form10-k.htm



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

T ANNUAL REPORT  PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.
or
* TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______________ to ______________.

Commission file number: 000-23601
PATHFINDER BANCORP, INC.
        (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                   Federal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     16-1540137                   
(State or other jurisdiction of                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization) 
214 West First Street Oswego, NY
Address of prinicpal executive offices                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      13126                         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      (Zip Code)              

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (315) 343-0057
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  
               Title of each class                                                                                                                                             Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES*   NOT

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES* NOT 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YES T        NO * 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).          YES T       NO *

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.T

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 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  *     Smaller reporting company  T
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).   YES *     NO T

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, computed by reference to the last sale price on June 30, 2011, as reported by the NASDAQ Capital Market, was approximately $8.0 million.

As of March 16, 2012, there were 2,617,682 shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
(1) Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Registrant (Part III).
(2) Annual Report to Stockholders (Part II and IV).

 
Page 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2011
PATHFINDER BANCORP, INC.
 


     
Page
 
PART I
       
Item 1.
    3  
Item 1A.
    15  
Item 1B.
    15  
Item 2.
    16  
Item 3.
    17  
           
PART II
         
Item 5.
    17  
         
Item 6.
    18  
Item 7.
    19  
Item 7A.
    35  
Item 8.
    36  
Item 9.
    91  
Item 9A
    92  
Item 9B.
    92  
           
PART III
         
Item 10.
    93  
Item 11.
    93  
Item 12.
    93  
         
Item 13.
    93  
Item 14.
    93  
           
PART IV
         
Item 15.
    94  
           

 
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PART I

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

When used in this Annual Report the words or phrases “will likely result”, “are expected to”, “will continue”, “is anticipated”, “estimate”, ”project” or similar expression are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. By identifying these forward-looking statements for you in this manner, the Company is alerting you to the possibility that its actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results and financial condition to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others:

·  
Credit quality and the effect of credit quality on the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses
·  
Deterioration in financial markets that may result in impairment charges relating to our securities portfolio
·  
Competition in our primary market areas
·  
Significant government regulations, legislation and potential changes thereto
·  
A reduction in our ability to generate or originate revenue-producing assets as a result of compliance with heightened capital standards
·  
Increased cost of operations due to greater regulatory oversight, supervision and examination of banks and bank holding companies, and higher deposit insurance premiums
·  
Limitations on our ability to expand consumer product and service offerings due to anticipated stricter consumer protection laws and regulations
·  
Other risks described herein and in the other reports and statements we file with the SEC

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.  The Company wishes to advise readers that the factors listed above could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause the Company’s actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements.  Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

ITEM 1: BUSINESS

GENERAL

Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.

Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") is a federally chartered mid-tier holding company headquartered in Oswego, New York.  The primary business of the Company is its investment in Pathfinder Bank (the "Bank").  The Company is majority owned by Pathfinder Bancorp, M.H.C., a federally-chartered mutual holding company (the "Mutual Holding Company").   At December 31, 2011, the Mutual Holding Company held 1,583,239 shares of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”), the public and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), collectively, held 1,034,443 shares (the "Minority Stockholders").  At December 31, 2011, Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries had total assets of $443.0 million, total deposits of $366.1 million and shareholders' equity of $37.8 million.

The Company's executive office is located at 214 West First Street, Oswego, New York and the telephone number at that address is (315) 343-0057.
 

 
 
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Pathfinder Bank

The Bank is a New York-chartered savings bank headquartered in Oswego, New York.  The Bank operates from eight branch offices located in its market area consisting of Oswego County, Onondaga County and the contiguous counties.  The eighth branch was added in Onondaga County in Cicero, New York and opened to the public on February 1, 2011.  The Bank's deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC").  The Bank was chartered as a New York savings bank in 1859 as Oswego City Savings Bank.  The Bank is a customer-oriented institution dedicated to providing mortgage loans and other traditional financial services to its customers.  The Bank is committed to meeting the financial needs of its customers in Oswego County and Onondaga County, New York, and the contiguous counties.

The Bank is primarily engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public in the Bank's market area, and investing such deposits, together with other sources of funds, in loans secured by one- to four-family residential real estate, commercial real estate, small business loans, and consumer loans.  The Bank invests a portion of its assets in securities issued by the United States Government and its agencies and sponsored enterprises, state and municipal obligations, corporate debt securities, mutual funds, and equity securities.  The Bank also invests in mortgage-backed securities primarily issued or guaranteed by United States Government sponsored enterprises.  The Bank's principal sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and investments, as well as borrowings from correspondent financial institutions.  The principal source of income is interest on loans and investment securities.  The Bank's principal expenses are interest paid on deposits, employee compensation and benefits, data processing and facilities.

Pathfinder Bank also operates through a limited purpose commercial bank subsidiary, Pathfinder Commercial Bank, which serves the depository needs of municipalities and public entities in its market area.

The Bank has Pathfinder REIT, Inc., a New York corporation, as its wholly-owned real estate investment trust subsidiary.  At December 31, 2011, Pathfinder REIT, Inc. held $28.1 million in mortgages and mortgage related assets.  All disclosures in this Form 10-K relating to the Bank's loans and investments include loans and investments that are held by Pathfinder REIT, Inc.

The Bank also has 100% ownership in Whispering Oaks Development Corp., a New York corporation, which is retained in case the need to operate or develop foreclosed real estate emerges.

Additionally, the Bank has 100% ownership in Pathfinder Risk Management Company, Inc. which was established to record the 51% controlling interest upon the purchase of the Fitzgibbons Agency, an Oswego County property and casualty and life and health insurance business with $400,000 in annual revenues.  The Company has received all required regulatory approvals and, pending the completion of the final stages of due diligence to affirm the purchase price allocation, this transaction is targeted to close in the early part of the second quarter of 2012.

Finally, the Company has a non-consolidated Delaware statutory trust subsidiary, Pathfinder Statutory Trust II, of which 100% of the common equity is owned by the Company.  Pathfinder Statutory Trust II was formed in connection with the issuance of trust preferred securities.

Employees

As of December 31, 2011, the Bank had 100 full-time employees and 19 part-time employees.  The employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit and we consider our relationship with our employees to be good.

MARKET AREA AND COMPETITION

The economy in the Bank's market area is manufacturing-oriented and is also significantly dependent upon the State University of New York College at Oswego.  The major manufacturing employers in the Bank's market area are Entergy Nuclear Northeast, Novelis, Constellation, NRG and Huhtamaki.  The Bank is the largest depository institution headquartered in Oswego County.  The Bank's business and operating results are significantly affected by the general economic conditions prevalent in its market areas.
 

 
 
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The Bank encounters strong competition both in attracting deposits and in originating real estate and other loans.  Its most direct competition for deposits comes from commercial banks, savings banks, savings associations and credit unions in its market area.  Competition for loans comes from such financial institutions as well as mortgage banking companies.  The Bank competes for deposits by offering depositors a high level of personal service, a wide range of competitively priced financial services, and a strong network of branches, ATMs, and electronic banking.  The Bank competes for real estate loans primarily through the interest rates and loan fees it charges and advertising, as well as by originating and holding in its portfolio mortgage loans which do not necessarily conform to secondary market underwriting standards.  The turmoil in the residential mortgage sector of the United States economy has caused certain competitors to be less effective in the market place.  While Central New York did not experience the level of speculative lending and borrowing in residential real estate that has adversely affected other regions on a national basis, certain mortgage brokers and finance companies in our area are either no longer operating, or have limited aggressive lending practices.  Additionally, as certain money centers and large regional banks grapple with current economic conditions and the related credit crisis, their ability to compete as effectively has been reduced.  Management believes that these conditions have created a window of reduced competition for local community and regional banks in residential loans, and to a lesser extent, commercial real estate and small business loans.  Of course, there are others, including tax-exempt credit unions, which are aggressively taking advantage of that window.

REGULATION AND SUPERVISION

General

The Bank is a New York-chartered stock savings bank and its deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC through the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”).  The Bank is subject to extensive regulation by the New York State Department of Financial Services (the “Department”), as its chartering agency, and by the FDIC, as its deposit insurer and primary federal regulator.  The Bank is required to file reports with, and is periodically examined by, the FDIC and the Department concerning its activities and financial condition and must obtain regulatory approvals prior to entering into certain transactions, including, but not limited to, mergers with or acquisitions of other banking institutions.  The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLBNY”) and is subject to certain regulations by the Federal Home Loan Bank System.

The Company and the Mutual Holding Company are federally chartered and up until July 21, 2011, were subject to the regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") as savings and loan holding companies.  However, under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which is discussed further below, the OTS’s functions relating to savings and loan holding companies were thereafter transferred to the Federal Reserve Board.  The Company and the MHC are regulated as of the above date by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

Regulatory requirements applicable to the Bank, the Company and the Mutual Holding Company are referred to below or elsewhere herein.  This description of statutory and regulatory provisions does not purport to be a complete description of all such statutes and regulations applicable to the MHC, the Company, or the Bank.  Any change in these laws or regulations, whether by Congress or the applicable regulatory agencies, could have a material adverse impact on the Bank, the Company or the Mutual Holding Company.

Dodd-Frank Act

The Dodd-Frank Act has and 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 has changed the current primary federal regulator of the Company and the Mutual Holding Company from the OTS to the Federal Reserve Board.  Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Federal Reserve Board now supervises and regulates all savings and loan holding companies, such as the Company and the Mutual Holding Company.  As a result, the Federal Reserve Board’s current regulations applicable to bank holding companies, including holding company capital requirements, apply to savings and loan holding companies like the Company, unless an exemption exists.  The bank holding company capital requirements are substantially similar to the capital requirements currently applicable to the Bank, as described in “Regulatory Capital Requirements.”  The Dodd-Frank Act also requires the Federal Reserve Board to set minimum capital levels for depository institution 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.  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.  Moreover, the Mutual Holding Company will require the approval of the Federal Reserve Board before it may waive the receipt of any dividends from the Company, and there is no assurance that the Federal Reserve Board will approve future dividend waivers or what conditions it may impose on such waivers. In fact, by adopting Section 239.8(d) of regulation MM of the Interim final rule regarding dividends waived by Mutual Holding Companies, the Federal Reserve has practically assured that Mutual Holding Companies such as Pathfinder Bancorp, MHC will not be able to waive dividend payments from their mid-tier holding companies.  See “Federal Holding Company Regulation—Waivers of Dividends by Mutual Holding Company” below.
 

 
 
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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 Pathfinder Bank, 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 provides for regulations requiring originators of certain securitized loans to retain a percentage of the risk for transferred loans, established regulatory rate-setting for certain debit and interchange fees, repealed restrictions on the payment of interest on commercial demand deposits and contained a number of reforms related to mortgage originations.  The legislation also weakened the 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 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.  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. These particular requirements are not imposed on the Company in 2012.  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.

New York State Banking Law and FDIC Regulation

The Bank derives its lending, investment and other authority primarily from the applicable provisions of New York State Banking Law and the regulations of the Department, as limited by FDIC regulations. In particular, the applicable provisions of New York State Banking Law and regulations governing the investment authority and activities of an FDIC insured state-chartered savings bank have been substantially limited by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA") and the FDIC regulations issued pursuant thereto.  Under these laws and regulations, savings banks, including the Bank, may invest in real estate mortgages, consumer and commercial loans, certain types of debt securities, including certain corporate debt securities and obligations of federal, state and local governments and agencies, certain types of corporate equity securities and certain other assets.  New York State chartered savings banks may also invest in subsidiaries under their service corporation investment authority.  A savings bank may use this power to invest in corporations that engage in various activities authorized for savings banks, plus any additional activities, which may be authorized by the Banking Board.  Under FDICIA and the FDIC’s implementation of regulations, the Bank’s investment and service corporation activities are limited to activities permissible for a national bank unless the FDIC otherwise permits it.
 
The FDIC and the Superintendent have broad enforcement authority over the Bank.  Under this authority, the FDIC and the Superintendent have the ability to issue formal or informal orders to correct violations of laws or unsafe or unsound banking practices.
 

 
 
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FDIC Insurance on Deposits

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, insures deposits at FDIC insured financial institutions such as the Bank. Deposit accounts in the Bank 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 assessments 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.  Assessments are based on the risk category to which an institution is assigned and certain risk adjustments assigned by FDIC regulations.

In February 2011, the FDIC published a final rule under the Dodd-Frank Act to reform the deposit insurance assessment system.  The rule redefined the assessment base used for calculating deposit insurance assessments effective April 1, 2011.  Under the new rule, assessments are based on an institution’s average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity as opposed to total deposits.  Since the new base is much larger than the former base, the FDIC also lowered assessment rates so that the total amount of revenue collected from the industry was not significantly altered.  The new range is 2½ basis points to 45 basis points of total consolidated assets less tangible equity.  The new rule benefitted smaller financial institutions, which typically rely more on deposits for funding, and shifts more of the burden for supporting the insurance fund to larger institutions, which have greater access to non-deposit sources of funding.  As a result of the change in the assessment base, the Company experienced an approximate 50% reduction in its quarterly assessment charges effective with the second quarter of 2011.

The Dodd-Frank Act also extended the unlimited deposit insurance on non-interest bearing transaction accounts through December 31, 2012.  Unlike the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, the insurance provided under the Dodd-Frank Act does not extend to low-interest NOW accounts, and there is no separate assessment on covered accounts.

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. The bonds issued by the FICO are due to mature in 2017 through 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Bank paid $31,000 in fees related to the FICO.

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.

Regulatory Capital Requirements

The FDIC has adopted risk-based capital guidelines to which the Bank is subject. The guidelines establish a systematic analytical framework that makes regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banking organizations. The Bank is required to maintain certain levels of regulatory capital in relation to regulatory risk-weighted assets. The ratio of such regulatory capital to regulatory risk-weighted assets is referred to as the Bank's "risk-based capital ratio." Risk-based capital ratios are determined by allocating assets and specified off-balance sheet items to four risk-weighted categories ranging from 0% to 100%, with higher levels of capital being required for the categories perceived as representing greater risk.
 

 
 
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These guidelines divide a savings bank's capital into two tiers. The first tier ("Tier I") includes common equity, retained earnings, certain non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock (excluding auction rate issues) and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less goodwill and other intangible assets (except mortgage servicing rights and purchased credit card relationships subject to certain limitations). Supplementary ("Tier II") capital includes, among other items, Tier 1 capital, cumulative perpetual and long-term limited-life preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, certain hybrid capital instruments, term subordinated debt and the allowance for loan and lease losses, subject to certain limitations, less required deductions. Savings banks are required to maintain a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 8%, and a Tier I risk based capital level of at least 4%.

In addition, the FDIC has established regulations prescribing a minimum Tier I leverage ratio (Tier I capital to adjusted total average assets as specified in the regulations). These regulations provide for a minimum Tier I leverage ratio of 3% for banks that meet certain specified criteria, including that they have the highest examination rating and are not experiencing or anticipating significant growth. All other banks are required to maintain a Tier I leverage ratio of at least 4%.  The FDIC may, however, set higher leverage and risk-based capital requirements on individual institutions when particular circumstances warrant. Savings banks experiencing or anticipating significant growth are expected to maintain capital ratios, including tangible capital positions, well above the minimum levels.

SBLF Participation

As disclosed in the Company’s 8-K filing of September 6, 2011, on September 1, 2011, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with the Secretary of the Treasury (“Treasury”) pursuant to which the Company sold to the Treasury, 13,000 shares of its Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B (“Series B Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share for aggregate proceeds of $13,000,000.  This transaction was entered into as part of the Treasury’s Small Business Lending Fund Program (“SBLF”).  In connection therewith, the Company redeemed all 6,771 shares of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (“Series A Preferred Stock”) it sold to the Treasury on September 11, 2009 in connection with the Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”).  The Company paid $6,786,045 to the Treasury to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, which included the original investment of $6,771,000, plus accrued dividends.  In addition, as disclosed in our 8-K filed February 1, 2012, on said date, the Company repurchased from Treasury, a warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase 154,354 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price per share of $6.58.  The Warrant was previously issued to Treasury in connection with the Company’s participation in the CPP.  The repurchase price of the Warrant was an agreed upon price of $537,633.

Accordingly, the Company is no longer subject to restrictions of the CPP program.  The SBLF program does have its own requirements, which are summarized below:

The Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to receive non-cumulative dividends payable quarterly, on each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1, beginning October 1, 2011.  The dividend rate, which is calculated on the aggregate Liquidation Amount, was initially set at 4.2% per annum based upon the current level of “Qualified Small Business Lending”, or “QSBL” (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) by the Bank.  The dividend rate for future dividend periods will be set based upon the “Percentage Change in Qualified Lending” (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) between each dividend period and the “Baseline” QSBL level.  Such dividend rate may vary from 1% per annum to 5% per annum for the second through tenth dividend periods, from 1% per annum to 7% per annum for the eleventh through the first half of the nineteenth dividend periods.   If the Series B Preferred Stock remains outstanding for more than four-and-one-half years, the dividend rate will be fixed at 9%.  Prior to that time, in general, the dividend rate decreases as the level of the Bank’s QSBL increases.   The Company’s dividend rate as of the date of this report is 3.56%. Such dividends are not cumulative, but the Company may only declare and pay dividends on its common stock (or any other equity securities junior to the Series B Preferred Stock) if it has declared and paid dividends for the current dividend period on the Series B Preferred Stock, and will be subject to other restrictions on its ability to repurchase or redeem other securities.  
 

 
 
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The Company may redeem the shares of Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to the sum of the Liquidation Amount per share and the per-share amount of any unpaid dividends for the then-current period, subject to any required prior approval by the Company’s primary federal banking regulator.

The Company’s ability to pay common stock dividends is conditional on payment of the Series B Preferred Stock Dividends described above.  In addition, the SBLF program requires the Company to file quarterly reports on QSBL lending reported on by its Auditor annually.  The Company must also outreach and advertise the availability of QSBL to organizations and individuals who represent minorities, woman and veterans.  The Company must annually certify that no business loans are made to principals of businesses who have been convicted of a sex crime against a minor.  Finally, the SBLF program requires the Company to file quarterly, annual and other reports provided to shareholders concurrently with the Treasury.
 
Limitations on Dividends and Other Capital Distributions

The FDIC has the authority to use its enforcement powers to prohibit a savings bank from paying dividends if, in its opinion, the payment of dividends would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.  Federal law also prohibits the payment of dividends by a bank that will result in the bank failing to meet its applicable capital requirements on a pro forma basis.  New York law also restricts the Bank from declaring a dividend that would reduce its capital below the amount that is required to be maintained by state law and regulation.  The Bank is also subject to dividend notification requirements to the Federal Reserve Board by virtue of the Company being a savings and loan holding company.  The Federal Reserve Board may object to a proposed dividend if the Bank will become undercapitalized or the dividend is deemed to be unsafe or unsound or violate a law, regulation or order.

