UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 31, 2017

 

 

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Massachusetts   001-16767   73-1627673

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

141 Elm Street

Westfield, Massachusetts 01085

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (413) 568-1911

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 2, 2017, Western New England Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. The Company also announced a repurchase program under which a total of 10% of common stock outstanding, or 3,047,000 shares, may be repurchased. The press release also announced the declaration of a regular cash dividend of $0.03 per share. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.02.

The information contained in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission nor incorporated by reference in any registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On January 31, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) approved the amendment of the Company’s Bylaws to remove the following provision of Article II addressing qualification of directors: “ Section 2. Qualifications . No person shall be eligible for election or appointment to the Board of Directors unless such person has been, for a period of at least one year immediately before his or her nomination or appointment, a resident of a county in which the Corporation or its subsidiaries maintains a banking office or a county contiguous to any such county. No person may serve on the Board of Directors and at the same time be a director or officer of another 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 operates a bank branch in the same market area as the Corporation of any of its subsidiaries.”

The amendment to the Bylaws is reflected in the Amended and Restated Bylaws, a copy of which has been attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

The information regarding the Company’s repurchase program contained in Item 2.02 above is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

  3.1

   Amended and Restated Bylaws of Western New England Bancorp, Inc.

99.1

   Press Release, dated February 2, 2017


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BANCORP, INC.
Date: February 2, 2017     By:    /s/ James C. Hagan
      James C. Hagan
      President & Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

  3.1

   Amended and Restated Bylaws of Western New England Bancorp, Inc.

99.1

   Press Release, dated February 2, 2017

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BANCORP, INC.

(“BYLAWS”)

ARTICLE I

SHAREHOLDERS

Section 1. Annual Meeting . An annual meeting of the shareholders, for the election of Directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held on the third Tuesday of May each year or on such other day (other than a legal holiday or day of religious significance) as the Board of Directors shall designate. The time and place of the annual meeting shall be designated by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Special Meetings . Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation, special meetings of shareholders of the Corporation may be called by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of Directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies on the Board of Directors (hereinafter, the “Whole Board”) or otherwise as set forth in the Articles of Organization. The hour, date and place of any special meeting and the record date for determining the shareholders having the right to notice of and to vote at any such meeting shall be determined by the Board of Directors or the President.

Section 3. Notice of Meetings. Written notice of the place, date, and time of all meetings of the shareholders shall be given at least seven (7) days but no more than sixty (60) days before the date on which the meeting is to be held to each shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law (meaning, here and hereinafter, as required from time to time by Chapter 156D of the Massachusetts General Laws, any successor provisions thereto).

When a meeting is adjourned to another place, date or time, written notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the place, date and time thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if the date of any adjourned meeting is more than thirty (30) days after the date for which the meeting was originally noticed, or if a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, written notice of the place, date, and time of the adjourned meeting shall be given in conformity herewith. At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

Section 4. Quorum . At any meeting of the shareholders, the holders of a majority of all of the shares of the stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number may be required by law. 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. The shareholders present at a duly constituted meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum.

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 entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, may adjourn the meeting to another place, date, or time.

Section 5. Organization . The President or, in the absence of the President, the Chairman of the Board of the Corporation or, in his or her absence, a Vice President of the Corporation, shall call to order any meeting of the shareholders and act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of the Secretary of the Corporation, the secretary of the meeting shall be such person as the chairman appoints. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power, among other things, to adjourn such meeting at any time and from time to time. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of shareholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting.


Section 6. Conduct of Business.

(a) The chairman of any meeting of shareholders 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 to be in order. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the shareholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting.

(b) At any annual meeting of the shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting: (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (ii) by any shareholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote with respect thereto and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 6(b). For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder, the business must relate to a proper subject matter for shareholder action and the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one-hundred twenty (120) calendar days nor more than one-hundred fifty (150) days in advance of the date of the Corporation’s proxy statement which was released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, with respect to the Corporation’s first annual meeting of shareholders, to be timely notice shall be received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one-hundred twenty (120) days prior to the date of the annual meeting except that in the event less than one-hundred thirty (130) days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to shareholders, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. A shareholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter such shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (A) 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; (B) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the shareholder proposing such business; (C) the class and number of shares of the Corporation’s capital stock that are beneficially owned by such shareholder; and (D) any material interest of such shareholder in such business.

At any special meeting of the shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) as a result of a written application for a special meeting brought by shareholders in accordance with the Articles of Organization. Any such written application for a special meeting by one or more shareholders shall set forth as to each matter proposed to be brought before the special meeting the information described in subsections (A) through (D) of this Section 6(b).

Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be brought before or conducted at a meeting of shareholders except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(b). The Officer of the Corporation or other person presiding over the 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(b) 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.

(c) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws shall be eligible for election as Directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation may be made at a meeting of shareholders at which Directors are to be elected only: (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (ii) by any shareholder of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of Directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 6(c). 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. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one-hundred twenty (120) calendar days in advance of the date of the Corporation’s proxy statement which was released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, with respect to the Corporation’s first annual meeting of shareholders, to be timely notice shall be received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than one-hundred twenty (120) days prior to the date of the annual meeting except that in the event less than one-hundred thirty (130) days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to shareholders, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be received not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. Such shareholder’s notice shall set forth: (i) as to each person whom such shareholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a Director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of Directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including such


person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if elected); and (ii) as to the shareholder giving notice of (x) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of such shareholder and (y) the class and number of shares of the Corporation’s capital stock that are beneficially owned by such shareholder. At the request of the Board of Directors any person nominated by the Board of Directors for election as a Director shall furnish to the Secretary that information required to be set forth in a shareholder’s notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. No person shall be eligible for election as a Director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c). The Officer of the Corporation or other person presiding at 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 declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

(d) Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall require proxy materials distributed by the management of the Corporation to include any information with respect to nominations or other proposals by shareholders.

