuance of at least 1,955,000 shares of our common stock offered pursuant to the plan of conversion.

The plan of conversion provides that we will offer shares of common stock for sale in the subscription offering to eligible account holders, our tax-qualified employee benefit plans, including our employee stock ownership plan, supplemental eligible account holders and other members. If all shares are not subscribed for in the subscription offering, we may, in our discretion, offer common stock for sale in a community offering to members of the general public, with a preference given to natural persons residing in the Kentucky counties of Greenup, Lawrence and Boyd. In addition, all shares of common stock not purchased in the subscription offering and community offering may be offered for sale to the general public in a syndicated community offering to be managed by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., acting as our agent.

We have the right to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any orders to purchase shares of the common stock that we receive in the community offering or syndicated community offering. The community and syndicated community offerings, if any, may begin at the same time as, during, or after the subscription offering, and must be completed within 45 days after the completion of the subscription offering unless otherwise extended by us with the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision. See “—Community Offering” and “—Syndicated Community Offering.”

We determined the number of shares of common stock to be offered in the offering based upon an independent valuation of the estimated consolidated pro forma market value of Poage Bankshares. All shares of common stock to be sold in the offering will be sold at $10.00 per share. Investors will not be charged a commission to purchase shares of common stock. The

 

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independent valuation will be updated and the final number of the shares of common stock to be issued in the offering will be determined at the completion of the offering. See “—Determination of Share Price and Number of Shares to be Issued” for more information as to the determination of the estimated pro forma market value of the common stock.

The following is a brief summary of the conversion and offering. We recommend reading the plan of conversion in its entirety for more information. A copy of the plan of conversion is available for inspection at the home office of Home Federal and at the Southeast Regional Office and the Washington, D.C. Office of the Office of Thrift Supervision. The plan of conversion is also filed as an exhibit to Home Federal’s application to convert from mutual to stock form of which this prospectus is a part, copies of which may be obtained from the Office of Thrift Supervision. In addition, a copy of the plan has also been included as an exhibit to the registration statement filed by Poage Bankshares with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Reasons for the Conversion

Our primary reasons for converting and raising additional capital through the offering are:

 

   

to increase our capital to support lending and deposit growth;

 

   

to enhance our lending capacity by increasing our regulatory limits;

 

   

to have greater flexibility to structure and finance opportunities for expansion into new markets, including through de novo branching, branch acquisitions or acquisitions of other financial institutions, although we have no current arrangements or agreements with respect to any such transactions; and

 

   

to retain and attract qualified personnel by establishing stock-based benefit plans for management and employees.

Historically, Home Federal has operated as a traditional mutual savings and loan association dedicated primarily to offering residential mortgage loans and various deposit products to customers in our market area. Our market area did not experience the extreme growth in 2003 through 2007 that characterized many “bubble” markets across the country. As a result, our market area has not experienced the extreme economic downturn, or the significant increase in loan delinquencies and foreclosures, that has occurred in many other markets. However, the significant changes in the financial services industry that have occurred in recent years as a result of the collapse of the financial markets in 2008, and the severe nationwide economic recession that followed, have severely strained the financial and managerial resources of community banks and will continue to do so in the future. Management believes that Home Federal will be better equipped to address these challenges as a more well-capitalized institution in a stock holding company structure.

While our mutual savings and loan association charter enabled us in the past to operate successfully in our local market, it is not suitable for our future plans for growth through

 

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increased lending and expansion into new markets as opportunities arise. Specifically, mutual institutions cannot raise capital or issue stock to support growth. In addition, mutual institutions cannot offer stock incentives to attract and retain highly qualified management personnel. Management believes that the additional capital raised in the offering will enable us to take advantage of business opportunities that may not otherwise be available to us.

As of September 30, 2010, Home Federal was considered “well capitalized” for regulatory purposes and is not subject to a directive or a recommendation from the Office of Thrift Supervision to raise capital. The proceeds from the stock offering will further improve our capital position during a period of significant economic, regulatory and political uncertainty.

Approvals Required

The affirmative vote of a majority of the total eligible votes of members of Home Federal at the special meeting of members is required to approve the plan of conversion. The plan of conversion also must be approved by the Office of Thrift Supervision, which has given its conditional approval to the plan of conversion.

A special meeting of members to consider and vote upon the plan of conversion has been set for [meeting date].

Effects of Conversion on Depositors, Borrowers and Members

Continuity . While the conversion is being accomplished, our normal business of accepting deposits and making loans will continue without interruption. We will continue to be a federal mutual savings and loan association and will continue to be regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision. After the conversion, we will continue to offer existing services to depositors, borrowers and other customers. The directors serving Home Federal at the time of the conversion will be the directors of both Home Federal and Poage Bankshares, a Maryland corporation, after the conversion.

Effect on Deposit Accounts . Pursuant to the plan of conversion, each depositor of Home Federal at the time of the conversion will automatically continue as a depositor after the conversion, and the deposit balance, interest rate and other terms of such deposit accounts will not change as a result of the conversion. Each such account will be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to the same extent as before the conversion. Depositors will continue to hold their existing certificates, passbooks and other evidences of their accounts.

Effect on Loans . No loan outstanding from Home Federal will be affected by the conversion, and the amount, interest rate, maturity and security for each loan will remain as it was contractually fixed prior to the conversion.

Effect on Voting Rights of Members . At present, all of our depositors are members of, and have voting rights in, Home Federal as to all matters requiring membership action. Upon completion of the conversion, depositors will cease to be members of Home Federal and will no longer have voting rights. Upon completion of the conversion, all voting rights in Home Federal will be vested in Poage Bankshares as the sole stockholder of Home Federal. The stockholders

 

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of Poage Bankshares will possess exclusive voting rights with respect to Poage Bankshares common stock.

Tax Effects . We will receive an opinion of counsel or tax advisor with regard to federal and state income tax consequences of the conversion to the effect that the conversion will not be taxable for federal or state income tax purposes to Home Federal or its members. See “—Material Income Tax Consequences.”

Effect on Liquidation Rights . Each depositor in Home Federal has both a deposit account in Home Federal and a pro rata ownership interest in the net worth of Home Federal based upon the deposit balance in his or her account. This ownership interest is tied to the depositor’s account and has no tangible market value separate from the deposit account. This interest may only be realized in the event of a complete liquidation of Home Federal. Any depositor who opens a deposit account obtains a pro rata ownership interest in Home Federal without any additional payment beyond the amount of the deposit. A depositor who reduces or closes his or her account receives a portion or all, respectively, of the balance in the deposit account but nothing for his or her ownership interest in the net worth of Home Federal, which is lost to the extent that the balance in the account is reduced or closed.

Consequently, depositors in a mutual savings institution normally have no way of realizing the value of their ownership interest, which has realizable value only in the unlikely event that the association is completely liquidated. If this occurs, the depositors of record at that time, as owners, would share pro rata in any residual surplus and reserves of Home Federal after other claims, including claims of depositors to the amounts of their deposits, are paid.

In the unlikely event that Home Federal were to liquidate after the conversion, all claims of creditors, including those of depositors, also would be paid first, followed by distribution of the “liquidation account” to depositors as of September 30, 2009 and              , 2011 who continue to maintain their deposit accounts as of the date of liquidation, with any assets remaining thereafter distributed to Poage Bankshares as the holder of Home Federal’s capital stock. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision, a post-conversion merger, consolidation, sale of bulk assets or similar combination or transaction with another insured savings institution would not be considered a liquidation and, in such a transaction, the liquidation account would be assumed by the surviving institution. See “—Liquidation Rights.”

Determination of Share Price and Number of Shares to be Issued

The plan of conversion and federal regulations require that the aggregate purchase price of the common stock sold in the offering be based on the appraised pro forma market value of the common stock, as determined by an independent valuation. We have retained RP Financial, LC. to prepare an independent valuation appraisal. For its services in preparing the initial valuation, RP Financial, LC. will receive a fee of $50,000, and will be reimbursed for its expenses up to $7,500. RP Financial, LC. will receive an additional fee of $5,000 for each update to the valuation appraisal. We have agreed to indemnify RP Financial, LC. and its employees and affiliates against specified losses, including any losses in connection with claims under the federal securities laws, arising out of its services as independent appraiser, except where such liability results from its negligence or bad faith.

 

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The independent valuation appraisal considered the pro forma impact of the offering. Consistent with the Office of Thrift Supervision appraisal guidelines, the appraisal applied three primary methodologies: the pro forma price-to-book value approach applied to both reported book value and tangible book value; the pro forma price-to-earnings approach applied to reported and core earnings; and the pro forma price-to-assets approach. RP Financial, LC. did not place significant emphasis on the price-to-assets approach, believing that, under current market conditions, the price-to-assets approach would not sufficiently take into account the effects of any abnormal variability in earnings and book value and any withdrawals of customer deposits to purchase stock in the offering. The market value ratios applied in the three methodologies were based upon the current market valuations of a peer group of ten companies identified by RP Financial, LC., subject to valuation adjustments applied by RP Financial, LC. to account for differences between us and the peer group. Information relating to the ten peer group companies is provided in under “Summary—How We Determined the Offering Range.”

The independent valuation was prepared by RP Financial, LC. in reliance upon the information contained in this prospectus, including our financial statements. RP Financial, LC. also considered the following factors, among others:

 

   

our present and projected results and financial condition;

 

   

the economic and demographic conditions in our existing market area;

 

   

certain historical, financial and other information relating to us;

 

   

a comparative evaluation of our operating and financial characteristics with those of other similarly situated publicly traded savings institutions;

 

   

the impact of the conversion and the offering on our equity and earnings potential;

 

   

our potential to pay cash dividends; and

 

   

the trading market for securities of comparable institutions and general conditions in the market for such securities.

Included in the independent valuation were certain assumptions as to our pro forma earnings after the conversion that were utilized in determining the appraised value. These assumptions included estimated expenses, an assumed after-tax rate of return on the net offering proceeds and purchases in the open market of 4% of the common stock issued in the offering by the stock-based benefit plan at the $10.00 purchase price. See “Pro Forma Data” for additional information concerning these assumptions. The use of different assumptions may yield different results.

The independent valuation states that as of January 14, 2011, the estimated pro forma market value of Poage Bankshares ranged from $19.6 million to $26.5 million, with a midpoint of $23.0 million. Our Board of Directors decided to offer the shares of common stock for a price of $10.00 per share primarily because it is the price most commonly used in mutual-to-stock conversions of financial institutions. The number of shares offered will be equal to the aggregate

 

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offering price of the shares divided by the price per share. Based on the valuation range and the $10.00 price per share, the minimum of the offering range will be 1,955,000 shares, the midpoint of the offering range will be 2,300,000 shares and the maximum of the offering range will be 2,645,000 shares, or 3,041,750 shares if the maximum amount is adjusted because of demand for shares or changes in market conditions.

The following table presents a summary of selected pricing ratios for Poage Bankshares and the peer group companies identified by RP Financial, LC. The pro forma price-to-core earnings multiple is based on core earnings for the 12 months ended September 30, 2010, and the pro forma price-to-book value and price-to-tangible book value ratios are based on equity as of September 30, 2010. Compared to the median pricing of the peer group, our pro forma pricing ratios at the maximum of the offering range indicated a premium of 159.40% on a price-to-core earnings basis, a discount of 31.2% on a price-to-book basis and a discount of 31.2% on a price-to-tangible book basis. The higher price-to-core-earnings pricing ratios compared to the peer group result from our having a relatively low level of core income over the most recent 12-month period. In reviewing and approving the valuation, our Board of Directors considered the range of price-to-core earnings multiples and the range of price-to-book value ratios and price-to-tangible book value ratios at the different amounts of shares to be sold in the offering.

 

     Pro forma
price-to-book
value ratio
    Pro forma
price-to-tangible
book value ratio
    Pro forma
price-to-core
earnings multiple
 

Poage Bankshares, Inc.

      

Maximum, as adjusted

     57.47     57.47     60.52x   

Maximum

     53.45     53.45     50.35x   

Midpoint

     49.46     49.46     42.19x   

Minimum

     44.92     44.92     34.61x   

Valuation of peer group companies using stock prices as of January 14, 2011

      

Average

     76.25     76.72     19.95x   

Median

     77.63     77.63     19.41x   

Our Board of Directors reviewed the independent valuation and, in particular, considered the following:

 

   

our financial condition and results of operations;

 

   

comparison of our financial performance ratios to those of other financial institutions of similar size; and

 

   

market conditions generally and, in particular, for financial institutions.

All of these factors are set forth in the independent valuation. Our Board of Directors also reviewed the methodology and the assumptions used by RP Financial, LC. in preparing the independent valuation and believes that such assumptions were reasonable. The offering range may be amended with the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision, if required, as a result of subsequent developments in our financial condition or market conditions generally. In the event

 

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the independent valuation is updated to amend our pro forma market value to less than $19.6 million or more than $30.4 million, the appraisal will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by a post-effective amendment to our registration statement.

The independent valuation is not intended, and must not be construed, as a recommendation of any kind as to the advisability of purchasing shares of our common stock. RP Financial, LC. did not independently verify our financial statements and other information that we provided to them, nor did RP Financial, LC. independently value our assets or liabilities. The independent valuation considers Home Federal as a going concern and should not be considered as an indication of the liquidation value of Home Federal. Moreover, because the valuation is necessarily based upon estimates and projections of a number of matters, all of which may change from time to time, no assurance can be given that persons purchasing our common stock in the offering will thereafter be able to sell their shares at prices at or above the $10.00 offering price per share.

Following commencement of the subscription offering, the maximum of the valuation range may be increased by up to 15%, or up to $30.4 million, without resoliciting subscribers, which would result in a corresponding increase of up to 15% in the maximum of the offering range to up to 3,041,750 shares, to reflect changes in the market and financial conditions or demand for the shares. We will not decrease the minimum of the valuation range and the minimum of the offering range without a resolicitation of subscribers. The subscription price of $10.00 per share will remain fixed. See “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases” as to the method of distribution and allocation of additional shares that may be issued in the event of an increase in the offering range to fill unfilled orders in the offering.

If the update to the independent valuation at the conclusion of the offering results in an increase in the maximum of the valuation range to more than $26.5 million and a corresponding increase in the offering range to more than 3,041,750 shares, or a decrease in the minimum of the valuation range to less than $19.6 million and a corresponding decrease in the offering range to fewer than 1,955,000 shares, then we may promptly return with interest at our current statement savings rate of interest all funds previously delivered to us to purchase shares of common stock and cancel deposit account withdrawal authorizations, and, after consulting with the Office of Thrift Supervision, we may terminate the plan of conversion. Alternatively, we may hold a new offering, establish a new offering range, extend the offering period and commence a resolicitation of subscribers or take other actions as permitted by the Office of Thrift Supervision in order to complete the conversion and the offering. In the event of a resolicitation, we will notify subscribers of the extension of time and of the rights of subscribers to place a new stock order for a specified period of time. If a person does not respond to the notice of a resolicitation, we will cancel his or her stock order and return his or her subscription funds, with interest, and cancel any authorization to withdraw funds from deposit accounts for the purchase of shares of common stock. Any resolicitation following the conclusion of the subscription and community offerings would not exceed 45 days unless further extended by the Office of Thrift Supervision for periods of up to 90 days.

An increase in the number of shares to be issued in the offering would decrease both a subscriber’s ownership interest and our pro forma earnings and stockholders’ equity on a per share basis while increasing pro forma earnings and stockholders’ equity on an aggregate basis.

 

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A decrease in the number of shares to be issued in the offering would increase both a subscriber’s ownership interest and our pro forma earnings and stockholders’ equity on a per share basis, while decreasing pro forma earnings and stockholders’ equity on an aggregate basis. For a presentation of the effects of these changes, see “Pro Forma Data.”

Copies of the independent valuation appraisal report of RP Financial, LC. and the detailed memorandum setting forth the method and assumptions used in the appraisal report are available for inspection at our main office and as specified under “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Subscription Offering and Subscription Rights

In accordance with the plan of conversion, rights to subscribe for shares of common stock in the subscription offering have been granted in the following descending order of priority. The filling of all subscriptions that we receive will depend on the availability of common stock after satisfaction of all subscriptions of all persons having prior rights in the subscription offering and to the minimum and maximum purchase limitations set forth in the plan of conversion and as described below under “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases.”

Priority 1: Eligible Account Holders . Each depositor with aggregate deposit account balances of $50.00 or more (a “Qualifying Deposit”) on September 30, 2009 (an “Eligible Account Holder”) will receive, without payment therefor, nontransferable subscription rights to purchase, subject to the overall purchase limitations, up to the greater of 15,000 shares of our common stock, 0.10% of the total number of shares of common stock issued in the offering, or 15 times the number of subscription shares offered multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the aggregate Qualifying Deposit account balances of the Eligible Account Holder and the denominator is the aggregate Qualifying Deposit account balances of all Eligible Account Holders, subject to the overall purchase limitations. See “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases.” If there are not sufficient shares available to satisfy all subscriptions, shares will first be allocated so as to permit each Eligible Account Holder to purchase a number of shares sufficient to make his or her total allocation equal to the lesser of 100 shares or the number of shares for which he or she subscribed. Thereafter, unallocated shares will be allocated to each Eligible Account Holder whose subscription remains unfilled in the proportion that the amount of his or her Qualifying Deposit bears to the total amount of Qualifying Deposits of all subscribing Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions remain unfilled. If an amount so allocated exceeds the amount subscribed for by any one or more Eligible Account Holders, the excess shall be reallocated (one or more times as necessary) among those Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions are not fully satisfied until all available shares have been allocated.

To ensure proper allocation of shares of our common stock, each Eligible Account Holder must list on his or her stock order and certification form all deposit accounts in which he or she has an ownership interest on September 30, 2009. In the event of oversubscription, failure to list an account could result in fewer shares being allocated than if all accounts had been disclosed. In the event of an oversubscription, the subscription rights of Eligible Account Holders who are also our directors or executive officers or their associates will be subordinated to the subscription rights of other Eligible Account Holders to the extent attributable to increased deposits during the year preceding September 30, 2009.

 

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Priority 2: Tax-Qualified Plans . The plan of reorganization provides that tax-qualified employee plans of Home Federal, such as the employee stock ownership plan, will receive without payment therefor, nontransferable subscription rights to purchase up to 10% of the shares of common stock issued in the offering. The employee stock ownership plan intends to purchase 8% of our outstanding shares. In the event the number of shares offered in the offering is increased above the maximum of the valuation range, tax-qualified employee plans will have a priority right to purchase any shares exceeding that amount up to 10% of the common stock issued in the offering. If market conditions warrant, in the judgment of its trustees, the employee stock ownership plan may instead elect to purchase shares in the open market following the completion of the conversion, subject to the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision.

Priority 3: Supplemental Eligible Account Holders . To the extent that there are sufficient shares of common stock remaining after satisfaction of subscriptions by Eligible Account Holders and our tax-qualified employee benefit plans, each depositor with a Qualifying Deposit on              , 2011 who is not an Eligible Account Holder (“Supplemental Eligible Account Holder”) will receive, without payment therefor, nontransferable subscription rights to purchase up to the greater of 15,000 shares of common stock, 0.10% of the total number of shares of common stock issued in the offering, or 15 times the number of subscription shares offered multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the aggregate Qualifying Deposit account balances of the Supplemental Eligible Account Holder and the denominator is the aggregate Qualifying Deposit account balances of all Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, subject to the overall purchase limitations. See “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases.” If there are not sufficient shares available to satisfy all subscriptions, shares will be allocated so as to permit each Supplemental Eligible Account Holder to purchase a number of shares sufficient to make his or her total allocation equal to the lesser of 100 shares of common stock or the number of shares for which he or she subscribed. Thereafter, unallocated shares will be allocated to each Supplemental Eligible Account Holder whose subscription remains unfilled in the proportion that the amount of his or her Qualifying Deposit bears to the total amount of Qualifying Deposits of all Supplemental Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions remain unfilled. If an amount so allocated exceeds the amount subscribed for by any one or more Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, the excess shall be reallocated (one or more times as necessary) among those Supplemental Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions are not fully satisfied until all available shares have been allocated.

To ensure proper allocation of common stock, each Supplemental Eligible Account Holder must list on the stock order and certification form all deposit accounts in which he or she has an ownership interest at              , 2011. In the event of oversubscription, failure to list an account could result in fewer shares being allocated than if all accounts had been disclosed.

Priority 4: Other Members . To the extent that there are shares of common stock remaining after satisfaction of subscriptions by Eligible Account Holders, our tax-qualified employee benefit plans and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, each depositor on the voting record date of [record date] who is not an Eligible Account Holder or Supplemental Eligible Account Holder (“Other Members”) will receive, without payment therefor, nontransferable subscription rights to purchase up to the greater of 15,000 shares of common stock or 0.10% of the total number of shares of common stock issued in the offering, subject to

 

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the overall purchase limitations. See “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases.” If there are not sufficient shares available to satisfy all subscriptions, available shares will be allocated so as to permit each Other Member to purchase a number of shares sufficient to make his or her total allocation equal to the lesser of 100 shares of common stock or the number of shares for which he or she subscribed. Thereafter, unallocated shares will be allocated to each Other Member whose subscription remains unfilled in the proportion that the amount of his or her subscription bears to the total amount of subscriptions of all Other Members whose subscriptions remain unfilled.

Expiration Date . The Subscription Offering will expire at      :00 p.m., Kentucky time, on [expire date], unless extended by us for up to 45 days or such additional periods with the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision, if necessary. Subscription rights will expire whether or not each eligible depositor can be located. We may decide to extend the expiration date of the subscription offering for any reason, whether or not subscriptions have been received for shares at the minimum, midpoint or maximum of the offering range. Subscription rights that have not been exercised prior to the expiration date will become void.

We will not execute orders until we have received orders to purchase at least the minimum number of shares of common stock. If we have not received orders to purchase at least 1,955,000 shares within 45 days after the expiration date and the Office of Thrift Supervision has not consented to an extension, all funds delivered to us to purchase shares of common stock in the offering will be returned promptly to the subscribers with interest at our current statement savings rate and all deposit account withdrawal authorizations will be canceled. If an extension beyond [extension date1] is granted by the Office of Thrift Supervision, we will resolicit subscribers, giving them an opportunity to change or cancel their orders. We will notify subscribers of the extension of time and of the rights of subscribers to place a new stock order for a specified period of time. If a subscriber does not respond to the notice of a resolicitation, we will cancel his or her stock order and return his or her subscription funds, with interest, and cancel any authorization to withdraw funds from deposit accounts for the purchase of shares of common stock. Extensions may not go beyond [extension date2], which is two years after the special meeting of our members to vote on the conversion.

Community Offering

To the extent that shares of common stock remain available for purchase after satisfaction of all subscriptions of the Eligible Account Holders, our tax-qualified employee benefit plans, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and Other Members, we may offer shares pursuant to the plan of conversion to members of the general public in a community offering. Shares may be offered with a preference to natural persons residing in the Kentucky counties of Greenup, Lawrence and Boyd.

Subscribers in the community offering may purchase up to 15,000 shares of common stock, subject to the overall purchase limitations. See “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases.” The opportunity to purchase shares of common stock in the community offering category is subject to our right, in our sole discretion, to accept or reject any such orders in whole or in part either at the time of receipt of an order or as soon as practicable following the expiration date of the offering.

 

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If we do not have sufficient shares of common stock available to fill the orders of natural persons residing in the Kentucky counties of Greenup, Lawrence and Boyd, we will allocate the available shares among those persons in a manner that permits each of them, to the extent possible, to purchase the lesser of 100 shares, or the number of shares subscribed for by such person. Thereafter, unallocated shares will be allocated among natural persons residing in the Kentucky counties of Greenup, Lawrence and Boyd, whose orders remain unsatisfied on an equal number of shares basis per order. If, after the allocation of shares to natural persons residing in the Kentucky counties of Greenup, Lawrence and Boyd, we do not have sufficient shares of common stock available to fill the orders of other members of the general public, we will allocate the available shares among those persons in a manner that permits each of them, to the extent possible, to purchase the lesser of 100 shares, or the number of shares subscribed for by such person. Thereafter, unallocated shares will be allocated among members of the general public whose orders remain unsatisfied on an equal number of shares basis per order.

The term “residing” or “resident” as used in this prospectus means any person who occupies a dwelling within the Kentucky counties of Greenup, Lawrence and Boyd, has a present intent to remain within the community for a period of time and manifests the genuineness of that intent by establishing an ongoing physical presence within the community, together with an indication that this presence within the community is something other than merely transitory in nature. We may utilize deposit or loan records or other evidence provided to us to decide whether a person is a resident. In all cases, however, the determination shall be in our sole discretion.

Expiration Date. The community offering may begin at the same time as, during or after the subscription offering. It is currently expected to terminate at the same time as the subscription offering, although it must terminate no more than 45 days following the subscription offering. We may decide to extend the community offering for any reason and are not required to give purchasers notice of any such extension unless such period extends beyond [extension date1]. If an extension beyond [extension date1] is granted by the Office of Thrift Supervision, we will resolicit persons whose orders we accept in the community offering, giving them an opportunity to change or cancel their orders. If a person does not respond to the notice of a resolicitation, we will cancel his or her stock order and return purchase funds, with interest, and cancel any authorization to withdraw funds from deposit accounts for the purchase of shares of common stock. These extensions may not go beyond [extension date2], which is two years after the special meeting of our members to vote on the conversion.

Syndicated Community Offering

The plan of conversion provides that, if necessary, all shares of common stock not purchased in the subscription offering and community offering may be offered for sale to the general public in a syndicated community offering to be managed by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., acting as our agent. In such capacity, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. may form a syndicate of other broker-dealers. Neither Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. nor any registered broker-dealer will have any obligation to take or purchase any shares of the common stock in the syndicated community offering; however, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. has agreed to use its best efforts in the sale of shares in any syndicated community offering. The syndicated community offering would terminate no later than [extension date1], unless extended by us, with approval of the

 

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Office of Thrift Supervision. See “—Community Offering—Expiration Date” above for a discussion of rights of persons who place orders in the syndicated community offering in the event an extension is granted.

The opportunity to order shares of common stock in the syndicated community offering is subject to our right to reject orders, in whole or in part, either at the time of receipt of an order or as soon as practicable following the expiration date of the offering. If your order is rejected in part, you will not have the right to cancel the remainder of your order.

Purchasers in the syndicated community offering are eligible to purchase up to 15,000 shares of common stock, subject to the overall purchase limitations. See “—Limitations on Common Stock Purchases.” We may begin the syndicated community offering at any time following the commencement of the subscription offering.

The syndicated community offering will be conducted in accordance with certain Securities and Exchange Commission rules applicable to best efforts offerings. Under these rules, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. or the other broker-dealers participating in the syndicated community offering generally will accept payment for shares of common stock to be purchased in the syndicated community offering through a “sweep” arrangement under which a customer’s brokerage account at the applicable participating broker-dealer will be debited in the amount of the purchase price for the shares of common stock that such customer wishes to purchase in the syndicated community offering on the settlement date. Customers who authorize participating broker-dealers to debit their brokerage accounts are required to have the funds for the payment in their accounts on, but not before, the settlement date, which will only occur if the minimum of the offering range is met. Customers who do not wish to authorize participating broker-dealers to debit their brokerage accounts will not be permitted to purchase shares of common stock in the syndicated community offering. Customers without brokerage accounts will not be able to participate in the syndicated community offering. Institutional investors will pay Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. in its capacity as sole book running manager, for shares purchased in the syndicated community offering on the settlement date through the services of the Depository Trust Company on a delivery versus payment basis. The closing of the syndicated community offering is subject to conditions set forth in an agency agreement among Poage Bankshares and Home Federal on one hand and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. on the other hand. If and when all the conditions for the closing are met, funds for common stock sold in the syndicated community offering, less fees and commissions payable by us, will be delivered promptly to us. Normal customer ticketing will be used for order placement. In the syndicated community offering, order forms will not be used.

Limitations on Common Stock Purchases

The plan of conversion includes the following limitations on the number of shares of common stock that may be purchased in the offering:

 

   

No individual, or individuals exercising subscription rights through a single qualifying account held jointly, may purchase more than 15,000 shares;

 

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No person or entity together with any associate or group of persons acting in concert may purchase more than 30,000 shares of common stock in the offering, except that our tax-qualified employee benefit plans, including our employee stock ownership plan, may purchase in the aggregate up to 10% of the shares of common stock issued in the offering (including shares issued in the event of an increase in the offering range of up to 15%);

 

   

The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be purchased in all categories of the offering by our executive officers and directors and their associates, in the aggregate, may not exceed 30% of the shares issued in the offering; and

 

   

The minimum purchase by each person purchasing shares in the offering is 25 shares, to the extent those shares are available.

Depending upon market or financial conditions, our Board of Directors, with the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision and without further approval of our members, may decrease or increase the purchase limitations. If a purchase limitation is increased, subscribers in the subscription offering who ordered the maximum amount will be, and, in our sole discretion, some other large subscribers may be, given the opportunity to increase their subscriptions up to the then-applicable limit. The effect of this type of resolicitation would be an increase in the number of shares of common stock owned by subscribers who choose to increase their subscriptions. In the event that the maximum purchase limitation is increased to 5% of the shares sold in the offering, such limitation may be further increased to 9.99%, provided that orders for shares of common stock exceeding 5% of the shares sold in the offering shall not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the total shares sold in the offering.

In the event of an increase in the offering range of up to 15% of the total number of shares of common stock offered in the offering, shares will be allocated in the following order of priority in accordance with the plan of conversion:

 

  (1) to fill our tax-qualified employee benefit plans’ subscriptions for up to 10% of the total number of shares of common stock issued in the offering;

 

  (2) in the event that there is an oversubscription at the Eligible Account Holder, Supplemental Eligible Account Holder or Other Member levels, to fill unfulfilled subscriptions of these subscribers according to their respective priorities; and

 

  (3) to fill unfulfilled subscriptions in the community offering, with preference given first to natural persons residing in the Kentucky counties of Greenup, Lawrence and Boyd.

The term “associate” of a person means:

 

  (1) any corporation or organization, other than Home Federal, Poage Bankshares or a majority-owned subsidiary of these entities, of which the person is a senior officer, partner or 10% beneficial stockholder;

 

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  (2) any trust or other estate in which the person has a substantial beneficial interest or serves as a trustee or in a fiduciary capacity, excluding any employee stock benefit plan in which the person has a substantial beneficial interest or serves as trustee or in a fiduciary capacity; and

 

  (3) any blood or marriage relative of the person, who either lives in the same home as the person or who is a director or officer of Home Federal or Poage Bankshares.

The term “acting in concert” means:

 

  (1) knowing participation in a joint activity or interdependent conscious parallel action towards a common goal whether or not pursuant to an express agreement; or

 

  (2) a combination or pooling of voting or other interests in the securities of an issuer for a common purpose pursuant to any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement, whether written or otherwise.

A person or company that acts in concert with another person or company (“other party”) shall also be deemed to be acting in concert with any person or company who is also acting in concert with that other party, except that any tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan will not be deemed to be acting in concert with its trustee or a person who serves in a similar capacity solely for the purpose of determining whether common stock held by the trustee and common stock held by the employee stock benefit plan will be aggregated.

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

Our directors are not treated as associates of each other solely because of their membership on the Board of Directors. We have the right to determine whether prospective purchasers are associates or acting in concert. Shares of common stock purchased in the offering will be freely transferable except for shares purchased by our executive officers and directors and except as described below. Any purchases made by any associate of Home Federal or Poage Bankshares for the explicit purpose of meeting the minimum number of shares of common stock required to be sold in order to complete the offering shall be made for investment purposes only and not with a view toward redistribution. In addition, under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority guidelines, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and their associates are subject to certain restrictions on transfer of securities purchased in accordance with subscription rights and to certain reporting requirements upon purchase of these securities. For a further discussion of limitations on purchases of shares of our common stock at the time of conversion and thereafter, see “—Restrictions on Purchase or Transfer of Our Shares After Conversion” and “Restrictions on Acquisition of Poage Bankshares, Inc.”

Marketing and Distribution; Compensation

 

 

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Offering materials have been initially distributed to certain persons by mail, with additional copies made available through our Stock Information Center.

We have engaged Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., a broker-dealer registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, as a financial advisor in connection with the offering of our common stock. In its role as financial advisor, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., will:

 

   

provide advice on the financial and securities market implications of the plan of conversion and related corporate documents, including our business plan;

 

   

assist in structuring our stock offering, including developing and assisting in implementing a marketing strategy for the stock offering;

 

   

review all offering documents, including this prospectus, stock order forms and related offering materials (we are responsible for the preparation and filing of such documents);

 

   

assist us in preparing for and scheduling meetings with potential investors and broker-dealers, as necessary;

 

   

assist us in analyzing proposals from outside vendors retained in connection with the stock offering, including printers, transfer agents and appraisal firms;

 

   

assist us in the drafting and distribution of press releases as required or appropriate in connection with the stock offering;

 

   

meet with the Board of Directors and management to discuss any of these services; and

 

   

provide such other financial advisory and investment banking services in connection with the stock offering as may be agreed upon by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and us.

For these services, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. will receive a management fee of $50,000, payable in four consecutive monthly installments commencing in October 2010, a success fee of 1.5% of the aggregate dollar amount of the common stock sold in the subscription offering, and an additional success fee of 2.0% of the aggregate dollar amount of the common stock sold in the direct community offering. The management fee will be credited against the success fees payable upon the consummation of the conversion.

The plan of conversion provides that, if necessary, all shares of common stock not purchased in the subscription offering and community offering may be offered for sale to the general public in a syndicated community offering to be managed by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. In such capacity, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. may form a syndicate of other broker-dealers. Neither Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. nor any registered broker-dealer will have any obligation to take or purchase any shares of common stock in the syndicated community offering; however, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. has agreed to use its best efforts in the sale of

 

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shares in any syndicated community offering. If there is a syndicated community offering, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. will receive a management fee not to exceed 6.0% of the aggregate dollar amount of the common stock sold in the syndicated community offering. This fee will be in addition to the success fees earned by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. in connection with the subscription and community offerings set forth above. Of this amount, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. will pass on to selected broker-dealers, who assist in the syndicated community offering, an amount competitive with gross underwriting discounts charged at such time for comparable amounts of stock sold at a comparable price per share in a similar market environment.

We also will reimburse Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with its marketing effort up to $25,000. In addition, we will reimburse Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. for fees and expenses of its counsel not to exceed $70,000. If the plan of conversion is terminated or if Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.’s engagement is terminated in accordance with the provisions of the agreement, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. will only receive reimbursement of its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and the portion of the management fee payable and will return any amounts paid or advanced by us in excess of these amounts. We will indemnify Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. against liabilities and expenses (including legal fees) related to or arising out of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.’s engagement as our financial advisor and performance of services as our financial advisor.

We have also engaged Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. to act as our conversion agent in connection with the stock offering. In its role as conversion agent, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. will, among other things:

 

   

consolidate accounts and develop a central file;

 

   

prepare proxy forms and proxy materials;

 

   

tabulate proxies and ballots;

 

   

act as inspector of election at the special meeting of members;

 

   

establish and manage the Stock Information Center;

 

   

assist our financial printer with labeling of stock offering materials;

 

   

process stock order forms and certification forms and produce daily reports and analysis;

 

   

assist our transfer agent with the generation and mailing of stock certificates;

 

   

advise us on interest and refund calculations; and

 

   

create tax forms for interest reporting.

For these services, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. will receive a fee of $25,000, and we have made an advance payment of $10,000 to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. with respect to this

 

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fee. We also will reimburse Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with its acting as conversion agent up to a maximum of $2,500. If the plan of conversion is terminated or if Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.’s engagement is terminated in accordance with the provisions of the agreement, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. will be entitled to the advance payment and also receive reimbursement of its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We will indemnify Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. against liabilities and expenses (including legal fees) related to or arising out of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.’s engagement as our conversion agent and performance of services as our conversion agent.

Our directors and executive officers may participate in the solicitation of offers to purchase common stock. These persons will be reimbursed for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation. Other trained employees of Home Federal or its affiliates may assist in the offering in ministerial capacities, providing clerical work in effecting a sales transaction or answering questions of a ministerial nature. No offers or sales may be made by tellers or at the teller counters. All sales activity will be conducted in a segregated or separately identifiable area of our main office facility apart from the area accessible to the general public. Other questions of prospective purchasers will be directed to executive officers or registered representatives of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. Our other employees have been instructed not to solicit offers to purchase shares of common stock or provide advice regarding the purchase of common stock. We will rely on Rule 3a4-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and sales of common stock will be conducted within the requirements of Rule 3a4-1, so as to permit officers, directors and employees to participate in the sale of common stock. None of our officers, directors or employees will be compensated in connection with their participation in the offering by the payment of commissions or other remuneration based either directly or indirectly on the transactions in the shares of common stock.

The offering will comply with the requirements of Rule 10b-9 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Procedure for Purchasing Shares in the Subscription and Community Offerings

Expiration Date . The offering will expire at      p.m., Kentucky time, on [expire date], unless we extend it for up to 45 days. This extension may be approved by us, in our sole discretion, without further approval or additional notice to purchasers in the offering. Any extension of the subscription and/or community offering beyond [extension date1] would require the Office of Thrift Supervision’s approval. If an extension beyond [extension date1] is granted by the Office of Thrift Supervision, we will resolicit subscribers/persons who place orders, giving them an opportunity to change or cancel their orders. We will notify these persons of the extension of time and of the rights to place a new stock order for a specified period of time. If a person does not respond to a notice of resolicitation, we will cancel his or her stock order and return his or her subscription funds, with interest, and cancel any authorization to withdraw funds from deposit accounts for the purchase of shares of common stock. If we have not received orders to purchase the minimum number of shares offered in the offering by the expiration date or any extension thereof, we may terminate the offering and promptly refund all funds received for shares of common stock. If the number of shares offered is reduced below the minimum of the offering range, or increased above the adjusted maximum of the offering range, subscribers may be resolicited with the approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision.

 

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To ensure that each purchaser receives a prospectus at least 48 hours before [expire date], the expiration date of the offering, in accordance with Rule 15c2-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, no prospectus will be mailed any later than five days prior to the expiration date or hand delivered any later than two days prior to the expiration date. Execution of an order form will confirm receipt of delivery in accordance with Rule 15c2-8. Order forms will be distributed only with a prospectus. Subscription funds will be maintained in a segregated account at Home Federal and will earn interest at our current statement savings rate from the date of receipt.

We reserve the right in our sole discretion to terminate the offering at any time and for any reason, in which case we will cancel any deposit account withdrawal orders and promptly return all funds delivered to us, with interest at our current statement savings rate from the date of receipt.

We have the right to reject any order submitted in the offering by a person who we believe is making false representations or who we otherwise believe, either alone or acting in concert with others, is violating, evading, circumventing, or intends to violate, evade or circumvent the terms and conditions of the plan of conversion.

Use of Order Forms . In order to purchase shares of common stock in the subscription offering and community offering, you must complete an order form and remit full payment. We will not be required to accept incomplete order forms, unsigned order forms, or orders submitted on photocopied or facsimiled order forms. We must receive all order forms prior to      p.m., Kentucky time, on [expire date]. We are not required to accept order forms that are not received by that time, are executed defectively or are received without full payment or without appropriate withdrawal instructions. A postmark prior to [expire date] will not entitle you to purchase shares of common stock unless we receive the envelope by [expire date]. We are not required to notify subscribers of incomplete or improperly executed order forms. We have the right to permit the correction of incomplete or improperly executed order forms or waive immaterial irregularities. We do not represent, however, that we will do so and we have no affirmative duty to notify any prospective subscriber of any such defects.

You may submit your stock order and certification form by mail using the order reply envelope provided, by overnight delivery to our stock order processing center at the address indicated on the stock order form, or by hand delivery to our Stock Information Center, located at 1500 Carter Avenue, Ashland, KY, or to any of our branch offices. Please do not mail stock order forms to Home Federal’s offices. Once tendered, an order form cannot be modified or revoked without our consent. We reserve the absolute right, in our sole discretion, to reject orders received in the community offering, in whole or in part, at the time of receipt or at any time prior to completion of the offering. If you are ordering shares, you must represent that you are purchasing shares for your own account and that you have no agreement or understanding with any person for the sale or transfer of the shares. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the plan of conversion and of the acceptability of the order forms will be final, subject to the authority of the Office of Thrift Supervision.

By signing the order form, you will be acknowledging that the common stock is not a deposit or savings account and is not federally insured or otherwise guaranteed by Home Federal

 

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or the federal government, and that you received a copy of this prospectus. However, signing the order form will not result in you waiving your rights under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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

 

  (1) personal check, bank check or money order, payable to Poage Bankshares; or

 

  (2) authorization of withdrawal from Home Federal deposit accounts designated on the order form.

Appropriate means for designating withdrawals from deposit accounts at Home Federal are provided in the order forms. The funds designated must be available in the account(s) at the time the order form is received. A hold will be placed on these funds, making them unavailable to the depositor. Funds authorized for withdrawal will continue to earn interest within the account at the contract rate until the offering is completed, at which time the designated withdrawal will be made. Interest penalties for early withdrawal applicable to certificate accounts will not apply to withdrawals authorized for the purchase of shares of common stock; however, if a withdrawal results in a certificate account with a balance less than the applicable minimum balance requirement, the certificate will be canceled at the time of withdrawal without penalty and the remaining balance will be transferred to a savings account and earn interest at our current statement savings rate subsequent to the withdrawal. In the case of payments made by check or money order, these funds must be available in the account(s) and will be immediately cashed and placed in a segregated account at Home Federal and will earn interest at our current statement savings rate from the date payment is received until the offering is completed or terminated.

You may not use a check drawn on a Home Federal line of credit, and we will not accept third-party checks (a check written by someone other than you) payable to you and endorsed over to Poage Bankshares. If you request that we place a hold on your checking account for the subscription amount, we reserve the right to interpret that as your authorization to treat those funds as if we had received a check for the designated amount, and we will immediately withdraw the amount from your checking account. Once we receive your executed order form, it may not be modified, amended or rescinded without our consent, unless the offering is not completed by the expiration date, in which event purchasers may be given the opportunity to increase, decrease or rescind their orders for a specified period of time.

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

Our employee stock ownership plan will not be required to pay for any shares purchased in the offering until consummation of the offering, provided there is a loan commitment from an

 

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unrelated financial institution or Poage Bankshares to lend to the employee stock ownership plan the necessary amount to fund the purchase.

Regulations prohibit Home Federal from knowingly lending funds or extending credit to any persons to purchase shares of common stock in the offering.

If the offering is consummated, but some or all of an interested investor’s funds submitted in the subscription or community offerings are not accepted by us, those funds will be returned to the interested investor promptly after closing, without interest. If the offering is not consummated, funds in the account will be returned promptly, without interest, to the potential investor.

Using Individual Retirement Account Funds. If you are interested in using your individual retirement account funds to purchase shares of common stock, you must do so through a self-directed individual retirement account such as a brokerage firm individual retirement account. By regulation, Home Federal’s individual retirement accounts are not self-directed, so they cannot be invested in shares of our common stock. Therefore, if you wish to use your funds that are currently in a Home Federal individual retirement account, you may not designate on the order form that you wish funds to be withdrawn from the account for the purchase of common stock. The funds you wish to use for the purchase of common stock will have to be transferred to a brokerage account. It may take several weeks to transfer your Home Federal individual retirement account to an independent trustee, so please allow yourself sufficient time to take this action. There will be no early withdrawal or Internal Revenue Service interest penalties for these transfers. Depositors interested in using funds in an individual retirement account or any other retirement account to purchase shares of common stock should contact our Stock Information Center as soon as possible, preferably at least two weeks prior to the end of the offering period, because processing such transactions takes additional time, and whether such funds can be used may depend on limitations imposed by the institutions where such funds are currently held. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to use such funds.

Delivery of Stock Certificates . Certificates representing shares of common stock issued in the offering and Home Federal checks representing any applicable refund and/or interest paid on subscriptions made by check or money order will be mailed to the persons entitled thereto at the certificate registration address noted on the order form, as soon as practicable following consummation of the offering and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Any certificates returned as undeliverable will be held by the transfer agent until claimed by persons legally entitled thereto or otherwise disposed of in accordance with applicable law. Until certificates for the shares of common stock are available and delivered to purchasers, purchasers may not be able to sell the shares of common stock that they ordered, even though the common stock will have begun trading.

Other Restrictions . Notwithstanding any other provision of the plan of conversion, no person is entitled to purchase any shares of common stock to the extent the purchase would be illegal under any federal or state law or regulation, including state “blue sky” regulations, or would violate regulations or policies of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, particularly those regarding free riding and withholding. We may ask for an acceptable legal opinion from any purchaser as to the legality of his or her purchase and we may refuse to honor any purchase

 

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order if an opinion is not timely furnished. In addition, we are not required to offer shares of common stock to any person who resides in a foreign country.

Restrictions on Transfer of Subscription Rights and Shares

Office of Thrift Supervision regulations prohibit any person with subscription rights, including the Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and Other Members, from transferring or entering into any agreement or understanding to transfer the legal or beneficial ownership of the subscription rights issued under the plan of conversion or the shares of common stock to be issued upon their exercise. These rights may be exercised only by the person to whom they are granted and only for his or her account. Each person exercising subscription rights will be required to certify that he or she is purchasing shares solely for his or her own account and that he or she has no agreement or understanding regarding the sale or transfer of such shares. The regulations also prohibit any person from offering or making an announcement of an offer or intent to make an offer to purchase subscription rights or shares of common stock to be issued upon their exercise prior to completion of the offering.

We intend to pursue any and all legal and equitable remedies in the event we become aware of the transfer of subscription rights, and we will not honor orders that we believe involve the transfer of subscription rights.

Stock Information Center

If you have any questions regarding the offering, please call our Stock Information Center, toll free, at [sic phone], Monday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Kentucky time. The Stock Information Center will be closed weekends and bank holidays.

Liquidation Rights

In the unlikely event of a complete liquidation of Home Federal prior to the conversion, all claims of creditors of Home Federal, including those of depositors of Home Federal (to the extent of their deposit balances), would be paid first. Then, if there were any assets of Home Federal remaining, members of Home Federal would receive those remaining assets, pro rata, based upon the deposit balances in their deposit account in Home Federal immediately prior to liquidation. In the unlikely event that Home Federal were to liquidate after the conversion, all claims of creditors, including those of depositors, would be paid first, followed by distribution of the “liquidation account” to certain depositors, with any assets remaining thereafter distributed to Poage Bankshares as the holder of Home Federal capital stock. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision, a post-conversion merger, consolidation, sale of bulk assets or similar combination or transaction with another insured savings institution would not be considered a liquidation and, in these types of transactions, the liquidation account would be assumed by the surviving institution.

The plan of conversion provides for the establishment, upon the completion of the conversion, of a special “liquidation account” for the benefit of Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders in an amount equal to the total equity of Home Federal as of the date of its latest balance sheet contained in this prospectus.

 

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The purpose of the liquidation account is to provide Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders who maintain their deposit accounts with Home Federal after the conversion with a liquidation interest in the unlikely event of the complete liquidation of Home Federal after the conversion. Each Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental Eligible Account Holder that continues to maintain his or her deposit account at Home Federal, would be entitled, on a complete liquidation of Home Federal after the conversion, to an interest in the liquidation account prior to any payment to the stockholders of Poage Bankshares. Each Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental Eligible Account Holder would have an initial interest in the liquidation account for each deposit account, including savings accounts, transaction accounts such as negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, money market deposit accounts, and certificates of deposit, with a balance of $50 or more held in Home Federal on September 30, 2009 and              , 2011, respectively. Each Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental Eligible Account Holder would have a pro rata interest in the total liquidation account for each such deposit account, based on the proportion that the balance of each such deposit account on September 30, 2009 and              , 2011, respectively, bears to the balance of all deposit accounts in Home Federal on such dates.

If, however, on any September 30 annual closing date commencing on or after the effective date of the conversion, the amount in any such deposit account is less than the amount in the deposit account on September 30, 2009 and              , 2011, as applicable, or any other annual closing date, then the interest in the liquidation account relating to such deposit account would be reduced from time to time by the proportion of any such reduction, and such interest will cease to exist if such deposit account is closed. In addition, no interest in the liquidation account would ever be increased despite any subsequent increase in the related deposit account. Payment pursuant to liquidation rights of Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders would be separate and apart from the payment of any insured deposit accounts to such depositor. Any assets remaining after the above liquidation rights of Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders are satisfied would be distributed to Poage Bankshares, as the sole stockholder of Home Federal.

Material Income Tax Consequences

Consummation of the conversion is subject to the prior receipt of an opinion of counsel or tax advisor with respect to federal and state income taxation that the conversion will not be a taxable transaction to Home Federal, Poage Bankshares, Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and Other Members. Unlike private letter rulings, opinions of counsel or tax advisors are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or any state taxing authority, and such authorities may disagree with such opinions. In the event of such disagreement, there can be no assurance that Home Federal or Poage Bankshares would prevail in a judicial proceeding.

Home Federal and Poage Bankshares have received an opinion of counsel, Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C., regarding all of the material federal income tax consequences of the conversion, which includes the following:

 

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  1. The conversion of Home Federal to a federal stock savings and loan association will qualify as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

  2. Neither Poage Bankshares, nor Home Federal will recognize any gain or loss upon the transfer of assets of Poage Bankshares to Home Federal in exchange for shares of common stock of Home Federal. (Sections 361 and 1032(a) of the Internal Revenue Code).

 

  3. The basis of the assets of Poage Bankshares and the holding period of such assets to be received by Home Federal will be the same as the basis and holding period in such assets in the hands of Poage Bankshares immediately before the exchange. (Sections 362(b) and 1223(2) of the Internal Revenue Code).

 

  4. None of Home Federal, nor Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders or Other Members, will recognize any gain or loss on the transfer of the assets of Home Federal, in its mutual form, to Home Federal, in its stock form, in exchange for an interest in a liquidation account established in Home Federal, in its stock form, for the benefit of Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders who remain depositors of Home Federal, in its stock form, and nontransferable subscription rights to purchase shares of Poage Bankshares common stock.

 

  5. It is more likely than not that the nontransferable subscription rights have no value, based on the fact that these rights are acquired by the recipients without cost, are nontransferable and of short duration, and afford the recipients the right only to purchase the common stock at a price equal to its estimated fair market value, which will be the same price as the subscription price for the shares of common stock in the offering. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized by Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders or Other Members upon distribution to them of nontransferable subscription rights to purchase shares of Poage Bankshares common stock, provided that the amount to be paid for Poage Bankshares common stock is equal to the fair market value of Poage Bankshares common stock.

 

  6. The basis of the shares of Poage Bankshares common stock purchased in the offering will be the purchase price. The holding period of the Poage Bankshares common stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of nontransferable subscription rights will commence on the date on which the right to acquire such stock was exercised.

 

  7. No gain or loss will be recognized by Poage Bankshares on the receipt of money in exchange for shares of Poage Bankshares common stock sold in the offering.

In the view of RP Financial, LC. (which is acting as independent appraiser of the value of the shares of Poage Bankshares common stock in connection with the conversion), which view is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service, the subscription rights do not have any value for the

 

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reasons set forth above. If the subscription rights granted to Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and Other Members are deemed to have an ascertainable value, receipt of these rights could result in taxable gain to those Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and Other Members who exercise the subscription rights in an amount equal to their value, and Poage Bankshares could recognize gain on a distribution. Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and Other Members are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences in the event that subscription rights are deemed to have an ascertainable value.

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that it will not issue private letter rulings with respect to the issue of whether nontransferable rights have value. Unlike private letter rulings, an opinion of counsel or the view of an independent appraiser is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service and the Internal Revenue Service could disagree with the conclusions reached therein. Depending on the conclusion or conclusions with which the Internal Revenue Service disagrees, the Internal Revenue Service may take the position that the transaction is taxable to any one or more of Home Federal, the members of Home Federal, Poage Bankshares and the Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and Other Members who exercise their subscription rights. In the event of a disagreement, there can be no assurance that Poage Bankshares or Home Federal would prevail in a judicial or administrative proceeding.

The federal tax opinion has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to Poage Bankshares’ registration statement. Advice regarding the Kentucky state income tax consequences consistent with the federal tax opinion has been issued by Crowe Horwath LLP, tax advisors to Home Federal and Poage Bankshares.

Restrictions on Purchase or Transfer of Our Shares after Conversion

The shares being acquired by the directors, executive officers and their associates are being acquired for investment purposes, and not with a view towards resale. All shares of common stock purchased in the offering by a director or an executive officer of Home Federal generally may not be sold for a period of one year following the closing of the conversion, except in the event of the death of the director or executive officer. Each certificate for restricted shares will bear a legend giving notice of this restriction on transfer, and instructions will be issued to the effect that any transfer within this time period of any certificate or record ownership of the shares other than as provided above is a violation of the restriction. Any shares of common stock issued at a later date as a stock dividend, stock split or otherwise with respect to the restricted stock will be similarly restricted. The directors and executive officers of Poage Bankshares also will be restricted by the insider trading rules promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Purchases of shares of our common stock by any of our directors, executive officers and their associates, during the three-year period following the closing of the conversion may be made only through a broker or dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, except with the prior written approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision. This restriction does not apply, however, to negotiated transactions involving more than 1% of our outstanding common stock, to purchases of our common stock to fund stock options by one or more stock-

 

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based benefit plans or to any of our tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans or nontax-qualified employee stock benefit plans, including any stock-based benefit plans.

Office of Thrift Supervision regulations prohibit Poage Bankshares from repurchasing its shares of common stock during the first year following conversion unless compelling business reasons exist for such repurchases. After one year, the Office of Thrift Supervision does not impose any repurchase restrictions.

RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITION OF POAGE BANKSHARES, INC.

Although the Board of Directors of Poage Bankshares is not aware of any effort that might be made to obtain control of Poage Bankshares after the conversion, the Board of Directors believes that it is appropriate to include certain provisions as part of Poage Bankshares’ articles of incorporation to protect the interests of Poage Bankshares and its stockholders from takeovers which our Board of Directors might conclude are not in the best interests of Home Federal, Poage Bankshares or Poage Bankshares’ stockholders.

The following discussion is a general summary of the material provisions of Poage Bankshares’ articles of incorporation and bylaws, Home Federal’s stock charter and bylaws, Maryland corporate law and certain other regulatory provisions that may be deemed to have an “anti-takeover” effect. The following description of certain of these provisions is necessarily general and, with respect to provisions contained in Poage Bankshares’ articles of incorporation and bylaws and Home Federal’s stock charter and bylaws, reference should be made in each case to the document in question, each of which is part of Home Federal’s application for conversion with the Office of Thrift Supervision and Poage Bankshares’ registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”

Poage Bankshares, Inc.’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

Poage Bankshares’ articles of incorporation and bylaws contain a number of provisions relating to corporate governance and rights of stockholders that might discourage future takeover attempts. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such transactions may not have an opportunity to do so. In addition, these provisions will also render the removal of the Board of Directors or management of Poage Bankshares more difficult.

Directors . The Board of Directors will be divided into three classes. The members of each class will be elected for a term of three years and only one class of directors will be elected annually. Thus, it would take at least two annual elections to replace a majority of our directors. The bylaws establish qualifications for board members, including restrictions related to prior legal or regulatory violations. Further, the bylaws impose notice and information requirements in connection with the nomination by stockholders of candidates for election to the Board of Directors or the proposal by stockholders of business to be acted upon at an annual meeting of stockholders. Such notice and information requirements are applicable to all stockholder business proposals and nominations, and are in addition to any requirements under the federal securities laws.

Evaluation of Offers. The articles of incorporation of Poage Bankshares provide that its Board of Directors, when evaluating a transaction that would or may involve a change in control

 

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of Poage Bankshares (whether by purchases of its securities, merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution, liquidation, sale of all or substantially all of its assets, proxy solicitation or otherwise), may, in connection with the exercise of its business judgment in determining what is in the best interests of Poage Bankshares and its stockholders and in making any recommendation to the stockholders, give due consideration to all relevant factors, including, but not limited to:

 

   

the economic effect, both immediate and long-term, upon Poage Bankshares’ stockholders, including stockholders, if any, who do not participate in the transaction;

 

   

the social and economic effect on the present and future employees, creditors and customers of, and others dealing with, Poage Bankshares and its subsidiaries and on the communities in which Poage Bankshares and its subsidiaries operate or are located;

 

   

whether the proposal is acceptable based on the historical, current or projected future operating results or financial condition of Poage Bankshares;

 

   

whether a more favorable price could be obtained for Poage Bankshares’ stock or other securities in the future;

 

   

the reputation and business practices of the other entity to be involved in the transaction and its management and affiliates as they would affect the employees of Poage Bankshares and its subsidiaries;

 

   

the future value of the stock or any other securities of Poage Bankshares or the other entity to be involved in the proposed transaction;

 

   

any antitrust or other legal and regulatory issues that are raised by the proposal;

 

   

the business and historical, current or expected future financial condition or operating results of the other entity to be involved in the transaction, including, but not limited to, debt service and other existing financial obligations, financial obligations to be incurred in connection with the proposed transaction, and other likely financial obligations of the other entity to be involved in the proposed transaction; and

 

   

the ability of Poage Bankshares to fulfill its objectives as a financial institution holding company and on the ability of its subsidiary financial institution(s) to fulfill the objectives of a federally insured financial institution under applicable statutes and regulations.

If the Board of Directors determines that any proposed transaction should be rejected, it may take any lawful action to defeat such transaction.

 

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Restrictions on Calling Special Meetings . The bylaws provide that, unless approved by unaffiliated directors, special meetings of stockholders can be called by only the President, a majority of the total number of directors that Poage Bankshares would have if there were no vacancies on the Board of Directors (the “whole board”), or the Secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all votes entitled to vote at the meeting.

Prohibition of Cumulative Voting . The articles of incorporation prohibit cumulative voting for the election of directors.

Limitation of Voting Rights . The articles of incorporation provide that in no event will any record owner of any outstanding common stock which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a person who, as of any record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote on any matter, beneficially owns in excess of 10% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock, be entitled, or permitted to any vote in respect of the shares held in excess of the limit; provided that such 10% limit shall not apply if a majority of the unaffiliated directors approve the acquisition of shares in excess of the 10% limit prior to such acquisition.

Restrictions on Removing Directors from Office . The articles of incorporation provide that directors may be removed only for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all of our then-outstanding capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (after giving effect to the limitation on voting rights discussed above in “—Limitation of Voting Rights”), voting together as a single class.

Authorized but Unissued Shares . After the conversion, Poage Bankshares will have authorized but unissued shares of common and preferred stock. See “Description of Capital Stock.” The articles of incorporation authorize 1,000,000 shares of serial preferred stock. Poage Bankshares is authorized to issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series subject to applicable provisions of law, and the Board of Directors is authorized to fix the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of such shares. In addition, the articles of incorporation provide that a majority of the whole board may, without action by the stockholders, amend the articles of incorporation to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock of any class or series that Poage Bankshares has the authority to issue. In the event of a proposed merger, tender offer or other attempt to gain control of Poage Bankshares that the Board of Directors does not approve, it would be possible for the Board of Directors to authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock with rights and preferences that would impede the completion of the transaction. An effect of the possible issuance of preferred stock therefore may be to deter a future attempt to gain control of Poage Bankshares. The Board of Directors has no present plan or understanding to issue any preferred stock.

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. Except as provided under “— Authorized but Unissued Shares,” above, regarding the amendment of the articles of incorporation by the Board of Directors to increase or decrease the number of shares authorized for issuance, or as otherwise allowed by law, any amendment to the articles of incorporation must be approved by our Board of Directors and also by a majority of the outstanding shares of

 

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our voting stock; provided, however, that approval by at least 80% of the outstanding voting stock is generally required to amend the following provisions:

 

  (i) The limitation on voting rights of record owners of common stock that is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a person who beneficially owns in excess of 10% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock;

 

  (ii) The division of the Board of Directors into three staggered classes;

 

  (iii) The ability of the Board of Directors to fill vacancies on the board;

 

  (iv) The requirement that at least a majority of the outstanding voting shares must vote to remove directors, and directors can only be removed for cause;

 

  (v) The ability of the Board of Directors to amend and repeal the bylaws;

 

  (vi) The ability of the Board of Directors to evaluate a variety of factors in evaluating offers to purchase or otherwise acquire Poage Bankshares;

 

  (vii) The authority of the Board of Directors to provide for the issuance of preferred stock;

 

  (viii) The validity and effectiveness of any action lawfully authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of common stock;

 

  (ix) The number of stockholders constituting a quorum or required for stockholder consent;

 

  (x) The indemnification of current and former directors and officers, as well as employees and other agents, by Poage Bankshares; and

 

  (xi) The limitation of liability of officers and directors to Poage Bankshares for money damages.

 

  (xii) The provision of the articles of incorporation requiring approval of at least 80% of the outstanding voting stock to amend the provisions of the articles of incorporation provided in (i) through (xi) of this list.

The articles of incorporation also provide that the bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors or by the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of the total votes eligible to be voted at a duly constituted meeting of stockholders. Any amendment of this supermajority requirement for amendment of the bylaws would also require the approval of 80% of the outstanding voting stock.

 

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Maryland Corporate Law

Under Maryland law, as may be made applicable by the Board of Directors of Poage Bankshares pursuant to its bylaws, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, certain transfers of assets, certain stock issuances and transfers, liquidation plans and reclassifications involving interested stockholders and their affiliates or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. Maryland law defines an interested stockholder as: (i) any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of a corporation’s voting stock after the date on which the corporation had 100 or more beneficial owners of its stock; or (ii) an affiliate or associate of the corporation at any time after the date on which the corporation had 100 or more beneficial owners of its stock who, within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock of the corporation. A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the Board of Directors approved in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the Board of Directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the Board of Directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least: (i) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation and (ii) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder. These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.

Conversion Regulations

Office of Thrift Supervision regulations prohibit any person from making an offer, announcing an intent to make an offer or participating in any other arrangement to purchase stock or acquiring stock or subscription rights in a converting institution or its holding company from another person prior to completion of its conversion. Further, without the prior written approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision, no person may make an offer or announcement of an offer to purchase shares or actually acquire shares of a converted institution or its holding company for a period of three years from the date of the completion of the conversion if, upon the completion of such offer, announcement or acquisition, the person would become the beneficial owner of more than 10% of the outstanding stock of the institution or its holding company. The Office of Thrift Supervision has defined “person” to include any individual, group acting in concert, corporation, partnership, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or similar company, a syndicate or any other group formed for the

 

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purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities of an insured institution. However, offers made exclusively to a bank or its holding company, or an underwriter or member of a selling group acting on the converting institution’s or its holding company’s behalf for resale to the general public are excepted. The regulation also provides civil penalties for willful violation or assistance in any such violation of the regulation by any person connected with the management of the converting institution or its holding company or who controls more than 10% of the outstanding shares or voting rights of a converted institution or its holding company.

Home Federal’s Federal Stock Charter

The federal stock charter of Home Federal will provide that for a period of five years from the closing of the conversion, no person other than Poage Bankshares may offer directly or indirectly to acquire the beneficial ownership of more than 10% of any class of equity security of Home Federal. This provision does not apply to any tax-qualified employee benefit plan of Home Federal or Poage Bankshares or to underwriters in connection with a public offering. In addition, during this five-year period, all shares owned over the 10% limit may not be voted on any matter submitted to stockholders for a vote.

Change in Control Regulations

Under the Change in Bank Control Act, no person may acquire control of an insured federal savings bank or its parent holding company unless the Office of Thrift Supervision has been given 60 days’ prior written notice and has not issued a notice disapproving the proposed acquisition. In addition, Office of Thrift Supervision regulations provide that no company may acquire control of a savings bank without the prior approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision. Any company that acquires such control becomes a “savings and loan holding company” subject to registration, examination and regulation by the Office of Thrift Supervision.

Control, as defined under federal law, means ownership, control of or holding irrevocable proxies representing more than 25% of any class of voting stock, control in any manner of the election of a majority of the institution’s directors, or a determination by the Office of Thrift Supervision that the acquirer has the power to direct, or directly or indirectly to exercise a controlling influence over, the management or policies of the institution. Acquisition of more than 10% of any class of a savings bank’s voting stock, if the acquirer is also subject to any one of eight “control factors,” constitutes a rebuttable determination of control under the regulations. Such control factors include the acquirer being one of the two largest stockholders. The determination of control may be rebutted by submission to the Office of Thrift Supervision, prior to the acquisition of stock or the occurrence of any other circumstances giving rise to such determination, of a statement setting forth facts and circumstances which would support a finding that no control relationship will exist and containing certain undertakings. The regulations provide that persons or companies that acquire beneficial ownership exceeding 10% or more of any class of a savings bank’s stock who do not intend to participate in or seek to exercise control over a savings bank’s management or policies may qualify for a safe harbor by filing with the Office of Thrift Supervision a certification form that states, among other things, that the holder is not in control of such institution, is not subject to a rebuttable determination of control and will take no action which would result in a determination or rebuttable determination of control without prior notice to or approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision, as applicable.

 

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There are also rebuttable presumptions in the regulations concerning whether a group “acting in concert” exists, including presumed action in concert among members of an “immediate family.”

The Office of Thrift Supervision may prohibit an acquisition of control if it finds, among other things, that:

 

   

the acquisition would result in a monopoly or substantially lessen competition;

 

   

the financial condition of the acquiring person might jeopardize the financial stability of the institution;

 

   

the competence, experience or integrity of the acquiring person indicates that it would not be in the interest of the depositors or the public to permit the acquisition of control by such person; or

 

   

the acquisition would have an adverse effect on the Deposit Insurance Fund.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

At the effective date, Poage Bankshares will be authorized to issue 30,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Poage Bankshares currently expects to issue in the offering up to 3,041,750 shares of common stock. Poage Bankshares will not issue shares of preferred stock in the conversion. Each share of Poage Bankshares common stock will have the same relative rights as, and will be identical in all respects to, each other share of common stock. Upon payment of the subscription price for the common stock, in accordance with the plan of conversion, all of the shares of common stock will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable.

The shares of common stock of Poage Bankshares will represent nonwithdrawable capital, will not be an account of an insurable type, and will not be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Common Stock

Dividends . Poage Bankshares can pay dividends on its common stock if, after giving effect to the distribution, (i) it would be able to pay its indebtedness as the indebtedness comes due in the usual course of business and (ii) its total assets exceed the sum of its liabilities and the amount needed, if Poage Bankshares were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of any holders of capital stock who have a preference in the event of dissolution; provided, however, that whether or not (ii) above is satisfied, Poage Bankshares may make a distribution from its net earnings for the fiscal year in which the distribution is made, its net earnings for the preceding fiscal year, or the sum of its net earnings for the preceding eight fiscal quarters.

The holders of common stock of Poage Bankshares will be entitled to receive and share equally in dividends as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available

 

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therefore. If Poage Bankshares issues shares of preferred stock, the holders thereof may have a priority over the holders of the common stock with respect to dividends.

Voting Rights . Upon consummation of the conversion, the holders of common stock of Poage Bankshares will have exclusive voting rights in Poage Bankshares. They will elect Poage Bankshares’ Board of Directors and act on other matters as are required to be presented to them under Maryland law or as are otherwise presented to them by the Board of Directors. Generally, each holder of common stock will be entitled to one vote per share and will not have any right to cumulate votes in the election of directors. Any person who beneficially owns more than 10% of the then-outstanding shares of Poage Bankshares’ common stock, however, will not be entitled or permitted to vote any shares of common stock held in excess of the 10% limit. If Poage Bankshares issues shares of preferred stock, holders of the preferred stock may also possess voting rights. Certain matters require an 80% stockholder vote.

As a federal savings and loan association, corporate powers and control of Home Federal are vested in its Board of Directors, who elect the officers of Home Federal and who fill any vacancies on the Board of Directors. Voting rights of Home Federal are vested exclusively in the owners of the shares of capital stock of Home Federal, which will be Poage Bankshares, and voted at the direction of Poage Bankshares’ Board of Directors. Consequently, the holders of the common stock of Poage Bankshares will not have direct control of Home Federal.

Liquidation . In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Home Federal, Poage Bankshares, as the holder of 100% of Home Federal’s capital stock, would be entitled to receive all assets of Home Federal available for distribution, after payment or provision for payment of all debts and liabilities of Home Federal, including all deposit accounts and accrued interest thereon, and after distribution of the balance in the liquidation account to Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Poage Bankshares, the holders of its common stock would be entitled to receive, after payment or provision for payment of all its debts and liabilities, all of the assets of Poage Bankshares available for distribution. If preferred stock is issued, the holders thereof may have a priority over the holders of the common stock in the event of liquidation or dissolution.

Preemptive Rights . Holders of the common stock of Poage Bankshares will not be entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares that may be issued, unless such preemptive rights are approved by the Board of Directors. The common stock is not subject to redemption.

Preferred Stock

None of the shares of Poage Bankshares’ authorized preferred stock will be issued as part of the offering or the conversion. Preferred stock may be issued with preferences and designations as our Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Our Board of Directors may, without stockholder approval, issue shares of preferred stock with voting, dividend, liquidation and conversion rights that could dilute the voting strength of the holders of the common stock and may assist management in impeding an unfriendly takeover or attempted change in control.

 

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TRANSFER AGENT

The transfer agent and registrar for Poage Bankshares’ common stock is                                          .

CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANTS

Prior to this stock offering, the financial statements of Home Federal for the years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were audited by Smith, Goolsby, Artis & Reams, P.S.C., referred to herein as Smith, Goolsby, Artis & Reams. At the time Smith, Goolsby, Artis & Reams performed audit services for Home Federal, Home Federal was not a public company and was not subject to Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. In connection with this offering and the filing of Poage Bankshares, Inc.’s registration statement, on August 16, 2010, Home Federal engaged Crowe Horwath LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to audit its financial statements as of and for the years ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009. These financial statements, including Crowe Horwath LLP’s Audit Report thereon, are included in this prospectus and in the registration statement. We did not consult with Crowe Horwath LLP during the years ended September 30, 2010 or 2009 on accounting matters or the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, prior to engaging Crowe Horwath LLP.

Smith, Goolsby, Artis & Reams’ reports on the financial statements of Home Federal for the years ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 have not contained an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, or been modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. The engagement of Crowe Horwath LLP was approved by the Board of Directors.

There has not been any disagreement between Smith, Goolsby, Artis & Reams and Home Federal with respect to the financial statements for fiscal 2010 or 2009 or during the subsequent period through the date of this prospectus, whether or not resolved, on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Smith, Goolsby, Artis & Reams, would have caused it to make a reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports. Nor has any of Smith, Goolsby, Artis & Reams’ reports on the financial statements of Home Federal contained an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, or any qualification or modification as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

We have provided Smith, Goolsby, Artis & Reams with a copy of the disclosure contained in this prospectus, which was received by Smith, Goolsby, Artis & Reams on              , 2011. Smith, Goolsby, Artis & Reams has furnished a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission and filed as an exhibit to Poage Bankshares’ registration statement stating its agreement with the statements made herein.