Since the Company has chosen to participate in the Treasury’s SBLF program, it is permitted to pay dividends on its common stock provided certain Tier 1 capital minimums are exceeded and SBLF dividends have been declared and paid to Treasury as of the most recent dividend period.

Prompt Corrective Action

The federal banking agencies have promulgated regulations to implement the system of prompt corrective action required by federal law.  Under the regulations, a bank shall be deemed to be (i) "well capitalized" if it has total risk-based capital of 10% or more, has a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 6% or more, has a Tier I leverage capital ratio of 5% or more and is not subject to any written capital order or directive; (ii) "adequately capitalized" if it has a total risk based capital ratio of 8% or more, a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 4% or more and a Tier I leverage capital ratio of 4% or more (3% under certain circumstances) and does not meet the definition of "well capitalized"; (iii) "undercapitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 8%, a Tier I risk-based capital ratio that is less than 4% or a Tier I leverage capital ratio that is less than 4% (3% under certain circumstances); (iv) "significantly undercapitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 6%, a Tier I risk-based capital ratio that is less than 3% or a Tier I leverage capital ratio that is less than 3%; and (v) "critically undercapitalized" if it has a ratio of tangible equity to total assets that is equal to or less than 2%.  Federal law and regulations also specify circumstances under which a federal banking agency may reclassify a well capitalized institution as adequately capitalized and may require an adequately capitalized institution to comply with supervisory actions as if it were in the next lower category (except that the FDIC may not reclassify a significantly undercapitalized institution as critically undercapitalized).

The FDIC may order savings banks that have insufficient capital to take corrective actions.  For example, a savings bank that is categorized as “undercapitalized” would be subject to growth limitations, could generally not make capital distributions, including paying dividends, and would be required to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan.  A holding company that controls such a savings bank would be required to guarantee that the savings bank complies with the restoration plan in an amount of up to the lesser of 5% of the institution’s total assets or the amount of capital needed for the institution to achieve compliance with regulatory capital requirements.  A “significantly undercapitalized” savings bank would be subject to additional restrictions.  Savings banks deemed by the FDIC to be “critically undercapitalized” would be subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator within specified time frames.

The Bank currently meets the criteria to be classified as a "well capitalized" savings institution.

 
Page 9

Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders

Under current federal law, transactions between depository institutions and their affiliates are governed by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and its implementing regulations. An affiliate of a savings bank is any company or entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the savings bank, other than a subsidiary of the savings bank. In a holding company context, at a minimum, the parent holding company of a savings bank, and any companies that are controlled by such parent holding company, are affiliates of the savings bank. Generally, Section 23A limits the extent to which the savings bank or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10% of such savings bank’s capital stock and surplus and contains an aggregate limit on all such transactions with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20% of such capital stock and surplus. The term “covered transaction” includes the making of loans or other extensions of credit to an affiliate, the purchase of assets from an affiliate, an investment in the securities of an affiliate, the acceptance of securities of an affiliate as collateral for a loan or extension of credit, the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance, or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate and certain other transactions resulting in credit exposure to an affiliate.  Section 23A also establishes specific collateral requirements for certain transactions such as loans or extensions of credit to, or guarantees, acceptances on letters of credit issued on behalf of an affiliate. Section 23B requires that covered transactions and a broad list of other specified transactions be on terms substantially the same, or no less favorable, to the savings bank or its subsidiary as similar transactions with nonaffiliates.

Further, Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and its implementing regulations restrict a savings bank with respect to loans to directors, executive officers, and principal stockholders. Under Section 22(h), loans to directors, executive officers and stockholders who control, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of voting securities of a savings bank and certain related interests of any of the foregoing, may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such persons and affiliated entities, the savings bank's total unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. Section 22(h) also prohibits loans above amounts prescribed by the appropriate federal banking agency to directors, executive officers, and stockholders who control 10% or more of voting securities of a stock savings bank, and their respective related interests, unless such loan is approved in advance by a majority of the board of directors of the savings bank. Any "interested" director may not participate in the voting. Further, pursuant to Section 22(h), loans to directors, executive officers and principal stockholders must generally be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to other persons. Section 22(g) of the Federal Reserve Act places additional limitations on loans to executive officers.

Supervisory Agreement

During May 2009, the Company entered into a Supervisory Agreement with the OTS.  The agreement was issued in connection with the identification of certain violations of applicable statutory and regulatory restrictions on capital distributions and transactions with affiliates.  As a result of the identified violations, the Company recorded $41,000 of income relating to certain transactions with its unconsolidated parent company Pathfinder Bancorp, MHC.  In addition the Company is prohibited from accepting or directing Pathfinder Bank to declare or pay a dividend or other capital distributions without the prior written approval of the OTS.  With the change in our Holding Company regulator to the Federal Reserve Board, this Supervisory Agreement is now with that Regulator.  All violations have been corrected and the Company believes it is in compliance with the Agreement.

Federal Holding Company Regulation

General.  The Company and the Mutual Holding Company are nondiversified savings and loan holding companies within the meaning of the Home Owners’ Loan Act.  The Company and the Mutual Holding Company are registered with the Federal Reserve Board and are subject to Federal Reserve Board regulations, examinations, supervision and reporting requirements.  As such, the Federal Reserve Board has enforcement authority over the Company and the Mutual Holding Company, and their non-savings institution subsidiaries.  Among other things, this authority permits the Federal Reserve Board to restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to be a serious risk to the subsidiary savings institution.  The Federal Reserve Board assumed regulatory authority over savings and loan holding companies from OTS on July 21, 2011, pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act.  See “The Dodd-Frank Act” above.
 
 
 
 
 
Page 10




Permitted Activities.  Under federal regulation and policy, a mutual holding company and a federally chartered mid-tier holding company, such as the Company, may engage in the following activities: (i) investing in the stock of a savings association; (ii) acquiring a mutual association through the merger of such association into a savings association subsidiary of such holding company or an interim savings association subsidiary of such holding company; (iii) merging with or acquiring another holding company, one of whose subsidiaries is a savings association; (iv) investing in a corporation, the capital stock of which is available for purchase by a savings association under federal law or under the law of any state where the subsidiary savings association or associations share their home offices; (v) furnishing or performing management services for a savings association subsidiary of such company; (vi) holding, managing or liquidating assets owned or acquired from a savings subsidiary of such company; (vii) holding or managing properties used or occupied by a savings association subsidiary of such company; (viii) acting as trustee under deeds of trust; (ix) any other activity that (A)  has been deemed to be permissible for bank holding companies under Section 4(c) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, unless the Federal Reserve Board, by regulation, prohibits or limits any such activity for savings and loan holding companies; or (B) in which multiple savings and loan holding companies were authorized (by regulation) to directly engage in March 5, 1987; (x) any activity permissible for financial holding companies under Section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Company Act (provided certain criteria are met), including securities and insurance underwriting; and (xi) purchasing, holding, or disposing of stock acquired in connection with a qualified stock issuance if the purchase of such stock by such savings and loan holding company is approved by the Federal Reserve Board.  If a mutual holding company acquires or merges with another holding company, the holding company acquired or the holding company resulting from such merger or acquisition may only invest in assets and engage in activities listed in (i) through (xi) above, and has a period of two years to cease any nonconforming activities and divest of any nonconforming investments.
 
The Home Owners’ Loan Act prohibits a savings and loan holding company, directly or indirectly, or through one or more subsidiaries, from acquiring another savings association or holding company thereof, without prior written approval of the Federal Reserve Board.  It also prohibits the acquisition or retention of, with certain exceptions, more than 5% of a nonsubsidiary savings association, a nonsubsidiary holding company, or a nonsubsidiary company engaged in activities other than those permitted by the Home Owners’ Loan Act; or acquiring or retaining control of an institution that is not federally insured.  In evaluating applications by holding companies to acquire savings associations, the Federal Reserve Board must consider the financial and managerial resources, future prospects of the company and association involved, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the insurance fund, the convenience and needs of the community and competitive factors.
 
The Federal Reserve Board is prohibited from approving any acquisition that would result in a multiple savings and loan holding company controlling savings associations in more than one state, subject to two exceptions: (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 acquisitions.  The states vary in the extent to which they permit interstate savings and loan holding company acquisitions.
 
Unlike bank holding companies, savings and loan holding companies are not currently subject to specific consolidated regulatory capital requirements.  The Dodd-Frank Act, however, requires the promulgation of such capital requirements for depository institution holding companies that are no less stringent, both quantitatively and in terms of components of capital, than those applicable to institutions themselves.  That will eliminate the inclusion of certain instruments from tier 1 capital that are currently includable for bank holding companies, such as trust preferred securities.  Instruments issued before May 19, 2010, by holding companies with fewer than $15 billion in total assets on December 3, 2009 are grandfathered.  There is a five year transition period from the July 21, 2010 date of enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act before the capital requirements will apply to savings and loan holding companies.  The Dodd-Frank Act exempted bank holding companies of less than $500 million in assets from such consolidated requirements but does not specifically do so with respect to savings and loan holding companies.  The Federal Reserve Board has not yet issued such regulations.
 
 
 
 
Page 11

The Dodd-Frank Act extended the “source of strength” doctrine to savings and loan holding companies.  The regulatory agencies must promulgate regulations implementing the “source of strength” policy that requires holding companies act as a source of strength to their subsidiary depository institutions by providing capital, liquidity and other support in times of financial stress.
 
The Federal Reserve Board has issued a policy statement regarding the payment of dividends and other capital distributions by bank holding companies that it has made applicable to savings and loan holding companies as well.  In general, the policy provides that dividends should be paid only out of current earnings and only if the prospective rate of earnings retention by the holding company appears consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition.  Regulatory guidance provides for prior regulatory review of capital distributions in certain circumstances such as where the company’s net income for the past three years, net of dividends previously paid over that period, is insufficient to fully fund the dividend or the company’s overall rate of earnings retention is inconsistent with the company’s capital needs and overall financial condition.  The ability of a holding company to pay dividends may be restricted if a subsidiary depository institution becomes undercapitalized.  These regulatory policies could affect the ability of the Company to pay dividends, repurchase shares of common stock or otherwise engage in capital distributions.
 
Waivers of Dividends by Mutual Holding Company.  The Dodd-Frank Act requires federally-chartered mutual holding companies to give the Federal Reserve Board notice before waiving the receipt of dividends, and provides that in the case of “grandfathered” mutual holding companies, like the Mutual Holding Company, the Federal Reserve Board “may not object” to a dividend waiver if the board of directors of the mutual holding company waiving dividends determines that the waiver: (i) would not be detrimental to the safe and sound operation of the subsidiary savings bank; and (ii) is consistent with the board’s fiduciary duties to members of the mutual holding company.  To qualify as a grandfathered mutual holding company, a mutual holding company must have been formed, issued stock and waived dividends prior to December 1, 2009.  The Dodd-Frank Act further provides that the Federal Reserve Board may not consider waived dividends in determining an appropriate exchange ratio upon the conversion of a grandfathered mutual holding company to stock form.  In September 2011, however, the Federal Reserve Board issued an interim final rule that also requires, as a condition to waiving dividends, that each mutual holding company obtain the approval of a majority of the eligible votes of its members within 12 months prior to the declaration of the dividend being waived.  The Federal Reserve Board has requested comments on the interim final rule, and there can be no assurance that the rule will be amended to eliminate or modify the member vote requirement for dividend waivers by grandfathered mutual holding companies, such as the Mutual Holding Company in the future, or as to what conditions the Federal Reserve Board may place on any dividend waivers.  The Mutual Holding Company has not requested a current dividend waiver and, is not planning to waive future dividends at this time.

Conversion of the Mutual Holding Company to Stock Form.  Federal regulations permit the Mutual Holding Company to convert from the mutual form of organization to the capital stock form of organization (a "Conversion Transaction").  There can be no assurance when, if ever, a Conversion Transaction will occur, and the Board of Directors has no current intention or plan to undertake a Conversion Transaction.  In a Conversion Transaction a new holding company would be formed as the successor to the Company (the "New Holding Company"), the Mutual Holding Company's corporate existence would end, and certain depositors of the Bank would receive the right to subscribe for additional shares of the New Holding Company.  In a Conversion Transaction, each share of common stock held by stockholders other than the Mutual Holding Company ("Minority Stockholders") would be automatically converted into a number of shares of common stock of the New Holding Company determined pursuant to an exchange ratio (determined by an independent valuation) that ensures that Minority Stockholders own the same percentage of common stock in the New Holding Company as they owned in the Company immediately prior to the Conversion Transaction.    The total number of shares held by Minority Stockholders after a Conversion Transaction also would be increased by any purchases by Minority Stockholders in the stock offering conducted as part of the Conversion Transaction.
 

 
 
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Federal Securities Law

The common stock of the Company is registered with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”).  The Company is subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements of the SEC under the Exchange Act.

The Company Common Stock held by persons who are affiliates (generally officers, directors and principal stockholders) of the Company may not be resold without registration or unless sold in accordance with certain resale restrictions.  If the Company meets specified current public information requirements, each affiliate of the Company is able to sell in the public market, without registration, a limited number of shares in any three-month period.

Federal Reserve System

The Federal Reserve Board requires all depository institutions to maintain noninterest-bearing reserves at specified levels against their transaction accounts (primarily checking, money management and NOW checking accounts).  At December 31, 2011, the Bank was in compliance with these reserve requirements.

Federal Community Reinvestment Regulation

Under the Community Reinvestment Act, as amended (the "CRA"), as implemented by FDIC regulations, a savings bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with its safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods.  The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution's discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA.  The CRA requires the FDIC, in connection with its examination of a savings institution, to assess the institution's record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by such institution.  The CRA requires the FDIC to provide a written evaluation of an institution's CRA performance utilizing a four-tiered descriptive rating system.  The Bank's latest CRA rating was "satisfactory."

New York State Community Reinvestment Regulation

The Bank is subject to provisions of the New York State Banking Law which impose continuing and affirmative obligations upon banking institutions organized in New York State to serve the credit needs of its local community ("NYCRA") which are substantially similar to those imposed by the CRA.  Pursuant to the NYCRA, a bank must file an annual NYCRA report and copies of all federal CRA reports with the Department.  The NYCRA requires the Department to make a biennial written assessment of a bank's compliance with the NYCRA, utilizing a four-tiered rating system and make such assessment available to the public.  The NYCRA also requires the Superintendent to consider a bank's NYCRA rating when reviewing a bank's application to engage in certain transactions, including mergers, asset purchases and the establishment of branch offices or automated teller machines, and provides that such assessment may serve as a basis for the denial of any such application.

The Bank's NYCRA rating as of its latest examination was "satisfactory."

The USA PATRIOT Act

The USA PATRIOT Act (“the PATRIOT Act”) was signed into law on October 26, 2001.  The PATRIOT Act gives the federal government new powers to address terrorist threats through enhanced domestic security measures, expanded surveillance powers, increased information sharing and broadened anti-money laundering requirements.  The PATRIOT Act also requires the federal banking agencies to take into consideration the effectiveness of controls designed to combat money laundering activities in determining whether to approve a merger or other acquisition application of a financial institution.  Accordingly, if the Company were to engage in a merger or other acquisitions, its controls designed to combat money laundering would be considered as part of the application process.  The Company and the Bank have established policies, procedures and systems designed to comply with these regulations.
 

 
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Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes Oxley”) was signed into law on July 30, 2002.  Sarbanes-Oxley is a law that addresses, among other issues, corporate governance, auditing and accounting, executive compensation, and enhanced and timely disclosure of corporate information.  As directed by Section 302(a) of Sarbanes-Oxley, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are each required to certify that the Company’s quarterly and annual reports do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact.  The rules have several requirements, including having these officers certify that: they are responsible for establishing, maintaining and regularly evaluating the effectiveness of our internal controls; they have made certain disclosures to our auditors and the audit committee of the Board of Directors about our internal controls; and they have included information in our quarterly and annual reports about their evaluation and whether there have been significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the evaluation.  As part of the Dodd-Frank Act, the outside auditor attestation requirement on internal controls of companies with less than $75 million in market capitalization, like the Company, was rescinded.  Disclosure of management attestations on internal control over financial reporting will continue to be required for smaller reporting companies, including the Company.  We have existing policies, procedures and systems designed to comply with these regulations, and continue to further enhance and document our policies, procedures and systems to ensure continued compliance with these regulations.

Securities and Exchange Commission Reporting

The Company maintains an Internet website located at www.pathfinderbank.com on which, among other things, the Company makes available, free of charge, various reports that it files with or furnishes to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K.  These reports are made available as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company has also made available on its website its Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Governance Guidelines (which serve as the Nominating / Governance Committee’s charter) and Code of Ethics.

The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K may be accessed on the Company's website at www.pathfinderbank.com/annualmeeting.

FEDERAL AND STATE TAXATION

Federal Taxation

The following discussion of federal taxation is intended only to summarize certain pertinent federal income tax matters and is not a comprehensive description of the tax rules applicable to the Company or the Bank.

Bad Debt Reserves.  Prior to the Tax Reform Act of 1996 (“the 1996 Act”), the Bank was permitted to establish a reserve for bad debts and to make annual additions to the reserve.  The Bank has chosen to be on the direct charge-off method, net of recoveries, in its calculation of taxable income.

Taxable Distributions and Recapture.  Prior to the 1996 Act, bad debt reserves created prior to January 1, 1988 were subject to recapture into taxable income should the Bank fail to meet certain thrift asset and definitional tests.  New federal legislation eliminated these thrift related recapture rules.  However, under current law, pre-1988 reserves remain subject to recapture should the Bank cease to retain a bank or thrift charter or make certain non-dividend distributions.


 
Page 14


Minimum Tax.   The Internal Revenue Code imposes an alternative minimum tax ("AMT") at a rate of 20% on a base of regular taxable income plus certain tax preferences ("alternative minimum taxable income" or "AMTI").  The AMT is payable to the extent such AMTI is in excess of an exemption amount.  Net operating losses can offset no more than 90% of AMTI.  Certain payments of alternative minimum tax may be used as credits against regular tax liabilities in future years.

Net Operating Loss Carryovers.  A financial institution may carry back net operating losses to the preceding two taxable years and forward to the succeeding 20 taxable years.

State Taxation

New York Taxation.  The Company is subject to the New York State Franchise Tax on Banking Corporations in an annual amount equal to the greater of (i) 7.1% of the Bank's "entire net income" allocable to New York State during the taxable year, or (ii) the applicable alternative minimum tax.  The alternative minimum tax is generally the greater of (a) 0.01% of the value of the Bank's assets allocable to New York State with certain modifications, (b) 3% of the Company’s "alternative entire net income" allocable to New York State, or (c) $1,250.  Entire net income is similar to federal taxable income, subject to certain modifications and alternative entire net income is equal to entire net income without certain modifications.  Net operating losses arising in the current period can be carried forward to the succeeding 20 taxable years.