Section 7. Proxies and Voting . At any meeting of the shareholders, every shareholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to this paragraph may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission. Proxies shall be in written form and shall be dated not more than six (6) months before the meeting named therein, unless the proxy is coupled with an interest and provides otherwise. Proxies shall be filed with the Secretary at the meeting, or of any adjournment thereof, before being voted. Proxies solicited on behalf of the management shall be voted as directed by the shareholder or, in the absence of such direction, as determined by a majority of the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise limited therein, proxies shall entitle the persons authorized thereby to vote at any adjournment of such Meeting, but they shall not be valid after final adjournment of such meeting. A proxy with respect to stock held in the name of two or more persons shall be valid if executed by one of them unless at or prior to exercise of the proxy the Secretary receives a specific written notice to the contrary from any one of them. Whenever stock is held in the name of two or more persons, in the absence of specific written notice to the Corporation to the contrary, at any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation any one or more of such shareholders may cast, in person or by proxy, all votes to which such ownership is entitled. In the event an attempt is made to cast conflicting votes, in person or by proxy, by the several persons in whose names shares of stock stand, the vote or votes to which those persons are entitled shall be cast as directed by a majority of those holding such stock and present in person or by proxy at such meeting, but no votes shall be cast for such stock if a majority does not agree. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a shareholder shall be deemed valid unless successfully challenged at or prior to its exercise, and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger.

Every vote shall be taken by ballots, each of which shall state the name of the shareholder or proxy voting and such other information as may be required under the procedure established for the meeting. The Corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of shareholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of shareholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability.

All elections shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast, and except as otherwise required by the Articles of Organization or by law, all other matters shall be determined by a majority of the votes present and cast at a properly called meeting of shareholders.


ARTICLE II

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. General Powers, Number and Term of Office . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be under the direction of its Board of Directors. The number of Directors who shall constitute the Whole Board shall be such number as the Board of Directors shall from time to time have designated. The Board of Directors may annually elect a Chairman of the Board from among its members who shall, when present, preside at its meetings. In the absence of a Chairman of the Board, meetings of the Board of Directors will be chaired by a Director selected by the Board of Directors from among its members.

The Directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any class or series of preferred stock, shall be divided, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three classes, with the term of office of the first class to expire at the first annual meeting of shareholders, the term of office of the second class to expire at the annual meeting of shareholders one year thereafter and the term of office of the third class to expire at the annual meeting of shareholders 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 shareholders, commencing with the first annual meeting, Directors elected to succeed those Directors whose terms then expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of shareholders after their election, with each Director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No person shall be eligible for election, reelection, appointment or reappointment to the Board if such person reached seventy-two (72) years of age or older on appointment or reappointment to the Board.

Section 2. Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies . Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock then outstanding, newly created Directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause may be filled only by a majority vote of the Directors then in office, though less than a quorum (provided, however, that if there is an Interested Shareholder (as defined in Article VII), such action shall also require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Disinterested Directors (as defined in Article VII) then in office). Directors so chosen shall hold office for a term specified by the Directors then in office or, if not so specified, for a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders at which the term of office of the class to which they have been elected expires and until such Director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of authorized Directors constituting the Board 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, 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.

Section 4. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by a majority of the Directors then in office or by the President and shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as they or he/she shall fix. Notice of the place, date, and time of each such special meeting shall be given to each Director by whom it is not waived by mailing written notice in person or by telephone or sent to his or her business or home address by telecommunication at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the meeting, or by written notice mailed to his or her business or home address at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting. Notice of any special meeting may be waived in accordance with Article VI, Section 2, hereof.

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 conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting but shall not constitute attendance for the purpose of compensation pursuant to Section 9 of this Article II, unless the Board of Directors by resolution so provides.


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 herein or required by law. Action may be taken by the Board of Directors without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.

Section 8. Powers . The Board of Directors may, except as otherwise required by law, exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the unqualified power:

(a) To declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on outstanding shares of its capital stock;

(b) To issue or reserve for issue from time to time the whole or any part of the capital stock of the Corporation which may be authorized from time to time, to such persons or organizations, for such consideration, whether cash, property, services or expenses, and on such terms as the Board of Directors or a designated committee thereof may determine, including without limitation the granting of options, warrants, or conversion or other rights to subscribe to said capital stock;

(c) To purchase or otherwise acquire any property, rights or privileges on such terms as it shall determine;

(d) 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;

(e) 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;

(f) To confer upon any Officer of the Corporation the power to appoint, remove and suspend subordinate officers, employees and agents;

(g) 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;

(h) 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

(i) 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. Action by Consent . Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors at any meeting may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the Directors then in office. Such written consents shall be filed with the records of the meetings of the Board of Directors and shall be treated for all purposes as a vote at a meeting of the Board of Directors.