EXPERTS

The financial statements included in this prospectus regarding Home Federal as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, and for each of the years in the two year period ending September 30, 2010, have been audited by Crowe Horwath LLP, independent registered public accounting

 

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firm, as stated in their report, which is included herein, and has been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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

LEGAL MATTERS

Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C., Washington, D.C., counsel to Poage Bankshares and Home Federal, will issue to Poage Bankshares its opinions regarding the legality of the common stock and the federal income tax consequences of the conversion. Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C. has consented to the references in this prospectus to its opinions. Crowe Horwath LLP will issue to Poage Bankshares and Home Federal its opinion regarding the state income tax consequences of the conversion. Crowe Horwath LLP has consented to the reference in this prospectus to its opinion. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, Inc. by Patton Boggs LLP, Washington, D.C.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

Home Federal has filed with the Office of Thrift Supervision an Application on Form AC with respect to the conversion. This prospectus omits certain information contained in the application. The application may be examined at the principal office of the Office of Thrift Supervision, 1700 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20552, and at the Southeast Regional Office of the Office of Thrift Supervision, located at 1475 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309. Our plan of conversion is available, upon request, at our home office.

In connection with the offering, Poage Bankshares will register its common stock under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, upon such registration, Poage Bankshares and the holders of its common stock will become subject to the proxy

 

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solicitation rules, reporting requirements and restrictions on common stock purchases and sales by directors, officers and greater than 10% stockholders, the annual and periodic reporting and certain other requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Under the plan of conversion, Poage Bankshares has undertaken that it will not terminate such registration for a period of at least three years following the conversion, unless it obtains a waiver from the Office of Thrift Supervision or its successor allowing it to terminate such registration at least one year following completion of the conversion.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Balance Sheets at September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009

   F-3

Statements of Income for the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

   F-4

Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

   F-5

Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

   F-6

Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

   F-7

Notes to Financial Statements

   F-9

***

Separate financial statements for Poage Bankshares have not been included in this prospectus because Poage Bankshares has not engaged in any significant activities, has no significant assets, and has no contingent liabilities, revenue or expenses.

All financial statement schedules have been omitted as the required information either is not applicable or is included in the financial statements or related notes.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

Ashland, Kentucky

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, and the related statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Association’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Association is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Association’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

      /s/ Crowe Horwath LLP
    Crowe Horwath LLP
Columbus, Ohio      

January 18, 2011

     

 

 

 

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HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

BALANCE SHEETS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

     2010      2009  
     (in thousands)  

ASSETS

     

Cash and due from financial institutions

   $ 4,058       $ 15,715   

Federal funds sold

     39,175         3,000   
                 

Cash and cash equivalents

     43,233         18,715   

Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions

     100         100   

Securities available for sale

     45,234         77,684   

Loans held for sale

     1,701         —     

Loans, net of allowance of $ 1,134 and $555

     182,358         166,904   

Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost

     1,883         1,834   

Other real estate owned, net

     219         148   

Premises and equipment, net

     6,449         6,080   

Company owned life insurance

     6,239         6,005   

Accrued interest receivable

     1,370         1,369   

Other assets

     2,361         149   
                 
   $ 291,147       $ 278,988   
                 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

     

Deposits

     

Non-interest bearing

   $ 745       $ —     

Interest bearing

     227,067         209,698   
                 

Total deposits

     227,812         209,698   

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

     32,205         39,368   

Accrued interest payable

     505         694   

Other liabilities

     2,879         2,348   
                 

Total liabilities

     263,401         252,108   

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 13)

     —           —     

Equity

     

Retained earnings

     27,067         24,880   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     679         2,000   
                 

Total equity

     27,746         26,880   
                 
   $ 291,147       $ 278,988   
                 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

     2010      2009  
     (in thousands)  

Interest and dividend income

     

Loans, including fees

   $ 10,985       $ 9,260   

Taxable securities

     1,824         3,179   

Tax exempt securities

     819         806   

Federal funds sold and other

     101         97   
                 
     13,729         13,342   

Interest expense

     

Deposits

     4,513         5,695   

Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other

     1,058         908   
                 
     5,571         6,603   
                 

Net interest income

     8,158         6,739   

Provision for loan losses

     650         312   
                 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     7,508         6,427   

Non-interest income

     

Service charges on deposits

     464         318   

Other service charges

     14         46   

Net gains on sales of loans

     93         —     

Net gains on sales of securities

     2,269         476   

Income from company owned life insurance

     234         240   

Other

     37         10   
                 
     3,111         1,090   

Noninterest expense

     

Salaries and employee benefits

     3,321         2,836   

Occupancy and equipment

     695         528   

Data processing

     1,878         805   

Federal deposit insurance

     286         352   

Foreclosed assets, net

     88         49   

Advertising

     285         250   

Other

     1,228         972   
                 
     7,781         5,792   
                 

Income before income taxes

     2,838         1,725   

Income tax expense

     651         265   
                 

Net income

   $ 2,187       $ 1,460   
                 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

     2010     2009  
     (in thousands)  

Net income

   $ 2,187      $ 1,460   

Other comprehensive income (loss):

    

Unrealized holding gains/losses on available for sale securities

     268        3,275   

Reclassification adjustments for (gains) losses later recognized in income

     (2,269     (476
                

Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available for sale securities

     (2,001     2,799   

Tax effect

     680        (952
                

Other comprehensive income (loss):

     (1,321     1,847   
                

Comprehensive income

   $ 866      $ 3,307   
                

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss), Net
    Total
Equity
 
     (in thousands)  

Balances, October 1, 2008

   $ 23,511      $ 153      $ 23,664   

Net income

     1,460        —          1,460   

Adjustment to initially apply life insurance guidance (Note 9)

     (91     —          (91

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of taxes

     —          1,847        1,847   
                        

Balances, September 30, 2009

     24,880        2,000        26,880   

Net income

     2,187        —          2,187   

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of taxes

     —          (1,321     (1,321
                        

Balances, September 30, 2010

   $ 27,067      $ 679      $ 27,746   
                        

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

     2010     2009  
     (in thousands)  

OPERATING ACTIVITY

    

Net income

   $ 2,187      $ 1,460   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

    

Depreciation

     320        271   

Provision for loan losses

     650        312   

Loss (gain) on sale of securities

     (2,269     (476

Loss (gain) on sale of other real estate owned

     63        32   

Net amortization (accretion) on securities

     94        (31

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense

     38        18   

Net gain on sale of loans

     (93     —     

Origination of loans held for sale

     (4,721     —     

Proceeds from loans held for sale

     3,113        —     

Increase in cash value of life insurance

     (234     (240

Decrease (increase) in:

    

Accrued interest receivable

     (1     (3

Other assets

     (1,570     34   

Increase (decrease) in:

    

Accrued interest payable

     (189     63   

Other liabilities

     531        1,258   
                

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

     (2,081     2,698   
                

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Securities available for sale:

    

Proceeds from sales

     48,820        28,977   

Proceeds from calls

     4,046        1,101   

Proceeds from maturities

     375        145   

Purchases

     (32,595     (21,404

Principal payments received

     11,978        18,469   

Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

     (49     —     

Term deposits in other financial institutions:

    

Proceeds from maturities

     100        100   

Purchases

     (100     (100

Loan originations and principal payments on loans, net

     (16,399     (55,836

Proceeds from the sale of other real estate owned

     161        203   

Purchase of office properties and equipment

     (689     (636
                

Net cash from (used in) investing activities

     15,648        (28,981
                

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Net change in deposits

     18,114        30,579   

Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings

     1,200        55,150   

Payments on Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings

     (8,363     (42,931
                

Net cash from (used in) financing activities

     10,951        42,798   
                

 

 

(Continued)

 

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HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

Years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     24,518         16,515   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     18,715         2,200   
                 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR

   $ 43,233       $ 18,715   
                 

Additional cash flows and supplementary information:

     

Cash paid during the year for:

     

Interest on deposits and advances

   $ 5,760       $ 6,540   

Income taxes

     1,765         —     

Real estate acquired in settlement of loans

   $ 295       $ 270   

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations : Home Federal Savings and Loan Association is a federally chartered mutual savings and loan association. The Association currently serves the financial needs of communities in its market area through its main office located in Ashland, Kentucky and its branch offices located in Flatwoods, South Shore, Louisa, Summitt and Greenup, Kentucky. The Association’s business involves attracting deposits from the general public and using such deposits, together with other funds, to originate primarily one-to-four family residential mortgage loans and, to a lesser extent, commercial and multi-family real estate and construction loans primarily in its market area which includes the Kentucky counties of Boyd, Greenup and Lawrence and the Ohio counties of Scioto and Lawrence.

Subsequent Events : The Association has evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure through the date the financial statements were issued.

Use of Estimates : To prepare financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management makes estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ. The allowance for loan losses and fair values of financial instruments are particularly subject to change.

Cash Flows : Cash and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with other financial institutions with maturities fewer than 90 days, and federal funds sold. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions, federal funds purchased and sold, and repurchase agreements.

Interest-Bearing Deposits in Other Financial Institutions : Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions mature within one year and are carried at cost.

Securities : Debt securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Debt securities are classified as available for sale when they might be sold before maturity. Equity securities with readily determinable fair values are classified as available for sale. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax.

Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. For securities in an unrealized loss position, management considers the extent and duration of the unrealized loss, and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Management also assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. For debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows: 1) OTTI related to credit loss, which must be recognized in the income statement, and 2) other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis. For equity securities, the entire amount of impairment is recognized through earnings.

 

 

(Continued)

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HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Loans Held for Sale : Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings.

Mortgage loans held for sale are generally sold with servicing rights retained. The carrying value of mortgage loans sold is reduced by the amount allocated to the servicing right. Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans are based on the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the related loan sold.

Loans : Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, deferred loan fees and costs, and an allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments.

Interest income on mortgage and commercial loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well-secured and in process of collection. Consumer loans are typically charged off no later than 120 days past due. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days still on accrual include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans. A loan is moved to non-accrual status in accordance with the Association’s policy, typically after 90 days of non-payment.

All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Concentration of Credit Risk: Most of the Association’s business activity is with customers located within a 50 mile radius of its home office. Therefore, the Association’s exposure to credit risk is significantly affected by changes in the economy in the immediate area. At September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Association held $39,175,000 and $3,000,000, respectively, in overnight deposits/federal funds sold at Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLB”). In addition, the Association held common stock of the FHLB totaling $1,883,000 and $1,834,000 and other deposits totaling $737,000 and $4,611,000 at year end 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Allowance for Loan Losses : The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired or loans otherwise classified as substandard or doubtful. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors.

 

 

(Continued)

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Table of Contents

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Association will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loans, for which the terms have been modified, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, are considered troubled debt restructurings and classified as impaired.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Association will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for all commercial and construction loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Association does not separately identify individual consumer and residential mortgage loans for impairment disclosures. Troubled debt restructurings are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective rate at inception.

Servicing Rights : Servicing rights are recognized separately when they are acquired through sales of loans. When mortgage loans are sold, servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value with the income statement effect recorded in gains on sales of loans. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. All classes of servicing assets are subsequently measured using the amortization method which requires servicing rights to be amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans. Servicing rights were $31,000 at September 30, 2010 and are included in the other assets line item of the balance sheet.

Servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to carrying amount. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into groupings based on predominant risk characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual grouping, to the extent that fair value is less than the carrying amount. If the Association later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular grouping, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income. No valuation allowance was required at September 30, 2010. The fair values of servicing rights are subject to significant fluctuations as a result of changes in estimated and actual prepayment speeds and default rates and losses.

Servicing fee income which is reported on the income statement as other income is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal; or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of mortgage servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income.

Foreclosed Assets : Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. If fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through expense. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.

 

 

(Continued)

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Table of Contents

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Premises and Equipment : Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Buildings and related components are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 5 to 50 years. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line (or accelerated) method with useful lives ranging from 3 to 10 years.

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) Stock : The Association is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.

Company Owned Life Insurance : The Association has purchased life insurance policies on certain key executives. Company owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.

Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments : Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Income Taxes : Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

The Association adopted accounting guidance with respect to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes as of September 30, 2010. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. The effect of adopting this new guidance was not material.

The Association recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

Retirement Plans : Employee 401(k) and profit sharing plan expense is the amount of matching contributions. Supplemental retirement plan expense allocates the benefits over years of service.

Comprehensive Income : Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale which are also recognized as separate components of equity.

Loss Contingencies : Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there now are such matters that will have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

 

(Continued)

F-12


Table of Contents

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Restrictions on Cash : Cash on hand or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank was required to meet regulatory reserve and clearing requirements. These balances do not earn interest. The Association is required to maintain reserve funds in cash or on deposit with a designated depository financial institution. The required reserve at September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $259,000 and $177,000, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments : Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in a separate note. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates.

Reclassifications : Some items in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Recently Issued but not yet Effective Accounting Pronouncements : In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended previous guidance relating to transfers of financial assets and eliminates the concept of a qualifying special purpose entity. This guidance must be applied as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. This guidance must be applied to transfers occurring on or after the effective date. Additionally, on and after the effective date, the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity is no longer relevant for accounting purposes. Therefore, formerly qualifying special-purpose entities should be evaluated for consolidation by reporting entities on and after the effective date in accordance with the applicable consolidation guidance. The disclosure provisions were also amended and apply to transfers that occurred both before and after the effective date of this guidance. Management is evaluating the impact of this accounting standard but does not believe its impact will be material to the Association’s financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB amended guidance for consolidation of variable interest entity guidance by replacing the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which enterprise, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity with an approach focused on identifying which enterprise has the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (1) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or (2) the right to receive benefits from the entity. Additional disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement in variable interest entities are also required. This guidance is effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Early adoption is prohibited. Management is evaluating the impact of this accounting standard but does not believe its impact will be material to the Association’s financial statements.

In July 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-20 to Receivables (ASC 310) Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses . This ASU adds new disclosures designed to enhance the transparency of an entity’s allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL), and the credit quality of its financing receivables, and to increase the understanding of an entity’s credit risk exposure and adequacy of the ALLL. The required disclosures will include the nature of the credit risk inherent in the loan portfolio, how the risk is analyzed and assessed to determine the ALLL, and the changes and reasons for those changes in the ALLL. These disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Association will include these disclosures in the notes to the consolidated financial statements upon adoption of this ASU.

 

 

(Continued)

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Table of Contents

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 2 - SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale and securities held to maturity at September 30, 2010 and 2009 and the corresponding amounts of gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
 

2010

          

States and political subdivisions

   $ 28,201       $ 1,010       $ (1   $ 29,210   

U.S. Government agencies and sponsored entities

     16,003         29         (8     16,024   
                                  

Total securities

   $ 44,204       $ 1,039       $ (9   $ 45,234   
                                  
     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
 

2009

          

States and political subdivisions

   $ 18,426       $ 791       $ (1   $ 19,216   

Government sponsored entities residential mortgage-backed:

          

FHLMC

     9,335         416         —          9,751   

GNMA

     3,087         135         —          3,222   

FNMA

     43,302         1,685         —          44,987   

Other

     503         5         —          508   
                                  

Total securities

   $ 74,653       $ 3,032       $ (1   $ 77,684   
                                  

The proceeds from sales of securities and the associated gross gains and losses are listed below (in thousands):

 

     2010      2009  

Proceeds

   $ 48,820       $ 28,977   

Gross gains

     2,270         618   

Gross losses

     1         142   

The (tax benefit) provision related to these net realized gains and losses was $771,000 and $162,000, respectively.

 

 

(Continued)

F-14


Table of Contents

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 2 - SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE (Continued)

 

The amortized cost and fair value of the securities portfolio at September 30, 2010 are shown by expected maturity. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
 
     (in thousands)  

Within one year

   $ 445       $ 454   

One to five years

     15,820         15,954   

Five to ten years

     17,182         17,654   

Beyond ten years

     10,757         11,172   
                 

Total

   $ 44,204       $ 45,234   
                 

Securities pledged at year-end 2010 and 2009 had a carrying amount of $1,870,000 and $3,821,000 and were pledged to secure public deposits and repurchase agreements.

At year-end 2010 and 2009, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of equity.

The following table summarizes the securities with unrealized losses at September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009 aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position:

 

     Less Than 12 Months     12 Months or Longer      Total  
       Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
     Unrealized
Losses
 
(Dollars in thousands)                                         

September 30, 2010

                

States and political subdivisions

   $ 214       $ (1   $ —         $ —         $ 214       $ (1

U.S. Government agencies and sponsored entities

     1,770         (8     —           —           1,770         (8
                                                    

Total securities

   $ 1,984       $ (9   $ —         $ —         $ 1,984       $ (9
                                                    

September 30, 2009

                

States and political subdivisions

   $ 497       $ (1   $ —         $ —         $ 497       $ (1
                                                    

Total securities

   $ 497       $ (1   $ —         $ —         $ 497       $ (1
                                                    

Unrealized losses on bonds have not been recognized into income because the issuers of the bonds are of high credit quality, management does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that management would be required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery, and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates. The fair value is expected to recover as the bond(s) approach maturity.

 

 

(Continued)

F-15


Table of Contents

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 3 - LOANS

Loans at year end were as follows:

 

     2010      2009  
     (in thousands)  

Real estate:

     

One to four family

   $ 154,098       $ 145,077   

Multi-family

     2,860         1,232   

Commercial Real Estate

     7,331         5,292   

Construction and land

     3,700         2,888   
                 
     167,989         154,489   

Commercial and Industrial

     1,970         3,910   

Consumer

     

Home equity loans and lines of credit

     5,005         3,280   

Motor vehicle

     5,544         3,027   

Other

     3,076         2,839   
                 
     13,625         9,146   

Total

     183,584         167,545   

Less: Net deferred loan fees

     92         86   

Allowance for loan losses

     1,134         555   
                 
   $ 182,358       $ 166,904   
                 

Activity in the allowance for loan losses was as follows:

 

     2010     2009  
     (in thousands)  

Beginning balance

   $ 555      $ 254   

Provision for loan losses

     650        312   

Loans charged-off

     (71     (20

Recoveries

     —          9   
                

Ending balance

   $ 1,134      $ 555   
                

 

 

(Continued)

F-16


Table of Contents

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 3 - LOANS (Continued)

 

There were no impaired loans as of or during the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

 

     2010      2009  
     (in thousands)  

Loans past due over 90 days still on accrual

   $ 896       $ 43   

Nonaccrual loans

     1,334         747   

Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days still on accrual consist of smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment.

NOTE 4 - FAIR VALUE

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2 – Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

The Association used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate fair value:

Securities : The fair values for securities are determined by quoted market prices, if available (Level 1). For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar securities (Level 2).

Other Real Estate Owned : Nonrecurring adjustments to certain commercial and residential real estate properties classified as other real estate owned (OREO) are measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell. Fair values are generally based on third party appraisals of the property, resulting in a Level 3 classification. In cases where the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, less costs to sell, an impairment loss is recognized.

 

 

(Continued)

F-17


Table of Contents

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 4 - FAIR VALUE (Continued)

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including financial assets and liabilities for which the Association has elected the fair value option, are summarized below:

 

            Fair Value Measurements at
September 30, 2010 Using:
 
     Carrying
Value
     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
(Dollars in thousands)                            

Financial Assets Securities:

           

States and political subdivisions

   $ 29,210       $ —         $ 29,210       $ —     

U.S. Government agencies and sponsored entitites

     16,024         —           16,024         —     
                                   

Total securities

   $ 45,234       $ —         $ 45,234       $ —     
                                   
            Fair Value Measurements at
September 30, 2009 Using:
 
     Carrying
Value
     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
(Dollars in thousands)                            

Financial Assets Securities:

           

States and political subdivisions

   $ 19,216       $ —         $ 19,216       $ —     

Mortgage-Backed securities

     58,468         —           58,468         —     
                                   

Total securities

   $ 77,684       $ —         $ 77,684       $ —     
                                   

 

 

(Continued)

F-18


Table of Contents

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 4 - FAIR VALUE (Continued)

 

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below:

 

            Fair Value Measurements at
September 30, 2010 Using:
 
     Carrying
Value
     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
(Dollars in thousands)                            

Other real estate owned, net

   $ 129       $ —         $ —         $ 129   
            Fair Value Measurements at
September 30, 2009 Using:
 
     Carrying
Value
     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
(Dollars in thousands)                            

Other real estate owned, net

   $ 123       $ —         $ —         $ 123   

Other real estate owned which is measured at fair value less costs to sell, had a net carrying amount of $129,000, which is made up of the outstanding balance of $216,000 net of a valuation allowance of $87,000 at September 30, 2010, resulting in a write-down of $20,000 for the year ended September 30, 2010. At September 30, 2009, other real estate owned had a net carrying amount of $123,000 made up of the outstanding balance of $129,000, net of a valuation allowance of $6,000.

 

 

(Continued)

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Table of Contents

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 4 - FAIR VALUE (Continued)

 

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments, at September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009 are as follows:

 

September 30, 2010    Carrying     Fair  
(Dollars in thousands)    Amount     Value  

Financial assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 43,233      $ 43,233   

Interest bearing deposits with other financial institutions

     100        100   

Securities

     45,234        45,234   

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     1,883        N/A   

Loans held for sale

     1,701        1,701   

Loans, net

     182,358        194,906   

Accrued interest receivable

     1,370        1,370   

Financial liabilities

    

Deposits

   $ (227,812   $ (229,160

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

     (32,205     (34,003

Accrued interest payable

     (505     (505
September 30, 2009    Carrying     Fair  
(Dollars in thousands)    Amount     Value  

Financial assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 18,715      $ 18,715   

Interest bearing deposits with other financial institutions

     100        100   

Securities

     77,684        77,684   

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

     1,834        N/A   

Loans, net

     166,904        175,613   

Accrued interest receivable

     1,369        1,369   

Financial Liabilities

    

Deposits

   $ (209,698   $ (210,455

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

     (39,368     (39,948

Accrued interest payable

     (694     (694

The methods and assumptions, not previously presented, used to estimate fair value are described as follows:

Carrying amount is the estimated fair value for cash and cash equivalents, interest bearing deposits, accrued interest receivable and payable, demand deposits, short-term debt, advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance, and variable rate loans or deposits that reprice frequently and fully. The methods for determining the fair values for securities were described previously. For fixed rate loans or deposits and for variable rate loans or deposits with infrequent repricing or repricing limits, fair value is based on discounted cash flows using current market rates applied to the estimated life. Fair value of debt is based on current rates for similar financing. It was not practicable to determine the fair value of FHLB stock due to restrictions placed on its transferability. The fair value of off-balance sheet items and commitments to make loans held for sale is not considered material.

 

 

(Continued)

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Table of Contents

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 5 - LOAN SERVICING

 

The Association began selling mortgage loans with servicing rights retained during the year ended September 30, 2010. Mortgage loans serviced for others are not reported as assets. The principal balances of these loans at year end 2010 were $3,119,000. Custodial escrow balances maintained in connection with serviced loans were $2,000 at year-end 2010.

Activity for loan servicing rights during the year ended September 30, 2010 were as follows:

 

     (in thousands)  

Beginning of year

   $ —     

Additions

     31   

Disposals

     —     

Amortized to expense

     —     
        

End of year

   $ 31   
        

There was no valuation allowance for servicing rights at September 30, 2010. The fair value of servicing rights is estimated to be $31,000 at September 30, 2010.

NOTE 6 - PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Year-end premises and equipment were as follows (in thousands):

 

     2010      2009  

Land

   $ 1,132       $ 1,132   

Buildings

     5,617         5,492   

Furniture, fixtures, and equipment

     1,762         1,205   

Automobiles

     59         59   
                 
     8,570         7,888   

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     2,121         1,808   
                 
   $ 6,449       $ 6,080   
                 

Depreciation expense was $320,000 and $271,000 for 2010 and 2009.

NOTE 7 - DEPOSITS

Time deposits of $100 thousand or more were $77,546,000 and $69,982,000 at year-end 2010 and 2009.

Scheduled maturities of time deposits for the next five years were as follows (in thousands):

 

September 30, 2011

   $ 95,005   

2012

     43,241   

2013

     20,421   

2014

     1,889   

2015

     1,415   
        

Total

   $ 161,971   
        

 

 

(Continued)

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Table of Contents

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 8 - FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES

At year end, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank were as follows:

 

     2010      2009  
     (in thousands)  

Maturities October 2010 through June 2024, fixed rate at rates from 1.94% to 6.75%, weighted average rate of 2.94%

   $ 32,205       $ 39,368   

Rates on advances were as follows:

 

     2010      2009  
     (in thousands)  

1.75% - 2.75%

   $ 16,086       $ 20,281   

2.76% - 3.75%

     12,492         14,169   

3.76% - 4.75%

     3,350         4,478   

4.76% - 5.75%

     38         98   

5.76% - 6.75%

     239         342   
                 
   $ 32,205       $ 39,368   
                 

Each advance is payable at its maturity date, with a prepayment penalty for fixed rate advances. The advances were collateralized by all of the Association’s one to four family first mortgage loans under a blanket lien arrangement at year-end 2010 and 2009 and the Association’s FHLB stock. Based on this collateral and the Association’s holdings of FHLB stock, the Association is eligible to borrow up to a total of $41,501,000 at year-end 2010.

Payments over the next five years are as follows (in thousands):

 

September 30, 2011

   $ 8,192   

2012

     5,458   

2013

     4,468   

2014

     3,662   

2015

     2,998   
        

Total

   $ 24,778   
        

NOTE 9 - BENEFIT PLANS

Multi-Employer Pension Plan : Home Federal Savings and Loan Association participates in the Pentegra multi-employer pension plan. This non-contributory defined benefit plan covers all eligible employees meeting certain service and age requirements that were employed by the Association prior to January 1, 2007. Effective January 1, 2007, the Association discontinued the defined benefit plan for all employees hired after December 31, 2006. Contributions to the plan will continue to be made for all eligible pre-2007 participants. It is the Association’s policy to fund the normal cost of the plan. The normal costs totaled $353,000 and $205,000 for the years ended September 30, 2010, and 2009. The Association’s estimated plan contribution for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011 is approximately $703,000.

401(k) Plan : A 401(k) benefit plan allows employee contributions up to 15% of their compensation, which are matched equal to 50% of the first 6% of the compensation contributed. Expense for 2010 and 2009 was $8,000 and $0.

 

 

(Continued)

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HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 9 - BENEFIT PLANS (Continued)

 

Deferred Compensation Plan : A deferred compensation plan covers all directors and certain executive officers. Under the plan, the Association pays each participant, or their beneficiary, the amount of fees deferred plus interest over 20 years, beginning with the individual’s termination of service. A liability is accrued for the obligation under these plans. In January 2003, the Association adopted a non-contributory retirement plan which provides benefits to directors and certain key officers. The Association’s obligations under the plan have been informally funded through the purchase of single premium key man life insurance of which the Association is the beneficiary. The expense incurred for the deferred compensation for each of the last two years was $155,000 and $181,000 resulting in a deferred compensation liability of $963,000 and $832,000 as of year-end 2010 and 2009. The cash surrender value of the key man life insurance policies totaled $6,239,000 and $6,005,000 at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Effective October 1, 2008, the Association adopted the new accounting guidance for accounting for Deferred Compensation and Post Retirement Benefit Aspects of an Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangement for key employees. In connection with the adoption of the new guidance, the Association recognized the effects as a change in accounting principles through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings in the amount of $91,000.

NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes consists of (in thousands):

 

     Years Ended September 30  
     2010      2009  

Currently payable

   $ 613       $ 247   

Deferred expense (benefit)

     38         18   
                 
   $ 651       $ 265   
                 

The following tabulation reconciles the federal statutory tax rate to the effective rate of taxes provided for income taxes (in thousands):

 

     Years Ended September 30  
     2010     2009  

Tax at statutory rate

   $ 965      $ 586   

Tax exempt income

     (325     (323

Other

     11        2   
                

Federal income tax expense

   $ 651      $ 265   
                

 

 

(Continued)

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HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES (Continued)

 

The components of the Association’s net deferred tax asset (liability) as of September 30, 2010 and 2009 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

     2010      2009  

Deferred tax assets:

     

Net operating loss carryover

   $ —         $ 342   

Deferred compensation plan

     328         283   

Deferred loan origination fees

     31         29   

AMT credit carryforward

     616         465   

Allowance for loan losses

     385         189   

Other

     14         22   
                 
     1,374         1,330   

Deferred tax liabilities:

     

Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends

     431         431   

Basis in property and equipment

     320         252   

Accretion on securities

     46         42   

Other

     10         —     

Unrealized gains on available for sale securities

     350         1,030   
                 
     1,157         1,755   
                 

Net deferred tax asset (liability)

   $ 217       $ (425
                 

The Association is subject to U.S. federal income tax. The Association is no longer subject to examination by taxing authorities for years before September 30, 2007.

NOTE 11 - RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Loans to principal officers, directors, and their affiliates during 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

 

Beginning balance

   $ 1,318   

New loans

     161   

Repayments

     (297
        

Ending balance

   $ 1,182   
        

Deposits from principal officers, directors, and their affiliates at year-end 2010 and 2009 were $3,564,000 and $3,985,000.

NOTE 12 - REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS

The Association is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by its primary federal regulator, the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). Failure to meet the minimum regulatory capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators, that if undertaken, could have a direct material affect on the Association and the consolidated financial statements. Under the regulatory capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Association must meet specific capital guidelines involving quantitative measures of the Association’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.

 

 

(Continued)

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HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 12 - REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS (Continued)

 

The Association’s capital amounts and classification under the prompt corrective action guidelines are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Association to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of: total risk-based capital and Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets (as defined in the regulations), Tier I capital to adjusted total assets (as defined), and tangible capital to adjusted total assets (as defined).

As of September 30, 2010, based on the most recent notification from the OTS, the Association was categorized as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since the most recent notification that management believes have changed the Association’s prompt corrective action category.

Actual and required capital amounts (in thousands) and ratios are presented below at year-end:

 

     Actual     For Capital Adequacy
Purposes
    To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Regulations
 
     Amount      Ratio     Amount      Ratio     Amount      Ratio  

As of September 30, 2010:

               

Total Risk-Based Capital
(to Risk-weighted Assets)

     $28,201         19.76   ³ $11,417       ³ 8.0     $14,271         10.0

Tier I Capital
(to Risk-weighted Assets)

     $27,067         18.97   ³ $  5,709       ³ 4.0     $ 8,563         6.0

Tier I Capital
(to Adjusted Total Assets)

     $27,067         9.32   ³ $11,619       ³ 4.0     $14,523         5.0

Tangible Capital
(to Adjusted Total Assets)

     $27,067         9.32   ³ $  4,357       ³ 1.5     N/A         N/A   
     Actual     For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
    To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Regulations
 
     Amount      Ratio     Amount      Ratio     Amount      Ratio  

As of September 30, 2009:

               

Total Risk-Based Capital
(to Risk-weighted Assets)

     $25,435         18.94   ³ $10,746       ³ 8.0     $13,432         10.0

Tier I Capital
(to Risk-weighted Assets)

     $24,880         18.52   ³ $  5,373       ³ 4.0     $ 8,059         6.0

Tier I Capital
(to Adjusted Total Assets)

     $24,880         8.98   ³ $11,080       ³ 4.0     $13,849         5.0

Tangible Capital
(to Adjusted Total Assets)

     $24,880         8.98   ³ $  4,155       ³ 1.5     N/A         N/A   

 

 

(Continued)

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HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 13 - LOAN COMMITMENTS AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES

Some financial instruments, such as loan commitments, credit lines, letters of credit, and overdraft protection, are issued to meet customer financing needs. These are agreements to provide credit or to support the credit of others, as long as conditions established in the contract are met, and usually have expiration dates. Commitments may expire without being used. Off-balance-sheet risk to credit loss exists up to the face amount of these instruments, although material losses are not anticipated. The same credit policies are used to make such commitments as are used for loans, including obtaining collateral at exercise of the commitment.

The contractual amounts of financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk at year end were as follows:

 

     2010      2009  
     Fixed      Variable                
     Rate      Rate      Total      Total  

Commitments to make loans held for sale

   $ 1,496,000       $ —         $ 1,496,000       $ —     

Commitments to make loans

     —           896,000         896,000         2,230,000   

Unused lines of credit

     2,850,000         1,555,000         4,405,000         4,801,000   

Standby letters of credit

     —           40,000         40,000         20,000   

It was only practicable to present September 30, 2009 financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in total.

NOTE 14 - ADOPTION OF PLAN CONVERSION (UNAUDITED)

The Board of Directors of the Association, subject to regulatory approval and approval by the members of the Association, adopted a Plan of Conversion on December 21, 2010 (the “Plan) from a federally chartered mutual savings association to a federally chartered stock savings association. The conversion is expected to be accomplished through the amendment of the Association’s charter and the sale of common stock in an amount equal to the market value of the Association. A subscription offering the shares of the Association’s common stock will be first offered to the Association’s depositors and second, to the Association’s tax-qualified employee benefit plans. Any shares not sold in the subscription offering may be offered for sale to the general public.

At the time of Conversion, the Association shall establish a liquidation account in an amount equal to the retained earnings of the Association as of the latest statement of financial condition contained in the final offering circular utilized in connection with the Conversion. The liquidation account will be maintained for the benefit of eligible depositors who continue to maintain their accounts at the Assocation after the conversion. The liquidation account will be reduced annually to the extent that eligible depositors have reduced their qualifying deposits. Subsequent increases will not restore an eligible account holder’s interest in the liquidation account. In the event of a complete liquidation, each eligible depositor will be entitled to receive a distribution from the liquidation account in an amount proportionate to the current adjusted qualifying balances for accounts then held. The Association may not pay dividends, or repurchase any of the capital stock of the Association, if such dividend or repurchase would reduce stockholders’ equity below the required liquidation account balance.

Under Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”) regulations, limitations have been imposed on all “capital distributions” by savings institutions, including cash dividends. The regulation establishes a three-tiered system of restrictions, with the greatest flexibility afforded to thrifts which are both well-capitalized and given favorable qualitative examination ratings by the OTS.

 

 

(Continued)

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HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

NOTE 14 - ADOPTION OF PLAN CONVERSION (UNAUDITED) (Continued)

 

Costs associated with the conversion will be deferred and deducted from the proceeds of the stock offering. If, for any reason, the offering is not successful, the deferred costs will be charged to operations. As of September 30, 2010, there was $10,000 costs associated with the conversion.

 

 

(Continued)

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You should rely only on the information contained in this document or that to which we have referred you. No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representation other than as contained in this prospectus and, if given or made, such other information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by Poage Bankshares, Inc. or Home Federal Savings and Loan Association. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby to any person in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale hereunder shall under any circumstances create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Poage Bankshares, Inc. or Home Federal Savings and Loan Association since any of the dates as of which information is furnished herein or since the date hereof.

POAGE BANKSHARES, INC.

(Proposed Holding Company for

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association)

Up to 2,645,000 Shares of

Common Stock

Par value $0.01 per share

(Subject to Increase to up to 3,041,750 Shares)

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

K EEFE , B RUYETTE  & W OODS

             , 2011

 

 

Until [expire date] or 25 days after commencement of the syndicated community offering, if any, whichever is later, all dealers effecting transactions in the registered securities, whether or not participating in this distribution, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver the prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 


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PART II: INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

          Amount(1)  

*

   Registrant’s Legal Fees and Expenses    $ 415,000   

*

   Registrant’s Accounting Fees and Expenses      165,000   

*

   Conversion Agent and Data Processing Fees      27,500   

*

   Marketing Agent Fees(1)      308,875   

*

   Marketing Agent Expenses (Including Legal Fees and Expenses)      95,000   

*

   Appraisal Fees and Expenses      62,500   

*

   Printing, Postage, Mailing and EDGAR Fees      200,000   

*

   Filing Fees (OTS, Nasdaq, FINRA and SEC)      69,000   

*

   Business Plan Fees and Expenses      29,000   

*

   Other      53,125   
           

*

   Total    $ 1,425,000   
           

 

* Estimated
(1) Poage Bankshares, Inc. has retained Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. to assist in the sale of common stock on a best efforts basis in the offerings. Fees are estimated at the adjusted maximum of the offering range.

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Articles 10 and 11 of the Articles of Incorporation of Poage Bankshares, Inc. (the “Corporation”) set forth circumstances under which directors, officers, employees and agents of the Corporation may be insured or indemnified against liability which they incur in their capacities as such:

ARTICLE 10. Indemnification, etc. of Directors and Officers.

A. Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify (1) its current and former directors and officers, whether serving the Corporation or at its request any other entity, to the fullest extent required or permitted by the MGCL now or hereafter in force, including the advancement of expenses under the procedures and to the fullest extent permitted by law, and (2) other employees and agents to such extent as shall be authorized by the Board of Directors and permitted by law; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section B of this Article 10 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

B. Procedure. If a claim under Section A of this Article 10 is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty (20) days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall also be entitled to be reimbursed the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. It shall be a defense to any action for advancement of expenses that the Corporation has not received both (i) an undertaking as required by law to repay such advances in the event it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met and (ii) a written affirmation by the indemnitee of his good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Corporation has been met. In (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) any suit by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the MGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable

 

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standard of conduct set forth in the MGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article 10 or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

C. Non-Exclusivity. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article 10 shall not be exclusive of any other right that any Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, these Articles, the Corporation’s Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or the Board of Directors, or otherwise.

D. Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to insure itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such Person against such expense, liability or loss under the MGCL.

E. Miscellaneous. The Corporation shall not be liable for any payment under this Article 10 in connection with a claim made by any indemnitee to the extent such indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment under any insurance policy, agreement, or otherwise, of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in Sections A and B of this Article 10 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

F. Limitations Imposed by Federal Law . Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this Article 10, in no event shall any payments made by the Corporation pursuant to this Article 10 exceed the amount permissible under applicable federal law, including, without limitation, Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Any repeal or modification of this Article 10 shall not in any way diminish any rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses of such director or officer or the obligations of the Corporation arising hereunder with respect to events occurring, or claims made, while this Article 10 is in force.

ARTICLE 11. Limitation of Liability. An officer or director of the Corporation, as such, shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages, except (A) to the extent that it is proved that the Person actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services, for the amount of the benefit or profit in money, property or services actually received; or (B) to the extent that a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the Person is entered in a proceeding based on a finding in the proceeding that the Person’s action, or failure to act, was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding; or (C) to the extent otherwise provided by the MGCL. If the MGCL is amended to further eliminate or limit the personal liability of officers and directors, then the liability of officers and directors of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the MGCL, as so amended.

Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

 

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Not Applicable.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules:

The exhibits and financial statement schedules filed as part of this registration statement are as follows:

 

  (a) List of Exhibits

 

  1.1    Engagement Letter between Home Federal Savings and Loan Association and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
  1.2    Form of Agency Agreement between Home Federal Savings and Loan Association and Poage Bankshares, Inc., and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.*
   Plan of Conversion
  3.1    Articles of Incorporation of Poage Bankshares, Inc.
  3.2    Bylaws of Poage Bankshares, Inc.
   Form of Common Stock Certificate of Poage Bankshares, Inc.
   Opinion of Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C. regarding legality of securities being registered
  8.1    Form of Federal Tax Opinion of Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C.
  8.2    Form of State Tax Opinion of Crowe Horwath LLP
10.1    Form of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan
10.2    Form of Amendments to the Home Federal Savings and Loan Association Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan
10.3    Form of Split Dollar Plan
10.4    Home Federal Savings and Loan Association Employee Stock Ownership Plan
10.5    Form of Director Supplemental Retirement Plan
16       Change in Certifying Accountant Letter
21       Subsidiaries of Registrant
23.1    Consent of Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C. (contained in Opinions included as Exhibits 5 and 8.1)
23.2    Consent of Crowe Horwath LLP
23.3    Consent of RP Financial, LC.
24       Power of Attorney (set forth on signature page)
99.1    Appraisal Agreement between Home Federal Savings and Loan Association and RP Financial, LC.
99.2    Letter of RP Financial, LC. with respect to Subscription Rights
99.3    Appraisal Report of RP Financial, LC.**
99.4    Marketing Materials*
99.5    Stock Order and Certification Form*
99.6    Business Plan Agreement with Keller & Company, Inc.
99.7    Conversion Agent Agreement between Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

 

* To be filed supplementally or by amendment.
** Supporting financial schedules filed in paper format only pursuant to Rule 202 of Regulation S-T. Available for inspection during business hours at the principal offices of the SEC in Washington, D.C.

 

  (b) Financial Statement Schedules

No financial statement schedules are filed because the required information is not applicable or is included in the consolidated financial statements or related notes.

 

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Item 17. Undertakings

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which it offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (§230.424 of this chapter);

 

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(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(7) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(8) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Ashland, State of Kentucky on February 11, 2011.

 

POAGE BANKSHARES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Darryl E. Akers

 

Darryl E. Akers

  Vice Chaiman, Co-President, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
  (Duly Authorized Representative)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

We, the undersigned directors and officers of Poage Bankshares, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby severally constitute and appoint Darryl E. Akers as our true and lawful attorney and agent, to do any and all things in our names in the capacities indicated below which said Darryl E. Akers may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with the registration statement on Form S-1 relating to the offering of the Company’s common stock, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for us in our names in the capacities indicated below the registration statement and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto; and we hereby approve, ratify and confirm all that said Darryl E. Akers shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ Darryl E. Akers

Darryl E. Akers

   Vice Chairman, Co-President, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    February 11, 2011

/s/ J. Thomas Rupert

J. Thomas Rupert

   Chairman of the Board    February 11, 2011

/s/ James W. King

James W. King

   Chief Information Officer, Corporate Secretary and Director    February 11, 2011

/s/ Thomas P. Carver

Thomas P. Carver

   Director    February 11, 2011

/s/ Everette B. Gevedon

Everette B. Gevedon

   Director    February 11, 2011

/s/ Stuart N. Moore

Stuart N. Moore

   Director    February 11, 2011

/s/ Charles W. Robinson

Charles W. Robinson

   Director    February 11, 2011


Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2011

Registration No. 333-             

 

 

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

TO

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ON

FORM S-1

Poage Bankshares, Inc.

Ashland, Kentucky

 

 

 


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

      1.1    Engagement Letter between Home Federal Savings and Loan Association and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
      1.2    Form of Agency Agreement between Home Federal Savings and Loan Association and Poage Bankshares, Inc., and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.*
      2    Plan of Conversion
      3.1    Articles of Incorporation of Poage Bankshares, Inc.
      3.2    Bylaws of Poage Bankshares, Inc.
      4    Form of Common Stock Certificate of Poage Bankshares, Inc.
      5    Opinion of Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C. regarding legality of securities being registered
      8.1    Form of Federal Tax Opinion of Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C.
      8.2    Form of State Tax Opinion of Crowe Horwath LLP
    10.1    Form of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan
    10.2    Form of Amendments to the Home Federal Savings and Loan Association Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan
    10.3    Form of Split Dollar Plan
    10.4    Home Federal Savings and Loan Association Employee Stock Ownership Plan
    10.5    Form of Director Supplemental Retirement Plan
    16    Change in Certifying Accountant Letter
    21    Subsidiaries of Registrant
    23.1    Consent of Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C. (contained in Opinions included as Exhibits 5 and 8.1)
    23.2    Consent of Crowe Horwath LLP
    23.3    Consent of RP Financial, LC.
    24    Power of Attorney (set forth on signature page)
    99.1    Appraisal Agreement between Home Federal Savings and Loan Association and RP Financial, LC.
    99.2    Letter of RP Financial, LC. with respect to Subscription Rights
    99.3    Appraisal Report of RP Financial, LC.**
    99.4    Marketing Materials*
    99.5    Stock Order and Certification Form*
    99.6    Business Plan Agreement with Keller & Company, Inc.
    99.7    Conversion Agent Agreement between Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

 

* To be filed supplementally or by amendment.
** Supporting financial schedules filed in paper format only pursuant to Rule 202 of Regulation S-T. Available for inspection during business hours at the principal offices of the SEC in Washington, D.C.

Exhibit 1.1

LOGO

September 10, 2010

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

1500 Carter Avenue

Ashland, KY 41101

Attention:         Darryl E. Akers

                          Vice Chairman, President & CEO

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This letter confirms the engagement of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (“KBW”) to act as the exclusive financial advisor to Home Federal Savings and Loan Association (“Bank”) in connection with the Bank’s proposed conversion from the mutual to stock form of organization pursuant to the Bank’s Plan of Conversion (the “Conversion”), including the offer and sale of certain shares of the common stock (the “Common Stock”) of a holding company (the “Holding Company”) to be formed by the Bank to eligible persons in a Subscription Offering, with any remaining shares offered to the general public in a Community Offering (the Subscription Offering, the Community Offering and any Syndicated Community Offering are collectively referred to herein as the “Offerings”). In addition, KBW will act as Conversion Agent in connection with the Offerings pursuant to the terms of a separate agreement between the Bank and KBW. The Bank and the Holding Company are collectively referred to herein as the “Company”. This letter sets forth the terms and conditions of our engagement.

 

1. Advisory/Offering Services

As the Company's financial advisor, KBW will provide financial and logistical advice to the Company and will assist the Company’s management, legal counsel, accountants and other advisors in connection with the Conversion and related issues. We anticipate our services will include the following, each as may be necessary and as the Company may reasonably request:

 

  1. Provide advice on the financial and securities market implications of the Plan of Conversion and any related corporate documents, including the Company’s Business Plan;

 

  2. Assist in structuring the Offerings, including developing and assisting in implementing a marketing strategy for the Offerings;

 

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods • 10 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 3400 • Chicago, IL 60606

312.423.8200 • Toll Free: 800.929.6113 • Fax: 312.423.8232


Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

September 10, 2010

Page 2 of 7

 

  3. Reviewing all offering documents, including the Prospectus, stock order forms, letters, brochures and other related offering materials (it being understood that preparation and filing of such documents will be the responsibility of the Company and its counsel);

 

  4. Assisting the Company in preparing for and scheduling meetings with potential investors and broker-dealers, as necessary;

 

  5. Assist the Company in analyzing proposals from outside vendors retained in connection with the Offerings, including printers, transfer agents and appraisal firms;

 

  6. Assist the Company in the drafting and distribution of press releases as required or appropriate in connection with the Offerings;

 

  7. Meet with the Board of Directors and/or management of the Company to discuss any of the above services; and

 

  8. such other financial advisory and investment banking services in connection with the Offerings as may be agreed upon by KBW and the Company.

 

2. Due Diligence Review

The Company acknowledges and agrees that KBW’s obligation to perform the services contemplated by this agreement shall be subject to the satisfactory completion of such investigations and inquiries relating to the Company, and its directors, officers, agents and employees, as KBW and their counsel in their sole discretion my deem appropriate under the circumstances. The Company agrees it will make available to KBW all relevant information, whether or not publicly available, which KBW reasonably requests, and will permit KBW to discuss with the board of directors and management the operations and prospects of the Company. KBW will treat all material non-public information as confidential. The Company recognizes and confirms that KBW (a) will use and rely on such information in performing the services contemplated by this agreement without having independently verified the same, and (b) does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information or to conduct any independent verification or any appraisal or physical inspection of properties or assets. KBW will assume that all financial forecasts have been reasonably prepared and reflect the best then currently available estimates and judgments of the Company’s management as to the expected future financial performance of the Company.

 

3. Regulatory Filings

The Company will cause appropriate Offering documents to be filed with all regulatory agencies including the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”, formerly the NASD), the appropriate federal and/or state bank regulatory agencies. In addition, the Company and KBW agree that the Company’s counsel shall serve as counsel with respect to blue sky matters in connection with the Offerings, and that the Company shall cause such counsel to prepare a Blue Sky Memorandum related to the Offerings including KBW’s participation therein and shall furnish KBW a copy thereof addressed to KBW or upon which counsel shall state KBW may rely.


Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

September 10, 2010

Page 3 of 7

 

4. Fees

For the services hereunder, the Company shall pay the following fees to KBW at closing unless stated otherwise:

 

  (a) Management Fee: A Management Fee of $50,000 payable in four consecutive monthly installments of $12,500 commencing with the first month following the execution of this engagement letter. Such fees shall be deemed to have been earned when due. Should the Offering be terminated for any reason not attributable to the action or inaction of KBW, KBW shall have earned and be entitled to be paid fees accruing through the stage at which point the termination occurred.

 

  (b) Success Fee: A Success Fee of 1.50% shall be paid based on the aggregate Purchase Price of Common Stock sold in the Subscription Offering, excluding shares purchased by the Company’s officers, directors, or employees (or members of their immediate family) plus any ESOP, tax-qualified or stock based compensation plans (except IRA’s) or similar plan created by the Compny for some or all of their directors or employees, any charitable foundation established by the Company (or any shares contributed to such a foundation). In addition, a Success Fee of 2.0% shall be paid on the aggregate Purchase Price of Common Stock sold in the Direct Community Offering. The Management Fee described in 4(a) will be credited against any Success Fee paid pursuant to this paragraph.

 

  (c) Syndicated Community Offering : If any shares of the Company’s stock remain available after the Subscription Offering and Direct Community Offering, at the request of the Company, KBW will seek to form a syndicate of registered broker-dealers to assist in the sale of such common stock on a best efforts basis, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in a selected dealers agreement to be entered into between the Company and KBW. KBW will endeavor to distribute the common stock among dealers in a fashion which best meets the distribution objectives of the Company and the Plan. KBW will be paid a fee not to exceed 6.0% of the aggregate Purchase Price of the shares of common stock sold in the Syndicated Community Offering. From this fee, KBW will pass onto selected broker-dealers, who assist in the syndicated community, an amount competitive with gross underwriting discounts charged at such time for comparable amounts of stock sold at a comparable price per share in a similar market environment. Fees with respect to purchases affected with the assistance of a broker/dealer other than KBW shall be transmitted by KBW to such broker/dealer. (The decision to utilize selected broker-dealers will be made by the Company upon consultation with KBW.)

 

5. Blank

 

6. Expenses

The Company will bear those expenses of the proposed Offering customarily borne by issuers,


Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

September 10, 2010

Page 4 of 7

 

including, without limitation, regulatory filing fees, SEC, “Blue Sky,” and FINRA filing and registration fees; the fees of the Company's accountants, attorneys, appraiser, transfer agent and registrar, printing, mailing and marketing and syndicate expenses associated with the Offering; the fees set forth in Section 4; and fees for “Blue Sky” legal work. If KBW incurs expenses on behalf of Company, the Company will reimburse KBW for such expenses.

KBW shall be reimbursed for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to the Offering, including costs of travel, meals and lodging, photocopying, telephone, facsimile, and couriers, which will not exceed $25,000. In addition KBW will be reimbursed for fees and expenses of its counsel not to exceed $70,000. These expenses assume no unusual circumstances or delays, or a re-solicitation in connection with the Offerings. KBW and the Company acknowledge that such expense cap may be increased by mutual consent, including in the event of a material delay in the Offering which would require an update of the financial information in tabular form to reflect a period later than that set forth in the original filing of the offering document. The provisions of this paragraph are not intended to apply to or in any way impair or limit the indemnification provisions contained herein.

 

7. Limitations

The Company acknowledges that all opinions and advice (written or oral) given by KBW to the Company in connection with KBW’s engagement are intended solely for the benefit and use of the Company for the purposes of its evaluation of the proposed Offerings. Unless otherwise expressly stated in an opinion letter issued by KBW or otherwise expressly agreed, no one other than the Company is authorized to rely upon this engagement of KBW or any statements or conduct by KBW. The Company agrees that no such opinion or advice shall be used, reproduced, disseminated, quoted or referred to at any time, in any manner, or for any purpose, nor shall any public references to KBW be made by the Company or any of its representatives without the prior written consent of KBW.

The Company acknowledges and agrees that KBW has been retained to act solely as financial advisor to the Company and not as an advisor to or agent of any other person, and the Company’s engagement of KBW is not intended to confer rights upon any person not a party to this Agreement (including shareholders, employees or creditors of the Company) as against KBW or its affiliates, or their respective directors, officers, employees or agents. In such capacity, KBW shall act as an independent contractor, and any duties arising out of its engagement shall be owed solely to the Company. It is understood that KBW’s responsibility to the Company is solely contractual in nature and KBW does not owe the Company, or any other party, any fiduciary duty as a result of this Agreement.

 

8. Benefit

This letter agreement shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, and the obligations and liabilities assumed hereunder by the parties hereto shall be binding upon their respective successors; provided, however, that this letter agreement shall not be assignable by KBW.


Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

September 10, 2010

Page 5 of 7

 

9. Confidentiality

KBW acknowledges that a portion of the Information may contain confidential and proprietary business information concerning the Company. KBW agrees that, except as contemplated in connection with the performance of its services under this agreement, as authorized by the Company or as required by law, regulation or legal process, KBW agrees that it will treat as confidential all material, non-public information relating to the Company obtained in connection with its engagement hereunder (the “Confidential Information); provided, however, that KBW may disclose such Confidential Information to its agents and advisors who are assisting or advising KBW in performing its services hereunder and who have agreed to be bound by the terms and conditions of this paragraph. As used in this paragraph, the term “Confidential Information” shall not include information which (a) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by KBW, (b) was available to KBW on a non-confidential basis prior to its disclosure to KBW by the Company, or (c) becomes available to KBW on a non-confidential basis from a person other than the Company who is not otherwise known to KBW to be bound not to disclose such information pursuant to a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation.

The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that the presentation materials and financial models used by KBW in performing its services hereunder have been developed by and are proprietary to KBW. The Company agrees that it will not reproduce or distribute all or any portion of such models or presentations without the prior consent from KBW in writing.

 

10. Indemnification

As KBW will be acting on behalf of the Company in connection with the Offerings, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless KBW and its affiliates, the respective partners, directors, officers, employees and agents of KBW and its affiliates and each other person, if any, controlling KBW or any of its affiliates and each of their successors and assigns (KBW and each such person being an “Indemnified Party”) to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities, joint or several, to which such Indemnified Party may become subject under applicable federal or state law, or otherwise reasonably related to or arising out of the Offerings or the engagement of KBW pursuant to, or the performance by KBW of the services contemplated by, this letter, and will reimburse any Indemnified Party for all expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) as they are incurred, including expenses incurred in connection with the investigation, preparing for or defending any such action or claim whether or not in connection with pending or threatened litigation, or any action or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not KBW is a party; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (a) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement of a material fact or the omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make not misleading any statements contained in any final prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, made in reliance on and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by KBW expressly for use therein or (b) to the extent that any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense is found in a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from KBW’s gross negligence or bad faith of KBW.


Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

September 10, 2010

Page 6 of 7

 

If the indemnification provided for in the foregoing paragraph is judicially determined to be unavailable (other than in accordance with the terms hereof) to any person otherwise entitled to indemnity in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to herein, then, in lieu of indemnifying such person hereunder, the Company shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (and expenses relating thereto) (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and KBW, on the other hand, of the engagement provided for in this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided for in clause (i) above is not available, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in such clause (i) but also the relative fault of each of the Company and KBW, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided , however , in no event shall KBW's aggregate contribution to the amount paid or payable exceed the aggregate amount of fees actually received by KBW under this Agreement. For the purposes of this Agreement, the relative benefits to the Company and to KBW of the engagement under this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as (a) the total value paid or contemplated to be paid or received or contemplated to be received by the Company in the Conversion and the Offerings that are the subject of the engagement hereunder, whether or not consummated, bears to (b) the fees paid or to be paid to KBW under this Agreement.

 

11. Definitive Agreement

This letter agreement reflects KBW's present intention of proceeding to work with the Company on its proposed Offerings. No legal and binding obligation is created on the part of the Company or KBW with respect to the subject matter hereof, except as to (i) the agreement to maintain the confidentiality of Confidential Information set forth in Section 9, (ii) the payment of certain fees as set forth in Section 4, (iii) the payment of expenses as set forth in Section 6, (iv) the limitations set forth in Section 7, (v) the indemnification and contribution provisions set forth in Section 10 and (iv) those terms set forth in a mutually agreed upon Agency Agreement between KBW and the Company to be executed prior to commencement of the Offerings, all of which shall constitute the binding obligations of the parties hereto and which shall survive the termination of this letter agreement or the completion of the services furnished hereunder and shall remain operative and in full force and effect.

KBW’s execution of such Agency Agreement shall also be subject to (a) KBW’s satisfaction with Due Diligence Review, (b) preparation of offering materials that are satisfactory to KBW, (c) compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements to the reasonable satisfaction of KBW and its counsel, (d) agreement that the price established by the independent appraiser is reasonable, and (e) market conditions at the time of the proposed Offering.

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and can be altered only by written consent signed by the parties. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.


Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

September 10, 2010

Page 7 of 7

 

If the foregoing correctly sets forth our mutual understanding, please so indicate by signing and returning the original copy of this letter to the undersigned.

Very truly yours,

 

KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.
By:   /s/ Harold T. Hanely III
  Harold T. Hanley III
  Managing Director

 

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association    
By:   /s/ Darryl E. Akers     Date:   9-27-10
  Darryl E. Akers      
  Vice Chairman, President & CEO      

Exhibit 2

PLAN OF CONVERSION

OF

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

(AS AMENDED ON FEBRUARY 3, 2011)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1.

  INTRODUCTION    1
2.   DEFINITIONS    1
3.   PROCEDURES FOR CONVERSION    5
4.   HOLDING COMPANY APPLICATIONS AND APPROVALS    7
5.   SALE OF SUBSCRIPTION SHARES    7
6.   PURCHASE PRICE AND NUMBER OF SUBSCRIPTION SHARES    8
7.   RETENTION OF OFFERING PROCEEDS BY THE HOLDING COMPANY    8
8.   SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS OF ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS (FIRST PRIORITY)    9
9.   SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEE PLANS (SECOND PRIORITY)    9
10.   SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS (THIRD PRIORITY)    10
11.   SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS OF OTHER MEMBERS (FOURTH PRIORITY)    10
12.   COMMUNITY OFFERING    11
13.   SYNDICATED COMMUNITY OFFERING    11
14.   LIMITATION ON PURCHASES    12
15.   PAYMENT FOR SUBSCRIPTION SHARES    13
16.   MANNER OF EXERCISING SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS THROUGH ORDER FORMS    14
17.   UNDELIVERED, DEFECTIVE OR LATE ORDER FORM; INSUFFICIENT PAYMENT    15
18.   RESIDENTS OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND CERTAIN STATES    16
19.   ESTABLISHMENT OF LIQUIDATION ACCOUNT    16
20.   VOTING RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS    17
21.   RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE OR SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION    17
22.   REQUIREMENTS FOR STOCK PURCHASES BY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS FOLLOWING THE CONVERSION    18
23.   TRANSFER OF DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS    18
24.   REGISTRATION AND MARKETING    18
25.   TAX RULINGS OR OPINIONS    19
26.   STOCK BENEFIT PLANS AND EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS    19
27.   RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITION OF BANK AND HOLDING COMPANY    19
28.   PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND REPURCHASE OF STOCK    20
29.   CONSUMMATION OF CONVERSION AND EFFECTIVE DATE    20
30.   EXPENSES OF CONVERSION    21
31.   AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF PLAN    21
32.   CONDITIONS TO CONVERSION    21
33.   INTERPRETATION    21

 

(i)


PLAN OF CONVERSION OF

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

 

1. INTRODUCTION

This Plan of Conversion (this “Plan”) provides for the conversion of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, a federal mutual savings and loan association headquartered in Ashland, Kentucky (the “Bank”), into the capital stock form of organization. A new stock holding company (the “Holding Company”) will be established as part of the Conversion and will issue Common Stock in the Conversion. The purpose of the Conversion is to convert the Bank to the capital stock form of organization and to raise capital in the Offering. The Holding Company will offer its Common Stock in the Offering upon the terms and conditions set forth herein. The subscription rights granted to Participants in the Subscription Offering are set forth in Sections 8 through 11 hereof. All sales of Common Stock in the Community Offering or the Syndicated Community Offering will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of the Bank and the Holding Company. The Conversion will have no impact on depositors, borrowers or customers of the Bank. After the Conversion, the Bank’s insured deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC to the fullest extent provided by applicable law.

This Plan has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Bank. This Plan also must be approved by a majority of the total number of outstanding votes entitled to be cast by Voting Members of the Bank at a Special Meeting of Members to be called for that purpose. The OTS must approve this Plan before it is presented to Voting Members for their approval.

 

2. DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Plan, the following terms have the following respective meanings:

Account Holder – Any Person holding a Deposit Account in the Bank.

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

Affiliate – Any Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another Person.


Appraised Value Range – The range of the estimated consolidated pro forma market value of the Holding Company, which shall also be equal to the estimated pro forma market value of the total number of Subscription Shares to be issued in the Conversion, as determined by the Independent Appraiser prior to the Subscription Offering and as it may be amended from time to time thereafter. The maximum and minimum of the Appraised Value Range may vary as much as 15% above and 15% below, respectively, the midpoint of the Appraised Value Range. The maximum of the Appraisal Value Range may be adjusted by up to 15% subsequent to the commencement of the Subscription Offering to reflect changes in market or financial conditions or demand for the Common Stock.

Associate – The term Associate when used to indicate a relationship with any person, means (i) any corporation or organization (other than the Holding Company, the Bank or a majority-owned subsidiary of the Bank) if the person is a senior officer or partner or beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of any class of equity securities of the corporation or organization, (ii) any trust or other estate, if the person has a substantial beneficial interest in the trust or estate or is a trustee or fiduciary of the trust or estate except that for the purposes of this Plan relating to subscriptions in the Offering and the sale of Subscription Shares following the Conversion, a person who has a substantial beneficial interest in any Non-Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan or any Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan, or who is a trustee or fiduciary of such plan, is not an associate of such plan, and except that, for purposes of aggregating total shares that may be held by Officers and Directors, the term “Associate” does not include any Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan, and (iii) any person who is related by blood or marriage to such person and who lives in the same home as such person or who is a Director or Officer of the Bank or the Holding Company, or any of their parents or subsidiaries.

Bank – Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, Ashland, Kentucky.

Common Stock – The common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Holding Company.

Community – Greenup, Lawrence and Boyd Counties, Kentucky.

Community Offering – The offering for sale to certain members of the general public directly by the Holding Company of shares not subscribed for in the Subscription Offering.

Control – (including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by,” and “under common control with”) means the direct or indirect power to direct or exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise as described in 12 C.F.R. Part 574.

Conversion – The conversion of the Bank to stock form pursuant to this Plan, and all steps incident or necessary thereto, including the Offering.

Deposit Account – Any withdrawable account, including, without limitation, savings, time, demand, NOW accounts, money market, certificate and passbook accounts.

Director – A member of the Board of Directors of the Bank or the Holding Company, as appropriate in the context.

 

2


Eligible Account Holder – Any Person holding a Qualifying Deposit on the Eligibility Record Date for purposes of determining subscription rights and establishing subaccount balances in the Liquidation Account.

Eligibility Record Date – The date for determining Eligible Account Holders of the Bank, which is September 30, 2009.

Employees – All Persons who are employed by the Bank or the Holding Company.

Employee Plans – Any one or more Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plans of the Bank or the Holding Company, including any ESOP and 401(k) Plan.

ESOP – The Bank’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan and related trust.

FDIC – The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Holding Company – The corporation formed by the Bank for the purpose of acquiring all of the shares of capital stock of the Bank in connection with the Conversion, which shall be incorporated in Maryland or such other state as shall be designated by the Board of Directors. Shares of Common Stock of the Holding Company will be issued in the Conversion to Participants and others in the Offering.

Independent Appraiser – The appraiser retained by the Holding Company and the Bank to prepare an appraisal of the pro forma market value of the Subscription Shares.

Liquidation Account – The interest in the Bank received by Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders in exchange for their interest in the Bank in connection with the Conversion.

Member – Any Person or entity that qualifies as a member of the Bank pursuant to its charter and bylaws.

Offering – The offering and issuance, pursuant to this Plan, of Common Stock in a Subscription Offering, Community Offering or Syndicated Community Offering, as the case may be.

Offering Range – The range of the number of shares of Common Stock offered for sale in the Offering. The Offering Range shall be equal to the Appraised Value Range divided by the Subscription Price.

Officer – An executive officer of the Bank or the Holding Company, as appropriate in the context, which includes the Chief Executive Officer, President, Senior Vice Presidents, Executive Vice Presidents in charge of principal business functions, Secretary and Controller and any Person performing functions similar to those performed by the foregoing persons.

Order Form – Any form (together with any cover letter and acknowledgment) sent to any Participant or Person containing, among other things, a description of the alternatives

 

3


available to such Person under this Plan and by which any such Person may make elections regarding subscriptions for Subscription Shares.

Other Member – Any person entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Members who is not an Eligible Account Holder or Supplemental Eligible Account Holder.

OTS – The Office of Thrift Supervision, a division of the United States Department of Treasury, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve Board, as applicable, to the extent they become successors in interest to the OTS.

Participant – Any Eligible Account Holder, Employee Plan, Supplemental Eligible Account Holder, or Other Member.

Person – An individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint-stock company, a limited liability company, a trust, an unincorporated organization, or a government or political subdivision of a government.

Plan – This Plan of Conversion of the Bank as it exists on the date hereof and as it may hereafter be amended in accordance with its terms.

Prospectus – The one or more documents used in offering the Subscription Shares.

Qualifying Deposit – The aggregate balance of all Deposit Accounts in the Bank of (i) an Eligible Account Holder at the close of business on the Eligibility Record Date, provided such aggregate balance is not less than $50, and (ii) a Supplemental Eligible Account Holder at the close of business on the Supplemental Eligibility Record Date, provided such aggregate balance is not less than $50.

Resident – Any Person who occupies a dwelling within the Community, has a present intent to remain within the Community for a period of time, and manifests the genuineness of that intent by establishing an ongoing physical presence within the Community together with an indication that such presence within the Community is something other than merely transitory in nature. To the extent the person is a corporation or other business entity, the principal place of business or headquarters shall be in the Community. To the extent a person is a personal benefit plan, the circumstances of the beneficiary shall apply with respect to this definition. In the case of all other benefit plans, circumstances of the trustee shall be examined for purposes of this definition. The Bank may utilize deposit or loan records or such other evidence provided to it to make a determination as to whether a person is a resident. In all cases, however, such a determination shall be in the sole discretion of the Bank. A Participant must be a “Resident” for purposes of determining whether such person “resides” in the Community as such term is used in this Plan.

SEC – The Securities and Exchange Commission.

Special Meeting of Members – The special meeting of Voting Members and any adjournments thereof held to consider and vote upon this Plan.

Subscription Offering – The offering of Subscription Shares to Participants.

 

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Subscription Price – The price per Subscription Share to be paid by Participants and others in the Offering. The Subscription Price will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Holding Company and fixed prior to the commencement of the Subscription Offering.

Subscription Shares – Shares of Common Stock offered for sale in the Offering.

Supplemental Eligible Account Holder – Any Person, other than Directors and Officers of the Bank and the Holding Company and their Associates, holding a Qualifying Deposit on the Supplemental Eligibility Record Date, who is not an Eligible Account Holder.

Supplemental Eligibility Record Date – The date for determining Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, which shall be the last day of the calendar quarter preceding OTS approval of the application for conversion.

Syndicated Community Offering – The offering of Subscription Shares, at the sole discretion of the Holding Company, following the Subscription and Community Offerings through a syndicate of broker-dealers.

Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan – Any defined benefit plan or defined contribution plan, such as an employee stock ownership plan, stock bonus plan, profit-sharing plan or other plan, which, with its related trust, meets the requirements to be “qualified” under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Bank may make scheduled discretionary contributions to a tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan, provided such contributions do not cause the Bank to fail to meet its regulatory capital requirements. A “Non-Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan” is any defined benefit plan or defined contribution plan that is not so qualified.

Voting Member Any Person who at the close of business on the Voting Record Date is entitled to vote as a Member of the Bank pursuant to its charter and bylaws.

Voting Record Date – The date fixed by the Directors for determining eligibility to vote at the Special Meeting of Members.

 

3. PROCEDURES FOR CONVERSION

A. After approval of this Plan by the Board of Directors of the Bank, this Plan together with all other requisite material shall be submitted to the OTS for approval. Notice of the adoption of this Plan by the Board of Directors of the Bank and the submission of this Plan to the OTS for approval will be published in a newspaper having general circulation in each community in which an office of the Bank is located, and copies of this Plan will be made available at each office of the Bank for inspection by depositors. The Bank also will publish a notice of the filing with the OTS of an application to convert in accordance with the provisions of this Plan and as required by applicable regulation.

B. Promptly following approval by the OTS, this Plan will be submitted to a vote of the Voting Members at the Special Meeting of Members. The Bank will mail to all Voting Members, at their last known address appearing on the records of the Bank, a proxy statement and proxy card for use in voting at the Special Meeting of Members. Existing proxies held by

 

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the board of directors may not be used on connection with the Special Meeting. The Holding Company also will mail to all Participants either a Prospectus and Order Form for the purchase of Subscription Shares or a letter informing them of their right to receive a Prospectus and Order Form and a postage-prepaid card to request such materials, subject to other provisions of this Plan. In addition, all Participants will receive, or be given the opportunity to request by either returning a postage-prepaid card which will be distributed with the proxy statement or by letter addressed to the Bank’s Secretary, a copy of this Plan. Upon approval of this Plan by a majority of the total number of votes entitled to be cast by Voting Members, the Holding Company and the Bank will take all other necessary steps pursuant to applicable laws and regulations to consummate the Conversion and the Offering. The Conversion must be completed within 24 months of the approval of this Plan by Voting Members, unless a longer time period is permitted by governing laws and regulations.

C. The Conversion will be effected as follows, or in any other manner that is consistent with the purposes of this Plan and applicable laws and regulations: (1) the Bank will convert its charter to the federal stock savings and loan association charter, which authorizes the issuance of capital stock; (2) the Holding Company will purchase all of the capital stock issued by the Bank in connection with its conversion from mutual to stock form, for at least 50% of the net proceeds of the Offering; and (3) the Holding Company will issue the Common Stock in the Offering as provided in this Plan. Each of the steps set forth below shall be deemed to occur in such order as is necessary to consummate the Conversion pursuant to this Plan, the intent of the Board of Directors of the Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank, and applicable federal and state regulations and policy. Approval of this Plan by Voting Members also shall constitute approval of each of the transactions necessary to implement this Plan.

The Board of Directors of the Bank may determine for any reason at any time prior to the issuance of the Subscription Shares not to utilize a holding company form of organization in the Conversion. If the Board of Directors determines not to complete the Conversion utilizing a holding company form of organization, the stock of the Bank will be issued and sold in accordance with this Plan. In such case, the Holding Company’s registration statement will be withdrawn from the SEC, the Bank will take steps necessary to complete the Conversion, including filing any necessary documents with the OTS and will issue and sell the Subscription Shares in accordance with this Plan. In such event, any subscriptions or orders received for Subscription Shares of the Holding Company shall be deemed to be subscriptions or orders for common stock of the Bank, and the Bank shall take such steps as permitted or required by the OTS and the SEC.

D. The Holding Company shall register the issuance of the Subscription Shares with the SEC and any appropriate state securities authorities.

E. Upon completion of the Conversion, the legal existence of the Bank shall not terminate but the stock Bank shall be a continuation of the entity of the mutual Bank and all property of the mutual Bank, including its right, title and interest in and to all property of whatever kind and nature, whether real, personal, or mixed, and things, and choses in action, and every right, privilege, interest and asset of every conceivable value or benefit then existing or pertaining to it, or which would inure to it, immediately by operation of law and without the necessity of any conveyance or transfer and without any further act or deed shall vest in the stock

 

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Bank. The stock Bank shall have, hold, and enjoy the same in its own right as fully and to the same extent as the same was possessed, held and enjoyed by the mutual Bank. The stock Bank at the time and the taking effect of the Conversion shall continue to have and succeed to all the rights, obligations and relations of the mutual Bank. All pending actions and other judicial or administrative proceedings to which the Bank was a party shall not be discontinued by reason of the Conversion, but may be prosecuted to final judgment or order in the same manner as if the Conversion had not been made and the stock Bank resulting from the Conversion may continue the actions in its name notwithstanding the Conversion. Upon completion of the Conversion, each Person having a Deposit Account at the Bank prior to the Conversion will continue to have a Deposit Account, without further payment therefor, in the same amount and subject to the same terms and conditions (except for Liquidation Rights) as in effect prior to the Conversion. All of the Bank’s insured Deposit Accounts will continue to be insured by the FDIC to the extent provided by applicable law.