Neither the Internal Revenue Service nor New York State has examined our federal or state tax returns within the past 5 years.

ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS

Not required of a smaller reporting company.

ITEM 1B:  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 
Page 15




ITEM 2: PROPERTIES

The Bank conducts its business through its main office located in Oswego, New York, six branch offices located in Oswego County, and a new branch, opened February 1, 2011, in Onondaga County.  Management believes that the Bank’s facilities are adequate for the business conducted. The following table sets forth certain information concerning the main office and each branch office of the Bank at December 31, 2011.  The aggregate net book value of the Bank's premises and equipment was $10.7 million at December 31, 2011.  For additional information regarding the Bank's properties, see Notes 8 and 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

LOCATION
 
OPENING DATE
 
OWNED/LEASED
Main Office
 
1874
 
Owned
214 West First Street
       
Oswego, New York  13126
       
         
Plaza Branch
 
1989
 
     Owned (1)
Route 104, Ames Plaza
       
Oswego, New York  13126
       
         
Mexico Branch
 
1978
 
Owned
Norman & Main Streets
       
Mexico, New York  13114
       
         
Oswego East Branch
 
1994
 
Owned
34 East Bridge Street
       
Oswego, New York  13126
       
         
Lacona Branch
 
2002
 
Owned
1897 Harwood Drive
       
Lacona, New York 13083
       
         
Fulton Branch
 
2003
 
     Owned (2)
5 West First Street South
       
Fulton, New York  13069
       
         
Central Square Branch
 
2005
 
Owned
3025 East Ave
       
Central Square, New York  13036
       
         
Cicero Branch
 
2011
 
Owned
6194 State Route 31
       
Cicero, New York 13039
       


(1)  
The building is owned; the underlying land is leased with an annual rent of $21,000
(2)  
The building is owned; the underlying land is leased with an annual rent of $30,000

 
Page 16


ITEM 3: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are various claims and lawsuits to which the Company is periodically involved that are incidental to the Company's business.  In the opinion of management, such claims and lawsuits in the aggregate are not expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

PART  II

ITEM 5:  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.'s common stock currently trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol "PBHC".  There were 442 shareholders of record as of March 16, 2012.  The following table sets forth the high and low closing bid prices and dividends paid per share of common stock for the periods indicated:

               
Dividend
 
Quarter Ended:
 
High
   
Low
   
Paid
 
December 31, 2011
  $ 10.20     $ 8.01     $ 0.03  
September 30, 2011
  $ 10.08     $ 8.33     $ 0.03  
June 30, 2011
  $ 10.25     $ 8.87     $ 0.03  
March 31, 2011
  $ 10.15     $ 8.18     $ 0.03  
December 31, 2010
  $ 8.50     $ 7.75     $ 0.03  
September 30, 2010
  $ 8.00     $ 6.03     $ 0.03  
June 30, 2010
  $ 6.69     $ 6.00     $ 0.03  
March 31, 2010
  $ 8.00     $ 5.60     $ 0.03  

Dividends and Dividend History

The Company has historically paid regular quarterly cash dividends on its common stock, and the Board of Directors presently intends to continue the payment of regular quarterly cash dividends, subject to the need for those funds for debt service and other purposes.  Payment of dividends on the common stock is subject to determination and declaration by the Board of Directors and will depend upon a number of factors, including capital requirements, regulatory limitations on the payment of dividends, Pathfinder Bank and its subsidiaries results of operations and financial condition, tax considerations, and general economic conditions.  The Company's mutual holding company, Pathfinder Bancorp, M.H.C., may elect to waive or receive dividends each time the Company declares a dividend.  Dividend waivers must receive the non-objection of the Federal Reserve.  Historically, the Federal Reserve has not provided its non-objection to the waiver of dividends by mutual holding companies. As mentioned previously, new Federal Reserve regulations make such non-objection even less likely.  The Mutual Holding Company did not waive the right to receive its portion of the cash dividends declared during 2011 or 2010.

 
Page 17



ITEM 6: SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The Company is the parent company of the Bank and Pathfinder Statutory Trust II.  The Bank has three operating subsidiaries – Pathfinder Commercial Bank, Pathfinder REIT, Inc., and Whispering Oaks Development Corp.

The following selected consolidated financial data sets forth certain financial highlights of the Company and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes, and the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere  in this annual report on  Form 10-K.

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Year End (In thousands)
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Total assets
  $ 442,980     $ 408,545     $ 371,692     $ 352,760     $ 320,691  
Loans receivable, net
    300,770       281,648       259,387       247,400       221,046  
Deposits
    366,129       326,502       296,839       269,438       251,085  
Equity
    37,841       30,592       29,238       19,495       21,704  
                                         
For the Year (In thousands)
                                       
Net interest income
  $ 14,263     $ 13,331     $ 11,777     $ 10,675     $ 8,667  
Core noninterest income (a)
    2,451       2,854       2,724       2,786       2,622  
Net gains/(losses) on sales, redemptions and
                                       
impairment of investment securities
    791       211       112       (2,191 )     378  
Net (losses) gains on sales of loans and
                                       
foreclosed real estate
    (50 )     (45 )     54       (44 )     42  
Noninterest expense (b)
    12,758       11,274       10,381       9,882       9,799  
Regulatory assessments
    390       515       745       53       39  
Net income
    2,323       2,505       1,615       368       1,122  
                                         
Per Share
                                       
Net income (basic)
  $ 0.53     $ 0.82     $ 0.61     $ 0.15     $ 0.45  
Net income (diluted)
    0.52       0.82       0.61       0.15       0.45  
Book value per common share
    9.49       9.81       9.31       8.04       8.74  
Tangible book value per common share (c)
    8.02       8.26       7.77       6.50       7.19  
Cash dividends declared
    0.12       0.12       0.12       0.41       0.41  
                                         
Ratios
                                       
Return on average assets
    0 .55 %     0.64 %     0.45 %     0.11 %     0.36 %
Return on average equity
    6.75       8.07       7.04       1.70       5.27  
Return on average tangible equity (c)
    7.59       9.20       8.45       2.07       6.47  
Average equity to average assets
    8.21       7.89       6.40       6.32       6.82  
Dividend payout ratio (d)
    12.87       11.90       18.45       232.61       62.03  
Allowance for loan losses to loans receivable
    1.31       1.28       1.17       0.99       0.76  
Net interest rate spread
    3.62       3.58       3.40       3.22       2.81  
Noninterest income to average assets
    0.76       0.77       0.81       0.16       0.98  
Noninterest expense to average assets
    3.14       3.00       3.10       2.91       3.15  
Efficiency ratio (e)
    77.56       71.95       76.36       73.02       85.89  


(a)  
Exclusive of net gains (losses) on sales and impairment of investment securities and net gains (losses) on sales of loans and foreclosed real estate.
(b)  
Exclusive of regulatory assessments.
(c)  
Tangible equity excludes intangible assets.
(d)  
The dividend payout ratio is calculated using dividends declared and not waived by the Mutual Holding Company, divided by net income.
(e)  
The efficiency ratio is calculated as noninterest expense, including regulatory assessments, divided by the sum of taxable-equivalent net interest income and noninterest income excluding net gains (losses) on sales, redemptions and impairment of investment securities and net (losses) gains on sales of loans and foreclosed real estate.
 

 
 
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ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS                         

INTRODUCTION

Throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) the term, “the Company”, refers to the consolidated entity of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.  Pathfinder Bank and Pathfinder Statutory Trust II are wholly owned subsidiaries of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc., however, Pathfinder Statutory Trust II is not consolidated for reporting purposes (see Note 11 of the consolidated financial statements).  Pathfinder Commercial Bank, Pathfinder REIT, Inc. and Whispering Oaks Development Corp. are wholly owned subsidiaries of Pathfinder Bank.  At December 31, 2011, Pathfinder Bancorp, M.H.C, the Company’s mutual holding company parent, whose activities are not included in the consolidated financial statements or the MD&A, held 60.5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock and the public held 39.5% of the outstanding common stock.

The Company's business strategy is to operate as a well-capitalized, profitable and independent community bank dedicated to providing value-added products and services to our customers.  Generally, the Company has sought to implement this strategy by emphasizing retail deposits as its primary source of funds and maintaining a substantial part of its assets in locally-originated residential first mortgage loans, loans to business enterprises operating in its markets, and in investment securities.  Specifically, the Company's business strategy incorporates the following elements: (i) operating as an independent community-oriented financial institution; (ii) maintaining capital in excess of regulatory requirements; (iii) emphasizing investment in one-to-four family residential mortgage loans, loans to small businesses and investment securities; and (iv) maintaining a strong retail deposit base.

The Company's net income is primarily dependent on its net interest income, which is the difference between interest income earned on its investments in mortgage and other loans, investment securities and other assets, and its cost of funds consisting of interest paid on deposits and borrowings.  The Company's net income also is affected by its provision for loan losses, as well as by the amount of noninterest income, including income from fees, service charges and servicing rights, net gains and losses on sales and redemptions of securities, loans and foreclosed real estate, and noninterest expense such as employee compensation and benefits, occupancy and equipment costs, data processing costs and income taxes.  Earnings of the Company also are affected significantly by general economic and competitive conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates, government policies and actions of regulatory authorities, of which these events are beyond the control of the Company.  In particular, the general level of market rates tends to be highly cyclical.

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company's consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and follow practices within the banking industry.  Application of these principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  These estimates, assumptions and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions and judgments.  Certain policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions and judgments and as such have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported.  Estimates, assumptions and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value or when an asset or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event.  Carrying assets and liabilities at fair value inherently results in more financial statement volatility.  The fair values and information used to record valuation adjustments for certain assets and liabilities are based on quoted market prices or are provided by other third-party sources, when available.  When third party information is not available, valuation adjustments are estimated in good faith by management.

The most significant accounting policies followed by the Company are presented in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.  These policies, along with the disclosures presented in the other financial statement notes and in this discussion, provide information on how significant assets and liabilities are valued in the consolidated financial statements and how those values are determined.  Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to the methods, assumptions and estimates underlying those amounts, management has identified the allowance for loan losses, deferred income taxes, pension obligations, the evaluation of goodwill for impairment, the evaluation of investment securities for other than temporary impairment and the estimation of fair values for accounting and disclosure purposes to be the accounting areas that require the most subjective and complex judgments, and as such, could be the most subject to revision as new information becomes available.
 
 
 
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The allowance for loan losses represents management's estimate of probable loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.  The loan portfolio also represents the largest asset type on the consolidated statements of condition.  Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements describes the methodology used to determine the allowance for loan losses, and a discussion of the factors driving changes in the amount of the allowance for loan losses is included in this report.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the liability method.  Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases as well as net operating and capital loss carry forwards.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date.  To the extent that current available evidence about the future raises doubt about the likelihood of a deferred tax asset being realized, a valuation allowance is established.  The judgment about the level of future taxable income, including that which is considered capital, is inherently subjective and is reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change.  A valuation allowance of $458,000 was maintained at December 31, 2011, as management believes it may not generate sufficient capital gains to offset its capital loss carry forward.  The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate due primarily to non-taxable income from investment securities and bank owned life insurance.
 
Pension and post-retirement benefit plan liabilities and expenses are based upon actuarial assumptions of future events, including fair value of plan assets, interest rates, rate of future compensation increases and the length of time the Company will have to provide those benefits. The assumptions used by management are discussed in Note 12 to the consolidated annual financial statements.

Management performs an annual evaluation of the Company’s goodwill for possible impairment. Based on the results of the 2011 evaluation, management has determined that the carrying value of goodwill is not impaired as of December 31, 2011.  The evaluation approach is described in Note 9 of the consolidated financial statements.

The Company carries all of its investments at fair value with any unrealized gains or losses reported net of tax as an adjustment to shareholders' equity, except for the credit-related portion of debt security impairment losses and other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of equity securities, which are charged to earnings.  The Company's ability to fully realize the value of its investments in various securities, including corporate debt securities, is dependent on the underlying creditworthiness of the issuing organization.  In evaluating the debt security portfolio for other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) if we intend to sell the security; (2) if it is “more likely than not” we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) if the present value of expected cash flows is not sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis.   In determining whether OTTI has occurred for equity securities, the Company considers the applicable factors described above and the length of time the equity security’s fair value has been below the carrying amount.  Management continually analyzes the portfolio to determine if further impairment has occurred that may be deemed as other-than-temporary.  Further charges are possible depending on future economic conditions.

The estimation of fair value is significant to several of our assets, including investment securities available for sale, the interest rate derivative, intangible assets and foreclosed real estate, as well as the value of loan collateral when valuing loans. These are all recorded at either fair value or the lower of cost or fair value. Fair values are determined based on third party sources, when available. Furthermore, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments as a part of the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Fair values may be influenced by a number of factors, including market interest rates, prepayment speeds, discount rates and the shape of yield curves.
 

 
 
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Fair values for securities available for sale are obtained from an independent third party pricing service.  Where available, fair values are based on quoted prices on a nationally recognized securities exchange.  If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using quoted market prices for similar benchmark securities.  Management made no adjustments to the fair value quotes that were provided by the pricing source.  The fair values of foreclosed real estate and the underlying collateral value of impaired loans are typically determined based on evaluations by third parties, less estimated costs to sell.  When necessary, appraisals are updated to reflect changes in market conditions.
 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Earnings performance metrics for 2011 were generally less than those reported for 2010 as net income, return on assets and return on equity all decreased.

Net income for 2011 was $2.3 million, a $182,000 decrease from 2010 and return on assets and return on equity were 0.55% and 6.75%, respectively, down 0.09% and 1.32% from 2010.  While net interest income increased in 2011, expenses relating to the new Cicero branch location, professional fees in support of the payoff of the Company’s participation in the CPP and its entrance into the SBLF, and expenses relating to the ESOP and stock option programs contributed to the higher expenses.  Offsets to these expense increases included gains from the sales of available-for-sale securities and a reduction in FDIC assessment expenses.

Total assets increased $34.4 million to $443.0 million as total deposits grew $39.6 million primarily as a result of the opening of the new Cicero branch location.  The increase in assets was generally apportioned between the investment securities portfolio and loans as the latter grew 6.8% year over year, centered largely in the residential mortgage segment.  The Company will continue to emphasize its focus in the Cicero, Central Square, and Fulton markets where it feels further market penetration opportunities exist.  Additionally, we will maintain focus on expanding commercial deposit relationships with our existing lending customers as well as expanding our commercial loan growth in the greater Syracuse market.

Asset quality metrics were mixed in 2011 when compared with 2010.  Net charge-offs were $608,000, a $128,000 increase due largely to one large commercial relationship, but the ratio of nonperforming loans to period end loans and nonperforming assets to total assets both declined.  The ratio of allowance to loan losses to period end loans increased slightly to 1.31, as management continues to re-evaluate the estimable and probable losses within the loan portfolio and provide additional allowance related to growth.

The Company improved its equity position in 2011 as it paid off the preferred stock related to its participation in the CPP and entered into an agreement with the Treasury to participate in the SBLF program.  These concurrent actions resulted in a $6.2 million increase in equity.  Retained earnings increased $455,000 through 2011 driven by net income and partially offset by preferred and common stock dividends, accretion of the preferred stock discount, and the sale of shares to the ESOP.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is the Company's primary source of operating income for payment of operating expenses and providing for possible loan losses.  It is the amount by which interest earned on interest-earning deposits, loans and investment securities exceeds the interest paid on deposits and borrowed money.  Changes in net interest income and the net interest margin ratio result from the interaction between the volume and composition of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and their respective yields and funding costs.
 

 
 
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Net interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, increased $969,000, or 7.2%, to $14.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to $13.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.  The Company's net interest margin for 2011 increased to 3.76% from 3.73% in 2010.  The increase in net interest income is attributable to, nearly equally, a decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities and an increase in average balance of residential and commercial real estate loans.

The average balance of interest-earning assets increased $22.9 million, or 6.3%, during 2011 and the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased by $16.3 million, or 5.0%.  The increase in the average balance of interest earning assets primarily resulted from a $20.0 million increase in the average balance of the loan portfolio and a $6.7 million increase in the average balance of the security investment portfolio.  This was funded by a $16.3 million increase in interest-bearing liabilities driven largely by an increase in money market deposit accounts. Interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, increased $501,000, or 2.7%, during 2011. The decrease in yield on interest earning assets to 4.88% in 2011 from 5.05% in 2010 was more than offset by the 6.3% increase in volume.  Interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities decreased $468,000, or 9.7%, as the rates paid dropped 21 basis points to 1.26% in 2011 from 1.47% in 2010.

 
 
 
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Average Balances and Rates

The following table sets forth information concerning average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the yields and rates thereon. Interest income and resultant yield information in the table is on a fully tax-equivalent basis using marginal federal income tax rates of 34%. Averages are computed on the daily average balance for each month in the period divided by the number of days in the period. Yields and amounts earned include loan fees. Non-accrual loans have been included in interest-earning assets for purposes of these calculations.

   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
               
Average
               
Average
               
Average
 
 
 
Average
         
Yield /
   
Average
         
Yield /
   
Average
         
Yield /
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
   
Interest
   
Cost
   
Balance
   
Interest
   
Cost
   
Balance
   
Interest
   
Cost
 
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
               
 
               
 
             
Real estate loans residential
  $ 153,735     $ 8,029       5.22 %   $ 138,497     $ 7,672       5.54 %   $ 133,442     $ 7,463       5.59 %
Real estate loans commercial
    70,050       4,372       6.24 %     65,120       4,044       6.21 %     58,424       4,024       6.89 %
Commercial loans
    38,533       1,904       4.94 %     37,700       1,894       5.02 %     31,665       1,607       5.08 %
Consumer loans
    28,468       1,726       6.06 %     29,506       1,774       6.01 %     28,487       1,767       6.20 %
Taxable investment securities
    79,236       2,231       2.82 %     75,660       2,549       3.37 %     71,455       2,942       4.12 %
Tax-exempt investment securities
    11,716       571       4.87 %     8,587       399       4.65 %     1,464       65       4.44 %
Interest-earning time deposit
    176       2       1.14 %     -       -       0.00 %     -       -       0.00 %
Interest-earning deposits
    4,147       5       0.12 %     8,140       7       0.09 %     7,511       6       0.08 %
Total interest-earning assets
    386,061       18,840       4.88 %     363,210       18,339       5.05 %     332,448       17,874       5.38 %
Noninterest-earning assets:
                                                                       
Other assets
    35,647                       32,087                       29,704                  
Allowance for loan losses
    (3,872 )                     (3,420 )                     (2,731 )                
Net unrealized losses
                                                                       
on available for sale securities
    1,293                       1,513                       (620 )                
Total assets
  $ 419,129                     $ 393,390                     $ 358,801                  
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
NOW accounts
  $ 30,274       87       0.29 %   $ 29,816       79       0.26 %   $ 26,055       72       0.28 %
Money management accounts
    12,964       43       0.33 %     12,101       39       0.32 %     11,037       35       0.32 %
MMDA accounts
    64,352       438       0.68 %     50,722       336       0.66 %     35,571       246       0.69 %
Savings and club accounts
    60,713       78       0.13 %     57,810       84       0.15 %     53,726       87       0.16 %
Time deposits
    139,299       2,590       1.86 %     137,975       2,871       2.08 %     135,965       3,994       2.94 %
Junior subordinated debentures
    5,155       163       3.16 %     5,155       164       3.18 %     5,155       149       2.89 %
Borrowings
    31,255       942       3.01 %     34,102       1,235       3.62 %     37,340       1,446       3.87 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    344,012       4,341       1.26 %     327,681       4,808       1.47 %     304,849       6,029       1.98 %
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
                                                                       
Demand deposits
    35,971                       29,479                       26,114                  
Other liabilities
    4,722                       5,173                       4,888                  
Total liabilities
    384,705                       362,333                       335,851                  
Shareholders' equity
    34,424                       31,057                       22,950                  
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity
  $ 419,129                     $ 393,390                     $ 358,801                  
Net interest income
          $ 14,500                     $ 13,531                     $ 11,845          
Net interest rate spread
                    3.62 %                     3.58 %                     3.40 %
Net interest margin
                    3.76 %                     3.73 %                     3.56 %
Ratio of average interest-earning assets
                                                                       
to average interest-bearing liabilities
                    112.22 %                     110.84 %                     109.05 %






 
 

 
 
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Interest Income

Changes in interest income result from changes in the average balances of loans, securities and interest-earning deposits and the related yields on those balances.  Interest income on a tax-equivalent basis increased $501,000, or 2.7%.