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 Corporation matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his or her dissent or abstention has been entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless he or she has filed a written dissent to such action with the person acting as the Secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or has forwarded such dissent by registered mail to the Secretary within five (5) days after the date such dissenting Director receives a copy of the minutes of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a Director who voted in favor of such action.

Section 12. Removal . A Director may be removed only for cause as provided Corporation’s Articles of Organization. Any Director may resign at any time giving notice to the Chairman of the Board or the Secretary.


ARTICLE III

COMMITTEES

Section 1. Committees of the Board of Directors . The Board of Directors, by a vote of a majority of the Whole Board, may from time to time designate committees of the Board, with such lawfully delegable powers and duties as it thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board and shall, for those committees and any others provided for herein, elect a Director or Directors to serve as the member or members, designating, if it desires, other Directors as alternate members who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee and any alternate member in his or her place, the member or members of the committee present at the meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may by unanimous vote appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of the absent or disqualified member.

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. Action may be taken by any committee without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of such committee.

Section 3. Nominating Committee . The Board of Directors shall appoint a Nominating Committee of the Board consisting of not less than three (3) members. The Nominating Committee shall have authority (a) to review any nominations for election to the Board of Directors made by a shareholder of the Corporation pursuant to Section 6 of Article I of these Bylaws in order to determine compliance with such Bylaw provision, and (b) to recommend to the Whole Board nominees for election to the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1. Generally. The Board of Directors as soon as may be practicable after the annual meeting of shareholders may choose a Chairman of the Board, and shall choose a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary and one or more Vice Presidents, and from time to time may choose such other Officers as it may deem proper. The Chairman of the Board, if any, shall be chosen from among the Directors. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

(a) 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 Directors then in office.

b) 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 . The Chairman of the Board, if one is chosen, shall be the Chief Executive Officer unless the Board of Directors, by special vote confer the duties of Chief Executive Officer upon the President. The Chairman of the Board shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board 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 which are authorized.

Section 3. President . The President or such other Chief Executive Officer shall have general responsibility for the management and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties and have all powers which are commonly incident to the office of President or which are delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors. Subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, and in the absence of a Chairman of the Board, the President shall have all of the powers and perform all of the duties of the Chairman of the Board (as designated in Section 2), and shall also have power to sign all stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation which are authorized and shall have general supervision of all of the other Officers (other than the Chairman of the Board, if any), employees and agents of the Corporation.


Section 4. Vice Presidents . The Vice President or Vice Presidents shall perform the duties and exercise the powers usually incident to their respective offices and/or such other duties and powers as may be properly assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. A Vice President or Vice Presidents may be designated as Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President.

Section 5. Treasurer, Vice Treasurers, and Assistant Treasurers . The Treasurer shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have general charge of the financial affairs of the Corporation and shall cause to be kept accurate books of account. He or she shall have custody of all funds, securities, and valuable documents of the Corporation, except as the Board of Directors may otherwise provide. The Treasurer shall also perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate. Any Vice Treasurer and any Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.

Section 6. Secretary . The Secretary shall issue notices of meetings, shall keep their minutes, 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 or the President.

Section 7. Assistant Secretaries and Other Officers . The Board of Directors may appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries and such other Officers who shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the President.

Section 8. Action With Respect to Securities of Other Corporations . Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the President or any Officer of the Corporation authorized by the President shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or in which the Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which the Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other corporation.

ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 1. Certificates of Stock; Uncertificated Shares . Shares of capital stock of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated. Each shareholder shall be entitled to a certificate of the capital stock of the Corporation in such form as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors. Such certificate shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, and sealed with the corporate seal or a facsimile thereof. Such signatures may be facsimile if the certificate is signed by a transfer agent, or by a registrar, other than a Director, Officer or employee of the Corporation. In case any Officer who has signed or whose signature has been placed on such certificate shall have ceased to be such Officer before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such Officer at the time of its issue. Each certificate for shares of capital stock shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified. Every certificate for shares of stock which is subject to any restriction on transfer and every certificate issued when the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class or series of stock shall contain such legend with respect thereto as is required by law.

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 therefore.

Section 3. Record Date . The Board of Directors may fix in advance a time of not more than sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of shareholders, or the date for the payment of any dividend or the making of any distribution to shareholders, or the last day on which the consent or dissent of shareholders may be effectively expressed for any purpose, as the record date for determining the shareholders having the right to notice of and to vote at such meeting, and any adjournment thereof, or the right to receive such dividend or distribution or the right to give such consent or dissent. In such case only shareholders of record on such record date shall have such right, notwithstanding any transfer of stock on the books of the Corporation after the record date. Without fixing such


record date the Board of Directors may for any of such purposes close the transfer books for all or any part of such period. A determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

If no record date is fixed and the transfer books are not closed, (a) the record date for determining shareholders having the right to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, and (b) the record date for determining shareholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors acts with respect thereto.

Section 4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . In the event of the loss, theft or destruction of any certificate of stock, another may be issued in its place pursuant to such regulations as the Board of Directors may establish concerning proof of such loss, theft or destruction and concerning the giving of a satisfactory bond or bonds of indemnity.

Section 5. 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

NOTICES

Section 1. Notices . Except as otherwise specifically provided herein or required by law, all notices required to be given to any shareholder, Director, Officer, employee or agent shall be in writing and may in every instance be effectively given by hand delivery to the recipient thereof, by depositing such notice in the mails, postage paid, or by sending such notice by telecommunication. Any such notice shall be addressed to such shareholder, Director, Officer, employee or agent at his or her last known address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation. The time when such notice is received, if hand delivered, or dispatched, if delivered through the mails or by telecommunication, shall be the time of the giving of the notice.