F. The home office and branch offices of the Bank shall be unaffected by the Conversion. The executive offices of the Holding Company shall be located at the current offices of the Bank.

 

4. HOLDING COMPANY APPLICATIONS AND APPROVALS

The Boards of Directors of the Holding Company and the Bank will take all necessary steps to convert the Bank to stock form, form the Holding Company and complete the Offering. The Holding Company shall make timely applications to the OTS and filings with the SEC for any requisite regulatory approvals to complete the Conversion.

 

5. SALE OF SUBSCRIPTION SHARES

The Subscription Shares will be offered simultaneously in the Subscription Offering to the Participants in the respective priorities set forth in this Plan. The Subscription Offering may begin as early as the mailing of the Proxy Statement for the Special Meeting of Members. The Common Stock will not be insured by the FDIC or any government agency. The Bank will not extend credit to any Person to purchase shares of Common Stock.

Any shares of Common Stock for which subscriptions have not been received in the Subscription Offering may be issued in the Community Offering. The Subscription Offering may begin prior to the Special Meeting of Members and, in that event, the Community Offering also may begin prior to the Special Meeting of Members. The offer and sale of Common Stock prior to the Special Meeting of Members, however, is subject to the approval of this Plan by Voting Members.

If feasible, any shares of Common Stock remaining after the Subscription Offering, and the Community Offering should one be conducted, will be sold in a Syndicated Community Offering or in any manner that will achieve the widest distribution of the Common Stock. The Syndicated Community may be conducted in addition to, or instead of, a Community Offering. The issuance of Common Stock in any Subscription Offering and any Community Offering will be consummated simultaneously on the date the sale of Common Stock in the Syndicated

 

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Community Offering is consummated and only if the required minimum number of shares of Common Stock has been issued.

 

6. PURCHASE PRICE AND NUMBER OF SUBSCRIPTION SHARES

The total number of shares, or a range thereof, of Subscription Shares to be offered for sale in the Offering will be determined jointly by the Boards of Directors of the Bank and the Holding Company immediately prior to the commencement of the Subscription and Community Offerings, and will be based on the Appraised Value Range and the Subscription Price. The Offering Range will be equal to the Appraised Value Range divided by the Subscription Price. The estimated pro forma consolidated market value of the Holding Company will be subject to adjustment within the Appraised Value Range if necessitated by market or financial conditions, with the receipt of any required approvals of the OTS, and the maximum of the Appraised Value Range may be increased by up to 15% subsequent to the commencement of the Subscription Offering to reflect changes in market and financial conditions or demand for the shares. The number of Subscription Shares issued in the Offering will be equal to the estimated pro forma consolidated market value of the Holding Company, as may be amended, divided by the Subscription Price.

In the event that the Subscription Price multiplied by the number of Subscription Shares to be issued in the Offering is below the minimum of the Appraised Value Range, or materially above the maximum of the Appraised Value Range, a resolicitation of purchasers may be required, provided that up to a 15% increase above the maximum of the Appraised Value Range will not be deemed material so as to require a resolicitation. Any such resolicitation shall be effected in such manner and within such time as the Bank and the Holding Company shall establish, if all required regulatory approvals are obtained.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Subscription Shares will not be issued unless, prior to the consummation of the Offering, the Independent Appraiser confirms to the Bank, the Holding Company, and the OTS, that, to the best knowledge of the Independent Appraiser, nothing of a material nature has occurred which, taking into account all relevant factors, would cause the Independent Appraiser to conclude that the number of Subscription Shares issued in the Offering multiplied by the Subscription Price is incompatible with its estimate of the aggregate consolidated pro forma market value of the Holding Company. If such confirmation is not received, the Holding Company may cancel the Offering, extend the Offering and establish a new Subscription Price and/or Appraised Value Range, extend, reopen or hold a new Offering, or take such other action as the OTS may permit.

The Common Stock to be issued in the Offering shall be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

7. RETENTION OF OFFERING PROCEEDS BY THE HOLDING COMPANY

The Holding Company may retain up to 50% of the proceeds of the Offering. The Offering proceeds will provide additional capital to the Holding Company and the Bank for future growth of the Bank’s assets, products and services in a highly competitive and regulated financial services environment and would facilitate the continued expansion through acquisitions of financial service organizations, continued diversification into other related businesses and for

 

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other business and investment purposes, including the possible payment of dividends and possible future repurchases of the Common Stock as permitted by applicable federal and state regulations and policy. Following the Conversion, the Bank may distribute additional capital to the Holding Company from time to time, subject to the OTS regulations governing capital distributions.

 

8. SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS OF ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS (FIRST PRIORITY)

A. Each Eligible Account Holder shall have nontransferable subscription rights to subscribe for in the Subscription Offering up to the greater of 15,000 shares of Common Stock, 0.10% of the total number of shares of Common Stock issued in the Offering, or fifteen times the product (rounded down to the next whole number) obtained by multiplying the number of Subscription Shares offered in the Offering by a fraction of which the numerator is the amount of the Eligible Account Holder’s Qualifying Deposit and the denominator is the total amount of Qualifying Deposits of all Eligible Account Holders, in each case on the Eligibility Record Date, subject to the provisions of Section 14.

B. In the event that Eligible Account Holders exercise subscription rights for a number of Subscription Shares in excess of the total number of such shares eligible for subscription, the Subscription Shares shall be allocated among the subscribing Eligible Account Holders so as to permit each subscribing Eligible Account Holder to purchase a number of shares sufficient to make his or her total allocation of Subscription Shares equal to the lesser of 100 shares or the number of shares for which such Eligible Account Holder has subscribed. Any remaining shares will be allocated among the subscribing Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied in the proportion that the amount of the Qualifying Deposit of each Eligible Account Holder whose subscription remains unsatisfied bears to the total amount of the Qualifying Deposits of all Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied. If the amount so allocated exceeds the amount subscribed for by any one or more Eligible Account Holders, the excess shall be reallocated (one or more times as necessary) among those Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions are still not fully satisfied on the same principle until all available shares have been allocated.

C. Subscription rights as Eligible Account Holders received by Directors and Officers and their Associates that are based on increased deposits made by such persons during the 12 months preceding the Eligibility Record Date shall be subordinated to the subscription rights of all other Eligible Account Holders, except as permitted by the OTS.

 

9. SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEE PLANS (SECOND PRIORITY)

The Employee Plans of the Holding Company and the Bank shall have subscription rights to purchase in the aggregate up to 10% of the Subscription Shares issued in the Offering, including any Subscription Shares to be issued as a result of an increase in the maximum of the Offering Range after commencement of the Subscription Offering and prior to completion of the Offering. Consistent with applicable laws and regulations and practices and policies, the Employee Plans may use funds contributed by the Holding Company or the Bank and/or borrowed from an independent financial institution to exercise such subscription rights, and the

 

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Holding Company and the Bank may make scheduled discretionary contributions thereto, provided that such contributions do not cause the Holding Company or the Bank to fail to meet any applicable regulatory capital requirements. The Employee Plans shall not be deemed to be Associates or Affiliates of or Persons Acting in Concert with any Director or Officer of the Holding Company or the Bank. If the final valuation exceeds the maximum of the Offering Range, up to 8% of the Common Stock issued and outstanding following the completion of the Offering may be sold to the Tax-Qualified Employee Plans notwithstanding any oversubscription by Eligible Account Holders. If permitted by the OTS, the Employee Plans may purchase all or a portion of such shares in the open market.

 

10. SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS (THIRD PRIORITY)

A. Each Supplemental Eligible Account Holder shall have nontransferable subscription rights to subscribe for in the Subscription Offering up to the greater of 15,000 shares of Common Stock, 0.10% of the total number of shares of Common Stock issued in the Offering, or fifteen times the product (rounded down to the next whole number) obtained by multiplying the number of Subscription Shares offered in the Offering by a fraction of which the numerator is the amount of the Supplemental Eligible Account Holder’s Qualifying Deposit and the denominator is the total amount of Qualifying Deposits of all Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, in each case on the Supplemental Eligibility Record Date, subject to the availability of sufficient shares after filling in full all subscription orders of the Eligible Account Holders and Employee Plans and to the purchase limitations specified in Section 14.

B. In the event that Supplemental Eligible Account Holders exercise subscription rights for a number of Subscription Shares in excess of the total number of such shares eligible for subscription, the Subscription Shares shall be allocated among the subscribing Supplemental Eligible Account Holders so as to permit each such subscribing Supplemental Eligible Account Holder, to the extent possible, to purchase a number of shares sufficient to make his or her total allocation of Subscription Shares equal to the lesser of 100 shares or the number of shares for which each such Supplemental Eligible Account Holder has subscribed. Any remaining shares will be allocated among the subscribing Supplemental Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied in the proportion that the amount of the Qualifying Deposit of each such Supplemental Eligible Account Holder bears to the total amount of the Qualifying Deposits of all Supplemental Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied. If the amount so allocated exceeds the amount subscribed for by any one or more Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, the excess shall be reallocated (one or more times as necessary) among those Supplemental Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions are still not fully satisfied on the same principle until all available shares have been allocated.

 

11. SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS OF OTHER MEMBERS (FOURTH PRIORITY)

A. Each Other Member shall have nontransferable subscription rights to subscribe for in the Subscription Offering up to the greater of 15,000 shares of Common Stock or 0.10% of the total number of shares of Common Stock issued in the Offering, subject to the availability of sufficient shares after filling in full all subscription orders of Eligible Account Holders,

 

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Employee Plans and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and to the purchase limitations specified in Section 14.

B. In the event that such Other Members subscribe for a number of Subscription Shares which, when added to the Subscription Shares subscribed for by the Eligible Account Holders, Employee Plans and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, is in excess of the total number of Subscription Shares to be issued, the available shares will be allocated to Other Members so as to permit each such subscribing Other Member, to the extent possible, to purchase a number of shares sufficient to make his or her total allocation of Subscription Shares equal to the lesser of 100 shares or the number of shares for which each such Other Member has subscribed. Any remaining shares will be allocated among the subscribing Other Members whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied in the proportion that the amount of the subscription of each such Other Member bears to the total amount of the subscriptions of all Other Members whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied.

 

12. COMMUNITY OFFERING

If subscriptions are not received for all Subscription Shares offered for sale in the Subscription Offering, shares for which subscriptions have not been received may be issued, at the discretion of the board of directors, for sale in the Community Offering through a direct community marketing program that may use a broker, dealer, consultant or investment banking firm experienced and expert in the sale of savings institutions securities. Such Community Offering may commence simultaneously during or after the Subscription Offering. Such entities may be compensated on a fixed fee basis or on a commission basis, or a combination thereof. In the event orders for Common Stock in the Community Offering exceed the number of shares available for sale, shares may be allocated (to the extent shares remain available) first to cover orders of natural persons residing in the Community, and thereafter to cover orders of other members of the general public, so that each Person in such category of the Community Offering may receive the lesser of 100 shares or the number of shares they ordered. In addition, orders received for shares in the Community Offering will be filled up to a maximum of two percent (2%) of the shares sold in the Offering, and thereafter any remaining shares will be allocated on an equal number of shares basis per order. The Holding Company shall use its best efforts consistent with this Plan to distribute Common Stock sold in the Community Offering in such a manner as to promote the widest distribution practicable of such stock. The Holding Company reserves the right to reject any or all orders in whole or in part, which are received in the Community Offering. Any Person may purchase up to 15,000 shares of Common Stock in the Community Offering, subject to the purchase limitations specified in Section 14.

 

13. SYNDICATED COMMUNITY OFFERING

If feasible, the Board of Directors may in its discretion determine to offer Subscription Shares not issued in the Subscription Offering or the Community Offering in a Syndicated Community, subject to such terms, conditions and procedures as may be determined by the Holding Company, in a manner that will achieve the widest distribution of the Common Stock, subject to the right of the Holding Company to accept or reject in whole or in part any subscriptions in the Syndicated Community Offering. In the Syndicated Community Offering,

 

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any Person may purchase up to 15,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to the purchase limitations specified in Section 14.

Provided that the Subscription Offering has begun, the Holding Company may begin the Syndicated Community Offering at any time, provided that the completion of the offer and sale of the Common Stock will be conditioned upon the approval of this Plan by Voting Members. If the Syndicated Community Offering does not begin pursuant to the provisions of the preceding sentence, such offering will begin as soon as practicable following the date upon which the Subscription and Community Offerings terminate.

If for any reason a Syndicated Community Offering of shares of Common Stock not sold in the Subscription and Community Offerings cannot be effected, or in the event that any insignificant residue of shares of Common Stock is not sold in the Subscription and Community Offerings or in the Syndicated Community, if possible, the Holding Company will make other arrangements for the disposition of unsubscribed shares aggregating at least the minimum of the Offering Range. Such other purchase arrangements will be subject to receipt of any required approval of the OTS.

 

14. LIMITATION ON PURCHASES

The following limitations shall apply to all purchases and issuances of shares of Subscription Shares:

A. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be subscribed for or purchased in all categories in the Offering (1) by any group of Persons or Participants through a single Deposit Account is 15,000 shares, or (2) by any Person or Participant together with any Associate or group of Persons Acting in Concert is 30,000 shares, except that the Employee Plans may subscribe for up to 10% of the Common Stock issued in the Offering (including shares issued in the event of an increase in the maximum of the Offering Range of 15%).

B. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued to or purchased in all categories of the Offering by Officers and Directors and their Associates in the aggregate, shall not exceed 30% of the shares of Common Stock issued in the Offering.

C. A minimum of 25 shares of Common Stock must be purchased by each Person purchasing shares in the Offering to the extent those shares are available; provided, however , that in the event the minimum number of shares of Common Stock purchased times the price per share exceeds $500, then such minimum purchase requirement shall be reduced to such number of shares which when multiplied by the price per share shall not exceed $500, as determined by the Board.

D. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be subscribed for or purchased in the Offering by any Person or Participant together with any Associate or group of Persons Acting in Concert, shall not exceed 5.0% of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding at the completion of the Offering, except that this limitation shall not apply to the Employee Plans and as otherwise provided below.

 

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If the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise allocable pursuant to Sections 8 through 13, inclusive, to any Person or that Person’s Associates would be in excess of the maximum number of shares permitted as set forth above, the number of shares of Common Stock allocated to each such person shall be reduced to the lowest limitation applicable to that Person, and then the number of shares allocated to each group consisting of a Person and that Person’s Associates shall be reduced so that the aggregate allocation to that Person and his or her Associates complies with the above limits.

Depending upon market or financial conditions, the Board of Directors of the Holding Company, with the receipt of any required approvals of the OTS and without further approval of Voting Members, may decrease or increase the purchase limitations in this Plan, provided that the maximum purchase limitations may not be increased to a percentage in excess of 5.0% of the shares issued in the Offering except as provided below. If the Holding Company increases the maximum purchase limitations, the Holding Company is only required to resolicit Persons who subscribed for the maximum purchase amount in the Subscription Offering and may, in the sole discretion of the Holding Company, resolicit certain other large subscribers. In the event that the maximum purchase limitation is increased to 5.0% of the shares issued in the Offering, such limitation may be further increased to 9.99%, provided that orders for Common Stock exceeding 5.0% of the shares of Common Stock issued in the Offering shall not exceed in the aggregate 10.0% of the total shares of Common Stock issued in the Offering. Requests to purchase additional Subscription Shares in the event that the purchase limitation is so increased will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Holding Company in its sole discretion.

In the event of an increase in the total number of shares offered in the Subscription Offering due to an increase in the maximum of the Offering Range of up to 15% (the “Adjusted Maximum”), the additional shares will be used to fill the Employee Plans orders and then will be allocated in accordance with the priorities set forth in this Plan.

For purposes of this Section 14, (i) Directors, Officers and employees of the Bank and the Holding Company shall not be deemed to be Associates or a group affiliated with each other or otherwise Acting in Concert solely as a result of their being Directors, Officers and employees of the Bank or the Holding Company, (ii) shares purchased by Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plans shall not be attributable to the individual trustees or beneficiaries of any such plan for purposes of determining compliance with the limitations set forth in paragraphs A. and B. of this Section 14, and (iii) shares purchased by a Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan pursuant to instructions of an individual in an account in such plan in which the individual has the right to direct the investment, including any plan of the Bank qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall be aggregated and included in that individual’s purchases and not attributed to the Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan.

Each Person purchasing Common Stock in the Offering shall be deemed to confirm that such purchase does not conflict with the above purchase limitations contained in this Plan.

 

15. PAYMENT FOR SUBSCRIPTION SHARES

All payments for Common Stock subscribed for in the Subscription Offering and Community Offering must be delivered in full to the Bank or Holding Company, together with a

 

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properly completed and executed Order Form, on or prior to the expiration date of the Offering; provided, however , that if the Employee Plans subscribe for shares in the Subscription Offering, such plans will not be required to pay for the shares at the time they subscribe but rather may pay for such shares of Common Stock subscribed for by such plans at the Subscription Price upon consummation of the Offering. Subscription funds will be held in a segregated account at the Bank or, at the discretion of the Bank, at another insured depository institution.

Payment for Common Stock subscribed for shall be made by check, money order or bank draft. Alternatively, subscribers in the Subscription and Community Offerings may pay for the shares for which they have subscribed by authorizing the Bank on the Order Form to make a withdrawal from the designated types of Deposit Accounts at the Bank in an amount equal to the aggregate Subscription Price of such shares. Such authorized withdrawal shall be without penalty as to premature withdrawal. If the authorized withdrawal is from a certificate account, and the remaining balance does not meet the applicable minimum balance requirement, the certificate shall be canceled at the time of withdrawal, without penalty, and the remaining balance will earn interest at the passbook rate. Funds for which a withdrawal is authorized will remain in the subscriber’s Deposit Account but may not be used by the subscriber during the Subscription and Community Offerings. Thereafter, the withdrawal will be given effect only to the extent necessary to satisfy the subscription (to the extent it can be filled) at the Subscription Price per share. Interest will continue to be earned on any amounts authorized for withdrawal until such withdrawal is given effect. Interest on funds received in cash, check or money order will be paid by the Bank at not less than the passbook rate on payments for Common Stock. Such interest will be paid from the date payment is received by the Bank until consummation or termination of the Offering. If for any reason the Offering is not consummated, all payments made by subscribers in the Subscription and Community Offerings will be refunded to them with interest. In case of amounts authorized for withdrawal from Deposit Accounts, refunds will be made by canceling the authorization for withdrawal. The Bank is prohibited by regulation from knowingly making any loans or granting any lines of credit for the purchase of stock in the Offering, and therefore, will not do so.

 

16. MANNER OF EXERCISING SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS THROUGH ORDER FORMS

As soon as practicable after the Prospectus prepared by the Holding Company and the Bank has been declared effective by the SEC, Order Forms will be distributed to the Eligible Account Holders, Employee Plans, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and Other Members at their last known addresses appearing on the records of the Bank for the purpose of subscribing for shares of Common Stock in the Subscription Offering and will be made available for use by those Persons to whom a Prospectus is delivered.

Each Order Form will be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus describing the Holding Company, the Bank, the Common Stock and the Offering. Each Order Form will contain, among other things, the following:

A. A specified date by which all Order Forms must be received by the Bank or the Holding Company, which date shall be not less than 20 days, nor more than 45 days, following

 

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the date on which the Order Forms are mailed by the Holding Company, and which date will constitute the termination of the Subscription Offering unless extended;

B. The Subscription Price per share for shares of Common Stock to be sold in the Offering;

C. A description of the minimum and maximum number of Subscription Shares that may be subscribed for pursuant to the exercise of subscription rights or otherwise purchased in the Subscription and Community Offering;

D. Instructions as to how the recipient of the Order Form is to indicate thereon the number of Subscription Shares for which such person elects to subscribe and the available alternative methods of payment therefor;

E. An acknowledgment that the recipient of the Order Form has received a final copy of the prospectus prior to execution of the Order Form;

F. A statement to the effect that all subscription rights are nontransferable, will be void at the end of the Subscription Offering, and can only be exercised by delivering to the Holding Company within the subscription period such properly completed and executed Order Form, together with payment in the full amount of the aggregate purchase price as specified in the Order Form for the shares of Common Stock for which the recipient elects to subscribe in the Subscription Offering (or by authorizing on the Order Form that the Bank withdraw said amount from the subscriber’s Deposit Account at the Bank); and

G. A statement to the effect that the executed Order Form, once received by the Holding Company, may not be modified or amended by the subscriber without the consent of the Holding Company.

Notwithstanding the above, the Holding Company reserves the right in its sole discretion to accept or reject orders received on photocopied or facsimilied order forms.

 

17. UNDELIVERED, DEFECTIVE OR LATE ORDER FORM; INSUFFICIENT PAYMENT

In the event Order Forms (a) are not delivered by the United States Postal Service, (b) are not received back by the Holding Company or are received by the Holding Company after the expiration date specified thereon, (c) are defectively filled out or executed, (d) are not accompanied by the full required payment, unless waived by the Holding Company, for the shares of Common Stock subscribed for (including cases in which deposit accounts from which withdrawals are authorized are insufficient to cover the amount of the required payment), or (e) are not mailed pursuant to a “no mail” order placed in effect by the account holder, the subscription rights of the Person to whom such rights have been granted will lapse as though such Person failed to return the completed Order Form within the time period specified thereon; provided, however , that the Holding Company may, but will not be required to, waive any immaterial irregularity on any Order Form or require the submission of corrected Order Forms or the remittance of full payment for subscribed shares by such date as the Holding Company may

 

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specify. The interpretation of the Holding Company of terms and conditions of this Plan and of the Order Forms will be final, subject to the authority of the OTS.

 

18. RESIDENTS OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND CERTAIN STATES

The Holding Company will make reasonable efforts to comply with the securities laws of all States in the United States in which Persons entitled to subscribe for shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Plan reside. However, no such Person will be issued subscription rights or be permitted to purchase shares of Common Stock in the Subscription Offering if such Person resides in a foreign country; or in a State of the United States with respect to which any of the following apply: (A) a small number of Persons otherwise eligible to subscribe for shares under this Plan reside in such state; (B) the issuance of subscription rights or the offer or sale of shares of Common Stock to such Persons would require the Holding Company under the securities laws of such state, to register as a broker, dealer, salesman or agent or to register or otherwise qualify its securities for sale in such state; and (C) such registration or qualification would be impracticable for reasons of cost or otherwise.

 

19. ESTABLISHMENT OF LIQUIDATION ACCOUNT

The Bank shall establish at the time of the Conversion, a Liquidation Account in an amount equal to the Bank’s total equity as reflected in the latest statement of financial condition contained in the final Prospectus used in the Offering. Following the Conversion, the Liquidation Account will be maintained by the Bank for the benefit of the Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders who continue to maintain their Deposit Accounts at the Bank. Each Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental Eligible Account Holder shall, with respect to his Deposit Account, hold a related inchoate interest in a portion of the Liquidation Account balance, in relation to his Deposit Account balance at the Eligibility Record Date or Supplemental Eligibility Record Date, respectively, or to such balance as it may be subsequently reduced, as hereinafter provided.

In the unlikely event of a complete liquidation of the Bank (and only in such event), following all liquidation payments to creditors (including those to Account Holders to the extent of their Deposit Accounts) each Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental Eligible Account Holder shall be entitled to receive a liquidating distribution from the Liquidation Account, in the amount of the then adjusted subaccount balance for his Deposit Account then held, before any liquidation distribution may be made to any holders of the Bank’s capital stock. No merger, consolidation, purchase of bulk assets with assumption of Deposit Accounts and other liabilities, or similar transactions with an FDIC-insured institution, in which the Bank is not the surviving institution, shall be deemed to be a complete liquidation for this purpose. In such transactions, the Liquidation Account shall be assumed by the surviving institution.

The initial subaccount balance for a Deposit Account held by an Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental Eligible Account Holder shall be determined by multiplying the opening balance in the Liquidation Account by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of the Qualifying Deposits of such Account Holder and the denominator of which is the total amount of all Qualifying Deposits of all Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Account Holders. For Deposit Accounts in existence at both the Eligibility Record Date and the Supplemental

 

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Eligibility Record Date, separate initial subaccount balances shall be determined on the basis of the Qualifying Deposits in such Deposit Account on each such record date. Such initial subaccount balance shall not be increased, but shall be subject to downward adjustment as described below.

If, at the close of business on any December 31 annual closing date, commencing on or after the effective date of the Conversion, the deposit balance in the Deposit Account of an Eligible Account Holder or Supplemental Eligible Account Holder is less than the lesser of (i) the balance in the Deposit Account at the close of business on any other annual closing date subsequent to the Eligibility Record Date or Supplemental Eligibility Record Date, or (ii) the amount of the Qualifying Deposit in such Deposit Account as of the Eligibility Record Date or Supplemental Eligibility Record Date, the subaccount balance for such Deposit Account shall be adjusted by reducing such subaccount balance in an amount proportionate to the reduction in such deposit balance. In the event of such downward adjustment, the subaccount balance shall not be subsequently increased, notwithstanding any subsequent increase in the deposit balance of the related Deposit Account. If any such Deposit Account is closed, the related subaccount shall be reduced to zero.

The creation and maintenance of the Liquidation Account shall not operate to restrict the use or application of any of the equity accounts of the Bank, except that the Bank shall not declare or pay a cash dividend on, or repurchase any of, its capital stock if the effect thereof would cause its equity to be reduced below (i) the amount required for the Liquidation Account; or (ii) the regulatory capital requirements of the Bank.

 

20. VOTING RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Following consummation of the Conversion, the holders of the voting capital stock of the Holding Company shall have the exclusive voting rights with respect to the Holding Company.

 

21. RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE OR SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION

A. All shares of Common Stock purchased by Directors or Officers of the Holding Company or the Bank in the Offering shall be subject to the restriction that, except as provided in this Section 21 or as may be approved by the OTS, no interest in such shares may be sold or otherwise disposed of for value for a period of one year following the date of purchase in the Offering.

B. The restriction on disposition of Subscription Shares set forth above in this Section 21 shall not apply to the following:

 

  (1) Any exchange of such shares in connection with a merger or acquisition involving the Bank or the Holding Company, as the case may be, which has been approved by the appropriate federal regulatory agency; and

 

  (2) Any disposition of such shares following the death of the person to whom such shares were initially sold under the terms of this Plan.

 

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C. With respect to all Subscription Shares subject to restrictions on resale or subsequent disposition, each of the following provisions shall apply:

 

  (1) Each certificate representing shares restricted by this section shall bear a legend prominently stamped on its face giving notice of the restriction;

 

  (2) Instructions shall be issued to the stock transfer agent for the Holding Company not to recognize or effect any transfer of any certificate or record of ownership of any such shares in violation of the restriction on transfer; and

 

  (3) Any shares of capital stock of the Holding Company issued with respect to a stock dividend, stock split, or otherwise with respect to ownership of outstanding Subscription Shares subject to the restriction on transfer hereunder shall be subject to the same restriction as is applicable to such Subscription Shares.

 

22. REQUIREMENTS FOR STOCK PURCHASES BY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS FOLLOWING THE CONVERSION

For a period of three years following the Conversion, no Officer, Director or their Associates shall purchase, without the prior written approval of the OTS, any outstanding shares of Common Stock except from a broker-dealer registered with the SEC. This provision shall not apply to negotiated transactions involving more than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the exercise of any options pursuant to a stock option plan or purchases of Common Stock made by or held by any Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan or Non-Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan of the Bank or the Holding Company (including the Employee Plans) which may be attributable to any Officer or Director. As used herein, the term “negotiated transaction” means a transaction in which the securities are offered and the terms and arrangements relating to any sale are arrived at through direct communications between the seller or any person acting on its behalf and the purchaser or his investment representative. The term “investment representative” shall mean a professional investment advisor acting as agent for the purchaser and independent of the seller and not acting on behalf of the seller in connection with the transaction.

 

23. TRANSFER OF DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS

Each person holding a Deposit Account at the Bank at the time of Conversion shall retain an identical Deposit Account at the Bank following Conversion in the same amount and subject to the same terms and conditions (except as to voting and liquidation rights).

 

24. REGISTRATION AND MARKETING

Within the time period required by applicable laws and regulations, the Holding Company will register the securities issued in connection with the Offering pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and will not deregister such securities for a period of at least three years thereafter, unless a waiver is granted by the OTS or its successor. In addition, the Holding Company will use its best efforts to encourage and assist a market maker to establish

 

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and maintain a market for the Common Stock and to list those securities on a national or regional securities exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market.

 

25. TAX RULINGS OR OPINIONS

Consummation of the Conversion is expressly conditioned upon prior receipt by the Bank of either a ruling or an opinion of counsel with respect to federal tax laws, and either a ruling, an opinion of counsel, or a letter of advice from their tax advisor with respect to applicable state tax laws, to the effect that consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Conversion and this Plan will not result in a taxable reorganization under the provisions of the applicable codes or otherwise result in any adverse tax consequences to the Holding Company or the Bank, or to the account holders receiving subscription rights before or after the Conversion, except in each case to the extent, if any, that subscription rights are deemed to have value on the date such rights are issued.

 

26. STOCK BENEFIT PLANS AND EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

A. The Holding Company and the Bank are authorized to adopt Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plans in connection with the Offering, including without limitation, an ESOP. Existing as well as any newly created Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plans may purchase shares of Common Stock in the Offering, to the extent permitted by the terms of such benefit plans and this Plan.

B. The Holding Company and the Bank are authorized to enter into employment agreements with their executive officers.

C. The Holding Company and the Bank are authorized to adopt stock option plans, restricted stock plans and other Non-Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plans no sooner than six months after the completion of the Conversion and Offering, provided that such stock plans conform to any applicable requirements of federal regulations, and the Holding Company intends to implement such stock plans after the completion of the Conversion and Offering, subject to any necessary stockholder approvals.

 

27. RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITION OF BANK AND HOLDING COMPANY

 

  A.    (1)

The charter of the Bank may contain a provision stipulating that no person, except the Holding Company, for a period of five years following the closing date of the Offering, may directly or indirectly acquire or offer to acquire the beneficial ownership of more than 10% of any class of an equity security of the Bank, without the prior written approval of the OTS. In addition, such charter may also provide that for a period of five years following the closing date of the Conversion, shares beneficially owned in violation of the above-described charter provision shall not be entitled to vote and shall not be voted by any person or counted as voting stock in connection with any matter submitted to stockholders for a vote. In addition, special meetings of the stockholders relating to changes in control or amendment of the charter may only be called by the Board of

 

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Directors, and shareholders shall not be permitted to cumulate their votes for the election of Directors.

 

  (2) For a period of three years from the date of consummation of the Conversion, no person, other than the Holding Company, may directly or indirectly offer to acquire or acquire the beneficial ownership of more than 10% of any class of an equity security of the Bank without the prior written consent of the OTS.

B. The Articles of Incorporation of the Holding Company may contain a provision stipulating that in no event shall any record owner of any outstanding shares of Common Stock who beneficially owns in excess of 10% of such outstanding shares be entitled or permitted to any vote with respect to any shares held in excess of 10%. In addition, the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Holding Company may contain, among other things, provisions that prohibit cumulative voting for the election of directors and provide for staggered terms of the directors, limitations on the calling of special meetings, a fair price provision for certain business combinations and certain notice requirements.

C. For the purposes of this section:

 

  (1) The term “person” includes an individual, a firm, a corporation or other entity;

 

  (2) The term “offer” includes every offer to buy or acquire, solicitation of an offer to sell, tender offer for, or request or invitation for tenders of, a security or interest in a security for value;

 

  (3) The term “acquire” includes every type of acquisition, whether effected by purchase, exchange, operation of law or otherwise; and

 

  (4) The term “security” includes non-transferable subscription rights issued pursuant to a plan of conversion as well as a “security” as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 77b(a)1.

 

28. PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND REPURCHASE OF STOCK

A. The Holding Company shall comply with any applicable regulation regarding the repurchase of any shares of its capital stock following consummation of the Conversion.

B. The Bank shall not declare or pay a cash dividend on, or repurchase any of, its capital stock if the effect thereof would cause its regulatory capital to be reduced below (i) the amount required for the liquidation account, or (ii) the federal or state regulatory capital requirements.

 

29. CONSUMMATION OF CONVERSION AND EFFECTIVE DATE

The Effective Date of the Conversion shall be the date of the closing of the sale of all shares of the Common Stock after all requisite regulatory and depositor approvals have been

 

20


obtained, all applicable waiting periods have expired, and sufficient subscriptions and orders for Subscription Shares have been received. The Closing of the sale of all shares of Common Stock sold in the Offering shall occur simultaneously on the effective date of the Closing.

 

30. EXPENSES OF CONVERSION

The Bank and the Holding Company may retain and pay for the services of legal, financial and other advisors to assist in connection with any or all aspects of the Conversion, including the Offering, and such parties shall use their best efforts to assure that such expenses are reasonable.

 

31. AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF PLAN

If deemed necessary or desirable, this Plan may be substantively amended as a result of comments from the OTS or otherwise at any time prior to solicitation of proxies from Voting Members to vote on this Plan by the Board of Directors of the Bank, and at any time thereafter by the Board of Directors of the Bank with the concurrence of the OTS. Any amendment to this Plan made after approval by Voting Members with the approval of the OTS shall not require further approval by Voting Members unless otherwise required by the OTS. The Board of Directors of the Bank may terminate this Plan at any time prior to the Special Meeting of Members to vote on this Plan, and at any time thereafter with the concurrence of the OTS.

By adopting this Plan, Voting Members of the Bank authorize the Board of Directors of the Bank to amend or terminate this Plan under the circumstances set forth in this Section 31.

 

32. CONDITIONS TO CONVERSION

Consummation of the Conversion pursuant to this Plan is expressly conditioned upon the following:

A. Prior receipt by the Bank of rulings of the United States Internal Revenue Service and the state taxing authorities, or opinions of counsel or tax advisers as described in Section 25;

B. The issuance of the Subscription Shares offered in the Offering; and

C. The completion of the Conversion within the time period specified in Section 3.

 

33. INTERPRETATION

All interpretations of this Plan and application of its provisions to particular circumstances by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Bank shall be final, subject to the authority of the OTS.

Dated: December 21, 2010, and amended on February 3, 2011

 

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Exhibit 3.1

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

POAGE BANKSHARES, INC.

The undersigned, Kip A. Weissman, whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 780, Washington, DC 20015, being at least eighteen years of age, acting as incorporator, does hereby form a corporation under the general laws of the State of Maryland, having the following Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles”):

ARTICLE 1. Name. The name of the corporation is Poage Bankshares, Inc. (herein the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE 2. Principal Office. The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

ARTICLE 3. Purpose. The purpose for which the Corporation is formed is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force.

ARTICLE 4. Resident Agent. The name and address of the registered agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Said resident agent is a Maryland corporation.

ARTICLE 5. Capital Stock

A. Authorized Stock. The total number of shares of capital stock of all classes that the Corporation has authority to issue is thirty one million (31,000,000) shares, consisting of:

1. One million (1,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value one cent ($0.01) per share (the “Preferred Stock”); and

2. Thirty million (30,000,000) shares of common stock, par value one cent ($0.01) per share (the “Common Stock”).

The aggregate par value of all the authorized shares of capital stock is three hundred and ten thousand dollars ($310,000). Except to the extent required by governing law, rule or regulation, the shares of capital stock may be issued from time to time by the Board of Directors without further approval of the stockholders of the Corporation. The Corporation shall have the authority to purchase its capital stock out of funds lawfully available therefor, which funds shall include, without limitation, the Corporation’s unreserved and unrestricted capital surplus. The Board of Directors, pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the Whole Board (rounded up to the nearest whole number), and without action by the stockholders, may amend these Articles to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue. For the purposes of these Articles, the term “Whole Board” shall mean the total number of directors that the


Corporation would have if there were no vacancies on the Board of Directors at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of Directors for adoption.

B. Common Stock. Except as provided under the terms of any series of Preferred Stock and as limited by Section D of this Article 5, the exclusive voting power shall be vested in the Common Stock. Except as otherwise provided in these Articles, each holder of the Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock standing in the holder’s name on the books of the Corporation. Subject to any rights and preferences of any series of Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to such dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds lawfully available therefor. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by them, respectively, after: (i) payment or provision for payment of the Corporation’s debts and liabilities; and (ii) distributions or provisions for distributions to holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock in the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.

C. Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of the shares of Preferred Stock in series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of the shares of each such series. The number of authorized shares of the Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock, without a vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required by law or pursuant to the terms of such Preferred Stock.

D. Restrictions on Voting Rights of the Corporation’s Equity Securities.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, in no event shall the record owner (or if more than one record owner, all such record owners taken as a group) of any outstanding Common Stock that is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person who, as of any record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote on any matter, beneficially owns in excess of 10% of the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock (the “Limit”), be entitled, or permitted to any vote in respect of the shares held in excess of the Limit. The number of votes that may be cast by any particular record owner by virtue of the provisions hereof in respect of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Person owning shares in excess of the Limit (a “Holder in Excess”) shall be a number equal to the total number of votes that a single record owner of all Common Stock owned by such Holder in Excess would be entitled to cast after giving effect to the provisions hereof, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of such class or series that are both (i) beneficially owned by such Holder in Excess and (ii) owned of record by such particular record owner and the denominator of which is the total number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder in Excess. The provisions of this Section D of this Article 5 shall not be applicable if, before the Holder in Excess acquired beneficial ownership of such shares in excess of the Limit, such acquisition was

 

2


approved by a majority of the “Unaffiliated Directors.” For this purpose, the term “Unaffiliated Director” means any member of the Board of Directors who is unaffiliated with the Holder in Excess and was a member of the Board of Directors prior to the time that the Holder in Excess became such, and any director who is thereafter chosen to fill any vacancy on the Board of Directors and who is elected and who, in either event, is unaffiliated with the Holder in Excess and in connection with his or her initial assumption of office is recommended for appointment or election by a majority of the Unaffiliated Directors then serving on the Board of Directors.

2. The following definitions shall apply to this Section D of this Article 5.

 

  (a) An “affiliate” of a specified Person shall mean a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified.

 

  (b) “Beneficial ownership” shall be determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or any successor rule or statutory provision), or, if said Rule 13d-3 shall be rescinded and there shall be no successor rule or statutory provision thereto, pursuant to said Rule 13d-3 as in effect on December 31, 2010; provided, however, that a Person shall, in any event, also be deemed the “beneficial owner” of any Common Stock:

 

  (1) that such Person or any of its affiliates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly; or

 

  (2) that such Person or any of its affiliates has (i) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (but shall not be deemed to be the beneficial owner of any voting shares solely by reason of an agreement, contract, or other arrangement with the Corporation to effect any transaction of the type described in clause (i) or (ii) of the first sentence of Article 9 hereof) or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants, or options or otherwise, or (ii) sole or shared voting or investment power with respect thereto pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise (but shall not be deemed to be the beneficial owner of any voting shares solely by reason of a revocable proxy granted for a particular meeting of stockholders, pursuant to a public solicitation of proxies for such meeting, with respect to shares of which neither such Person nor any such affiliate is otherwise deemed the beneficial owner); or

 

  (3)

that are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person with which such first mentioned Person or any of its affiliates acts as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of capital stock

 

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of the Corporation; and provided further, however, that (i) no director or officer of the Corporation (or any affiliate of any such director or officer) shall, solely by reason of any or all of such directors or officers acting in their capacities as such, be deemed, for any purposes hereof, to beneficially own any Common Stock beneficially owned by any other such director or officer (or any affiliate thereof), and (ii) neither any employee stock ownership or similar plan of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation nor any trustee with respect thereto (or any affiliate of such trustee) shall, solely by reason of such capacity of such trustee, be deemed, for any purposes hereof, to beneficially own any Common Stock held under any such plan. For purposes of computing the percentage of beneficial ownership of Common Stock of a Person, the outstanding Common Stock shall include shares deemed owned by such Person through application of this subsection but shall not include any other shares of Common Stock that may be issuable by the Corporation pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise. For all other purposes, the outstanding Common Stock shall include only Common Stock then outstanding and shall not include any Common Stock that may be issuable by the Corporation pursuant to any agreement, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.

 

  (c) A “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, or other entity.

 

  (d) The Board of Directors shall have the power to construe and apply the provisions of this Section D and to make all determinations necessary or desirable to implement such provisions including, but not limited to, matters with respect to (i) the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by any Person, (ii) whether a Person is an affiliate of another, (iii) whether a Person has an agreement, arrangement, or understanding with another as to the matters referred to in the definition of beneficial ownership, (iv) the application of any other definition or operative provision of this Section D to the given facts, or (v) any other matter relating to the applicability or effect of this Section D.

3. The Board of Directors shall have the right to demand that any Person reasonably believed by the Board of Directors to be a Holder in Excess (or holder of record of Common Stock beneficially owned by any Holder in Excess) supply the Corporation with complete information as to (i) the record owner(s) of all shares beneficially owned by such Holder in Excess, and (ii) any other factual matter relating to the applicability or effect of this section as may reasonably be requested of such Holder in Excess. The Board of Directors shall further have the right to receive from any Holder in Excess reimbursement for all expenses incurred by the Board in connection with its investigation of any matters relating to the applicability or effect of this section on such Holder in Excess, to the extent such investigation is deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors as a result of the Holder in Excess refusing to supply the Corporation with the information described in the previous sentence.

 

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4. Any constructions, applications, or determinations made by the Board of Directors pursuant to this Section D in good faith and on the basis of such information and assistance as was then reasonably available for such purpose, shall be conclusive and binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders.

5. In the event any provision (or portion thereof) of this Section D shall be found to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions (or portions thereof) of this Section D shall remain in full force and effect, and shall be construed as if such invalid, prohibited or unenforceable provision had been stricken herefrom or otherwise rendered inapplicable, it being the intent of the Corporation and its stockholders that each such remaining provision (or portion thereof) of this Section D remain, to the fullest extent permitted by law, applicable and enforceable as to all stockholders, including Holders in Excess, notwithstanding any such finding.

E. Majority Vote. Pursuant to Section 2-104(b)(5) of the Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”), notwithstanding any provision of the MGCL requiring stockholder authorization of an action by a greater proportion than a majority of the total number of shares of all classes of capital stock or of the total number of shares of any class of capital stock, such action shall be valid and effective if authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the total number of shares of all classes outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, except as otherwise provided in these Articles.

F. Quorum . Except as otherwise provided by law or expressly provided in these Articles, the presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of record of shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitling the holders thereof to cast a majority of the votes (after giving effect, if required, to the provisions of Article 5, Section D) entitled to be cast by the holders of shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders, and every reference in these Articles to a majority or other proportion of capital stock (or the holders thereof) for purposes of determining any quorum requirement or any requirement for stockholder consent or approval shall be deemed to refer to such majority or other proportion of the votes (or the holders thereof) then entitled to be cast in respect of such capital stock.

ARTICLE 6. Preemptive Rights and Appraisal Rights.

A. Preemptive Rights. Except for preemptive rights approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the directors then in office, no holder of the capital stock of the Corporation or series of stock or of options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class or series of stock or of other securities of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any unissued capital stock of any class or series, or any unissued bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock of any class or series or carrying any right to purchase stock of any class or series.

B. Appraisal Rights. Holders of shares of stock shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority

 

5


of the directors then in office, shall determine that such rights apply with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.

ARTICLE 7. Directors. The following provisions are made a part of these Articles for the management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of its directors and stockholders:

A. Management of the Corporation. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. All powers of the Corporation may be exercised by or under the authority of the Board of Directors, except as conferred on or as reserved to the stockholders by law or by these Articles or the Bylaws of the Corporation; provided, however, that any limitations on the Board of Director’s management or direction of the affairs of the Corporation shall reserve the directors’ full power to discharge their fiduciary duties.

B. Number, Class and Terms of Directors; No Cumulative Voting. The number of directors constituting the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall initially be seven (7), which number may be increased or decreased in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation; provided, however, that such number shall never be less than the minimum number of directors required by the MGCL now or hereafter in force. The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, with the term of office of the first class (“Class I”) to expire at the conclusion of the first annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the second class (“Class II”) to expire at the conclusion of the annual meeting of stockholders one year thereafter and the term of office of the third class (“Class III”) to expire at the conclusion of the annual meeting of stockholders two years thereafter, with each director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election or for such shorter period of time as the Board of Directors may determine, with each director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

The names of the individuals who will serve as directors of the Corporation until their successors are elected and qualify are as follows:

 

Class I Directors:    Term to Expire in   
J. Thomas Rupert    2012   
Darryl E. Akers    2012   

Thomas P. Carver

 

  

2012

 

  
Class II Directors:    Term to Expire in   
Everette B. Gevedon    2013   
James W. King    2013   

 

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Class III Directors:    Term to Expire in   
Stuart N. Moore    2014   
Charles W. Robinson    2014   

Stockholders shall not be permitted to cumulate their votes in the election of directors.

C. Vacancies. Any vacancies in the Board of Directors may be filled in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

D. Removal. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (after giving effect to the provisions of Article 5 hereof) voting together as a single class.

E. Stockholder Proposals and Nominations of Directors. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation. Stockholder proposals to be presented in connection with a special meeting of stockholders shall be presented by the Corporation only to the extent required by Section 2-502 of the MGCL and the Bylaws of the Corporation.

ARTICLE 8. Bylaws. The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the Corporation by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the Whole Board. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation. In addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by law or by these Articles, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (after giving effect to the provisions of Article 5 hereof), voting together as a single class, shall be required for the adoption, amendment or repeal of any provisions of the Bylaws of the Corporation by the stockholders.

ARTICLE 9. Evaluation of Certain Offers. The Board of Directors, when evaluating (i) any offer of another Person (as defined below) to (A) make a tender or exchange offer for any equity security of the Corporation, (B) merge or consolidate the Corporation with another corporation or entity, or (C) purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Corporation or (ii) any other actual or proposed transaction that would or may involve a change in control of the Corporation (whether by purchases of shares of stock or any other securities of the Corporation in the open market or otherwise, tender offer, merger, consolidation, share exchange, dissolution, liquidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, proxy solicitation or otherwise), may, in connection with the exercise of its business judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders and in making any recommendation to the Corporation’s stockholders, give

 

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due consideration to all relevant factors, including, but not limited to: (A) the economic effect, both immediate and long-term, upon the Corporation’s stockholders, including stockholders, if any, who do not participate in the transaction; (B) the social and economic effect on the present and future employees, creditors and customers of, and others dealing with, the Corporation and its subsidiaries and on the communities in which the Corporation and its subsidiaries operate or are located; (C) whether the proposal is acceptable based on the historical, current or projected future operating results or financial condition of the Corporation; (D) whether a more favorable price could be obtained for the Corporation’s stock or other securities in the future; (E) the reputation and business practices of the other entity to be involved in the transaction and its management and affiliates as they would affect the employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries; (F) the future value of the stock or any other securities of the Corporation or the other entity to be involved in the proposed transaction; (G) any antitrust or other legal and regulatory issues that are raised by the proposal; (H) the business and historical, current or expected future financial condition or operating results of the other entity to be involved in the transaction, including, but not limited to, debt service and other existing financial obligations, financial obligations to be incurred in connection with the proposed transaction, and other likely financial obligations of the other entity to be involved in the proposed transaction; and (I) the ability of the Corporation to fulfill its objectives as a financial institution holding company and on the ability of its subsidiary financial institution(s) to fulfill the objectives of a federally insured financial institution under applicable statutes and regulations. If the Board of Directors determines that any proposed transaction of the type described in clause (i) or (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence should be rejected, it may take any lawful action to defeat such transaction, including, but not limited to, any or all of the following: advising stockholders not to accept the proposal; instituting litigation against the party making the proposal; filing complaints with governmental and regulatory authorities; acquiring the stock or any of the securities of the Corporation; selling or otherwise issuing authorized but unissued stock or other securities or granting options or rights with respect thereto; and obtaining a more favorable offer from another individual or entity. This Article 9 does not create any implication concerning factors that may be considered by the Board of Directors regarding any proposed transaction of the type described in clause (i) or (ii) of the first sentence of this Article 9.

For purposes of this Article 9, a “Person” shall include an individual, a group acting in concert, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint venture, a pool, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or similar company, a syndicate or any other group or entity formed for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities.

 

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ARTICLE 10. Indemnification, etc. of Directors and Officers.

A. Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify (1) its current and former directors and officers, whether serving the Corporation or at its request any other entity, to the fullest extent required or permitted by the MGCL now or hereafter in force, including the advancement of expenses under the procedures and to the fullest extent permitted by law, and (2) other employees and agents to such extent as shall be authorized by the Board of Directors and permitted by law; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section B of this Article 10 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

B. Procedure. If a claim under Section A of this Article 10 is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty (20) days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall also be entitled to be reimbursed the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. It shall be a defense to any action for advancement of expenses that the Corporation has not received both (i) an undertaking as required by law to repay such advances in the event it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met and (ii) a written affirmation by the indemnitee of his good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Corporation has been met. In (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) any suit by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the MGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the MGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article 10 or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

C. Non-Exclusivity. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article 10 shall not be exclusive of any other right that any Person

 

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may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, these Articles, the Corporation’s Bylaws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or the Board of Directors, or otherwise.

D. Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to insure itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such Person against such expense, liability or loss under the MGCL.

E. Miscellaneous. The Corporation shall not be liable for any payment under this Article 10 in connection with a claim made by any indemnitee to the extent such indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment under any insurance policy, agreement, or otherwise, of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in Sections A and B of this Article 10 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

F. Limitations Imposed by Federal Law . Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this Article 10, in no event shall any payments made by the Corporation pursuant to this Article 10 exceed the amount permissible under applicable federal law, including, without limitation, Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Any repeal or modification of this Article 10 shall not in any way diminish any rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses of such director or officer or the obligations of the Corporation arising hereunder with respect to events occurring, or claims made, while this Article 10 is in force.

ARTICLE 11. Limitation of Liability. An officer or director of the Corporation, as such, shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages, except (A) to the extent that it is proved that the Person actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services, for the amount of the benefit or profit in money, property or services actually received; or (B) to the extent that a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the Person is entered in a proceeding based on a finding in the proceeding that the Person’s action, or failure to act, was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding; or (C) to the extent otherwise provided by the MGCL. If the MGCL is amended to further eliminate or limit the personal liability of officers and directors, then the liability of officers and directors of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the MGCL, as so amended.

Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

ARTICLE 12. Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation. The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any provision contained in these Articles in the manner prescribed by the MGCL, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as

 

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expressly set forth in these Articles, of any of the Corporation’s outstanding stock by classification, reclassification or otherwise, and no stockholder approval shall be required if the approval of stockholders is not required for the proposed amendment or repeal by the MGCL, and all rights conferred upon stockholders are granted subject to this reservation.

The Board of Directors, pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the Whole Board (rounded up to the nearest whole number), and without action by the stockholders, may amend these Articles to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.

No proposed amendment or repeal of any provision of these Articles shall be submitted to a stockholder vote unless the Board of Directors shall have (1) approved the proposed amendment or repeal, (2) determined that it is advisable, and (3) directed that it be submitted for consideration at either an annual or special meeting of the stockholders pursuant to a resolution approved by the Board of Directors. Any proposed amendment or repeal of any provision of these Articles may be abandoned by the Board of Directors at any time before its effective time upon the adoption of a resolution approved by a majority of the Whole Board (rounded up to the nearest whole number).

The amendment or repeal of any provision of these Articles shall be approved by at least two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast by the holders of shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on the matter (after giving due effect to the provisions of Article 5 of these Articles), except that the proposed amendment or repeal of any provision of these Articles need only be approved by the vote of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote on the matter (after giving due effect to the provisions of Article 5 of these Articles) if the amendment or repeal of such provision is approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution approved by at least two-thirds of the Whole Board (rounded up to the nearest whole number).

Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of the stock of the Corporation required by law or by these Articles, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (after giving effect to the provisions of Article 5), voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend or repeal this Article 12, Section C, D, E or F of Article 5, Article 7, Article 8, Article 9, Article 10 or Article 11.

 

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ARTICLE 13. Name and Address of Incorporator. The name and mailing address of the sole incorporator are as follows:

Kip A. Weissman

5335 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Suite 780

Washington, D.C. 20015

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the incorporator, for the purpose of forming a corporation under the laws of the State of Maryland, do make, file and record this Charter, do certify that the facts herein stated are true, and, accordingly, have hereto set my hand this 8 th day of February, 2011.

 

/s/ Kip A. Weissman

Kip A. Weissman, Incorporator

 

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Exhibit 3.2

POAGE BANKSHARES, INC.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Annual Meeting.

The Corporation shall hold an annual meeting of its stockholders to elect directors and to transact any other business within its powers, at such place, on such date and at such time as the Board of Directors shall fix. Failure to hold an annual meeting does not invalidate the Corporation’s existence or affect any otherwise valid corporate act.

Section 2. Special Meetings.

Special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called by the President or by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors that the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies on the Board of Directors (hereinafter the “Whole Board”). Special meetings of the stockholders shall be called by the Secretary at the request of stockholders only on the written request of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. Such written request shall state the purpose or purposes of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted upon at the meeting, and shall be delivered at the principal office of the Corporation addressed to the President or the Secretary. The Secretary shall inform the stockholders who make the request of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing a notice of the meeting and, upon payment of these costs to the Corporation, notify each stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting. The Board of Directors shall have the sole power to fix (i) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to request a special meeting of stockholders and the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting and (ii) the date, time and place of the special meeting and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be considered present in person and may vote at the special meeting.

Section 3. Notice of Meetings; Adjournment.

Not less than 10 nor more than 90 days before each stockholders’ meeting, the Secretary shall give notice of the meeting in writing or by electronic transmission to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting and to each other stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting. The notice shall state the time and place of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and may vote at the meeting, and, if the meeting is a special meeting or notice of the purpose is required by statute, the purpose of the meeting. Notice is given to a stockholder when it is personally delivered to the stockholder, left at the stockholder’s residence or usual place of business, mailed to the stockholder at his or her address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, or transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. If the Corporation has


received a request from a stockholder that notice not be sent by electronic transmission, the Corporation may not provide notice to the stockholder by electronic transmission. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, each person who is entitled to notice waives notice if such person, before or after the meeting, delivers a written waiver or waiver by electronic transmission which is filed with the records of the stockholders’ meetings, or is present at the meeting in person or by proxy.

A meeting of stockholders convened on the date for which it was called may be adjourned from time to time without further notice to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date. At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the original meeting.

As used in these Bylaws, the term “electronic transmission” shall have the meaning given to such term by Section 1-101( l ) of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) or any successor provision.

Section 4. Quorum.

Unless the Articles of the Corporation provide otherwise, where a separate vote by a class or classes is required, a majority of the shares of such class or classes, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter.

If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, the chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the shares of stock who are present at the meeting, in person or by proxy, may, in accordance with Section 3 of this Article I, adjourn the meeting to another place, date or time.

Section 5. Organization and Conduct of Business.

The Chairman of the Board of the Corporation or Chief Executive Officer, or in his or her absence, the President, or in his or her absence, such other person as may be designated by a majority of the Whole Board, shall call to order any meeting of the stockholders and act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of the Secretary, the secretary of the meeting shall be such person as the chairman appoints. The chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of discussion as seem to him or her in order.

Section 6. Advance Notice Provisions for Business to be Transacted at Annual Meetings and Elections of Directors.

(a) At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting (i) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who: (1) is a stockholder of record on the date such stockholder gives the notice provided for in this Section 6(a) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting; and (2) complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 6(a). For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence, the stockholder must have given

 

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timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and such business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered or mailed to and received by the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation not less than 80 days nor more than 90 days prior to any such meeting; provided, however, that if less than 90 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given to stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed to and received by the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than the tenth day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders or such public disclosure was made.

A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting; (ii) the name and address of such stockholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner; (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and any material interest of such stockholder in such business; and (v) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.

Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be brought before or conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(a). The officer of the Corporation or other person presiding over the annual meeting shall, if the facts so warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(a) and, if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such business so determined to be not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

At any special meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of the meeting.

(b) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation may be made at a meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (1) is a stockholder of record on the date such stockholder gives the notice provided for in this Section 6(b) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, and (2) complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 6(b). Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made by timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered or mailed to and received by the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation not less than 80 days nor more than 90 days prior to any such meeting; provided, however, that if less than 90 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given to stockholders, such written notice

 

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shall be delivered or mailed, as prescribed, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the tenth day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders or such public disclosure was made.

A stockholder’s notice must be in writing and set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director, (i) all information relating to such person that would indicate such person’s qualification to serve on the Board of Directors of the Corporation; (ii) an affidavit that such person would not be disqualified under the provisions of Article II, Section 12 of these Bylaws; (iii) such information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or any successor rule or regulation and (iv) a written consent of each proposed nominee to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice: (i) the name and address of such stockholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made; (ii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner; (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder; (iv) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice; and (v) any other information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(b). The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts so warrant, determine that a nomination was not made in accordance with such provisions and, if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

(c) For purposes of subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 6, the term “public disclosure” shall mean disclosure (i) in a press release reported by a nationally recognized news service, (ii) in a document publicly filed or furnished by the Corporation with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or (iii) on a website maintained by the Corporation. The timely notice requirements provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 6 shall apply to all stockholder nominations for election as a director and all stockholder proposals for business to be conducted at an annual meeting regardless of whether such proposal is submitted for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.

Section 7. Proxies and Voting.

Unless the Articles of the Corporation provide for a greater or lesser number of votes per share or limits or denies voting rights, each outstanding share of stock, regardless of class, is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders; however, a share is not entitled to be voted if any installment payable on it is overdue and unpaid. In all

 

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elections for directors, directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast, and except as otherwise required by law or as provided in the Articles of the Corporation, all other matters voted on by stockholders shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast on the matter.

A stockholder may vote the stock the stockholder owns of record either in person or by proxy. A stockholder may sign a writing authorizing another person to act as proxy. Signing may be accomplished by the stockholder or the stockholder’s authorized agent signing the writing or causing the stockholder’s signature to be affixed to the writing by any reasonable means, including facsimile signature. A stockholder may authorize another person to act as proxy by transmitting, or authorizing the transmission of, an authorization for the person to act as the proxy to the person authorized to act as proxy or to any other person authorized to receive the proxy authorization on behalf of the person authorized to act as the proxy, including a proxy solicitation firm or proxy support service organization. The authorization may be transmitted by a telegram, cablegram, datagram, electronic mail or any other electronic or telephonic means. Unless a proxy provides otherwise, it is not valid more than 11 months after its date. A proxy is revocable by a stockholder at any time without condition or qualification unless the proxy states that it is irrevocable and the proxy is coupled with an interest. A proxy may be made irrevocable for as long as it is coupled with an interest. The interest with which a proxy may be coupled includes an interest in the stock to be voted under the proxy or another general interest in the Corporation or its assets or liabilities.

Section 8. Conduct of Voting

The Board of Directors shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more persons as inspectors of election, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and make a written report thereof, in accordance with applicable law. At all meetings of stockholders, the proxies and ballots shall be received, and all questions relating to the qualification of voters and the validity of proxies and the acceptance or rejection of votes shall be decided or determined by the inspector of election. All voting, including on the election of directors but excepting where otherwise required by law, may be by a voice vote; provided, however, that upon demand therefor by a stockholder entitled to vote or his or her proxy or the chairman of the meeting, a written vote shall be taken. Every written vote shall be taken by ballot, each of which shall state the name of the stockholder or proxy voting and such other information as may be required under the procedure established for the meeting. Every vote taken by ballot shall be counted by an inspector or inspectors appointed by the chairman of the meeting. No candidate for election as a director at a meeting shall serve as an inspector at such meeting.

Section 9. Control Share Acquisition Act.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Articles of the Corporation or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the MGCL (or any successor statute) shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This Section 9 may be repealed by a majority of the Whole Board, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of Control Shares (as defined in Section 3-701(d) of the MGCL, or any successor provision) and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or

 

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subsequent Control Share Acquisition (as defined in Section 3-701(d) of the MGCL, or any successor provision).

ARTICLE II

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. General Powers, Number and Term of Office.

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of directors of the Corporation shall, by virtue of the Corporation’s election made hereby to be governed by Section 3-804(b) of the MGCL, be fixed from time to time exclusively by vote of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that such number shall never be less than the minimum number of directors required by the MGCL now or hereafter in force. The Board of Directors shall annually elect a Chairman of the Board from among its members and shall designate the Chairman of the Board or his designee to preside at its meetings.

The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series of preferred stock, shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as reasonably possible, with the term of office of the first class to expire at the first annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the second class to expire at the annual meeting of stockholders one year thereafter and the term of office of the third class to expire at the annual meeting of stockholders two years thereafter, with each director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, commencing with the first annual meeting, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election or for such shorter period of time as the Board of Directors may determine, with each director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

Section 2. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships.

By virtue of the Corporation’s election made hereby to be subject to Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from an increase in the size of the Board of Directors or the death, resignation or removal of a director may be filled only by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

Section 3. Regular Meetings.

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such place or places or by means of remote communication, on such date or dates, and at such time or times as shall have been established by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors. A notice of each regular meeting shall not be required. Any regular meeting of the Board of Directors may

 

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adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and no notice need be given of any such adjourned meeting other than by announcement.

Section 4. Special Meetings.

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by one-third (1/3) of the directors then in office (rounded up to the nearest whole number), the Chairman of the Board, or by the President, and shall be held at such place or by means of remote communication, on such date, and at such time as they or he or she shall fix. Notice of the place, date, and time of each such special meeting shall be given to each director who has not waived notice by mailing and post-marking written notice not less than five days before the meeting, or by facsimile or other electronic transmission of the same not less than 24 hours before the meeting. Any director may waive notice of any special meeting, either before or after such meeting, by delivering a written waiver or a waiver by electronic transmission that is filed with the records of the meeting. Attendance of a director at a special meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where the director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted nor the purpose of any special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice of such meeting. Any special meeting of the Board of Directors may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and no notice need be given of any such adjourned meeting other than by announcement.

Section 5. Quorum.

At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum for all purposes. If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting to another place, date, or time, without further notice or waiver thereof.

Section 6. Participation in Meetings By Conference Telephone.

Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 7. Conduct of Business.

At any meeting of the Board of Directors, business shall be transacted in such order and manner as the Board may from time to time determine, and all matters shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the directors present, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws or the Corporation’s Articles or required by law. Action may be taken by the Board of Directors without a meeting if a unanimous consent which sets forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each member of the Board of Directors and filed in paper or electronic form with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 8. Powers.

All powers of the Corporation may be exercised by or under the authority of the Board of Directors except as provided by the Corporation’s Articles. Consistent with the foregoing, the Board of Directors shall have, among other powers, the unqualified power:

 

  (i) To declare dividends from time to time in accordance with law;

 

  (ii) To purchase or otherwise acquire any property, rights or privileges on such terms as it shall determine;

 

  (iii) To authorize the creation, making and issuance, in such form as it may determine, of written obligations of every kind, negotiable or non-negotiable, secured or unsecured, and to do all things necessary in connection therewith;

 

  (iv) To remove any officer of the Corporation with or without cause, and from time to time to devolve the powers and duties of any officer upon any other person for the time being;

 

  (v) To confer upon any officer of the Corporation the power to appoint, remove and suspend subordinate officers, employees and agents;

 

  (vi) To adopt from time to time such stock, option, stock purchase, bonus or other compensation plans for directors, officers, employees and agents of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may determine;

 

  (vii) To adopt from time to time such insurance, retirement, and other benefit plans for directors, officers, employees and agents of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may determine; and

 

  (viii) To adopt from time to time regulations, not inconsistent with these Bylaws, for the management of the Corporation’s business and affairs.

Section 9. Compensation of Directors.

Directors, as such, may receive, pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors, fixed fees and other compensation for their services as directors, including, without limitation, their services as members of committees of the Board of Directors.

Section 10. Resignation.

Any director may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the President or the Secretary at the principal office of the Corporation. Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof.

 

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Section 11. Presumption of Assent.

A director of the Corporation who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to such action unless such director announces his dissent at the meeting and (a) such director’s dissent is entered in the minutes of the meeting, (b) such director files his written dissent to such action with the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof, or (c) such director forwards his written dissent within 24 hours after the meeting is adjourned, by certified mail, return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service, to the secretary of the meeting or the Secretary of the Corporation. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action or failed to make his dissent known at the meeting.

Section 12. Director Qualifications

A person is not qualified to serve as director if he or she: (1) is under indictment for, or has ever been convicted of, a criminal offense involving dishonesty or breach of trust and the penalty for such offense could be imprisonment for more than one year, (2) is a person against whom a banking agency has, within the past ten years, issued a cease and desist order for conduct involving dishonesty or breach of trust and that order is final and not subject to appeal, or (3) has been found either by a regulatory agency whose decision is final and not subject to appeal or by a court to have (i) breached a fiduciary duty involving personal profit, or (ii) committed a willful violation of any law, rule or regulation governing banking, securities, commodities or insurance, or any final cease and desist order issued by a banking, securities, commodities or insurance regulatory agency. No person may serve on the Board of Directors and at the same time be a director or officer, other than of a subsidiary of the Corporation, of a co-operative bank, credit union, savings bank, savings and loan association, trust company, bank holding company or banking association (in each case whether chartered by a state, the federal government or any other jurisdiction) that has an office in any county in which the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries has an office, or in any county contiguous to any county in which the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries has an office. The Board of Directors shall have the power to construe and apply the provisions of this Section 12 and to make all determinations necessary or desirable to implement such provisions.

Section 13. Age Limitation.

No person 70 years of age shall be eligible for election, reelection, appointment or reappointment to the board of the Corporation. No director shall serve as a director of the Corporation beyond the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation immediately following the director becoming 70 years of age.

Section 14. Attendance at Board Meetings.

The Board of Directors shall have the right to remove any director from the board upon a director’s unexcused absence of three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors.

 

9


ARTICLE III

COMMITTEES

Section 1. Committees of the Board of Directors.

(a) General Provisions. The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Audit Committee, a Compensation and Human Resources Committee, a Governance/Nominating Committee, and such other committees as the Board of Directors deems necessary or desirable. The Board of Directors may delegate to any committee so appointed any of the powers and authorities of the Board of Directors to the fullest extent permitted by the MGCL and any other applicable law.

(b) Composition. Each committee shall be composed of one or more directors or any other number of members specified in these Bylaws. The Chairman of the Board may recommend committees, committee memberships, and committee chairmanships to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to appoint the chairman and the members of any committee, change the membership of any committee, to fill all vacancies on committees, to designate alternate members to replace or act in the place of any absent or disqualified member of a committee, or to dissolve any committee.

(c) Issuance of Stock. If the Board of Directors has given general authorization for the issuance of stock providing for or establishing a method or procedure for determining the maximum number of shares to be issued, a committee of the Board of Directors, in accordance with that general authorization or any stock option or other plan or program adopted by the Board of Directors, may authorize or fix the terms of stock subject to classification or reclassification and the terms on which any stock may be issued, including all terms and conditions required or permitted to be established or authorized by the Board of Directors. Any committee so designated may exercise the power and authority of the Board of Directors if the resolution that designated the committee or a supplemental resolution of the Board of Directors shall so provide.

Section 2. Conduct of Business.

Each committee may determine the procedural rules for meeting and conducting its business and shall act in accordance therewith, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law. Adequate provision shall be made for notice to members of all meetings; one-third of the members shall constitute a quorum unless the committee shall consist of one or two members, in which event one member shall constitute a quorum; and all matters shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present. Action may be taken by any committee without a meeting if a unanimous consent which sets forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each member of the committee and filed in paper or electronic form with the minutes of the proceedings of such committee. The members of any committee may conduct any meeting thereof by conference telephone or other communications equipment in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 of Article II.

 

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ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1. Generally.

(a) The Board of Directors as soon as may be practicable after the annual meeting of stockholders shall choose a Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer and from time to time may choose such other officers as it may deem proper. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, except that no person may concurrently serve as both President and Vice President of the Corporation.

(b) The term of office of all officers shall be until the next annual election of officers and until their respective successors are chosen, but any officer may be removed from office at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Whole Board.

(c) All officers chosen by the Board of Directors shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article IV. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board of Directors or by any committee thereof.

Section 2. Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall perform all duties and have all powers which are commonly incident to the office of Chairman of the Board or which are delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors. He or she shall have power to sign all stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation that are authorized.

Section 3. Chief Executive Officer.

The Chief Executive Officer, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall serve in general executive capacity and have general power over the management and oversight of the administration and operation of the Corporation’s business and general supervisory power and authority over its policies and affairs. The Chief Executive Officer shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors and of any committee thereof are carried into effect.

Section 4. President.

The President shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer in the Chief Executive Officer’s absence or during his or her disability to act. In addition, the President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers usually incident to their respective office and/or such other duties and powers as may be properly assigned to the President from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 5. Vice President.

The Vice President or Vice Presidents (including Executive Vice Presidents or other levels of Vice President designated by the Board of Directors), if any, shall perform the duties of

 

11


the Chief Executive Officer in the absence of both the Chief Executive Officer and the President, or during their disability to act. In addition, the Vice Presidents shall perform the duties and exercise the powers usually incident to their respective office and/or such other duties and powers as may be properly assigned to the Vice Presidents from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 6. Secretary.

The Secretary or an Assistant Secretary shall issue notices of meetings, shall keep the minutes of meetings, shall have charge of the seal and the corporate books, shall perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as are usually incident to such offices and/or such other duties and powers as are properly assigned thereto by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 7. Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer.

The Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer shall have charge of all monies and securities of the Corporation, other than monies and securities of any division of the Corporation that has a treasurer or financial officer appointed by the Board of Directors, and shall keep regular books of account. The funds of the Corporation shall be deposited in the name of the Corporation by the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer with such banks or trust companies or other entities as the Board of Directors from time to time shall designate. The Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer shall sign or countersign such instruments as require his or her signature, shall perform all such duties and have all such powers as are usually incident to such office and/or such other duties and powers as are properly assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, and may be required to give bond for the faithful performance of his or her duties in such sum and with such surety as may be required by the Board of Directors.

Section 8. Other Officers.

The Board of Directors may designate and fill such other offices in its discretion and the persons holding such other offices shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors or Chief Executive Officer may from time to time assign.

Section 9. Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations

Stock of other corporations or associations, registered in the name of the Corporation, may be voted by the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice-President, or a proxy appointed by either of them. The Board of Directors, however, may by resolution appoint some other person to vote such shares, in which case such person shall be entitled to vote such shares upon the production of a certified copy of such resolution.

 

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ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 1. Certificates of Stock.