Average interest earning asset balances increased 6.3% in 2011, with yields decreasing 17 basis points to 4.88%.  The Company's average residential mortgage loan portfolio increased $15.2 million, or 11.0%, when comparing 2011 to 2010 with the average yield on this portfolio decreasing 32 basis points to 5.22% in 2011 as higher rate amortizing mortgages were replaced with new originations reflecting current market rates.  The average balance of commercial real estate loans increased $4.9 million, or 7.6%, and the yield increased 3 basis points to 6.24% in 2011.  Average commercial loans modestly increased $833,000, or 2.2% while the yield decreased 8 basis points to 4.94% in 2011.  The average balance of consumer loans decreased $1.0 million, or 3.5%, while the average yield increased 5 basis points to 6.06%.

Interest income on taxable investment securities decreased 12.5% from 2010 as the average yield decreased 55 basis points to 2.82% in 2011 from 3.37% in 2010, offset by an increase of $3.6 million or 4.7% in the average balance of taxable investment securities.

Interest Expense

Changes in interest expense result from changes in the average balances of deposits and borrowings and the related interest costs on those balances.  Interest expense decreased $468,000, or 9.7%%, in 2011, when compared to 2010.  The average rate paid on all interest-bearing deposits was 1.26% in 2011 as compared to 1.47% in 2010, a 21 basis point decrease.  Average balances for total interest-bearing liabilities increased by $16.3 million in 2011 when compared to 2010, principally due to a $13.6 million increase in average money market deposit accounts (“MMDA”) stemming from the opening of the new Cicero branch location.  The average rates paid on all MMDA increased 2 basis points in 2011 to 0.68%.

The decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities resulted from a decrease of 61 basis points in the average cost of borrowings and a 22 basis point decrease in the average rates paid on time deposits.  Both of these decreases are attributable to the maturities of borrowings and time deposit products with higher rates being replaced by lower rates on borrowings and time deposits reflecting current market conditions.  Savings and club accounts recorded average balances of $60.7 million in 2011 reflecting a 5.0% increase over 2010.  Average rates paid on these accounts decreased 2 basis points to 0.13%.


 
Page 24



Rate/Volume Analysis

Net interest income can also be analyzed in terms of the impact of changing interest rates on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in the volume or amount of these assets and liabilities. The following table represents the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have affected the Company’s interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated. Information is provided in each category with respect to: (i) changes attributable to changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by prior rate); (ii) changes attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume); and (iii) total increase or decrease.  Changes attributable to both rate and volume have been allocated ratably.

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2011 vs. 2010
   
2010 vs. 2009
 
   
Increase/(Decrease) Due to
   
Increase/(Decrease) Due to
 
               
Total
               
Total
 
               
Increase
               
Increase
 
(In thousands)
 
Volume
   
Rate
   
(Decrease)
   
Volume
   
Rate
   
(Decrease)
 
Interest Income:
 
 
               
 
             
Real estate loans residential
  $ 815     $ (458 )   $ 357     $ 277     $ (68 )   $ 209  
Real estate loans commercial
    308       20       328       438       (418 )     20  
Commercial loans
    41       (31 )     10       306       (19 )     287  
Consumer loans
    (63 )     15       (48 )     62       (55 )     7  
Taxable investment securities
    115       (433 )     (318 )     165       (558 )     (393 )
Tax-exempt investment securities
    152       20       172       331       3       334  
Interest-earning time deposits
    2       -       2       -       -       -  
Interest-earning deposits
    (4 )     2       (2 )     1       2       3  
Total interest income
    1,366       (865 )     501       1,580       (1,113 )     467  
Interest Expense:
                                               
NOW accounts
    1       7       8       12       (5 )     7  
Money management accounts
    3       1       4       4       -       4  
MMDA accounts
    92       10       102       101       (11 )     90  
Savings and club accounts
    5       (11 )     (6 )     4       (7 )     (3 )
Time deposits
    27       (308 )     (281 )     58       (1,181 )     (1,123 )
Junior subordinated debentures
    -       (1 )     (1 )     -       15       15  
Borrowings
    (97 )     (197 )     (294 )     (121 )     (90 )     (211 )
Total interest expense
    31       (499 )     (468 )     58       (1,279 )     (1,221 )
Net change in net interest income
  $ 1,335     $ (366 )   $ 969     $ 1,522     $ 166     $ 1,688  

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses was $940,000 for the year ended 2011, a decrease of $110,000 or 10.5% from the prior year.  This provision exceeded the net charge-offs of $608,000 recorded in 2011 and resulted in the ratio of allowance to period end loans to increase to 1.31% at December 31, 2011 as compared to 1.28% at December 31, 2010.  The Company continued to provide for a greater level of provision for loan losses than net charge-offs in the current year to allow for the estimable and probable loan losses within the growing loan portfolio.  Management believes that the existing allowances provided on these loans are sufficient to cover anticipated losses.

 
 
 
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Noninterest Income

The Company's noninterest income is primarily comprised of fees on deposit account balances and transactions, loan servicing, commissions and net gains or losses on securities, loans and foreclosed real estate.

The following table sets forth certain information on noninterest income for the years indicated.

   
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
  $ 1,131     $ 1,375     $ (244 )     -17.7 %
Earnings on bank owned life insurance
    224       434       (210 )     -48.4 %
Loan servicing fees
    196       206       (10 )     -4.9 %
Debit card interchange fees
    369       316       53       16.8 %
Other charges, commissions and fees
    531       523       8       1.5 %
Noninterest income before gains (losses)
    2,451       2,854       (403 )     -14.1 %
Net gains on sales and redemptions of investment securities
    791       211       580       274.9 %
Net losses on sales of loans and foreclosed real estate
    (50 )     (45 )     (5 )     11.1 %
Total noninterest income
  $ 3,192     $ 3,020     $ 172       5.7 %

For the year ended December 31, 2011, noninterest income before gains (losses) decreased $403,000, or 14.1%, when compared with the year ended December 31, 2010.   The decrease was due primarily to a decrease in service charges on deposit accounts of $244,000 due to the reduction in extended overdraft fees and a $210,000 reduction on earnings on bank owned life insurance stemming from the recording of $155,000 in noninterest income during the fourth quarter of 2010 from life insurance proceeds in connection with the death of a former director.  Debit card interchange fees increased $53,000 year over year due to usage.  Net gains on sales and redemptions of the investment securities portfolio increased $580,000 for 2011 over the prior year as the Company restructured a portion of its investment securities portfolio due to falling interest rates and a significant mismatch between the demand for, and available supply of, bank qualified fixed income products in the current marketplace.

Noninterest Expense

The following table sets forth certain information on noninterest expense for the years indicated.

   
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
Salaries and employee benefits
  $ 7,076     $ 6,126     $ 950       15.5 %
Building occupancy
    1,395       1,281       114       8.9 %
Data processing
    1,398       1,372       26       1.9 %
Professional and other services
    681       563       118       21.0 %
Advertising
    437       268       169       63.1 %
FDIC assessments
    390       515       (125 )     -24.3 %
Audits and exams
    162       257       (95 )     -37.0 %
Other expenses
    1,609       1,407       202       14.4 %
Total noninterest expenses
  $ 13,148     $ 11,789     $ 1,359       11.5 %

Noninterest expense for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011 increased $1.4 million over the prior year principally due to the increase of $950,000 in personnel expenses due to staffing of the new Cicero branch location, the increased compensation costs related to the ESOP and stock option programs implemented in 2011, increased pension costs and annual wage rate increases.  Additionally, advertising expenses increased $169,000 largely related to the opening of our Cicero branch location.  Professional and other services increased $118,000 due to $56,000 in legal fees to support the implementation of the Company’s participation in the United States Treasury Small Business Lending Fund and the remaining increase to support the implementation of the ESOP, and activities related to the review of the Company’s retirement and compensation plans.  Other expenses increased $202,000 due to increases in community service donations, the debit card rewards program, and non-foreclosure collection expenses.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in FDIC assessment expenses of $125,000, all between comparable twelve-month periods.
 

 
 
Page 26

Income Tax Expense

In 2011, the Company reported income tax expense of $1.044 million compared with $1.007 million in 2010.  The effective tax rate increased to 31.0% in 2011 compared to a tax rate of 28.7% in 2010 due to tax exempt income on the life insurance proceeds relating to the death benefit associated with coverage on a former director in 2010.  See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements for the reconciliation of the statutory tax rate to the effective tax rate.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share was $0.53 in 2011 as compared to $0.82 in 2010.  Diluted earnings per share was $0.52 in 2011 as compared to $0.82 in 2010.  These decreases in basic and diluted earnings per share were due principally to the accelerated accretion on preferred stock totaling $470,000 or $0.19 per basic and diluted share related to the Company’s participation in and exit from the CPP and, separately, the dividends on the preferred stock related to the Company’s participation in the SBLF.   Additionally, the $182,000 decrease in net income between 2010 and 2011 resulted in a decrease of $0.07 per basic and diluted share between these two periods.

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

Investment Securities

The investment portfolio represents 24% of the Company’s average earning assets and is designed to generate a favorable rate of return consistent with safety of principal while assisting the Company in meeting its liquidity needs and interest rate risk strategies.  All of the Company’s investments are classified as available for sale.  The Company invests primarily in securities issued by United States Government agencies and sponsored enterprises, mortgage-backed securities, state and municipal obligations, mutual funds, equity securities, investment grade corporate debt instruments, and common stock issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY).  By investing in these types of assets, the Company reduces the credit risk of its asset base, but must accept lower yields than would typically be available on loan products.  Our mortgage backed securities portfolio is comprised predominantly of pass-through securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae and does not, to our knowledge, include any securities backed by sub-prime or other high-risk mortgages.

At December 31, 2011, investment securities increased 17.7% to $100.4 million from $85.3 million at December 31, 2010.  There were no securities that exceeded 10% of consolidated shareholders’ equity.  See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion on securities.


 
 
 
Page 27



The following table sets forth the carrying value of the Company's investment portfolio at December 31:

       
(In Thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Investment Securities:
           
US treasury, agencies and GSEs
  $ 5,073     $ 20,023  
State and political subdivisions
    20,304       18,979  
Corporate
    20,434       5,600  
Residential mortgage-backed
    51,575       37,246  
Mutual funds
    2,565       3,024  
Equity securities
    444       455  
    Total investments in securities
  $ 100,395     $ 85,327  


 
 
Page 28


The following table sets forth the scheduled maturities, amortized cost, fair values and average yields for the Company's investment securities at December 31, 2011. Yield is calculated on the amortized cost to maturity and adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis.

   
One Year or Less
   
One to Five Years
   
Five to Ten Years
 
         
Annualized
         
Annualized
         
Annualized
 
 
 
Amortized
   
Weighted
   
Amortized
   
Weighted
   
Amortized
   
Weighted
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Avg Yield
   
Cost
   
Avg Yield
   
Cost
   
Avg Yield
 
Debt investment securities:
                                   
US Treasury, agencies and GSEs
  $ 1,002       0.44 %   $ 4,003       1.59 %   $ 20       3.38 %
State and political subdivisions
    829       2.39 %     2,102       2.54 %     4,640       3.32 %
Corporate
    2,534       3.75 %     15,101       1.89 %     1,200       1.97 %
Total
  $ 4,365       2.73 %   $ 21,206       1.90 %   $ 5,860       3.04 %
Mortgage-backed securities:
                                               
Residential mortgage-backed
  $ 75       4.47 %   $ 349       5.11 %   $ 15,674       2.48 %
Total
  $ 75       4.47 %   $ 349       5.11 %   $ 15,674       2.48 %
Other non-maturity investments:
                                               
Mutual funds
  $ 2,374       3.12 %   $ -       -     $ -       0.00 %
Equity securities
    443       1.84 %     -       -       -       0.00 %
Total
  $ 2,817       2.63 %   $ -       -     $ -       0.00 %
Total investment securities
  $ 7,257       2.82 %   $ 21,555       1.95 %   $ 21,534       2.63 %


   
More Than Ten Years
         
Total Investment Securities
       
         
Annualized
               
Annualized
 
 
 
Amortized
   
Weighted
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Weighted
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Avg Yield
   
Cost
   
Value
   
Avg Yield
 
Debt investment securities:
                   
 
       
US Treasury, agencies and GSEs
  $ -       0.00 %   $ 5,025     $ 5,073       1.36 %
State and political subdivisions
    11,937       3.43 %     19,508       20,304       3.26 %
Corporate
    2,251       1.07 %     21,086       20,434       2.03 %
Total
  $ 14,188       3.05 %   $ 45,619     $ 45,811       2.50 %
Mortgage-backed securities:
                                       
Residential mortgage-backed
  $ 34,073       3.12 %   $ 50,171     $ 51,575       2.94 %
Total
  $ 34,073       3.12 %   $ 50,171     $ 51,575       2.94 %
Other non-maturity investments:
                                       
Mutual funds
  $ -       -     $ 2,374     $ 2,565       3.12 %
Equity securities
    -       -       443       444       1.84 %
Total
  $ -       -     $ 2,817     $ 3,009       2.93 %
Total investment securities
  $ 48,261       3.10 %   $ 98,607     $ 100,395       2.74 %
 
 
The above noted yield information does not give effect to changes in fair value that are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss in consolidated shareholders’ equity.
 

 
 
Page 29

Loans Receivable

Loans receivable represent 75% of the Company’s average earning assets and account for the greatest portion of total interest income.  The Company emphasizes residential real estate financing and anticipates a continued commitment to financing the purchase or improvement of residential real estate in its market area.  The Company also extends credit to businesses within its marketplace secured by commercial real estate, equipment, inventories and accounts receivable.  It is anticipated that small business lending in the form of mortgages, term loans, leases, and lines of credit will provide the most opportunity for balance sheet and revenue growth over the near term.  Commercial and municipal loans comprise 13% of the total loan portfolio.  At December 31, 2011, 77% of the Company’s total loan portfolio consisted of loans secured by first mortgages on residential and commercial real estate.

   
December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Residential real estate (1)
  $ 162,395     $ 147,722     $ 135,102     $ 136,218     $ 126,666  
Commercial real estate
    73,628       69,060       62,250       55,061       45,490  
Commercial and municipal loans
    40,336       39,833       35,447       30,685       25,288  
Home Equity and Junior liens
    24,251       25,271       26,086       24,392       21,379  
Consumer loans
    4,140       3,410       3,580       3,516       3,926  
  Total loans receivable
  $ 304,750     $ 285,296     $ 262,465     $ 249,872     $ 222,749  

(1) Includes loans held for sale. (None at December 31, 2011, 2010, 2008 and 2007.)

The following table shows the amount of loans outstanding as of December 31, 2011 which, based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal, are due in the periods indicated.  Demand loans having no stated schedule of repayments and no stated maturity, and overdrafts are reported as one year or less.  Adjustable and floating rate loans are included in the period on which interest rates are next scheduled to adjust rather than the period in which they contractually mature, and fixed rate loans are included in the period in which the final contractual repayment is due.

   
Due Under
   
Due 1-5
   
Due Over
       
(In thousands)
 
One Year
   
Years
   
Five Years
   
Total
 
Real estate:
                       
Commercial real estate
  $ 5,547     $ 4,117     $ 63,964     $ 73,628  
Residential real estate
    56       2,788       159,551       162,395  
      5,603       6,905       223,515       236,023  
Other Commercial
    18,674       12,926       8,736       40,336  
Home Equity and junior liens
    79       863       23,309       24,251  
Consumer
    1,065       2,322       753       4,140  
Total loans
  $ 25,421     $ 23,016     $ 256,313     $ 304,750  
                                 
Interest rates:
                               
Fixed
  $ 5,086     $ 13,933     $ 137,424     $ 156,443  
Variable
    20,335       9,083       118,889       148,307  
Total loans
  $ 25,421     $ 23,016     $ 256,313     $ 304,750  

Total loans receivable increased $19.5 million or 6.8% when compared to the prior year driven principally by a $14.7 million or 9.9% increase in residential real estate loans.  The Company does not originate sub-prime, Alt-A, negative amortizing or other higher risk structured residential mortgages. Commercial real estate loans increased $4.6 million or 6.6% in support of the Company’s strategy to balance its diversification among its product segments.  At December 31, 2011, total loans receivable having a fixed interest rate represented 51.3% of the portfolio as compared to 48.4% at December 31, 2010.  As was evidenced in 2010, this shift to fixed interest rate products continued in 2011, given the historically lower fixed rates and the market’s appetite to lock in lower borrowing costs.
 

 
 
Page 30

Commercial and municipal loans increased $503,000 or 1.3% over the prior year to $40.3 million at December 31, 2011 as new originations modestly outpaced amortization on the existing portfolio.  The Company continues to seek to expand its loan outstandings within this portfolio but the prolonged challenging economic environment allowed a smaller number of lending opportunities to qualified borrowers.

Consumer loans, which include second mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, direct installment and revolving credit loans, decreased 1.0% to $28.4 million at December 31, 2011.  The decrease resulted from a decrease in home equity lines of credit as a result of the current market and economic conditions.