Section 2. Waivers . A written waiver of any notice, signed by a shareholder, Director, Officer, employee or agent, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required to be given to such shareholder, Director, Officer, employee or agent. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in such a waiver.

ARTICLE VII

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, containing the name of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary. If and when so directed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Comptroller or by an Assistant Secretary or an assistant to the Comptroller.

Section 3. Reliance Upon Books, Reports and Records . Each Director, each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each Officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, 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 or committee member 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 4. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as fixed by the Board of Directors.


Section 5. Time Periods . In applying any provision of these Bylaws which 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 6. Execution of Instruments . All deeds, leases, transfers, contracts, bonds, notes and other instruments and obligations to be entered into by the Corporation in the ordinary course of its business without Board of Directors action may be executed on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, President, any Vice President, Treasurer or any other Officer, employee or agent of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may authorize.

Section 7. Articles of Organization . All references in these Bylaws to the Articles of Organization shall be deemed to refer to the Articles of Organization of the Corporation, as amended and in effect from time to time.

Section 8. Powers of Corporation . The Corporation shall have and may exercise all the powers, privileges and authority, express, implied and incidental, now or hereafter conferred by applicable law and the Corporation’s Articles of Organization.

Section 9. Interested Shareholder and Disinterested Directors . As used in these Bylaws, the terms “Interested Shareholder” and “Disinterested Director” shall have the same respective meanings assigned to them in the Corporation’s Articles of Organization. Any determination of beneficial ownership of securities under these Bylaws shall be made in the manner specified in the Articles of Organization.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENT

Section 1. Amendment by Directors . The Bylaws of the Corporation may be amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Whole Board at a duly constituted meeting of the Board of Directors, unless at the time of such action there shall be an Interested Shareholder, in which case such action shall also require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Disinterested Directors (as such term is defined in the Articles of Organization) then in office at such meeting. Not later than the time of giving notice of the annual meeting of shareholders next following the amending or repealing by the Directors of any Bylaw, notice thereof stating the substance of such change shall be given to all shareholders entitled to vote on amending the Bylaws.

Section 2. Amendment by Shareholders . The Bylaws of the Corporation may be amended or repealed at a duly constituted meeting of shareholders called expressly for such purpose, by the affirmative vote of at least eighty percent (80%) of the total voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class.

Effective as of January 31, 2017.

Exhibit 99.1

 

  

For further information contact:

James C. Hagan, President and CEO

Leo R. Sagan, Jr., CFO

Meghan Hibner, VP Investor Relations Officer

413-568-1911

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BANCORP, INC. REPORTS RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND ANNOUNCES 10% SHARE REPURCHASE PLAN

QUARTERLY DIVIDEND DECLARED

Westfield, Massachusetts, February  2, 2017: Western New England Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “WNEB”) (NasdaqGS:WNEB), the holding company for Westfield Bank (the “Bank”), reported net income of $1.9 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, compared to $1.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2016, net income was $4.8 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to $5.7 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the same period in 2015.

The financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2016 included $1.5 million and $3.3 million, net of tax, respectively, of acquisition and integration related costs associated with the acquisition of Chicopee Bancorp, Inc. (“Chicopee”), or a total of $0.05 and $0.17, respectively, of diluted earnings per share. Excluding these expenses, earnings per diluted share was $0.12 per share for fourth quarter 2016, versus $0.08 per share for fourth quarter 2015, and for the full year 2016, earnings per share was $0.41 per share versus $0.33 per share for the prior year.

James C. Hagan, President and CEO stated, “This is a very exciting time for Western New England Bancorp. The current quarter is the first reporting period which reflects financial results inclusive of Chicopee, which was acquired on October 21, 2016. We’re pleased to say that on December 5, 2016, we achieved another milestone as the Chicopee core system was successfully converted to the Westfield platform. Our combined 21 banking locations, lending expertise and larger presence in the western New England marketplace provide us a platform for growth and the ability to leverage our unique service experience to continue our commitment to enhancing the value of our franchise for our shareholders, customers, employees and communities that we serve.”

Selected financial highlights include:

 

    The acquisition of Chicopee was completed on October 21, 2016. Total assets acquired were $703.0 million (excluding goodwill generated), total loans acquired were $646.6 million and total deposits acquired were $545.7 million (of which $345.2 were core deposits), net of purchase accounting adjustments. The analysis over the purchased impaired loans acquired from Chicopee with an aggregate outstanding contractual balance of $28.8 million and a related provisional nonaccretable credit mark of $7.5 million as of December 31, 2016, is not yet completed and may result in a change to the nonaccretable credit mark and goodwill upon completion. In addition, estimates of the fair value of bank premises acquired based upon current information are still being evaluated by management and are not yet completed and may result in a change to the provisional fair values of bank premises acquired and goodwill upon completion.

 

    Total loans increased $748.2 million to $1.6 billion during 2016 including $646.6 million of loans acquired from Chicopee. Organic loan growth for the year ended 2016 was $101.6 million, or 12.4%. This was due to increases in residential loans of $63.0 million, commercial real estate loans of $27.6 million and commercial and industrial loans of $10.5 million.