The Board of Directors may determine to issue certificated or uncertificated shares of capital stock and other securities of the Corporation. For certificated stock, each stockholder is entitled to certificates which represent and certify the shares of stock he or she holds in the Corporation. Each stock certificate shall include on its face the name of the Corporation, the name of the stockholder or other person to whom it is issued, and the class of stock and number of shares it represents. It shall also include on its face or back (a) a statement of any restrictions on transferability and a statement of the designations and any preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption of the stock of each class which the Corporation is authorized to issue, of the differences in the relative rights and preferences between the shares of each series of preferred stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue, to the extent they have been set, and of the authority of the Board of Directors to set the relative rights and preferences of subsequent series of preferred stock or (b) a statement which provides in substance that the Corporation will furnish a full statement of such information to any stockholder on request and without charge. Such request may be made to the Secretary or to the Corporation’s transfer agent. Upon the issuance of uncertificated shares of capital stock, the Corporation shall send the stockholder a written statement of the same information required above with respect to stock certificates. Each stock certificate shall be in such form, not inconsistent with law or with the Corporation’s Articles, as shall be approved by the Board of Directors or any officer or officers designated for such purpose by resolution of the Board of Directors. Each stock certificate shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President, or a Vice-President, and countersigned by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer, or an Assistant Treasurer. Each certificate may be sealed with the actual corporate seal or a facsimile of it or in any other form and the signatures may be either manual or facsimile signatures. A certificate is valid and may be issued whether or not an officer who signed it is still an officer when it is issued. A certificate may not be issued until the stock represented by it is fully paid.

Section 2. Transfers of Stock.

Transfers of stock shall be made only upon the transfer books of the Corporation kept at an office of the Corporation or by transfer agents designated to transfer shares of the stock of the Corporation. Except where a certificate is issued in accordance with Section 4 of Article V of these Bylaws, an outstanding certificate for the number of shares involved shall be surrendered for cancellation before a new certificate is issued therefor.

Section 3. Record Dates or Closing of Transfer Books.

The Board of Directors may, and shall have the power to, set a record date or direct that the stock transfer books be closed for a stated period for the purpose of making any proper determination with respect to stockholders, including which stockholders are entitled to notice of a meeting, vote at a meeting, receive a dividend, or be allotted other rights. The record date may not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed nor, subject to Section 3

 

13


of Article I of these Bylaws, more than 90 days before the date on which the action requiring the determination will be taken; the transfer books may not be closed for a period longer than 20 days; and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, the record date or the closing of the transfer books shall be at least ten days before the date of the meeting. Any shares of the Corporation’s own stock acquired by the Corporation between the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders and the time of the meeting may be voted at the meeting by the holder of record as of the record date and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at the meeting.

Section 4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.

The Board of Directors of the Corporation may determine the conditions for issuing a new stock certificate in place of one which is alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, or the Board of Directors may delegate such power to any officer or officers of the Corporation. In their discretion, the Board of Directors or such officer or officers may require the owner of the certificate to give a bond, with sufficient surety, to indemnify the Corporation against any loss or claim arising as a result of the issuance of a new certificate. In their discretion, the Board of Directors or such officer or officers may refuse to issue such new certificate without the order of a court having jurisdiction over the matter.

Section 5. Stock Ledger.

The Corporation shall maintain a stock ledger which contains the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of stock of each class which the stockholder holds. The stock ledger may be in written form or in any other form which can be converted within a reasonable time into written form for visual inspection. The original or a duplicate of the stock ledger shall be kept at the offices of a transfer agent for the particular class of stock or, if none, at the principal executive office of the Corporation.

Section 6. Regulations.

The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of certificates of stock shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board of Directors may establish.

ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1. Facsimile Signatures.

In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these Bylaws, facsimile signatures of any officer or officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.

Section 2. Corporate Seal.

The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, bearing the name of the Corporation, which shall be in the charge of the Secretary. The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof. If the Corporation is required to place its

 

14


corporate seal to a document, it is sufficient to meet the requirement of any law, rule, or regulation relating to a corporate seal to place the word “(seal)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to sign the document on behalf of the Corporation.

Section 3. Books and Records.

The Corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of its accounts and transactions and minutes of the proceedings of its stockholders and Board of Directors and of any committee when exercising any of the powers of the Board of Directors. The books and records of the Corporation may be in written form or in any other form which can be converted within a reasonable time into written form for visual inspection. Minutes shall be recorded in written form but may be maintained in the form of a reproduction. The original or a certified copy of these Bylaws shall be kept at the principal office of the Corporation.

Section 4. Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records.

Each director, each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each officer and agent of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, in addition to any protections conferred upon him or her by law, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person as to matters which such director, committee member, officer or agent reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

Section 5. Fiscal Year.

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall commence on the first day of January and end on the last day of September in each year.

Section 6. Time Periods.

In applying any provision of these Bylaws that requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded and the day of the event shall be included.

Section 7. Checks, Drafts, Etc.

All checks, drafts and orders for the payment of money, notes and other evidences of indebtedness, issued in the name of the Corporation, shall be signed by any officer, employee or agent of the Corporation that is authorized by the Board of Directors.

Section 8. Mail.

Any notice or other document that is required by these Bylaws to be mailed shall be deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid.

 

15


Section 9. Contracts and Agreements.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, and except as otherwise prescribed by the Articles or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. A person who holds more than one office in the Corporation may not act in more than one capacity to execute, acknowledge, or verify an instrument required by law to be executed, acknowledged, or verified by more than one officer.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed as provided in the Articles of the Corporation.

 

16

Exhibit 4

INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND

 

        
        
No.    P OAGE B ANKSHARES , I NC .   Shares
        
        

FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE

PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE

 

  CUSIP:                     
  THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS
  CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO
  RESTRICTIONS, SEE REVERSE SIDE

THIS CERTIFIES that

  is the owner of

SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

of

Poage Bankshares, Inc.

a Maryland corporation

The shares evidenced by this certificate are transferable only on the books of Poage Bankshares, Inc. by the holder hereof, in person or by attorney, upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. The capital stock evidenced hereby is not an account of an insurable type and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other Federal or state governmental agency.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Poage Bankshares, Inc. has caused this certificate to be executed by the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers and has caused a facsimile of its seal to be hereunto affixed.

 

By  

 

    [SEAL]     By  

 

 
  James W. King           Darryl E. Akers  
  Chief Information Officer And        

Vice Chairman, Co-President,

 
  Corporate Secretary          

Co-Chief Executive Officer and

 
           

Chief Financial Officer

 


The Board of Directors of Poage Bankshares, Inc. (the “Company”) is authorized by resolution or resolutions, from time to time adopted, to provide for the issuance of more than one class of stock, including preferred stock in series, and to fix and state the voting powers, designations, preferences, limitations and restrictions thereof. The Company will furnish to any stockholder upon request and without charge a full description of each class of stock and any series thereof.

The shares evidenced by this certificate are subject to a limitation contained in the Articles of Incorporation to the effect that in no event shall any record owner of any outstanding common stock which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a person who beneficially owns in excess of 10% of the outstanding shares of common stock (the “Limit”) be entitled or permitted to any vote in respect of shares held in excess of the Limit.

The shares represented by this certificate may not be cumulatively voted on any matter. The Articles of Incorporation require that, with limited exceptions, no amendment, addition, alteration, change or repeal of the Articles of Incorporation shall be made, unless such is first approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and approved by the stockholders by a majority of the total shares entitled to vote, or in certain circumstances approved by the affirmative vote of up to eighty percent (80%) of the shares entitled to vote.

The following abbreviations when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations.

 

TEN COM

     - as tenants in common    UNIF GIFT MIN ACT        -  

 

  Custodian  

 

          (Cust)     (Minor)

TEN ENT

     - as tenants by the entireties         
          Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

JT TEN

     - as joint tenants with right of         
       survivorship and not as     

 

       tenants in common        (State)  

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list

For value received,                                                   hereby sell, assign and transfer unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER

 

    
    
    
   
   

(please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of assignee)

   
   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Shares of the Common Stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                                                                                                         Attorney to transfer the said shares on the books of the within named corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated,                                               

 

In the presence of

 

     

Signature:

 

 

     

 

NOTE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME OF THE STOCKHOLDER(S) AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE, IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT, OR ANY CHANGE WHATSOEVER.

Exhibit 5

LUSE GORMAN POMERENK & SCHICK

A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

5335 WISCONSIN AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 780

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20015

 

 

TELEPHONE (202) 274-2000

FACSIMILE (202) 362-2902

www.luselaw.com

 

WRITER’S DIRECT DIAL NUMBER    WRITER’S EMAIL
(202) 274-2000   

February 11, 2011

The Board of Directors

Poage Bankshares, Inc.

1500 Carter Avenue

Ashland, Kentucky 41101

 

  Re:   Poage Bankshares, Inc.
    Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share

Gentlemen:

You have requested the opinion of this firm as to certain matters in connection with the offer and sale (the “Offering”) of Poage Bankshares, Inc. (the “Company”) Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”). We have reviewed the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Form S-1”), as well as applicable statutes and regulations governing the Company and the offer and sale of the Common Stock. The opinion expressed below is limited to the Maryland General Corporation Law.

We are of the opinion that upon the declaration of effectiveness of the Form S-1, the Common Stock, when sold pursuant to the Company’s prospectus and the Plan of Conversion of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, a federally chartered savings and loan association, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

This Opinion has been prepared in connection with the Form S-1. We hereby consent to our firm being referenced under the caption “Legal and Tax Matters,” and for inclusion of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1.

 

  Very truly yours,  
 

/s/ Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, PC

 
  LUSE GORMAN POMERENK & SCHICK  
  A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION  

Exhibit 8.1

                          , 2011

(202) 274-2000

Board of Directors

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

1500 Carter Avenue

Ashland, Kentucky 41101

 

  Re: Federal Income Tax Opinion Relating to Conversion of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association from a Federal Mutual Savings and Loan Association to a Federal Stock Savings and Loan Association

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In accordance with your request, set forth below is the opinion of this firm relating to the material federal income tax consequences of the proposed conversion (the “Conversion”) of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association (the “Association”) from a federal mutual savings and loan association to a federal stock savings and loan association (“Stock Association”). In the Conversion, all of the Association’s to-be-issued stock will be acquired by Poage Bankshares, Inc., a newly organized Maryland corporation (the “Holding Company”).

For purposes of this opinion, we have examined such documents and questions of law as we have considered necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to the Holding Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 relating to the proposed issuance of up to 2,645,000 shares (at the maximum of the offering range) of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and the Plan of Conversion adopted by the Association on December 21, 2010 (the “Plan”), the Federal Mutual Charter of the Association, and the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Holding Company. In such examination, we have assumed and have not independently verified the authenticity of all original documents, the accuracy of all copies, and the genuineness of all signatures. We have further assumed the absence of adverse facts not apparent from the face of the instruments and documents we examined. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the same meaning as set forth in said documents.

In issuing our opinion, we have assumed that the Plan has been duly and validly authorized and has been approved and adopted by the board of directors of the Association at a meeting duly

 


Board of Directors

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

                          , 2011

Page 2

 

called and held, that the Association will comply with the terms and conditions of the Plan, and that the various representations and warranties that are provided to us are accurate, complete, true and correct. Accordingly, we express no opinion concerning the effect, if any, of variations from the foregoing. We specifically express no opinion concerning tax matters relating to the Plan under state and local tax laws and under federal income tax laws except on the basis of the documents and assumptions described above.

In issuing the opinion set forth below, we have relied solely on existing provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), existing and proposed Treasury regulations (the “Regulations”) thereunder, current administrative rulings, notices and procedures, and court decisions. Such laws, regulations, administrative rulings, notices and procedures and court decisions are subject to change at any time. Any such change could affect the continuing validity of the opinions set forth below. This opinion is as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change in any matter considered herein after the date hereof.

In rendering our opinion, we have assumed that the persons and entities identified in the Plan will at all times comply with applicable state and federal laws and the factual representations of the Association. In addition, we have assumed that the activities of the persons and entities identified in the Plan will be conducted strictly in accordance with the Plan. Any variations may affect the opinions we are rendering. For purposes of this opinion, we are relying on the factual representations provided to us by the Association, which are incorporated herein by reference.

We emphasize that the outcome of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty and, although we have attempted in good faith to opine as to the probable outcome of the merits of each tax issue with respect to which an opinion was requested, there can be no assurance that our conclusions are correct or that they would be adopted by the Internal Revenue Service or a court.

BACKGROUND

The Association is a federal mutual savings and loan association that is in the process of converting to a federal stock savings and loan association. As a federal mutual savings and loan association, the Association has no authorized capital stock. Instead the Association, in mutual form, has a unique equity structure. A depositor in the Association is entitled to payment of interest on his account balance as declared and paid by the Association. A depositor has no right to a distribution of any earnings of the Association except for interest paid on his deposit, but rather, such earnings become retained earnings of the Association. However, a depositor has a right to share, pro rata, with respect to the withdrawal value of his account, in any liquidation proceeds distributed in the event


Board of Directors

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

                          , 2011

Page 3

 

the Association is liquidated. All of the interests held by a depositor cease when such depositor closes his account with the Association.

PROPOSED TRANSACTION

The Holding Company has been formed under the laws of the State of Maryland for the purpose of the proposed transactions described herein, to engage in business as a savings and loan holding company and to hold all of the stock of the Stock Association. The Holding Company will issue shares of its voting common stock (“Holding Company Conversion Stock”), upon completion of the mutual-to-stock conversion of the Association, to persons purchasing such shares as described in greater detail below.

Following regulatory approval, the Plan provides for the offer and sale of shares of Holding Company Conversion Stock in a Subscription Offering pursuant to nontransferable subscription rights on the basis of the following preference categories: (i) Eligible Account Holders of the Association, (ii) the Association’s tax-qualified employee stock benefit plans, including the newly formed employee stock ownership plan, (iii) Supplemental Eligible Account Holders of the Association, and (iv) Other Members of the Association, all as described in the Plan. All shares must be sold, and to the extent the stock is available, no subscriber will be allowed to purchase fewer than 25 shares of Holding Company Conversion Stock. If shares remain after all orders are filled in the categories described above, the Plan calls for a Community Offering for the sale of shares not purchased under the preference categories, and a Syndicated Community Offering for the shares not sold in the Community Offering.

Pursuant to the Plan, all such shares will be issued and sold at a uniform price per share. The aggregate purchase price at which all shares of Holding Company Conversion Stock will be offered and sold pursuant to the Plan will be equal to the estimated pro forma market value of the Association, as converted. The estimated pro forma market value will be determined by RP Financial, LC., an independent appraiser. The conversion of the Association from mutual-to-stock form and the sale of newly issued shares of the stock of the Stock Association to the Holding Company will be deemed effective concurrently with the closing of the sale of Holding Company Conversion Stock.

OPINION OF COUNSEL

Based solely upon the foregoing information, we render the following opinion:


Board of Directors

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

                          , 2011

Page 4

 

1. The change in the form of operation of the Association from a federal mutual savings and loan association to a federal stock savings and loan association, as described above, will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Code Section 368(a)(1)(F), and no gain or loss will be recognized to either the Association or to Stock Association as a result of such Conversion. See Rev. Rul. 80-105, 1980-1 C.B. 78. The Association and Stock Association will each be a party to a reorganization within the meaning of Code Section 368(b). Rev. Rul. 72-206, 1972-1 C.B. 104.

2. No gain or loss will be recognized by Stock Association on the receipt of money from Holding Company in exchange for its shares or by Holding Company upon the receipt of money from the sale of Holding Company Conversion Stock. Code Section 1032(a).

3. The assets of the Association will have the same basis in the hands of Stock Association as they had in the hands of the Association immediately prior to the Conversion. Code Section 362(b).

4. The holding period of the Association’s assets to be received by Stock Association will include the period during which the assets were held by the Association prior to the Conversion. Code Section 1223(2).

5. No gain or loss will be recognized by the account holders of the Association upon the issuance to them of withdrawable deposit accounts in Stock Association in the same dollar amount and under the same terms as their deposit accounts in the Association and no gain or loss will be recognized by Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders or Other Members upon receipt by them of an interest in the Liquidation Account of Stock Association, in exchange for their ownership interests in the Association. Code Section 354(a).

6. The basis of the account holders’ deposit accounts in the Stock Association will be the same as the basis of their deposit accounts in the Association surrendered in exchange therefor. The basis of each Eligible Account Holder’s, Supplemental Eligible Account Holder’s and Other Member’s interests in the Liquidation Account of the Stock Association will be zero, that being the cost of such property.

7. It is more likely than not that the fair market value of the nontransferable subscription rights to purchase Holding Company Conversion Stock will be zero. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized by Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders or Other Members upon the distribution to them of the nontransferable subscription rights to purchase Holding Company Conversion Stock. No taxable income will be realized by the Eligible Account


Board of Directors

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

                          , 2011

Page 5

 

Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders or Other Members as a result of the exercise of the nontransferable subscription rights. Rev. Rul. 56-572, 1956-2 C.B. 182.

8. It is more likely than not that the basis of the Holding Company Conversion Stock to its stockholders will be the purchase price thereof. (Section 1012 of the Code). The stockholder’s holding period will commence upon the exercise of the subscription rights. (Section 1223(5) of the Code).

9. For purposes of Section 381 of the Code, the Stock Association will be treated as if there had been no reorganization. Accordingly, the taxable year of the Association will not end on the effective date of the Conversion merely because of the transfer of assets of the Association to the Stock Association, and the tax attributes of the Association will be taken into account by the Stock Association as if there had been no reorganization. (Treas. Reg. Section 1.381(b)-(1)(a)(2)).

10. The part of the taxable year of the Association before the reorganization and the part of the taxable year of Stock Association after the reorganization will constitute a single taxable year of Stock Association. See Rev. Rul. 57-276, 1957-1 C.B. 126. Consequently, the Association will not be required to file a federal income tax return for any portion of such taxable year solely by reason of the Conversion. Treas. Reg. Section 1.381(b)-1(a)(2).

11. The tax attributes of the Association enumerated in Code Section 381(c) will be taken into account by Stock Association. Treas. Reg. Section 1.381(b)-1(a)(2).

Notwithstanding any reference to Code Section 381 above, no opinion is expressed or intended to be expressed herein as to the effect, if any, of this transaction on the continued existence of, the carryover or carryback of, or the limitation on, any net operating losses of the Association or its successor, Stock Association, under the Code.

Our opinion under paragraph 7 above is predicated on the representation that no person shall receive any payment, whether in money or property, in lieu of the issuance of subscription rights. Our opinion under paragraphs 7 and 8 is based on the facts that the subscription rights will be granted at no cost to the recipients, will be legally non-transferable and of short duration, and will provide the recipient with the right only to purchase shares of Holding Company Conversion Stock at the same price to be paid by members of the general public in any Community Offering. We also note that RP Financial, L.C. has issued a letter dated [                           , 2011] stating that the subscription rights will have no ascertainable market value. We further note that the Internal Revenue Service has not in the past reached a different conclusion with respect to the value of nontransferable


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Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

                          , 2011

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subscription rights. If the subscription rights are subsequently found to have value, income may be recognized by various recipients of the subscription rights (in certain cases, whether or not the rights are exercised) and the Holding Company and/or Stock Association may be taxable on the distribution of the subscription rights.

CONSENT

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (“Registration Statement”) of the Holding Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Conversion, and as an exhibit to the Form AC, Application for Approval of Conversion, and Form H-(e)(1)S (the “Filings”) filed with the Office of Thrift Supervision with respect to the Conversion, as applicable. We also hereby consent to the references to this firm in the prospectus which is a part of the Registration Statement and the Filings.

USE OF OPINION

This opinion is rendered for the benefit of the Holding Company, the Association and the Stock Association, and may not be quoted in whole or in part or otherwise referred to, nor is it to be filed with any governmental agency or other person without our prior written consent. We expressly consent to the use of and reliance on this opinion by Crowe Horwath LLP in issuing its state tax opinion to the Association.

 

Very truly yours,

 

LUSE GORMAN POMERENK & SCHICK,

A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION

   

Exhibit 8.2

[FORM OF TAX OPINION]

February __, 2011

Board of Directors

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

1500 Carter Avenue

Ashland, Kentucky 41101

 

  Re: Kentucky Corporate Income Tax and Limited Liability Entity Tax Consequences Relating to Conversion of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association from a Federal Mutual Savings and Loan Association to a Federal Stock Savings and Loan Association

To the Members of the Board of Directors:

In accordance with your request, we render our opinion relating to the Kentucky corporate income tax and limited liability entity tax (“LLET”) consequences of the proposed conversion (the “Conversion”), more fully described below in the Statement of Facts, pursuant to which Home Federal Savings and Loan Association (the “Association”) will convert from a federal mutual savings and loan association to a federal stock savings and loan association (“Stock Association”). All capitalized terms used in this letter shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Plan of Conversion dated December 21, 2010 (the “Plan”).

Scope of Opinion

You have asked for our opinion on the Kentucky corporate income tax and LLET consequences of the planned conversion described in the facts below. We have not considered any non-income tax, or federal, local or foreign income tax consequences. We have also not considered Kentucky taxes other than those recited in this opinion or taxes that might be levied by other states, and, therefore, do not express any opinion regarding the treatment that would be given the transaction by the applicable authorities on any issues outside of Kentucky corporate income tax and LLET. We also express no opinion on non-tax issues such as corporate law or securities law matters. We express no opinion other than that as stated immediately above, and neither this opinion nor any prior statements are intended to imply or to be an opinion on any other matters.


Board of Directors   [FORM OF TAX OPINION]            

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

February      , 2011

Page 2

 

 

Statement of Facts

In rendering our opinion, we have relied upon the facts, information, assumptions and representations as contained in the Plan, as provided to us by you on February      , 2011, including all exhibits attached thereto. We have assumed that these facts are complete and accurate and have not independently audited or otherwise verified any of these facts or assumptions. You have represented to us that we have been provided all of the facts necessary to render our opinion. A misstatement or omission of any fact or a change or amendment in any of the facts, assumptions or representations we have relied upon may require a modification of all or a part of this opinion.

A brief, but not necessarily all-inclusive, summary of the Conversion is as follows:

You have provided us with a copy of the federal income tax opinion of the Conversion prepared by Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C., dated February      , 2011 (the “Federal Tax Opinion”) in which they have opined that the Conversion will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In addition, the Federal Tax Opinion provides that no gain or loss will be recognized by Stock Association on the receipt of money from Holding Company in exchange for its shares or by Holding Company upon the receipt of money from the sale of Holding Company Conversion Stock pursuant to Code Section 1032(a).

The Association, a federal mutual savings and loan association organized under the laws of the United States of America, shall convert to a federal stock savings and loan association to be organized under the laws of the United States of America. In conjunction with the Conversion, all of the Association’s to-be-issued stock will be acquired by Poage Bankshares, Inc., a newly organized Maryland corporation (the “Holding Company”), and the Holding Company will issue shares of its voting common stock (“Holding Company Conversion Stock”), upon completion of the mutual-to-stock conversion of the Association, to persons purchasing such shares.

Opinion

Our opinion regarding the Kentucky corporate income tax and LLET consequences adopts and relies upon the facts, representations, assumptions, and conclusions as set forth in the Federal Tax Opinion and incorporates the capitalized terms contained in the Federal Tax Opinion. We have assumed that these facts are complete and accurate and have not independently audited or verified any of these facts or assumptions. Additionally, the Association has represented that all loans are made to “members” as the term is used in Kentucky Revised Statues Annotated (“KRS”) 141.040(1)(b) and 141.0401(6)(b) as of and subsequent to the date of the Conversion. Our opinion on the Kentucky corporate income tax and LLET consequences assumes that the final federal income tax consequences of the Conversion will be those as described in the Federal Tax Opinion. Based upon that information, we render the following opinion with respect to the Kentucky corporate income tax and LLET consequences of the Conversion:


Board of Directors   [FORM OF TAX OPINION]            

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

February      , 2011

Page 3

 

 

The corporate income tax is imposed by KRS 141.040. The Limited Liability Entity Tax is imposed by KRS 141.0401. Each statute provides a specific exemption from the imposition of the tax on savings and loan associations organized under the laws of Kentucky and under the laws of the United States making loans to members only. Accordingly, the Association should not be subject to Kentucky corporate income tax and LLET before, and immediately after, the conversion. Our opinion is predicated on the Association’s representation that all loans are made to “members” as the term is used in KRS 141.040 and 141.0401 as of and subsequent to the date of the Conversion.

Limitations on Opinion

Our opinion is as of February      , 2011 and we have no responsibility to update this opinion for events, transactions, circumstances or changes in any of the facts, assumptions or representations occurring after this date. Our opinion is based solely upon our interpretation of the current Kentucky state tax law as of the date of this letter, which authorities are subject to modification or challenge at any time and perhaps with retroactive effect. Further, no opinion is expressed under the provisions of any of the other sections of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, Administrative Regulations or Rulings which may also be applicable thereto, or to the tax treatment of any conditions existing at the time of, or effects resulting from, the Conversion which is not specifically covered by the opinion set forth above all of which are subject to change. If there is a change, including a change having retroactive effect, in the Kentucky state tax law or in the prevailing judicial interpretation of the foregoing, the opinion expressed herein would necessarily have to be re-evaluated in light of any such changes. We have no responsibility to update this opinion for any such changes occurring after the date of this letter.

Our opinion is not binding on the Kentucky Department of Revenue (the “Department”), and there can be no assurance that the Department will not take a position contrary to the conclusions reached in the opinion. In the event of such disagreement, there can be no assurance that the Department would not prevail in a judicial proceeding.

The opinion expressed herein reflects our assessment of the probable outcome of litigation and other adversarial proceedings based solely on an analysis of the existing tax authorities relating to the issues. It is important, however, to note that litigation and other adversarial proceedings are frequently decided on the basis of such matters as negotiation and pragmatism upon the outcome of such potential litigation or other adversarial proceedings.

The opinion expressed herein reflects what we regard to be the material Kentucky corporate income tax and LLET effects to the Association and the Stock Association of the transaction as described herein; nevertheless, it is an opinion only and should not be taken as assurance of the ultimate tax treatment.

Should it finally be determined that the facts or the federal income tax consequences are not as outlined in the Federal Tax Opinion, the Kentucky corporate income tax and LLET


Board of Directors   [FORM OF TAX OPINION]            

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

February      , 2011

Page 4

 

 

consequences and our Kentucky tax opinion may differ from what is contained herein. If any fact contained in this opinion letter or the Federal Tax Opinion changes to alter the federal tax treatment, it is imperative that we be notified in order to determine the effect on the Kentucky corporate income tax and LLET consequences, if any. We have no responsibility to update this opinion for events, transactions, circumstances, or changes in any of the facts, assumptions or representations occurring after the date of this letter.

We understand that a copy of this opinion will be provided as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (“Registration Statement”) of the Holding Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Conversion, and as an exhibit to the Form AC, Application for Approval of Conversion, and Form H-(e)(1)S (the “Filings”) filed with the Office of Thrift Supervision with respect to the Conversion, as applicable. Except to the extent expressly permitted hereby, this opinion may not be quoted in whole or in part or otherwise referred to in any documents or delivered to any other person or entity without the prior written consent of this firm. Any such authorized party receiving a copy of this opinion must consult and rely upon the advice of (his/her/its) own counsel, accountant, or other adviser. This opinion is given solely for the benefit of the Association and the Stock Association, and may not be relied upon by any other party or referred to in any document without our express written consent.

Very truly yours,

Crowe Horwath LLP

Exhibit 10.1

Form of

EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN

EXECUTIVE AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this      day of                  ,          , by and between Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, a bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as the “Bank”), and                      , an Executive of the Bank (hereinafter referred to as the “Executive”),

WHEREAS, the Executive is now in the employ of the Bank and has for many years faithfully served the Bank. It is the consensus of the Board of Directors (hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) that the Executive’s services have been of exceptional merit, in excess of the compensation paid and an invaluable contribution to the profits and position of the Bank in its field of activity. The Board further believes that the Executive’s experience, knowledge of corporate affairs, reputation and industry contacts are of such value, and the Executive’s continued services so essential to the Bank’s future growth and profits, that it would suffer severe financial loss should the Executive terminate their services;

ACCORDINGLY, the Board has adopted the Home Federal Savings and Loan Association Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (hereinafter referred to as the “Executive Plan”) and it is the desire of the Bank and the Executive to enter into this Agreement under which the Bank will agree to make certain payments to the Executive upon the Executive’s retirement or to the Executive’s beneficiary(ies) in the event of the Executive’s death pursuant to the Executive Plan;

FURTHERMORE, it is the intent of the parties hereto that this Executive Plan be considered an unfunded arrangement maintained primarily to provide supplemental retirement benefits for the Executive, and be considered a non-qualified benefit plan for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). The Executive is fully advised of the Bank’s financial status and has had substantial input in the design and operation of this benefit plan; and

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of services the Executive has performed in the past and those to be performed in the future, and based upon the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, the Bank and the Executive agree as follows:

 

I. DEFINITIONS

 

  A. Effective Date:

The Effective Date of the Executive Plan shall be                      .


  B. Plan Year:

Any reference to the “Plan Year” shall mean a calendar year from January 1st to December 31st. In the year of implementation, the term “Plan Year” shall mean the period from the Effective Date to December 31st of the year of the Effective Date.

 

  C. Retirement Date:

Retirement Date shall mean retirement from service with the Bank that becomes effective on the first day of the calendar month following the month in which the Executive reaches age sixty-five (65) or such later date as the Executive may actually retire.

 

  D. Early Retirement Date:

Early Retirement Date shall mean a retirement from service which is effective prior to the Normal Retirement Age stated herein, provided the Executive has attained age fifty-five (55).

 

  E. Termination of Service:

Termination of Service shall mean the Executive’s voluntary resignation of service by the Executive or the Bank’s discharge of the Executive without cause, prior to the Normal Retirement Age [Subparagraph I (K)].

 

  F. Pre-Retirement Account:

A Pre-Retirement Account shall be established as a liability reserve account on the books of the Bank for the benefit of the Executive. Prior to the Executive’s Retirement Date [Subparagraph I (C)] or prior to receiving benefits, such liability reserve account shall be increased or decreased each Plan Year, until the aforestated event occurs, by the Index Retirement Benefit [Subparagraph I (G)]. The Pre-Retirement Account shall be credited interest at a rate of the greater of seven and one half percent (7.5%) or prime plus one hundred basis points until said account is paid in full and the account balance is zero.

 

  G. Index Retirement Benefit:

The Index Retirement Benefit for each Executive in the Executive Plan for each Plan Year shall be equal to the excess (if any) of the Index [Subparagraph I (H)] for that Plan Year over the Cost of Funds Expense [Subparagraph I (I)] for that Plan Year.

 

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  H. Index :

The Index for any Plan Year shall be the aggregate annual after-tax income from the life insurance contract(s) described hereinafter as defined by FASB Technical Bulletin 85-4. This Index shall be applied as if such insurance contract(s) were purchased on the Effective Date of the Executive Plan.

Insurance Company:

Policy Form:

Policy Name:

Insured’s Age and Sex:

Riders:

Ratings:

Option:

Face Amount:

Premiums Paid:

Number of Premium Payments:

Assumed Purchase Date:

Insurance Company:

Policy Form:

Policy Name:

Insured’s Age and Sex:

Riders:

Ratings:

Option:

Face Amount:

Premiums Paid:

Number of Premium Payments:

Assumed Purchase Date:

If such contracts of life insurance are actually purchased by the Bank, then the actual policies as of the dates they were actually purchased shall be used in calculations under this Executive Plan. If such contracts of life insurance are not purchased or are subsequently surrendered or lapsed, then the Bank shall receive annual policy illustrations that assume the above-described policies were purchased or had not subsequently surrendered or lapsed. Said illustration shall be received from the respective insurance companies and will indicate the increase in policy values for purposes of calculating the amount of the Index.

In either case, references to the life insurance contracts are merely for purposes of calculating a benefit. The Bank has no obligation to purchase such life insurance and, if purchased, the Executive and the Executive’s beneficiary(ies) shall have no ownership interest in such policy and shall always have no greater interest in the benefits under this Executive Plan than that of an unsecured creditor of the Bank.

 

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  I. Cost of Funds Expense:

The Cost of Funds Expense for any Plan Year shall be calculated by taking the sum of the amount of premiums for the life insurance policies described in the definition of “Index” plus the amount of any after-tax benefits paid to the Executive pursuant to the Executive Plan (Paragraph II hereinafter) plus the amount of all previous years’ after-tax Cost of Funds Expense, and multiplying that sum by the Average After-Tax Cost of Funds [Subparagraph I (L)].

 

  J. Change of Control:

“Change of Control” means (a) report is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Schedule 13D or Schedule 14D-1 (or any successor schedule, form or report), each as promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act, disclosing that any “person” as such term is used in Section 13(d) and Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, other than the company of any company employee benefit plan, is or has become a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (b) the Company is merged or consolidated with another corporation and, as a result thereof, securities representing less than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the surviving or resulting corporation’s securities (or of the securities of a parent corporation in case of a merger in which the surviving or resulting corporation becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the parent corporation) are owned in the aggregate by holders of the Company’s securities immediately prior to such merger or consolidation; (c) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are sold in a single transaction or a series of related transactions to a single purchaser or a group of affiliated purchasers; or (d) during any period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months, individuals who were Directors of the Company at the beginning of such period cease to constitute at least a majority of the Company’s board unless the election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, of more than one-half of any new Directors of the Company then still in office who were Directors of the Company at the beginning of such twenty-four (24) month period, either actually or by prior operation of this clause (d). The date of a Change of Control shall be deemed to be the date of the earlier of the date of (i) consummation of the transaction involving the Change in Control, or (ii) the execution of a definitive agreement by the Corporation involving a transaction deemed to be a Change in Control.

 

  K. Normal Retirement Age:

Normal Retirement Age shall mean the date on which the Executive attains age sixty-five (65).

 

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  L. Average After-Tax Cost of Funds:

Average After-Tax Cost of Funds means, at any particular time, a ratio, the numerator of which is the total annualized interest expense as set forth on Schedule RI-Income Statement of the Bank’s third quarter Consolidated Report of Condition and Income (the “Call Report”) and the denominator of which is an amount equal to: (i) the amount of deposits in domestic offices (sum of total of columns A and C from Schedule RC-E of the Call Report), plus (ii) the amount of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, as set forth on Schedule RC-Balance Sheet of the Call Report times the inverse of the Bank’s combined marginal income tax rate.

 

II. INDEX BENEFITS

 

  A. Retirement Benefits:

Subject to Subparagraph II (E) hereinafter, an Executive who remains in the employ of the Bank until the Normal Retirement Age [Subparagraph I (K)] shall be entitled to receive the balance in the Pre-Retirement Account in two hundred and forty (240) equal monthly installments commencing thirty (30) days following the Executive’s retirement. In addition to these payments and commencing subsequent to the Pre-Retirement Account being paid in full and said account balance is zero, the Index Retirement Benefit [Subparagraph I (G)] for each Plan Year subsequent to the year in which the Executive begins receiving the Index Retirement Benefit hereunder, and including the remaining portion of the Plan Year of the year in which the Executive begins receiving the Index Retirement Benefit hereunder, shall be paid to the Executive until the Executive’s death.

 

  B. Early Retirement:

Subject to Subparagraph II (E), should the Executive elect Early Retirement or be discharged without cause by the Bank subsequent to the Early Retirement Date [Subparagraph I (D)], the Executive shall be entitled to receive ten percent (10%) times the number of full years of employment with the Bank from the date of first employment with the Bank to a maximum of eighty percent (80%), until the earlier of thirty (30) years of employment from the first date of service, or the Executive attains age fifty-five (55) at which time the Executive will be entitled to receive one hundred percent (100%), times the balance in the Pre-Retirement Account paid in two hundred and forty (240) equal monthly installments commencing thirty (30) days following the Executive’s Early Retirement Date [Subparagraph I (D)].

In addition to these payments and commencing in conjunction therewith, the Executive will receive ten percent (10%) times the number of full years of employment with the Bank from the date of first employment with the Bank to a

 

5


maximum of eighty percent (80%), until the earlier of thirty (30) years of employment from the first date of service, or the Executive attains age fifty-five (55) at which time the Executive will receive one hundred percent (100%), times the Index Retirement Benefit for each Plan Year subsequent to the year in which the Executive attains the Early Retirement Date, and including the remaining portion of the Plan Year in which the Executive attains Early Retirement Date, until the Executive’s death.

 

  C. Termination of Service:

Subject to Subparagraph II (E), should an Executive suffer a Termination of Service the Executive shall be entitled to receive ten percent (10%) times the number of full years of employment with the Bank from the date of first employment with the Bank to a maximum of eighty percent (80%), until thirty (30) years of employment from the first date of service, at which time the Executive will be entitled to receive one hundred percent (100%), times the balance in the Pre-Retirement Account payable to the Executive in two hundred and forty (240) equal monthly installments commencing thirty (30) days following the Executive’s Normal Retirement Age [Subparagraph I (K)]. If termination occurs after age fifty-five (55) the provisions in Subparagraph II (B) apply.

In addition to these payments and commencing subsequent to the Pre-Retirement Account being paid in full and said account balance is zero, the Executive will receive ten percent (10%) times the number of full years of employment with the Bank from the date of first employment with the Bank to a maximum of eighty percent (80%), until thirty (30) years of employment from the first date of service, at which time the Executive will receive one hundred percent (100%), times the Index Retirement Benefit for each Plan Year subsequent to the year in which the Executive begins receiving the Index Retirement Benefit hereunder, and including the remaining portion of the Plan Year in which the Executive begins receiving the Index Retirement Benefit hereunder, until the Executive’s death. If termination occurs after age fifty-five (55) the provisions in Subparagraph II (B) apply.

 

  D. Death :

Should the Executive die while there is a balance in the Executive’s Pre-Retirement Account [Subparagraph I (F)], said unpaid balance of the Executive’s Pre-Retirement Account shall be paid in a lump sum to the individual or individuals the Executive may have designated in writing and filed with the Bank. In the absence of any effective beneficiary designation, the unpaid balance shall be paid as set forth herein to the duly qualified executor or administrator of the Executive’s estate. Said payment due hereunder shall be made the first day of the second month following the decease of the Executive. Provided, however, that anything hereinabove to the contrary notwithstanding, no death benefit shall be payable hereunder if the Executive dies on or before the      day of              ,          .

 

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  E. Discharge for Cause:

Should the Executive be Discharged for Cause at any time, all benefits under this Executive Plan shall be forfeited. The term “for cause” shall mean any of the following that result in an adverse effect on the Bank: (i) gross negligence or gross neglect; (ii) the commission of a felony or gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, fraud, or dishonesty; (iii) the willful violation of any law, rule, or regulation (other than a traffic violation or similar offense); (iv) an intentional failure to perform stated duties; or (v) a breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit. If a dispute arises as to discharge “for cause,” such dispute shall be resolved by arbitration as set forth in this Executive Plan.

 

  F. Death Benefit:

Except as set forth above, there is no death benefit provided under this Agreement.

 

  G. Disability Benefit:

In the event the Executive becomes disabled prior to Termination of Service, and the Executive’s employment is terminated because of such disability, the Executive, upon submission to the Bank of written documentation and verification of disability, shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested in the accrued liability account balance in the date of said disability. Said account shall be credited interest annually until paid in full, at a rate of two percent (2%) plus the prime interest rate each Plan Year. Such benefit shall be paid in two hundred forty (240) monthly installments and shall begin thirty (30) days following the Executive’s termination of employment due to disability. If there is a dispute regarding whether the Executive is disabled, such dispute shall be resolved by a physician selected by the Bank and such resolution shall be binding upon all parties to this Agreement.

 

III. RESTRICTIONS UPON FUNDING

The Bank shall have no obligation to set aside, earmark or entrust any fund or money with which to pay its obligations under this Executive Plan. The Executive, their beneficiary(ies), or any successor in interest shall be and remain simply a general creditor of the Bank in the same manner as any other creditor having a general claim for matured and unpaid compensation.

The Bank reserves the absolute right, at its sole discretion, to either fund the obligations undertaken by this Executive Plan or to refrain from funding the same and to determine the extent, nature and method of such funding. Should the Bank elect to fund this Executive Plan, in whole or in part, through the purchase of life insurance, mutual funds, disability policies or annuities, the Bank reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to terminate such funding at any time, in whole or in part. At no time shall any Executive be deemed to have any lien nor right, title or interest in or to any specific funding

 

7


investment or to any assets of the Bank.

If the Bank elects to invest in a life insurance, disability or annuity policy upon the life of the Executive, then the Executive shall assist the Bank by freely submitting to a physical exam and supplying such additional information necessary to obtain such insurance or annuities.

 

IV. CHANGE OF CONTROL

Upon a Change of Control [Subparagraph I (J)], if the Executive subsequently suffers a Termination of Service [Subparagraph I (E)], then the Executive shall receive the benefits promised in this Executive Plan upon attaining Normal Retirement Age, as if the Executive had been continuously employed by the Bank until the Executive’s Normal Retirement Age. The Executive will also remain eligible for all promised death benefits in this Executive Plan. In addition, no sale, merger, or consolidation of the Bank shall take place unless the new or surviving entity expressly acknowledges the obligations under this Executive Plan and agrees to abide by its terms.

 

V. MISCELLANEOUS

 

  A. Alienabilitv and Assignment Prohibition:

Neither the Executive, nor the Executive’s surviving spouse, nor any other beneficiary(ies) under this Executive Plan shall have any power or right to transfer, assign, anticipate, hypothecate, mortgage, commute, modify or otherwise encumber in advance any of the benefits payable hereunder nor shall any of said benefits be subject to seizure for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony or separate maintenance owed by the Executive or the Executive’s beneficiary(ies), nor be transferable by operation of law in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or otherwise. In the event the Executive or any beneficiary attempts assignment, commutation, hypothecation, transfer or disposal of the benefits hereunder, the Bank’s liabilities shall forthwith cease and terminate.

 

  B. Binding Obligation of the Bank and any Successor in Interest:

The Bank shall not merge or consolidate into or with another bank or sell substantially all of its assets to another bank, firm or person until such bank, firm or person expressly agree, in writing, to assume and discharge the duties and obligations of the Bank under this Executive Plan. This Executive Plan shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their successors, beneficiaries, heirs and personal representatives.

 

  C. Amendment or Revocation:

Subject to Paragraph VII, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto that, during the lifetime of the Executive, this Executive Plan may be amended or revoked at any time or times, in whole or in part, by the mutual written consent of

 

8


the Executive and the Bank.

 

  D. Gender:

Whenever in this Executive Plan words are used in the masculine or neuter gender, they shall be read and construed as in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, whenever they should so apply.

 

  E. Effect on Other Bank Benefit Plans:

Nothing contained in this Executive Plan shall affect the right of the Executive to participate in or be covered by any qualified or non-qualified pension, profit-sharing, group, bonus or other supplemental compensation or fringe benefit plan constituting a part of the Bank’s existing or future compensation structure.

 

  F. Headings:

Headings and subheadings in this Executive Plan are inserted for reference and convenience only and shall not be deemed a part of this Executive Plan.

 

  G. Applicable Law:

The laws of the United States of America shall govern the validity and interpretation of this Agreement.

 

  H. 12U.S.C.§1828(k):

Any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Executive Plan, or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k) or any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

  I. Partial Invalidity:

If any term, provision, covenant, or condition of this Executive Plan is determined by an arbitrator or a court, as the case may be, to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, such determination shall not render any other term, provision, covenant, or condition invalid, void, or unenforceable, and the Executive Plan shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such partial invalidity.

 

  J. Employment:

No provision of this Executive Plan shall be deemed to restrict or limit any existing employment agreement by and between the Bank and the Executive, nor shall any conditions herein create specific employment rights to the Executive nor limit the right of the Employer to discharge the Executive with or without cause. In a similar fashion, no provision shall limit the Executive’s rights to voluntarily sever the Executive’s employment at any time.

 

9


VI. ERISA PROVISION

 

  A. Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator:

The “Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator” of this Executive Plan shall be Home Federal Savings and Loan Association until its resignation or removal by the Board. As Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator, the Bank shall be responsible for the management, control and administration of the Executive Plan. The Named Fiduciary may delegate to others certain aspects of the management and operation responsibilities of the Executive Plan including the employment of advisors and the delegation of ministerial duties to qualified individuals.

 

  B. Claims Procedure and Arbitration:

In the event a dispute arises over benefits under this Executive Plan and benefits are not paid to the Executive (or to the Executive’s beneficiary(ies) in the case of the Executive’s death) and such claimants feel they are entitled to receive such benefits, then a written claim must be made to the Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator named above within sixty (60) days from the date payments are refused. The Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator shall review the written claim and if the claim is denied, in whole or in part, they shall provide in writing within sixty (60) days of receipt of such claim the specific reasons for such denial, reference to the provisions of this Executive Plan upon which the denial is based and any additional material or information necessary to perfect the claim. Such written notice shall further indicate the additional steps to be taken by claimants if a further review of the claim denial is desired. A claim shall be deemed denied if the Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator fail to take any action within the aforesaid sixty-day period.

If claimants desire a second review they shall notify the Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator in writing within sixty (60) days of the first claim denial. Claimants may review this Executive Plan or any documents relating thereto and submit any written issues and comments it may feel appropriate. In their sole discretion, the Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator shall then review the second claim and provide a written decision within sixty (60) days of receipt of such claim. This decision shall likewise state the specific reasons for the decision and shall include reference to specific provisions of the Plan Agreement upon which the decision is based.

If claimants continue to dispute the benefit denial based upon completed performance of this Executive Plan or the meaning and effect of the terms and conditions thereof, then claimants may submit the dispute to an arbitrator for final arbitration. The arbitrator shall be selected by mutual agreement of the Bank and the claimants. The arbitrator shall operate under any generally recognized set of arbitration rules. The parties hereto agree that they and their heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns shall be bound by the decision of such arbitrator with respect to any controversy properly submitted to it for

 

10


determination.

Where a dispute arises as to the Bank’s discharge of the Executive “for cause,” such dispute shall likewise be submitted to arbitration as above described and the parties hereto agree to be bound by the decision thereunder.

 

VII. TERMINATION OR MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT BY REASON OF CHANGES IN THE LAW, RULES OR REGULATIONS

The Bank is entering into this Agreement upon the assumption that certain existing tax laws, rules and regulations will continue in effect in their current form. If any said assumptions should change and said change has a detrimental effect on this Executive Plan, then the Bank reserves the right to terminate or modify this Agreement accordingly. Upon a Change of Control [Subparagraph I (J)], this paragraph shall become null and void effective immediately upon said Change of Control.

 

11


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto acknowledge that each has carefully read this Agreement and executed the original thereof on the first day set forth hereinabove, and that, upon execution, each has received a conforming copy.

 

   

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

Ashland, KY

        By:    
  Witness       Title
        By:    
  Witness       [Executive]

 

12

Exhibit 10.2

FORM OF

AMENDMENT

TO THE EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE

AGREEMENT FOR [EXECUTIVE]

THIS AMENDMENT, made and entered into this                  day of              ,              , by and between Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, a bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as the “Bank”), and              , an Executive of the Bank (hereinafter referred to as the “Executive”), shall effectively amend the Home Federal Savings and Loan Association Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan Executive Agreement dated              ,              (hereinafter referred to as the “Agreement”) as specifically set forth herein. Pursuant to Section V (C) of the Agreement, the Bank and the Executive hereby adopt the following amendment:

 

1.) Section I (H), “Index,” shall be amended to delete the [Insurance Company] policy information in its entirety and to replace it with the following:

Insurance Company:

Policy Name:

Insured’s Age and Sex:

Ratings:

Option:

Face Amount:

Premiums Paid:

Assumed Purchase Date:

This Amendment shall be effective the                  day of              ,              . To the extent that any term, provision, or paragraph of the Agreement is not specifically amended herein, or in any other amendment thereto, said term, provision, or paragraph shall remain in full force and effect as set forth in said Agreement.

[signatures on following page]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto acknowledge that each has carefully read this Amendment and executed the original thereof on the first day set forth hereinabove, and that, upon execution, each has received a conforming copy.


HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION
Ashland, Kentucky
By:    
  (Bank Officer other than Insurer)
Title:    

 

EXECUTIVE
   


Form of

409A Amendment

to the

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan Executive Agreement for

[Executive]

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association (“Bank”) and                      (“Executive”) originally entered into the Home Federal Savings and Loan Association Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan Executive Agreement (“Agreement”) on              ,              . Pursuant to Subparagraph V (C) of the Agreement, the Bank and the Executive hereby adopt this 409A Amendment, effective              ,              .

RECITALS

This Amendment is intended to bring the Agreement into compliance with the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. Accordingly, the intent of the parties hereto is that the Agreement shall be operated and interpreted consistent with the requirements of Section 409A. Therefore, the following changes shall be made:

 

1. Subparagraph I (E), “Termination of Service”, shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following Subparagraph I (E):

Termination of Service:

Termination of Service shall mean the Executive’s voluntary resignation of service by the Executive or the Bank’s discharge of the Executive without cause, prior to the Executive attaining age fifty-five (55).

 

2. Subparagraph I (J), “Change of Control”, shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following Subparagraph I (J):

Change in Control:

“Change in Control” shall mean a change in ownership or control of the Bank as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5) or any subsequently applicable Treasury Regulation.

 

3. The following provision regarding “Separation from Service” distributions shall be added as a new Subparagraph I (M), as follows:

Separation from Service:

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that any benefit under this Agreement is payable upon a “Termination of Employment,” “Termination of Service,” or other event involving the Executive’s cessation of services, such payment(s) shall not be made unless such event constitutes a “Separation from Service” as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-l(h).

 

1


4. Subparagraph II (A), “Retirement Benefits”, shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following Subparagraph II (A):

Retirement Benefits:

Subject to Subparagraph II (E) hereinafter, an Executive who remains in the employ of the Bank until the Normal Retirement Age [Subparagraph I (K)] shall be entitled to receive the balance in the Pre-Retirement Account in two hundred forty (240) equal monthly installments commencing thirty (30) days following the Executive’s retirement. In addition to these payments and commencing in conjunction therewith, the Index Retirement Benefit [Subparagraph I (G)] for each Plan Year subsequent to the year in which the Executive begins receiving the Index Retirement Benefit hereunder, and including the remaining portion of the Plan Year of the year in which the Executive begins receiving the Index Retirement Benefit hereunder, shall be paid in equal monthly installments to the Executive until the Executive’s death.

 

5. The first paragraph of Subparagraph II (B), “Early Retirement”, shall be modified to delete the words “Early Retirement Date [Subparagraph I (D)]” and replace them with “Executive attaining age fifty-five (55)”.

The second paragraph of Subparagraph II (B) shall be modified to insert the words “paid in equal monthly installments” before the word “until”.

 

6. Subparagraph II (C), “Termination of Service”, shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following Subparagraph II (C):

Termination of Service:

Subject to Subparagraph II (E), should an Executive suffer a Termination of Service, the Executive shall be entitled to receive ten percent (10%) times the number of full years of employment with the Bank from the date of first employment with the Bank to a maximum of eighty percent (80%), until thirty (30) years of employment from the first date of service, at which time the Executive will be entitled to receive one hundred percent (100%), times the balance in the Pre-Retirement Account payable to the Executive in two hundred forty (240) equal monthly installments commencing thirty days (30) days following said termination. If termination occurs after age fifty-five (55) the provisions in Subparagraph II (B) apply.

In addition to these payments and commencing in conjunction therewith, the Executive will receive ten percent (10%) times the number of full years of employment with the Bank from the date of first employment with the Bank to a maximum of eighty percent (80%), until thirty (30) years of employment from the first date of service, at which time the Executive will receive one hundred percent (100%), times the Index Retirement Benefit for each Plan Year subsequent to the year in which the Executive begins receiving the Index Retirement Benefit hereunder, and including the remaining portion of the Plan Year in which the Executive begins receiving the Index Retirement Benefit hereunder, paid in equal monthly installments until the Executive’s death. If termination occurs after age fifty-five (55) the provisions in Subparagraph II (B) apply.

 

2


7. Subparagraph II (G), “Disability Benefit”, shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following Subparagraph II (G):

Disability Benefit:

In the event the Executive becomes Disabled, the Executive, upon submission to the Bank of written documentation and verification of Disability, shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested in the accrued liability account balance as of the date of said Disability. Said account shall be credited interest annually until paid in full, at a rate of two percent (2%) plus the prime interest rate each Plan Year. Such benefit shall be paid in two hundred forty (240) equal monthly installments and shall begin thirty (30) days following the Executive’s Disability. “Disability” shall mean Executive: (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Bank. Medical determination of Disability may be made by either the Social Security Administration or by the provider of an accident or health plan covering employees of the Bank, provided that the definition of Disability applied under such Disability insurance program complies with the requirements of Section 409A. Upon the request of the Plan Administrator, the Executive must submit proof to the Plan Administrator of Social Security Administration’s or the provider’s determination.

 

8. A new Subparagraph II (H) shall be added as follows:

Restriction on Timing of Distribution:

Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, distributions under this Agreement may not commence earlier than six (6) months after the date of a Separation from Service (as described under the “Separation from Service” provision herein) if, pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, the participant hereto is considered a “specified employee” (under Internal Revenue Code Section 416(i)) of the Bank if any stock of the Bank is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise. In the event a distribution is delayed pursuant to this Section, the originally scheduled distribution shall be delayed for six (6) months, and shall commence instead on the first day of the seventh month following Separation from Service. If payments are scheduled to be made in installments, the first six (6) months of installment payments shall be delayed, aggregated, and paid instead on the first day of the seventh month, after which all installment payments shall be made on their regular schedule. If payment is scheduled to be made in a lump sum, the lump sum payment shall be delayed for six (6) months and instead be made on the first day of the seventh month.

 

3


9. A new Subparagraph II (I) shall be added as follows:

Certain Accelerated Payments:

The Bank may make any accelerated distribution permissible under Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(j)(4) to the Executive of deferred amounts, provided that such distribution(s) meets the requirements of Section 1.409A-3(j)(4).

 

10. Section IV, “Change of Control”, shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following Section IV:

CHANGE IN CONTROL

Upon a Change in Control [Subparagraph I (J)], the Executive shall receive the benefits promised in Subparagraph II (A) of this Executive Plan in the same form and with the same timing as described in Subparagraph II (A), except that payments shall commence upon the Executive attaining Normal Retirement Age. The Executive will also remain eligible for all death benefits in this Executive Plan. In addition, no sale, merger, or consolidation of the Bank shall take place unless the new or surviving entity expressly acknowledges the obligations under this Executive Plan and agrees to abide by its terms.

 

11. A new Subparagraph V (K) shall be added as follows:

Subsequent Changes to Time and Form of Payment:

The Bank may permit a subsequent change to the time and form of benefit distributions. Any such change shall be considered made only when it becomes irrevocable under the terms of the Agreement. Any change will be considered irrevocable not later than thirty (30) days following acceptance of the change by the Plan Administrator, subject to the following rules:

 

  (1) the subsequent deferral election may not take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the election is made;

 

  (2) the payment (except in the case of death, disability, or unforeseeable emergency) upon which the subsequent deferral election is made is deferred for a period of not less than five (5) years from the date such payment would otherwise have been paid; and

 

  (3) in the case of a payment made at a specified time, the election must be made not less than twelve (12) months before the date the payment is scheduled to be paid.

 

4


Therefore, the foregoing changes are agreed to.

 

           
For the Bank     [Executive]

 

Date         Date    
       

 

5

Exhibit 10.3

[Form of]

LIFE INSURANCE

ENDORSEMENT METHOD SPLIT DOLLAR PLAN

AGREEMENT

 

Insurer:

   Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company New York Life Insurance & Annuity Corporation

Policy Number

  

Bank

  

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

Insured:

  

Relationship of Insured to Bank:

  

Executive

Trust:

   Rabbi Trust for the Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement and the Life Insurance Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan Agreement

The respective rights and duties of the Bank, the Trustee and the Insured in the above-referenced policy shall be pursuant to the terms set forth below:

 

I. DEFINITIONS

Refer to the policy contract for the definition of any terms in this Agreement that are not defined herein. If a definition of a term in the policy is inconsistent with the definition of a term in this Agreement, then the definition of the term as set forth in this Agreement shall supersede and replace the definition of the terms as set forth in the policy.

 

II. POLICY TITLE AND OWNERSHIP

Title and ownership shall reside in the Trustee for the Rabbi Trust for the Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement and the Life Insurance Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan Agreement for its use and for the use of the Insured all in accordance with this Agreement. The Trustee at the direction of the Bank may, to the extent of its interest, exercise the right to borrow or withdraw on the policy cash values. Where the Trustee at the direction of the Bank and the Insured (or assignee, with the consent of the Insured) mutually agree to exercise the right to increase the coverage under the subject Split Dollar policy, then, in such event, the rights, duties and benefits of the parties to such increased coverage shall continue to be subject to the terms of this Agreement.

 

III. BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION RIGHTS

The Insured (or assignee) shall have the right and power to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive the Insured’s share of the proceeds payable upon the death of the Insured,


and to elect and change a payment option for such beneficiary, subject to any right or interest the Trustee at the direction of the Bank or the Trust may have in such proceeds, as provided in this Agreement.

 

IV. PREMIUM PAYMENT METHOD

Subject to the Bank’s absolute right to surrender or terminate the policy at any time and for any reason, the Bank or the Trustee at the direction of the Bank shall pay an amount equal to the planned premiums and any other premium payments that might become necessary to keep the policy in force.

 

V. TAXABLE BENEFIT

Annually the Insured will receive a taxable benefit equal to the assumed cost of insurance as required by the Internal Revenue Service. The Bank or the Trustee at the direction of the Bank will report to the Insured the amount of imputed income each year on Form W-2 or its equivalent.

 

VI. DIVISION OF DEATH PROCEEDS

Subject to Paragraphs VII and DC herein, the division of the death proceeds of the policy is as follows:

 

  A. Should the Insured be employed by the Bank at the time of death, the Insured’s beneficiary(ies), designated in accordance with Paragraph III, shall be entitled to an amount equal to eighty percent (80%) of the net-at-risk insurance portion of the proceeds. The net-at-risk insurance portion is the total proceeds less the cash value of the policy.

 

  B. Should the Insured not be employed by the Bank at the time of his or her death, the Insured’s beneficiary(ies), designated in accordance with Paragraph III, shall be entitled to the percentage as set forth hereinbelow of the proceeds described in Subparagraph VI (A) above that corresponds to the number of full years the Insured has been employed by the Bank since the date of first employment.

 

Total Years

Of Employment

With the Bank

  

Vested (to a maximum of 100%

0-1

   0%

1 +

   10% per year, to a maximum of 80%

30 years or Age 55,

whichever is earliest

   100%

 

  D. The Bank shall be entitled to the remainder of such proceeds.

 

  E. The Bank and the Insured (or assignees) shall share in any interest due on the death proceeds on a pro rata basis as the proceeds due each respectively bears to the total proceeds, excluding any such interest.

 

VII. DIVISION OF THE CASH SURRENDER VALUE OF THE POLICY

The Bank or the Trust shall at all times be entitled to an amount equal to the policy’s cash value,

 

2


as that term is defined in the policy contract, less any policy loans and unpaid interest or cash withdrawals previously incurred by the Bank or the Trustee at the direction of the Bank and any applicable surrender charges. Such cash value shall be determined as of the date of surrender or death as the case may be.

 

VIII. RIGHTS OF PARTIES WHERE POLICY ENDOWMENT OR ANNUITY ELECTION EXISTS

In the event the policy involves an endowment or annuity element, the Bank’s or the Trust’s right and interest in any endowment proceeds or annuity benefits, on expiration of the deferment period, shall be determined under the provisions of this Agreement by regarding such endowment proceeds or the commuted value of such annuity benefits as the policy’s cash value. Such endowment proceeds or annuity benefits shall be considered to be like death proceeds for the purposes of division under this Agreement.

 

IX. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall terminate upon the occurrence of any one of the following:

 

  A. The Insured shall be discharged from employment with the Bank for cause. The term “for cause” shall mean any of the following that result in an adverse effect on the Bank: (i) gross negligence or gross neglect; (ii) the commission of a felony or gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, fraud, or dishonesty; (iii) the willful violation of any law, rule, or regulation (other than a traffic violation or similar offense); (iv) an intentional failure to perform stated duties; or (v) a breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit; or

 

  B. Surrender, lapse, or other termination of the Policy by the Bank.

Upon such termination, the Insured (or assignee) shall have a fifteen (15) day option to receive from the Bank or the Trustee at the direction of the Bank an absolute assignment of the policy in consideration of a cash payment to the Bank or the Trustee at the direction of the Bank, whereupon this Agreement shall terminate. Such cash payment referred to hereinabove shall be the greater of:

 

  A. The Bank’s or the Trust’s share of the cash value of the policy on the date of such assignment, as defined in this Agreement; or

 

  B. The amount of the premiums which have been paid by the Bank or the Trustee at the direction of the Bank prior to the date of such assignment.

If, within said fifteen (15) day period, the Insured fails to exercise said option, fails to procure the entire aforestated cash payment, or dies, then the option shall terminate and the Insured (or assignee) agrees that all of the Insured’s rights, interest and claims in the policy shall terminate as of the date of the termination of this Agreement.

The Insured expressly agrees that this Agreement shall constitute sufficient written notice to the Insured of the Insured’s option to receive an absolute assignment of the policy as set forth herein.

Except as provided above, this Agreement shall terminate upon distribution of the death benefit proceeds in accordance with Paragraph VI above.

 

3


X . INSURED’S OR ASSIGNEE’S ASSIGNMENT RIGHTS

The Insured may not, without the written consent of the Bank, assign to any individual, trust or other organization, any right, title or interest in the subject policy nor any rights, options, privileges or duties created under this Agreement.

 

XI. AGREEMENT BINDING UPON THE PARTIES

This Agreement shall bind the Insured and the Bank or the Trustee at the direction of the Bank, their heirs, successors, personal representatives and assigns.

 

XII. ERISA PROVISIONS

The following provisions are part of this Agreement and are intended to meet the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”):

 

  A. Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator.

The “Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator” of this Endorsement Method Split Dollar Agreement shall be Home Federal Savings and Loan Association until its resignation or removal by the Board of Directors. As Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator, the Bank or the Trustee at the direction of the Bank shall be responsible for the management, control, and administration of this Split Dollar Plan as established herein. The Named Fiduciary may delegate to others certain aspects of the management and operation responsibilities of the Plan, including the employment of advisors and the delegation of any ministerial duties to qualified individuals.

 

  B. Funding Policy.

Subject to the Bank’s absolute right to surrender or terminate the policy at any time and for any reason, the funding policy for this Split Dollar Plan shall be to maintain the subject policy in force by paying, when due, all premiums required.

 

  C. Basis of Payment of Benefits.

Direct payment by the Insurer is the basis of payment of benefits under this Agreement, with those benefits in turn being based on the payment of premiums as provided in this Agreement.

 

  D. Claim Procedures.

Claim forms or claim information as to the subject policy can be obtained by contacting Benmark, Inc. (800-544-6079). When the Named Fiduciary has a claim which may be covered under the provisions described in the insurance policy, they should contact the office named above, and they will either complete a claim form and forward it to an authorized representative of the Insurer or advise the named Fiduciary what further requirements are necessary. The Insurer will evaluate and make a decision as to payment. If the claim is payable, a benefit check will be issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

4


In the event that a claim is not eligible under the policy, the Insurer will notify the Named Fiduciary of the denial pursuant to the requirements under the terms of the policy. If the Named Fiduciary is dissatisfied with the denial of the claim and wishes to contest such claim denial, they should contact the office named above and they will assist in making an inquiry to the Insurer. All objections to the Insurer’s actions should be in writing and submitted to the office named above for transmittal to the Insurer.

 

XIII. GENDER

Whenever in this Agreement words are used in the masculine or neuter gender, they shall be read and construed as in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, whenever they should so apply.

 

XIV. INSURANCE COMPANY NOT A PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT

The Insurer shall not be deemed a party to this Agreement, but will respect the rights of the parties as herein developed upon receiving an executed copy of this Agreement. Payment or other performance in accordance with the policy provisions shall fully discharge the Insurer from any and all liability.

 

XV. CHANGE OF CONTROL

“Change of Control” means (a) report is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Schedule 13D or Schedule 14D-1 (or any successor schedule, form or report), each as promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act, disclosing that any “person” as such term is used in Section 13(d) and Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, other than the company of any company employee benefit plan, is or has become a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (b) the Company is merged or consolidated with another corporation and, as a result thereof, securities representing less than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the surviving or resulting corporation’s securities (or of the securities of a parent corporation in case of a merger in which the surviving or resulting corporation becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the parent corporation) are owned in the aggregate by holders of the Company’s securities immediately prior to such merger or consolidation; (c) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are sold in a single transaction or a series of related transactions to a single purchaser or a group of affiliated purchasers; or (d) during any period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months, individuals who were Directors of the Company at the beginning of such period cease to constitute at least a majority of the Company’s board unless the election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, of more than one-half of any new Directors of the Company then still in office who were Directors of the Company at the beginning of such twenty-four (24) month period, either actually or by prior operation of this clause (d). The date of a Change of Control shall be deemed to be the date of the earlier of the date of (i) consummation of the transaction involving the Change in Control, or (ii) the execution of a definitive agreement by the Corporation involving a transaction deemed to be a Change in Control.

 

XVI. AMENDMENT OR REVOCATION

Subject to the Bank’s absolute right to surrender or terminate the policy at any time and for any reason, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto that, during the lifetime of the Insured, this Agreement may be amended or revoked at any time or times, in whole or in part, by the mutual written consent of the Insured and the Bank.

 

5


XVII. EFFECTIVE DATE

The Effective Date of this Agreement shall be                  ,              .

 

XVIII. SEVERABILITY AND INTERPRETATION

If a provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall nonetheless be enforceable according to their terms. Further, in the event that any provision is held to be over broad as written, such provision shall be deemed amended to narrow its application to the extent necessary to make the provision enforceable according to law and enforced as amended.

 

XIX. APPLICABLE LAW

The validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States of America.

Executed at Ashland, Kentucky this                  day of              ,              .

 

    HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION
      By:    
Witness         Title
      By:    
Witness       Name   Title

 

6

Exhibit 10.4

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

(adopted effective January 1, 2011)


HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

The Home Federal Savings and Loan Association Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “Plan”) has been executed on                  ,      2011, effective as of the 1 st day of January, 2011, by Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, a federally chartered savings association (the “Association”).

W I T N E S S E T H    T H A T

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Association has resolved to adopt an employee stock ownership plan for eligible employees of the Association and subsidiaries of the Association, if any, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Association hereby adopts the Plan setting forth the terms and conditions pertaining to contributions by the Employer and the payment of benefits to Participants and Beneficiaries.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Association has adopted this Plan and caused this instrument to be executed by its duly authorized officers as of the above date.

 

ATTEST:     Home Federal Savings and Loan Association
      By:    
Secretary       President and Chief Executive Officer


C O N T E N T S

 

          Page No.  

Section 1.

   Plan Identity      1   

1.1

   Name      1   

1.2

   Purpose      1   

1.3

   Effective Date      1   

1.4

   Fiscal Period      1   

1.5

   Single Plan for All Employers      1   

1.6

   Interpretation of Provisions      1   

Section 2.

   Definitions      1   

Section 3.

   Eligibility for Participation      10   

3.1

   Initial Eligibility      10   

3.2

   Definition of Eligibility Year      10   

3.3

   Terminated Employees      10   

3.4

   Certain Employees Ineligible      10   

3.5

   Participation and Reparticipation      10   

3.6

   Omission of Eligible Employee      10   

3.7

   Inclusion of Ineligible Employee      11   

Section 4.

   Contributions and Credits      11   

4.1

   Discretionary Contributions      11   

4.2

   Contributions for Exempt Loans      11   

4.3

   Conditions as to Contributions      12   

4.4

   Rollover Contributions      12   

Section 5.

   Limitations on Contributions and Allocations      12   

5.1

   Limitation on Annual Additions      12   

5.2

   Effect of Limitations      13   

5.3

   Limitations as to Certain Participants      14   

5.4

   Erroneous Allocations      14   

Section 6.

   Trust Fund and Its Investment      14   

6.1

   Creation of Trust Fund      14   

6.2

   Stock Fund and Investment Fund      14   

6.3

   Acquisition of Stock      15   

6.4

   Participants’ Option to Diversify      16   

Section 7.

   Voting Rights and Dividends on Stock      16   

7.1

   Voting and Tendering of Stock      16   

7.2

   Application of Dividends      17   

Section 8.

   Adjustments to Accounts      18   

8.1

   ESOP Allocations      18   

8.2

   Charges to Accounts      19   

8.3

   Stock Fund Account      19   

8.4

   Investment Fund Account      19   


8.5

   Adjustment to Value of Trust Fund      19   

8.6

   Participant Statements      19   
Section 9.    Vesting of Participants’ Interests      19   

9.1

   Deferred Vesting in Accounts      19   

9.2

   Computation of Vesting Years      20   

9.3

   Full Vesting Upon Certain Events      20   

9.4

   Full Vesting Upon Plan Termination      21   

9.5

   Forfeiture, Repayment, and Restoral      21   

9.6

   Accounting for Forfeitures      22   

9.7

   Vesting and Nonforfeitability      22   
Section 10.    Payment of Benefits      22   

10.1

   Benefits for Participants      22   

10.2

   Time for Distribution      23   

10.3

   Marital Status      24   

10.4

   Delay in Benefit Determination      24   

10.5

   Accounting for Benefit Payments      24   

10.6

   Options to Receive Stock      24   

10.7

   Restrictions on Disposition of Stock      25   

10.8

   Continuing Loan Provisions; Creations of Protections and Rights      25   

10.9

   Direct Rollover of Eligible Distribution      25   

10.10

   Waiver of 30-Day Period After Notice of Distribution      26   
Section 11.    Rules Governing Benefit Claims and Review of Appeals      26   

11.1

   Claim for Benefits      26   

11.2

   Notification by Committee      27   

11.3

   Claims Review Procedure      27   

Section 12.

   The Committee and its Functions      27   

12.1

   Authority of Committee      27   

12.2

   Identity of Committee      27   

12.3

   Duties of Committee      28   

12.4

   Valuation of Stock      28   

12.5

   Compliance with ERISA      28   

12.6

   Action by Committee      28   

12.7

   Execution of Documents      28   

12.8

   Adoption of Rules      28   

12.9

   Responsibilities to Participants      28   

12.10

   Alternative Payees in Event of Incapacity      28   

12.11

   Indemnification by Employers      29   

12.12

   Nonparticipation by Interested Member      29   
Section 13.    Adoption, Amendment, or Termination of the Plan      29   

13.1

   Adoption of Plan by Other Employers      29   

13.2

   Plan Adoption Subject to Qualification      29   

13.3

   Right to Amend or Terminate      29   
Section 14.    Miscellaneous Provisions      30   

14.1

   Plan Creates No Employment Rights      30   

 

(ii)


14.2

   Nonassignability of Benefits      30   

14.3

   Limit of Employer Liability      30   

14.4

   Treatment of Expenses      30   

14.5

   Number and Gender      30   

14.6

   Nondiversion of Assets      30   

14.7

   Separability of Provisions      30   

14.8

   Service of Process      31   

14.9

   Governing State Law      31   

14.10

   Employer Contributions Conditioned on Deductibility      31   

14.11

   Unclaimed Accounts      31   

14.12

   Qualified Domestic Relations Order      31   

14.13

   Use of Electronic Media to Provide Notices and Make Participant Elections      32   

14.14

   Acquisition of Securities      32   

Section 15.

   Top-Heavy Provisions      32   

15.1

   Top-Heavy Plan      32   

15.2

   Definitions      32   

15.3

   Top-Heavy Rules of Application      33   

15.4

   Minimum Contributions      34   

15.5

   Top-Heavy Provisions Control in Top-Heavy Plan      35   

 

(iii)


HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

Section 1. Plan Identity .