Non-performing Loans and Assets

The following table represents information concerning the aggregate amount of non-performing assets:

   
December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Nonaccrual loans:
                             
Commercial real estate and commercial
  $ 2,594     $ 4,224     $ 1,021     $ 1,455     $ 521  
Consumer
    706       365       111       254       150  
Residential real estate
    1,428       1,335       1,181       614       920  
Total nonaccrual loans
    4,728       5,924       2,313       2,323       1,591  
Total non-performing loans
    4,728       5,924       2,313       2,323       1,591  
Foreclosed real estate
    536       375       181       335       865  
Total non-performing assets
  $ 5,264     $ 6,299     $ 2,494     $ 2,658     $ 2,456  
Non-performing loans to total loans
    1.55 %     2.08 %     0.88 %     0.93 %     0.71 %
Non-performing assets to total assets
    1.19 %     1.54 %     0.67 %     0.75 %     0.77 %
Interest income that would have been recorded
                                       
under the original terms of the loans
  $ 280     $ 260     $ 113     $ 131     $ 71  

Total non-performing loans decreased approximately $1.2 million at December 31, 2011, when compared to December 31, 2010.  The decrease in non-performing loans was primarily the result of three large commercial relationships, each of which either returned to accrual status, recorded a partial pay down, or completely paid off during 2011.  As a result of these events, the ratio of non-performing loans to total loans declined from 2.08% in 2010 to 1.55% in 2011.  Foreclosed real estate increased $161,000 from December 31, 2010 to December 31, 2011 as the net addition of 7 properties to foreclosed real estate to a total of 11 properties at December 31, 2011 reflected the increasingly challenging economic environment over the last several years.  Included in the foreclosed real estate balances at year end 2011 is a former Bank branch of the Company with a carrying value of $113,000.  Not included in non-performing assets is a repossessed boat recorded within other assets with a carrying value of $258,000.  Management continues to monitor and react to national and local economic trends as well as general portfolio conditions, which may impact the quality of the portfolio.   Nonaccrual loans that meet the criteria of an impaired loan are specifically evaluated for impairment based on the underlying collateral support for the loan or the present value of future cash flows, and an allowance is provided, if necessary, which is included within the allowance for loan losses.

Appraisals are obtained at the time a real estate secured loan is originated.  Collateral is reevaluated should the loan become 45 days delinquent to best determine the bank’s level of exposure.  When a loan enters nonaccrual status, the bank evaluates its collateral position and, if appropriate, a new appraisal is performed.  When evaluating our ability to collect from secondary sources, appraised values are adjusted to reflect the age of appraisal, the condition of the property, the current local real estate market, and cost to sell.  Properties are re-appraised when our evaluation of the current property condition and the local real estate market suggests values may not be accurate.
 

 
 
Page 31

The Company generally places a loan on non-accrual status and ceases accruing interest when loan payment performance is deemed unsatisfactory and the loan is past due 90 days or more or when it is probably that the Company will be unable to collect all contractual principal and interest payments.  There are no loans that are past due 90 or more and are still accruing interest.

Management has identified potential problem loans totaling $8.0 million as of December 31, 2011, compared to $7.0 million in potential problem loans as of December 31, 2010.  These loans have been internally classified as special mention or substandard, yet are not currently considered impaired or in non-accrual status.  Management has identified potential credit problems which may result in the borrowers not being able to comply with the current loan repayment terms and which may result in it being included in future past due reporting. Management believes that the current allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover probable credit losses in the current loan portfolio.  As a result of the provision for loan losses exceeding the net charge-offs for 2011 in addition to allowing for the loan growth through the year, the ratio of allowance to loan and lease losses to period-end loans at December 31, 2011 as compared to December 31, 2010 was 1.31% and 1.28%, respectively, representing an increase of 3 basis points.

In the normal course of business, Pathfinder Bank has sold residential mortgage loans and participation interests in commercial loans. As is typical in the industry, the Bank makes certain representations and warranties to the buyer. The Bank maintains a quality control program for closed loans and has never been asked to repurchase a sold loan.  Therefore, management considers the risks and uncertainties associated with potential repurchase requirements to be minimal.  There are no known or alleged defects in the securitization process or in the mortgage documentation.  Any future risk of exposure would be immaterial.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established through charges to expense in the form of a provision for loan losses and reduced by loan charge-offs net of recoveries.  The allowance for loan losses represents the amount available for probable credit losses in the Company’s loan portfolio as estimated by management.  The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses based upon a monthly evaluation of known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio, which includes a review of the balances and composition of the loan portfolio as well as analyzing the level of delinquencies in each segment of the loan portfolio.

The Company establishes a specific allocation for all loans identified as being impaired with a balance in excess of $100,000 which are on nonaccrual or have been risk rated under the Company’s risk rating system as substandard, doubtful, or loss. The measurement of impaired loans is generally based upon the present value of future cash flows discounted at the historical effective interest rate, except that all collateral-dependent loans are measured for impairment based on the fair value of the collateral, less costs to sell.  The majority of the Company’s impaired loans are collateral-dependent.  The Company uses the fair value of collateral less costs to sell to measure impairment on commercial and commercial real estate loans.  Large residential real estate loans may also be included in this individual loan review. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had $4.3 million and $7.0 million in loans, which were identified as impaired, having valuation allowances of $619,000 and $1.1 million, respectively.  For all other loans and leases, the Company uses the general allocation methodology that establishes an allowance to estimate the probable incurred loss for each risk-rating category that reflects actual loss experience, delinquency trends, current economic conditions, and several other environmental factors.

The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $4.0 million and $3.6 million, or 1.31% and 1.28% of total period end loans, respectively.  Net loan charge-offs were $608,000 during 2011, as compared to $480,000 in 2010.  The majority of the increase in current year charge-off activity is the result of an increase in net charge-offs of 1-4 family residential with the remaining net charge-off activity higher than historical levels and reflective of the recent challenging economic environment.


 
Page 32

The following table sets forth the allocation of allowance for loan losses by loan category for the periods indicated.  The allocation of the allowance by category is not necessarily indicative of future losses and does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in any category.



   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Allocation
   
Percent of
   
Allocation
   
Percent of
   
Allocation
   
Percent of
   
Allocation
   
Percent of
   
Allocation
   
Percent of
 
   
of the
   
Loans to
   
of the
   
Loans to
   
of the
   
Loans to
   
of the
   
Loans to
   
of the
   
Loans to
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Allowance
   
Total Loans
   
Allowance
   
Total Loans
   
Allowance
   
Total Loans
   
Allowance
   
Total Loans
   
Allowance
   
Total Loans
 
Residential real estate
  $ 664       53.2 %   $ 750       51.7 %   $ 763       51.5 %   $ 679       54.5 %   $ 464       56.8 %
Commercial real estate
    1,346       24.2 %     1,204       24.2 %     1,009       23.7 %     907       22.0 %     614       20.4 %
Commercial and municipal
    1,114       13.2 %     1,083       14.0 %     864       13.5 %     505       12.3 %     342       11.4 %
Home equity and junior liens
    501       8.0 %     424       8.9 %     390       9.9 %     333       9.8 %     239       9.6 %
Consumer loans
    162       1.4 %     89       1.2 %     76       1.4 %     48       1.4 %     44       1.8 %
Unallocated
    193               98               (24 )             -               -          
Total
  $ 3,980       100.0 %   $ 3,648       100.0 %   $ 3,078       100.0 %   $ 2,472       100.0 %   $ 1,703       100.0 %

The following table sets forth the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated and related ratios.

(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 3,648     $ 3,078     $ 2,472     $ 1,703     $ 1,496  
Provisions charged to operating expenses
    940       1,050       876       820       365  
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
                                 
Commercial real estate and loans
    1       55       -       17       -  
Consumer
    49       36       20       30       27  
Residential real estate
    49       19       3       -       23  
Total recoveries
    99       110       23       47       50  
Loans charged off:
                                       
Commercial real estate and loans
    (304 )     (385 )     (74 )     (46 )     (85 )
Consumer
    (166 )     (157 )     (134 )     (52 )     (77 )
Residential real estate
    (237 )     (48 )     (85 )     -       (46 )
Total charged-off
    (707 )     (590 )     (293 )     (98 )     (208 )
Net charge-offs
    (608 )     (480 )     (270 )     (51 )     (158 )
Balance at end of year
  $ 3,980     $ 3,648     $ 3,078     $ 2,472     $ 1,703  
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding
    0.21 %     0.18 %     0.11 %     0.02 %     0.08 %
Allowance for loan losses to year-end loans
    1.31 %     1.28 %     1.17 %     0.99 %     0.76 %

Deposits

The Company’s deposit base is drawn from eight full-service offices in its market area, including an eighth office opened in Cicero, New York on February 1, 2011.  The deposit base consists of demand deposits, money management and money market deposit accounts, savings and time deposits. During 2011, 59% of the Company's average deposit base of $343.7 million consisted of core deposits.  Core deposits, which exclude time deposits, are considered to be more stable and provide the Company with a lower cost source of funds than time deposits.  The Company will continue to emphasize retail core deposits by maintaining its network of full service offices and providing depositors with a full range of deposit product offerings.  In addition, Pathfinder Commercial Bank, our commercial bank subsidiary, seeks business growth by focusing on its local identification and service excellence.


 
Page 33


Average deposits increased $25.7 million, or 8.1%, when compared to 2010.  The increase in average deposits primarily related to a $7.1 million increase in the average balance of municipal deposits and a $22.3 million increase in retail deposits, the latter due largely to the success of the Company’s new Cicero branch location.

At December 31, 2011, time deposits in excess of $100,000 totaled $69.6 million, or 45%, of time deposits and 19% of total deposits.  At December 31, 2010, these deposits totaled $57.4 million, or 40% of time deposits and 18% of total deposits.

The following table indicates the amount of the Company’s certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more by time remaining until maturity as of December 31, 2011:

(In thousands)
     
Remaining Maturity:
     
Three months or less
  $ 30,503  
Three through six months
    5,203  
Six through twelve months
    8,987  
Over twelve months
    24,865  
    Total
  $ 69,558  

Borrowings

Short-term borrowings are comprised primarily of advances and overnight borrowing at the FHLBNY.  At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 there were $0 and $13.0 million, respectively, in short-term borrowings outstanding.

The following table represents information regarding short-term borrowings during 2011, 2010 and 2009:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Maximum outstanding at any month end
  $ 11,106     $ 13,000     $ 1,400  
Average amount outstanding during the year
    5,371       745       1,724  
Average interest rate during the year
    0.50 %     0.47 %     1.84 %

Long-term borrowed funds consist of advances and repurchase agreements from the FHLBNY and Citi Group and junior subordinated debentures.  Long-term borrowed funds and junior subordinated debentures totaled $31.2 million at December 31, 2011 as compared to $33.2 million at December 31, 2010.

Capital

Shareholders' equity at December 31, 2011, was $37.8 million as compared to $30.6 million at December 31, 2010.  The Company added $2.3 million to retained earnings through net income, offset by a $725,000 increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss to $2.7 million from $1.9 million at December 31, 2010, the latter driven largely by the year end adjustment to the actuarial loss in the pension plan, net of tax expense.  In addition, the Company’s election to exit from participation in the Treasury’s CPP program and participate in the Treasury’s SBLF program caused a net increase in capital of $6.2 million. Common stock dividends declared reduced capital by $299,000 and preferred stock dividends paid to the Treasury, under the terms of the CPP and SBLF agreements, reduced capital by $457,000.  The Company’s sale of 125,000 shares of treasury stock to the ESOP in the third quarter of 2011 did not have a net impact on shareholders’ equity.

Risk-based capital provides the basis for which all banks are evaluated in terms of capital adequacy.  Capital adequacy is evaluated primarily by the use of ratios which measure capital against total assets, as well as against total assets that are weighted based on defined risk characteristics.  The Company’s goal is to maintain a strong capital position, consistent with the risk profile of its subsidiary banks that supports growth and expansion activities while at the same time exceeding regulatory standards.  At December 31, 2011, the Bank exceeded all regulatory required minimum capital ratios and met the regulatory definition of a “well-capitalized” institution, i.e. a leverage capital ratio exceeding 5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio exceeding 6% and a total risk-based capital ratio exceeding 10%.  As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, the Company’s ability to raise new capital through the use of trust preferred securities may be limited because these securities will no longer be included in Tier 1 capital.  In addition, our ability to generate or originate additional revenue producing assets may be constrained in the future in order to comply with anticipated heightened capital standards required by state and federal regulation. See note 19 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion on regulatory capital requirements.
 
 
 
Page 34

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity management involves the Company’s ability to generate cash or otherwise obtain funds at reasonable rates to support asset growth, meet deposit withdrawals, maintain reserve requirements, and otherwise operate the Company on an ongoing basis.  The Company's primary sources of funds are deposits, borrowed funds, amortization and prepayment of loans and maturities of investment securities and other short-term investments, and earnings and funds provided from operations.  While scheduled principal repayments on loans are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition.  The Company manages the pricing of deposits to maintain a desired deposit balance.  In addition, the Company invests excess funds in short-term interest-earning and other assets, which provide liquidity to meet lending requirements.

The Company's liquidity has been enhanced by its membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, whose competitive advance programs and lines of credit provide the Company with a safe, reliable and convenient source of funds.  A significant decrease in deposits in the future could result in the Company having to seek other sources of funds for liquidity purposes.  Such sources could include, but are not limited to, additional borrowings, brokered deposits, negotiated time deposits, the sale of "available-for-sale" investment securities, the sale of securitized loans, or the sale of whole loans.  Such actions could result in higher interest expense costs and/or losses on the sale of securities or loans.

The Company has a number of existing credit facilities available to it.  Total credit available under the existing lines is approximately $96.8 million.  At December 31, 2011, the Company had $25.0 million outstanding under existing credit facilities with $71.8 million available.
 
 
The Asset Liability Management Committee of the Company is responsible for implementing the policies and guidelines for the maintenance of prudent levels of liquidity.  As of December 31, 2011, management reported to the Board of Directors that the Company is in compliance with its liquidity policy guidelines.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company is also a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  At December 31, 2011, the Company had $27.1 million in outstanding commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  See Note 17 in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 7A: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not required of a smaller reporting company.


 

 
 
Page 35

 
ITEM 8: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.
 
   
      Page   
    37  
    38  
    40  
    41  
    42  
    43  
    45  



 

 
Page 36


MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on its evaluation under that framework, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2011. In addition, based on our assessment, management has determined that there were no material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the rules of the Dodd-Frank Act that exempts the Company from such attestation and requires only management’s report.
 
             
 
/s/ Thomas W. Schneider
 
     
/s/ James A. Dowd
 
   
Thomas W. Schneider
     
James A. Dowd
   
President & Chief Executive Officer
     
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   
 
Oswego, New York
March 28, 2012
 
 
 
 
Page 37










Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.
Oswego, New York

 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of condition of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2011 and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended. Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.
 
 
We conducted our audit 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 consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company 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 Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
 

 
/s/ BONADIO & CO., LLP
 

 
 

 
Syracuse, New York
March 28, 2012

 

 
 
Page 38





Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm





To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.
Oswego, New York

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of condition of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended. Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.'s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit 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 consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company 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 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 Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

                                                                                                   /s/ParenteBeard LLC


Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
March 24, 2011

 
 
 
Page 39

 

PATHFINDER BANCORP, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
 
   
             
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
(In thousands, except share data)
 
2011
   
2010
 
ASSETS:
           
Cash and due from banks
  $ 7,093     $ 6,366  
Interest earning deposits
    3,125       7,397  
Total cash and cash equivalents
    10,218       13,763  
Interest earning time deposits
    2,000       -  
Investment securities, at fair value
    100,395       85,327  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
    1,528       2,134  
Loans
    304,750       285,296  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    3,980       3,648  
Loans receivable, net
    300,770       281,648  
Premises and equipment, net
    10,697       9,432  
Accrued interest receivable
    1,685       1,709  
Foreclosed real estate
    536       375  
Goodwill
    3,840       3,840  
Bank owned life insurance
    7,939       6,915  
Other assets
    3,372       3,402  
Total assets
  $ 442,980     $ 408,545  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
Deposits:
               
Interest-bearing
  $ 328,976     $ 295,786  
Noninterest-bearing
    37,153       30,716  
Total deposits
    366,129       326,502  
Short-term borrowings
    -       13,000  
Long-term borrowings
    26,074       28,000  
Junior subordinated debentures
    5,155       5,155  
Accrued interest payable
    145       148  
Other liabilities
    7,636       5,148  
Total liabilities
    405,139       377,953  
Shareholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock - CPP, par value $0.01 per share; $1,000 liquidation preference;
               
1,000,000 shares authorized; 0 and 6,771 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
    -       6,225  
Preferred stock - SBLF, par value $0.01 per share; $1,000 liquidation preference;
               
13,000 shares authorized; 13,000 and 0 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
    13,000       -  
Common stock, par value $0.01; authorized 10,000,000 shares;
               
2,979,969 and 2,972,119 shares issued and 2,617,682 and 2,484,832 shares outstanding, respectively
    30       30  
Additional paid in capital
    8,730       8,615  
Retained earnings
    24,618       24,163  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (2,664 )     (1,939 )
Unearned ESOP
    (1,039 )     -  
Treasury stock, at cost; 362,287 and 487,287 shares, respectively
    (4,834 )     (6,502 )
Total shareholders' equity
    37,841       30,592  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 442,980     $ 408,545  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 

 
Page 40




PATHFINDER BANCORP, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
             
             
 
 
Years Ended
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Interest and dividend income:
           
Loans, including fees
  $ 15,988     $ 15,319  
Debt securities:
               
Taxable
    2,080       2,329  
Tax-exempt
    378       264  
Dividends
    152       220  
Interest earning time deposits
    2       -  
Federal funds sold and interest earning deposits
    4       7  
       Total interest income
    18,604       18,139  
Interest expense:
               
Interest on deposits
    3,236       3,409  
Interest on short-term borrowings
    27       4  
Interest on long-term borrowings
    1,078       1,395  
       Total interest expense
    4,341       4,808  
          Net interest income
    14,263       13,331  
Provision for loan losses
    940       1,050  
          Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    13,323       12,281  
Noninterest income:
               
Service charges on deposit accounts
    1,131       1,375  
Earnings on bank owned life insurance
    224       434  
Loan servicing fees
    196       206  
Net gains on sales and redemptions of investment securities
    791       211  
Net (losses) on sales of loans and foreclosed real estate
    (50 )     (45 )
Debit card interchange fees
    369       316  
Other charges, commissions & fees
    531       523  
          Total noninterest income
    3,192       3,020  
Noninterest expense:
               