 

    Total deposits increased $617.7 million during 2016 to $1.5 billion at December 31, 2016 including $545.7 million of deposits acquired from Chicopee. Organic deposit growth was $72.0 million, or 8.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2016. This was due to increases in money market accounts of $67.6 million and checking accounts of $34.5 million, which were offset by a decrease in term deposits of $23.2 million and a decrease in savings accounts of $6.9 million.

 

1


    During the fourth quarter 2016, net interest margin increased 19 basis points to 2.84% for the three months ended December 31, 2016 from 2.65% for the three month ended September 30, 2016. The net interest margin increased 17 basis points to 2.70% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to 2.53% for the year ended December 31, 2015. For the fourth quarter and year ending December 31, 2016, the loan accretion income and interest expense reduction on time deposits and borrowings related to the Chicopee acquisition totaled $194,000. Excluding these items, net interest margin for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2016 was 2.80% and 2.68%, respectively.

 

    Book value per share was $7.85 at December 31, 2016 versus $7.92 at September 30, 2016. Tangible book value per share was $7.25 at December 31, 2016 versus $7.92 per share at September 30, 2016. Approximately $0.18 per share of the $0.67 decrease from the prior quarter was due to a reduction in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”), largely a result of the higher interest rate environment, and independent of the Chicopee transaction. The remainder of the decrease was primarily due to the purchase accounting associated with the Chicopee acquisition. Tangible book value at December 31, 2016 was below our original estimates at the time of the acquisition announcement, with a difference of $0.10 per share due to the fair value accounting around premises. Estimates obtained after announcement of the merger indicated a lower value than those used at the time of the announcement. As stated previously, estimates of the value of bank premises acquired are still being evaluated by management. The tangible book value earn back projections previously disclosed concerning the acquisition of Chicopee will not be materially impacted by this decrease.

Additional Income Statement Discussion

On a sequential quarter basis, net interest and dividend income increased $4.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 to $12.7 million from $8.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2016, net interest and dividend income increased $5.6 million to $37.3 million as compared to $31.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Both periods reflect the acquisition of Chicopee, which was completed on October 21, 2016.

Non-interest income increased $1.1 million to $2.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, compared to $1.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, driven primarily by an increase in service charges and fees and securities gains. For the year ended December 31, 2016, non-interest income increased $1.1 million to $6.0 million from $4.9 million for the same period in 2015.

Non-interest expense increased $3.8 million to $12.0 million from $8.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, compared to the previous quarter. Non-interest expense increased $7.9 million to $35.3 million from $27.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015. The increases for both periods were primarily due to merger related expenses of $2.1 million and $4.1 million, respectively, as well as increases in cost of Chicopee branch network, which will be fully phased in during the first half of 2017. On a linked-quarter basis, the efficiency ratio, which excludes the merger-related charges mentioned above, was 67.4% for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 compared to 76.63% for September 30, 2016. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the efficiency ratio, exclusive of merger-related charges, was 72.60% and 75.34%, respectively.

Additional Balance Sheet Discussion

Shareholders’ equity was $238.4 million at December 31, 2016 and $145.2 million at September 30, 2016, which represented 11.5% and 10.5% of total assets at December 31 and September 30, 2016, respectively. The increase in shareholders’ equity during the quarter reflects the issuance of 12,469,334 shares in connection with the acquisition of Chicopee totaling $98.5 million, a premium to equity of $2.9 million for the rollover of Chicopee’s stock options, the exercise of 331,628 options of $2.0 million, and net income of $1.9 million. These increases were offset by a decrease of $5.4 million in comprehensive income, a decrease of $4.1 million and 519,922 shares outstanding to retire Chicopee’s ESOP plan, a decrease of $1.8 million for the repurchase of 201,296 shares of common stock at an average cost of $8.99, and the payment of regular dividends of $880,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. Total shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016 was 30,380,231.

 

2


Credit Quality

The allowance for loan losses was $10.1 million, $9.9 million and $8.8 million at December 31, 2016, September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, representing 1.05%, 1.05% and 1.08% of total loans, respectively, excluding loans acquired from Chicopee at year-end 2016. This represents 131.38%, 136.45% and 109.41% of total nonperforming loans, respectively, excluding loans acquired from Chicopee at year-end 2016.

An analysis of the changes in the allowance for loan losses is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     December 31,      September 30,      December 31,  
     2016      2016      2015  
     (In thousands)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 9,927       $ 9,570       $ 8,372   

Provision

     175         375         475   

Charge-offs

     (139      (86      (65

Recoveries

     105         68         58   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

   $ 10,068       $ 9,927       $ 8,840   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Nonperforming loans were $14.1 million and $7.3 million, representing 0.90% and 0.77% of total loans at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively. Loans delinquent 30 – 89 days increased $6.9 million to $8.3 million at December 31, 2016 from $1.4 million at September 30, 2016. Both increases were the result of loans acquired from Chicopee, which were recorded at estimated fair value as of the date of the acquisition. There are no loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing interest.

New 10% Share Repurchase

On March 13, 2014, the Company announced a repurchase program under which it may repurchase up to 1,970,000 shares of its outstanding common stock.    At December 31, 2016, there were 285,852 shares remaining under this repurchase program. As of January 31, 2017, the repurchase program was completed.

On January 31, 2017, the Board of Directors authorized an additional stock repurchase program under which the Company may purchase up to 3,047,000 shares, or 10% of its outstanding common stock.