1.1 Name . The name of this Plan is “Home Federal Savings and Loan Association Employee Stock Ownership Plan.”

1.2 Purpose . The purpose of this Plan is to describe the terms and conditions under which contributions made pursuant to the Plan will be credited and paid to the Participants and their Beneficiaries.

1.3 Effective Date . The Effective Date of this Plan is January 1, 2011.

1.4 Fiscal Period . This Plan shall be operated on the basis of a January 1 to December 31 fiscal year for the purpose of keeping the Plan’s books and records and distributing or filing any reports or returns required by law.

1.5 Single Plan for All Employers . This Plan shall be treated as a single plan with respect to all participating Employers for the purpose of crediting contributions and forfeitures and distributing benefits, determining whether there has been any termination of Service, and applying the limitations set forth in Section 5.

1.6 Interpretation of Provisions . The Employers intend this Plan and the Trust Agreement to be a qualified stock bonus plan under Section 401(a) of the Code and an employee stock ownership plan within the meaning of Section 407(d)(6) of ERISA and Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code. The Plan is intended to have its assets invested primarily in qualifying employer securities of one or more Employers within the meaning of Section 407(d)(3) of ERISA, and to satisfy any requirement under ERISA or the Code applicable to such a plan.

Accordingly, the Plan and Trust Agreement shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with this intent and shall be administered at all times and in all respects in a nondiscriminatory manner.

Section 2. Definitions .

The following capitalized words and phrases shall have the meanings specified when used in this Plan and in the Trust Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Account” means a Participant’s interest in the assets accumulated under this Plan as expressed in terms of a separate account balance which is periodically adjusted to reflect his Employer’s contributions, the Plan’s investment experience, and distributions and forfeitures.

“Active Participant” means a Participant who has satisfied the eligibility requirements under Section 3 and who has at least 1,000 Hours of Service during the current Plan Year. However, a Participant shall not qualify as an Active Participant unless (i) he is in active Service with an Employer as of the last day of the Plan Year or (ii) he is on a Recognized Absence as of that date, or (iii) his Service terminated during the Plan Year by reason of Disability, death or Normal Retirement.

“Association” means Home Federal Savings and Loan Association and any entity which succeeds to the business of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association and adopts this Plan as its own pursuant to Section 13.1 of the Plan.


“Beneficiary” means the person or persons who are designated by a Participant to receive benefits payable under the Plan on the Participant’s death. In the absence of any designation or if all the designated Beneficiaries shall die before the Participant dies or shall die before all benefits have been paid, the Participant’s Beneficiary shall be his surviving Spouse, if any, or his estate if he is not survived by a Spouse. The Committee may rely upon the advice of the Participant’s executor or administrator as to the identity of the Participant’s Spouse.

“Break in Service” means any Plan Year, or, for the initial eligibility computation period under Section 3.2, the 12-consecutive month period beginning on the first day of which an Employee has an Hour of Service, in which an Employee has 500 or fewer Hours of Service. Solely for this purpose, an Employee shall be considered employed for his normal hours of paid employment during a Recognized Absence (said Employee shall not be credited with more than 501 Hours of Service to avoid a Break in Service), unless he does not resume his Service at the end of the Recognized Absence. Further, if an Employee is absent for any period (i) by reason of the Employee’s pregnancy, (ii) by reason of the birth of the Employee’s child, (iii) by reason of the placement of a child with the Employee in connection with the Employee’s adoption of the child, or (iv) for purposes of caring for such child for a period beginning immediately after such birth or placement, the Employee shall be credited with the Hours of Service which would normally have been credited but for such absence, up to a maximum of 501 Hours of Service.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Committee” means the committee responsible for the administration of this Plan in accordance with Section 12.

“Company” means Poage Bankshares, Inc., the holding company of the Association, and any successor entity which succeeds to the business of the Company.

“Compensation” means wages within the meaning of Code Section 3401(a) and all other payments of compensation to an Employee by the Employer (in the course of the Employer’s trade or business) for which the Employer is required to furnish the Employee a written statement under Code Sections 6041(d), 6051(a)(3), and 6052. Compensation must be determined without regard to any rules under Code Section 3401(a) that limit the remuneration included in wages based on the nature or location of the employment or the services performed (such as the exception for agricultural labor in Code Section 3401(a)(2)).

For purposes of this Section, the determination of Compensation shall be made by:

(a) excluding amounts realized from the exercise of a non-qualified stock option (including income realized upon a disqualifying disposition of a qualified or incentive stock option) or when restricted stock (or property) held by a Participant becomes freely transferable or is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; excluding amounts includible in the gross income of a Participant upon the making of an election described in Section 83(b) of the Code; and excluding amounts realized from the sale, exchange or other disposition of stock acquired from or under a stock option;

(c) including amounts which are contributed by the Employer pursuant to a salary reduction agreement and which are not includible in the gross income of the Participant under Sections 125, 132(f)(4), 402(g)(3), or 457 of the Code, and Employee contributions described in Section 414(h)(2) of the Code that are treated as Employer contributions.

 

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A Participant’s Compensation shall exclude any portion of the Plan Year in which the Participant had not yet entered the Plan (e.g., the period before the Participant’s Entry Date).

Compensation in excess of $245,000 (or such other amount provided in the Code) shall be disregarded. Such amount shall be adjusted for increases in the cost of living in accordance with Section 40l(a)(17)(B) of the Code, except that the dollar increase in effect on January 1 of any calendar year shall be effective for the Plan Year beginning with or within such calendar year. For any short Plan Year, the Compensation limit shall be an amount equal to the Compensation limit for the calendar year in which the Plan Year begins multiplied by the ratio obtained by dividing the number of full months in the short Plan Year by twelve (12).

“Disability” means the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. An individual shall not be considered to be permanently and totally disabled unless he furnishes proof of the existence thereof in such form and manner, and at such times, as the Committee may require.

“Eligible Employee means an Employee, other than an Employee identified in Section 3.4, who has both (i) satisfied the age requirement of Section 3.1(ii) and (ii) has performed 1,000 Hours of Service in the applicable Eligibility Year in accordance with Section 3.2.

“Employee” means any individual who is or has been employed by an Employer. “Employee” also means an individual employed by a leasing organization who, pursuant to an agreement between an Employer and the leasing organization, has performed services for the Employer and any related persons (within the meaning of Section 414(n)(6) of the Code) on a substantially full-time basis for more than one year, if such services are performed under the primary direction or control of the Employer. However, such a “leased employee” shall not be considered an Employee if (i) he participates in a money purchase pension plan sponsored by the leasing organization which provides for immediate participation, immediate full vesting, and an annual contribution of at least 10 percent of the Employee’s 415 Compensation, and (ii) leased employees do not constitute more than 20 percent of the Employer’s total work force (including leased employees, but excluding Highly Paid Employees and any other Employees who have not performed services for the Employer on a substantially full-time basis for at least one year).

“Employer” means the Association or any affiliate within the purview of section 414(b), (c) or (m) and 415(h) of the Code, any other corporation, partnership, or proprietorship which adopts this Plan with the Association’s consent pursuant to Section 13.1, and any entity which succeeds to the business of any Employer and adopts the Plan pursuant to Section 13.2.

“Entry Date” means the Effective Date and each July 1 and January 1 of each Plan Year after the Effective Date.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-406, as amended).

“Exempt Loan” means an indebtedness arising from any extension of credit to the Plan or the Trust which satisfies the requirements set forth in Section 6.3 and which was obtained for any or all of the following purposes:

(i) to acquire qualifying Employer securities as defined in Treasury Regulations §54.4975-12;

 

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(ii) to repay such Exempt Loan; or

(iii) to repay a prior exempt loan.

“415 Compensation”

(a) shall mean wages within the meaning of Code Section 3401(a) and all other payments of compensation to an Employee by the Employer (in the course of the Employer’s trade or business) for which the Employer is required to furnish the Employee a written statement under Code Sections 6041(d), 6051(a)(3), and 6052. Compensation must be determined without regard to any rules under Code Section 3401(a) that limit the remuneration included in wages based on the nature or location of the employment or the services performed (such as the exception for agricultural labor in Code Section 3401(a)(2)).

(b) 415 Compensation shall include elective contributions. For this purpose, elective contributions are elective deferrals (as defined in Code Section 402(g)(3)) and amounts contributed or deferred by the Employer at the election of the Employee which are not includible in the gross income of the Employee by reason of Code Section 125 (including any “deemed” Code Section 125 compensation), 132(f)(4), or 457.

(d) Taxable post-severance payments from a non-qualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan shall be included in the definition of Section 415 Compensation, but only if such amounts are paid within the later of (i) 2  1 / 2 months after severance from employment or (ii) the end of the limitation year that includes the date of severance that are payments that, absent a severance from employment, would have been paid to the Participant as regular compensation for services, or payments from accrued bona-fide sick, vacation, or other leave. To the extent permitted by Treasury Regulations Section 1.415-1 et seq ., such limitations shall not apply to disabled Participants and to Participants who severed employment due to qualified military service. “Severance from employment” shall be interpreted as set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.401(k)-1 et seq .

(d) 415 Compensation shall include amounts that are includible in income under Code Section 409A or Code Section 457(f)(1)(A).

(e) 415 Compensation in excess of $245,000 (as indexed) shall be disregarded for all Participants. For purposes of this sub-section, the $245,000 limit shall be referred to as the “applicable limit” for the Plan Year in question. The $245,000 limit shall be adjusted for increases in the cost of living in accordance with Section 401(a)(17)(B) of the Code, effective for the Plan Year which begins within the applicable calendar year. For purposes of the applicable limit, 415 Compensation shall be prorated over short Plan Years and only compensation for the portion of the Plan Year during which the individual was a Participant shall be taken into account.

(f) 415 Compensation shall also include the following types of compensation paid after a Participant’s severance from employment with the Employer, provided that amounts described in paragraphs (i) or (ii) below shall only be included as 415 Compensation to the extent such amounts are paid by the later of 2  1 / 2 months after severance from employment, or by the end of the limitation year that includes the date of such severance from employment.

(i) Regular Pay. 415 Compensation shall include regular pay after severance from employment if (a) the payment is for regular compensation for services during the Participant’s regular working hours, or compensation for services outside of the Participant’s regular working hours (such as overtime or shift differential), commissions, bonuses, or other

 

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similar payments, and (b) the payment would have been paid to the Participant prior to severance from employment if the Participant had continued in employment with the Employer.

(ii) Leave Cashouts. 415 Compensation shall include leave cashouts if those amounts would have been included in the definition of 415 Compensation if they were earned prior to the Participant’s severance from employment, and the amounts are payment for unused accrued bona fide sick, vacation or other leave, but only if the Participant would have been able to use the leave if his employment had continued.

(g) 415 Compensation shall also include differential wage payments (as defined in Code Section 3401(h)) paid by the Employer to a former Employee who is performing qualified military services (as defined in Code Section 414(u)(1)) but only to the extent that those differential wage payments do not exceed the amounts the individual would have received if the individual had continued to perform services for the Employer rather than entering qualified military service.

“Highly Paid Employee” for any Plan Year means an Employee who, during either that or the immediately preceding Plan Year was at any time a five percent owner of the Employer (as defined in Code Section 416(i)(1)) or, during the immediately preceding Plan Year, had 415 Compensation exceeding $110,000 and was among the most highly compensated one-fifth of all Employees (the $110,000 amount is adjusted at the same time and in the same manner as under Code Section 415(d)). For these purposes, “the most highly compensated one-fifth of all Employees” shall be determined by taking into account all individuals working for all related Employer entities described in the definition of “Service,” but excluding any individual who has not completed six months of Service, who normally works fewer than 17-1/2 hours per week or in fewer than six months per year, who has not reached age 21, whose employment is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, or who is a nonresident alien who receives no earned income from United States sources. The applicable year for which a determination is being made is called a “determination year” and the preceding 12-month period is called a look-back year.

“Hours of Service” means hours to be credited to an Employee under the following rules:

(a) Each hour for which an Employee is paid or is entitled to be paid for services to an Employer is an Hour of Service.

(b) Each hour for which an Employee is directly or indirectly paid or is entitled to be paid for a period of vacation, holidays, illness, disability, lay-off, jury duty, temporary military duty, or leave of absence is an Hour of Service. However, except as otherwise specifically provided, no more than 501 Hours of Service shall be credited for any single continuous period which an Employee performs no duties. No more than 501 Hours of Service will be credited under this paragraph for any single continuous period (whether or not such period occurs in a single computation period). Further, no Hours of Service shall be credited on account of payments made solely under a plan maintained to comply with worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation, or disability insurance laws, or to reimburse an Employee for medical expenses.

(c) Each hour for which back pay (ignoring any mitigation of damages) is either awarded or agreed to by an Employer is an Hour of Service. However, no more than 501 Hours of Service shall be credited for any single continuous period during which an Employee would not have performed any duties. The same Hours of Service will not be credited both under paragraph (a) or (b) as the case may be, and under this paragraph (c). These hours will be credited to the employee for the

 

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computation period or periods to which the award or agreement pertains rather than the computation period in which the award agreement or payment is made.

(d) Hours of Service shall be credited in any one period only under one of the foregoing paragraphs (a), (b) and (c); an Employee may not get double credit for the same period.

(e) If an Employer finds it impractical to count the actual Hours of Service for any class or group of non-hourly Employees, each Employee in that class or group shall be credited with 45 Hours of Service for each weekly pay period in which he has at least one Hour of Service. However, an Employee shall be credited only for his normal working hours during a paid absence.

(f) Hours of Service to be credited on account of a payment to an Employee (including back pay) shall be recorded in the period of Service for which the payment was made. If the period overlaps two or more Plan Years, the Hours of Service credit shall be allocated in proportion to the respective portions of the period included in the several Plan Years. However, in the case of periods of 31 days or less, the Administrator may apply a uniform policy of crediting the Hours of Service to either the first Plan Year or the second.

(g) In all respects an Employee’s Hours of Service shall be counted as required by Section 2530.200b-2(b) and (c) of the Department of Labor’s regulations under Title I of ERISA.

“Investment Fund” means that portion of the Trust Fund consisting of assets other than Stock. Notwithstanding the above, assets from the Investment Fund may be used to purchase Stock in the open market or otherwise, or used to pay on the Exempt Loan, and shares so purchased will be allocated to a Participant’s Stock Fund.

“Normal Retirement” means retirement on or after the Participant’s Normal Retirement Date.

“Normal Retirement Date” means the first day of the month coincident with or next following the Participant’s 65 th birthday.

“Participant” means any Eligible Employee who is an Active Participant participating in the Plan, or Eligible Employee or former Employee who was previously an Active Participant and still has a balance credited to his Account.

“Period of Uniformed Service” means the length of time that an Employee serves in the Uniformed Services.

“Plan Year” means the twelve-month period commencing January 1, 2011 and ending December 31, 2011 and each period of 12 consecutive months beginning on January 1 of each succeeding year.

“Recognized Absence” means a period for which—

(a) an Employer grants an Employee a leave of absence for a limited period, but only if an Employer grants such leave on a nondiscriminatory basis; or

(b) an Employee is temporarily laid off by an Employer because of a change in business conditions; or

(c) an Employee is on active military duty, but only to the extent that his employment rights are protected by the Military Selective Service Act of 1967 (38 U.S.C. Sec. 2021).

 

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“Reemployment After a Period of Uniformed Service”

(a) “Reemployment (or Reemployed) After a Period of Uniformed Service” means that an Employee returned to employment with a Participating Employer, within the time frame set forth in subparagraph (b) below, after a Period of Uniformed Service in the Uniformed Services and the following rules corresponding to provisions of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (“USERRA”) apply: (i) he or she gives sufficient notice of leave to the Participating Employer prior to commencing a Period of Uniformed Service, or is excused from providing such notice; (ii) his or her employment with the Participating Employer prior to a Period of Uniformed Service was not of a brief, nonrecurrent nature that would preclude a reasonable expectation that such employment would continue indefinitely or for a significant period; (iii) the Participating Employer’s circumstances have not changed so that reemployment is unreasonable or an undue hardship to the Participating Employer; and (iv) the applicable cumulative Periods of Uniformed Service under USERRA equals five years or less, unless service in the Uniformed Services:

(1) in excess of five years is required to complete an initial Period of Uniformed Service;

(2) prevents the Participant from obtaining orders releasing him or her from such Period of Uniformed Service prior to the expiration of a five-year period (through no fault of the Participant);

(3) is required in the National Guard for drill and instruction, field exercises or active duty training, or to fulfill necessary additional training, or to fulfill necessary additional training requirements certified in writing by the Secretary of the branch of Uniformed Services concerned; or

(4) for a Participant is

(A) required other than for training under any provisions of law during a war or national agency declared by the President or Congress;

(B) required (other than for training) in support of an operational mission for which personnel have been ordered to active duty other than during war or national emergency;

(C) required in support of a critical mission or requirement of the Uniformed Services; or

(D) the result of being called into service as a member of the National Guard by the President in the case of rebellion or danger of rebellion against the authority of the United States Government or if the President is unable to execute the laws of the United States with the regular forces.

(b) The applicable statutory time frames within which an Employee must report to a Participating Employer after a Period of Uniformed Service are as follows:

(1) If the Period of Uniformed Service was less than 31 days,

 

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(A) not later than the beginning of the first full regularly scheduled work period on the first full calendar day following the completion of the Period of Uniformed Service and the expiration of eight hours after a period of time allowing for the safe transportation of the Employee from the place of service in the Uniformed Services to the Employee’s residence; or

(B) as soon as possible after the expiration of the eight-hour period of time referred to in Clause (A), if reporting within the period referred to in such clause is impossible or unreasonable through no fault of the Employee.

(2) In the case of an Employee whose Period of Uniformed Service was for more than 30 days but less than 181 days, by submitting an application for reemployment with a Participating Employer not later than 14 days after the completion of the Period of Uniformed Service or, if submitting such application within such period is impossible or unreasonable through no fault of the Employee, the next first full calendar day when submission of such application becomes reasonable.

(3) In the case of an Employee whose Period of Uniformed Service was for more than 180 days, by submitting an application for reemployment with a Participating Employer not later than 90 days after the completion of the Period of Uniformed Service.

(4) In the case of an Employee who is hospitalized for, or convalescing from, an illness or injury related to the Period of Uniformed Service the Employee shall apply for reemployment with a Participating Employer at the end of the period that is necessary for the Employee to recover. Such period of recovery shall not exceed two years, unless circumstances beyond the Employee’s control make reporting as above unreasonable or impossible.

(c) Notwithstanding subparagraph (a), Reemployment After a Period of Uniformed Service terminates upon the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge from the Uniformed Services;

(2) any other discharge from the Uniformed Services under circumstances other than an honorable condition;

(3) a discharge of a commissioned officer from the Uniformed Services by court martial, by commutation of sentence by court martial, or, in time of war, by the President; or

(4) a demotion of a commissioned officer in the Uniformed Services for absence without authorized leave of at least 3 months confinement under a sentence by court martial, or confinement in a federal or state penitentiary after being found guilty of a crime under a final sentence.

“Service” means an Employee’s period(s) of employment with an Employer, excluding for initial eligibility purposes any period in which the individual was a nonresident alien and did not receive from an Employer any earned income which constituted income from sources within the United States. An Employee’s Service shall include any Service which constitutes Service with a predecessor Employer within the meaning of Section 414(a) of the Code, provided, however, that Service with an acquired entity shall not be considered Service under the Plan unless required by applicable law or agreed to by the parties to such transaction. An Employee’s Service shall also include any Service with an entity which is not an Employer, but only either (i)

 

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for a period after 1975 in which the other entity is a member of a controlled group of corporations or is under common control with other trades and businesses within the meaning of Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code, and a member of the controlled group or one of the trades and businesses is an Employer, (ii) for a period after 1979 in which the other entity is a member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m) of the Code, and a member of the affiliated service group is an Employer, or (iii) all Employers aggregated with the Employer under Section 414(o) of the Code (but not until the Proposed Regulations under Section 414(o) become effective). Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, contributions, benefits and service credit with respect to qualified military service will be provided in accordance with Section 414(u) of the Code.

“Spouse” means the individual, if any, to whom a Participant is lawfully married on the date benefit payments to the Participant are to begin, or on the date of the Participant’s death, if earlier. A former Spouse shall be treated as the Spouse or surviving Spouse to the extent provided under a qualified domestic relations order as described in section 414(p) of the Code.

“Stock” means common stock issued by the Employer (or by a corporation which is a member of the same controlled group) which is readily tradable on an established securities market. In the event there is no common stock which meets the requirements of the preceding sentence, then “Stock” means common stock issued by the Employer (or by a corporation which is a member of the same controlled group) having a combined voting power and dividend rights equal to or in excess of (A) that class of common stock of the Employer (or of any other such corporation) having the greatest voting power; and (B) that class of common stock of the Employer (or of any other such corporation) having the greatest dividend rights.

“Stock Fund” means that portion of the Trust Fund consisting of Stock.

“Trust” or “Trust Fund” means the trust fund created under this Plan.

“Trust Agreement” means the agreement between the Association and the Trustee concerning the Trust Fund. If any assets of the Trust Fund are held in a co-mingled trust fund with assets of other qualified retirement plans, “Trust Agreement” shall be deemed to include the trust agreement governing that co-mingled trust fund. With respect to the allocation of investment responsibility for the assets of the Trust Fund, the provisions of Article II of the Trust Agreement are incorporated herein by reference.

“Trustee” means one or more corporate persons or individuals selected from time to time by the Association to serve as trustee or co-trustees of the Trust Fund.

“Unallocated Stock Fund” means that portion of the Stock Fund consisting of the Plan’s holding of Stock which have been acquired in exchange for one or more Exempt Loans and which have not yet been allocated to the Participant’s Accounts in accordance with Section 4.2.

“Uniformed Service” means the performance of duty on a voluntary or involuntary basis in the uniformed service of the United States, including the U.S. Public Health Services, under competent authority and includes active duty, active duty for training, initial activity duty for training, inactive duty training, full-time National Guard duty, and the period for which a person is absent from a position of employment for purposes of an examination to determine the fitness of the person to perform any such duty.

“Valuation Date” means each business day provided the Stock is readily tradable on an established securities market. If the Stock is not readily tradable on an established securities market, then “Valuation Date” shall mean the last day of the Plan Year and each other date as of which the Committee shall determine the investment experience of the Investment Fund and adjust the Participants’ Accounts accordingly.

 

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“Valuation Period” means the period following a Valuation Date and ending with the next Valuation Date.

“Vesting Year” means a unit of Service credited to a Participant pursuant to Section 9.2 for purposes of determining his vested interest in his Account.

Section 3. Eligibility for Participation.

3.1 Initial Eligibility . All Eligible Employees employed on the Effective Date shall enter the Plan as of the Plan’s Effective Date. Thereafter, an Eligible Employee shall enter the Plan as of the Entry Date coincident with or next following the later of the following dates:

(i) the last day of the Eligible Employee’s first Eligibility Year, and

(ii) the Eligible Employee’s 21st birthday. However, if an Eligible Employee is not in active Service with an Employer on the date he would otherwise first enter the Plan, his entry shall be deferred until the next day he is in Service.

3.2 Definition of Eligibility Year . “Eligibility Year” means an applicable eligibility period (as defined below) in which the Eligible Employee has completed 1,000 Hours of Service for the Employer. For this purpose, an Eligible Employee’s first “eligibility period” is the 12-consecutive month period beginning on the first day on which he has an Hour of Service, and subsequent eligibility periods shall commence on the first anniversary of the date on which the Employee first completed an Hour of Service for the Employer.

3.3 Terminated Employees . No Employee shall have any interest or rights under this Plan if he is never in active Service with an Employer on or after the Effective Date.

3.4 Certain Employees Ineligible .

3.4-1 No Employee shall participate in the Plan while his Service is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between an Employer and the Employee’s collective bargaining representative if (i) retirement benefits have been the subject of good faith bargaining between the Employer and the representative and (ii) the collective bargaining agreement does not provide for the Employee’s participation in the Plan.

3.4-2 Leased Employees are not eligible to participate in the Plan.

3.4-3 Employees who are nonresident aliens with no earned income (within the meaning of Code Section 911(d)(2)) from the Employer which constitutes income from sources within the United States (within the meaning of Code Section 861(a)(3)).

3.5 Participation and Reparticipation . Subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing requirements, an Eligible Employee shall participate in the Plan during each period of his Service from the date on which he first becomes eligible until his termination. For this purpose, an Eligible Employee who returns before five (5) consecutive one year Breaks in Service who previously satisfied the initial eligibility requirements or who returns after five (5) consecutive one year Breaks in Service with a vested Account balance in the Plan shall re-enter the Plan as of the date of his return to Service with an Employer.

3.6 Omission of Eligible Employee . If, in any Plan Year, any Eligible Employee who should be included as a Participant in the Plan is erroneously omitted and discovery of such omission is not made until after a contribution by his Employer for the year has been made, the Employer shall make a subsequent

 

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contribution with respect to the omitted Eligible Employee in the amount which the said Employer would have contributed regardless of whether or not it is deductible in whole or in part in any taxable year under applicable provisions of the Code.

3.7 Inclusion of Ineligible Employee . If, in any fiscal year, any person who should not have been included as a Participant in the Plan is erroneously included and discovery of such incorrect inclusion is not made until after a contribution for the year has been made, the Employer shall not be entitled to recover the contribution made with respect to the ineligible person regardless of whether or not a deduction is allowable with respect to such contribution. In such event, the amount contributed with respect to the ineligible person shall constitute a forfeiture for the fiscal year in which the discovery is made.

Section 4. Contributions and Credits.

4.1 Discretionary Contributions .

4.1-1 The Employer shall from time to time contribute, with respect to a Plan Year, such amounts as it may determine from time to time. The Employer shall have no obligation to contribute any amount under this Plan except as so determined in its sole discretion. The Employer’s contributions and available forfeitures for a Plan Year shall be credited as of the last day of the year to the Accounts of the Active Participants in the manner set forth in Section 8.1-2.

4.1-2 Upon a Participant’s Reemployment After a Period of Uniformed Service, the Employer shall make an additional contribution on behalf of such Participant that would have been made on his or her behalf during the Plan Year or Years corresponding to the Participant’s Period of Uniformed Service.

4.2 Contributions for Exempt Loans . If the Trustee, upon instructions from the Committee, incurs any Exempt Loan upon the purchase of Stock, the Employer may contribute for each Plan Year an amount sufficient to cover all payments of principal and interest as they come due under the terms of the Exempt Loan. If there is more than one Exempt Loan, the Employer shall designate the one to which any contribution is to be applied. Investment earnings realized on Employer contributions and any dividends paid by the Employer on Stock held in the Unallocated Stock Account, shall be applied to the Exempt Loan related to that Stock, subject to Section 7.2.

In each Plan Year in which Employer contributions, earnings on contributions, or dividends on Stock in the Unallocated Stock Fund are used as payments under an Exempt Loan, a certain number of shares of the Stock acquired with that Exempt Loan which is then held in the Unallocated Stock Fund shall be released for allocation among the Participants. The number of shares released shall bear the same ratio to the total number of those shares then held in the Unallocated Stock Fund (prior to the release) as (i) the principal and interest payments made on the Exempt Loan in the current Plan Year bears to (ii) the sum of (i) above, and the remaining principal and interest payments required (or projected to be required on the basis of the interest rate in effect at the end of the Plan Year) to satisfy the Exempt Loan.

At the direction of the Committee, the current and projected payments of interest under an Exempt Loan may be ignored in calculating the number of shares to be released in each year if (i) the Exempt Loan provides for annual payments of principal and interest at a cumulative rate that is not less rapid at any time than level annual payments of such amounts for 10 years, (ii) the interest included in any payment is ignored only to the extent that it would be determined to be interest under standard loan amortization tables, and (iii) the term of the Exempt Loan, by reason of renewal, extension, or refinancing, has not exceeded 10 years from the original acquisition of the Stock.

 

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4.3 Conditions as to Contributions . Employers’ contributions shall in all events be subject to the limitations set forth in Section 5. Contributions may be made in the form of cash, or securities and other property to the extent permissible under ERISA, including Stock, and shall be held by the Trustee in accordance with the Trust Agreement. In addition to the provisions of Section 13.3 for the return of an Employer’s contributions in connection with a failure of the Plan to qualify initially under the Code, any amount contributed by an Employer due to a good faith mistake of fact, or based upon a good faith but erroneous determination of its deductibility under Section 404 of the Code, shall be returned to the Employer within one year after the date on which the contribution was originally made, or within one year after its nondeductibility has been finally determined. However, the amount to be returned shall be reduced to take account of any adverse investment experience within the Trust Fund in order that the balance credited to each Participant’s Account is not less that it would have been if the contribution had never been made.

4.4 Rollover Contributions . This Plan shall not accept a direct rollover or rollover contribution of an “eligible rollover distribution” as such term is defined in Section 10.9-1 of the Plan.

Section 5. Limitations on Contributions and Allocations.

5.1 Limitation on Annual Additions . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, allocation of Employer contributions for any Plan Year shall be subject to the following:

5.1-1 No more than one-third of the Employer contributions used for repayment of any Exempt Loan in accordance with Section 4.2 shall be allocated to the accounts of Highly Paid Employees (within the meaning of Code Section 414(q)), with the remaining Employer contributions to be made to Non-Highly Compensated Employees in the manner specified under Section 8.1. Such adjustments shall be made before any allocations occur.

5.1-2 After adjustment, if any, required by the preceding paragraph, the annual additions during any Plan Year to any Participant’s Account under this and any other defined contribution plans maintained by the Employer or an affiliate (within the purview of Section 414(b), (c) and (m) and Section 415(h) of the Code, which affiliate shall be deemed the Employer for this purpose) shall not exceed the lesser of $49,000 (or such other dollar amount which results from cost-of-living adjustments under Section 415(d) of the Code) (the “dollar limitation”) or 100 percent of the Participant’s 415 Compensation for such limitation year (the “percentage limitation”). The percentage limitation shall not apply to any contribution for medical benefits after separation from service (within the meaning of Section 401(h) or Section 419A(f)(2) of the Code) which is otherwise treated as an annual addition. In the event the annual additions exceed the limits of Code Section 415 described above, the annual additions for such year shall be reduced and reallocated in accordance with the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) as set forth in Rev. Proc. 2008-50 or any subsequent guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service.

5.1-3 For purposes of this Section 5.1, the “annual addition” to a Participant’s Accounts means the sum of (i) Employer contributions, (ii) Employee contributions, if any, and (iii) forfeitures. Annual additions to a defined contribution plan also include amounts allocated, after March 31, 1984, to an individual medical account, as defined in Section 415(l)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, which is part of a pension or annuity plan maintained by the Employer, amounts derived from contributions paid or accrued after December 31, 1985, in taxable years ending after such date, which are attributable to post-retirement medical benefits allocated to the separate account of a Key Employee under a welfare benefit fund, as defined in Section 419A(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, maintained by the Employer.

 

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Annual additions to the Participant’s Account shall not include a restorative payment in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.415(c)-1(b)(2)(C) that is made to restore losses to the Plan resulting from actions by a fiduciary for which there is a reasonable risk of liability for breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA or other applicable federal and state law.

In the event Stock is released from the Unallocated Stock Fund and allocated to a Participant’s Account for a particular Plan Year, the Employer may determine for such year that an annual addition shall be calculated on the basis of the fair market value of the Stock so released and allocated (such fair market value to be based on the valuation as of the Valuation Date immediately preceding the Plan Year in respect of which the release and allocation are made) if the annual addition, as so calculated, is lower than the annual addition calculated on the basis of Employer contributions.

5.1-4 Notwithstanding the foregoing, if no more than one-third of the Employer contributions to the Plan for a year which are deductible under Section 404(a)(9) of the Code are allocated to Highly Paid Employees (within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Internal Revenue Code), the limitations imposed herein shall not apply to:

(i) forfeitures of Employer securities (within the meaning of Section 409 of the Code) under the Plan if such securities were acquired with the proceeds of a loan described in Section 404(a)(9)(A) of the Code), or

(ii) Employer contributions to the Plan which are deductible under Section 404(a)(9)(B) and charged against a Participant’s Account.

5.1-5 If the Employer contributes amounts, on behalf of Eligible Employees covered by this Plan, to other “defined contribution plans” as defined in Section 3(34) of ERISA, the limitation on annual additions provided in this Section shall be applied to annual additions in the aggregate to this Plan and to such other plans. Reduction of annual additions, where required, shall be accomplished first by reductions under such other plan pursuant to the directions of the named fiduciary for administration of such other plans or under priorities, if any, established under the terms of such other plans and then by allocating any remaining excess for this Plan in the manner and priority set out above with respect to this Plan.

5.1-6 A limitation year shall mean each 12 consecutive month period ending on December 31 within the Plan Year.

5.2 Effect of Limitations . The Committee shall take whatever action may be necessary from time to time to assure compliance with the limitations set forth in Section 5.1. Specifically, the Committee shall see that each Employer restrict its contributions for any Plan Year to an amount which, taking into account the amount of available forfeitures, may be completely allocated to the Participants consistent with those limitations. Where the limitations would otherwise be exceeded by any Participant, further allocations to the Participant shall be curtailed to the extent necessary to satisfy the limitations. Where an excessive amount is contributed on account of a mistake as to one or more Participants’ compensation, or there is an amount of forfeitures which may not be credited in the Plan Year in which it becomes available, the amount shall be corrected in accordance with Section 5.1-2 of the Plan. If it is determined at any time that the Committee and/or Trustee has erred in accepting and allocating any contributions or forfeitures under this Plan, or in allocating net gain or loss pursuant to Sections 8.2 and 8.3, then the Committee, in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner, shall determine the manner in which such error shall be corrected and shall promptly advise the Trustee in writing of such error and of the method for correcting such error. The Accounts of any or all Participants may be revised, if necessary, in order to correct such error.

 

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5.3 Limitations as to Certain Participants . Aside from the limitations set forth in Section 5.1, if the Plan acquires any Stock in a transaction as to which a selling shareholder or the estate of a deceased shareholder is claiming the benefit of Section 1042 of the Code, the Committee shall see that none of such Stock, and no other assets in lieu of such Stock, are allocated to the Accounts of certain Participants in this Plan or be allocated directly or indirectly under any plan of the Employer meeting the requirements of Code Section 401(a) during the non-allocation period, in order to comply with Code Section 409(n).

This restriction shall apply at all times to a Participant who owns (taking into account the attribution rules under Section 318(a) of the Code, without regard to the exception for employee plan trusts in Section 318(a)(2)(B)(i)) more than 25 percent of (i) any class of outstanding stock of a corporation and (ii) the total value of any class of outstanding stock of a corporation which issued the Stock acquired by the Plan, or another corporation within the same controlled group, as defined in Section 409(l)(4) of the Code (any such class of stock hereafter called a “Related Class”). For this purpose, a Participant who owns more than 25 percent of Related Class at any time within the one year preceding the Plan’s purchase of the Stock shall be subject to the restriction as to all allocations of the Stock, but any other Participant shall be subject to the restriction only as to allocations which occur at a time when he owns more than 25 percent of any Related Class.

Further, this restriction shall apply to the selling shareholder claiming the benefit of Section 1042 and any other Participant who is related to such a shareholder within the meaning of Section 267(b) of the Code, during the period beginning on the date of sale and ending on the later of (1) the date that is ten years after the date of sale, or (2) the date of the Plan allocation attributable to the final payment of acquisition indebtedness incurred in connection with the sale.

This restriction shall not apply to any Participant who is a lineal descendant of a selling shareholder if the aggregate amounts allocated under the Plan for the benefit of all such descendants do not exceed five percent of the Stock acquired from the shareholder.

5.4 Erroneous Allocations . No Participant shall be entitled to any annual additions or other allocations to his Account in excess of those permitted under Section 5. If it is determined at any time that the administrator and/or Trustee have erred in accepting and allocating any contributions or forfeitures under this Plan, or in allocating investment adjustments, or in excluding or including any person as a Participant, then the administrator, in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner, shall determine the manner in which such error shall be corrected, after taking into consideration Sections 3.6 and 3.7, if applicable, and shall promptly advise the Trustee in writing of such error and of the method for correcting such error. The Accounts of any or all Participants may be revised, if necessary, in order to correct such error.

Section 6. Trust Fund and Its Investment.

6.1 Creation of Trust Fund . All amounts received under the Plan from Employers and investments shall be held as the Trust Fund pursuant to the terms of this Plan and of the Trust Agreement between the Association and the Trustee. The benefits described in this Plan shall be payable only from the assets of the Trust Fund, and none of the Association, any other Employer, its board of directors or trustees, its stockholders, its officers, its employees, the Committee, and the Trustee shall be liable for payment of any benefit under this Plan except from the Trust Fund.

6.2 Stock Fund and Investment Fund . The Trust Fund held by the Trustee shall be divided into the Stock Fund, consisting entirely of Stock, and the Investment Fund, consisting of all assets of the Trust other than Stock. The Trustee shall have no investment responsibility for the Stock Fund, but shall accept any Employer contributions made in the form of Stock, and shall acquire, sell, exchange, distribute, and otherwise deal with and dispose of Stock in accordance with the instructions of the Committee. The Trustee shall have

 

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full responsibility for the investment of the Investment Fund, except to the extent such responsibility may be delegated from time to time to one or more investment managers pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Trust Agreement, or to the extent the Committee directs the Trustee to purchase Stock with the assets in the Investment Fund.

6.3 Acquisition of Stock . From time to time the Committee may, in its sole discretion, direct the Trustee to acquire Stock from the issuing Employer or from shareholders, including shareholders who are or have been Employees, Participants, or fiduciaries with respect to the Plan. The Trustee shall pay for such Stock no more than its fair market value, which shall be determined conclusively by the Committee pursuant to Section 12.4. The Committee may direct the Trustee to finance the acquisition of Stock by incurring or assuming indebtedness to the seller or another party which indebtedness shall be called an “Exempt Loan.” The term “Exempt Loan” shall refer to a loan made to the Plan by a disqualified person within the meaning of Section 4975(e)(2) of the Code, or a loan to the Plan which is guaranteed by a disqualified person. An Exempt Loan includes a direct loan of cash, a purchase-money transaction, and an assumption of an obligation of a tax-qualified employee stock ownership plan under Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code (“ESOP”). For these purposes, the term “guarantee” shall include an unsecured guarantee and the use of assets of a disqualified person as collateral for a loan, even though the use of assets may not be a guarantee under applicable state law. An amendment of an Exempt Loan in order to qualify as an “exempt loan” is not a refinancing of the Exempt Loan or the making of another Exempt Loan. The term “exempt loan” refers to a loan that satisfies the provisions of this paragraph. A “non-exempt loan” fails to satisfy this paragraph. Any Exempt Loan shall be subject to the following conditions and limitations:

6.3-1 An Exempt Loan shall primarily be for the benefit of Plan Participants and Beneficiaries, shall be for a specific term, shall not be payable on demand except in the event of default, and shall bear a reasonable rate of interest, such that the interest rate and the price of the securities to be acquired with the Exempt Loan will not cause the Plan’s assets to be drained off in violation of Treasury Regulation Section 54.4975-7(b)(3).

6.3-2 An Exempt Loan may, but need not, be secured by a collateral pledge of either the Stock acquired in exchange for the Exempt Loan, or the Stock previously pledged in connection with a prior Exempt Loan which is being repaid with the proceeds of the current Exempt Loan. No other assets of the Plan and Trust may be used as collateral for an Exempt Loan, and no creditor under an Exempt Loan shall have any right or recourse to any Plan and Trust assets other than Stock remaining subject to a collateral pledge.

6.3-3 Any pledge of Stock to secure an Exempt Loan must provide for the release of pledged Stock in connection with payments on the Exempt Loan in the ratio prescribed in Section 4.2.

6.3-4 Repayments of principal and interest on any Exempt Loan during any Plan Year must not exceed an amount equal to the sum of contributions and earnings received during or prior to such Plan Year, less such payments in prior Plan Years and from cash dividends received on Stock, in the last case, however, subject to the further requirements of Section 7.2. All contributions and earnings shall be separately accounted for in the Plan’s records until the Exempt Loan is repaid.

6.3-5 In the event of default of an Exempt Loan, the value of Plan assets transferred in satisfaction of the Exempt Loan must not exceed the amount of the default. If the lender is a disqualified person within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code, an Exempt Loan must provide for a transfer of Plan assets upon default only upon and to the extent of the failure of the Plan to meet the payment schedule of said Exempt Loan. For purposes of this paragraph, the making of a guarantee does not make a person a lender.

 

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6.4 Participants’ Option to Diversify . The Committee shall provide for a procedure under which each Participant may, during the qualified election period, elect to “diversify” a portion of the Employer Stock allocated to his Account, as provided in Section 401(a)(28)(B) of the Code. An election to diversify must be made on the prescribed form and filed with the Committee within the period specified herein. For each of the first five (5) Plan years in the qualified election period, the Participant may elect to diversify an amount which does not exceed 25% of the number of shares allocated to his Account since the inception of the Plan, less all shares with respect to which an election under this Section has already been made. For the last year of the qualified election period, the Participant may elect to have up to 50 percent of the value of his Account committed to other investments, less all shares with respect to which an election under this Section has already been made. The term “qualified election period” shall mean the six (6) Plan Year period beginning with the first Plan Year in which a Participant has both attained age 55 and completed 10 years of participation in the Plan. A Participant’s election to diversify his Account may be made within each year of the qualified election period and shall continue for the 90-day period immediately following the last day of each year in the qualified election period. Once a Participant makes such election, the Plan must complete diversification in accordance with such election within 90 days after the end of the period during which the election could be made for the Plan Year. In the discretion of the Committee, the Plan may satisfy the diversification requirement by any of the following methods:

6.4-1 The Plan may distribute all or part of the amount subject to the diversification election.

6.4-2 The Plan may offer the Participant at least three other distinct investment options, if available under the Plan. The other investment options shall satisfy the requirements of Regulations under Section 404(c) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).

6.4-3 The Plan may transfer the portion of the Participant’s Account subject to the diversification election to another qualified defined contribution plan of the Employer that offers at least three investment options satisfying the requirements of the Regulations under Section 404(c) of ERISA.

Section 7. Voting Rights and Dividends on Stock.

7.1 Voting and Tendering of Stock .

7.1-1 The Trustee generally shall vote all shares of Stock held under the Plan in accordance with the written instructions of the Committee. However, if any Employer has registration-type class of securities within the meaning of Section 409(e)(4) of the Code, or if a matter submitted to the holders of the Stock involves a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, liquidation, dissolution, or sale of substantially all assets of an entity, then (i) the shares of Stock which have been allocated to Participants’ Accounts shall be voted by the Trustee in accordance with the Participants’ written instructions, and (ii) the Trustee shall vote any unallocated Stock and allocated Stock for which it has received no voting instructions in the same proportions as it votes the allocated Stock for which it has received instructions from Participants. In the event no shares of Stock have been allocated to Participants’ Accounts at the time Stock is to be voted, each Participant shall be deemed to have one share of Stock allocated to his or her Account for the sole purpose of providing the Trustee with voting instructions.

Notwithstanding any provision hereunder to the contrary, all unallocated shares of Stock must be voted by the Trustee in a manner determined by the Trustee to be for the exclusive benefit of the

 

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Participants and Beneficiaries. Whenever such voting rights are to be exercised, the Employers shall provide the Trustee, in a timely manner, with the same notices and other materials as are provided to other holders of the Stock, which the Trustee shall distribute to the Participants. The Participants shall be provided with adequate opportunity to deliver their instructions to the Trustee regarding the voting of Stock allocated to their Accounts. The instructions of the Participants with respect to the voting of allocated shares hereunder shall be confidential.

7.1-2 In the event of a tender offer, Stock shall be tendered by the Trustee in the same manner as set forth above with respect to the voting of Stock. Notwithstanding any provision hereunder to the contrary, Stock must be tendered by the Trustee in a manner determined by the Trustee to be for the exclusive benefit of the Participants and Beneficiaries.

7.2 Application of Dividends .

7.2-1 Stock Dividends . Dividends on Stock which are received by the Trustee in the form of additional Stock shall be retained in the Stock Fund, and shall be allocated among the Participants’ Accounts and the Unallocated Stock Fund in accordance with their holdings of the Stock on which the dividends are paid.

7.2-2 Cash Dividends . The treatment of dividends paid in cash shall be determined after consideration to whether the cash dividends are paid on Stock held in Participants’ Accounts or the Unallocated Stock Fund.

(i) On Stock in Participants’ Accounts .

(A) Employer Exercises Discretion . Dividends on Stock credited to Participants’ Accounts which are received by the Trustee in the form of cash shall, at the direction of the Employer paying the dividends, either (i) be credited to the Accounts in accordance with Section 8.4(c) and invested as part of the Investment Fund, (ii) be distributed immediately to the Participants in proportion with the Participants’ Stock Fund Account balance (iii) be distributed to the Participants within 90 days of the close of the Plan Year in which paid in proportion with the Participants’ Stock Fund Account balance or (iv) be used to make payments on the Exempt Loan. If dividends on Stock allocated to a Participant’s Account are used to repay the Exempt Loan, Stock with a fair market value equal to the dividends so used must be allocated to such Participant’s Account in lieu of the dividends.

(B) Participant Exercises Discretion over Dividend . In addition, in the sole discretion of the Employer, the Employer may grant Participants the right to elect: (I) to have cash dividends paid on shares of Stock credited to such Participants’ Stock Fund Accounts distributed to the Participant, or (II) to leave the cash dividends allocated to the Participant’s Account in the Plan, to be credited to the Stock Fund Account and invested in shares of Stock. Dividends on which such election may be made will be fully vested in the Participant (even if not otherwise vested, absent the ability to make such election). Accordingly, the Employer may choose to offer this election only to Participants who are fully vested in their Account. In the event the Employer elects to give Participants the right to determine the treatment of such dividends, the Participant’s election shall be made by filing with the Committee the appropriate written direction as provided by the Committee at such time and in accordance with such procedures and limitations which the Committee may from

 

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time to time establish; provided, however, that the procedures established by the Committee shall provide a reasonable opportunity to change the election at least annually, may establish a default election if a Participant fails to make an affirmative election within the time established for making elections, may provide that the election is applicable for the Plan Year and cannot be revoked with respect to such Plan Year, shall otherwise be implemented in a manner such that the dividends paid or reinvested will constitute “applicable dividends” which may be deducted under Code Section 404(k), and are in accordance with applicable guidance issued or to be issued by the Secretary of the Treasury. If the Employer elects to give Participants the right to exercise the discretion in this Paragraph 7.2-2(i)(B), the ability to make such election shall be available to the Participant with respect to dividends paid for the entire Plan Year.

(ii) On Stock in the Unallocated Stock Fund . Dividends received on shares of Stock held in the Unallocated Stock Fund shall be applied to the repayment of principal and interest then due on the Exempt Loan used to acquire such shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing dividends paid on a share of Stock may not be used to make payments on a particular Exempt Loan unless the share was acquired with the proceeds of such loan or a refinancing of such loan.

Section 8. Adjustments to Accounts .

8.1 ESOP Allocations . Amounts available for allocation for a particular Plan Year will be divided into two categories. The first category relates to shares of Stock released from the Unallocated Stock Fund attributable to using cash dividends to make Exempt Loan payments. The second category relates to contributions made by the Employer and shares of Stock released from the Unallocated Stock Fund on the basis of such Employer contributions and amounts forfeited from Stock Fund Accounts pursuant to Section 9.5.

8.1-1 Shares of Stock attributable to the first category will be allocated to the Stock Fund Accounts of eligible Participants as follows:

(i) first, if dividends paid on shares of Stock held in Participants’ Stock Fund Accounts are used to make payments on an Exempt Loan, there shall be allocated to each such account a number of shares of Stock released from the Unallocated Stock Fund with a fair market value (determined as of the Valuation Date coincident with or immediately preceding the loan payment date) that at least equals the amount of dividends so used,

(ii) second, if necessary, any remaining shares of Stock shall be applied to reinstate amounts forfeited from Stock Fund Accounts of former employees who are entitled to a reinstatement under Section 9.5, and

(iii) finally, any remaining shares of Stock shall be allocated as a general investment gain in proportion to the number of shares held in the Active Participants’ Stock Fund Accounts as of the last Valuation Date of the Plan Year for which they are allocated in the same manner as described in Section 7.2-2(i).

8.1-2 Shares of Stock or cash attributable to the second category (i.e., Employer contributions, Stock released from the Unallocated Stock Fund on the basis of Employer contributions, and amounts forfeited) will be allocated to the Stock Fund Accounts or Investment Fund Accounts, as the case may be, pro rata, in proportion to the Compensation of each Active Participant that was

 

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earned by such Participant for the portion of the calendar year during which he or she was a Participant compared to Compensation for all Active Participants.

8.1-3 Shares of Stock or cash attributable to contributions made under Section 4.1-2 shall be allocated specifically to the Participants on whose behalf such contributions were made.

8.2 Charges to Accounts . When a Valuation Date occurs, any distributions made to or on behalf of any Participant or Beneficiary since the last preceding Valuation Date shall be charged to the proper Accounts maintained for that Participant or Beneficiary.

8.3 Stock Fund Account . Subject to the provisions of Sections 5 and 8.1, as of the last day of each Plan Year, the Trustee shall credit to each Participant’s Stock Fund Account: (a) the Participant’s allocable share of Stock purchased by the Trustee or contributed by the Employer to the Trust Fund for that year; (b) the Participant’s allocable share of the Stock that is released from the Unallocated Stock Fund for that year; (c) the Participant’s allocable share of any forfeitures of Stock arising under the Plan during that year; and (d) any stock dividends declared and paid during that year on Stock credited to the Participant’s Stock Fund Account.

8.4 Investment Fund Account . Subject to the provisions of Sections 5 and 8.1 as of the last day of each Plan Year, the Trustee shall credit to each Participant’s Investment Fund Account: (a) the Participant’s allocable share of any contribution for that year made by the Employer in cash or in property other than Stock that is not used by the Trustee to purchase Employer Stock or to make payments due under an Exempt Loan; (b) the Participant’s allocable share of any forfeitures from the Investment Fund Accounts of other Participants arising under the Plan during that year; (c) any cash dividends paid during that year on Stock credited to the Participant’s Stock Fund Account, other than dividends which are paid directly to the Participant and other than dividends which are used to repay Exempt Loan; and (d) the share of the net income or loss of the Trust Fund properly allocable to that Participant’s Investment Fund Account, as provided in Section 8.5.

8.5 Adjustment to Value of Trust Fund . As of the last day of each Plan Year, the Trustee shall determine: (i) the net worth of that portion of the Trust Fund which consists of properties other than Stock (the “Investment Fund”); and (ii) the increase or decrease in the net worth of the Investment Fund since the last day of the preceding Plan Year. The net worth of the Investment Fund shall be the fair market value of all properties held by the Trustee under the Trust Agreement other than Stock, net of liabilities other than liabilities to Participants and their beneficiaries. The Trustee shall allocate to the Investment Fund Account of each Participant that percentage of the increase or decrease in the net worth of the Investment Fund equal to the ratio which the balances credited to the Participant’s Investment Fund Account bear to the total amount credited to all Participants’ Investments Fund Accounts. This allocation shall be made after application of Section 7.2, but before application of Sections 8.1, 8.4 and 5.1.

8.6 Participant Statements . Each Plan Year, the Trustee will provide each Participant with a statement of his or her Account balances as of the last day of the Plan Year.

Section 9. Vesting of Participants’ Interests.

9.1 Deferred Vesting in Accounts . A Participant’s vested interest in his Account shall be based on his Vesting Years in accordance with the following table, subject to the balance of this Section 9:

 

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Vesting Years

   Percentage
of Interest
Vested
 

Fewer than 3

     0

3 or more

     100

9.2 Computation of Vesting Years . For purposes of this Plan, a “Vesting Year” means generally a Plan Year in which an Eligible Employee has performed at least 1,000 Hours of Service, beginning with the first Plan Year in which the Eligible Employee has completed an Hour of Service with the Employer, and including Service with other Employers as provided in the definition of “Service.” Notwithstanding the above, an Eligible Employee employed with the Association shall receive credit for vesting purposes for each calendar year of continuous employment with the Association, prior to the adoption of the Plan, in which such Eligible Employee completed at least 1,000 Hours of Service (such years shall also be referred to as “Vesting Years”). However, a Participant’s Vesting Years shall be computed subject to the following conditions and qualifications:

9.2-1 A Participant’s Vesting Years shall not include any Service prior to the date on which an Eligible Employee attains age 18.

9.2-2 To the extent applicable, a Participant’s vested interest in his Account accumulated before five (5) consecutive one year Break in Service shall be determined without regard to any Service after such five consecutive Breaks in Service. Further, if a Participant has five (5) consecutive one year Break in Service before his interest in his Account has become vested to some extent, pre-Break in Service years of Service shall not be required to be taken into account for purposes of determining his post-Break in Service vested percentage.

9.2-3 To the extent applicable, in the case of a Participant who has 5 or more consecutive one year Break in Service, the Participant’s pre-Break in Service will count in vesting of the Employer-derived post-Break in Service accrued benefit only if either:

(i) such Participant has any nonforfeitable interest in the accrued benefit attributable to Employer contributions at the time of separation from Service, or

(ii) upon returning to Service the number of consecutive one year Breaks in Service is less than the number of years of Service.

9.2-4 Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, calculation of service for determining Vesting Years with respect to qualified military service will be provided in accordance with Section 414(u) of the Code.

9.2-5 To the extent applicable, if any amendment changes the vesting schedule, including an automatic change to or from a top-heavy vesting schedule, any Participant with three (3) or more Vesting Years may, by filing a written request with the Employer, elect to have his vested percentage computed under the vesting schedule in effect prior to the amendment. The election period must begin not later than the later of sixty (60) days after the amendment is adopted, the amendment becomes effective, or the Participant is issued written notice of the amendment by the Employer or the Committee.

9.3 Full Vesting Upon Certain Events .

 

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9.3-1 Notwithstanding Section 9.1, a Participant’s interest in his Account shall fully vest on the Participant’s Normal Retirement Date. The Participant’s interest shall also fully vest in the event that his Service is terminated by Disability or by death.

9.3-2 The Participant’s interest in his Account shall also fully vest in the event of a “Change in Control” of the Association or the Company. For these purposes, “Change in Control” shall mean a change in control of a nature that: (i) would be required to be reported in response to Item 5.01 of the Current Report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”); or (ii) results in a Change in Control of the Association or the Company within the meaning of the Home Owners Loan Act, as amended (“HOLA”), and applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect at the time of the Change in Control; or (iii) without limitation such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (a) any “person” (as the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the “beneficial owner”(as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of Company’s outstanding securities except for any securities purchased by the Association’s employee stock ownership plan or trust; or (b) individuals who constitute the Board on the date hereof (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by the same Nominating Committee serving under an Incumbent Board, shall be, for purposes of this clause (b), considered as though he were a member of the Incumbent Board; or (c) a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Association or the Company or similar transaction in which the Association or Company is not the surviving institution occurs; or (d) a proxy statement soliciting proxies from stockholders of the Company, by someone other than the current management of the Company, seeking stockholder approval of a plan of reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company or similar transaction with one or more corporations as a result of which the outstanding shares of the class of securities then subject to the Plan are to be exchanged for or converted into cash or property or securities not issued by the Company; or (e) a tender offer is made for 25% or more of the voting securities of the Company and the shareholders owning beneficially or of record 25% or more of the outstanding securities of the Company have tendered or offered to sell their shares pursuant to such tender offer and such tendered shares have been accepted by the tender offeror. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the reorganization of the Association from the mutual to stock form shall not be considered a “Change in Control.”

9.3-3 Upon a Change in Control described in 9.3-2, the Plan shall be terminated.

9.3-4 Notwithstanding the foregoing, Participants who die or suffer a Disability while performing qualified military service (as defined in accordance with Code Section 414(u)(1)) shall be deemed to be fully vested, in accordance with the HEART Act of 2008.

9.4 Full Vesting Upon Plan Termination . Notwithstanding Section 9.1, a Participant’s interest in his Account shall fully vest upon termination of this Plan or upon the permanent and complete discontinuance of contributions by his Employer. In the event of a partial termination, the interest of each affected Participant shall fully vest with respect to that part of the Plan which is terminated.

9.5 Forfeiture, Repayment, and Restoral . If a Participant’s Service terminates before his interest in his Account is fully vested, that portion which has not vested shall be forfeited if he either (i) receives a distribution of his entire vested interest pursuant to Section 10.1, or (ii) incurs five consecutive one-

 

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year Breaks in Service. If a Participant’s Service terminates prior to having any portion of his Account become vested, such Participant shall be deemed to have received a distribution of his vested interest immediately upon his termination of Service.

If a Participant who has suffered a forfeiture of the nonvested portion of his Account returns to Service before he has five (5) consecutive one-year Break in Service, the nonvested portion shall be restored, provided that, if the Participant had received a distribution of his vested Account balance, the amount distributed shall be repaid prior to such restoral. The Participant may repay such amount at any time within five years after he has returned to Service. The amount repaid shall be credited to his Account at the time it is repaid; an additional amount equal to that portion of his Account which was previously forfeited shall be restored to his Account at the same time from other Employees’ forfeitures and, if such forfeitures are insufficient, then from amounts allocated in accordance with Section 8.1-1(ii), and if insufficient, then from a special contribution by his Employer for that year. A Participant who was deemed to have received a distribution of his vested interest in the Plan shall have his Account restored as of the first day on which he performs an Hour of Service after his return.

9.6 Accounting for Forfeitures . If a portion of a Participant’s Account is forfeited, Stock allocated to said Participant’s Account shall be forfeited only after other assets are forfeited. If interests in more than one class of Stock have been allocated to a Participant’s Account, the Participant must be treated as forfeiting the same proportion of each class of Stock. A forfeiture shall be charged to the Participant’s Account as of the first day of the first Valuation Period in which the forfeiture becomes certain pursuant to Section 9.5. Except as otherwise provided in that Section, a forfeiture shall be added to the contributions of the terminated Participant’s Employer which are to be credited to other Participants pursuant to Section 4.1 as of the last day of the Plan Year in which the forfeiture becomes certain.

9.7 Vesting and Nonforfeitability . A Participant’s interest in his Account which has become vested shall be nonforfeitable for any reason.

Section 10. Payment of Benefits.

10.1 Benefits for Participants . For a Participant whose Service ends for any reason, distribution will be made to or for the benefit of the Participant or, in the case of the Participant’s death, his Beneficiary, by payment in a lump sum, in accordance with Section 10.2. Notice to the Participant with regard to having the right to elect the manner in which his vested Account balance will be distributed to him may be given up to 180 days before the first day of the first period for which an amount is payable. A Participant may modify such an election at any time, provided any new benefit payment date is at least 30 days after a modified election is delivered to the Committee. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, if the value of a Participant’s vested Account balance at the time of any distribution does not exceed $1,000, then such Participant’s vested Account shall be distributed in a lump sum within 60 days (or as soon as administratively feasible) after the end of the Plan Year in which employment terminates. If the value of a Participant’s vested Account balance is in excess of $5,000, then his benefits shall not be paid prior to the later of the time he has attained Normal Retirement or age 62, unless he elects an early payment date in a written election filed with the Committee. Failure of a Participant to consent to a distribution prior to the later of Normal Retirement or age 62 shall be deemed to be an election to defer commencement of payment of any benefit under this section. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a distribution of more than $1,000 but not exceeding $5,000 is made in accordance with the above without the Participant’s consent, then the Plan administrator shall pay the distribution in a direct rollover to an individual retirement plan designated by the Plan administrator in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(31)(B) and the regulations promulgated thereunder. All distributions of $5,000 or less that are made pursuant to this Section without the Participant’s consent shall be made in cash.

 

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10.2 Time for Distribution .

10.2-1 If the Participant and, if applicable, with the consent of the Participant’s spouse, elects the distribution of the Participant’s Account balance in the Plan, distribution shall commence as soon as practicable following his termination of Service, but no later than (i) one year after the close of the Plan Year in which the Participant separates from service by reason of attainment of Normal Retirement Age under the Plan, Disability, or death, or (ii) which is the fifth (5 th ) Plan Year following the Plan Year in which the Participant otherwise separates from service, except that this clause shall not apply if the Participant is reemployed by the Employer before distribution is required to begin under this Section 10.2-1.

10.2-2 Unless the Participant elects otherwise, the distribution of the balance of a Participant’s Account shall commence not later than the 60th day after the latest of the close of the Plan Year in which -

(i) the Participant attains the age of 65;

(ii) occurs the tenth anniversary of the year in which the Participant commenced participation in the Plan; or

(iii) the Participant terminates his Service with the Employer.

10.2-3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, (1) with respect to a 5-percent owner (as defined in Code Section 416), distribution of a Participant’s Account shall commence (whether or not he remains in the employ of the Employer) not later than the April 1 of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which the Participant attains age 70  1 / 2 , and (2) with respect to all other Participants, payment of a Participant’s benefit will commence not later than April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Participant attains age 70  1 / 2 , or, if later, the year in which the Participant retires. A Participant’s benefit from that portion of his Account committed to the Investment Fund shall be calculated on the basis of the most recent Valuation Date before the date of payment.

10.2-4 Distribution of a Participant’s Account balance after his death shall comply with the following requirements:

(i) If a Participant dies before his distributions have commenced, distribution of his Account to his Beneficiary shall commence not later than one year after the end of the Plan Year in which the Participant died; however, if the Participant’s Beneficiary is his surviving Spouse, distributions may commence on the date on which the Participant would have attained age 70  1 / 2 . In either case, distributions shall be completed within five years after they commence.

(ii) If the Participant dies after distribution has commenced pursuant to Section 10.1 but before his entire interest in the Plan has been distributed to him, then the remaining portion of that interest shall, in accordance with Section 401(a)(9) of the Code, be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used under Section 10.1 at the date of his death.

(iii) If a married Participant dies before his benefit payments begin, then unless he has specifically elected otherwise, the Committee shall cause the balance in his Account to be paid to his Spouse. No election by a married Participant of a different Beneficiary shall be

 

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valid unless the election is accompanied by the Spouse’s written consent, which (i) must acknowledge the effect of the election, (ii) must explicitly provide either that the designated Beneficiary may not subsequently be changed by the Participant without the Spouse’s further consent, or that it may be changed without such consent, and (iii) must be witnessed by the Committee, its representative, or a notary public. (This requirement shall not apply if the Participant establishes to the Committee’s satisfaction that the Spouse may not be located.)

10.2-5 All distributions under this section shall be determined and made in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(9) and final Treasury Regulations Sections 1.401(a)(9)-1 through 1.401(a)(9)-9, including the minimum distribution incidental benefit requirements of Code Section 401(a)(9)(G). These provisions override any distribution options in the Plan inconsistent with Code Section 401(a)(9).

10.3 Marital Status . The Committee, the Plan, the Trustee, and the Employers shall be fully protected and discharged from any liability to the extent of any benefit payments made as a result of the Committee’s good faith and reasonable reliance upon information obtained from a Participant and his Employer as to his marital status.

10.4 Delay in Benefit Determination . If the Committee is unable to determine the benefits payable to a Participant or Beneficiary on or before the latest date prescribed for payment pursuant to Section 10.1 or 10.2, the benefits shall in any event be paid within 60 days after they can first be determined, with whatever makeup payments may be appropriate in view of the delay.

10.5 Accounting for Benefit Payments . Any benefit payment shall be charged to the Participant’s Account as of the first day of the Valuation Period in which the payment is made.

10.6 Options to Receive Stock . Unless ownership of virtually all Stock is restricted to active Employees and qualified retirement plans for the benefit of Employees pursuant to the certificates of incorporation or by-laws of the Employers issuing Stock, a terminated Participant or the Beneficiary of a deceased Participant may instruct the Committee to distribute the Participant’s entire vested interest in his Account in the form of Stock. In the event the Participant elects to receive all Stock, the Committee shall apply the Participant’s vested interest in the Investment Fund to purchase sufficient Stock from the Stock Fund or from any owner of Stock to make the required distribution. In all other cases, other than as specifically set forth in Section 10.1, the Participant’s vested interest in the Stock Fund shall be distributed in shares of Stock, and his vested interest in the Investment Fund shall be distributed in cash.

Any Participant who receives Stock pursuant to Section 10.1, and any person who has received Stock from the Plan or from such a Participant by reason of the Participant’s death or incompetence, by reason of divorce or separation from the Participant, or by reason of a rollover contribution described in Section 402(a)(5) of the Code, shall have the right to require the Employer which issued the Stock to purchase the Stock for its current fair market value (hereinafter referred to as the “put right”). The put right shall be exercisable by written notice to the Committee during the first 60 days after the Stock is distributed by the Plan, and, if not exercised in that period, during the first 60 days in the following Plan Year after the Committee has communicated to the Participant its determination as to the Stock’s current fair market value. However, the put right shall not apply to the extent that the Stock, at the time the put right would otherwise be exercisable, may be sold on an established market in accordance with federal and state securities laws and regulations. Similarly, the put option shall not apply with respect to the portion of a Participant’s Account which the Employee elected to have reinvested under Code Section 401(a)(28)(B). If the put right is exercised, the Trustee may, if so directed by the Committee in its sole discretion, assume the Employer’s rights and obligations with respect to purchasing the Stock. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the case

 

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of a plan established by a bank (as defined in Code Section 581), the put option shall not apply if prohibited by a federal or state law and Participants are entitled to elect their benefits be distributed in cash.

The Employer or the Trustee, as the case may be, may elect to pay for the Stock in equal periodic installments, not less frequently than annually, over a period beginning not later than 30 days after the exercise of the put right and not exceeding five years, with adequate security and interest at a reasonable rate on the unpaid balance, all such terms to be set forth in a promissory note delivered to the seller with normal terms as to acceleration upon any uncured default.

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to obligate any Employer to register any Stock under any federal or state securities law or to create or maintain a public market to facilitate the transfer or disposition of any Stock. The put right described herein may only be exercised by a person described in the second preceding paragraph, and may not be transferred with any Stock to any other person. As to all Stock purchased by the Plan in exchange for any Exempt Loan, the put right shall be nonterminable. The put right for Stock acquired through an Exempt Loan shall continue with respect to such Stock after the Exempt Loan is repaid or the Plan ceases to be an employee stock ownership plan. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if securities acquired with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan available for distribution consist of more than one class, a distributee must receive substantially the same proportion of each such class, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 54.4975-11(f)(2).

10.7 Restrictions on Disposition of Stock . Except in the case of Stock which is traded on an established market, a Participant who receives Stock pursuant to Section 10.1, and any person who has received Stock from the Plan or from such a Participant by reason of the Participant’s death or incompetence, by reason of divorce or separation from the Participant, or by reason of a rollover contribution described in Section 402(a)(5) of the Code, shall, prior to any sale or other transfer of the Stock to any other person, first offer the Stock to the issuing Employer and to the Plan at the greater of (i) its current fair market value, or (ii) the purchase price offered in good faith by an independent third party purchaser. This restriction shall apply to any transfer, whether voluntary, involuntary, or by operation of law, and whether for consideration or gratuitous. Either the Employer or the Trustee may accept the offer within 14 days after it is delivered. Any Stock distributed by the Plan shall bear a conspicuous legend describing the right of first refusal under this Section 10.7, as well as any other restrictions upon the transfer of the Stock imposed by federal and state securities laws and regulations.

10.8 Continuing Loan Provisions; Creations of Protections and Rights . Except as otherwise provided in Sections 10.6 and 10.7 and this Section, no shares of Employer Stock held or distributed by the Trustee may be subject to a put, call or other option, or buy-sell arrangement. The provisions of this Section shall continue to be applicable to such Stock even if the Plan ceases to be an employee stock ownership plan under Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code.

10.9 Direct Rollover of Eligible Distribution . A Participant or distributee may elect, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Trustee or the Committee, to have any portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid directly to an eligible retirement plan specified by the Participant or distributee in a direct rollover.

10.9-1 An “eligible rollover” is any distribution that does not include: any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) made for the life (or life expectancy) of the distributee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the Participant and the Participant’s Beneficiary, or for a specified period of ten years or more; any distribution to the extent such distribution is required under Code Section 401(a)(9); any hardship distribution described in Section 401(k)(2)(B)(i)(IV) of the Code; and the portion of any distribution

 

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that is not included in gross income (determined without regard to the exclusion for net unrealized appreciation with respect to employer securities). A portion of a distribution shall not fail to be an eligible rollover distribution merely because the portion consists of after-tax employee contributions which are not includible in gross income. However, such portion may be transferred only to an individual retirement account or annuity described in section 408(a) or (b) of the Code, or to a qualified defined contribution plan described in section 401(a) or 403(a) of the Code that agrees to separately accounting for the portion of such distribution which is includible in gross income and the portion of such distribution which is not so includible.

10.9-2 An “eligible retirement plan” is an individual retirement account described in Code Section 408(a), an individual retirement annuity described in Code Section 408(b), an annuity plan described in Code Section 403(a), or a qualified trust described in Code Section 401(a), that accepts the distributee’s eligible rollover distribution. An eligible retirement plan shall also include an annuity contract described in Section 403(b) of the Code and an eligible plan under Section 457(b) of the Code which is maintained by a state, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or political subdivision of a state and which agrees to separately account for amounts transferred into such plan from this Plan. Effective on the first day of the Plan Year beginning on or after January 1, 2009, an “eligible retirement plan” shall also include a deemed individual retirement account described in Code Section 408(q) and a Roth individual retirement account in accordance with Code Section 408A(e).

10.9-3 A “direct rollover” is a payment by the Plan to the eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee.

10.9-4 The term “distributee” shall refer to a deceased Participant’s Spouse or a Participant’s former Spouse who is the alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Code Section 414(p), and shall include non-spouse Beneficiaries pursuant to Code Section 402(c)(11).

10.9-5 The Administrator shall provide Participants or other distributes of eligible rollover distributions with a written notice designed to comply with the requirements of Code Section 402(f). Such notice shall be provided within a reasonable period of time before making an eligible rollover distribution. Such notice may be provided up to 180 days before the first day of the first period for which an amount is payable.

10.10 Waiver of 30-Day Period After Notice of Distribution . If a distribution is one to which Sections 401(a)(11) and 417 of the Code do not apply, such distribution may commence less than 30 days after the notice required under Treasury Regulations Section 1.411(a)-11(c) is given, provided that:

(i) the Trustee or Committee, as applicable, clearly informs the Participant that the Participant has a right to a period of at least 30 days after receiving the notice to consider the decision of whether or not to elect a distribution (and, if applicable, a particular option), and

(ii) the Participant, after receiving the notice, affirmatively elects a distribution.

Section 11. Rules Governing Benefit Claims and Review of Appeals.

11.1 Claim for Benefits . Any Participant or Beneficiary who qualifies for the payment of benefits shall file a claim for his benefits with the Committee on a form provided by the Committee. The claim, including any election of an alternative benefit form, shall be filed at least 30 days before the date on which the benefits are to begin. If a Participant or Beneficiary fails to file a claim by the day before the date on which benefits become payable, he shall be presumed to have filed a claim for payment for the Participant’s benefits in the standard form prescribed by Sections 10.1 or 10.2.

 

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11.2 Notification by Committee . Within 90 days after receiving a claim for benefits (or within 180 days, if special circumstances require an extension of time and written notice of the extension is given to the Participant or Beneficiary within 90 days after receiving the claim for benefits), the Committee shall notify the Participant or Beneficiary whether the claim has been approved or denied. If the Committee denies a claim in any respect, the Committee shall set forth in a written notice to the Participant or Beneficiary:

(i) each specific reason for the denial;

(ii) specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based;

(iii) a description of any additional material or information which could be submitted by the Participant or Beneficiary to support his claim, with an explanation of the relevance of such information; and

(iv) an explanation of the claims review procedures set forth in Section 11.3.