Salaries and employee benefits
    7,076       6,126  
Building occupancy
    1,395       1,281  
Data processing
    1,398       1,372  
Professional and other services
    681       563  
Advertising
    437       268  
FDIC assessments
    390       515  
Audits and exams
    162       257  
Other expenses
    1,609       1,407  
          Total noninterest expenses
    13,148       11,789  
Income before income taxes
    3,367       3,512  
Provision for income taxes
    1,044       1,007  
Net income
    2,323       2,505  
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion
    1,003       462  
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 1,320     $ 2,043  
                 
Earnings per common share - basic
  $ 0.53     $ 0.82  
Earnings per common share - diluted
  $ 0.52     $ 0.82  
Dividends per common share
  $ 0.12     $ 0.12  
 
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
         
 

 
 
Page 41




PATHFINDER BANCORP, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND DECEMBER 31, 2010
 
 
 
                                                 
                           
Accumulated
                   
               
Additional
         
Other Com-
                   
   
Preferred
   
Common
   
Paid in
   
Retained
   
prehensive
   
Unearned
   
Treasury
       
 (In thousands, except share data)
 
Stock
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Loss
   
ESOP
   
Stock
   
Total
 
 Balance, January 1, 2011
  $ 6,225     $ 30     $ 8,615     $ 24,163     $ (1,939 )   $ -     $ (6,502 )   $ 30,592  
 Comprehensive income:
                                                               
 Net income
                            2,323                               2,323  
 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                                                               
 Unrealized holding gains on securities
                                                               
 available for sale (net of $607 tax expense)
                                    908                       908  
 Unrealized holding loss on financial
                                                               
 derivative (net of $36 tax benefit)
                                    (54 )                     (54 )
 Retirement plan net losses
                                                               
  not recognized in plan expenses
                                                               
 (net of $1,053 tax benefit)
                                    (1,579 )                     (1,579 )
 Total comprehensive income
                                                            1,598  
 Sale of preferred stock - SBLF
    13,000                                                       13,000  
 Redemption of CPP Preferred stock
    (6,771 )                                                     (6,771 )
 Preferred stock discount accretion
    546                       (546 )                             -  
 Preferred stock dividends - CPP and SBLF
                            (457 )                             (457 )
 Sale of treasury stock to ESOP
                            (566 )             (1,102 )     1,668       -  
 ESOP shares earned (7,105 shares)
                    2                       63               65  
 Stock based compensation
                    47                                       47  
 Stock options exercised
                    66                                       66  
 Common stock dividends declared ($0.12 per share)
                            (299 )                             (299 )
 Balance, December 31, 2011
  $ 13,000     $ 30     $ 8,730     $ 24,618     $ (2,664 )   $ (1,039 )   $ (4,834 )   $ 37,841  
                                                                 
 Balance, January 1, 2010
  $ 6,101     $ 30     $ 8,615     $ 22,419     $ (1,425 )   $ -     $ (6,502 )   $ 29,238  
 Comprehensive income:
                                                               
 Net income
                            2,505                               2,505  
 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
                                                               
 Unrealized holding losses on securities
                                                               
 available for sale (net of $56 tax benefit)
                                    (85 )                     (85 )
 Unrealized holding loss on financial
                                                               
 derivative (net of $44 tax benefit)
                                    (66 )                     (66 )
 Retirement plan net losses not
                                                               
 recognized in plan expenses
                                                               
 (net of $242 tax benefit)
                                    (363 )                     (363 )
 Total comprehensive income
                                                            1,991  
 Preferred stock discount accretion
    124                       (124 )                             -  
 Preferred stock dividends - CPP
                            (339 )                             (339 )
 Common stock dividends declared ($0.12 per share)
                            (298 )                             (298 )
 Balance, December 31, 2010
  $ 6,225     $ 30     $ 8,615     $ 24,163     $ (1,939 )   $ -     $ (6,502 )   $ 30,592  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 
Page 42


 


             
PATHFINDER BANCORP, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
             
             
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
Net income
  $ 2,323     $ 2,505  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    940       1,050  
Deferred income tax expense
    1,193       263  
Proceeds from sales of loans
    -       264  
Originations of loans held-for-sale
    -       (256 )
Realized losses (gains) on sales and redemptions of:
               
Real estate acquired through foreclosure
    50       53  
Loans
    -       (8 )
Premises and equipment
    -       1  
Available-for-sale investment securities
    (791 )     (211 )
Depreciation
    723       644  
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights
    27       28  
Amortization of deferred loan costs
    160       230  
Earnings on bank owned life insurance
    (224 )     (279 )
Realized gain on proceeds from bank owned life insurance
    -       (155 )
Net amortization of premiums and discounts on investment securities
    614       319  
Stock based compensation and ESOP expense
    112       -  
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable
    24       (227 )
Net change in other assets and liabilities
    (1,141 )     163  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    4,010       4,384  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Purchase of interest earning time deposits
    (2,000 )     -  
Purchase of investment securities available-for-sale
    (60,641 )     (60,459 )
Net proceeds from the redemption of (purchases of ) of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    606       (235 )
Proceeds from maturities and principal reductions of
               
investment securities available-for-sale
    32,172       37,431  
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of:
               
Available-for-sale investment securities
    15,091       10,206  
Real estate acquired through foreclosure
    750       210  
Premises and equipment
    5       24  
Purchase of bank owned life insurance
    (800 )     -  
Proceeds from bank owned life insurance
    -       474  
Net increase in loans
    (20,985 )     (24,001 )
Purchase of premises and equipment
    (1,993 )     (2,928 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (37,795 )     (39,278 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Net increase in demand deposits, NOW accounts, savings accounts,
               
money management deposit accounts, MMDA accounts and escrow deposits
    42,410       36,753  
Net decrease in time deposits
    (2,783 )     (7,090 )
Net repayments of short-term borrowings
    (13,000 )     13,000  
Payments on long-term borrowings
    (6,000 )     (12,000 )
                 
                 



 
Page 43


 
           
PATHFINDER BANCORP, INC.
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
             
             
   
Years Ended December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    4,074       4,000  
Proceeds from sale of preferred stock – SBLF
    13,000       -  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    66       -  
Redemption of preferred stock – CPP
    (6,771 )     -  
Cash dividends paid to preferred shareholder – CPP and SBLF
    (457 )     (339 )
Cash dividends paid to common shareholders
    (299 )     (298 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    30,240       34,026  
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (3,545 )     (868 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    13,763       14,631  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 10,218     $ 13,763  
CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD FOR:
               
Interest
  $ 4,344     $ 4,845  
Income taxes
    1,507       403  
NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITY
               
Transfer of loans to foreclosed real estate
    1,083       460  
Transfer of loans to repossessed assets
    258       -  
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
               

 
Page 44


 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Pathfinder Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank has three wholly owned operating subsidiaries, Pathfinder Commercial Bank, Whispering Oaks Development Corp. and Pathfinder REIT, Inc. All inter-company accounts and activity have been eliminated in consolidation.  The Company has seven offices located in Oswego County and a new branch, which opened for business on February 1, 2011 in northern Onondaga County.  The Company is primarily engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public in the Company’s market area, and investing such deposits, together with other sources of funds, in loans secured by one-to-four family residential real estate, commercial real estate, business assets and in investment securities.

Pathfinder Bancorp, M.H.C., (the “Holding Company”) a mutual holding company whose activity is not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, owns approximately 60.5% of the outstanding common stock of the Company.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Management has identified the allowance for loan losses, deferred income taxes, pension obligations, the evaluation of goodwill for impairment and the evaluation of investment securities for other than temporary impairment to be the accounting areas that require the most subjective and complex judgments, and as such, could be the most subject to revision as new information becomes available.

The Company is subject to the regulations of various governmental agencies.  The Company also undergoes periodic examinations by the regulatory agencies which may subject it to further changes with respect to asset valuations, amounts of required loss allowances, and operating restrictions resulting from the regulators' judgments based on information available to them at the time of their examinations.

Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk

Most of the Company’s activities are with customers located primarily in Oswego and parts of Onondaga counties of New York State.  Note 4 discusses the types of securities that the Company invests in.  Note 5 discusses the types of lending that the Company engages in.  The Company does not have any significant concentrations to any one industry or customer.

Advertising

The Company follows the policy of charging the costs of advertising to expense as incurred.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks and interest-bearing deposits (with original maturity of three months or less).
 

 
 
Page 45

Investment Securities

The Company classifies investment securities as available-for-sale.  Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, with net unrealized gains and losses reflected as a separate component of shareholders’ equity, net of the applicable income tax effect. None of the Company’s investment securities have been classified as trading or held-to-maturity.

Gains or losses on investment security transactions are based on the amortized cost of the specific securities sold.  Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized and accreted into income using the interest method over the period to maturity.

Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements includes additional information about the Company’s accounting policies with respect to the impairment of investment securities.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

Federal law requires a member institution of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) system to hold stock of its district FHLB according to a predetermined formula.  The stock is carried at cost.

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale

Mortgage loans held-for-sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.  Fair value is determined in the aggregate.  There were no loans held-for-sale or forward commitments outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.
 
 
Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets, including sales of loans and loan participations, are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered.  Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Loans

The Company grants mortgage, commercial and consumer loans to customers.  Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, less the allowance for loan losses and plus net deferred loan origination costs. The ability of the Company’s debtors to honor their contracts is dependent upon the real estate and general economic conditions in the market area.  Interest income is generally recognized when income is earned using the interest method. Nonrefundable loan fees received and related direct origination costs incurred are deferred and amortized over the life of the loan using the interest method, resulting in a constant effective yield over the loan term. Deferred fees are recognized into income and deferred costs are charged to income immediately upon prepayment of the related loan.

The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into residential mortgage, commercial and consumer loans.  The residential mortgage segment consists of one-to-four family first-lien residential mortgages and construction loans.  Commercial loans consist of the following classes: real estate, other commercial and industrial, lines of credit and municipal loans.  Consumer loans include both home equity lines of credit and loans with junior liens and other consumer loans.
 

 
 
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Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the date of the statement of condition and it is recorded as a reduction of loans.  The allowance is increased by the provision for loan losses, and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries.  Loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for loan losses, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.  All, or part, of the principal balance of loans receivable are charged off to the allowance as soon as it is determined that the repayment of all, or part, of the principal balance is highly unlikely.  Non-residential consumer loans are generally charged off no later than 120 days past due on a contractual basis, unless productive collection efforts are providing results.  Consumer loans may be charged off earlier in the event of bankruptcy, or if there is an amount that is deemed uncollectible.  Because all identified losses are immediately charged off, no portion of the allowance for loan losses is restricted to any individual loan and the entire allowance is available to absorb any and all loan losses.

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated.  Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance.  The allowance is based on the Company’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and other relevant factors.  This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components.  The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired.  For loans that are classified impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows or collateral value of the impaired loan are lower than the carrying value of that loan.

The general component covers pools of loans, by loan class, including commercial loans not considered impaired, as well as smaller balance homogenous loans, such as residential real estate, home equity and other consumer loans.  These pools of loans are evaluated for loss exposure based on historical loss rates for each of these categories of loans, which are adjusted for qualitative factors.  The qualitative factors include:

§  
Lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices
§  
National, regional and local economic and business conditions as well as the condition of various market segments, including the value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans
§  
Nature and volume of the portfolio and terms of the loans
§  
Experience, ability and depth of the lending management and staff
§  
Volume and severity of past due, classified and non-accrual loans, as well as other loan modifications
§  
Quality of the Company’s loan review system and the degree of oversight by the Company’s Board of Directors

Each factor is assigned a value to reflect improving, stable or declining conditions based on management’s best judgment using relevant information available at the time of the evaluation.  Adjustments to the factors are supported through documentation of changes in conditions in a narrative accompanying the allowance for loan loss analysis and calculation.

An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses.  The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company 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 shortfalls on a case-by case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length and reason for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of shortfall in relation to what is owed.  Impairment is measured by either the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the underlying collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
 

 
 
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An allowance for loan loss is established for an impaired loan if its carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value.  The estimated fair values of substantially all of the Company’s impaired loans are measured based on the estimated fair value of the loan’s collateral.  For loans secured by real estate, estimated fair values are determined primarily through third-party appraisals.  When a real estate secured loan becomes impaired, a decision is made regarding whether an updated certified appraisal of the real estate is necessary.  This decision is based on various considerations, including the age of the most recent appraisal, the loan-to-value ratio based on the original appraisal, and the condition of the property.  Appraised values are discounted to arrive at the estimated selling price of the collateral, which is considered to be the estimated fair value.  The discounts also include estimated costs to sell the property.

For commercial and industrial loans secured by non-real estate collateral, such as accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, estimated fair values are determined based on the borrower’s financial statements, inventory reports, account receivable agings or equipment appraisals or invoices.  Indications of value from these sources are generally discounted based on the age of the financial information or the quality of the assets.

Large groups of homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment.  Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual residential mortgage loans, home equity and other consumer loans for impairment disclosures, unless such loans are related to borrowers with impaired commercial loans or they are the subject to a troubled debt restructuring agreement.

Loans whose terms are modified are classified as troubled debt restructurings if the Company grants such borrowers concessions and it is deemed that those borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty.  Concessions granted under a troubled debt restructuring generally involve a temporary reduction in the interest rate or an extension of a loan’s stated maturity date.  Loans classified as troubled debt restructurings are designated as impaired and evaluated as discussed above.

The allowance calculation methodology includes further segregation of loan classes into risk rating categories.  The borrower’s overall financial condition, repayment sources, guarantors and value of the collateral, if appropriate, are evaluated annually for commercial loans or when credit deficiencies arise on all loans.  Credit quality risk ratings include regulatory classifications of special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss.  See Note 5 for a description of these regulatory classifications.

In addition, Federal regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses and may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination, which may not be currently available to management.  Based on management’s comprehensive analysis of the loan portfolio, management believes the current level of the allowance for loan losses is adequate.

Income Recognition on Impaired and Non-accrual Loans

For all classes of loans receivable, the accrual of interest is discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collectibility of principal or interest, even though the loan may be 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 non-accrual status, unpaid interest is reversed and charged to interest income.  Interest received on non-accrual loans, including impaired loans, generally is either applied against principal or reported as interest income, according to management’s judgment as to the collectibility of 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.  Non-accrual troubled debt restructurings are restored to accrual status if principal and interest payments, under the modified terms, are current for six consecutive months after modification.
 

 
 
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For non-accrual loans, when future collectability of the recorded loan balance is expected, interest income may be recognized on a cash basis. In the case where a non-accrual loan had been partially charged off, recognition of interest on a cash basis is limited to that which would have been recognized on the recorded loan balance at the contractual interest rate. Cash interest receipts in excess of that amount are recorded as recoveries to the allowance for loan losses until prior charge-offs have been fully recovered.

Off-Balance Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into commitments to extend credit, including commitments under standby letters of credit.  Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, ranging up to 40 years for premises and 10 years for equipment. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred.  The asset cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts for assets sold or retired and any resulting gain or loss is included in the determination of income.

Foreclosed Real Estate

Properties acquired through foreclosure, or by deed in lieu of foreclosure, are recorded at their fair value less estimated costs to sell.  Fair value is typically determined based on evaluations by third parties.  Costs incurred in connection with preparing the foreclosed real estate for disposition are capitalized to the extent that they enhance the overall fair value of the property. Any write-downs on the asset’s fair value less costs to sell at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses.  Subsequent write downs and expenses of foreclosed real estate are included in noninterest expense.
 
Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired.  Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated annually for impairment.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

Originated mortgage servicing rights are recorded at their fair value at the time of transfer of the related loans and are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income or loss.  The carrying value of the originated mortgage servicing rights is periodically evaluated for impairment or between annual evaluations under certain circumstances.

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions are recognized based on the grant-date fair value of the stock-based compensation issued. Compensation costs are recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award.
 

 
 
Page 49

Retirement Benefits

The Company has established tax qualified retirement plans covering substantially all full-time employees and certain part-time employees.  Pension expense under these plans is charged to current operations and consists of several components of net pension cost based on various actuarial assumptions regarding future experience under the plans.

Gains and losses, prior service costs and credits, and any remaining transition amounts that have not yet been recognized through net periodic benefit cost are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax effects, until they are amortized as a component of net periodic cost.  Plan assets and obligations are measured as of the Company’s statement of condition date.

The Company has unfunded deferred compensation and supplemental executive retirement plans for selected current and former employees and officers that provide benefits that cannot be paid from a qualified retirement plan due to Internal Revenue Code restrictions. These plans are nonqualified under the Internal Revenue Code, and assets used to fund benefit payments are not segregated from other assets of the Company, therefore, in general, a participant's or beneficiary's claim to benefits under these plans is as a general creditor.

The Company sponsors an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) covering substantially all full time employees.  The cost of shares issued to the ESOP but not committed to be released to the participants is presented in the consolidated statement of condition as a reduction of shareholders’ equity.  ESOP shares are released to the participants proportionately as the loan is repaid.  The Company records ESOP compensation expense based on the shares committed to be released and allocated to the participant’s accounts multiplied by the average share price of the Company’s stock over the period.  Dividends related to unallocated shares are recorded as compensation expense.

Derivative Financial Instruments 

Derivatives are recorded on the statement of condition as assets and liabilities measured at their fair value. The accounting for increases and decreases in the value of derivatives depends upon the use of derivatives and whether the derivatives qualify for hedge accounting.  The Company currently has one interest rate swap, which has been determined to be a cash flow hedge.  The fair value of cash-flow hedging instruments (“Cash Flow Hedge”) is recorded in either other assets or other liabilities. On an ongoing basis, the statement of condition is adjusted to reflect the then current fair value of the Cash Flow Hedge. The related gains or losses are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) and are subsequently reclassified into earnings, as a yield adjustment in the same period in which the related interest on the hedged item (primarily a variable-rate debt obligation) affect earnings. To the extent that the Cash Flow Hedge is not effective, the ineffective portion of the Cash Flow Hedge is immediately recognized as interest expense.

Income Taxes

Provisions for income taxes are based on taxes currently payable or refundable and deferred income taxes on temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reported in the consolidated financial statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled.


 
 
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Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income, after preferred stock dividends and preferred stock discount accretion, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding throughout each year.  Diluted earnings per share gives effect to weighted average shares that would be outstanding assuming the exercise of issued stock options and warrants using the treasury stock method.  Unallocated shares of the Company’s ESOP plan are not included when computing earnings per share until they are committed to be released.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the 2010 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.  These reclassifications had no effect on net income as previously reported.