Declaration of Quarterly Dividend

The Board of Directors approved the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per share. The dividend is payable on March 2, 2017 to all shareholders of record on February 16, 2017.

About Western New England Bancorp, Inc.

Western New England Bancorp, Inc. is a Massachusetts-chartered stock holding company and the parent company of Westfield Bank, Elm Street Securities Corporation, WFD Securities, Inc. and WB Real Estate Holdings, LLC. Western New England Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries are headquartered in Westfield, Massachusetts and operate through 21 banking offices located in Agawam, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Feeding Hills, Holyoke, Ludlow, South Hadley, Southwick, Springfield, Ware, West Springfield and Westfield, Massachusetts, and Granby and Enfield, Connecticut. To learn more, visit our website at www.westfieldbank.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements contained in this press release, which speak only as of the date made. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company and the Bank do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

 

3


WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income and Other Data

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended  
    December 31,     September 30,     June 30,     March 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
    2016     2016     2016     2016     2015     2016     2015  

INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME:

             

Loans

  $ 14,170      $ 9,138      $ 8,639      $ 8,250      $ 8,072      $ 40,198      $ 30,521   

Securities

    1,737        1,695        1,750        2,554        2,609        7,735        11,541   

Other investments - at cost

    152        130        136        132        133        550        396   

Federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits and other short-term investments

    48        14        29        25        6        115        18   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest and dividend income

    16,107        10,977        10,554        10,961        10,820        48,598        42,476   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INTEREST EXPENSE:

             

Deposits

    1,993        1,582        1,535        1,472        1,436        6,581        5,571   

Long-term debt

    517        446        461        842        889        2,266        4,133   

Short-term borrowings

    858        621        556        404        342        2,438        1,090   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense

    3,368        2,649        2,552        2,718        2,667        11,285        10,794   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest and dividend income

    12,739        8,328        8,002        8,243        8,153        37,313        31,682   

PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR LOAN LOSSES

    175        375        625        (600     475        575        1,275   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest and dividend income after provision (credit) for loan losses

    12,564        7,953        7,377        8,843        7,678        36,738        30,407   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NONINTEREST INCOME:

             

Service charges and fees

    1,485        953        859        884        865        4,181        3,132   

Income from bank-owned life insurance

    425        369        403        361        378        1,558        1,527   

Loss on prepayment of borrowings

    —          —          —          (915     —          (915     (1,300

Gain (loss) on sales of securities, net

    455        1        (2     685        (1     1,139        1,506   

Other income

    8        —          —          —          —          8        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noninterest income

    2,373        1,323        1,260        1,015        1,242        5,971        4,865   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NONINTEREST EXPENSE:

             

Salaries and employees benefits

    5,748        4,114        3,910        3,871        3,822        17,643        15,410   

Occupancy

    1,215        796        804        801        795        3,617        3,239   

Data processing

    931        667        626        621        582        2,845        2,361   

Professional fees

    468        656        545        516        568        2,177        2,178   

FDIC insurance

    122        214        190        190        208        716        800   

Merger related expenses

    2,138        830        929        154        55        4,051        —     

Other

    1,390        948        994        919        960        4,257        3,445   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noninterest expense

    12,012        8,225        7,998        7,072        6,990        35,306        27,433   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

    2,925        1,051        639        2,786        1,930        7,403        7,839   

INCOME TAX PROVISION

    1,073        423        250        822        529        2,569        2,124   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME

  $ 1,852      $ 628      $ 389      $ 1,964      $ 1,401      $ 4,834      $ 5,715   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

  $ 0.07      $ 0.04      $ 0.02      $ 0.11      $ 0.08      $ 0.25      $ 0.33   

Weighted average shares outstanding

    26,760,014        17,377,844        17,337,955        17,304,088        17,329,248        19,707,948        17,497,620   

Diluted earnings per share

  $ 0.07      $ 0.04      $ 0.02      $ 0.11      $ 0.08      $ 0.24      $ 0.33   

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

    27,140,172        17,377,844        17,337,955        17,304,088        17,329,248        19,800,668        17,497,620   

Other Data:

             

Return on average assets (1)

    0.38     0.19     0.12     0.58     0.41     0.32     0.42

Return on average assets, exclusive of merger expenses (1)(3)

    0.69     0.42     0.38     0.61     0.41     0.54     0.42

Return on average equity (1)

    3.18     1.72     1.14     5.61     3.99     2.95     4.10

Return on average equity, exclusive of merger expenses (1)(3)

    5.79     3.85     3.64     5.94     3.99     4.94     4.10

Efficiency ratio (2)

    67.40     76.63     76.31     72.91     73.81     72.60     75.34

Net interest margin

    2.84     2.65     2.62     2.61     2.58     2.70     2.53

 

(1) Annualized.
(2) The efficiency ratio represents the ratio of operating expenses excluding merger related charges divided by the sum of net interest and dividend income and noninterest income, excluding gain and loss on sale of securities, income on bank-owned life insurance death benefit and loss on prepayment of borrowings.
(3) Please refer to the “Reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP Financial Measures” for further details.