11.3 Claims Review Procedure . Within 60 days after a Participant or Beneficiary receives notice from the Committee that his claim for benefits has been denied in any respect, he may file with the Committee a written notice of appeal setting forth his reasons for disputing the Committee’s determination. In connection with his appeal the Participant or Beneficiary or his representative may inspect or purchase copies of pertinent documents and records to the extent not inconsistent with other Participants’ and Beneficiaries’ rights of privacy. Within 60 days after receiving a notice of appeal from a prior determination (or within 120 days, if special circumstances require an extension of time and written notice of the extension is given to the Participant or Beneficiary and his representative within 60 days after receiving the notice of appeal), the Committee shall furnish to the Participant or Beneficiary and his representative, if any, a written statement of the Committee’s final decision with respect to his claim, including the reasons for such decision and the particular Plan provisions upon which it is based.

Section 12. The Committee and its Functions.

12.1 Authority of Committee . The Committee shall be the “plan administrator” within the meaning of ERISA and shall have exclusive responsibility and authority to control and manage the operation and administration of the Plan, including the interpretation and application of its provisions, except to the extent such responsibility and authority are otherwise specifically (i) allocated to the Association, the Employers, or the Trustee under the Plan and Trust Agreement, (ii) delegated in writing to other persons by the Association, the Employers, the Committee, or the Trustee, or (iii) allocated to other parties by operation of law. The Committee shall have exclusive responsibility regarding decisions concerning the payment of benefits under the Plan. The Committee shall have no investment responsibility with respect to the Investment Fund except to the extent, if any, specifically provided in the Trust Agreement. In the discharge of its duties, the Committee may employ accountants, actuaries, legal counsel, and other agents (who also may be employed by an Employer or the Trustee in the same or some other capacity) and may pay their reasonable expenses and compensation.

12.2 Identity of Committee . The Committee shall consist of three or more individuals selected by the Association. Any individual, including a director, trustee, shareholder, officer, or Employee of an Employer, shall be eligible to serve as a member of the Committee. The Association shall have the power to remove any individual serving on the Committee at any time without cause upon 10 days written notice, and any individual may resign from the Committee at any time upon 10 days written notice to the Association. The Association shall notify the Trustee of any change in membership of the Committee.

 

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12.3 Duties of Committee . The Committee shall keep whatever records may be necessary to implement the Plan and shall furnish whatever reports may be required from time to time by the Association. The Committee shall furnish to the Trustee whatever information may be necessary to properly administer the Trust. The Committee shall see to the filing with the appropriate government agencies of all reports and returns required of the Plan under ERISA and other laws.

Further, the Committee shall have exclusive responsibility and authority with respect to the Plan’s holdings of Stock and shall direct the Trustee in all respects regarding the purchase, retention, sale, exchange, and pledge of Stock and the creation and satisfaction of Exempt Loans. The Committee shall at all times act consistently with the Association’s long-term intention that the Plan, as an employee stock ownership plan, be invested primarily in Stock. In determining the proper extent of the Trust’s investment in Stock, the Committee shall be authorized to employ investment counsel, legal counsel, appraisers, and other agents and to pay their reasonable expenses and compensation.

12.4 Valuation of Stock . If the Stock is not readily tradable on an established securities market, the valuation of such Stock shall be determined by an independent appraiser. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “independent appraiser” means any appraiser meeting requirements similar to the requirements of the regulations prescribed under Code Section 170(a)(1). The valuation date for all Plan transactions, including transactions between the Plan and a disqualified person, shall be the date of the transaction, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 54.4975-11(d)(5).

12.5 Compliance with ERISA . The Committee shall perform all acts necessary to comply with ERISA. Each individual member or employee of the Committee shall discharge his duties in good faith and in accordance with the applicable requirements of ERISA.

12.6 Action by Committee . All actions of the Committee shall be governed by the affirmative vote of a number of members which is a majority of the total number of members currently appointed, including vacancies.

12.7 Execution of Documents . Any instrument executed by the Committee shall be signed by any member or employee of the Committee.

12.8 Adoption of Rules . The Committee shall adopt such rules and regulations of uniform applicability as it deems necessary or appropriate for the proper administration and interpretation of the Plan.

12.9 Responsibilities to Participants . The Committee shall determine which Employees qualify to enter the Plan. The Committee shall furnish to each Eligible Employee whatever summary plan descriptions, summary annual reports, and other notices and information may be required under ERISA. The Committee also shall determine when a Participant or his Beneficiary qualifies for the payment of benefits under the Plan. The Committee shall furnish to each such Participant or Beneficiary whatever information is required under ERISA (or is otherwise appropriate) to enable the Participant or Beneficiary to make whatever elections may be available pursuant to Sections 6 and 10, and the Committee shall provide for the payment of benefits in the proper form and amount from the assets of the Trust Fund. The Committee may decide in its sole discretion to permit modifications of elections and to defer or accelerate benefits to the extent consistent with applicable law and the Plan document and the best interests of all Participants and Beneficiaries in a non-discriminatory manner.

12.10 Alternative Payees in Event of Incapacity . If the Committee finds at any time that an individual qualifying for benefits under this Plan is a minor or is incompetent, the Committee may direct the benefits to be paid, in the case of a minor, to his parents, his legal guardian, or a custodian for him under the

 

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Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, or, in the case of an incompetent, to his spouse, or his legal guardian, the payments to be used for the individual’s benefit. The Committee and the Trustee shall not be obligated to inquire as to the actual use of the funds by the person receiving them under this Section 12.10, and any such payment shall completely discharge the obligations of the Plan, the Trustee, the Committee, and the Employers to the extent of the payment.

12.11 Indemnification by Employers . Except as separately agreed in writing, the Committee, and any member or employee of the Committee, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Employer, jointly and severally, to the fullest extent permitted by ERISA, and subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 C.F.R. Section 545.121, to the extent applicable, against any and all costs, damages, expenses, and liabilities reasonably incurred by or imposed upon it or him in connection with any claim made against it or him or in which it or he may be involved by reason of its or his being, or having been, the Committee, or a member or employee of the Committee, to the extent such amounts are not paid by insurance.

12.12 Nonparticipation by Interested Member . Any member of the Committee who also is a Participant in the Plan shall take no part in any determination specifically relating to his own participation or benefits, unless his abstention would leave the Committee incapable of acting on the matter.

Section 13. Adoption, Amendment, or Termination of the Plan.

13.1 Adoption of Plan by Other Employers . With the consent of the Association, any entity may become a participating Employer under the Plan by (i) taking such action as shall be necessary to adopt the Plan, (ii) becoming a party to the Trust Agreement establishing the Trust Fund, and (iii) executing and delivering such instruments and taking such other action as may be necessary or desirable to put the Plan into effect with respect to the entity’s Employees.

13.2 Plan Adoption Subject to Qualification . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the adoption of the Plan and the execution of the Trust Agreement are conditioned upon their being determined initially by the Internal Revenue Service to meet the qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Code, so that the Employers may deduct currently for federal income tax purposes their contributions to the Trust and so that the Participants may exclude the contributions from their gross income and recognize income only when they receive benefits. In the event that this Plan is held by the Internal Revenue Service not to qualify initially under Section 401(a), the Plan may be amended retroactively to the earliest date permitted by U.S. Treasury Regulations in order to secure qualification under Section 401(a). If this Plan is held by the Internal Revenue Service not to qualify initially under Section 401(a) either as originally adopted or as amended, each Employer’s contributions to the Trust under this Plan (including any earnings thereon) shall be returned to it and this Plan shall be terminated. In the event that this Plan is amended after its initial qualification and the Plan as amended is held by the Internal Revenue Service not to qualify under Section 401(a), the amendment may be modified retroactively to the earliest date permitted by U.S. Treasury Regulations in order to secure approval of the amendment under Section 401(a).

13.3 Right to Amend or Terminate . The Association intends to continue this Plan as a permanent program. However, each participating Employer separately reserves the right to suspend, supersede, or terminate the Plan at any time and for any reason, as it applies to that Employer’s Employees, and the Association reserves the right to amend, suspend, supersede, merge, consolidate, or terminate the Plan at any time and for any reason, as it applies to the Employees of each Employer. No amendment, suspension, supersession, merger, consolidation, or termination of the Plan shall (i) reduce any Participant’s or Beneficiary’s proportionate interest in the Trust Fund, (ii) reduce or restrict, either directly or indirectly, the benefit provided any Participant prior to the amendment, or (iii) divert any portion of the Trust Fund to purposes other than the exclusive benefit of the Participants and their Beneficiaries prior to the satisfaction of

 

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all liabilities under the Plan. Moreover, there shall not be any transfer of assets to a successor plan or merger or consolidation with another plan unless, in the event of the termination of the successor plan or the surviving plan immediately following such transfer, merger, or consolidation, each participant or beneficiary would be entitled to a benefit equal to or greater than the benefit he would have been entitled to if the plan in which he was previously a participant or beneficiary had terminated immediately prior to such transfer, merger, or consolidation. Following a termination of this Plan by the Association, the Trustee shall continue to administer the Trust and pay benefits in accordance with the Plan as amended from time to time and the Committee’s instructions.

Section 14. Miscellaneous Provisions.

14.1 Plan Creates No Employment Rights . Nothing in this Plan shall be interpreted as giving any Employee the right to be retained as an Employee by an Employer, or as limiting or affecting the rights of an Employer to control its Employees or to terminate the Service of any Employee at any time and for any reason, subject to any applicable employment or collective bargaining agreements.

14.2 Nonassignability of Benefits . No assignment, pledge, or other anticipation of benefits from the Plan will be permitted or recognized by the Employer, the Committee, or the Trustee. Moreover, benefits from the Plan shall not be subject to attachment, garnishment, or other legal process for debts or liabilities of any Participant or Beneficiary, to the extent permitted by law. This prohibition on assignment or alienation shall apply to any judgment, decree, or order (including approval of a property settlement agreement) which relates to the provision of child support, alimony, or property rights to a present or former spouse, child or other dependent of a Participant pursuant to a state domestic relations or community property law, unless the judgment, decree, or order is determined by the Committee to be a qualified domestic relations order within the meaning of Section 414(p) of the Code, as more fully set forth in Section 14.12 hereof.

14.3 Limit of Employer Liability . The liability of the Employer with respect to Participants under this Plan shall be limited to making contributions to the Trust from time to time, in accordance with Section 4.

14.4 Treatment of Expenses . All expenses incurred by the Committee and the Trustee in connection with administering this Plan and Trust Fund shall be paid by the Trustee from the Trust Fund to the extent the expenses have not been paid or assumed by the Employer or by the Trustee. The Committee may determine that, and shall inform the Trustee when, reasonable expenses may be charged directly to the Account or Accounts of a Participant or group of Participants to whom or for whose benefit such expenses are allocable, subject to the guidelines set forth in Field Assistance Bulletin 2003-03, to the extent not superseded, or any successor directive issued by the Department of Labor.

14.5 Number and Gender . Any use of the singular shall be interpreted to include the plural, and the plural the singular. Any use of the masculine, feminine, or neuter shall be interpreted to include the masculine, feminine, or neuter, as the context shall require.

14.6 Nondiversion of Assets . Except as provided in Sections 5.2 and 14.12, under no circumstances shall any portion of the Trust Fund be diverted to or used for any purpose other than the exclusive benefit of the Participants and their Beneficiaries prior to the satisfaction of all liabilities under the Plan.

14.7 Separability of Provisions . If any provision of this Plan is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the other provisions of the Plan shall not be affected but shall be applied as if the invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included in the Plan.

 

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14.8 Service of Process . The agent for the service of process upon the Plan shall be the president of the Association, or such other person as may be designated from time to time by the Association.

14.9 Governing State Law . This Plan shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to the extent those laws are applicable under the provisions of ERISA.

14.10 Employer Contributions Conditioned on Deductibility . Employer Contributions to the Plan are conditioned on deductibility under Code Section 404. In the event that the Internal Revenue Service shall determine that all or any portion of an Employer Contribution is not deductible under that Section, the nondeductible portion shall be returned to the Employer within one year of the disallowance of the deduction. In addition, reversions of Employer contributions (including earnings or losses attributable thereto) are permitted within one year after the applicable determination date, if the reversion is due to a good faith mistake of fact. The maximum amount that may be returned to the Employer in the case of a mistake of fact or the disallowance of a deduction is the excess of (1) the amount contributed, over, as relevant, (2) (A) the amount that would have been contributed had no mistake of fact occurred, or (B) the amount that would have been contributed had the contribution been limited to the amount that is deductible after any disallowance by the Internal Revenue Service.

14.11 Unclaimed Accounts . Neither the Employer nor the Trustees shall be under any obligation to search for, or ascertain the whereabouts of, any Participant or Beneficiary. The Employer or the Trustees, by certified or registered mail addressed to his last known address of record with the Employer, shall notify any Participant or Beneficiary that he is entitled to a distribution under this Plan, and the notice shall quote the provisions of this Section. If the Participant or Beneficiary fails to claim his benefits or make his whereabouts known in writing to the Employer or the Trustees within seven (7) calendar years after the date of notification, the benefits of the Participant or Beneficiary under the Plan will be disposed of as follows:

(i) If the whereabouts of the Participant is unknown but the whereabouts of the Participant’s Beneficiary is known to the Trustees, distribution will be made to the Beneficiary.

(ii) If the whereabouts of the Participant and his Beneficiary are unknown to the Trustees, the Plan will forfeit the benefit, provided that the benefit is subject to a claim for reinstatement if the Participant or Beneficiary make a claim for the forfeited benefit.

Any payment made pursuant to the power herein conferred upon the Trustees shall operate as a complete discharge of all obligations of the Trustees, to the extent of the distributions so made.

14.12 Qualified Domestic Relations Order . Section 14.2 shall not apply to a “qualified domestic relations order” defined in Code Section 414(p), and such other domestic relations orders permitted to be so treated under the provisions of the Retirement Equity Act of 1984. Further, to the extent provided under a “qualified domestic relations order,” a former Spouse of a Participant shall be treated as the Spouse or surviving Spouse for all purposes under the Plan.

In the case of any domestic relations order received by the Plan:

(i) The Employer or the Committee shall promptly notify the Participant and any other alternate payee of the receipt of such order and the Plan’s procedures for determining the qualified status of domestic relations orders, and

(ii) Within a reasonable period after receipt of such order, the Employer or the Committee shall determine whether such order is a qualified domestic relations order and notify the Participant and each alternate payee of such determination. The Employer or the Committee shall establish

 

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reasonable procedures to determine the qualified status of domestic relations orders and to administer distributions under such qualified orders.

During any period in which the issue of whether a domestic relations order is a qualified domestic relations order is being determined (by the Employer or Committee, by a court of competent jurisdiction, or otherwise), the Employer or the Committee shall segregate in a separate account in the Plan or in an escrow account the amounts which would have been payable to the alternate payee during such period if the order had been determined to be a qualified domestic relations order. If within eighteen (18) months the order (or modification thereof) is determined to be a qualified domestic relations order, the Employer or the Committee shall pay the segregated amounts (plus any interest thereon) to the person or persons entitled thereto. If within eighteen (18) months it is determined that the order is not a qualified domestic relations order, or the issue as to whether such order is a qualified domestic relations order is not resolved, then the Employer or the Committee shall pay the segregated amounts (plus any interest thereon) to the person or persons who would have been entitled to such amounts if there had been no order. Any determination that an order is a qualified domestic relations order which is made after the close of the eighteen (18) month period shall be applied prospectively only. The term “alternate payee” means any Spouse, former Spouse, child or other dependent of a Participant who is recognized by a domestic relations order as having a right to receive all, or a portion of, the benefit payable under a Plan with respect to such Participant.

14.13 Use of Electronic Media to Provide Notices and Make Participant Elections . Pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.401(a)-21, the Plan may elect to use electronic media to provide notices required to be provided to Participants under the Plan and will accept elections from Participants communicated to the Plan using such electronic media.

14.14 Acquisition of Securities . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, at no time shall the Plan be obligated to acquire securities from a particular security holder at an indefinite time determined upon the happening of an event such as the death of the security holder, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 54.4975-11(a)(7)(i).

Section 15. Top-Heavy Provisions .

15.1 Top-Heavy Plan . This Plan is top-heavy if any of the following conditions exist:

(i) If the top-heavy ratio for this Plan exceeds sixty percent (60%) and this Plan is not part of any required aggregation group or permissive aggregation group;

(ii) If this Plan is a part of a required aggregation group (but is not part of a permissive aggregation group) and the aggregate top-heavy ratio for the group of Plans exceeds sixty percent (60%); or

(iii) If this Plan is a part of a required aggregation group and part of a permissive aggregation group and the aggregate top-heavy ratio for the permissive aggregation group exceeds sixty percent (60%).

15.2 Definitions . In making this determination, the Committee shall use the following definitions and principles:

15.2-1 The “Determination Date,” with respect to the first Plan Year of any plan, means the last day of that Plan Year, and with respect to each subsequent Plan Year, means the last day of the preceding Plan Year. If any other plan has a Determination Date which differs from this Plan’s

 

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Determination Date, the top-heaviness of this Plan shall be determined on the basis of the other plan’s Determination Date falling within the same calendar years as this Plan’s Determination Date.

15.2-2 A “Key Employee” means any employee or former employee (including any deceased employee) who at any time during the plan year that includes the determination date was an officer of the employer having annual compensation greater than $160,000 (as adjusted under section 416(i)(1) of the Code), a 5-percent owner of the employer, or a 1-percent owner of the employer having annual compensation of more than $150,000. For this purpose, annual compensation means compensation within the meaning of section 415(c)(3) of the Code. The determination of who is a key employee will be made in accordance with section 416(i)(1) of the Code and the applicable regulations and other guidance of general applicability issued thereunder.

15.2-3 A “Non-key Employee” means an Employee who at any time during the five years ending on the top-heavy Determination Date for the Plan Year has received compensation from an Employer and who has never been a Key Employee, and the Beneficiary of any such Employee.

15.2-4 A “required aggregation group” includes (a) each qualified Plan of the Employer in which at least one Key Employee participates in the Plan Year containing the Determination Date and (b) any other qualified Plan of the Employer which enables a Plan described in (a) to meet the requirements of Code Sections 401(a)(4) or 410. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a qualified Plan of the Employer includes a terminated Plan maintained by the Employer within the period ending on the Determination Date. In the case of a required aggregation group, each Plan in the group will be considered a top-heavy Plan if the required aggregation group is a top-heavy group. No Plan in the required aggregation group will be considered a top-heavy Plan if the required aggregation group is not a top-heavy group. All Employers aggregated under Code Sections 414(b), (c) or (m) or (o) (but only after the Code Section 414(o) regulations become effective) are considered a single Employer.

15.2-5 A “permissive aggregation group” includes the required aggregation group of Plans plus any other qualified Plan(s) of the Employer that are not required to be aggregated but which, when considered as a group with the required aggregation group, satisfy the requirements of Code Sections 401(a)(4) and 410 and are comparable to the Plans in the required aggregation group. No Plan in the permissive aggregation group will be considered a top-heavy Plan if the permissive aggregation group is not a top-heavy group. Only a Plan that is part of the required aggregation group will be considered a top-heavy Plan if the permissive aggregation group is top-heavy.

15.3 Top-Heavy Rules of Application . For purposes of determining the value of Account balances and the present value of accrued benefits the following provisions shall apply:

15.3-1 The value of Account balances and the present value of accrued benefits will be determined as of the most recent Valuation Date that falls within or ends with the twelve (12) month period ending on the Determination Date.

15.3-2 For purposes of testing whether this Plan is top-heavy, the present value of an individual’s accrued benefits and an individual’s Account balances is counted only once each year.

15.3-3 The Account balances and accrued benefits of a Participant who is not presently a Key Employee but who was a Key Employee in a Plan Year beginning on or after January 1, 1984 will be disregarded.

 

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15.3-4 Employer contributions attributable to a salary reduction or similar arrangement will be taken into account. Employer matching contributions also shall be taken into account for purposes of satisfying the minimum contribution requirements of Section 416(c)(2) of the Code and the Plan.

15.3-5 When aggregating Plans, the value of Account balances and accrued benefits will be calculated with reference to the Determination Dates that fall within the same calendar year.

15.3-6 The present values of accrued benefits and the amounts of account balances of an employee as of the determination date shall be increased by the distributions made with respect to the employee under the plan and any plan aggregated with the plan under Section 416(g)(2) of the Code during the 1-year period ending on the determination date. The preceding sentence shall also apply to distributions under a terminated plan which, had it not been terminated, would have been aggregated with the plan under Section 416(g)(2)(A)(i) of the Code. In the case of a distribution made for a reason other than separation from service, death, or disability, this provision shall be applied by substituting “five (5) year period” for “one (1) year period.”

15.3-7 Accrued benefits and Account balances of an individual shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining the top-heavy ratios if the individual has performed no services for the Employer during the one (1) year period ending on the applicable Determination Date. Compensation for purposes of this subparagraph shall not include any payments made to an individual by the Employer pursuant to a qualified or non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

15.3-8 The present value of the accrued benefits or the amount of the Account balances of any Employee participating in this Plan shall not include any rollover contributions or other transfers voluntarily initiated by the Employee except as described below. If this Plan transfers or rolls over funds to another Plan in a transaction voluntarily initiated by the Employee, then this Plan shall count the distribution for purposes of determining Account balances or the present value of accrued benefits. A transfer incident to a merger or consolidation of two or more Plans of the Employer (including Plans of related Employers treated as a single Employer under Code Section 414), or a transfer or rollover between Plans of the Employer, shall not be considered as voluntarily initiated by the Employee.

15.4 Minimum Contributions . For any Top-Heavy Year, each Employer shall make a special contribution on behalf of each Participant to the extent that the total allocations to his Account pursuant to Section 4 is less than the lesser of:

(i) three percent of his 415 Compensation for that year, or

(ii) the highest ratio of such allocation to 415 Compensation received by any Key Employee for that year. For purposes of the special contribution of this Section, a Key Employee’s 415 Compensation shall include amounts the Key Employee elected to defer under a qualified 401(k) arrangement. Such a special contribution shall be made on behalf of each Participant who is employed by an Employer on the last day of the Plan Year, regardless of the number of his Hours of Service, and shall be allocated to his Account.

If the Employer maintains a qualified plan in addition to this Plan and more than one such plan is determined to be Top-Heavy, a minimum contribution or a minimum benefit shall be provided in one of such other plans, including a plan that consists solely of a cash or deferred arrangement which meets the requirements of Section 401(k)(12) of the Code and matching contributions with respect to which the requirements of Section 401(m)(11) of the Code are met.

 

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15.5 Top-Heavy Provisions Control in Top-Heavy Plan . In the event this Plan becomes top-heavy and a conflict arises between the top-heavy provisions herein set forth and the remaining provisions set forth in this Plan, the top-heavy provisions shall control.

 

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Exhibit 10.5

[FORM OF]

DIRECTOR SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN

AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this      day of                  ,          , by and between Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, a Bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, (hereinafter referred to as the “Bank”), and                      , a Director of the Bank (hereinafter referred to as the “Director”).

WHEREAS, the Director has been in the service of the Bank for several years and has now and for years faithfully served the Bank. It is the consensus of the Board of Directors of the Bank (hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) that the Director’s services have been of exceptional merit, in excess of the compensation paid and an invaluable contribution to the profits and position of the Bank in its field of activity. The Board further believes that the Director’s experience, knowledge of corporate affairs, reputation and industry contacts are of such value and his continued services are so essential to the Bank’s future growth and profits that it would suffer severe financial loss should the Director terminate the Director’s services.

ACCORDINGLY, the Board has adopted the Bank Director Supplemental Retirement Plan (hereinafter referred to as the “Director Plan”) and it is the desire of the Bank and the Director to enter into this Agreement under which the Bank will agree to make certain payments to the Director upon the Director’s retirement or to the Director’s beneficiary(ies) in the event of the Director’s death pursuant to the Director Plan;

FURTHERMORE, it is the intent of the parties hereto that this Director Plan be considered an unfunded arrangement maintained primarily to provide supplemental retirement benefits for the Director, and be considered a non-qualified benefit plan for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). The Director is fully advised of the Bank’s financial status and has had substantial input in the design and operation of this benefit plan; and

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of services the Director has performed in the past and those to be performed in the future, and based upon the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, the Bank and the Director agree as follows:

 

I. DEFINITIONS

 

  A. Effective Date:

The Effective Date of the Director Plan shall be                      ,          .

 

  B. Plan Year:

Any reference to “Plan Year” shall mean a calendar year from January 1 to December 31. In the year of implementation, the term “Plan Year” shall mean the period from the Effective Date to December 31 of the year of the Effective Date.

 

  C. Retirement Date:

Retirement Date shall mean retirement from service with the Bank which becomes effective on the first day of the calendar month following the month in which the Director reaches the Director’s seventieth (70 th ) birthday or such later date as the Director may actually retire.


  D. Termination of Service:

Termination of Service shall mean voluntary resignation of service by the Director or the Bank’s discharge of the Director without cause, prior to the Retirement Date [Subparagraph I (C)].

 

  E. Index Retirement Benefit:

The Index Retirement Benefit for the Director for each plan year shall be equal to the excess (if any) of the Index [Subparagraph 1 (F)] for that Plan Year over the Cost of Funds Expense [Subparagraph I (G)] for that Plan Year.

 

  F. Index:

The Index for any Plan Year shall be the aggregate annual after-tax income from the life insurance contract(s) described hereinafter as defined by FASB Technical Bulletin 85-4. This Index shall be applied as if such insurance contracts were purchased on the Effective Date hereof.

Insurance Company:

Policy Form:

Policy Name:

Insured’s Age and Sex:

Riders:

Ratings:

Option:

Face Amount:                                 $

Premiums Paid:                              $

Number of Premium Payments:

Assumed Purchase Date:

Insurance Company:

Policy Form:

Policy Name:

Insured’s Age and Sex:

Riders:

Ratings:

Option:

Face Amount:                                 $

Premiums Paid:                              $

Number of Premium Payments:

Assumed Purchase Date:

If such contracts of life insurance are actually purchased by the Bank, then the actual policies as of the dates they were purchased shall be used in calculations under this Director Plan. If such contracts of life insurance are not purchased or are subsequently surrendered or lapsed, then the Bank shall receive annual policy illustrations that assume the above-described policies were purchased or had not subsequently surrendered or lapsed. Said illustrations shall be received from the respective insurance companies and will indicate the increase in policy values for purposes of calculating the amount of the Index.

 

2


In either case, references to the life insurance contract are merely for purposes of calculating a benefit. The Bank has no obligation to purchase such life insurance and, if purchased, the Director and the Director’s beneficiary(ies) shall have no ownership interest in such policy and shall always have no greater interest in the benefits under this Agreement than that of an unsecured general creditor of the Bank.

 

  G. Cost of Funds Expense:

The Cost of Funds Expense for any Plan Year shall be calculated by taking the sum of the amount of premiums for the life insurance policies described in the definition of “Index” plus the amount of any after-tax benefits paid to the Director pursuant to the Director Plan (Paragraph II hereinafter) plus the amount of all previous years’ after-tax Costs of Funds Expense, and multiplying that sum by the Average After-Tax Cost of Funds [Subparagraph I (K)].

 

  H. Change of Control:

“Change of Control” means (a) report is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Schedule 13D or Schedule 14D-1 (or any successor schedule, form or report), each as promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act, disclosing that any “person” as such term is used in Section 13(d) and Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, other than the company of any company employee benefit plan, is or has become a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (b) the Company is merged or consolidated with another corporation and, as a result thereof, securities representing less than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the surviving or resulting corporation’s securities (or of the securities of a parent corporation in case of a merger in which the surviving or resulting corporation becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of the parent corporation) are owned in the aggregate by holders of the Company’s securities immediately prior to such merger or consolidation; (c) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are sold in a single transaction or a series of related transactions to a single purchaser or a group of affiliated purchasers; or (d) during any period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months, individuals who were Directors of the Company at the beginning of such period cease to constitute at least a majority of the Company’s board unless the election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, of more than one-half of any new Directors of the Company then still in office who were Directors of the Company at the beginning of such twenty-four (24) month period, either actually or by prior operation of this clause (d). The date of a Change of Control shall be deemed to be the date of the earlier of the date of (i) consummation of the transaction involving the Change in Control, or (ii) the execution of a definitive agreement by the Corporation involving a transaction deemed to be a Change in Control.

 

  I. Normal Retirement Age:

Normal Retirement Age shall mean the date on which the Director attains age seventy (70).

 

  J. Benefit Accounting:

The Bank shall account for the benefit provided herein using the regulatory accounting principles of the Bank’s primary federal regulator. The Bank shall establish an accrued

 

3


liability retirement account for the Director into which appropriate reserves shall be accrued.

 

  K. Average After-Tax Cost of Funds:

Average After-Tax Cost of Funds means, at any particular time, a ratio, the numerator of which is the total annualized interest expense as set forth on Schedule RI-Income Statement of the Bank’s third quarter Consolidated Report of Condition and Income (the “Call Report”) and the denominator of which is an amount equal to: (i) the amount of deposits in domestic offices (sum of total of columns A and C from Schedule RC-E of the Call Report), plus (ii) the amount of Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, as set forth on Schedule RC-Balance Sheet of the Call Report, times the inverse of the Bank’s combined marginal income tax rate.

 

II. BENEFITS

 

  A. Retirement Benefits:

Subject to Subparagraph II (D), hereinafter, should the Director continue to serve the Bank until “Normal Retirement Age” defined in Subparagraph I (I), the Director shall be entitled to receive an annual benefit equal to the amount set forth in Exhibit “A-1”. Said payments shall be made monthly (1/12 th of the annual benefit) and shall commence thirty (30) days following the Director’s retirement and shall continue until the Director attains age eighty-four (84). Upon completion of the aforestated payments and commencing subsequent thereto and subject to Subparagraph II (A) (i) hereinbelow, the Index Retirement Benefit [Subparagraph I (E)] shall be paid to the Director until the Director’s death at which time said benefit shall cease.

 

  (i) Index Retirement Benefit Adjustment:

The Index Retirement Benefit payment as set forth hereinabove for the first Plan Year subsequent to the Director attaining age eighty-four (84) shall be adjusted according to a number equal to the aggregate of the Index Retirement Benefit [Subparagraph I (E)] for each Plan Year from the Effective Date of this agreement until the Plan Year subsequent to the Director attaining age eighty-four (84) over the aggregate of the benefit payments the Director actually received under the terms of this Director Plan through that date. For example, if the Director retires at age sixty-five (65) and the aggregate annual benefits received by the Director until the Plan Year the Director attains age eighty-four (84) were $900,000.00 , and the aggregate Index Retirement Benefits for each Plan Year from the Effective Date of this agreement to the Plan Year the Director attains age eighty-four (84) were $1,000.000.00 then the Director’s Index Retirement Benefit in the first Plan Year said payment is payable to the Director would be increased by $100,000.00. If said number is a deficit, then the Index Retirement Benefit for the Plan Year when the Director attains age eighty-four (84) and each subsequent Plan Year’s benefit (if necessary) shall be reduced until the entire deficit has been recovered by the Bank. For each year thereafter, the Index Retirement Benefit payment shall be paid as set forth in Subparagraph I (E). For example, if the Director retires at age sixty-five (65) and the aggregate annual benefits to be received by the Director until the Plan Year the Director attains age eighty-four (84) were $1,000.000.00 , and the aggregate Index Retirement Benefits for each Plan year from the Effective Date

 

4


of this agreement to the Plan Year the Director attains age eighty-four (84) were $900,000.00 and the Director’s Index Retirement Benefit was $90,000.00 in the first year, then the Director would not receive any Index Retirement Benefit in the first year, and the second years’ Index Retirement benefit would be reduced by $10,000.00 .

 

  B. Termination of Service:

Subject to Subparagraph II (D), should a Director suffer a Termination of Service the Director shall be entitled to receive the following percentage of the annual benefit set forth in Exhibit A-l. Said payments shall commence thirty (30) days following the Director’s Normal Retirement Age [Subparagraph I (I)] and shall continue until the Director attains age eighty-four (84). Upon completion of the aforestated payments and commencing subsequent thereto and subject to Subparagraph II (A) (i) hereinabove the following percentage of the Index Retirement Benefit for each Plan Year subsequent to the year in which the Director attains eighty-four (84), and including the remaining portion of the Plan Year in which the Director attains age eighty-four (84), shall be paid to the Director until the Director’s death.

 

Number of Full Years

Of Service from the

Date Elected to the Board

   Vested
Percentage
(to a maximum of 100%)
 

0-1

     20

2

     40

3

     60

4

     80

5 or more

     100

 

  C. Death :

If the Director dies while there is a balance in the Director’s accrued liability retirement account, then the unpaid balance shall continue to be paid in monthly installments to the individual or individuals designated in writing by the Director and filed with the Bank. In the absence of or a failure to designate a beneficiary, the unpaid balance shall be paid in monthly installments to the personal representative of the Director’s estate. If, upon death, the Director shall have received the total balance of the Director’s accrued liability retirement account, then no further benefit shall be due hereunder. In any event, upon the death of the Director, the Director’s beneficiary shall not be entitled to receive any Index Retirement Benefit.

 

  D. Discharge for Cause :

Should the Executive be Discharged for Cause at any time, all benefits under this Executive Plan shall be forfeited. The term “for cause” shall mean any of the following that result in an adverse effect on the Bank: (i) gross negligence or gross neglect; (ii) the commission of a felony or gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, fraud, or dishonesty; (iii) the willful violation of any law, rule, or regulation (other than a traffic violation or similar offense); (iv) an intentional failure to perform stated duties; or (v) a breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit. If a dispute arises as to discharge “for cause,” such dispute shall be resolved by arbitration as set forth in this Executive Plan.

 

5


  E. Death Benefit :

Except as set forth above, there is no death benefit provided under this Agreement.

 

  F. Disability Benefit :

ID the event the Director becomes disabled prior to Termination of Service, and the Director is unable to attend at least fifty percent (50%) of the meetings of the Board of Directors of the Bank because of such disability, he shall immediately begin receiving the benefits in Subparagraph II (A) above. Such benefit shall begin without regard to the Director’s Normal Retirement Age and the Director shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested in the entire benefit amount. If there is a dispute regarding whether the Director is disabled or whether the reason for which the Director is unable to attend Board meetings is related to said disability, such dispute shall be resolved by a physician selected by the Bank and such resolution shall be binding upon all parties to this Agreement.

 

III. RESTRICTIONS UPON FUNDING

The Bank shall have no obligation to set aside, earmark or entrust any fund or money with which to pay its obligations under this Agreement. The Director, the Director’s beneficiary(ies) or any successor in interest to the Director shall be and remain simply a general creditor of the Bank in the same manner as any other creditor having a general claim for matured and unpaid compensation.

The Bank reserves the absolute right, at its sole discretion, to either fund the obligations undertaken by this Agreement or to refrain from funding the same and to determine the exact nature and method of such funding. Should the Bank elect to fund this Agreement, in whole or in part, through the purchase of life insurance, mutual funds, disability policies or annuities, the Bank reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to terminate such funding at any time, in whole or in part. At no time shall the Director be deemed to have any lien or right, title or interest in or to any specific funding investment or to any assets of the Bank.

If the Bank elects to invest in a life insurance, disability or annuity policy upon the life of the Director, then the Director shall assist the Bank by freely submitting to a physical exam and supplying such additional information necessary to obtain such insurance or annuities.

 

IV. CHANGE OF CONTROL

Upon a Change of Control [Subparagraph I (H)], if the Director subsequently suffers a Termination of Service [Subparagraph I (D)], then the Director shall receive the benefits promised in this Director Plan upon attaining Normal Retirement Age, as if the Director had been continuously serving on the Board of the Bank until the Director’s Normal Retirement Age. The Director will also remain eligible for all promised death benefits in this Director Plan. In addition, no sale, merger, or consolidation of the Bank shall take place unless the new or surviving entity expressly acknowledges the obligations under this Director Plan and agrees to abide by its terms.

 

6


V. MISCELLANEOUS

 

  A. Alienability and Assignment Prohibition :

Neither the Director, his/her surviving spouse nor any other beneficiary under this Agreement shall have any power or right to transfer, assign, anticipate, hypothecate, mortgage, commute, modify or otherwise encumber in advance any of the benefits payable hereunder nor shall any of said benefits be subject to seizure for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony or separate maintenance owed by the Director or the Director’s beneficiary(ies), nor be transferable by operation of law in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or otherwise. In the event the Director or any beneficiary attempts assignment, commutation, hypothecation, transfer or disposal of the benefits hereunder, the Bank’s liabilities shall forthwith cease and terminate.

 

  B. Binding Obligation of the Bank and any Successor in Interest :

The Bank shall not merge or consolidate into or with another bank or sell substantially all of its assets to another bank, firm or person until such bank, firm or person expressly agree, in writing, to assume and discharge the duties and obligations of the Bank under this Director Plan. This Director Plan shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their successors, beneficiaries, heirs and personal representatives.

 

  C. Amendment or Revocation:

Subject to Paragraph VII, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto that, during the lifetime of the Director, this Director Plan may be amended or revoked at any time or times, in whole or in part, by the mutual written consent of the Director and the Bank.

 

  D. Gender :

Whenever in this Director Plan words are used in the masculine or neuter gender, they shall be read and construed as in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, whenever they should so apply.

 

  E. Effect on Other Bank Benefit Plans:

Nothing contained in this Director Plan shall affect the right of the Director to participate in or be covered by any qualified or non-qualified pension, profit-sharing, group, bonus or other supplemental compensation or fringe benefit plan constituting a part of the Bank’s existing or future compensation structure.

 

  F. Headings:

Headings and subheadings in this Director Plan are inserted for reference and convenience only and shall not be deemed a part of this Director Plan.

 

  G. Applicable Law:

The validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States of America.

 

7


  H. 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k):

Any payments made to the Director pursuant to this Director Plan, or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k) or any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

  I. Partial Invalidity:

If any term, provision, covenant, or condition of this Director Plan is determined by an arbitrator or a court, as the case may be, to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, such determination shall not render any other term, provision, covenant, or condition invalid, void, or unenforceable, and the Director Plan shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such partial invalidity.

 

VI. ERISA PROVISION

 

  A. Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator:

The “Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator” of this Director Plan shall be Home Federal Savings and Loan Association until its resignation or removal by the Board. As Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator, the Bank shall be responsible for the management, control and administration of the Director Plan. The Named Fiduciary may delegate to others certain aspects of the management and operation responsibilities of the Director Plan including the employment of advisors and the delegation of ministerial duties to qualified individuals.

 

  B. Claims Procedure and Arbitration:

In the event a dispute arises over benefits under this Director Plan and benefits are not paid to the Director (or to the Director’s beneficiary(ies) in the case of the Director’s death) and such claimants feel they are entitled to receive such benefits, then a written claim must be made to the Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator named above within sixty (60) days from the date payments are refused. The Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator shall review the written claim and if the claim is denied, in whole or in part, they shall provide in writing within sixty (60) days of receipt of such claim the specific reasons for such denial, reference to the provisions of this Director Plan upon which the denial is based and any additional material or information necessary to perfect the claim. Such written notice shall further indicate the additional steps to be taken by claimants if a further review of the claim denial is desired. A claim shall be deemed denied if the Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator fail to take any action within the aforesaid sixty-day period.

If claimants desire a second review they shall notify the Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator in writing within sixty (60) days of the first claim denial. Claimants may review this Director Plan or any documents relating thereto and submit any written issues and comments it may feel appropriate. In their sole discretion, the Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator shall then review the second claim and provide a written decision within sixty (60) days of receipt of such claim. This decision shall likewise state the specific reasons for the decision and shall include reference to specific provisions of the Plan Agreement upon which the decision is based.

If claimants continue to dispute the benefit denial based upon completed performance of

 

8


this Director Plan or the meaning and effect of the terms and conditions thereof, then claimants may submit the dispute to an arbitrator for final arbitration. The arbitrator shall be selected by mutual agreement of the Bank and the claimants. The arbitrator shall operate under any generally recognized set of arbitration rules. The parties hereto agree that they and their heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns shall be bound by the decision of such arbitrator with respect to any controversy properly submitted to it for determination.

Where a dispute arises as to the Bank’s discharge of the Director “for cause,” such dispute shall likewise be submitted to arbitration as above described and the parties hereto agree to be bound by the decision thereunder.

 

VII. TERMINATION OR MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT BY REASON OF CHANGES IN THE LAW, RULES OR REGULATIONS

The Bank is entering into this Agreement upon the assumption that certain existing tax laws, rules and regulations will continue in effect in their current form. If any said assumptions should change and said change has a detrimental effect on this Director Plan, then the Bank reserves the right to terminate or modify this Agreement accordingly. Upon a Change of Control [Subparagraph I (J)], this paragraph shall become null and void effective immediately upon said Change of Control.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto acknowledge that each has carefully read this Agreement and executed the original thereof on the first day set forth hereinabove, and that upon execution, each has received a conforming copy.

 

   

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

Ashland, KY

      By:    
Witness       Title
      By:    
Witness       Name                                                                                  Title

 

9

Exhibit 16

LOGO

February 4, 2011

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F. Street, N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20549

Dear Sir or Madam:

We have read the section captioned “Change in Accountants” in the Registration Statement on Form S-l filed by Poage Bankshares, Inc., the proposed holding company of our former client Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, and are in agreement with the statements concerning our firm contained therein.

 

Sincerely,
LOGO
SMITH, GOOLSBY, ARTIS & REAMS, P.S.C. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

LOGO

Exhibit 21

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

 

Name

  

State of Incorporation

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

   Federal (direct)

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the use in the Prospectus contained in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Form AC and Form H-(e)1-S, filed with the Office of Thrift Supervision on February 11, 2011 of our report dated January 18, 2011 relating to the balance sheets of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association as of September 30, 2010 and 2009 and the related statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for the years then ended.

We also consent to the references to us under the headings “The Conversion - Material Income Tax Consequences”, and “Experts” in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 and Form AC and H-(e)1-S.

 

LOGO
Crowe Horwath LLP

Columbus, Ohio

February 10, 2011

Exhibit 23.3

 

LOGO   
  

 

February 10, 2011                                                 

Board of Directors

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

1500 Carter Avenue

Ashland, Kentucky 41101

Members of the Board of Directors:

We hereby consent to the use of our firm’s name in the Form AC Application for Conversion, and any amendments thereto to be filed with Office of Thrift Supervision, and in the Registration Statement on Form S-1, and any amendments thereto to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We also hereby consent to the inclusion of, summary of and references to our Valuation Appraisal Report and any Valuation Appraisal Report Updates in such filings including the prospectus of Poage Bankshares, Inc. and to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.

 

Sincerely,
RP ® FINANCIAL, LC.

 

LOGO

 

 

 

Washington Headquarters   
Three Ballston Plaza    Telephone: (703) 528-1700
1100 North Glebe Road, Suite 1100    Fax No.: (703) 528-1788
Arlington, VA 22201    Toll-Free No.: (866) 723-0594
   www.rpfinancialcom

 

RP ® FINANCIAL, LC.          Exhibit 99.1
Serving the Financial Services Industry Since 1988         

October 6, 2010

Mr. Darryl E. Akers

Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

1500 Carter Avenue

Ashland, Kentucky 41101

Dear Mr. Akers:

This letter sets forth the agreement between Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, Ashland, Kentucky (the “Bank”), and RP ® Financial, LC. (“RP Financial”) for independent conversion appraisal services pertaining to the Bank’s simultaneous holding company formation and mutual-to-stock conversion. The specific appraisal services to be rendered by RP Financial are described below. These services will be conducted by our senior consulting staff and will be directed by the undersigned.

Description of Appraisal Services

Prior to preparing the conversion appraisal report, RP Financial will conduct a financial due diligence, including on-site interviews of senior management and reviews of financial and other documents and records, to gain insight into the Bank’s operations, financial condition, profitability, market area, risks and various internal and external factors which impact the pro forma market value of the Bank.

RP Financial will prepare a detailed written valuation report of the Bank which will be fully consistent with applicable federal regulatory guidelines and standard pro forma valuation practices. The appraisal report will include an analysis of the Bank’s financial condition and operating results, as well as an assessment of the Bank’s interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The appraisal report will describe the Bank’s business strategies, market area, prospects for the future and the intended use of proceeds. A peer group analysis relative to comparable publicly-traded savings institutions will be conducted for the purpose of determining appropriate valuation adjustments for the Bank relative to the peer group.

We will review pertinent sections of the Bank’s regulatory applications and offering documents and hold discussions with the Bank to obtain necessary data and information for the appraisal report, including the impact of key deal elements on the pro forma market value, such as dividend policy, use of proceeds and reinvestment rate, tax rate, conversion expenses and characteristics of stock plans.

 

Washington Headquarters

   

Three Ballston Plaza

    Direct: (703) 647-6546

1100 North Glebe Road, Suite 1100

    Telephone: (703) 528-1700

Arlington, VA 22201

    Fax No.: (703) 528-1788

E-Mail: wpommerening@rpfinancial.com

    Toll-Free No.: (866) 723-0594


Mr. Darryl E. Akers

October 6, 2010

Page 2

 

The appraisal report will establish a midpoint pro forma market value. The appraisal report may be periodically updated throughout the conversion process as appropriate. The conversion appraisal guidelines require at least one updated valuation immediately prior to the closing of the stock offering.

RP Financial agrees to deliver the appraisal report and subsequent updates, in writing, to the Bank at the above address in conjunction with the filing of the regulatory application. Subsequent updates will be filed promptly as certain events occur which would warrant the preparation and filing of such valuation updates. Further, RP Financial agrees to perform such other services as are necessary or required in connection with the regulatory review of the appraisal and respond to the regulatory comments, if any, regarding the valuation appraisal and subsequent updates. RP Financial expects to formally present the appraisal report, including the appraisal methodology, peer group selection and assumptions, to the Board of Directors for review and acceptance.

Fee Structure

The Bank agrees to pay RP Financial fees for preparation and delivery of the original appraisal report and required appraisal updates as shown in the detail below, plus reimbursable expenses. Payment of these fees shall be made according to the following schedule:

 

   

$5,000 upon execution of the letter of agreement engaging RP Financial’s appraisal services;

 

   

$45,000 upon delivery of the completed original appraisal report; and

 

   

$5,000 upon completion of each required update appraisal report. There will be at least one appraisal update report, to be filed immediately prior to the completion of the stock offering.

The Bank will reimburse RP Financial for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in preparation of the valuation reports. Such out-of-pocket expenses will likely include travel, printing, telephone, facsimile, shipping, computer and data services. RP Financial will agree to limit reimbursable expenses to $7,500 subject to written authorization from the Bank to exceed such level.

In the event the Bank shall, for any reason, discontinue the proposed conversion prior to delivery of the completed documents set forth above and payment of the respective progress payment fees, the Bank agrees to compensate RP Financial according to RP Financial’s standard billing rates for consulting services based on accumulated and verifiable time expenses, not to exceed the respective fee caps noted above, after giving full credit to the initial retainer fee. RP Financial’s standard billing rates range from $75 per hour for research associates to $400 per hour for managing directors.

If during the course of the proposed transaction, unforeseen events occur so as to materially change the nature or the work content of the services described in this contract, the terms of said contract shall be subject to renegotiation by the Bank and RP Financial. Such


Mr. Darryl E. Akers

October 6, 2010

Page 3

 

unforeseen events shall include, but not be limited to, major changes in the conversion regulations, appraisal guidelines or processing procedures as they relate to conversion appraisals, major changes in management or procedures, operating policies or philosophies, and excessive delays or suspension of processing of conversion applications by the regulators such that completion of the conversion transaction requires the preparation by RP Financial of a new appraisal.

Representations and Warranties

The Bank and RP Financial agree to the following:

1. The Bank agrees to make available or to supply to RP Financial such information with respect to its business and financial condition as RP Financial may reasonably request in order to provide the aforesaid valuation. Such information heretofore or hereafter supplied or made available to RP Financial shall include: annual financial statements, periodic regulatory filings and material agreements, debt instruments, off balance sheet assets or liabilities, commitments and contingencies, unrealized gains or losses and corporate books and records. All information provided by the Bank to RP Financial shall remain strictly confidential (unless such information is otherwise made available to the public), and if the conversion is not consummated or the services of RP Financial are terminated hereunder, RP Financial shall upon request promptly return to the Bank the original and any copies of such information.

2. The Bank hereby represents and warrants to RP Financial that any information provided to RP Financial does not and will not, to the best of the Bank’s knowledge, at the times it is provided to RP Financial, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or fail to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not false or misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made.

3. (a) The Bank agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless RP Financial, any affiliates of RP Financial, the respective directors, officers, agents and employees of RP Financial or their successors and assigns who act for or on behalf of RP Financial in connection with the services called for under this agreement (hereinafter referred to as “RP Financial”), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, but not limited to, all losses and expenses in connection with claims under the federal securities laws) attributable to (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the financial statements or other information furnished or otherwise provided by the Bank to RP Financial, either orally or in writing; (ii) the omission or alleged omission of a material fact from the financial statements or other information furnished or otherwise made available by the Bank to RP Financial; or (iii) any action or omission to act by the Bank, or the Bank’s respective officers, directors, employees or agents which action or omission is willful or negligent. The Bank will be under no obligation to indemnify RP Financial hereunder if a court determines that RP Financial was negligent or acted in bad faith with respect to any actions or omissions of RP Financial related to a matter for which indemnification is sought hereunder. Any time devoted by employees of RP Financial to situations for which indemnification is provided hereunder, shall be an indemnifiable cost payable by the Bank at the normal hourly professional rate chargeable by such employee.


Mr. Darryl E. Akers

October 6, 2010

Page 4

 

(b) RP Financial shall give written notice to the Bank of such claim or facts within ten days of the assertion of any claim or discovery of material facts upon which the RP Financial intends to base a claim for indemnification hereunder. In the event the Bank elects, within seven days of the receipt of the original notice thereof, to contest such claim by written notice to RP Financial, RP Financial will be entitled to be paid any amounts payable by the Bank hereunder, together with interest on such costs from the date incurred at the annual rate of prime plus two percent within five days after the final determination of such contest either by written acknowledgement of the Bank or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. If the Bank does not so elect, RP Financial shall be paid promptly and in any event within thirty days after receipt by the Bank of the notice of the claim. Under no circumstances will the Bank be required to indemnify RP Financial for the cost of more than one law firm for a claim as to which indemnification is sought. Furthermore, the Bank may reserve the right to assume the defense of any claim against RP Financial, unless there is a conflict of interest between the Bank and RP Financial as to the matters for which indemnification is sought.

(c) The Bank shall pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by RP Financial in advance of the final disposition of any proceeding within thirty days of the receipt of such request if RP Financial furnishes the Bank: (1) a written statement of RP Financial’s good faith belief that it is entitled to indemnification hereunder; and (2) a written undertaking to repay the advance if it ultimately is determined in a final adjudication of such proceeding that it or he is not entitled to such indemnification.

(d) In the event the Bank does not pay any indemnified loss or make advance reimbursements of expenses in accordance with the terms of this agreement, RP Financial shall have all remedies available at law or in equity to enforce such obligation.

It is understood that, in connection with RP Financial’s above-mentioned engagement, RP Financial may also be engaged to act for the Bank in one or more additional capacities, and that the terms of the original engagement may be embodied in one or more separate agreements. The provisions of Paragraph 3 herein shall apply to the original engagement, any such additional engagement, any modification of the original engagement or such additional engagement and shall remain in full force and effect following the completion or termination of RP Financial’s engagement(s). This agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the Bank and RP Financial concerning the subject matter addressed herein, and such contract shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. This agreement may not be modified, supplemented or amended except by written agreement executed by both parties.

The Bank and RP Financial are not affiliated, and neither the Bank nor RP Financial has an economic interest in, or is held in common with, the other and has not derived a significant portion of its gross revenues, receipts or net income for any period from transactions with the other.


Mr. Darryl E. Akers

October 6, 2010

Page 5

 

* * * * * * * * * * *

Please acknowledge your agreement to the foregoing by signing as indicated below and returning to RP Financial a signed copy of this letter, together with the initial retainer fee of $5,000.

 

Sincerely,
/s/ William E. Pommerening
William E. Pommerening
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

 

Agreed To and Accepted By:   Darryl E. Akers     /s/ Darry E. Akers
  Vice Chairman,     President and Chief Executive Officer

Upon Authorization by the Boards of Directors For: Home Federal Savings and Loan Association Ashland, Kentucky

Date Executed: October 7, 2010

Exhibit 99.2

 

LOGO   
  

 

February 10, 2011                                                 

Board of Directors

Poage Bankshares, Inc.

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

1500 Carter Avenue

Ashland, Kentucky 41101

 

Re:      Plan of Conversion
     Poage Bankshares, Inc.
     Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

Members of the Board of Directors:

All capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this letter have the meanings given such terms in the plan of conversion adopted by the Board of Directors of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association (the “Association”). Pursuant to the plan of conversion, the Association will convert from mutual to stock form and issue all of the Association’s outstanding capital stock to Poage Bankshares, Inc. (the “Company”). Simultaneously, the Company will offer shares of its common stock for sale in a public offering.

We understand that in accordance with the plan of conversion, subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock in the Company are to be issued to: (1) Eligible Account Holders; (2) tax-qualified employee benefit plans including the Bank’s employee stock ownership plan (the “ESOP”); (3) Supplemental Eligible Account Holders; and, (4) Other Members. Based solely upon our observation that the subscription rights will be available to such parties without cost, will be legally non-transferable and of short duration, and will afford such parties the right only to purchase shares of common stock at the same price as will be paid by members of the general public in the community offering, but without undertaking any independent investigation of state or federal law or the position of the Internal Revenue Service with respect to this issue, we are of the belief that, as a factual matter:

 

  (1) the subscription rights will have no ascertainable market value; and,

 

  (2) the price at which the subscription rights are exercisable will not be more or less than the pro forma market value of the shares upon issuance.

Changes in the local and national economy, the legislative and regulatory environment, the stock market, interest rates, and other external forces (such as natural disasters or significant world events) may occur from time to time, often with great unpredictability and may materially impact the value of thrift stocks as a whole or the Company’s value alone. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that persons who subscribe to shares of common stock in the subscription offering will thereafter be able to buy or sell such shares at the same price paid in the subscription offering.

 

Sincerely,
RP ® FINANCIAL, LC.
/s/ RP Financial, LC.

 

 

 

Washington Headquarters   
Three Ballston Plaza    Telephone: (703) 528-1700
1100 North Glebe Road, Suite 1100    Fax No.: (703) 528-1788
Arlington, VA 22201    Toll-Free No.: (866) 723-0594
www.rpfinancial.com    E-Mail: mail@rpfinancial.com

 

Exhibit 99.3

PRO FORMA VALUATION REPORT

POAGE BANKSHARES, INC.

Ashland, Kentucky

PROPOSED HOLDING COMPANY FOR:

HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

Ashland, Kentucky

Dated As Of:

January 14, 2011

 

 

Prepared By:

RP ® Financial, LC.

1100 North Glebe Road

Suite 1100

Arlington, Virginia 22201

 

 

 


LOGO

January 14, 2011

Board of Directors

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

1500 Carter Avenue

Ashland, Kentucky 41101

Members of the Board of Directors:

At your request, we have completed and hereby provide an independent appraisal (“Appraisal”) of the estimated pro forma market value of the common stock which is to be offered in connection with the plan of conversion described below. This Appraisal is furnished pursuant to the conversion regulations promulgated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”). Specifically, this Appraisal has been prepared in accordance with the “Guidelines for Appraisal Reports for the Valuation of Savings and Loan Associations Converting from Mutual to Stock Form of Organization” as set forth by the OTS, and applicable regulatory interpretations thereof.

Description of Plan of Conversion

The Board of Directors of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association (“Home Federal” or the “Association”) adopted a plan of conversion on December 21, 2010. Pursuant to the plan of conversion, the Association will convert from the mutual form of organization to a fully stock form and become a wholly owned subsidiary of Poage Bankshares, Inc. (“Poage Bankshares” or the “Company”) a newly formed Maryland corporation. The Company will own all of the outstanding shares of the Association. Following the completion of the offering, Poage Bankshares will be a savings and loan holding company, and its primary regulator will be the OTS.

Pursuant to the plan of conversion, the Company will offer its stock in a subscription offering to Eligible Account Holders of the Association, Tax-Qualified Plans, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, and Other Members. To the extent that shares remain available for purchase after satisfaction of all subscriptions received in the subscription offering, the shares may be offered for sale in a direct or syndicated community offering.

At this time, no other activities are contemplated for Poage Bankshares other than the ownership of the Association, a loan to the newly-formed employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) and reinvestment of the proceeds that are retained by the Company. In the future, Poage Bankshares may acquire or organize other operating subsidiaries, diversify into other banking-related activities, pay dividends to shareholders and/or repurchase its stock, although there are no specific plans to undertake such activities at the present time.

 

 

Washington Headquarters      

Three Ballston Plaza

1100 North Glebe Road, Suite 1100

Arlington, VA 22201

www.rpfinancial.com

 

Telephone: (703) 528-1700

Fax No.: (703) 528-1788

Toll-Free No.: (866) 723-0594

E-Mail: mail@rpfinancial.com


Board of Directors

January 14, 2011

Page 2

 

RP ® Financial, LC.

RP ® Financial, LC. (“RP Financial”) is a financial consulting firm serving the financial services industry nationwide that, among other things, specializes in financial valuations and analyses of business enterprises and securities, including the pro forma valuation for savings institutions converting from mutual-to-stock form. The background and experience of RP Financial is detailed in Exhibit V-1. For its appraisal services, RP Financial is being compensated on a fixed fee basis for the original appraisal and for any subsequent updates, and such fees are payable regardless of the valuation conclusion or the completion of the conversion offering transaction. We believe that we are independent of the Company, the Association, and the other parties engaged by the Association or the Company to assist in the stock conversion process.

Valuation Methodology

In preparing the Appraisal, we have reviewed Poage Bankshares’ and the Association’s regulatory applications, including the prospectus as filed with the OTS and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We have conducted a financial analysis of the Association that has included due diligence related discussions with Home Federal’s management; Crowe Horwath LLP, the Association’s independent auditor; Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick, P.C., Home Federal’s conversion counsel; and Keefe Bruyette & Woods, Inc., which has been retained as the financial and marketing advisor in connection with the stock offering. All conclusions set forth in the Appraisal were reached independently from such discussions. In addition, where appropriate, we have considered information based on other available published sources that we believe are reliable. While we believe the information and data gathered from all these sources are reliable, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information.

We have investigated the competitive environment within which Home Federal operates and have assessed the Association’s relative strengths and weaknesses. We have monitored all material regulatory and legislative actions affecting financial institutions, generally, and analyzed the potential impact of such developments on Home Federal and the industry as a whole; to the extent we were aware of such matters. We have analyzed the potential effects of the stock conversion on the Association’s operating characteristics and financial performance as they relate to the pro forma market value of Poage Bankshares. We have reviewed the economy and demographic characteristics of the primary market area in which the Association currently operates. We have compared Home Federal’s financial performance and condition with publicly-traded thrift institutions evaluated and selected in accordance with the Valuation Guidelines, as well as all publicly-traded thrifts and thrift holding companies. We have reviewed conditions in the securities markets in general and the market for thrifts and thrift holding companies, including the market for new issues. We have excluded from such analyses thrifts subject to announced or rumored acquisition, and/or institutions that exhibit other unusual characteristics.

The Appraisal is based on Home Federal’s representation that the information contained in the regulatory applications and additional information furnished to us by the Association and its independent auditors, legal counsel, investment bankers and other authorized agents are truthful, accurate and complete. We did not independently verify the financial statements and other information provided by the Association, or its independent auditors, legal counsel, investment bankers and other authorized agents nor did we independently value the assets or

 


Board of Directors

January 14, 2011

Page 3

 

liabilities of the Association. The valuation considers Home Federal only as a going concern and should not be considered as an indication of the Association’s liquidation or control value.

Our appraised value is predicated on a continuation of the current operating environment for the Association and the Company and for all thrifts and their holding companies. Changes in the local, state and national economy, the federal and state legislative and regulatory environments for financial institutions and mutual holding companies, the stock market, interest rates, and other external forces (such as natural disasters or significant world events) may occur from time to time, often with great unpredictability, and may materially impact the value of thrift stocks as a whole or the Association’s value alone. It is our understanding that Home Federal intends to remain an independent institution and there are no current plans for selling control as a converted institution. To the extent that such factors can be foreseen, they have been factored into our analysis.

The estimated pro forma market value is defined as the price at which the Company’s stock, immediately upon completion of the offering, would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or sell and both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts.

Valuation Conclusion

It is our opinion that, as of January 14, 2011, the estimated aggregate pro forma market value of the shares to be issued immediately following the conversion equaled $23,000,000 at the midpoint, equal to 2,300,000 shares offered at a per share value of $10.00. Pursuant to conversion guidelines, the 15% offering range indicates a minimum value of $19,550,000 and a maximum value of $26,450,000. Based on the $10.00 per share offering price determined by the Board, this valuation range equates to total shares outstanding of 1,955,000 at the minimum and 2,645,000 at the maximum. In the event the appraised value is subject to an increase, the aggregate pro forma market value may be increased up to a supermaximum value of $30,417,500 without a resolicitation. Based on the $10.00 per share offering price, the supermaximum value would result in total shares outstanding of 3,041,750.

Limiting Factors and Considerations

The valuation is not intended, and must not be construed, as a recommendation of any kind as to the advisability of purchasing shares of the common stock. Moreover, because such valuation is determined in accordance with applicable regulatory guidelines and is necessarily based upon estimates and projections of a number of matters, all of which are subject to change from time to time, no assurance can be given that persons who purchase shares of common stock in the conversion will thereafter be able to buy or sell such shares at prices related to the foregoing valuation of the estimated pro forma market value thereof. The appraisal reflects only a valuation range as of this date for the pro forma market value of Poage Bankshares immediately upon issuance of the stock and does not take into account any trading activity with respect to the purchase and sale of common stock in the secondary market on the date of issuance of such securities or at anytime thereafter following the completion of the public stock offering.

The valuation prepared by RP Financial in accordance with applicable regulatory guidelines was based on the consolidated financial condition and operations of Poage

 


Board of Directors

January 14, 2011

Page 4

 

Bankshares as of or for the periods ended September 30, 2010, the date of the financial data included in the prospectus.

RP Financial is not a seller of securities within the meaning of any federal and state securities laws and any report prepared by RP Financial shall not be used as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any securities. RP Financial maintains a policy which prohibits RP Financial, its principals or employees from purchasing stock of its financial institution clients.

The valuation will be updated as provided for in the conversion regulations and guidelines. These updates will consider, among other things, any developments or changes in the financial performance and condition of Poage Bankshares, management policies, and current conditions in the equity markets for thrift stocks, both existing issues and new issues. These updates may also consider changes in other external factors which impact value including, but not limited to: various changes in the federal and state legislative and regulatory environments for financial institutions, the stock market and the market for thrift stocks, and interest rates. Should any such new developments or changes be material, in our opinion, to the valuation of the shares, appropriate adjustments to the estimated pro forma market value will be made. The reasons for any such adjustments will be explained in the update at the date of the release of the update. The valuation will also be updated at the completion of Poage Bankshares’ stock offering.

 

Respectfully submitted,

RP ® FINANCIAL, LC.

LOGO

James J. Oren

Director

 


RP ® Financial, LC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

Ashland, Kentucky

 

                DESCRIPTION   

PAGE

NUMBER

 

CHAPTER ONE               OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

  

Introduction

     I.1   

Plan of Conversion

     I.1   

Strategic Overview

     I.1   

Balance Sheet Trends

     I.2   

Income and Expense Trends

     I.7   

Interest Rate Risk Management

       I.10   

Lending Activities and Strategy

       I.11   

Asset Quality

       I.15   

Funding Composition and Strategy

       I.15   

Legal Proceedings

       I.16   

CHAPTER TWO               MARKET AREA

  

Introduction

     II.1   

National Economic Factors

     II.1   

Interest Rate Environment

     II.3   

Market Area Demographics

     II.4   

Regional/Local Economy

     II.6   

Major Market Area Employment Sectors

     II.8   

Unemployment Data and Trends

     II.9   

Market Area Deposit Characteristics and Trends

       II.10   

Competition

       II.11   

CHAPTER THREE             PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

  

Peer Group Selection

     III.1    

Financial Condition

     III.6    

Income and Expense Components

     III.8    

Loan Composition

     III.11   

Credit Risk

     III.13   

Interest Rate Risk

     III.13   

Summary

     III.16   


RP ® Financial, LC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

Ashland, Kentucky

(continued)

 

               DESCRIPTION   

PAGE

NUMBER

 

CHAPTER FOUR             VALUATION ANALYSIS

  

Introduction

     IV.1   

Appraisal Guidelines

     IV.1   

RP Financial Approach to the Valuation

     IV.1   

Valuation Analysis

     IV.2   
  1.    Financial Condition      IV.2   
  2.    Profitability, Growth and Viability of Earnings      IV.4   
  3.    Asset Growth      IV.6   
  4.    Primary Market Area      IV.6   
  5.    Dividends      IV.8   
  6.    Liquidity of the Shares      IV.8   
  7.    Marketing of the Issue      IV.9   
              A.    The Public Market      IV.9   
              B.    The New Issue Market      IV.14   
              C.    The Acquisition Market      IV.15   
  8.    Management      IV.18   
  9.    Effect of Government Regulation and Regulatory Reform      IV.18   

Summary of Adjustments

     IV.18   

Valuation Approaches

     IV.19   
  1.    Price-to-Earnings (“P/E”)      IV.20   
  2.    Price-to-Book (“P/B”)      IV.21   
  3.    Price-to-Assets (“P/A”)      IV.23   

Comparison to Recent Offerings

     IV.23   

Valuation Conclusion

     IV.24   


RP ® Financial, LC.

LIST OF TABLES

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

Ashland, Kentucky

 

TABLE

NUMBER

           DESCRIPTION    PAGE

1.1

  Historical Balance Sheets    I.3

1.2

  Historical Income Statements    I.8

2.1

  Summary Demographic Data    II.5

2.2

  Major Market Area Employers    II.7

2.3

  Primary Market Area Employment Sectors    II.9

2.4

  Market Area Unemployment Trends    II.10

2.5

  Deposit Summary    II.11

2.6

  Market Area Deposit Competitors    II.12

3.1

  Peer Group of Publicly-Traded Thrifts    III.3

3.2

  Balance Sheet Composition and Growth Rates    III.7

3.3

  Inc as a % of Average Assets and Yields, Costs, Spreads    III.9

3.4

  Loan Portfolio Composition and Related Information    III.12

3.5

  Credit Risk Measures and Related Information    III.14

3.6

  Interest Rate Risk Measures and Net Interest Income Volatility    III.15

4.1

  Market Area Unemployment Rates    IV.7

4.2

  Pricing Characteristics and After-Market Trends    IV.16

4.3

  Market Pricing Comparatives    IV.17

4.4

  Valuation Adjustments    IV.19

4.5

  Derivation of Core Earnings    IV.21

4.6

  Public Market Pricing    IV.22


RP ® Financial, LC.   

OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I.1

 

I. OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

Introduction

Home Federal is a federal mutual savings and loan association headquartered in Ashland, Boyd County, Kentucky. Operating in northeastern Kentucky, the Association maintains one other branch office in Boyd County and four additional branches located in Greenup County and Lawrence County, Kentucky. A map of the Association’s branch offices provided in Exhibit I-1. Home Federal is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) system, and its deposits are insured up to the regulatory maximums by the FDIC. At September 30, 2010, Home Federal had $291.1 million in assets, $227.8 million in deposits and total equity of $27.7 million, equal to 9.53% of total assets. Home Federal’s audited financial statements are included by reference as Exhibit I-2.

Plan of Conversion

The Board of Directors of Home Federal adopted a plan of conversion on December 21, 2010. Pursuant to the plan of conversion, the Association will convert from the mutual form of organization to a fully stock form and become a wholly owned subsidiary of Poage Bankshares, Inc. (“Poage Bankshares” or the “Company”) a newly formed Maryland corporation. The Company will own all of the outstanding shares of the Association. Following the completion of the offering, Poage Bankshares will be a savings and loan holding company, and its primary regulator will be the OTS.

At this time, no other activities are contemplated for Poage Bankshares other than the ownership of the Association, a loan to the newly-formed employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) and reinvestment of the proceeds that are retained by the Company. In the future, Poage Bankshares may acquire or organize other operating subsidiaries, diversify into other banking-related activities, pay dividends to shareholders and/or repurchase its stock, although there are no specific plans to undertake such activities at the present time.

Strategic Overview

Home Federal has been serving the northeastern Kentucky area since its founding in 1889. Following a long history of serving the city of Ashland, the Association began expanding the market area served in the 1960s, and currently serves three counties in Kentucky and one county in Ohio through a six office network. The Association has historically followed a

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I.2

 

traditional thrift operating strategy, originating first position mortgage loans secured by 1-4 family properties in the local market area surrounding the office locations. In recent years, the Association has diversified the lending operations to an extent, originating modest amounts of home equity, commercial real estate, commercial business and consumer loans. Growth has been pursued through having a competitive product line of deposit accounts, positioning the Association as a local community bank, and using borrowings for reinvestment in earning assets. The growth in funding and lending resulted in Home Federal reaching an asset base of approximately $300 million as of September 30, 2010 and an equity base that totaled approximately $28 million. The Association’s conservative lending operations, and the corresponding concentration in residential loan products, has limited the level of delinquent loans during the most recent economic recession. In addition, Home Federal’s market area has not experienced the significant reductions in real estate values seen in other markets across the country.

The equity from the stock offering will increase the Association’s liquidity, leverage and growth capacity and the overall financial strength. Home Federal’s higher capital position resulting from the infusion of stock proceeds is anticipated to reduce interest rate risk through enhancing the interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities (“IEA/IBL”) ratio. The increased equity is expected to reduce funding costs. The Association will also be better positioned to pursue growth and revenue diversification. The projected use of proceeds is highlighted below.

 

   

The Company. The Company is expected to retain an estimated 50% of the net conversion proceeds. At present, funds at the holding company level are expected to be initially invested primarily into short-term investment grade securities, along with providing the funds for the employee stock ownership plan purchases. Over time, the funds may be utilized for various corporate purposes.

 

   

The Association. A majority of the net conversion proceeds will be infused into the Association as tier 1 capital. Cash proceeds (i.e., net proceeds less deposits withdrawn to fund stock purchases) infused into the Association will become part of general funds, pending deployment into loans and investment securities.