NOTE 2:  NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-12 - Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. Stakeholders raised concerns that the new presentation requirements (pending paragraphs 220-10-45-17 through 45-18, 220-10-55-7 through 55-8, 220-10-55-9, and 220-10-55-18 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification) about reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income would be difficult for preparers and may add unnecessary complexity to financial statements. In addition, it is difficult for some preparers to change systems in time to gather the information for the new presentation requirements by the effective date of ASU 2011-05. Given these issues, they asked the Board to reconsider whether it is necessary to require entities to present reclassification adjustments by component in both the statement where net income is presented and the statement where other comprehensive income is presented for both interim and annual financial statements. Because those pending paragraphs are effective on a retrospective basis for public entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and interim periods within those years, those stakeholders asked the Board, at a minimum, to defer the effective date pertaining to reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income in Accounting Standards Update 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income, until the Board is able to reconsider those paragraphs.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08 - Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Testing Goodwill for Impairment. The objective of this Update is to simplify how entities, both public and nonpublic, test goodwill for impairment. The amendments in the Update permit an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. Previous guidance under Topic 350 required an entity to test goodwill for impairment, on at least an annual basis, by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill (step one). If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the second step of the test must be performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. Under the amendments in this Update, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The amendments in this Update are intended to reduce complexity and costs by allowing an entity the option to make a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it should calculate the fair value of a reporting unit. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of a date before September 15, 2011, if an entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued or, for nonpublic entities, have not yet been made available for issuance.  The Company early adopted this update for its 2011 goodwill impairment evaluation with no material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
 

 
 
Page 51

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05—Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Presentation of Comprehensive Income.  This update was issued to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. To increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income and to facilitate convergence of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the FASB decided to eliminate the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity, among other amendments in this Update.  The amendments require that all nonowner changes in shareholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The amendments in this Update should be applied retrospectively. For public entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  Early adoption is permitted, because compliance with the amendments is already permitted. The amendments do not require any transition disclosures.  The adoption of this update will require the Company to provide a change in disclosures related to comprehensive income.

NOTE 3:  EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Net income available to common shareholders is net income less the total of preferred dividends declared and the amortization of the warrant value under the CPP program.  Diluted earnings per share include the potential dilutive effect that could occur upon the assumed exercise of issued stock options and warrants issued to the U.S. Treasury using the treasury stock method.  Unallocated common shares held by the ESOP are not included in the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per common share until they are committed to be released.


The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
 


   
Three months ended
   
Years ended
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Basic Earnings Per Common Share
                       
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 249     $ 570     $ 1,320     $ 2,043  
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    2,496       2,485       2,490       2,485  
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 0.10     $ 0.23     $ 0.53     $ 0.82  
                                 
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
                               
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 249     $ 570     $ 1,320     $ 2,043  
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    2,496       2,485       2,490       2,485  
Effect of assumed exercise of stock options
    -       -       3       -  
Effect of assumed exercise of stock warrants
    40       23       43       4  
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
    2,536       2,508       2,536       2,489  
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.10     $ 0.23     $ 0.52     $ 0.82  

 

 
Page 52

NOTE 4: INVESTMENT SECURITIES – AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities are summarized as follows:



   
December 31, 2011
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
   
Estimated
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
(In thousands)
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Debt investment securities:
                       
US Treasury, agencies and GSEs
  $ 5,025     $ 48     $ -     $ 5,073  
State and political subdivisions
    19,508       797       (1 )     20,304  
Corporate
    21,086       38       (690 )     20,434  
Residential mortgage-backed - US agency
    49,665       1,395       (4 )     51,056  
Residential mortgage-backed - private label
    505       14       -       519  
Total
    95,789       2,292       (695 )     97,386  
Equity investment securities:
                               
Mutual funds:
                               
Ultra short mortgage fund
    1,286       12       -       1,298  
Large cap equity fund
    905       119       -       1,024  
Other mutual funds
    183       60       -       243  
Common stock - financial services industry
    443       2       (1 )     444  
Total
    2,817       193       (1 )     3,009  
Total investment securities
  $ 98,606     $ 2,485     $ (696 )   $ 100,395  



   
December 31, 2010
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
   
Estimated
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
(In thousands)
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
Debt investment securities:
                       
US Treasury, agencies and GSEs
  $ 20,137     $ 139     $ (253 )   $ 20,023  
State and political subdivisions
    19,227       174       (422 )     18,979  
Corporate
    5,865       228       (493 )     5,600  
Residential mortgage-backed - US agency
    35,714       934       (239 )     36,409  
Residential mortgage-backed - private label
    816       21       -       837  
Total
    81,759       1,496       (1,407 )     81,848  
Equity investment securities:
                               
Mutual funds:
                               
Ultra short mortgage fund
    1,532       26       -       1,558  
Large cap equity fund
    1,129       93       -       1,222  
Other mutual funds
    183       61       -       244  
Common stock - financial services industry
    450       5       -       455  
Total
    3,294       185       -       3,479  
Total investment securities
  $ 85,053     $ 1,681     $ (1,407 )   $ 85,327  



 
 
 
 
Page 53

 
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt investments at December 31, 2011 by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

   
Amortized
   
Estimated
 
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
(In thousands)
           
Due in one year or less
  $ 4,365     $ 4,384  
Due after one year through five years
    21,206       21,210  
Due after five years through ten years
    5,860       6,223  
Due after ten years
    14,188       13,994  
Mortgage-backed securities
    50,170       51,575  
Totals
  $ 95,789     $ 97,386  

The Company’s investment securities’ gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, is as follows:

   
December 31, 2011
 
 
 
Less than Twelve Months
   
Twelve Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
 
(In thousands)
 
 
                               
State and political subdivisions
  $ (1 )   $ 412     $ -     $ -     $ (1 )   $ 412  
Corporate
    (131 )     13,489       (559 )     1,410       (690 )     14,899  
Residential mortgage-backed - US agency
    (4 )     1,896       -       -       (4 )     1,896  
Common stock-financial services industry
    -       -       (1 )     3       (1 )     3  
    $ (136 )   $ 15,797     $ (560 )   $ 1,413     $ (696 )   $ 17,210  


   
December 31, 2010
 
 
 
Less than Twelve Months
   
Twelve Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
 
(In thousands)
 
 
                               
US Treasury, agencies and GSEs
  $ (253 )   $ 9,260     $ -     $ -     $ (253 )   $ 9,260  
State and political subdivisions
    (422 )     10,173       -       -       (422 )     10,173  
Corporate
    -       -       (493 )     1,473       (493 )     1,473  
Residential mortgage-backed - US agency
    (239 )     8,861       -       -       (239 )     8,861  
    $ (914 )   $ 28,294     $ (493 )   $ 1,473     $ (1,407 )   $ 29,767  

We conduct a formal review of investment securities on a quarterly basis for the presence of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). We assess whether OTTI is present when the fair value of a debt security is less than its amortized cost basis at the statement of condition date. Under these circumstances, OTTI is considered to have occurred (1) if we intend to sell the security; (2) if it is “more likely than not” we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) the present value of expected cash flows is not expected to be sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis. The guidance requires that credit-related OTTI is recognized in earnings while non-credit-related OTTI on securities not expected to be sold is recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). Non-credit-related OTTI is based on other factors, including illiquidity. Presentation of OTTI is made in the consolidated statement of income on a gross basis, including both the portion recognized in earnings as well as the portion recorded in OCI. The gross OTTI would then be offset by the amount of non-credit-related OTTI, showing the net as the impact on earnings.
 

 
 
Page 54

At December 31, 2011, one state and political subdivision security is in an unrealized loss position. The Portland Michigan Public Schools general obligation bond is AA- rated by S&P and carries credit support from Assured Guaranty.  The security has been in an unrealized loss position for only 4 months. The unrealized losses relate principally to changes in interest rates subsequent to the acquisition of the specific securities.  No other than temporary impairment is deemed present on this security.

At December 31, 2011, twenty one corporate securities were in unrealized loss positions.  Nineteen of the twenty one securities are currently A rated or better by Moody’s or S&P.  All of the nineteen positions have an unrealized loss that is 2.23% of their associated book value or less. One holding has been in an unrealized loss position for seven months and the remaining eighteen have been in loss positions for only four months or less.  The Company does not intend to sell and it is not more than likely than not the Company will be required to sell those securities until recovery or final maturity. The unrealized losses relate principally to changes in interest rates subsequent to the acquisition of the specific securities.  No other than temporary impairment is deemed present on these securities.

The remaining two corporate securities represent trust-preferred issuances from large money center financial institutions.  The JP Morgan Chase floating rate trust-preferred security has a carrying value of $986,000 and a fair value of $685,000. The Bank of America floating rate trust-preferred security has a carrying value of $983,000 and a fair value of $725,000.  The securities are rated A2 and Ba1 by Moody’s, respectively.  The securities are both floating rate notes that adjust quarterly to LIBOR. These securities are reflecting a net unrealized loss due to current similar offerings being originated at higher spreads to LIBOR, as the market currently demands a greater pricing premium for the associated risk. Management has performed a detailed credit analysis on the underlying companies and has concluded that neither issue is credit impaired.  Due to the fact that each security has approximately 15 years until final maturity, and management has determined that there is no related credit impairment, the associated pricing risk is managed similar to long-term, low yielding, 15 and 30-year fixed rate residential mortgages carried in the Company’s loan portfolio.  The risk is managed through the Company’s extensive interest rate risk management procedures.  The Company expects the present value of expected cash flows will be sufficient to recover the amortized cost basis.  Thus, the securities are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

Two US government agency and US government sponsored enterprise (GSE) residential mortgage-backed security holdings have an unrealized loss as of December 31, 2011.  The securities were issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.  The unrealized losses have been in place for three months or less. The unrealized losses relates principally to changes in interest rates subsequent to the acquisition of the specific security.    No OTTI is deemed present on these securities.

In determining whether OTTI has occurred for equity securities, the Company considers the applicable factors described above and the length of time the equity security’s fair value has been below the carrying amount. Management has determined that we have the intent and ability to retain the equity securities for a sufficient period of time to allow for recovery. The Company holds one equity security that had a fair value less than the carrying value at December 31, 2011.   A small common stock investment in The Phoenix Companies has an unrealized loss of less than $1,000.  Due to the relatively small size of the unrealized loss and short duration of the loss period, no OTTI is deemed present in relation to this security.

 
 
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The following table presents a roll-forward of the amount related to credit losses recognized in earnings for the years ended December 31:

(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Beginning balance – January 1
  $ 875     $ 875  
Reductions for securities sold
    (875 )     -  
Ending balance - December 31
  $ -     $ 875  

The above credit losses were related to one security that was sold at a small gain during the period ended December 31, 2011.

Gross realized gains (losses) on sales and redemptions of securities for the years ended December 31 are detailed below:

(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Realized gains
  $ 796     $ 212  
Realized losses
    (5 )     (1 )
    $ 791     $ 211  

As of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, securities with a fair value of $61.2 million and $47.5 million, respectively, were pledged to collateralize certain deposit and borrowing arrangements.

Management has reviewed its mortgage-backed securities portfolio and determined that, to the best of its knowledge, little or no exposure exists to sub-prime or other high-risk residential mortgages.  The Company is not in the practice of investing in these types of loans.


 
 
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NOTE 5: LOANS

Major classifications of loans are as follows:

   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Residential mortgage loans:
           
1-4 family first-lien residential mortgages
  $ 158,384     $ 143,661  
Construction
    3,935       3,569  
      162,319       147,230  
                 
Commercial loans:
               
Real estate
    73,420       69,042  
Lines of credit
    13,791       14,122  
Other commercial and industrial
    22,701       20,779  
Municipal
    3,619       4,826  
      113,531       108,769  
                 
Consumer loans:
               
Home equity and junior liens
    24,171       25,168  
Other consumer
    4,140       3,411  
      28,311       28,579  
                 
Total loans
    304,161       284,578  
Net deferred loan costs
    589       718  
Less allowance for loan losses
    (3,980 )     (3,648 )
Loans receivable, net
  $ 300,770     $ 281,648  

The Company grants residential mortgage, commercial and consumer loans to customers throughout Oswego and parts of Onondaga counties. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its debtors’ abilities to honor their contracts is dependent upon the counties’ employment and economic conditions.

Loan Origination / Risk Management

The Company has lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income within an acceptable level of risk.  Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis.  A reporting system supplements the review process by frequently providing management with reports related to loan production, loan quality, loan delinquencies, non-performing and potential problem loans.  Diversification in the loan portfolio is a means of managing risk associated with fluctuations in economic conditions.

Risk Characteristics of Portfolio Segments

Each portfolio segment generally carries its own unique risk characteristics.

The residential mortgage loan segment is impacted by general economic conditions, unemployment rates in the Bank’s service area, real estate values and the forward expectation of improvement or deterioration in economic conditions.

The commercial segment is impacted by general economic conditions but, more specifically, the industry segment in which each borrower participates.  Unique competitive changes within a borrower’s specific industry, or geographic location could cause significant changes in the borrower’s revenue stream, and therefore, impact its ability to repay its obligations.  Commercial real estate is also subject to general economic conditions but changes within this segment typically lag changes seen within the consumer and commercial segment.  Included within this portfolio are both owner occupied real estate, in which the borrower occupies the majority of the real estate property and upon which the majority of the sources of repayment of the obligation is dependent upon, and non-owner occupied real estate, in which several tenants comprise the repayment source for this portfolio segment.  The composition and competitive position of the tenant structure may cause adverse changes in the repayment of debt obligations for the non-owner occupied class within this segment.
 

 
 
Page 57

The consumer segment is impacted by general economic conditions, unemployment rates in the Company’s service area, and the forward expectation of improvement or deterioration in economic conditions.

Real estate loans, including residential mortgages, commercial real estate loans and home equity, comprise approximately 85% of the portfolio in both 2011 and 2010.  Loans secured by real estate provide the best collateral protection and thus significantly reduce the inherent risk in the portfolio.

Management has reviewed its loan portfolio and determined that, to the best of its knowledge, little or no exposure exists to sub-prime or other high-risk residential mortgages.  The Company is not in the practice of originating these types of loans.

Description of Credit Quality Indicators

The Company utilizes an eight tier risk rating system to evaluate the quality of its loan portfolio.  Loans that are risk rated “1” through “4” are considered “Pass” loans.  In accordance with regulatory guidelines, loans rated “5” through “8” are termed “criticized” loans and loans rated “6” through “8” are termed “classified” loans.  A description of the Company’s credit quality indicators follows.

For Commercial Loans:

1.  
Prime:  A loan that is fully secured by properly margined Pathfinder Bank deposit account(s) or an obligation of the US Government.  It may also be unsecured if it is supported by a very strong financial condition and, in the case of a commercial loan, excellent management.  There exists an unquestioned ability to repay the loan in accordance with its terms.

2.  
Strong:  Desirable relationship of somewhat less stature than Prime grade.  Possesses a sound documented repayment source, and back up, which will allow repayment within the terms of the loan.  Individual loans backed by solid assets, character and integrity.  Ability of individual or company management is good and well established.  Probability of serious financial deterioration is unlikely.

3.  
Satisfactory:  Stable financial condition with cash flow sufficient for debt service coverage.  Satisfactory loans of average strength having some deficiency or vulnerability to changing economic or industry conditions but performing as agreed with documented evidence of repayment capacity.  May be unsecured loans to borrowers with satisfactory credit and financial strength.  Satisfactory provisions for management succession and a secondary source of repayment exists.

4.  
Satisfactory Watch:  A four is not a criticized or classified credit. These credits do not display the characteristics of a criticized asset as defined by the regulatory definitions. A credit is given a Satisfactory Watch designation if there are matters or trends observed deserving attention somewhat beyond normal monitoring.  Borrowing obligations may be handled according to agreement but could be adversely impacted by developing factors such as industry conditions, operating problems, litigation pending of a significant nature or declining collateral quality and adequacy.                                      

 
 
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5.  
Special Mention:  A warning risk grade that portrays one or more weaknesses that may be tolerated in the short term.  Assets in this category are currently protected but are potentially weak.  This loan would not normally be booked as a new credit, but may have redeeming characteristics persuading the Bank to continue working with the borrower.  Loans accorded this classification have potential weaknesses which may, if not checked or corrected, weaken the company’s assets, inadequately protect the Bank’s position or effect the orderly, scheduled reduction of the debt at some future time.

6.  
Substandard:  The relationship is inadequately protected by the current net worth and cash flow capacity of the borrower, guarantor/endorser, or of the collateral pledged.  Assets have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the orderly liquidation of the debt.  The relationship shows deteriorating trends or other deficient areas.  The loan may be non-performing and expected to remain so for the foreseeable future.  Relationship balances may be adequately secured by asset value; however a deteriorated financial condition may necessitate collateral liquidation to effect repayment.  A relationship with an unacceptable financial condition requiring excessive attention of the officer due to the nature of the credit risk or lack of borrower cooperation.  All loans on non-accrual or in a bankruptcy are not graded higher than Substandard.

7.  
Doubtful:  The relationship has all the weaknesses inherent in a credit graded 5 with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and value, highly questionable or improbable.  The possibility of some loss is extremely high, however its classification as an anticipated loss is deferred until a more exact determination of the extent of loss is determined.  Loans in this category must be on non-accrual.

8.  
Loss:  Loans are considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as bankable assets is not warranted.  It is not practicable or desirable to defer writing off this basically worthless asset even though partial recovery may be possible in the future.

For Residential Mortgage and Consumer Loans:

Residential mortgage and consumer loans are assigned a “Pass” rating unless the loan has demonstrated signs of weakness as indicated by the ratings below.

5.  
Special Mention: All loans sixty days past due are classified Special Mention. The loan is not upgraded until it has been current for six consecutive months.

6.  
Substandard: All loans 90 days past due are classified Substandard. The loan is not upgraded until it has been current for six consecutive months.

7.  
Doubtful:  The relationship has all the weaknesses inherent in a credit graded 5 with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and value, highly questionable or improbable.  The possibility of some loss is extremely high,

The risk ratings are evaluated at least annually for commercial loans or when credit deficiencies arise, such as delinquent loan payments, for commercial, residential mortgage or consumer loans.  See further discussion of risk ratings in Note 1.