 

4


WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     December 31,      September 30,      June 30,      March 31,      December 31,  
     2016      2016      2016      2016      2015  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 70,234       $ 50,803       $ 21,267       $ 155,194       $ 13,703   

Securities available for sale, at fair value

     300,115         295,577         296,565         302,224         182,590   

Securities held to maturity, at cost

     —           —           —           —           238,219   

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston and other restricted stock - at cost

     16,124         12,194         11,267         14,080         15,074   

Loans

     1,566,410         947,620         906,212         826,963         818,213   

Allowance for loan losses

     10,068         9,927         9,570         8,855         8,840   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net loans

     1,556,342         937,693         896,642         818,108         809,373   

Bank-owned life insurance

     66,938         51,363         50,994         50,591         50,230   

Goodwill

     13,747         —           —           —           —     

Core deposit intangible

     4,438         —           —           —           —     

Other real estate owned

     298         —           —           —           —     

Other assets

     47,782         30,150         29,570         28,747         30,741   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 2,076,018       $ 1,377,780       $ 1,306,305       $ 1,368,944       $ 1,339,930   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deposits

   $ 1,518,071       $ 962,558       $ 920,912       $ 928,124       $ 900,363   

Short-term borrowings

     172,351         180,273         144,707         158,593         128,407   

Long-term debt

     124,836         71,165         78,032         90,943         153,358   

Trades pending settlement

     455         —           —           30,570         —     

Other liabilities

     21,909         18,561         18,085         17,719         18,336   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     1,837,622         1,232,557         1,161,736         1,225,949         1,200,464   

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     238,396         145,223         144,569         142,995         139,466   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 2,076,018       $ 1,377,780       $ 1,306,305       $ 1,368,944       $ 1,339,930   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

5


WESTERN NEW ENGLAND BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Other Data

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     December 31,     September 30,     June 30,     March 31,     December 31,  
     2016     2016     2016     2016     2015  

Other Data:

          

Book value per share

   $ 7.85      $ 7.92      $ 7.89      $ 7.83      $ 7.63   

Tangible book value per share

     7.25        7.92        7.89        7.83        7.63   

30- 89 day delinquent loans

     8,309        1,391        2,547        1,358        2,876   

30-89 day delinquent loans acquired from Chicopee at year end, net of purchase accounting adjustments

     5,761        —          —          —          —     

Delinquent loans as a percentage of total loans

     0.53     0.15     0.28     0.16     0.35

Nonperforming loans

     14,057        7,275        8,043        8,288        8,080   

Nonperforming loans acquired from Chicopee at year end, net of purchase accounting adjustments

     6,394        —          —          —          —     

Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans

     0.90     0.77     0.89     1.00     0.99

Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets

     0.69     0.53     0.62     0.61     0.60

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans

     71.62     136.45     118.99     106.84     109.41

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans

     0.64     1.05     1.06     1.07     1.08

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans, excluding loans acquired from Chicopee at year end

     1.05     —          —          —          —     

 

6


The following tables set forth the information relating to our average balances and net interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2016, September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015, and the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and reflect the average yield on interest-earning assets and average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated.

 

    Three Months Ended  
    December 31, 2016     September 30, 2016     December 31, 2015  
    Average           Avg Yield/     Average           Avg Yield/     Average           Avg Yield/  
    Balance     Interest     Cost     Balance     Interest     Cost     Balance     Interest     Cost  
    (Dollars in thousands)  

ASSETS:

                 

Interest-earning assets

                 

Loans(1)(2)(6)

  $ 1,425,461      $ 14,307        4.01   $ 932,140      $ 9,168        3.93   $ 806,519      $ 8,102        4.02

Securities(2)

    299,426        1,751        2.34        296,406        1,709        2.31        429,571        2,654        2.47   

Other investments - at cost

    16,709        152        3.64        12,728        130        4.09        16,374        133        3.25   

Short-term investments(3)

    61,683        48        0.31        17,380        14        0.32        13,660        6        0.18   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total interest-earning assets

    1,803,279        16,258        3.61        1,258,654        11,021        3.50        1,266,124        10,895        3.44   
   

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

   

Total noninterest-earning assets

    141,220            79,032            80,868       
 

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

     

Total assets

  $ 1,944,499          $ 1,337,686          $ 1,346,992       
 

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

     

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:

                 

Interest-bearing liabilities

                 

Interest-bearing checking accounts

  $ 75,247        83        0.44      $ 31,194        24        0.31      $ 28,745        17        0.24   

Savings accounts

    111,483        32        0.11        75,566        20        0.11        75,426        20        0.11   

Money market accounts

    405,088        416        0.41        278,257        293        0.42        242,165        204        0.34   

Time certificates of deposit (6)

    528,724        1,462        1.11        383,288        1,245        1.30        402,837        1,195        1.19   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total interest-bearing deposits

    1,120,542        1,993          768,305        1,582          749,173        1,436     

Short-term borrowings and long-term debt (6)

    291,947        1,375        1.88        229,718        1,067        1.86        285,687        1,231        1.72   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Interest-bearing liabilities

    1,412,489        3,368        0.95        998,023        2,649        1.06        1,034,860        2,667        1.03   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Noninterest-bearing deposits

    279,721            177,802            153,969       

Other noninterest-bearing liabilities

    20,329            16,261            18,992       
 

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

     

Total noninterest-bearing liabilities

    300,050            194,063            172,961       
 

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

     

Total liabilities

    1,712,539            1,192,086            1,207,821       

Total equity

    231,960            145,601            139,171       
 

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

     

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 1,944,499          $ 1,337,687          $ 1,346,992       
 

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

     

Less: Tax-equivalent adjustment(2)

      (151         (44         (75  
   

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

   