Balance Sheet Trends

Table 1.1 shows the Association’s historical balance sheet data for the most recent five fiscal years. During this period, Home Federal’s total assets have increased at a 9.9% annual

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I. 3

 

Table 1.1

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

Historical Balance Sheet Data

 

                                                                      9/30/2006-
9/30/2010
Annual.
Growth Rate
 
                                                                     
     As of September 30,    
     2006     2007     2008     2009     2010    
     Amount      Pct(1)     Amount      Pct(1)     Amount      Pct(1)     Amount      Pct(1)     Amount      Pct(1)     Pct  
     ($000)      (%)     ($000)      (%)     ($000)      (%)     ($000)      (%)     ($000)      (%)     (%)  

Total Amount of:

                           

Assets

   $ 199,871         100.00   $ 204,237         100.00   $ 231,451         100.00   $ 278,988         100.00   $ 291,147         100.00     9.86

Loans Receivable (net)

     68,489         34.27     76,573         37.49     111,650         48.24     166,904         59.82     184,059         63.22     28.04

Cash and Equivalents

     10,016         5.01     5,477         2.68     2,300         0.99     18,815         6.74     43,333         14.88     44.22

Investment Securities

     66,328         33.19     65,217         31.93     47,350         20.46     19,724         7.07     45,234         15.54     -9.13

Mortgage-Backed Securities

     43,779         21.90     42,540         20.83     54,317         23.47     57,960         20.78     0         0.00     -100.00

FHLB Stock

     1,736         0.87     1,763         0.86     1,834         0.79     1,834         0.66     1,883         0.65     2.05

Fixed Assets

     1,974         0.99     4,733         2.32     5,715         2.47     6,080         2.18     6,449         2.22     34.45

Other Real Estate Owned

     423         0.21     323         0.16     113         0.05     148         0.05     219         0.08     -15.19

BOLI

     5,323         2.66     5,538         2.71     5,765         2.49     6,005         2.15     6,239         2.14     4.05

Other Assets

     1,803         0.90     2,074         1.02     2,408         1.04     1,518         0.54     3,731         1.28     19.94

Deposits

   $ 171,648         85.88   $ 176,666         86.50   $ 179,119         77.39   $ 209,698         75.16   $ 227,812         78.25     7.33

FHLB Advances

     3,514         1.76     2,510         1.23     27,149         11.73     39,368         14.11     32,205         11.06     73.99

Other Liabilities

     1,464         0.73     1,834         0.90     1,567         0.68     3,042         1.09     3,384         1.16     23.31

Equity

   $ 23,245         11.63   $ 23,227         11.37   $ 23,616         10.20   $ 26,880         9.63   $ 27,746         9.53     4.52

Loans/Deposits

        39.90        43.34        62.33        79.59        80.79  

Offices Open

     5           5           6           6           6        

 

(1) Ratios are as a percent of ending assets.

Source: Audited financial statements; RP Financial calculations.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I. 4

 

rate, with loans receivable, representing a majority of the asset base, increasing at a notably faster rate than assets. Assets increased steadily from fiscal 2005 through 2010 as a result of the Association’s efforts to achieve balance sheet growth and leverage the equity base. Asset growth has been funded with increasing levels of deposits and borrowings, with borrowings increasing as a percent of total funding liabilities. Equity also has increased steadily since fiscal 2005, reflecting net profits during this period, reaching $27.7 million at September 30, 2010, or 9.53% of assets. A summary of Home Federal’s key operating ratios for the past five years is presented in Exhibit I-3.

The Association’s loan portfolio totaled $184.1 million, or 63.2% of assets at September 30, 2010, an increase from $166.9 million, or 59.8% of assets one year earlier. From fiscal 2005 through 2010 Home Federal’s loans/assets ratio increased substantially, reflecting a renewed emphasis on lending operations to provide for higher levels of interest income. The combination of the increase in loans receivable and increased dependence on borrowed funds for funding resulted in the loan/deposit ratio increasing from 39.90% at September 30, 2006 to 80.79% at September 30, 2010.

Home Federal’s loan portfolio reflects the Association’s historical concentration in 1-4 family residential first mortgage lending for portfolio, as these loans comprised 83.94% of total loans as of September 30, 2010. In context with the growth in loans receivable since fiscal 2005, the Association has pursued a modest level of diversification into other loan types, including home equity, construction/land, commercial real estate/multi-family, commercial business and consumer loans. As of September 30, 2010, these other loan categories equaled $29.5 million, or 16.06% of total loans, versus $5.7 million, or 8.30% of total loans as of September 30, 2005. The most significant growth in loans other than 1-4 family residential first mortgage loans consisted of commercial real estate/multi-family loans, which increased by $8.0 million over this time period. Representing a new loan product, the balances of home equity and home equity lines of credit totaled $5.0 million at September 30, 2010 versus a zero balance as of September 30, 2006.

The residential mortgage loan portfolio consists of both fixed and adjustable rate loans based on historical customer demand. Effective in July 2010 the Association initiated a secondary market program focused on reducing the level of originations of fixed-rate residential mortgage loans for portfolio and instead selling fixed rate mortgage originations in the FHLB of Cincinnati “Mortgage Purchase Program”, with servicing retained. The majority of the Association’s 1-4 family residential first mortgage loans conform to standards set by Freddie

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I. 5

 

Mac. As of September 30, 2010, the Association carried a mortgage servicing right of $31,000 on the balance sheet, reflecting this retained value of the loans sold with servicing retained, which totaled $3.1 million as of that date.

The intent of the Association’s cash and investment policy is to provide adequate liquidity and to generate a favorable return within the context of supporting Home Federal’s cash operating needs and credit and interest rate risk objectives. Historically, the level of cash and equivalents remained in the range of 1.0% to 7.0% of assets, which was sufficient for daily operational needs. The ratio increased in fiscal 2010 due to a restructuring transaction whereby the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) were sold for interest rate risk purposes and in order to lock in the market value gain of those securities. As of September 30, 2010 the Association’s portfolio of cash and cash equivalents totaled $43.3 million, equal to 14.9% of assets.

The investment securities portfolio, which included U.S. government securities and municipal bonds, totaled $47.1 million or 15.5% of assets as of September 30, 2010. The entire portfolio was classified as available-for-sale, with a pre-tax gain of $1.0 million. Historically, the investment securities portfolio also included a substantial investment in MBS, and reached a high of $110.1 million, or 55.09% of assets at September 30, 2006. As noted above, the entire MBS portfolio was sold in fiscal 2010, resulting in a pre-tax gain on sale of $2.3 million. The low risk U.S. government securities totaled $16.0 million at September 30, 2010 and consisted of securities with laddered terms of up to 10 years. Beyond these investments, the Association held $29.2 million of municipal bonds that provide tax advantaged income and $1.9 million of FHLB stock. The level of cash and investments is anticipated to increase initially following conversion, pending gradual redeployment into higher yielding loans. Details of the Associations investment securities portfolio are presented in Exhibit I-4.

The Association owns all six office locations. The headquarters office in Ashland, inclusive of a retail branch operation, is a 12,000 square foot building constructed in 2007, with a net book value of $3.7 million at September 30, 2010. This office, along with investment in the other branch offices (including land, buildings, and furniture, fixtures and equipment), totaled $6.4 million, or 2.2% of assets as of September 30, 2010. This investment in fixed assets reduces the level of interest earning assets on the balance sheet. The new headquarters office was constructed in the same block as the previous headquarters office in the city of Ashland.

Reflecting the generally strong asset quality of the Association, the balance of real estate owned (“REO”) was a minimal $219,000 or 0.1% of assets at September 30, 2010.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I. 6

 

Gaining ownership of these properties allows the Association to dispose of such assets in a manner that is most beneficial to the Association and its financial condition. Such REO reached a high of $423,000 as of September 30, 2006, and has remained relatively modest in balance since that date.

As of September 30, 2010, Home Federal held a balance of bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”), $6.2 million, which reflects growth since the end of fiscal 2006 owing to increases in the cash surrender value of the policies. The balance of the BOLI reflects the value of life insurance contracts on selected members of the Association’s management and has been purchased with the intent to offset various benefit program expenses on a tax advantaged basis. The increase in the cash surrender value of the BOLI is recognized as an addition to other non-interest income on an annual basis.

Over the past five years, Home Federal’s funding needs have been provided by retail deposits, with an increasing trend of supplemental funding provided by borrowings, and retained earnings. Similar to the trend in assets, the balance of the Association’s deposits has increased steadily since 2006, reaching a high of $227.8 million as of September 30, 2010. Based on the increased use of borrowings over the past five years, the proportion of assets funded with deposits has declined from 85.88% at September 30, 2010 to 78.25% at September 30, 2010. The growth in deposits has been achieved through increases in all account types, as the Association offers a competitive community-based product line of retail deposits. The Association maintains a concentration of deposits in core transaction and savings account deposits, which comprised 28.9% of deposits at September 30, 2010, versus 26.3% of total deposits at fiscal year end 2008.

Over the past five years, Home Federal has utilized funding with borrowings to an increasing extent to support the asset size, fund lending operations, and to manage funding costs and interest rate risk. Borrowings totaled $32.2 million, or 11.1% of assets, at September 30, 2010, with the borrowings having maturities ranging from October 2010 to June 2024. The Association’s utilization of borrowings has been generally limited to fixed rate, fixed maturity characteristics.

The balance of equity increased between fiscal 2006 and 2010 as the Association recorded profitable operations. Reflecting the combination of this increase in equity and the increase in assets over that time period, the equity-to-assets ratio declined from 11.63% at year end 2006 to 9.53% at September 30, 2010. All of the Association’s equity is tangible, and the Association maintained surpluses relative to all of its regulatory capital requirements at

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I. 7

 

September 30, 2010. The pro forma return on equity (“ROE”) is expected to initially decline given the increased equity position.

Income and Expense Trends

Table 1.2 presents the Association’s income and expense trends over the past five fiscal years. The Association has recorded consistently profitable operations over this time period, ranging from a high of $2.2 million or 0.78% of average assets for fiscal 2010, to a low of $81,000, or 0.04% of average assets for fiscal 2007. The income statement has been affected by various non-operating income or expense items over the past five years, including such items as gains on the sale of loans and investment securities and expenses related to REO operations and sales. Net interest income and operating expenses represent the primary components of the Association’s income statement. Other revenues for the Association largely are derived from customer service fees and charges on the deposit base and lending operations. The level of loan loss provisions due to the prevailing economic trends has also affected the level of net income in the most recent two fiscal years.

The Association’s net interest income to average assets ratio increased from a low of 1.76% during 2007 to 2.91% during 2010, reflecting market trends in interest rates over that time period, along with the impact of the Association’s operating strategies. The net interest income ratio has been supported by the increasing proportion of loans in the earning asset base over the past five years, which has resulted in a more modest decline in interest income through fiscal 2010 in the low rate environment that has existed over the past several years. The Association’s level of interest income is also supported by the relatively modest level of non-accruing loans, which would act to reduce the level of interest income recognized. In the most two recent fiscal years, the low interest rate environment has resulted in a sharp decline in overall interest expense levels, also supporting the net interest income ratio. The Association’s interest rate spreads and yields and costs for the past three years are set forth in Exhibits I-3 and I-5.

Non-interest operating income (“other income”) has trended modestly upward since fiscal 2006 in relation to the growth in assets. The non-interest operating income ratio is dependent upon the level of banking activities, with fees and charges on transaction deposit accounts constituting the primary source of non-interest income for the Association. Home Federal also receives a material level of income from the BOLI investment. The increase shown

 


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OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

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Table 1.2

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

Historical Income Statements

 

     For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,  
     2006     2007     2008     2009     2010  
     Amount     Pct(1)     Amount     Pct(1)     Amount     Pct(1)     Amount     Pct(1)     Amount     Pct(1)  
     ($000)     (%)     ($000)     (%)     ($000)     (%)     ($000)     (%)     ($000)     (%)  

Interest Income

   $ 10,250        5.22   $ 11,048        5.47   $ 11,615        5.47   $ 13,342        5.30   $ 13,729        4.90

Interest Expense

     (6,059     -3.09     (7,504     -3.72     (7,367     -3.47     (6,603     -2.62     (5,571     -1.99
                                                                                

Net Interest Income

   $ 4,191        2.14   $ 3,544        1.76   $ 4,248        2.00   $ 6,739        2.68   $ 8,158        2.91

Provision for Loan Losses

     (7     0.00     (116     -0.06     (102     -0.05     (312     -0.12     (650     -0.23
                                                                                

Net Interest Income after Provisions

   $ 4,184        2.13   $ 3,428        1.70   $ 4,145        1.95   $ 6,427        2.55   $ 7,508        2.68

Other Income

   $ 360        0.18   $ 419        0.21   $ 456        0.22   $ 614        0.24   $ 749        0.27

Operating Expense

     (4,111     -2.09     (3,998     -1.98     (4,339     -2.05     (5,743     -2.28     (7,693     -2.74
                                                                                

Net Operating Income

   $ 433        0.22   ($ 151     -0.07   $ 263        0.12   $ 1,298        0.52   $ 564        0.20

Gain(Loss) on Sale of REO

   ($ 86     -0.04   ($ 170     -0.08   ($ 59     -0.03   ($ 49     -0.02   ($ 88     -0.03

Gain(Loss) on Sale of Loans

     0        0.00     0        0.00     0        0.00     0        0.00     93        0.03

Gain(Loss) on Sale of Investments

     18        0.01     (3     0.00     106        0.05     476        0.19     2,269        0.81
                                                                                

Total Non-Operating Income/(Expense)

   ($ 67     -0.03   ($ 172     -0.09   $ 46        0.02   $ 427        0.17   $ 2,274        0.81

Net Income Before Tax

   $ 366        0.19   ($ 323     -0.16   $ 309        0.15   $ 1,725        0.69   $ 2,838        1.01

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

     184        0.09     404        0.20     137        0.06     (265     -0.11     (651     -0.23
                                                                                

Net Income (Loss)

   $ 549        0.28   $ 81        0.04   $ 446        0.21   $ 1,460        0.58   $ 2,187        0.78

Adjusted Earnings

                    

Net Income

   $ 549        0.28   $ 81        0.04   $ 446        0.21   $ 1,460        0.58   $ 2,187        0.78

Add(Deduct): Net Gain/(Loss) on Sale

     67        0.03     172        0.09     (46     -0.02     (427     -0.17     (2,274     -0.81

Tax Effect (2)

     (23     -0.01     (59     -0.03     16        0.01     145        0.06     773        0.28
                                                                                

Adjusted Earnings

   $ 594        0.30   $ 194        0.10   $ 415        0.20   $ 1,178        0.47   $ 686        0.24

Expense Coverage Ratio (3)

     101.9       88.7       97.9       117.3       106.0  

Efficiency Ratio (4)

     90.3       100.9       92.2       78.1       86.4  

Effective Tax Rate (Benefit) (5)

     50.3       -125.0       44.2       -15.4       -22.9  

 

(1) Ratios are as a percent of average assets
(2) Assumes a 34% effective tax rate.
(3) Expense coverage ratio calculated as net interest income before provisions for loan losses divided by operating expenses
(4) Efficiency ratio calculated as op. exp. divided by the sum of net int. inc. before prov. for loan losses plus other income (excluding net gains)
(5) Based on reported financial statements

Source: Audited financial statements & RP Financial calculations

 


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OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I. 9

 

in Table 1.2 reflects increases in deposit accounts, including core accounts which provide higher levels of fee income. For fiscal 2010 other income totaled $0.7 million, or 0.27% of average assets.

Operating expenses represent the other major component of the Association’s income statement, ranging from a low of 1.98% of average assets during 2007 to a high of 2.74% of average assets during fiscal 2010. Since 2007, operating expenses have increased somewhat faster than assets, and totaled $7.7 million for fiscal 2010. The increase in the dollar amount of operating expenses since 2006 reflects general inflation costs and the overall costs of operations, including the expansion of the various operating departments of the Association, such as the loan department. The Association’s level of operating expenses is indicative of the higher staffing needs associated with the branch office network. Likewise, the higher staffing needs associated with generating and servicing transaction and saving account deposits, which comprise a relatively high percentage of the Association’s deposit composition, have also been a factor. Upward pressure will be placed on the Association’s expense ratio following the stock offering, due to expenses associated with operating as a publicly-traded company, including expenses related to the stock benefit plans.

The trends in the net interest income and operating expense ratios since fiscal 2006 have caused the expense coverage ratio (net interest income divided by operating expenses) to fluctuate from a high of 117.3% in fiscal 2009 to a low of 88.7% in fiscal 2007. This ratio was 106.0% for fiscal 2010, indicating that net interest income was sufficient to cover the Association’s operating expenses. Similarly, Home Federal’s efficiency ratio (operating expenses, net of amortization of intangibles, as a percent of the sum of net interest income and other operating income) has varied since fiscal 2006, and was 86.4% during fiscal 2010, a decline from a high of 100.9% in fiscal 2007. The increasing level of other income has partially assisted in maintaining the efficiency ratio. Going forward, the Association believes the efficiency ratio should improve with continued efforts to control operating expenses and reinvestment of the offering proceeds.

As noted earlier, loan loss provisions increased beginning in fiscal 2009, reflecting the more challenging economic environment, and the desire for improved reserve coverage ratios by the Association. During fiscal years 2009 and 2010, the Association incurred total loan loss provisions of $962,000, which allowed for an increase in the allowance for loan losses (“ALLL”) balance to $1.1 million as of September 30, 2010. Reflecting the Association’s relatively strong asset quality, chargeoffs have been relatively modest over the past give years. As of

 


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OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I. 10

 

September 30, 2010, the total ALLLs equaled 85.01% of non-accruing loans, 46.30% of non-performing assets, and 0.62% of net loans receivable. Exhibit I-6 sets forth the Association’s allowance for loan loss activity during the past five years.

Non-operating items have had an increasing impact on the Association’s income statement in the most two recent years and have consisted primarily of gains on the sale of investment securities and losses on the sale of REO properties. During fiscal year 2010 the Association sold the entire MBS portfolio, recording a gain of $2.3 million. Home Federal has also experience a modest amount of expense related to the resolution of REO properties in recent years, and recorded gains on the sale of loans during fiscal 2010.

The Association’s income tax status has been impacted by the varying levels of income recorded over the past five years and by the investment in BOLI and municipal bonds. For fiscal years 2006 through 2008, Home Federal recorded tax benefits based on the then-current tax position of the Association. For fiscal years 2009 and 2010, Home Federal recorded tax expense based on recorded taxable income, which was adjusted for the tax-advantaged income noted above. The effective tax rates for fiscal 2009 and 2010 were 15.4% and 22.9%, respectively. The Association’s marginal effective statutory tax rate approximates 34%, and this is the rate utilized to calculate the net reinvestment benefit from the offering proceeds.

Interest Rate Risk Management

The Association’s balance sheet is liability-sensitive in the shorter-term and, thus, the net interest margin will typically be adversely affected during periods of rising and higher interest rates, as well as in the interest rate environment that prevailed during 2006 and the first half of 2007 in which the yield curve was inverted due to short-term interest rates increasing to levels that exceeded the yields earned on longer-term Treasury bonds. Home Federal measures its interest rate risk exposure by use of the OTS Net Portfolio Value (“NPV”) model, which provides an analysis of estimated changes in the Association’s NPV under the assumed instantaneous changes in the U.S. treasury yield curve. Utilizing figures as of September 30, 2010, based on a 2.0% instantaneous and sustained increase in interest rates, the OTS NPV model indicates that the Association’s NPV would decrease by 5% (see Exhibit I-7).

The Association pursues a number of strategies to manage interest rate risk, particularly with respect to seeking to limit the repricing mismatch between interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities. The Association manages interest rate risk from the asset side of the balance sheet through underwriting residential mortgages that will allow for their sale to the secondary

 


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OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I.11

 

market when such a strategy is appropriate and diversifying into other types of lending beyond 1-4 family permanent mortgage loans which consist primarily of shorter term and adjustable rate loans. As of September 30, 2010, of the Association’s total loans due after September 30, 2011, ARM loans comprised 28.1% of those loans (see Exhibit I-8). In addition, the recently completed sale of the MBS portfolio was completed in part for interest rate risk management purposes, as these MBS all carried fixed rate terms, and the sale materially improved the overall interest rate risk position of the Association. On the liability side of the balance sheet, management of interest rate risk has been pursued through maintaining a concentration of deposits in lower cost and less interest rate sensitive transaction and savings accounts and maintaining a base of interest-free equity. Transaction and savings accounts comprised 28.9% of the Association’s deposits at September 30, 2010. The infusion of stock proceeds will serve to further limit the Association’s interest rate risk exposure, as most of the net proceeds will be redeployed into interest-earning assets and the increase in the Association’s capital will lessen the proportion of interest rate sensitive liabilities funding assets.

There are numerous limitations inherent in interest rate risk analyses such as the credit risk of Association’s loans pursuant to changing interest rates. Additionally, such analyses do not measure the impact of changing spread relationships, as interest rates among various asset and liability accounts rarely move in tandem, as the shape of the yield curve for various types of assets and liabilities is constantly changing in response to investor perceptions and economic events and circumstances.

Lending Activities and Strategy

The principal lending activity of Home Federal has been the origination of 1-4 family residential first mortgage loans and, more recently, to a lesser extent, commercial and multi-family real estate loans, consumer loans, consisting primarily of automobile loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, and construction loans. Home Federal has also achieved a level of diversification into commercial business loans and consumer loans. Details of the Association’s loan portfolio composition are shown in Exhibit I-9, while Exhibit I-10 provides details of the Association’s loan portfolio by contractual maturity date.

Residential Real Estate Lending

Home Federal has historically engaged in the origination of first mortgage loans secured by traditional 1-4 family residential owner-occupied property, with such loans retained in portfolio. Beginning in fiscal 2010, the Association began originating and selling long-term fixed

 


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OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I.12

 

rate residential loans in the FHLB of Cincinnati “Mortgage Purchase Program” on a servicing retained basis, primarily for interest rate risk management purposes. Past originations and portfolio balances of adjustable rate residential loans have been somewhat limited due to customer preferences and competitive factors. As of September 30, 2010, residential first mortgage loans equaled $154.1 million, or 83.9% of total loans, with adjustable rate loans totaling $43.8 million, or 28.4% of total residential first mortgage loans.

Home Federal offers both fixed rate and adjustable rate 1-4 family permanent mortgage loans. Loans are generally underwritten to secondary market guidelines, primarily Freddie Mac, with most of the 1-4 family mortgage loans secured by residences in the local markets surrounding the branch office locations. ARM loans offered by the Association generally have initial repricing terms of one to five years. After the initial repricing period, ARM loans convert to a one-year ARM loan for the balance of the mortgage term, with the interest rate based on a margin above the one year U.S treasury constant maturity yield. The ARM loans are subject to a 2% per adjustment period cap and a lifetime interest rate cap of 6% above the initial interest rate of the loan. Fixed rate loans are typically offered with terms of 15 to 30 years, and loan pricing is established by using Freddie Mac secondary market pricing. Residential loans are generated through Association’s in-house lending staff. As a result of the loan sales completed in 2010, the Association maintained a balance of loans serviced for others of $3.1 million as of September 30, 2010. In accordance with Freddie Mac loan underwriting guidelines, most of the Association’s 1-4 family loans are originated with LTV ratios of up to 80%, with private mortgage insurance (“PMI”) being required for loans in excess of an 80% LTV ratio. The Association does not offer “interest only”, “negative amortization”, “Alt A”, or subprime loans, all of which are loans with higher risk underwriting characteristics.

Home Equity/2 nd Mortgage Loans

Since fiscal 2007, Home Federal has been active in home equity lending, with the focus of such lending conducted in the geographic footprint served by the branches. Home equity loans and lines of credit have been pursued for interest rate risk and yield enhancement benefits. These loans are generally originated with fixed or adjustable rates, and with combined loan-to-value ratios up to 85% on an owner occupied principal residence and up to 80% on a second home, condominium or vacation home. Generally, loan-to-value ratios are limited to 90% of appraised value. Total second mortgage/home equity loans equaled $5.0 million, or 2.7% of the loan portfolio, as of September 30, 2010.

 


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OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I. 13

 

Commercial Real Estate/Multi-Family Lending

As of September 30, 2010, commercial real estate/multi-family loans totaled $10.2 million, or 5.6% of the total loan portfolio, and the balances of these loans have been increasing in recent years. These types of loans are attractive credits given the higher yields, larger balances, shorter duration and prospective relationship potential of these types of loans. Terms-to-maturity for these loans generally do not exceed 15 years, although exceptions may be made for terms of up to 20 years. Interest rates are generally adjustable based upon the weekly average yield on U.S. treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year or another floating index. The maximum LTVs on commercial real estate and multi-family loans is 80% for owner occupied commercial real estate and one- to four-family residential rental properties and 75% for office or retail non-owner occupied commercial real estate or rental properties with greater than five units. Debt service coverage ratios are generally targeted at 1.25x.

These loans are generally priced at a higher rate of interest, have larger balances and involve a greater risk profile than 1-4 residential mortgage loans. Often the payments on commercial real estate loans are dependent on successful operations and management of the property. The Association will generally require and obtain loan guarantees from financially capable borrowers. The average loan size of the commercial real estate loans is approximately $175,000, with the Association’s typical customer consisting of small- to mid-sized businesses located in the market area served.

Construction/Land Loans

Construction and land loans totaled $3.7 million, or 2.0% of loans outstanding, at September 30, 2010, representing a modest level of lending activity for the Association. As of that date, all construction and land loans were performing, and these types of loans shorten the average duration of the loan portfolio and support asset yields. In terms of construction loans, Home Federal originates loans to individuals for the construction of their own residences (pre-sold properties), which are typically structured as construction/permanent loans. These loans generally have maximum terms of 12 months and rates and terms comparable to 1-4 family residential mortgage loan originations, including maximum LTVs of 80%. Home Federal also originates loans to speculative homebuilders for the construction of single-family residences. Essentially all of the construction loans have interest only payments during the construction

 


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OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I. 14

 

phase. To a much lesser extent, the Association may originate construction loans on commercial properties. As of September 30, 2010, construction loans totaled $2.3 million.

Land loans originated by Home Federal are secured by unimproved land for the potential construction of a single family residence. These loans usually have terms of up to 15 years and maximum LTVs of 75%. As of September 30, 2010, land loans equaled $2.1 million.

Commercial Business Lending

Another segment of the commercial lending activities of Home Federal include loans on non-real estate commercial business assets such as business lines of credit, term loans and letters of credit. The Association originates commercial business loans to small- and mid-sized businesses located regionally, including loans to provide working capital and secured by accounts receivable, inventory or property, plant and equipment. As of September 30, 2010, the Association had $2.0 million of commercial business loans in portfolio, equal to 1.1% of total loans. These loans usually have shorter terms and higher interest rates than real estate loans, and are usually variable-rate. Regular lines of credit generally have a maximum term of 12 months, while revolving lines of credit generally have a maximum term of up to seven years. Loan maturities generally vary from one to seven years. Commercial term loans are offered in order to fund longer-term needs of the commercial customers. The maturity on these loans is generally 75% of the expected life of the secured asset, or seven years, whichever is less. The typical business loan customer is similar to the loan customers for commercial real estate loans.

Consumer Lending

As a full-service community bank, Home Federal also originates a variety of consumer loans, including loans secured by automobiles, recreational vehicles, trucks and personal loans. As of September 30, 2010, consumer loans totaled $8.6 million, or 4.7% of total loans. The Association offers such loans since they tend to have shorter maturities and higher interest rates than mortgage loans. These loans are underwritten and originated by in-house personnel with rates and terms set by the Association’s internal loan policies and competitive factors.

Automobile loans totaled $5.5 million at September 30, 2010, representing 64.3% of total consumer loans. Effective management of the higher credit risk of such lending is achieved through proper underwriting policies and procedures. The remaining portion of the consumer loan portfolio includes smaller balances of recreational vehicle loans and personal loans. The Association intends to continue offering these types of loans as a service to retail customers.

 


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OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I. 15

 

Exhibit I-11 provides a summary of the Association’s lending activities over the past two fiscal years. Lending volume declined in fiscal 2010, from $69.7 million during the 12 months ended September 30, 2009 to $50.6 million during fiscal 2010. Within these loan categories, 1-4 family residential first mortgage loan originations totaled $92.1 million for the two year period, or 76.5% of total originations over the two year period. Consumer loan originations equaled $8.1 million or 6.7% of total originations. Over the past two years, no loans were purchased. As discussed earlier, loan sales, consisting of 1-4 family fixed rate loans, totaled $4.7 million for fiscal 2010.

Asset Quality

Home Federal’s lending operations include originations of construction/land, commercial real estate/multi-family, commercial business and consumer loans for portfolio, all of which carry a higher risk profile than traditional 1-4 family mortgage lending. Since fiscal 2008 the Association has experienced a modest decline in asset quality, although essentially all of the non-performing assets (“NPAs”) since fiscal 2006 have been secured by 1-4 family residential first mortgage loans. NPAs, inclusive of accruing loans past due 90 days or more, real estate owned (“REO”) and repossessed assets, increased from a low of $0.5 million as of September 30, 2010 to $2.4 million at September 30, 2010. Exhibit I-12 presents a history of NPAs for the Association since 2006.

To track the Association’s asset quality and the adequacy of valuation allowances, Home Federal has established detailed asset classification policies and procedures which are consistent with regulatory guidelines. Detailed asset classifications are reviewed quarterly by senior management and the Board. Pursuant to these procedures, when needed, the Association establishes additional valuation allowances to cover anticipated losses in classified or non-classified assets. As of September 30, 2010, the Association maintained general and specific reserves of $1.1 million, equal to 0.62% of net loans receivable and 85.01% of non-accruing loans.

Funding Composition and Strategy

Deposits have consistently accounted for the major portion of the Association’s IBL, although over the past five years borrowed funds have increased as the Association has relied on borrowed funds to a greater extent to fund asset growth objectives. At September 30, 2010 deposits equaled $227.8 million, or 88% of total deposits and borrowings, down from 98% at

 


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OVERVIEW AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

I. 16

 

September 30, 2006. Exhibit I-13 sets forth the Association’s deposit composition for the past three years and Exhibit I-14 provides the interest rate and maturity composition of the certificate of deposit (“CD”) portfolio at September 30, 2010. CDs constitute the largest portion of the Association’s deposit base, totaling 61.1% of deposits at September 30, 2010 versus 63.9% of deposits as of September 30, 2008. All types of core deposits, including NOW/demand, money market and savings accounts, increased as a percent of total deposits over the past two fiscal years.

Transaction and savings account deposits equaled $65.8 million, or 28.9% of total deposits at September 30, 2010, versus $47.1 million, or 26.3% of total deposits, at September 30, 2008. The remaining balance of the Association’s deposits consists of CDs, with Home Federal’s current CD composition reflecting a concentration of short-term CDs (maturities of one year or less). As of September 30, 2010, the CD portfolio totaled $162.0 million, or 71.1% of total deposits, and 58.7% of the CDs were scheduled to mature in one year or less. As of September 30, 2010, jumbo CDs (balances exceeding $100,000) amounted to $77.5 million, or 43.3% of total CDs. There were no brokered CDs in portfolio as of September 30, 2010. As noted above, the balances of CDs in recent years has been affected by offering rates, which increases the attractiveness of those deposits relative to lower yielding transaction and savings account deposits.

Borrowings have served as an alternative funding source for the Association to facilitate asset growth, management of funding costs and interest rate risk. Home Federal maintained $32.2 million of FHLB advances at September 30, 2010 with a weighted average rate of 2.94%, which included either short-term overnight advances or advances that had fixed interest rates with maturity dates primarily through 2011. Exhibit I-15 provides further detail of the Association’s borrowings activities during the past three years.

Legal Proceedings

The Association is not involved in any pending legal proceedings other than routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business which, in the aggregate, are believed by management to be immaterial to the financial condition of the Association.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

MARKET AREA

II.1

 

II. MARKET AREA ANALYSIS

Introduction

Established in 1889, Home Federal has traditionally operated pursuant to a strategy of strong community service, and its dedication to being a community-oriented financial institution has supported customer loyalty and recent growth trends. The Association is headquartered in the city of Ashland, Kentucky, located in Boyd County. The Association maintains one other branch office in Boyd County and four additional branches located in Greenup County and Lawrence County, Kentucky. Additional details of the Association’s office facilities are presented in Exhibit II-1. The city of Ashland, containing a population of approximately 21,000, is located in the northeastern portion of Kentucky along the Ohio River.

The majority of the Association’s operating market area can be classified as rural, and the strength of the region’s economy hinges primarily on manufacturing and services industries. In recent years, the economies in the Association’s operating markets have experienced a downturn, although not as severe as the nationwide recession. Although there has been an increase in local unemployment, the Association’s operating markets never experienced the frenzied economic growth that was prevalent in many areas of the country in the 2003-2007 period, and have therefore not experienced the recent significant downturn as many other “bubble” markets across the country.

Future growth opportunities for the Association depend on the future prospects of the local and regional economy, demographic growth trends, and the nature and intensity of the competitive environment. These factors have been briefly examined to help determine the growth potential that exists for the Association, the relative economic health of the Association’s market area, and the resultant impact on value.

National Economic Factors

The business potential of a financial institution is partially dependent on the future operating environment and growth opportunities for the banking industry and the economy as a whole. The national economy experienced a severe downturn during 2008 and 2009, as the fallout of the housing crisis caused the wider economy to falter, with most significant indicators of economic activity declining by substantial amounts. The overall economic recession was the worst since the great depression of the 1930s. Approximately 8 million jobs were lost during the recession, as consumers cut back on spending, causing a reduction in the need for many

 


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MARKET AREA

II.2

 

products and services. Total personal wealth declined notably due to the housing crisis and the drop in real estate values. As measured by the nation’s gross domestic product (“GDP”), the recession officially ended in the fourth quarter of 2009, after the national GDP expanded for two consecutive quarters (2.2% annualized growth in the third quarter of 2009 and 5.6% annualized growth in fourth quarter of 2009). The economy expansion continued into 2010, as the GDP grew by 3.7% for the March 2010 quarter and 1.7% in the June 2010 quarter. Notably, a large portion of GDP growth during 2009 and into 2010 has been generated through federal stimulus programs, bringing into question the sustainability of the recovery without government support.

The economic recession caused the inflation rate to decrease notably during 2009. Inflation averaged 3.85% for all of 2008 and a negative 0.34% for all of 2009, indicating a deflationary period. There was a decline in prices during eight of the 12 months during 2009. Reflecting a measure of recovery of the economy, the national inflation rate was 1.76% for the first nine months of 2010. The national unemployment rate also revealed a modest recovery in the most recent few months. The reduction in employment during the recession led to fears of a prolonged period of economic stagnation, as consumers were unwilling or unable to increase spending. The unemployment rate totaled 9.6% as of September 2010, a decline from 10.0% as of December 2009, but still high compared to recent historical levels. There remains significant uncertainty about the near term future, particularly in terms of the speed at which the economy will recover, the impact of the housing crisis on longer term economic growth, and the near-term future performance of the real estate industry, including both residential and commercial real estate prices, all of which have the potential to impact future economic growth. The current and projected size of government spending and deficits also has the ability to impact the longer-term economic performance of the country.

The Association’s market area has not experienced the significant level of loan delinquencies, foreclosures, and reductions in business activity that has occurred in many other areas of the country. During the strong economic times of the last two decades, the market area remained somewhat more stable in terms of economic activity, job creation, and home and other real estate prices.

The major stock exchange indices have reflected the recent improvement in the downturn in the national economy, reporting significant volatility and an upward trend over the past 12 months. As an indication of the changes in the nation’s stock markets over the last 12 months, as of September 30, 2010, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 10,788.05, an increase of 11.1% from September 30, 2009, while the NASDAQ Composite Index stood at

 


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MARKET AREA

II.3

 

2,368.62, an increase of 11.6% over the same time period. The Standard & Poors 500 Index totaled 1,141.20 as of September 30, 2010, an increase of 8.0% from September 30, 2009.

Regarding factors that most directly impact the banking and financial services industries, in the past year the number of housing foreclosures have reached historical highs, median home values have declined by double digits in most areas of the country, and the housing construction industry has been decimated. These factors have led to substantial losses at many financial institutions, and subsequent failures of institutions. Despite efforts by the federal and state governments to limit the impact of the housing crisis, there remain concerns about a “double-dip” housing recession, whereby another wave of foreclosures occur. Therefore, the Association will employ strict, prudent underwriting for such loans being placed into its portfolio, and will work to aggressively resolve substandard credits.

Interest Rate Environment

In terms of interest rates, through the first half of 2004, in a reaction to try to avoid a significant slowdown of the economy, the Federal Reserve lowered key market interest rates to historical lows not seen since the 1950s, with the federal funds rate equal to 1.00% and the discount rate equal to 2.00%. Beginning in June 2004, the Fed began slowly, but steadily increasing the federal funds and overnight interest rates in order to ward off any possibility of inflation. Through June 2006, the Fed had increased interest rates a total of 17 times, and as of June 2006, the Fed Funds rate was 5.25%, up from 1.00% in early 2004, while the Discount Rate stood at 6.25%, up from 2.00% in early 2004. The Fed then held these two interest rates steady until mid-2007, at which time the downturn in the economy was evident, and the Fed began reacting to the increasingly negative economic news. Beginning in August 2007 and through December 2008, the Fed decreased market interest rates a total of 12 times in an effort to stimulate the economy, both for personal and business spending.

As of January 2009, the Discount Rate had been lowered to 0.50%, and the Federal Funds rate target was 0.00% to 0.25%. These historically low rates were intended to enable a faster recovery of the housing industry, while at the same time lower business borrowing costs, and such rates have remained in effect through early 2010. In February 2010, the Fed increased the discount rate to 0.75%, reflecting a slight change to monetary strategy. The effect of the interest rate decreases since mid-2008 has been most evident in short term rates, which decreased more than longer term rates, increasing the slope of the yield curve. This low interest rate environment has been maintained as part of a strategy to stimulate the economy by

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

MARKET AREA

II.4

 

keeping both personal and business borrowing costs as low as possible. The strategy has achieved its goals, as borrowing costs for residential housing have been at historical lows, and the prime rate of interest remains at a low level. As of September 30, 2010, one- and ten-year U.S. government bonds were yielding 0.27% and 2.53%, respectively, compared to 0.40% and 3.31%, respectively, as of September 30, 2009. This has had a positive impact on the net interest margins of many financial institutions, as they rely on a spread between the yields on longer term assets and the costs of shorter term funding sources. However, institutions who originate substantial volumes of prime-based loans have given up some of this pickup in yield as the prime rate declined from 5.00% as of June 30, 2008 to 3.25% as of September 30, 2010. Historical interest rate and market index trends are set forth in Exhibit II-2.

Looking forward, there are general expectations that interest rates will remain low in relation to historical levels as the Fed continues to seek methods to stimulate the economy. Based on the most recent indications from the Fed, given the level of concern for the recovery of the economy, interest rates are not expected to begin to increase until no earlier than late-2011 or early 2012. The surveyed economists by the Wall Street Journal on average expect the unemployment rate to remain stable at 9.6% by the end of this year, and they expect it to continue a slow decline to 9.0% through December 2011. The respondents expect job growth to continue over the next 12 months, but the forecast calls for an average of about 125,000 jobs to be added per month over that period. The economy needs to add about 100,000 jobs a month just to keep up with new entrants to the labor force.

Market Area Demographics

Table 2.1 presents information regarding the demographic and economic trends for the Association’s market area from 2000 to 2010 and projected through 2015, with additional data shown in Exhibit II-3. Data for the nation and the State of Kentucky is included for comparative purposes. The total population base of the three county market area where the Association operates offices was 103,000 as of 2010, with Boyd County containing approximately 50% of the population base. Scioto County, OH, the location of the city of Portsmouth, has the largest overall population in the market area served, indicating the source of lending opportunities in that county. Lawrence County, to the south of Boyd County, represents the most rural and sparsely populated part of the Association’s market area, with a population base of only 16,000 as of 2010. Between 2000 and 2010 Boyd County experienced a population decline at an

 


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II.5

 

Table 2.1

Home Federal Savings and Loan Associaton

Summary Demographic Data

 

     Year     Annual Growth Rate  
     2000     2010     2015     2000-2010     2010-2015  

Population (000)

          

United States

     281,422        311,213        323,209        1.0     0.8

Kentucky

     4,042        4,339        4,476        0.7     0.6

Boyd County

     50        49        48        -0.2     -0.1

Greenup County

     37        38        38        0.2     0.2

Lawrence County

     16        16        17        0.5     0.4

Scioto County, OH

     79        77        76        -0.3     -0.2

Households (000)

          

United States

     105,480        116,761        121,360        1.0     0.8

Kentucky

     1,591        1,750        1,816        1.0     0.7

Boyd County

     20        20        20        0.0     0.0

Greenup County

     15        15        16        0.6     0.4

Lawrence County

     6        6        7        0.9     0.6

Scioto County, OH

     31        30        30        -0.2     -0.1

Median Household Income ($)

          

United States

   $ 42,164      $ 54,442      $ 61,189        2.6     2.4

Kentucky

     33,742        43,765        49,262        2.6     2.4

Boyd County

     32,895        41,277        46,586        2.3     2.4

Greenup County

     32,342        40,848        46,532        2.4     2.6

Lawrence County

     21,220        25,790        28,800        2.0     2.2

Scioto County, OH

     27,912        34,658        39,881        2.2     2.8

Per Capita Income ($)

          

United States

   $ 21,587      $ 26,739      $ 30,241        2.2     2.5

Kentucky

     18,093        22,865        24,588        2.4     1.5

Boyd County

     18,212        21,688        22,636        1.8     0.9

Greenup County

     17,137        20,669        21,609        1.9     0.9

Lawrence County

     12,008        14,175        15,225        1.7     1.4

Scioto County, OH

     15,408        18,670        20,863        1.9     2.2
     Less Than     $25,000 to     $50,000 to              
     $25,000     49,999     $99,999     $100,000+        

2010 HH Income Dist. (%)

          

United States

     20.8     24.7     35.7     18.8  

Kentucky

     28.9     27.4     31.9     11.7  

Boyd County

     31.1     28.5     31.3     9.1  

Greenup County

     30.7     29.1     31.6     8.6  

Lawrence County

     48.8     28.0     18.9     4.3  

Scioto County, OH

     36.0     28.7     28.2     7.1  

Source: SNL Financial.

          

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

MARKET AREA

II.6

 

annual rate of 0.2%, indicating a relatively unfavorable economic environment for the business operations. Both Greenup and Lawrence Counties reported positive, but modest annualized population growth over the same time period, with all three counties reporting less favorable rates than the state of Kentucky and the nation as a whole. Similar to Boyd County, Scioto County reported a population decline over the past 10 years.

For the next five years, these general population trends are projected to continue, with Boyd and Scioto Counties continuing to slowly lose population, and Greenup and Lawrence Counties recording slight growth. Changes in the number of households has paralleled trends with respect to population, as household growth rates for all four counties examined were lower than state and national trends. The percent changes in households were somewhat higher than the respective population growth rates, due to a national trend towards a lower overall average household size.

Table 2.1 also presents household and personal income date for the market area. Reflecting the rural character of the Association’s market area, all four counties reported 2010 median household income and per capita income levels that were lower than state and national averages, with the lowest income levels in Lawrence County, the most rural county in the market area. Boyd County, with a large portion of the population centered in the metropolitan Ashland area, reported the highest median household and per capita income, with median household income equaling $41,277 (94% of the state average and 76% of the national average). Household income distribution patterns provide support for earlier statements regarding the nature of the Association’s market as approximately 60% of Boyd County households had income levels less than $50,000 annually in 2010 while the ratio was 56% for the State of Kentucky and 46% for the national average. These relatively modest income levels act to limit the growth potential and demand for the products and services offered by financial services providers operating in the market.

Regional/Local Economy

Home Federal’s market area economy has been shaped by the historical presence of coal, timber and the Ohio River in the Eastern Kentucky region. The three county market area extends on the southern side of the Ohio River in eastern Kentucky surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains. While agriculture has always been a modest part of the overall economy, during the early settlement of the area charcoal blast furnaces, using coal or timber for fuel, produced large quantities of iron for manufacturing products, with the Ohio River

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

MARKET AREA

II.7

 

providing a transportation/trade route to population centers to the west and east. This type of early industry resulted in the development of modern industries including steel production and petroleum refinery operations, both of which are still represented in the employment base by Marathon Petroleum and AK Steel. The presence of the Ohio River and these industries has made the Ashland/, KY/Huntington, WV area the largest inland port in the world in terms of product value shipped. In addition, a major east/west transportation route, Interstate-64, passes through Boyd County. This highway provides another transportation option for industry in the market area, and allows easier access to the Association’s market area for regional residents. In recent decades, similar to other areas of the country, the economy has become dominated by services industries, in particular health care and retail sales, as Ashland is a regional center for the population of eastern Kentucky. Table 2.2 below illustrates major employers in the Associations market area counties.

Table 2.2

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

Major Market Area Employers

 

Employer

  

Industry

    

Employees

 

King’s Daughter Medical Center

     Health Care         4,417   

Marathon Petroleum, LLC

     Petroleum Refining         1,441   

Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital

     Health Care         1,201   

AK Steel

    
 
Refined Steel
Products
  
  
     1,109   

Boyd County Schools

     Education         280   

Wal-Mart Supercenter

     Retail         550   

Ashland Independent Schools

     Education         510   

AT&T Mobility

     Telecommunications         498   

Greenup Public Schools

     Education         475   

Wal-Mart, Cannonsburg

     Retail         400   

City of Ashland

     Local Government         307   

Pathways, Inc.

    
 
Comm. Service/
Well-Being
 
  
     294   
Source: Ashland Alliance.      

 

As noted previously, Home Federal also conducts lending operations and offers other financial services to residents of Portsmouth, OH. The City of Portsmouth (Scioto County, Ohio) is located directly north of Greenup County across the Ohio River, and represents an additional population center that serves as a source of loans and other banking business for the Association. Home Federal is able to serve the Portsmouth area through the branch office in South Shore, Greenup County. As of 2010 Portsmouth had a population of approximately 20,300. The economy of Portsmouth is relatively diversified, and continues to reflect the

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

MARKET AREA

II.8

 

historical economic connection to industry and manufacturing, including coal and iron production and timber/wood products. Since the closing of many heavy industry facilities in recent decades, the area has developed other employment sources, primarily in services industries. Major employers within the community currently include Shawnee State University, the Southern Ohio Medical Center, Suncoke, Inc., Sunoco Chemicals, OSCO Industries, Inc., Duke Energy, and Mitchellace, Inc. In addition, for many years a federal government uranium enrichment plant operated in Scioto County, which has been replaced by a commercial uranium enrichment facility.

Major Market Area Employment Sectors

Employment data, presented in Table 2.3 below, indicates that similar to many areas of the country, services are the most prominent sector for the state of Kentucky and the three market area counties, comprising an average of 34% of total employment. The services sector employment is somewhat concentrated in health care employment, a national trend. The next largest component of the employment base in the headquarters county of Boyd is wholesale and retail trade, indicative of the trade generated through the location of I-64 and the Ohio River through the market area. Wholesale and retail trade is also notably represented in the other two market area counties. The government sector also represents a material portion of the employment base, with such employment limited to local entities. The market area has only a modest level of manufacturing employment, less than 10% of total employment, which is lower than statewide averages, indicative of the changes the market area has undergone over the past few decades as services employment has replaced former manufacturing-related jobs. This data indicates that the Association’s market area has a relatively diversified economic base, such that a downturn in any one industry will likely not have a large impact on the regional economy. This diversification provides a level of stability that is a positive factor for financial institutions such as Home Federal. Additional data is presented in Exhibit II-4.

 


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MARKET AREA

II.9

 

Table 2.3

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

Primary Market Area Employment Sectors

(Percent of Labor Force)

 

Employment Sector

   Kentucky     Boyd
County
    Greenup
County
    Lawrence
County
 
     (% of Total Employment)  

Services

     33.3     40.6     37.0     25.0

Wholesale/Retail Trade

     14.0     17.6     13.2     21.3

Government

     15.1     11.1     13.4     15.2

Construction

     5.9     8.7     5.6     6.2

Manufacturing

     10.4     7.4     6.6     0.8

Finance/Insurance/Real Esate

     7.4     5.2     5.0     5.9

Transportation/Utility

     4.7     4.3     8.7     NA   

Arts/Entertainment/Rec.

     1.5     0.9     1.6     NA   

Agriculture

     3.6     0.7     4.8     6.3

Other

     4.1     3.4     4.1     19.2
                                

Total

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Source: REIS DataSource 2008.

        

Unemployment Rates and Trends

Comparative unemployment rates for the primary market area counties, as well as for the U.S. and Kentucky, are shown in Table 2.4. As of September 2010, unemployment rates for the three county market area ranged from a low of 9.3% in Boyd County to a high of 12.0% in Lawrence County. The market area has recorded varying changes in employment over the past 12 months, as Boyd and Greenup Counties have reported increases in the unemployment rate, while Lawrence County’s rate has declined. The unemployment rate in Boyd County was below the state and national unemployment rates of 9.8% and 9.6%, respectively. Conversely, Lawrence County and Greenup County had unemployment rates that exceeded state and national averages. Reported unemployment rates are subject to fluctuation due to the small population and employment bases in the market area as a slight drop in employment will cause a noticeable change in the unemployment rate. The unemployment rate in Lawrence County, as well as on a statewide basis, have been trending downward for the most recent 12 month period for which data is available, which is a positive sign, as the certain portions of the regional economies have been responding to the troubled housing, credit, and financial sectors that have caused many employers to cut down on employees or limit hiring. Alternatively, the higher

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

MARKET AREA

II.10

 

unemployment rates in Boyd and Greenup counties indicate some further weakness to the overall economic situation.

Table 2.4

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

Unemployment Trends

 

Region

   Sept. 2009
Unemployment
    Sept. 2010
Unemployment
 

United States

     9.8     9.6

Kentucky

     10.4     9.8

Boyd County

     8.3     9.3

Greenup County

     9.8     9.9

Lawrence County

     13.1     12.0
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.     

Market Area Deposit Characteristics and Trends

Table 2.5 displays deposit market trends and deposit market share, respectively, for commercial banks and savings institutions for the State of Kentucky and the Association’s market area from June 30, 2005 to June 30, 2010. Deposit growth trends are important indicators of a market area’s current and future prospects for growth. Kentucky state deposits increased at a rate of 3.8% over the five year time period shown in Table 2.5, with commercial banks increasing deposits at an annual rate of 3.8%, while savings and loan associations recorded a more modest growth rate. Commercial banks dominate the deposit market in Kentucky, and as of June 30, 2010, commercial banks held a market share of 96.5% of total bank and thrift deposits.

Within the three market area counties, the table indicates that total deposit growth from 2005 to 2010 ranged from a low of 1.1% annually in Boyd County to a high of 4.0% annually in Lawrence County. Contrary to the statewide trends, savings institutions recorded strong growth in deposits in Boyd and Greenup Counties over that time period, including a 10.8% annual growth rate in Greenup County. In addition, savings institutions held relatively high market share positions in all three market area counties as of June 30, 2010, ranging from a low of 12.3% in Boyd County to a high of 55.0% market share in Lawrence County.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

MARKET AREA

II.11

 

Table 2.5

Deposit Summary

Home Federal Savings and Loan Associaton

 

       As of June 30,      Deposit
Growth  Rate
2005-2010
 
     2005      2010     

Deposit Summary

   Deposits      Market
Share
    No. of
Branches
     Deposits      Market
Share
    No. of
Branches
    
     (Dollars In Thousands)                   (%)  

State of Kentucky

   $ 57,241,000         100.0     1,750       $ 68,889,000         100.0     1,829         3.8

Commercial Banks

     55,117,000         96.3     1,684         66,468,000         96.5     1,732         3.8

Savings Institutions

     2,124,000         3.7     66         2,421,000         3.5     97         2.7

Boyd County

   $ 869,498         100.0     29       $ 919,484         100.0     27         1.1

Commercial Banks

     785,860         90.4     27         805,934         87.7     25         0.5

Savings Institutions

     83,638         9.6     2         113,550         12.3     2         6.3

Home Federal

     83,638         9.6     2         113,550         12.3     2         6.3

Greenup County

   $ 349,193         100.0     17       $ 394,296         100.0     18         2.5

Commercial Banks

     298,638         85.5     15         310,021         78.6     14         0.8

Savings Institutions

     50,555         14.5     2         84,275         21.4     4         10.8

Home Federal

     50,555         14.5     2         77,471         19.6     3         8.9

Lawrence County

   $ 107,078         100.0     4       $ 130,463         100.0     6         4.0

Commercial Banks

     39,731         37.1     2         58,769         45.0     3         8.1

Savings Institutions

     67,347         62.9     2         71,694         55.0     3         1.3

Home Federal

     26,811         25.0     1         31,150         23.9     1         3.0

Source: FDIC.

                  

As of June 30, 2010, Home Federal maintained a relatively strong deposit market share positions in all three market area counties, ranging from a low of 12.3% in Boyd County to a high of 23.9% in Lawrence County. These figures are representative of the overall modest size of the deposit base and indicating a strong competitive position for the Association. However, future deposit gains and market share gains will have to be obtained from other competitors, rather than strong growth within the market. Since June 30, 2005, Home Federal has increased deposits at a higher annualized rate in all three market area counties, resulting in increased market shares and higher rankings among competitors in terms of market share. This indicates that the Association has been successful in its marketing and business generation efforts.

Competition

The competitive environment for financial institution products and services on a national, regional and local level can be expected to become even more competitive in the future. Consolidation in the banking and thrift industries provides economies of scale to the larger

 


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MARKET AREA

II.12

 

institutions, while the increased presence of investment options provides consumers with attractive investment alternatives to financial institutions. The Association’s market area for deposits includes primarily other local and regional commercial banks.

Competition among financial institutions in the market area is significant. Among the Association’s competitors are much larger and more diversified institutions, which have greater resources than maintained by the Association. Financial institution competitors in the Association’s primary market area include other locally based thrifts and banks, as well as regional and super regional banks. From a competitive standpoint, the Association benefits from its status of a locally-owned financial institution, longstanding customer relationships, and continued efforts to offer competitive products and services. However, competitive pressures will also likely continue to build as the financial services industry continues to consolidate and as additional non-bank investment options for consumers become available. There are a total of 14 banking institutions operating in the Association’s primary market area counties.

Table 2.6 lists the Association’s largest competitors in the three counties currently served by its branches, based on deposit market share as noted parenthetically. Other competitors include several credits unions related to the Marathon refinery and AK Steel production facilities. The proceeds from the proposed stock offering will enhance the Association’s competitiveness by providing increased operating flexibility, including de novo branching, focus on cross-selling and marketing and potential acquisition.

Table 2.6

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

Market Area Deposit Competitors

 

     

Location

         

Name

 

Boyd County

   PNC Bank (23.49%)
     Community Trust Bank (18.16%)
     Kentucky’s Farmers Bank (13.03%)
     Home Federal (12.35%) Rank: 4 of 9
 

Greenup County

   First & Peoples B+T (39.33%)
     Home Federal (19.65%) Rank: 2 of 9
     Peoples Bank, NA (14.63%)
     Fifth Third Bank (7.17%)
 

Lawrence County

   Peoples Security Bank (32.03%)
     Inez Deposit Bank (31.08%)
     Home Federal (23.88%) Rank: 3 of 4
     Louisa Community Bank (13.01%)
 

Source: FDIC

  

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

III.1

 

III. PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

This chapter presents an analysis of Home Federal’s operations versus a group of comparable savings institutions (the “Peer Group”) selected from the universe of all publicly-traded savings institutions in a manner consistent with the regulatory valuation guidelines. The basis of the pro forma market valuation of Home Federal is derived from the pricing ratios of the Peer Group institutions, incorporating valuation adjustments for key differences in relation to the Peer Group. Since no Peer Group can be exactly comparable to Home Federal, key areas examined for differences are: financial condition; profitability, growth and viability of earnings; asset growth; primary market area; dividends; liquidity of the shares; marketing of the issue; management; and effect of government regulations and regulatory reform.

Peer Group Selection

The Peer Group selection process is governed by the general parameters set forth in the regulatory valuation guidelines. Accordingly, the Peer Group is comprised of only those publicly-traded savings institutions whose common stock is either listed on a national exchange (NYSE or AMEX), or is NASDAQ listed, since their stock trading activity is regularly reported and generally more frequent than non-publicly traded and closely-held institutions. Institutions that are not listed on a national exchange or NASDAQ are inappropriate, since the trading activity for thinly-traded or closely-held stocks is typically highly irregular in terms of frequency and price and thus may not be a reliable indicator of market value. We have also excluded from the Peer Group those companies with unusual operating strategies, such as internet banking, those under acquisition or subject to rumored acquisition, mutual holding companies and recent conversions, since their pricing ratios are subject to unusual distortion and/or have limited trading history. A recent listing of the universe of all publicly-traded savings institutions is included as Exhibit III-1.

Ideally, the Peer Group, which must have at least 10 members to comply with the regulatory valuation guidelines, should be comprised of locally- or regionally-based institutions with comparable resources, strategies and financial characteristics. There are approximately 110 fully converted savings institutions nationally and, thus, it is typically the case that the Peer Group will be comprised of institutions with relatively comparable characteristics. To the extent that differences exist between the converting institution and the Peer Group, valuation adjustments will be applied to account for the differences. Since Home Federal will be a fully public company upon completion of the offering, we considered only fully public companies to

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

III.2

 

be viable candidates for inclusion in the Peer Group. From the universe of publicly-traded thrifts, we selected 10 institutions with characteristics similar to those of Home Federal. In the selection process, we applied one “screen” to the universe of all public companies that were eligible for consideration:

 

   

Screen #1 Nationwide institutions with assets less than $450 million and positive core earnings. Ten companies met the criteria for Screen #1 and all were included in the Peer Group.

Exhibit III-1 provides financial and public market pricing characteristics of all publicly-traded thrifts, while Exhibit III-2 provides financial and public market pricing characteristics of the Peer Group. Table 3.1 shows the general characteristics of each of the 10 Peer Group companies and Exhibit III-3 provides summary demographic and deposit market share data for the primary market areas served by each of the Peer Group companies. While there are expectedly some differences between the Peer Group companies and Home Federal, we believe that the Peer Group companies, on average, provide a good basis for valuation subject to valuation adjustments. The following sections present a comparison of Home Federal’s financial condition, income and expense trends, loan composition, credit risk and interest rate risk versus the Peer Group as of the most recent publicly available date.

A summary description of the key comparable characteristics of each of the Peer Group companies relative to Peer Group as a whole is detailed below.

 

   

Athens Bancshares, Inc . Athens, with a branch office network of 7 branches, maintains higher loans/assets and deposits/assets ratios as the Peer Group as a whole. Reporting the highest increase in assets during the most recent 12 months, Athens had a tangible equity position above the Peer Group average. The non-interest income ratio was the highest of the Peer Group members, offset by the highest operating expense ratio of all Peer Group members. The loan portfolio composition was similar to the Peer Group average, with the exception of a lower level of investment in MBS. Problem asset ratios were higher than the Peer Group averages.

 

   

First Advantage Bancorp of TN . First Advantage had a similar balance sheet structure as the Peer Group with the exception of higher reliance on borrowed funds. The equity/assets ratio was the second highest of all Peer Group members. Profitability was supported by a strong net interest income ratio. First Advantage’s lending operations were concentrated in construction/land loans and investment in MBS. Asset quality ratios were more favorable than Peer Group averages.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

III.3

 

Table 3.1

Peer Group of Publicly-Traded Thrifts

January 14, 2011(1)

 

Ticker

  

Financial Institution

   Exchange    Primary Market    Operating
Strategy(2)
   Total
Assets
     Offices      Fiscal
Year
   Conv.
Date
   Stock
Price
     Market
Value
 
                                                 ($)      ($Mil)  
WAYN    Wayne Savings Bancshares of OH    NASDAQ    Wooster, OH    Thrift    $ 411         11       03-31    01/03    $ 8.22       $ 26   
LSBI    LSB Financial Corp. of Lafayette, IN    NASDAQ    Lafayette, IN    Thrift    $ 385         5       12-31    02/95      14.74         23   
RIVR    River Valley Bancorp of IN    NASDAQ    Madison, IN    Thrift    $ 382         10       12-31    12/96      14.66         22   
OBAF    OBA Financial Services, Inc. of MD    NASDAQ    Germantown, MD    Thrift    $ 366         5       06-30    01/10      14.00         65   
FABK    First Advantage Bancorp of TN    NASDAQ    Clarksville, TN    Thrift    $ 345         5       12-31    11/07      12.40         51   
LABC    Louisiana Bancorp, Inc. of LA    NASDAQ    Metairie, LA    Thrift    $ 322         3       12-31    07/07      14.70         56   
WVFC    WVS Financial Corp. of PA    NASDAQ    Pittsburgh, PA    Thrift    $ 318         6       06-30    11/93      9.15         19   
AFCB    Athens Bancshares, Inc. of TN    NASDAQ    Athens, TN    Thrift    $ 286         7       12-31    01/10      12.35         34   
MFLR    Mayflower Bancorp, Inc. or MA    NASDAQ    Middleboro, MA    Thrift    $ 249         8       04-30    12/87      8.65         18   
FFDF    FFD Financial Corp of Dover OH    NASDAQ    Dover, OH    Thrift    $ 206         5       06-30    04/96      14.54         15   

 

NOTES:  

(1)     Or most recent date available.

 

(2)     Operating strategies are: Thrift=Traditional Thrift, M.B.=Mortgage Banker, R.E.=Real Estate Developer, Div.=Diversified and Ret.=Retail Banking.

Source: SNL Financial, LC.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

III.4

 

   

FFD Financial Corp. of Dover, OH . FFD, operating from 5 offices in Ohio, reported the highest loans/assets ratio of the Peer Group members, and a high proportion of deposits as the funding base. Net income was third highest in the Peer Group, a result of a strong net interest income ratio. FFD reported the highest concentration of commercial real estate loans as a percent of assets and the highest risk-weighted assets-to-asset ratio. Reserves to loans ratio was in line with the Peer Group average.

 

   

Louisiana Bancorp, Inc. of LA . Louisiana Bancorp, operating from 3 offices in Louisiana, Ohio, reported the highest investment/assets ratio of the Peer Group members, and a high proportion of borrowings as the funding base. Net income was the highest in the Peer Group, a result of low operating expenses. Louisiana Bancorp reported a low level of diversification into non-residential assets and the lowest risk-weighted assets-to-asset ratio. Asset quality ratios were more favorable than the Peer Group.

 

   

LSB Financial Corp. of Lafayette, IN . LSB, the second largest Peer Group member, reported high loans/assets and deposits/assets ratios. The equity/assets ratio was in line with the median of the Peer Group. Profitability was in line with the Peer Group average, with non-interest income the second highest of the Peer Group. Loan diversification was most evident in the balance of commercial real estate loans, and LSB had the highest loans serviced for others portfolio. NPA ratios were the highest of the Peer Group, while reserve coverage ratios were the lowest of the Peer Group.

 

   

Mayflower Bancorp, Inc. of MA . Mayflower, slightly smaller in assets that the Association, maintained a high proportion of assets in cash and investments, along with minimal use of borrowings to fund assets. Reporting essentially stable assets over the past 12 months, Mayflower had the lowest interest expense ratio of all Peer Group members that supported a strong net interest income ratio. Operating expenses were higher than average. Mayflower had a relatively low level of loan diversification away from residential assets, which resulted in a low risk-weighted assets-to-assets ratio.

 

   

OBA Financial Services, Inc. of MD . OBA, with assets somewhat higher than Home Federal, maintained a relatively high loans/assets ratio and the highest equity/assets ratio of all Peer Group members. OBA was the only Peer Group member to report a net loss for the trailing 12 month period, due in part to a low net interest income ratio and low non-interest income. OBA reported the highest proportion of 1-4 family loans as a percent of assets, low levels of construction/land and consumer loans. The risk-weighted assets-to-assets ratio was in line with the Peer average. Credit quality measures were on balance more favorable than the Peer Group, offset in part by a lower level of reserves as a percent of NPAs and non-performing loans.

 

   

River Valley Bancorp of IN . The third largest Peer Group member, operates 10 office locations in Indiana. River Valley reported the lowest equity/assets ratio of the Peer Group, and a balance in line with the Peer Group average. Above average profitability was supported by higher non-interest income and lower operating expenses. Loan diversification was similar to the Peer Group averages, along with a loans service for others portfolio above the Peer average. Asset quality ratios were less favorable than the Peer Group.

 

   

Wayne Savings Bancshares, Inc. of OH . Wayne, the largest Peer Group member, both in terms of assets and branch network, operated with a higher level of investments and lower loans than the Peer average. Net income was above the Peer average,, as a strong net interest income ratio supported net income while the remaining sections of the income statement were similar to the Peer Group. Loans were concentrated in

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

III.5

 

 

residential assets, as there was little diversification into other loan types. Asset quality ratios were similar to the Peer Group.

 

   

WVS Financial Corp. of PA . WVS, the only Pennsylvania based institution, was similarl in asset and branch network size as Home Federal. WVS’s funding base contained the highest level of borrowed funds of all Peer Group members, along with a relatively low equity/assets ratio, while the loans/assets ratio was the lowest of the Peer Group. WVS reported the most significant decline in assets over the past 12 months, led by a decline in borrowings. Minimal profitability was a result of a very low net interest income ratio due to a low level of interest income and a high cost of funds, which was partially offset by the lowest operating expense ratio of the Peer Group. There was minimal loan diversification as a result of the low investment in loans. Asset quality ratios were somewhat less favorable than the Peer Group average, including less favorable reserve coverage ratios.

In aggregate, the Peer Group companies maintained a higher level of equity as the industry average (13.14% of assets versus 11.20% for all public companies), recorded a higher level of profitability as a percent of average assets (0.31% ROAA versus -0.14% for all public companies), and reported a more favorable ROE (2.93% ROE versus -0.18% for all public companies). Overall, the Peer Group’s average P/B ratio and average P/E multiple were below the respective averages for all publicly-traded thrifts.

 

     All  Fully-Conv.
Publicly-Traded
    Peer Group  

Financial Characteristics (Averages)

    

Assets ($Mil)

   $ 2,853      $ 327   

Market capitalization ($Mil)

   $ 358      $ 33   

Equity/assets (%)

     11.20     13.14

Return on average assets (%)

     (0.14 )%      0.31

Return on average equity (%)

     (0.18 )%      2.93

Pricing Ratios (Averages)(1)

    

Price/earnings (x)

     19.00     14.44

Price/book (%)

     79.12     76.25

Price/assets (%)

     9.32     10.03

 

(1) Based on market prices as of January 14, 2011.

Ideally, the Peer Group companies would be comparable to Home Federal in terms of all of the selection criteria, but the universe of publicly-traded thrifts does not provide for an appropriate number of such companies. However, in general, the companies selected for the Peer Group were fairly comparable to Home Federal, as will be highlighted in the following comparative analysis.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

III.6

 

Financial Condition

Table 3.2 shows comparative balance sheet measures for Home Federal and the Peer Group, reflecting the expected similarities and some differences given the selection procedures outlined above. The Association’s and Peer Group’s ratios reflect balances as of September 30, 2010. Home Federal’s equity-to-assets ratio of 9.5% was lower than the Peer Group’s average equity ratio of 13.1%. The Association’s pro forma capital position will increase with the addition of stock proceeds, providing the Association with an equity-to-assets ratio that will be more in line with the Peer Group’s ratio. Tangible equity-to-assets ratios for the Association and the Peer Group equaled 9.5% and 9.1%, respectively. The increase in Home Federal’s pro forma capital position will be favorable from a risk perspective and in terms of future earnings potential that could be realized through leverage and lower funding costs. At the same time, the Association’s higher pro forma capitalization will initially depress return on equity. Both Home Federal’s and the Peer Group’s capital ratios reflected capital surpluses with respect to the regulatory capital requirements, with the Association’s ratios currently lower than the Peer Group’s ratios. On a pro forma basis, the Association’s regulatory surpluses will become more significant.

The interest-earning asset compositions for the Association and the Peer Group were similar, with loans constituting the bulk of interest-earning assets for both. The Association’s loans-to-assets ratio of 63.2% was only slightly lower than the comparable Peer Group ratio of 64.1%. Comparatively, the Association’s cash and investments-to-assets ratio (inclusive of BOLI) of 33.2% was slightly more than the comparable ratio for the Peer Group of 32.3%. Home Federal reported investment in BOLI of 2.1% of assets, more than the 1.1% of assets investment for the Peer Group. Overall, Home Federal’s earning assets amounted to 96.4% of assets, which was equal to the comparable Peer Group ratio.

Home Federal’s funding liabilities reflected a funding strategy that relied more on deposits than the Peer Group’s funding composition. The Association’s deposits equaled 78.3% of assets, which was above the Peer Group’s ratio of 72.9%. Comparatively, the Association maintained a lower level of borrowings than the Peer Group, as indicated by borrowings-to-assets ratios of 11.1% and 12.8% for Home Federal and the Peer Group, respectively. Total interest-bearing liabilities maintained by the Association and the Peer Group, as a percent of assets, equaled 89.4% and 86.0%, respectively. Following the increase in capital provided by the net proceeds of the stock offering, the Association’s ratio of interest-bearing liabilities as a percent of assets will likely be more in line with the Peer Group’s ratio.

 


LOGO

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

III.8

 

A key measure of balance sheet strength for a thrift institution is its IEA/IBL ratio. Presently, the Association’s IEA/IBL ratio is lower than the Peer Group’s ratio, based on IEA/IBL ratios of 107.8% and 112.1%, respectively. The additional capital realized from stock proceeds will serve to strengthen Home Federal’s IEA/IBL ratio in comparison to the Peer Group ratio, as the increase in capital provided by the infusion of stock proceeds will lower the level of interest-bearing liabilities funding assets and will be primarily deployed into interest-earning assets.

The growth rate section of Table 3.2 shows annual growth rates for key balance sheet items, with growth rates for both Home Federal and the Peer Group based on annual growth rates for the 12 months ended September 30, 2010. Home Federal recorded asset growth of 4.4% compared to average growth of 1.4% for the Peer Group. The increase in the Association’s assets was funneled into loans receivable, which increased at a higher rate than assets. Additional funds for lending were obtained from a reduction in cash and investments. The slight asset growth for the Peer Group was evident in modest increases in both loans and cash/investments. Funding of Home Federal’s growth was obtained from a deposit increase of 8.64%, while borrowings were reduced. The Peer Group followed a similar strategy of deposit increases and lower borrowings as a funding base.

Reflecting the fiscal 2010 net income, the Association’s equity increased at a 3.22% annual rate, versus a 0.71% increase in equity balances for the Peer Group. The Peer Group’s equity reduction was furthered by dividend payments, while the Association’s equity was only affected by the net income and changes to the other comprehensive income account. The increase in equity realized from stock proceeds will likely depress the Association’s equity growth rate initially following the stock offering. Dividend payments and stock repurchases, pursuant to regulatory limitations and guidelines could also potentially slow the Association’s equity growth rate in the longer term following the stock offering.

Income and Expense Components

Table 3.3 displays statements of operations for the Association and the Peer Group, with the income ratios based on earnings for the 12 months ended September 30, 2010 for both. Home Federal reported net income of 0.78% of average assets for the 12 months ended September 30, 2010, compared to average net income of 0.31% of average assets for the Peer Group. A higher level of net non-operating income (from a gain on sale of MBS) accounted for the Association’s more favorable reported results.

 


LOGO

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

III.10

 

The Association’s net interest income ratio was somewhat lower than the Peer Group’ss ratio, due to a higher level of interest expense, offset in part by higher interest income. Home Federal’s interest income ratio was supported a higher overall yield earned on interest-earning assets (5.23 % versus 4.91% for the Peer Group). The Association’s higher interest expense ratio was due to a higher cost of funds (2.22% versus 1.93% for the Peer Group). Overall, Home Federal and the Peer Group reported net interest income to average assets ratios of 2.91% and 3.02%, respectively.