Net interest and dividend income

    $ 12,739          $ 8,328          $ 8,153     
   

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

   

Net interest rate spread(4)

        2.66         2.44         2.41

Net interest margin(5)

        2.84         2.65         2.58

Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

        127.67            126.11            122.35   

 

7


     Twelve Months Ended December 31,  
     2016     2015  
     Average            Avg Yield/     Average            Avg Yield/  
     Balance      Interest     Cost     Balance      Interest     Cost  
     (Dollars in thousands)  
ASSETS:               
Interest-earning assets               

Loans(1)(2)(6)

   $ 1,013,611       $ 40,422        3.99   $ 766,548       $ 30,646        4.00

Securities(2)

     326,011         7,811        2.40        472,616         11,832        2.50   

Other investments - at cost

     15,207         550        3.62        16,509         396        2.40   

Short-term investments(3)

     40,552         115        0.28        12,067         18        0.15   
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total interest-earning assets

     1,395,381         48,898        3.50        1,267,740         42,892        3.38   
     

 

 

        

 

 

   

Total noninterest-earning assets

     93,611             78,938        
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total assets

   $ 1,488,992           $ 1,346,678        
  

 

 

        

 

 

      
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:               
Interest-bearing liabilities               

Interest-bearing checking accounts

   $ 42,387         147        0.35      $ 34,351         79        0.23   

Savings accounts

     85,204         94        0.11        75,691         79        0.10   

Money market accounts

     299,730         1,201        0.40        237,782         830        0.35   

Time certificates of deposit (6)

     426,213         5,139        1.21        390,155         4,583        1.17   
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total interest-bearing deposits

     853,534         6,581          737,979         5,571     

Short-term borrowings and long-term debt(6)

     260,890         4,704        1.80        305,646         5,223        1.71   
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Interest-bearing liabilities

     1,114,424         11,285        1.01        1,043,625         10,794        1.03   
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

Noninterest-bearing deposits

     193,953             145,519        

Other noninterest-bearing liabilities

     16,543             18,098        
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total noninterest-bearing liabilities

     210,496             163,617        
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total liabilities

     1,324,920             1,207,242        

Total equity

     164,072             139,436        
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 1,488,992           $ 1,346,678        
  

 

 

        

 

 

      

Less: Tax-equivalent adjustment(2)

        (300          (416  
     

 

 

        

 

 

   

Net interest and dividend income

      $ 37,313           $ 31,682     
     

 

 

        

 

 

   

Net interest rate spread(4)

          2.49          2.35

Net interest margin(5)

          2.70          2.53

Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

  

       125.21             121.47   

 

(1) Loans, including non-accrual loans, are net of deferred loan origination costs and unadvanced funds.
(2) Securities, loan income and net interest income are presented on a tax-equivalent basis using a tax rate of 34%. The tax-equivalent adjustment is deducted from tax-equivalent net interest and dividend income to agree to the amount reported on the statements of income.
(3) Short-term investments include federal funds sold.
(4) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(5) Net interest margin represents tax-equivalent net interest and dividend income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
(6) The accounting for the Chicopee acquisition required loans, time deposits and borrowings to be recorded at fair value. The fair value marks on the loans, time deposits and borrowings acquired accrete and amortize into net interest income over time. For the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2016, the loan accretion income and interest expense reduction on time deposits and borrowings related to the Chicopee acquisition totaled $194,000. Excluding these items, net interest margin for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2016 was 2.80% and 2.68%, respectively.

 

8


Reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP Financial Measures

The Company believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide information to investors that is useful in understanding its financial condition. Because not all companies use the same calculation, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures calculated by other companies. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures is provided below (dollars in thousands, except per share data).

 

     Three Months Ended     Year Ended  
     December 31,     September 30,     June 30,     March 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
     2016     2016     2016     2016     2015     2016     2015  
Net Income:               

Net income, as presented

   $ 1,852      $ 628      $ 389      $ 1,964      $ 1,401      $ 4,834      $ 5,715   

Merger related expenses, net of tax (1)

     1,523        782        856        112        —          3,274        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income, exclusive of merger related expenses

   $ 3,375      $ 1,410      $ 1,245      $ 2,076      $ 1,401      $ 8,108      $ 5,715   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Diluted EPS:               

Diluted EPS, as presented

   $ 0.07      $ 0.04      $ 0.02      $ 0.11      $ 0.08      $ 0.24      $ 0.33   

Merger related expense impact

     0.05        0.05        0.05        0.01        —          0.17        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted EPS, exclusive of merger related expense impact

   $ 0.12      $ 0.09      $ 0.07      $ 0.12      $ 0.08      $ 0.41      $ 0.33   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Return on Average Assets:               

Return on average assets, as presented

     0.38     0.19     0.12     0.58     0.41     0.32     0.42

Merger related expense impact

     0.31     0.23     0.26     0.03     —          0.22     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Return on average assets, exclusive of merger related expense impact

     0.69     0.42     0.38     0.61     0.41     0.54     0.42
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Return on Average Equity:               

Return on average equity, as presented

     3.18     1.72     1.14     5.61     3.99     2.95     4.10

Merger related expense impact

     2.61     2.13     2.50     0.33     —          1.99     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Return on average equity, exclusive of merger related expense impact

     5.79     3.85     3.64     5.94     3.99     4.94     4.10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Assumed 34.7% tax rate for deductible expenses

 

9