In another key area of core earnings strength, the Association and Peer Group reported the same level of operating expenses, 2.74% of average assets. In connection with the operating expense ratios, Home Federal maintained a comparatively lower number of employees relative to its asset size. Assets per full time equivalent employee equaled $5.8 million for the Association, versus a comparable measure of $4.6 million for the Peer Group. On a post-offering basis, the Association’s operating expenses can be expected to increase with the addition of the ESOP and certain expenses that result from being a publicly-traded company, with such expenses already impacting the Peer Group’s operating expenses. At the same time, Home Federal’s capacity to leverage operating expenses will be enhanced following the increase in capital realized from the infusion of net stock proceeds.

When viewed together, net interest income and operating expenses provide considerable insight into a savings institution’s earnings strength, since those sources of income and expenses are typically the most prominent components of earnings and are generally more predictable than losses and gains realized from the sale of assets or other non-recurring activities. In this regard, as measured by their expense coverage ratios (net interest income divided by operating expenses), the Association’s earnings were less favorable than the Peer Group’s, based on respective expense coverage ratios of 1.06x for Home Federal and 1.10x for the Peer Group. A ratio less than 1.00x indicates that an institution depends on non-interest operating income to achieve profitable operations.

Sources of non-interest operating income provided a higher contribution to the Peer Group’s earnings compared to the Peer Group. Non-interest operating income equaled 0.27% and 0.53% of Home Federal’s and the Peer Group’s average assets, respectively. Taking non-interest operating income into account in comparing the Association’s and the Peer Group’s earnings, Home Federal’s efficiency ratio (operating expenses, net of amortization of intangibles, as a percent of the sum of non-interest operating income and net interest income) of 86.2% was less favorable than the Peer Group’s efficiency ratio of 77.2%.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

III.11

 

Loan loss provisions had a larger impact on the Peer Group’s earnings, with loan loss provisions established by the Association and the Peer Group equaling 0.23% and 0.36% of average assets, respectively. The impact of loan loss provisions on the Association’s and the Peer Group’s earnings, particularly when taking into consideration the prevailing credit market environment for mortgage based lenders, were indicative of asset quality factors facing the overall thrift industry in the current operating environment.

As noted above, net non-operating income was the primary reason for the Association’s higher profitability over the most recent 12 month period in comparison to the Peer Group. For the 12 months ended September 30, 2010, the Association reported net non-operating income equal to 0.81% of average assets, while the Peer Group reported, on average, 0.08% of average assets of net non-operating gains. Non-operating items for the Association reflected primarily the gain recorded on the sale of the MBS portfolio in fiscal 2010 ($2.3 million), along with minor levels of expense on sales of REO and income on the sale of loans. Typically, gains and losses generated from non-operating items are viewed as non-recurring in nature, particularly to the extent that such gains and losses result from the sale of investments or other assets that are not considered to be part of an institution’s core operations. Comparatively, to the extent that gains have been derived through selling fixed rate loans into the secondary market, such gains may be considered to be an ongoing activity for an institution and, therefore, warrant some consideration as a core earnings factor for an institution. However, loan sale gains are still viewed as a more volatile source of income than income generated through the net interest margin and non-interest operating income. Extraordinary items were not a factor in either the Association’s or the Peer Group’s earnings.

On average, the Peer Group reported an average effective tax rate of 34.2%, while Home Federal also reported an effective tax rate of 22.9%, with the lower tax rate due to the tax advantaged income from municipal bonds and BOLI. As indicated in the prospectus, the Association’s effective marginal tax rate is assumed to equal 34.0% when calculating the after tax return on conversion proceeds.

Loan Composition

Table 3.4 presents data related to the Association’s and the Peer Group’s loan portfolio compositions (including any investment in MBS). The Association’s loan portfolio composition reflected a higher concentration of 1-4 family permanent mortgage loans than maintained by the

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

III.12

 

Table 3.4

Loan Portfolio Composition and Related Information

Comparable Institution Analysis

As of September 30, 2010

 

     Portfolio Composition as a Percent of Assets                     

Institution

   MBS     1-4
Family
    Constr.
& Land
    5+Unit
Comm RE
    Comm.
Business
    Consumer     RWA/
Assets
    Serviced
For Others
     Servicing
Assets
 
     (%)     (%)     (%)     (%)     (%)     (%)     (%)     ($000)      ($000)  

Home FS&LA of Ashland, KY

     0.00     54.65     1.27     2.52     0.68     2.96     49.02   $ 0       $ 31   

All Public Companies

                   

Averages

     12.14     34.16     4.44     22.03     4.49     2.15     63.89   $ 678,276       $ 5,204   

Medians

     10.56     34.15     3.52     20.89     3.44     0.53     63.84   $ 41,800       $ 134   

State of KY

                   

Averages

     11.18     20.81     7.53     21.52     4.45     1.63     54.59   $ 20,675       $ 0   

Medians

     11.18     20.81     7.53     21.52     4.46     1.63     54.59   $ 20,675       $ 0   

Comparable Group

                   

Averages

     14.17     31.42     4.75     23.21     4.25     1.03     65.91   $ 53,543       $ 321   

Medians

     12.47     33.23     4.81     22.21     4.29     0.53     65.06   $ 58,450       $ 177   

Comparable Group

                   

AFCB

  Athens Bancshares, Inc. of TN      2.59     33.03     7.49     22.08     4.22     3.43     64.05   $ 85,050       $ 0   

FFDF

  FFD Financial Corp. of Dover OH      0.13     33.43     1.25     42.18     9.22     3.07     83.70   $ 96,670       $ 708   

FABK

  First Advantage Bancorp of TN      16.36     19.36     13.86     27.80     6.75     0.97     73.72   $ 1,350       $ 0   

LSBI

  LSB Fin. Corp. of Lafayette IN      0.73     36.27     6.82     39.65     4.39     0.34     75.11   $ 117,790       $ 1,068   

LABC

  Louisiana Bancorp, Inc. of LA      26.57     36.13     0.30     19.18     0.17     0.22     46.63   $ 2,760       $ 3   

MFLR

  Mayflower Bancorp, Inc. of MA      21.35     31.59     3.91     10.67     2.46     0.63     54.47   $ 88,970       $ 536   

OBAF

  OBA Financial Serv. Inc. of MD      8.58     47.25     0.63     22.33     7.99     0.00     63.40   $ 19,430       $ 71   

RIVR

  River Valley Bancorp of IN      7.96     31.32     6.94     26.85     4.35     1.14     72.90   $ 91,560       $ 537   

WVFC

  WVS Financial Corp. of PA      31.80     6.83     5.71     4.31     1.12     0.09     66.08   $ 0       $ 0   

WAYN

  Wayne Savings Bncshrs of OH      25.66     38.99     0.61     17.08     1.87     0.43     59.02   $ 31,850       $ 283   

 

Source:    SNL Financial LC. and RP ® Financial, LC. calculations. The information provided in this table has been obtained from sources we believe are reliable, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information.

Copyright (c) 2011 by RP ® Financial, LC.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

III.13

 

Peer Group (54.7% of assets versus 45.6% for the Peer Group). The Peer Group reported a higher ratio of MBS and a lower ratio of 1-4 family loans than the Association. Loans serviced for others equaled 1% of the Association’s assets, versus 16% of assets for the Peer Group, thereby indicating a greater influence of loan servicing income on the Association’s and Peer Group’s earnings. Home Federal maintained a relatively lower balance of servicing intangibles.

Diversification into higher risk and higher yielding types of lending was greater for the Peer Group, as Home Federal reported total loans other than 1-4 family and MBS of 7.4% of assets, versus 33.2% for the Peer Group. Commercial real estate/multi-family and consumer loans represented the most significant area of lending diversification for the Association (a total of 5.5% of assets), followed by construction/land loans (1.3% of assets). The Peer Group’s lending diversification consisted primarily of commercial real estate/multi-family loans (23.2% of assets), followed by construction/land loans (4.8% of assets) and commercial business loans (4.3% of assets). The relative concentration of assets in loans and diversification into higher risk types of loans by the Peer Group translated into a lower risk weighted assets-to-assets ratio for the Association (49.02%) than the Peer Group (65.91%).

Credit Risk

Based on a comparison of credit quality measures, the Association’s credit risk exposure was considered to be generally similar, but slightly favorable to that of the Peer Group. As shown in Table 3.5, the Association’s non-performing assets/assets and non-performing loans/loans ratios equaled 0.84% and 0.72%, respectively, versus comparable measures of 1.57% and 1.96% for the Peer Group, indicating an advantage for the Association. However, the Peer Group maintained a more favorable reserve coverage ratio, loss reserves as a percent of total NPAs, which equaled 46.30% for the Association versus 62.31% for the Peer Group. In addition, loss reserves maintained as percent of net loans receivable equaled 0.62% for the Association versus1.20% for the Peer Group. Net loan charge-offs were modest for both the Peer Group and the Association, based on ratios of 0.19% and 0.04% of net loans receivable, respectively.

Interest Rate Risk

Table 3.6 reflects various key ratios highlighting the relative interest rate risk exposure of the Association versus the Peer Group. In terms of balance sheet composition, Home Federal’s interest rate risk characteristics were considered to be less favorable than the Peer Group. The

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

III.14

 

Table 3.5

Credit Risk Measures and Related Information

Comparable Institution Analysis

As of September 30, 2010 or Most Recent Date Available

 

Institution

   REO/
Assets
    NPAs &
90+Del/
Assets
    NPLs/
Loans
    Rsrves/
Loans
    Rsrves/
NPLs
    Rsrves/
NPAs &
90+Del
    Net Loan
Chargoffs
     NLCs/
Loans
 
     (%)     (%)     (%)     (%)     (%)     (%)     ($000)      (%)  

Home FS&LA of Ashland, KY

     0.08     0.84     0.72     0.62     85.01     46.30   $ 71         0.04

All Public Companies

                 

Averages

     0.56     3.61     4.24     1.74     66.67     56.92   $ 1,408         0.69

Medians

     0.24     2.18     3.05     1.43     45.29     38.68   $ 527         0.36

State of KY

                 

Averages

     0.29     2.73     3.52     1.11     31.73     28.27   $ 465         0.33

Medians

     0.29     2.73     3.52     1.11     31.73     28.27   $ 465         0.33

Comparable Group

                 

Averages

     0.27     1.57     1.96     1.20     65.70     62.31   $ 130         0.19

Medians

     0.21     1.20     1.95     1.20     45.80     46.76   $ 76         0.15

Comparable Group

                 

AFCB

  Athens Bancshares, Inc. of TN      0.47     2.52     2.90     1.70     58.56     47.71   $ 288         0.59

FFDF

  FFD Financial Corp. of Dover OH      0.00     0.41     0.71     1.14     NA        174.08   $ 77         0.17

FABK

  First Advantage Bancorp of TN      0.14     1.04     1.32     1.30     98.53     85.49   $ 158         0.27

LSBI

  LSB Fin. Corp. of Lafayette IN      0.28     4.10     4.36     1.43     32.86     30.63   $ 318         0.38

LABC

  Louisiana Bancorp, Inc. of LA      0.44     0.85     0.73     1.05     143.08     69.17   $ 1         0.00

MFLR

  Mayflower Bancorp, Inc. of MA      0.56     0.86     0.08     1.06     NA        58.68   $ 19         -0.01

OBAF

  OBA Financial Serv. Inc. of MD      0.05     1.36     1.67     0.67     40.23     38.67   $ 72         -0.04

RIVR

  River Valley Bancorp of IN      0.15     2.38     3.15     1.29     40.87     38.31   $ 289         0.42

WVFC

  WVS Financial Corp. of PA      0.00     0.45     2.49     1.14     45.80     45.80   $ 0         0.00

WAYN

  Wayne Savings Bncshrs of OH      0.62     1.69     2.23     1.26     NA        34.54   $ 75         0.12

 

Source:   SNL Financial LC. and RP ® Financial, LC. calculations. The information provided in this table has been obtained from sources we believe are reliable, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information.

Copyright (c) 2011 by RP ® Financial, LC.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

III.15

 

Table 3.6

Interest Rate Risk Measures and Net Interest Income Volatility

Comparable Institution Analysis

As of September 30, 2010 or Most Recent Date Available

 

       Balance Sheet Measures                                           
       Equity/
Assets
    IEA/
IBL
    Non-Earn.
Assets/
Assets
    Quarterly Change in Net Interest Income  

Institution

         9/30/2010      6/30/2010      3/31/2010      12/31/2009      9/30/2009      6/30/2009  
     (%)     (%)     (%)     (change in net interest income is annualized in basis points)  

Home FS&LA of Ashland, KY

     9.5     105.5     5.7     -57         43         26         17         16         -4   

All Public Companies

     10.9     106.9     6.5     0         1         4         7         8         3   

State of KY

     14.4     114.8     6.9     8         -5         14         6         2         -3   

Comparable Group

                       

Averages

     13.1     111.5     4.7     7         10         6         4         3         0   

Medians

     9.1     108.4     5.3     5         7         6         5         7         -1   

Comparable Group

                       

AFCB

   Athens Bancshares, Inc. of TN      17.5     115.4     6.6     2         9         2         -18         NA         NA   

FFDF

   FFD Financial Corp. of Dover OH      9.0     107.9     2.9     1         5         31         -3         1         4   

FABK

   First Advantage Bancorp of TN      19.5     119.9     4.4     5         13         16         17         18         -6   

LSBI

   LSB Fin. Corp. of Lafayette IN      9.1     105.0     5.4     19         18         14         21         15         18   

LABC

   Louisiana Bancorp, Inc. of LA      19.1     123.5     1.9     -5         1         -3         3         -10         -11   

MFLR

   Mayflower Bancorp, Inc. of MA      8.5     102.6     6.7     4         -3         5         33         7         6   

OBAF

   OBA Financial Serv. Inc. of MD      22.0     122.6     5.2     27         48         6         -21         NA         NA   

RIVR

   River Valley Bancorp of IN      8.5     103.8     6.0     9         16         11         6         10         -10   

WVFC

  

WVS Financial Corp. of PA

     8.7     108.8     1.8     16         -5         -4         -3         -26         -17   

WAYN

  

Wayne Savings Bncshrs of OH

     8.9     105.4     5.7     -6         -2         -19         11         j10         11   

 

NA=Change is greater than 100 basis points during the quarter.
Source:    SNL Financial LC. and RP ® Financial, LC. calculations. The information provided in this table has been obtained from sources we believe are reliable, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information.
Copyright (c) 2011 by RP ® Financial, LC.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

PEER GROUP ANALYSIS

III.16

 

Association’s equity-to-assets and IEA/IBL ratios were somewhat lower than the Peer Group, thereby implying a greater dependence on the yield-cost spread to sustain the net interest margin for the Association. The Association also reported a higher level of non-interest earning assets, which provides an indication of the earnings capabilities and interest rate risk of the balance sheet. On a pro forma basis, the infusion of stock proceeds can be expected to provide the Association with more favorable balance sheet interest rate risk characteristics than currently maintained by the Peer Group, particularly with respect to the increases that will be realized in the Association’s equity-to-assets and IEA/IBL ratios.

To analyze interest rate risk associated with the net interest margin, we reviewed quarterly changes in net interest income as a percent of average assets for Home Federal and the Peer Group. In general, the relative fluctuations in the Association’s net interest income to average assets ratio were considered to be higher than the Peer Group and, thus, based on the interest rate environment that prevailed during the period analyzed in Table 3.6, Home Federal was viewed as maintaining a higher degree of interest rate risk exposure in the net interest margin. The stability of the Association’s net interest margin should be enhanced by the infusion of stock proceeds, as the increase in capital will reduce the level of interest rate sensitive liabilities funding Home Federal’s assets.

Summary

Based on the above analysis, RP Financial concluded that the Peer Group forms a reasonable basis for determining the pro forma market value of the Association. Such general characteristics as asset size, capital position, interest-earning asset composition, funding composition, core earnings measures, loan composition, credit quality and exposure to interest rate risk all tend to support the reasonability of the Peer Group from a financial standpoint. Those areas where differences exist will be addressed in the form of valuation adjustments to the extent necessary.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.1

 

IV. VALUATION ANALYSIS

Introduction

This chapter presents the valuation analysis and methodology, prepared pursuant to the regulatory valuation guidelines, and valuation adjustments and assumptions used to determine the estimated pro forma market value of the common stock to be issued in conjunction with the Association’s conversion transaction.

Appraisal Guidelines

The OTS written appraisal guidelines specify the market value methodology for estimating the pro forma market value of an institution pursuant to a mutual-to-stock conversion. Pursuant to this methodology: (1) a peer group of comparable publicly-traded institutions is selected; (2) a financial and operational comparison of the subject company to the peer group is conducted to discern key differences; and (3) a valuation analysis in which the pro forma market value of the subject company is determined based on the market pricing of the peer group as of the date of valuation, incorporating valuation adjustments for key differences. In addition, the pricing characteristics of recent conversions, both at conversion and in the aftermarket, must be considered.

RP Financial Approach to the Valuation

The valuation analysis herein complies with such regulatory approval guidelines. Accordingly, the valuation incorporates a detailed analysis based on the Peer Group, discussed in Chapter III, which constitutes “fundamental analysis” techniques. Additionally, the valuation incorporates a “technical analysis” of recently completed stock conversions, including closing pricing and aftermarket trading of such offerings. It should be noted that these valuation analyses cannot possibly fully account for all the market forces which impact trading activity and pricing characteristics of a particular stock on a given day.

The pro forma market value determined herein is a preliminary value for the Company’s to-be-issued stock. Throughout the conversion process, RP Financial will: (1) review changes in Home Federal’s operations and financial condition; (2) monitor Home Federal’s operations and financial condition relative to the Peer Group to identify any fundamental changes; (3) monitor the external factors affecting value including, but not limited to, local and national economic conditions, interest rates, and the stock market environment, including the market for

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.2

 

thrift stocks; and (4) monitor pending conversion offerings (including those in the offering phase), both regionally and nationally. If material changes should occur during the conversion process, RP Financial will evaluate if updated valuation reports should be prepared reflecting such changes and their related impact on value, if any. RP Financial will also prepare a final valuation update at the closing of the offering to determine if the prepared valuation analysis and resulting range of value continues to be appropriate.

The appraised value determined herein is based on the current market and operating environment for the Association and for all thrifts. Subsequent changes in the local and national economy, the legislative and regulatory environment, the stock market, interest rates, and other external forces (such as natural disasters or major world events), which may occur from time to time (often with great unpredictability) may materially impact the market value of all thrift stocks, including Home Federal’s value, or Home Federal’s value alone. To the extent a change in factors impacting the Association’s value can be reasonably anticipated and/or quantified, RP Financial has incorporated the estimated impact into the analysis.

Valuation Analysis

A fundamental analysis discussing similarities and differences relative to the Peer Group was presented in Chapter III. The following sections summarize the key differences between the Association and the Peer Group and how those differences affect the pro forma valuation. Emphasis is placed on the specific strengths and weaknesses of the Association relative to the Peer Group in such key areas as financial condition, profitability, growth and viability of earnings, asset growth, primary market area, dividends, liquidity of the shares, marketing of the issue, management, and the effect of government regulations and/or regulatory reform. We have also considered the market for thrift stocks, in particular new issues, to assess the impact on value of the Association coming to market at this time.

 

1. Financial Condition

The financial condition of an institution is an important determinant in pro forma market value because investors typically look to such factors as liquidity, equity, asset composition and quality, and funding sources in assessing investment attractiveness. The similarities and differences in the Association’s and the Peer Groups’ financial strengths are noted as follows:

 

   

Overall A/L Composition . Loans funded by retail deposits were the primary components of both Home Federal’s and the Peer Group’s balance sheets. The Peer Group’s interest-earning asset composition exhibited a slightly higher

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.3

 

 

concentration of loans and a substantially higher degree of diversification into higher risk and higher yielding types of loans. In comparison to the Peer Group, the Association’s interest-earning asset composition provided for a higher yield earned on interest-earning assets and a lower risk weighted assets-to-assets ratio. Home Federal’s funding composition indicated a higher proportion of deposits and a lower proportion of borrowings than the comparable Peer Group ratio, however the Association maintain an overall higher cost of funds than the Peer Group). As a percent of assets, Home Federal maintained a similar level of interest-earning assets and higher level of interest-bearing liabilities compared to the Peer Group’s ratios, which resulted in a higher IEA/IBL ratio for the Peer Group compared to the Association. After factoring in the impact of the net stock proceeds, the Association’s IEA/IBL ratio will be more in line with the Peer Group’s ratio. On balance, RP Financial concluded that asset/liability composition was a neutral factor in our adjustment for financial condition.

 

   

Credit Quality. The Association’s ratio of REO was lower than the Peer Group average, while total NPAs as a percent of total assets were lower than the comparable Peer Group average. Loss reserves as a percent loans and as a percent of NPAs were lower for Home Federal. Net loan charge-offs were lower for Home Federal, while the Association’s risk weighted assets-to-assets ratio was lower to the Peer Group’s. Home Federal also reported lower loan diversification into higher risk loans (construction/land, commercial real estate, commercial business) than the Peer Group. The perceived credit risk in Home Federal’s loan portfolio was deemed to be lower than the Peer Group based on loan composition. Overall, RP Financial concluded that credit quality was a slightly positive factor in our adjustment for financial condition.

 

   

Balance Sheet Liquidity . Home Federal operated with a similar level of cash and investment securities relative to the Peer Group (33.2% of assets versus 32.3% for the Peer Group). Following the infusion of stock proceeds, the Association’s cash and investments ratio is expected to increase as the proceeds will be initially deployed into investments. The Association’s future borrowing capacity was considered to be similar to the Peer Group’s, given the similar level of borrowings currently maintained. Overall, RP Financial concluded that balance sheet liquidity was a neutral factor in our adjustment for financial condition.

 

   

Funding Liabilities . Home Federal’s interest-bearing funding composition reflected a higher concentration of deposits and a similar concentration of borrowings relative to the comparable Peer Group ratios. Home Federal’s funding costs were somewhat higher than the Peer Group average, indicating a higher cost market area. The Association does not maintain balances of wholesale deposits such as brokered or internet deposits. Total interest-bearing liabilities as a percent of assets were higher for the Association compared to the Peer Group’s ratio, which was attributable to Home Federal’s lower equity position. Following the stock offering, the increase in the Association’s equity position should provide Home Federal with a lower ratio of interest-bearing liabilities as a percent of assets. Overall, RP Financial concluded that funding liabilities were a neutral factor in our adjustment for financial condition.

 

   

Equity . The Peer Group currently operates with a higher equity-to-assets ratio than the Association. Following the stock offering, Home Federal’s pro forma equity position is expected to approximate the Peer Group’s equity-to-assets ratio. The increase in the Association’s pro forma capital position will result in a similar leverage potential for the Association and reduce the level of interest-bearing liabilities utilized

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.4

 

 

to fund assets. At the same time, the Association’s equity ratio will likely result in a lower ROE. On balance, RP Financial concluded that equity strength was a neutral factor in our adjustment for financial condition.

On balance, Home Federal’s pro forma financial condition was comparable to the Peer Group’s after considering the above factors and, thus, no valuation adjustment was applied for the Association’s financial condition.

 

2. Profitability, Growth and Viability of Earnings

Earnings are a key factor in determining pro forma market value, as the level and risk characteristics of an institution’s earnings stream and the prospects and ability to generate future earnings heavily influence the multiple that the investment community will pay for earnings. The major factors considered in the valuation are described below.

 

   

Reported Earnings . For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, Home Federal reported net income of $2,187,000, or 0.78% of average assets, versus average and median net income of losses of 0.38% and 0.45% of average assets for the Peer Group. The Peer Group recorded a higher level of net interest income, higher non-interest operating income and a similar level of operating expenses, resulting in a higher core earnings stream. The Association reported higher funding costs than the Peer Group, which were offset by higher yields on earning assets over the period examined. The Association’s higher reported net income ratio was largely due to the gain on sale (0.81% of average assets) recorded in connection with the sale of the entire MBS portfolio. Non-operating items had only a minimal impact on the Peer Group’s earnings (a 0.08% of average assets gain). Reinvestment and leveraging of stock proceeds into interest-earning assets will serve to increase the Association’s bottom line income, with the benefit of reinvesting proceeds expected to be somewhat offset by higher operating expenses associated with operating as a publicly-traded company. The Association’s lower reserve coverage ratios, which have resulted in higher provisions in the most recent two fiscal years, have impacted the income statement through higher loan loss provisions. However, the Peer Group can also be expected to experience expenses related to loan loss provisions and problem assets. On balance, RP Financial concluded that the Association’s reported earnings were a neutral factor in our adjustment for profitability, growth and viability of earnings.

 

   

Core Earnings . As noted above, Home Federal’s income statement was impacted by non-operating items, primarily the gain on the same of the MBS portfolio. The Peer Group reported only minimal net non-operating income, on average. Both the Association and Peer Group’s recurring income and expense sources included net interest income, operating expenses, and non-interest operating income. In these measures, the Association operated with a lower net interest income ratio, a similar yield/cost spread, a similar operating expense ratio and a lower level of non-interest operating income. The Association’s ratios for net interest income and operating expenses translated into an expense coverage ratio that was less favorable than the Peer Group’s ratio (equal to 1.06x for the Association and 1.10x for the Peer Group). Similarly, the Association’s efficiency ratio of 86.2% was less favorable than the Peer

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.5

 

 

Group’s efficiency ratio of 77.2%. Total loss provisions had a smaller impact on the Association’s income statement, and as noted above, the current levels of NPAs and/or the reserve coverage ratios for both the Association and Peer Group will remain as a potential negative factor in future earnings as additional loan loss reserves may be incurred.

Overall, lower core earnings potential of the Association will be impacted by the expected earnings benefits the Association should realize from the redeployment of stock proceeds into interest-earning assets and the expenses associated with the ESOP and operations as a publicly-traded company. Therefore, RP Financial concluded that this was a moderate downward factor in our adjustment for profitability, growth and viability of earnings.

 

   

Interest Rate Risk . Quarterly changes in the Association’s and the Peer Group’s net interest income to average assets ratios indicated that a higher degree of volatility was associated with the Association’s net interest income ratios. Other measures of interest rate risk, such as equity and IEA/IBL ratios were less favorable for the Association compared to the Peer Group thereby indicating a higher dependence on the yield-cost spread to sustain net interest income. On a pro forma basis, the infusion of stock proceeds can be expected to provide the Association with equity-to-assets and IEA/ILB ratios that will be more in line with the Peer Group ratios, as well as enhance the stability of the Association’s net interest income ratio through the reinvestment of stock proceeds into interest-earning assets. On balance, RP Financial concluded that interest rate risk was a slightly negative factor in our adjustment for profitability, growth and viability of earnings.

 

   

Credit Risk . Loan loss provisions were a larger factor in the Peer Group’s most recent 12 month earnings stream (0.36% of average assets versus 0.23% of average assets for Home Federal). In terms of future exposure to credit quality related losses, Home Federal maintained a slightly lower concentration of assets in loans, and lending diversification into higher risk types of loans was also lower for the Association. The risk weighed assets-to-assets ratio was also lower for the Association. Credit quality measures on balance were similar for both, as Home Federal’s lower ratios of NPAs were offset by lower reserve coverage ratios. Taking these factors into consideration, RP Financial concluded that credit risk was a neutral factor in our adjustment for profitability, growth and viability of earnings.

 

   

Earnings Growth Potential . The Association maintained a similar interest rate spread than the Peer Group, which would indicate the level of net interest income ratio going forward. The infusion of stock proceeds will provide Home Federal with similar growth potential through leverage than currently maintained by the Peer Group. The Association’s and Peer Group’s similar operating expense ratios implies similar earnings growth potential and sustainability of earnings during periods when net interest income ratios come under pressure as the result of adverse changes in interest rates. Overall, earnings growth potential was considered to be a neutral factor in our adjustment for profitability, growth and viability of earnings.

 

   

Return on Equity . For the most recent 12 month period, the Association’s ROE on a reported basis is higher than the Peer Group’s ROE, although reported earnings were greatly enhanced by the non-operating income recorded. Following the increase in equity that will be realized from the infusion of net stock proceeds into the Association, Home Federal’s pro forma ROE on a core earnings basis will be lower

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.6

 

 

than the Peer Group’s ratio. Accordingly, this was a moderately negative factor in the adjustment for profitability, growth and viability of earnings.

On balance, Home Federal’s pro forma core earnings strength was considered to be somewhat lower than the Peer Group’s and, thus, a moderate downward adjustment was applied for profitability, growth and viability of earnings.

 

3. Asset Growth

Home Federal’s assets increased at an annual rate of 4.3% during the most recent 12 month period, while the Peer Group’s assets increased by a slightly lower 1.4% over the same time period. The Association’s asset growth reflected a constant trend of growth recorded over the past four fiscal years in an effort to leverage the equity base and increase interest income and overall profitability. Five of the ten Peer Group companies reported declines in assets, with both loans and cash and investments supporting the growth rate of the Peer Group. For Home Federal loans increased while cash and investments declined. On a pro forma basis, Home Federal’s tangible equity-to-assets ratio is expected to modestly exceed the Peer Group’s tangible equity-to-assets ratio, indicating a moderate amount of additional leverage capacity for the Association. On balance, we concluded that a no valuation adjustment was warranted for asset growth.

 

4. Primary Market Area

The general condition of an institution’s market area has an impact on value, as future success is in part dependent upon opportunities for profitable activities in the local markets served. Home Federal serves a small portion of the northeastern section of Kentucky through six office locations in three counties. The market area served is mainly rural in nature, with the city of Ashland the primary population center. The total population of the three county market area is 103,000. The majority of the Association’s operating market area can be classified as rural, and the strength of the region’s economy hinges primarily on manufacturing and services industries. In recent years, the economies in the Association’s operating markets have experienced a downturn, although not as severe as the nationwide recession. Although there has been an increase in local unemployment, the Association’s operating markets never experienced the frenzied economic growth that was prevalent in many areas of the country in the 2003-2007 period, and have therefore not experienced the recent significant downturn as many other “bubble” markets across the country. The demographic characteristics of the Association’s market areas have also fostered a highly competitive banking environment, in

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.7

 

which the Association competes against other community banks as well as institutions with a regional or national presence.

The Peer Group companies operate in a mix of urban, suburban and rural markets, with four of the Peer Group markets having relatively large population bases in large metropolitan areas. The remaining six Peer Group members are headquartered in counties with relatively small populations that approximate the Association’s market area population. Thus, the markets served by the Peer Group companies, on average, reflect somewhat higher population bases for potential customers, reflect greater historical population growth and higher per capita income compared to Grays Harbor County. The average and median deposit market shares maintained by the Peer Group companies were similar to the Association’s market share of deposits in Boyd County. Overall, the degree of competition faced by the Peer Group companies was viewed to be similar to that faced by Home Federal, while the growth potential in the markets served by the Peer Group companies was viewed to be somewhat more favorable. Summary demographic and deposit market share data for the Association and the Peer Group companies is provided in Exhibit III-3. As shown in Table 4.1, September 2010 unemployment rates for all but three of the markets served by the Peer Group companies were lower than the comparable unemployment rate for Boyd County. On balance, we concluded that a slight downward adjustment was appropriate for the Association’s market area.

Table 4.1

Market Area Unemployment Rates

Home Federal and the Peer Group Companies(1)

 

     County    Sept. 2010
Unemployment
 

Home Federal - KY

   Boyd      9.3

Peer Group Average

        8.6

Athens Bancshares, Inc. – TN

   McMinn      11.6   

FFD Financial Corp. - OH

   Tuscawaras      9.6   

First Advantage Bancorp - TN

   Montgomery      8.9   

LSB Financial Corp. - IN

   Tippecanoe      8.5   

Louisiana Bancorp, Inc. – LA

   Jefferson      7.0   

Mayflower Bancorp, Inc. - MA

   Plymouth      8.4   

OBA Financial Services, Inc. - MD

   Montgomery      5.5   

River Valley Bancorp - IN

   Jefferson      10.1   

WVS Financial Corp. - PA

   Allegheny      7.3   

Wayne Savings Bancshares, Inc. - OH

   Wayne      8.8   

 

(1) Unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.8

 

5. Dividends

At this time the Association has not established a dividend policy. Future declarations of dividends by the Board of Directors will depend upon a number of factors, including investment opportunities, growth objectives, financial condition, profitability, tax considerations, minimum capital requirements, regulatory limitations, stock market characteristics and general economic conditions.

Seven of the 10 Peer Group companies pay regular cash dividends, with implied dividend yields ranging from 1.61% to 5.73%. The average dividend yield on the stocks of the Peer Group institutions equaled 2.09% as of January 14, 2011. As of January 14, 2011, 62% of all publicly-traded thrifts had adopted cash dividend policies (see Exhibit IV-1), exhibiting an average yield of 2.79%. The dividend paying thrifts generally maintain higher than average profitability ratios, facilitating their ability to pay cash dividends.

The Association has not established a definitive dividend policy prior to converting. The Association will have the capacity to pay a dividend comparable to the Peer Group’s average dividend yield based on pro forma capitalization. On balance, we concluded that no adjustment was warranted for this factor.

 

6. Liquidity of the Shares

The Peer Group is by definition composed of companies that are traded in the public markets. All ten of the Peer Group members trade on the NASDAQ. Typically, the number of shares outstanding and market capitalization provides an indication of how much liquidity there will be in a particular stock. The market capitalization of the Peer Group companies ranged from $14.7 million to $64.8 million as of January 14, 2011, with average and median market values of $32.9 million and $24.7 million, respectively. The shares issued and outstanding to the public shareholders of the Peer Group members ranged from 1.0 million to 4.6 million, with average and median shares outstanding of 2.7 million and 2.1 million, respectively. The Association’s stock offering is expected to have a pro forma market value and number of shares outstanding that will be in between the average and median market values indicated for the Peer Group companies. Like the Peer Group companies, the Association’s stock is expected to be quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market following the stock offering. Overall, we anticipate that the Association’s public stock will have a similar trading market as the Peer Group companies on average and, therefore, concluded that no adjustment was necessary for this factor.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.9

 

7. Marketing of the Issue

We believe that three separate markets exist for thrift stocks, including those coming to market such as Home Federal (1) the after-market for public companies, in which trading activity is regular and investment decisions are made based upon financial condition, earnings, capital, ROE, dividends and future prospects; (2) the new issue market in which converting thrifts are evaluated on the basis of the same factors, but on a pro forma basis without the benefit of prior operations as a fully-converted publicly-held company and stock trading history; and (3) the acquisition market for thrift franchises in Kentucky. All three of these markets were considered in the valuation of the Association’s to-be-issued stock.

 

  A. The Public Market

The value of publicly-traded thrift stocks is easily measurable, and is tracked by most investment houses and related organizations. Exhibit IV-1 provides pricing and financial data on all publicly-traded thrifts. In general, thrift stock values react to market stimuli such as interest rates, inflation, perceived industry health, projected rates of economic growth, regulatory issues and stock market conditions in general. Exhibit IV-2 displays historical stock market trends for various indices and includes historical stock price index values for thrifts and commercial banks. Exhibit IV-3 displays historical stock price indices for thrifts only.

In terms of assessing general stock market conditions, the performance of the overall stock market has been mixed in recent quarters. More signs of the economy gaining strength sustained the positive trend in the broader stock market at the start of the second quarter of 2010. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (“DJIA”) closed above 11000 heading into mid-April, based on growing optimism about corporate earnings and a recovering economy. Fraud charges against Goldman Sachs halted a six day rally in the market in mid-April, as financial stocks led a one day sell-off in the broader market. The broader stock market generally sustained a positive trend during the second half of April, with encouraging first quarter earnings reports and favorable economic data supporting the gains. Financial stocks pulled the broader stock market lower at the end of April on news of a criminal investigation of Goldman Sachs. The sell-off in the stock market sharpened during the first week of May, largely on the basis of heightened concerns about possible ripple effects stemming from Greece’s credit crisis. Stocks surged after European Union leaders agreed to a massive bailout to prevent Greece’s financial troubles from spreading throughout the region, but then reversed course heading into the second half of May on continued worries about the fallout from Europe’s

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.10

 

credit crisis and an unexpected increase in U.S. jobless claims. China’s promise not to unload its European debt sparked a one-day rally in late-May, which was followed by a lower close for the DJIA on the last trading day of May as a downgrade of Spain’s credit rekindled investors’ fears about Europe’s economy. Overall, it was the worst May for the DJIA since 1940. Volatility in the broader stock market continued to prevail in early-June. A rebound in energy shares provided for the third biggest daily gain in the DJIA for 2010, which was followed by a one day decline of over 300 points in the DJIA as weaker than expected employment numbers for May sent the DJIA to a close below 10000. The DJIA rallied back over 10000 in mid-June, as stocks were boosted by upbeat comments from the European Central Bank, a rebound in energy stocks, tame inflation data and some regained confidence in the global economic recovery. Weak housing data for May and persistent worries about the global economy pulled stocks lower in late-June. The DJIA closed out the second quarter of 2010 at a new low for the year, reflecting a decline of 10% for the second quarter.

A disappointing employment report for June 2010 extended the selling during the first week of July. Following seven consecutive days of closing lower, the DJIA posted a gain as bargain hunters entered the market. Some strong earnings reports at the start of second quarter earnings season and upbeat data on jobs supported a seven day winning streak in the broader stock market and pushed the DJIA through the 10000 mark going into mid-July. Renewed concerns about the economy snapped the seven day winning streak in the DJIA, although losses in the broader stock market were pared on news that Goldman Sachs reached a settlement with the SEC. Stocks slumped heading into the second half of July, as Bank of America and Citigroup reported disappointing second quarter earnings and an early-July consumer confidence report showed that consumers were becoming more pessimistic. Favorable second quarter earnings supported a rally in the broader stock market in late-July, with the DJIA moving back into positive territory for the year. Overall, the DJIA was up 7.1% for the month of July, which was its strongest performance in a year.

Better-than-expected economic data helped to sustain the stock market rally at the beginning of August 2010, but stocks eased lower following the disappointing employment report for July. Stocks skidded lower heading into mid-August, as investors dumped stocks amid worries over slowing economic growth. The downturn in the broader stock market accelerated in the second half of August, as a number of economic reports for July showed the economy was losing momentum which more than overshadowed a pick-up in merger activity. The DJIA had its worst August in nearly a decade, with the DJIA showing a loss of over 4% for

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.11

 

the month. Stocks rebounded in the first half of September, as a favorable report on manufacturing activity in August and a better-than-expected employment report for August supported gains in the broader stock market. News of more takeovers, robust economic growth in China and passage of new global regulations for how much capital banks must maintain extended the rally into the third week of September, as the DJIA moved to a one month high. Despite a favorable report for August retail sales, worries about the European economy snapped a four day winning streak in the DJIA in mid-September. The DJIA closed higher for the third week in row heading into the second half of September, as stocks edged higher on positive earnings news coming out of the technology sector and merger activity. The positive trend in stock market continued for a fourth consecutive week in late-September, as investors viewed a rise in August business spending as a sign the recovery was on firmer ground. Stocks closed out the third quarter trading slightly lower on profit taking, but overall the DJIA showed a gain of 10.4% for the quarter and, thereby, reversing losses suffered in the second quarter.

Stocks leapt to a five-month high at the start of the fourth quarter of 2010, as investors responded to signals that the Federal Reserve was poised to step in to prop up the U.S. economy. September employment data, which showed a loss of jobs and no change in the unemployment rate, translated into a mixed trading market ahead of third quarter earnings season kicking into high gear. Stocks traded unevenly in the second half of October, as investors responded to generally favorable third quarter earnings reports and concerns that the foreclosure crisis could spread into the overall economy. The DJIA surged to a two-year high in early-November, as investors were encouraged by the Federal Reserve’s plan to support the economy and better-than-expected job growth reflected in the October employment report. Stocks reversed course heading into mid-November, amid concerns over Europe’s debt problems, the potential impact of the Federal Reserve’s stimulus plan and slower growth in China. A favorable report on jobless claims hitting a two year low helped stocks to rebound heading into late-November, which was followed by a downturn as investors remained concern about the debt crisis in Europe. Stocks rebounded in early-December, based on news reports that U.S. consumers felt more upbeat about the economic outlook, U.S. exports in October surged to their highest level in more than two years and retail sales increased in November. Stocks also benefitted from a pickup in merger activity heading into mid-December. The DJIA moved to a two year high ahead of the Christmas holiday, with financial stocks leading the broader market higher as some announced bank mergers heightened acquisition speculation for the sector.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.12

 

The broader stock market started 2011 on an upswing, fueled by reports of manufacturing activity picking up in December. Weaker than expected job growth reflected in the December employment report pulled stocks lower to close out the first week in 2011. Some favorable fourth quarter earnings report by J.P. Morgan and data confirming strength in the manufacturing helped stocks to rebound in mid January, with the DJIA moving to its highest close since June 2008. On January 14, 2011, the DJIA closed at 11787.4, an increase of 10.1% from one year ago and an increase of 1.8% year-to-date, and the NASDAQ closed at 2755.3, an increase of 18.9% from one year ago and an increase of 3.9% year-to-date. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index closed at 1293.3 on January 14, 2011, an increase of 12.6% from one year ago and an increase of 2.8% year-to-date.

The market for thrift stocks has been somewhat uneven in recent quarters, but in general has underperformed the broader stock market. An improving outlook for financial stocks in general, along with positive reports for housing, employment and retail sales, boosted thrift stocks at the start of the second quarter of 2010. A nominal increase in March consumer prices and a strong first quarter earnings report from JP Morgan Chase & Co. supported a broad rally in bank and thrift stocks heading into mid-April, which was followed by a pullback on news that the SEC charged Goldman Sachs with fraud. Thrift stocks generally underperformed the broader stock market during the second half of April, as financial stocks in general were hurt by uncertainty about the progress of financial reform legislation, Greece’s debt crisis and news of a criminal investigation of Goldman Sachs. Thrift stocks retreated along the broader stock market in the first week of May, based on fears that the growing debt crisis in Europe could hurt the economic recovery. Likewise, thrift stocks surged higher along with the broader stock market after European Union officials announced a massive bailout plan to avert a public-debt crisis and then retreated heading into the second half of May on lingering concerns about the euro. News of rising mortgage delinquencies in the first quarter of 2010, an expected slowdown in new home construction and uncertainty over financial reform legislation further contributed to lower trading prices for thrift stocks. Thrift stocks participated in the one-day broader market rally in late-May and then declined along with the broader stock market at the close of May. Some positive economic reports provided a boost to thrift stocks at the start of June, which was followed a sharp decline in the sector on the disappointing employment report for May. Gains in the broader stock market provided a boost to thrift stocks as well heading in mid-June. Weaker-than-expected housing data for May and uncertainty surrounding the final stages of the financial reform legislation pressured thrift stocks lower in late-June.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.13

 

Thrift stocks declined along with the broader stock market at the start of the third quarter of 2010, as home sales in May declined sharply following the expiration of a special tax credit for home buyers. A report showing that home loan delinquencies increased in May further depressed thrift stocks, while the broader market moved higher on more attractive valuations. Financial stocks helped to lead the stock market higher through mid-July, as State Street projected a second quarter profit well above analysts’ forecasts which fueled a more optimistic outlook for second quarter earnings reports for the financial sector in general. Thrift stocks retreated along with the financial sector in general in mid-July, as investors reacted to disappointing retail sales data for June and weaker than expected second quarter earnings results for Bank of America and Citigroup which reflected an unexpected drop in their revenues. Some favorable second quarter earnings reports, which included improving credit quality measures for some institutions, helped to lift the thrift sector in late-July and at the beginning of August. Thrift stocks pulled back along with the broader market on weak employment data for July, which raised fresh concerns about the strength of the economy and the risk of deflation. The sell-off in thrift stocks became more pronounced in the second half of August, with signs of slower growth impacting most sectors of the stock market. Thrift stocks were particularly hard hit by the dismal housing data for July, which showed sharp declines in both existing and new home sales.

August employment data coming in a little more favorable than expected boosted the thrift sector in early-September, which was followed by a narrow trading range into mid-September. Financial stocks in general posted gains in mid-September after global regulators gave banks eight years to meet tighter capital requirements, but then slipped lower going into the second half of September on mixed economic data. The thrift sector traded in a narrow range during the second half of September, with financial stocks in general underperforming the broader stock market during the third quarter. The divergence in the performance of financial stocks from the broader stock market was attributed to factors such as the uncertain impact of financial reform legislation would have on the earnings of financial institutions and ongoing problems resulting from the collapse of the U.S. housing market.

The weak employment report for September 2010 and growing concerns about the fallout of alleged foreclosure abuses weighed on bank and thrift stocks during the first half of October, as financial stocks continued to underperform the broader stock market. Some better-than-expected earnings reports provided a slight boost to bank and thrift stocks heading into the second half of October, which was followed by a downturn in late-October on lackluster

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.14

 

economic data. Financial stocks led the market higher in early-November, which was supported by the Federal Reserve’s announcement that it would purchase $600 billion of Treasury bonds over the next eight months to stimulate the economy. Profit taking and weakness in the broader stock market pulled thrift stocks lower heading into mid-November. Ongoing concerns about debt problems in Ireland, weak housing data for home sales in October and a widening insider trading investigation by the U.S. government pressured financial stocks lower heading into late-November. Favorable reports for retail sales and pending home sales helped thrift stocks move higher along with the broader stock market in early-December. Expectations of a pick-up in merger activity in the financial sector contributed to gains in the thrift sector as well during the second week of December. A report showing a rise in consumer confidence in early-December also provided a modest boost to thrift stocks heading into mid-December. Thrifts stocks benefitted from announced bank deals in the final weeks of 2010, as investors bet on an increase in financial sector merger activity in 2011.

Thrift stocks rallied along with the broader stock market at the start of 2011, as investors were encouraged by data that suggested the economic recovery was strengthening. A strong fourth quarter earnings report posted by J.P. Morgan supported gains in the financial sector in mid-January, which was followed by a downturn heading into late-January as some large banks reported weaker than expected earnings. On January 14, 2011, the SNL Index for all publicly-traded thrifts closed at 606.9, an increase of 1.5% from one year ago and an increase of 2.5% year-to-date.

 

  B. The New Issue Market

In addition to thrift stock market conditions in general, the new issue market for converting thrifts is also an important consideration in determining the Association’s pro forma market value. The new issue market is separate and distinct from the market for seasoned thrift stocks in that the pricing ratios for converting issues are computed on a pro forma basis, specifically: (1) the numerator and denominator are both impacted by the conversion offering amount, unlike existing stock issues in which price change affects only the numerator; and (2) the pro forma pricing ratio incorporates assumptions regarding source and use of proceeds, effective tax rates, stock plan purchases, etc. which impact pro forma financials, whereas pricing for existing issues are based on reported financials. The distinction between pricing of converting and existing issues is perhaps no clearer than in the case of the price/book (“P/B”) ratio in that the P/B ratio of a converting thrift will typically result in a discount to book value whereas in the current market for existing thrifts the P/B ratio may reflect a premium to book

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.15

 

value. Therefore, it is appropriate to also consider the market for new issues, both at the time of the conversion and in the aftermarket.

As shown in Table 4.2, one standard conversion, six second-step conversions and one mutual holding company offering were completed during the past three months. The standard conversion offering is considered to be more relevant for purposes of our analysis. SP Bancorp, Inc. of Texas completed its conversion on November 1, 2010, raising gross proceeds of $17.3 million. The offering was closed at the maximum of the valuation range. SP Bancorp’s closing pro forma price/tangible book ratio equaled 55.9%. SP Bancorp’s stock price decreased 6.6% after the first week of trading and was down 0.1% from its IPO as of January 14, 2011.

Shown in Table 4.3 are the current pricing ratios for the fully-converted offerings completed during the past three months that trade on NASDAQ or an Exchange, five which were second-step offerings. The current P/TB ratio of the fully-converted recent conversions equaled 79.43%, based on closing stock prices as of January 14, 2011.

 

  C. The Acquisition Market

Also considered in the valuation was the potential impact on Home Federal’s stock price of recently completed and pending acquisitions of other thrift institutions operating in Kentucky. As shown in Exhibit IV-4, there were five Kentucky thrift acquisitions completed from the beginning of 2003 through January 14, 2011, and there is currently one acquisition pending of a Kentucky savings institution. To the extent that acquisition speculation may impact the Association’s offering, we have largely taken this into account in selecting companies for the Peer Group which operate in markets that have experienced a comparable level of acquisition activity as the Association’s market and, thus, are subject to the same type of acquisition speculation that may influence Home Federal’s stock. However, since converting thrifts are subject to a three-year regulatory moratorium from being acquired, acquisition speculation in Home Federal’s stock would tend to be less compared to the stocks of the Peer Group companies.

 


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RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.18

 

In determining our valuation adjustment for marketing of the issue, we considered trends in both the overall thrift market, the new issue market including the new issue market for thrift conversions and the local acquisition market for thrift stocks. Taking these factors and trends into account, RP Financial concluded that a slight downward adjustment was appropriate in the valuation analysis for purposes of marketing of the issue.

 

8. Management

The Association’s management team appears to have experience and expertise in all of the key areas of the Association’s operations. Exhibit IV-5 provides summary resumes of the Association’s Board of Directors and senior management. The Board and senior management have been effective in implementing an operating strategy that can be well managed by the Association’s present organizational structure. The Bank currently does not have any senior management positions that are vacant.

Similarly, the returns, equity positions and other operating measures of the Peer Group companies are indicative of well-managed financial institutions, which have Boards and management teams that have been effective in implementing competitive operating strategies. Therefore, on balance, we concluded no valuation adjustment relative to the Peer Group was appropriate for this factor.

 

9. Effect of Government Regulation and Regulatory Reform

In summary, as a fully-converted OTS regulated institution, Home Federal will operate in substantially the same regulatory environment as the Peer Group members — all of whom are adequately capitalized institutions and are operating with no apparent restrictions. Exhibit IV-6 reflects the Association’s pro forma regulatory capital ratios. On balance, no adjustment has been applied for the effect of government regulation and regulatory reform.

Summary of Adjustments

Overall, based on the factors discussed above, we concluded that the Association’s pro forma market value should reflect the following valuation adjustments relative to the Peer Group:

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.19

 

Table 4.4

Valuation Adjustments

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

 

   Key Valuation Parameters:    Valuation Adjustment
   Financial Condition    No Adjustment
   Profitability, Growth and Viability of Earnings    Moderate Downward
   Asset Growth    No Adjustment
   Primary Market Area    Slight Downward
   Dividends    No Adjustment
   Liquidity of the Shares    No Adjustment
   Marketing of the Issue    Slight Downward
   Management    No Adjustment
   Effect of Govt. Regulations and Regulatory Reform    No Adjustment

Valuation Approaches

In applying the accepted valuation methodology promulgated by the OTS, i.e., the pro forma market value approach, including the fully-converted analysis described above, we considered the three key pricing ratios in valuing the Association’s to-be-issued stock — price/earnings (“P/E”), price/book (“P/B”), and price/assets (“P/A”) approaches — all performed on a pro forma basis including the effects of the stock proceeds. In computing the pro forma impact of the conversion and the related pricing ratios, we have incorporated the valuation parameters disclosed in the Association’s prospectus for reinvestment rate, effective tax rate, stock benefit plan assumptions and expenses (summarized in Exhibits IV-7 and IV-8).

In our estimate of value, we assessed the relationship of the pro forma pricing ratios relative to the Peer Group and recent conversion offerings.

RP Financial’s valuation placed an emphasis on the following:

 

   

P/E Approach . The P/E approach is generally the best indicator of long-term value for a stock. Given the similarities between the Association’s and the Peer Group’s earnings composition and overall financial condition, the P/E approach was carefully considered in this valuation. At the same time, recognizing that (1) the earnings multiples will be evaluated on a pro forma basis for the Association; and (2) the Peer Group on average has had the opportunity to realize the benefit of reinvesting and leveraging the offering proceeds, we also gave weight to the other valuation approaches.

 

   

P/B Approach . P/B ratios have generally served as a useful benchmark in the valuation of thrift stocks, particularly in the context of an initial public offering, as the earnings approach involves assumptions regarding the use of proceeds. RP Financial considered the P/B approach to be a valuable indicator of pro forma value,

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.20

 

 

taking into account the pricing ratios under the P/E and P/A approaches. We have also modified the P/B approach to exclude the impact of intangible assets (i.e., price/tangible book value or “P/TB”), in that the investment community frequently makes this adjustment in its evaluation of this pricing approach.

 

   

P/A Approach . P/A ratios are generally a less reliable indicator of market value, as investors typically assign less weight to assets and attribute greater weight to book value and earnings. Furthermore, this approach as set forth in the regulatory valuation guidelines does not take into account the amount of stock purchases funded by deposit withdrawals, thus understating the pro forma P/A ratio. At the same time, the P/A ratio is an indicator of franchise value, and, in the case of highly capitalized institutions, high P/A ratios may limit the investment community’s willingness to pay market multiples for earnings or book value when ROE is expected to be low.

The Association will adopt Statement of Position (“SOP”) 93-6, which will cause earnings per share computations to be based on shares issued and outstanding excluding unreleased ESOP shares. For purposes of preparing the pro forma pricing analyses, we have reflected all shares issued in the offering, including all ESOP shares, to capture the full dilutive impact, particularly since the ESOP shares are economically dilutive, receive dividends and can be voted. However, we did consider the impact of the adoption of SOP 93-6 in the valuation.

Based on the application of the three valuation approaches, taking into consideration the valuation adjustments discussed above, RP Financial concluded that as of January 14, 2011, the pro forma market value of the Association’s full conversion offering equaled $23,000,000 at the midpoint, equal to 2,300,000 shares at $10.00 per share.

1. Price-to-Earnings (“P/E”) . The application of the P/E valuation method requires calculating the Association’s pro forma market value by applying a valuation P/E multiple to the pro forma earnings base. In attempting to apply this technique, we considered both reported earnings and a recurring earnings base, that is, earnings adjusted to exclude any one-time non-operating items, plus the estimated after-tax earnings benefit of the reinvestment of the net proceeds. The Association reported net income of $2,187,000 for the 12 months ended September 30, 2010. Home Federal’s income statement for the latest fiscal year also included a number of non-operating income or expense items, such as gains on the sale of loans ($93,000), losses on the sale of REO ($88,000) and gains on the sale of MBS ($2,269,000). As shown below, on a tax affected basis, assuming an effective marginal tax rate of 34.0% for the earnings adjustments, the Bank’s core earnings were determined to equal $686,000 for the 12 months ended September 30, 2010. (Note: see Exhibit IV-9 for the adjustments applied to the Peer Group’s earnings in the calculation of core earnings).

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.21

 

Table 4.5

Derivation of Core Earnings

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

 

     Amount  
     ($000)  
Net income (loss)      $2,187   
Less: Gain on sale of MBS (1)      (1,498
Less: Gain on sale of Loans (1)      (61
Addback: Loss on Sale of REO (1)      58   

Core earnings estimate

     $686   

 

  (1) Tax effected at 34.0%.

Based on the Association’s reported and estimated core earnings and incorporating the impact of the pro forma assumptions discussed previously, the Association’s pro forma reported and core P/E multiples at the $23.0 million midpoint value equaled 11.24 times and 42.19 times, respectively, which provided for a discount of 22.16% and a premium of 111.48% relative to the Peer Group’s average reported and core P/E multiples of 14.44 times and 19.95 times, respectively (see Table 4.6). In comparison to the Peer Group’s median reported and core earnings multiples which equaled 12.76 times and 19.41 times, respectively, the Association’s pro forma reported and core P/E multiples at the midpoint value indicated a discount of 11.91% and a premium of 117.36, respectively. At the top of the super range, the Association’s reported and core P/E multiples equaled 15.18 times and 60.52 times, respectively. In comparison to the Peer Group’s average reported and core P/E multiples, the Bank’s P/E multiples at the top of the super range reflected premiums of 5.12% and 203.36%, respectively. In comparison to the Peer Group’s median reported and core P/E multiples, the Bank’s P/E multiples at the top of the super range reflected premiums of 18.97% and 211.80%, respectively.

2. Price-to-Book (“P/B”) . The application of the P/B valuation method requires calculating the Association’s pro forma market value by applying a valuation P/B ratio, as derived from the Peer Group’s P/B ratio, to the Association’s pro forma book value. Based on the $23.0 million midpoint valuation, the Association’s pro forma P/B and P/TB ratios both equaled 49.46% (see Table 4.6). In comparison to the average P/B and P/TB ratios for the Peer Group of 76.25% and 76.72%, the Association’s ratios reflected a discount of 35.13% on a P/B basis and a discount of 35.53% on a P/TB basis. In comparison to the Peer Group’s median P/B and P/TB ratios of 77.63% and 77.63%, respectively, the Association’s pro forma

 


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RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.23

 

P/B and P/TB ratios at the midpoint value reflected discounts of 36.29% on a P/B basis and P/TB basis. At the top of the super range, the Association’s P/B and P/TB ratios both equaled 57.47%. In comparison to the Peer Group’s average P/B and P/TB ratios, the Association’s P/B and P/TB ratios at the top of the super range reflected discounts of 24.63% and 25.09%, respectively. In comparison to the Peer Group’s median P/B and P/TB ratios, the Association’s P/B and P/TB ratios at the top of the super range reflect discounts of 25.97%, respectively. RP Financial considered the resulting premiums or discounts under the P/B approach to be reasonable, given the nature of the calculation of the P/B ratio.

3. Price-to-Assets (“P/A”) . The P/A valuation methodology determines market value by applying a valuation P/A ratio to the Association’s pro forma asset base, conservatively assuming no deposit withdrawals are made to fund stock purchases. In all likelihood there will be deposit withdrawals, which results in understating the pro forma P/A ratio which is computed herein. At the $23.0 million midpoint of the valuation range, the Association’s value equaled 7.42% of pro forma assets. Comparatively, the Peer Group companies exhibited an average P/A ratio of 10.03%, which implies a discount of 26.02% has been applied to the Association’s pro forma P/A ratio. In comparison to the Peer Group’s median P/A ratio of 7.20%, the Association’s pro forma P/A ratio at the midpoint value reflects a premium of 3.06%.

Comparison to Recent Offerings

As indicated at the beginning of this chapter, RP Financial’s analysis of recent conversion offering pricing characteristics at closing and in the aftermarket has been limited to a “technical” analysis and, thus, the pricing characteristics of recent conversion offerings can not be a primary determinate of value. Particular focus was placed on the P/TB approach in this analysis, since the P/E multiples do not reflect the actual impact of reinvestment and the source of the stock proceeds (i.e., external funds vs. deposit withdrawals). As discussed previously, there has been one recently completed standard conversion offering, SP Bancorp, Inc. of Texas. In comparison to the average closing pro forma P/TB ratio of this offering, 55.9%, the Association’s P/TB ratio of 49.46% at the midpoint value reflects an implied discount of 11.5%. At the top of the superrange, the Association’s P/TB ratio of 57.47% reflects an implied premium of 2.8% relative to the average closing pro forma P/TB ratio. SP Bancorp’s current P/TB ratio, based on a closing stock price as of January 14, 2011, equaled 55.81%.

 


RP ® Financial, LC.   

VALUATION ANALYSIS

IV.24

 

Valuation Conclusion

Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of January 14, 2011, the estimated aggregate pro forma market value of the shares to be issued immediately following the conversion, equaled $23,000,000 at the midpoint, equal to 2,300,000 shares offered at a per share value of $10.00. Pursuant to conversion guidelines, the 15% valuation range indicates a minimum value of $19,550,000 and a maximum value of $26,450,000. Based on the $10.00 per share offering price determined by the Board, this valuation range equates to total shares outstanding of 1,955,000 at the minimum and 2,645,000 at the maximum. In the event the appraised value is subject to an increase, the aggregate pro forma market value may be increased up to a supermaximum value of $30,417,500 without a resolicitation. Based on the $10.00 per share offering price, the supermaximum value would result in total shares outstanding of 3,041,750. The pro forma valuation calculations relative to the Peer Group are shown in Table 4.6 and are detailed in Exhibit IV-7 and Exhibit IV-8.

 

Exhibit 99.6

KELLER & COMPANY, INC.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION CONSULTANTS

555 METRO PLACE NORTH

SUITE 524

DUBLIN, OHIO 43017

 

 

(614) 766-1426        (614) 766-1459 FAX

August 5,2010

Mr. Darryl Akers

President & Chief Executive Officer

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

1500 Carter Avenue

Ashland, Kentucky 41101

Re: Business Plan Proposal

Dear Mr. Akers:

This letter represents our proposal to prepare a complete three-year Business Plan (“Plan”) for Home Federal Savings and Loan Association (“Home Federal” or the “Association”) to fulfill all regulatory requirements relating to the Association’s mutual to stock conversion and stock offering. The Plan will focus on Home Federal’s new three-year pro formas, the stock offering impact on Home Federal and the planned use of proceeds.

Keller & Company (“Keller”) is experienced in preparing business plans for filing with and approval by all regulatory agencies. Keller prepared thirty-two in 2008, thirty-three in 2009 and fifteen in year-to-date 2010, and all were approved. Home Federal’s Plan will be based on the format provided in the attached Exhibit A. Keller will prepare the three-year pro formas and each discussion section in accordance with regulatory requirements and based on the Association’s input, including the current strategic plan. Keller’s objective is to ensure that the Association’s Plan is in compliance with all applicable requirements, and that management and directorate are knowledgeable of and comfortable with the assumptions, commitments and projections contained in the Plan, making the Plan useful for the future. Keller has filed numerous Plans with the OTS and the FDIC and is familiar with the pre-filing requirements of the OTS for business plans.

Exhibit B provides a sample set of pro formas. Home Federal’s pro formas will incorporate the most current interest rate projections available. Keller’s procedure in preparing the Plan and three-year projections is to request key financial information, including the most recent TFR and CMR Reports as of June 30, 2010, investment portfolio mix, recent lending activity, interest rate risk exposure report, deposit activity, costs and yields and other data from Home Federal. Based on a review of this information, we will then schedule a time to discuss with management the Association’s plans and expectations for the remainder of 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, focusing on such items as use of proceeds, deposit growth expectations, loan origination projections, new products and services, increases in general valuation allowance, charge-offs, capital expenditures, increases in fixed assets, investment strategy, expansion plans, overhead expenses, fee income, total compensation, etc. We will then prepare financial projections tying the beginning figures to Home Federal’s June 30, 2010, TFR Report balances. These projections will be updated upon the availability of the September 30,2010, figures. Assets and liabilities will be repriced based on their maturity period, with such items tied to rate indices and their yields and costs adjusting based on interest rate trends. The projections will be based somewhat on Home Federal’s actual performance in 2009 and early 2010 in conjunction with the input from discussions with management. We can introduce numerous scenarios for internal use as part of the preparation of the Plan to show the impact of alternative strategies and the impact of proceeds at any other levels rather than the midpoint as required by OTS.


Mr. Darryl Akers

August 5, 2010

Page 2

 

With each set of pro formas, we will send Home Federal a discussion summary of the assumptions for easy review and comments (Exhibit C). After your review of the pro formas, we will make any adjustments that are required. When the pro formas are complete, we will provide the final pro forma financial statements, as well as pro formas for the new holding company (Exhibit D).

With regard to the text of the Plan, we will complete each section in draft form for your review, and revise each section based on management’s comments and requests. We will also send a copy to the conversion counsel for their input and comments. The Plan will be in full compliance with all regulatory requirements. We will also prepare a quarterly comparison chart each quarter after the conversion for presentation to the board, showing the quarterly variance in actual performance relative to projections and provide comments on the variance, at no charge.

Our fee for the preparation of the Business Plan text and pro formas is a fee of $28,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses not to exceed $1,000. The fee includes a retainer fee of $5,000 to be paid at the time of signing this agreement and deducted from the total fee at the time of completion of the Business Plan.

I look forward to possibly working with the Association and its senior management and would be pleased to discuss our proposal or answer any questions.

Sincerely,

 

KELLER and COMPANY, INC.
/s/ Michael R. Keller

Michael R. Keller

President

MRK:jmm
enclosure
Accepted this 9th day of August, 2010.
/s/ Darryl Akers
Darryl Akers

Exhibit 99.7

LOGO

September 10, 2010

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

1500 Carter Avenue

Ashland, KY 41101

Attention:       Darryl E. Akers

                       Vice Chairman, President & CEO

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This letter confirms the engagement of Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, Inc. (“KBW”) to act as the Conversion Agent to Home Federal Savings and Loan Association (the “Bank”) in connection with the Bank’s proposed conversion from mutual to stock form of ownership, including the offer and sale of common stock of a newly organized holding company of the Bank (the “Offering”).

Conversion Agent Services : As Conversion Agent, and as the Bank may reasonably request, KBW will provide the following services:

 

  1. Consolidation of Accounts and Development of a Central File, including, but not limited to the following:

 

   

Consolidate accounts having the same ownership and separate the consolidated file information into necessary groupings to satisfy mailing requirements;

 

   

Create the master file of account holders as of key record dates; and

 

   

Provide software for the operation of the Bank’s Stock Information Center, including subscription management and proxy solicitation efforts

 

  2. Preparation of Proxy Forms; Proxy Solicitation and Special Meeting Services, including, but not limited to the following:

 

   

Assist the Bank’s financial printer with labeling of proxy materials for voting and subscribing for stock;

 

   

Provide support for any follow-up mailings to members, as needed, including proxy grams and additional solicitation materials;

 

   

Proxy and ballot tabulation; and

 

   

Act as Inspector of Election for the Bank’s special meeting of members, if requested, and the election is not contested.

 

 

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods • 10 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 3400 • Chicago, IL 60606

312.423.8200 • Toll Free: 800.929.6113 • Fax: 312.423.8232


Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

June 24, 2010

Page 2 of 5

 

  3. Subscription Services, including, but not limited to the following:

 

   

Assist the Bank’s financial printer with labeling of stock offering materials for subscribing for stock;

 

   

Provide support for any follow-up mailings to members, as needed, including additional solicitation materials;

 

   

Stock order form processing and production of daily reports and analysis;

 

   

Provide supporting account information to the Bank’s legal counsel for ‘blue sky’ research and applicable registration;

 

   

Assist the Bank’s transfer agent with the generation and mailing of stock certificates;

 

   

Perform interest and refund calculations and provide a file to enable the Bank to generate interest and refund checks;

 

   

Create 1099-INT forms for interest reporting, as well as magnetic media reporting to the IRS, for subscribers paid $10 or more in interest for subscriptions paid by check

Fees : For the Conversion Agent services outlined above, the Bank agrees to pay KBW a fee of $25,000 . This fee is based upon the requirements of current banking regulations, the Bank’s Plan of Conversion as currently contemplated, and the expectation that member data will be processed as of three key record dates. Any material changes in regulations or the Plan of Conversion, or delays requiring duplicate or replacement processing due to changes to record dates, may result in additional fees. All fees under this agreement shall be payable as follows: (a) $10,000 payable upon execution of this agreement, which shall be non-refundable; and (b) the balance upon the completion of the Offering.

Costs and Expenses : In addition to any fees that may be payable to KBW hereunder, the Bank agrees to reimburse KBW, upon request made from time to time, for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with its engagement hereunder, regardless of whether the Offering is consummated, including, without limitation, travel, lodging, food, telephone, postage, listings, forms and other similar expenses up to $2,500; provided, however, that KBW shall document such expenses to the reasonable satisfaction of the Bank. The provisions of this paragraph are not intended to apply to or in any way impair the indemnification provisions of this letter.

Reliance on Information Provided : The Bank agrees to provide KBW with such information as KBW may reasonably require to carry out its services under this agreement. The Bank recognizes and confirms that KBW (a) will use and rely on such information in performing the services contemplated by this agreement without having independently verified the same, and (b) does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information or to conduct any independent verification or any appraisal or physical inspection of properties or assets.


Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

September 10, 2010

Page 3 of 5

 

Limitations : KBW, as Conversion Agent hereunder, (a) shall have no duties or obligations other than those specifically set forth herein; (b) will be regarded as making no representations and having no responsibilities as to the validity, sufficiency, value or genuineness of any order form or any stock certificates or the shares represented thereby, and will not be required to and will make no representations as to the validity, value or genuineness of the offer; (c) shall not be obliged to take any legal action hereunder which might in its judgment involve any expense or liability, unless it shall have been furnished with reasonable indemnity satisfactory to it; and (d) may rely on and shall be protected in acting in reliance upon any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter, telex, telegram, or other document or security delivered to it and in good faith believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper party or parties.

The Company also agrees neither KBW, nor any of its affiliates nor any officer, director, employee or agent of KBW or any of its affiliates, nor any person controlling KBW or any of its affiliates, shall be liable to any person or entity, including the Bank, by reason of any error of judgment, or for any act done by it in good faith, or for any mistake of law or fact in connection with this agreement and the performance hereof, unless caused by or arising primarily out of KBW’s bad faith or gross negligence. The foregoing agreement shall be in addition to any rights that KBW, the Company or any Indemnified Party (as defined herein) may have at common law or otherwise, including, but not limited to, any right to contribution.

Anything in this agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall KBW be liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if KBW has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

Indemnification : The Bank agrees to indemnify and hold harmless KBW and its affiliates, the respective partners, directors, officers, employees, and agents of KBW and its affiliates and each other person, if any, controlling KBW or any of its affiliates and each of their successors and assigns (KBW and each such person being an “Indemnified Party”) to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities, joint or several, to which such Indemnified Party may become subject under applicable federal or state law, or otherwise, reasonably related to or arising out of the engagement of KBW pursuant to, and the performance by KBW of the services contemplated by, this letter, and will reimburse any Indemnified Party for all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) as they are incurred, including expenses incurred in connection with investigation, preparing for or defending any such action or claim whether or not in connection with pending or threatened litigation, or any action or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not KBW is a Party. The Bank will not be liable under the foregoing indemnification provision to the extent that any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense is found in a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from KBW’s bad faith or gross negligence.


Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

September 10, 2010

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If the indemnification provided for in the foregoing paragraph is judicially determined to be unavailable (other than in accordance with the terms hereof) to any person otherwise entitled to indemnity in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to herein, then, in lieu of indemnifying such person hereunder, the Bank shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (and expenses relating thereto) (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits to the Bank, on the one hand, and KBW, on the other hand, of the engagement provided for in this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided for in clause (i) above is not available, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in such clause (i) but also the relative fault of each of the Bank and KBW, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided , however , in no event shall KBW’s aggregate contribution to the amount paid or payable exceed the aggregate amount of fees actually received by KBW under this Agreement. For the purposes of this Agreement, the relative benefits to the Bank and to KBW of the engagement under this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as (a) the total value paid or contemplated to be paid or received or contemplated to be received by the Bank in the Conversion and the Offerings that are the subject of the engagement hereunder, whether or not consummated, bears to (b) the fees paid or to be paid to KBW under this Agreement.

This letter constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and can be altered only by written consent signed by the parties. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed in that state, without regard to such state’s rules concerning conflicts of laws. Any right to trial by jury with respect to any claim or action arising out of this agreement or conduct in connection with the engagement is hereby waived by the parties hereto.


Home Federal Savings and Loan Association

September 10, 2010

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If the foregoing correctly sets forth our mutual understanding, please so indicate by signing and returning the original copy of this letter to the undersigned.

 

Very truly yours,
KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.
By:   /s/ Harold T. Hanley III
  Harold T. Hanley III
  Managing Director

 

Home Federal Savings and Loan Association    
By:   /s/ Darryl E. Akers       Date: 9-27-10
  Darryl E. Akers      
  Vice Chairman, President & CEO