 
 
Page 59



The following table presents the segments and classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aggregate pass rating and the criticized and classified ratings of special mention, substandard and doubtful within the Company's internal risk rating system as of December 31, 2011:

   
December 31, 2011
 
         
Special
                   
(In thousands)
 
Pass
   
Mention
   
Substandard
   
Doubtful
   
Total
 
Residential mortgage loans:
                             
1-4 family first-lien residential mortgages
  $ 153,049     $ 1,050     $ 4,285     $ -     $ 158,384  
Construction
    3,935       -       -       -       3,935  
      156,984       1,050       4,285       -       162,319  
Commercial loans:
                                       
Real estate
    69,737       212       3,471       -       73,420  
Lines of credit
    12,579       49       1,163       -       13,791  
Other commercial and industrial
    21,978       89       591       43       22,701  
Municipal
    3,619       -       -       -       3,619  
      107,913       350       5,225       43       113,531  
Consumer loans:
                                       
Home equity and junior liens
    22,500       162       1,456       53       24,171  
Other consumer
    3,922       61       123       34       4,140  
      26,422       223       1,579       87       28,311  
Total loans
  $ 291,319     $ 1,623     $ 11,089     $ 130     $ 304,161  
 

                               
   
December 31, 2010
 
         
Special
                   
(In thousands)
 
Pass
   
Mention
   
Substandard
   
Doubtful
   
Total
 
Residential mortgage loans:
                             
1-4 family first-lien residential mortgages
  $ 138,435     $ 1,725     $ 3,501     $ -     $ 143,661  
Construction
    3,569       -       -       -       3,569  
      142,004       1,725       3,501       -       147,230  
Commercial loans:
                                       
Real estate
    63,834       524       4,684       -       69,042  
Lines of credit
    13,280       28       814       -       14,122  
Other commercial and industrial
    19,857       163       759       -       20,779  
Municipal
    4,826       -       -       -       4,826  
      101,797       715       6,257       -       108,769  
Consumer loans:
                                       
Home equity and junior liens
    23,559       316       1,293               25,168  
Other consumer
    3,271       30       110               3,411  
      26,830       346       1,403       -       28,579  
Total loans
  $ 270,631     $ 2,786     $ 11,161     $ -     $ 284,578  

 
Page 60



Non-accrual and Past Due Loans

Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received within thirty days of the payment due date.

An age analysis of past due loans, exclusive of deferred costs, segregated by class of loans were as follows:
 


   
December 31, 2011
 
                                     
   
30-59 Days
   
60-89 Days
   
90 Days
   
Total
         
Total Loans
 
(In thousands)
 
Past Due
   
Past Due
   
and Over
   
Past Due
   
Current
   
Receivable
 
Residential mortgage loans:
                                   
1-4 family first-lien residential mortgages
  $ 2,870     $ 934     $ 1,428     $ 5,232     $ 153,152     $ 158,384  
Construction
    -       -       -       -       3,935       3,935  
      2,870       934       1,428       5,232       157,087       162,319  
Commercial loans:
                                               
Real estate
    2,015       4       1,623       3,642       69,778       73,420  
Lines of credit
    337       75       467       879       12,912       13,791  
Other commercial and industrial
    356       392       504       1,252       21,449       22,701  
Municipal
    -       -       -       -       3,619       3,619  
      2,708       471       2,594       5,773       107,758       113,531  
Consumer loans:
                                               
Home equity and junior liens
    357       182       550       1,089       23,082       24,171  
Other consumer
    55       2       156       213       3,927       4,140  
      412       184       706       1,302       27,009       28,311  
Total loans
  $ 5,990     $ 1,589     $ 4,728     $ 12,307     $ 291,854     $ 304,161  



   
December 31, 2010
 
   
30-59 Days
   
60-89 Days
   
90 Days
   
Total
         
Total Loans
 
(In thousands)
 
Past Due
   
Past Due
   
and Over
   
Past Due
   
Current
   
Receivable
 
Residential mortgage loans:
                                   
1-4 family first-lien residential mortgages
  $ 2,045     $ 1,078     $ 1,335     $ 4,458     $ 139,203     $ 143,661  
Construction
    -       -       -       -       3,569       3,569  
      2,045       1,078       1,335       4,458       142,772       147,230  
Commercial loans:
                                               
Real estate
    238       908       3,680       4,826       64,216       69,042  
Lines of credit
    205       -       69       274       13,848       14,122  
Other commercial and industrial
    734       301       475       1,510       19,269       20,779  
Municipal
    -       -       -       -       4,826       4,826  
      1,177       1,209       4,224       6,610       102,159       108,769  
Consumer loans:
                                               
Home equity and junior liens
    586       371       303       1,260       23,908       25,168  
Other consumer
    15       7       62       84       3,327       3,411  
      601       378       365       1,344       27,235       28,579  
Total loans
  $ 3,823     $ 2,665     $ 5,924     $ 12,412     $ 272,166     $ 284,578  

 
Page 61


Year-end non-accrual loans, segregated by class of loan, were as follows:

   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Residential mortgage loans:
           
1-4 family first-lien residential mortgages
  $ 1,428     $ 1,335  
Construction
    -       -  
      1,428       1,335  
Commercial loans:
               
Real estate
    1,623       3,680  
Lines of credit
    467       69  
Other commercial and industrial
    504       475  
Municipal loans
    -       -  
      2,594       4,224  
Consumer loans:
               
Home equity and junior liens
    550       303  
Other consumer
    156       62  
      706       365  
Total nonaccrual loans
  $ 4,728     $ 5,924  

There were no loans past due ninety days or more and still accruing interest at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

The Company is required to disclose certain activities related to Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDR”s) in accordance with transition guidance under ASC 310-40-65-1.  The Company has determined that, for interim periods beginning after June 30, 2011 which was the date of adoption of this accounting standard update, there was one commercial and industrial loan with a carrying amount of $122,000 and one commercial real estate loan with a carrying amount of $324,000 that were TDRs occurring over the prior twelve months and that reported a payment default for the six month period ended December 31, 2011. There were no TDR’s during this period.

 
 
Page 62



Impaired Loans

The following table summarizes impaired loans information by portfolio class:

   
December 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
         
Unpaid
               
Unpaid
       
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Related
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Related
 
(In thousands)
 
Investment
   
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Investment
   
Balance
   
Allowance
 
With no related allowance recorded:
                                   
1-4 family first-lien residential mortgages
  $ 442     $ 442     $ -     $ 185     $ 185     $ -  
Residential construction mortgage
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial real estate
    968       1,096       -       1,919       1,919       -  
Commercial lines of credit
    74       74       -       -       -       -  
Other commercial and industrial
    257       257       -       96       96       -  
Municipal
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Home equity and junior liens
    312       312       -       411       411       -  
Other consumer
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
With an allowance recorded:
            -                                  
1-4 family first-lien residential mortgages
    856       856       149       1,215       1,215       255  
Residential construction mortgage
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial real estate
    735       735       109       2,233       2,322       352  
Commercial lines of credit
    378       378       178       300       300       300  
Other commercial and industrial
    122       122       122       346       346       78  
Municipal
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Home equity and junior liens
    136       136       61       252       252       110  
Other consumer
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Total:
                                               
1-4 family first-lien residential mortgages
    1,298       1,298       149       1,400       1,400       255  
Residential construction mortgage
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Commercial real estate
    1,703       1,831       109       4,152       4,241       352  
Commercial lines of credit
    452       452       178       300       300       300  
Other commercial and industrial
    379       379       122       442       442       78  
Municipal
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Home equity and junior liens
    448       448       61       663       663       110  
Other consumer
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
    $ 4,280     $ 4,408     $ 619     $ 6,957     $ 7,046     $ 1,095  





 
 
Page 63


The following table presents the average recorded investment in impaired loans for the years ended December 31:

(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Residential mortgage
  $ 1,156     $ 1,123  
Commercial real estate
    2,447       3,550  
Commercial lines of credit
    207       275  
Other commercial and industrial
    712       298  
Home equity and junior liens
    554       178  
Consumer
    -       -  
    $ 5,075     $ 5,424  



The following table presents the interest income recognized on impaired loans for the years ended December 31:

(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Residential mortgage
  $ 64     $ 75  
Commercial real estate
    86       109  
Commercial lines of credit
    31       10  
Other commercial and industrial
    12       17  
Home equity and junior liens
    9       24  
Consumer
    -       -  
    $ 202     $ 235  


 

 
 
Page 64


NOTE 6: ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and information pertaining to the allocation of the allowance for loan losses and balances of the allowance for loan losses and loans receivable based on individual and collective impairment evaluation by loan portfolio class at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are summarized as follows:




 
2011
 
1-4 family
       
 
first-lien
Residential
   
Other
 
residential
construction
Commercial
Commercial
commercial
(In thousands)
mortgage
mortgage
real estate
lines of credit
and industrial
Allowance for loan losses:
         
Beginning Balance
 $          750
 $                      -
 $        1,204
 $              579
 $               501
   Charge-offs
           (237)
                         -
            (205)
                  (65)
                  (34)
   Recoveries
               49
                         -
                  -
                     1
                      -
   Provisions
             102
                         -
              347
                  (52)
                  182
Ending balance
 $          664
 $                      -
 $        1,346
 $              463
 $               649
Ending balance: related to loans
         
individually evaluated for impairment
 $          149
 $                      -
 $           109
 $              178
 $               122
Ending balance: related to loans
         
collectively evaluated for impairment
 $          515
 $                      -
 $        1,237
 $              285
 $               527
           
Loans receivables:
         
Ending balance
 $   158,384
 $               3,935
 $      73,420
 $         13,791
 $          22,701
Ending balance: individually
         
evaluated for impairment
 $       1,298
 $                      -
 $        1,703
 $              452
 $               379
Ending balance: collectively
         
evaluated for impairment
 $   157,086
 $               3,935
 $      71,717
 $         13,339
 $          22,322
           
           
   
Home equity
Other
   
 
Municipal
and junior liens
Consumer
Unallocated
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
         
Beginning Balance
 $              3
 $                  424
 $             89
 $                98
 $            3,648
   Charge-offs
                 -
                     (43)
            (123)
                      -
                (707)
   Recoveries
                 -
                       10
                39
                      -
                    99
   Provisions
               (1)
                     110
              157
                   95
                  940
Ending balance
 $              2
 $                  501
 $           162
 $              193
 $            3,980
Ending balance: related to loans
     
 
 
individually evaluated for impairment
 $              -
 $                    61
 $               -
 $                   -
 $               619
Ending balance: related to loans
         
collectively evaluated for impairment
 $              2
 $                  440
 $           162
 $              193
 $            3,361
           
Loans receivables:
         
Ending balance
 $       3,619
 $             24,171
 $        4,140
 $                   -
 $        304,161
Ending balance: individually
         
evaluated for impairment
 $              -
 $                  448
 $               -
 $                   -
 $            4,280
Ending balance: collectively
         
evaluated for impairment
 $       3,619
 $             23,723
 $        4,140
 $                   -
 $        299,881


 
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2010
 
   
1-4 family
                         
   
first-lien
   
Residential
               
Other
 
   
residential
   
mortgage
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
commercial
 
   
mortgage
   
construction
   
real estate
   
lines of credit
   
and industrial
 
Allowance for loan losses:
                             
Beginning Balance
  $ 763     $ -     $ 1,009     $ 376     $ 486  
   Charge-offs
    (48 )     -       (162 )     (196 )     (27 )
   Recoveries
    19       -       55               -  
   Provisions
    16       -       302       399       42  
Ending balance
  $ 750     $ -     $ 1,204     $ 579     $ 501  
Ending balance: related to loans
                                       
individually evaluated for impairment
  $ 255     $ -     $ 352     $ 300     $ 78  
Ending balance: related to loans
                                       
collectively evaluated for impairment
  $ 495     $ -     $ 852     $ 279     $ 423  
                                         
Loans receivables:
                                       
Ending balance
  $ 143,661     $ 3,569     $ 69,042     $ 14,122     $ 20,779  
Ending balance: individually
                                       
evaluated for impairment
  $ 1,400     $ -     $ 4,152     $ 300     $ 442  
Ending balance: collectively
                                       
evaluated for impairment
  $ 142,261     $ 3,569     $ 64,890     $ 13,822     $ 20,337  
                                         
                                         
           
Home equity
   
Other
                 
   
Municipal
   
and junior liens
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Allowance for loan losses:
                                       
Beginning Balance
  $ 2     $ 390     $ 76     $ (24 )   $ 3,078  
   Charge-offs
    -       (76 )     (81 )     -       (590 )
   Recoveries
    -       5       31       -       110  
   Provisions
    1       105       63       122       1,050  
Ending balance
  $ 3     $ 424     $ 89     $ 98     $ 3,648  
Ending balance: related to loans
                                       
individually evaluated for impairment
  $ -     $ 110     $ -     $ -     $ 1,095  
Ending balance: related to loans
                                       
collectively evaluated for impairment
  $ 3     $ 314     $ 89     $ 98     $ 2,553  
                                         
Loans receivables:
                                       
Ending balance
  $ 4,826     $ 25,168     $ 3,411             $ 284,578  
Ending balance: individually
                                       
evaluated for impairment
  $ -     $ 663     $ -             $ 6,957  
Ending balance: collectively
                                       
evaluated for impairment
  $ 4,826     $ 24,505     $ 3,411             $ 277,621  

 
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NOTE 7: SERVICING

Loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated statements of condition.  The unpaid principal balances of mortgage and other loans serviced for others were $31,241,000 and $37,746,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The balance of capitalized servicing rights included in other assets at December 31, 2011 and 2010, was $8,000 and $35,000, respectively.

The following summarizes mortgage servicing rights capitalized and amortized:

(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Mortgage servicing rights capitalized
  $ -     $ 2  
Mortgage servicing rights amortized
  $ 27     $ 28  


NOTE 8: PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

A summary of premises and equipment at December 31, is as follows:

(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Land
  $ 1,544     $ 1,226  
Buildings
    10,056       7,181  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
    8,703       7,531  
Construction in progress
    353       2,761  
      20,656       18,699  
Less: Accumulated depreciation
    9,959       9,267  
    $ 10,697     $ 9,432  

The increase in premises and equipment is the result of the construction of the new branch location in Cicero, New York.

NOTE 9: GOODWILL

Goodwill represents the excess cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated annually for impairment or between annual evaluations in certain circumstances. Management performs an annual assessment of the Company’s goodwill to determine whether or not any impairment of the carrying value may exist. In accordance with FASB ASU 2011-08, the Company is permitted to assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value.  For purposes of this assessment, management considers the Company and its subsidiaries as a whole to be the reporting unit. Based on the results of the assessment, management has determined that the carrying value of goodwill in the amount of $3.8 million is not impaired as of December 31, 2011.


 
 
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NOTE 10: DEPOSITS

A summary of deposits at December 31, is as follows:

(In thousands)
2011
2010
Savings accounts
 $       58,689
 $         55,966
Time accounts
         83,786
           85,240
Time accounts over $100,000
         69,558
           57,395
Money management accounts
         14,249
           12,593
MMDA accounts
         70,588
           54,799
Demand deposit interest-bearing
         28,625
           26,449
Demand deposit noninterest-bearing
         37,153
           30,716
Mortgage escrow funds
           3,481
             3,344
 
 $     366,129
 $       326,502

At December 31, 2011, the scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows:
 
(In thousands)
 
Year of Maturity:
 
2012
 $       85,341
2013
         28,543
2014
         27,088
2015
           5,870
2016
           2,067
Thereafter
           4,435
 
 $     153,344


 
 
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NOTE 11: BORROWED FUNDS

The composition of borrowings (excluding junior subordinated debentures) at December 31 is as follows:

(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Short-term:
           
FHLB Advances
  $ -     $ 13,000  
Long-term:
               
FHLB advances
  $ 20,000     $ 23,000  
ESOP loan payable
    1,074       -  
Citigroup Repurchase agreements
    5,000       5,000  
Total long-term borrowings
  $ 26,074     $ 28,000  

Terms of the ESOP loan payable, which is based on a variable rate, are detailed in Note 15.

The principal balances, interest rates and maturities of the remaining borrowings, all of which are at a fixed rate, at December 31, 2011 are as follows:

Term
 
Principal
   
Rates
 
(Dollars in thousands)
           
             
Long-term:
           
Repurchase agreements (due in 2013)
  $ 5,000       2.95 %
Advances with FHLB
               
due within 1 year
    4,000       2.70%-4.91 %
due within 2 years
    4,000       4.46%-4.53 %
due within 3 years
    5,000       2.85%-3.07 %
due within 4 years
    2,000       2.79 %
due within 5 years
    3,000       2.12 %
due within 6 years
    2,000       2.56 %
Total advances with FHLB
    20,000          
Total
  $ 25,000          

At December 31, 2011, scheduled repayments of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):

       
2012
  $ 4,110  
2013
    9,110  
2014
    5,110  
2015
    2,110  
2016
    3,110  
Thereafter
    2,524  
    $ 26,074  


 
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The repurchase agreement with Citigroup is collateralized by certain investment securities having a fair value of $6,136,000 at December 31, 2011.  The collateral is under the Company’s control.  The Company also has access to Federal Home Loan Bank advances, under which it can borrow at various terms and interest rates.  Residential mortgage loans with a carrying value of $65,781,000 and FHLB stock with a carrying value of $1,528,000 have been pledged by the Company under a blanket collateral agreement to secure the Company’s borrowings at December 31, 2011.  The total outstanding indebtedness under borrowing facilities with the FHLB cannot exceed the total value of the assets pledged under the blanket collateral agreement.  The Company has a $15.0 million line of credit available at December 31, 2011 with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York through its Discount Window and has pledged various corporate and municipal securities against the line. The Company has an $11.0 million line of credit available with three other correspondent banks. $4.0 million of that line of credit is available on an unsecured basis and the remaining $7.0 million must be collateralized with marketable investment securities. Interest on the lines is determined at the time of borrowing.

The Company has a non-consolidated subsidiary trust, Pathfinder Statutory Trust II, of which the Company owns 100% of the common equity.  The Trust issued $5,000,000 of 30 year floating rate Company-obligated pooled capital securities of Pathfinder Statutory Trust II.  The Company borrowed the proceeds of the capital securities from its subsidiary by issuing floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures having substantially similar terms.  The capital securities mature in 2037 and are treated as Tier 1 capital by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”).  The capital securities of the trust are a pooled trust preferred fund of Preferred Term Securities VI, Ltd. and are tied to the 3-month LIBOR plus 1.65% (2.24%) at December 31, 2011) with a five-year call provision.  The Company guarantees all of these securities.

The Company's equity interest in the trust subsidiary of $155,000 is reported in "Other assets".  For regulatory reporting purposes, the Federal Reserve Board has indicated that the preferred securities will continue to qualify as Tier 1 Capital subject to previously specified limitations, until further notice. If regulators make a determination that Trust Preferred Securities can no longer be considered in regulatory capital, the securities become callable and the Company may redeem them.

NOTE 12:  EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL     RETIREMENT PLANS

The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees. The plan provides defined benefits based on years of service and final average salary. In addition, the Company provides certain health and life insurance benefits for a limited number of eligible retired employees.  The healthcare plan is contributory with participants’ contributions adjusted annually; the life insurance plan is noncontributory.  Employees with less than 14 years of service as of January 1, 1995, are not eligible for the health and life insurance retirement benefits.


 
 
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The following tables set forth the changes in the plans’ benefit obligations, fair value of plan assets and the plans’ funded status as of December 31:

   
Pension Benefits
   
Postretirement Benefits
 
(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Change in benefit obligations:
                       
Benefit obligations at beginning of year
  $ 7,539     $ 6,095     $ 364     $ 332  
Service cost
    328       261       -       -  
Interest cost
    414       376       19       20  
Actuarial loss
    2,085       954       47       37  
Benefits paid
    (199 )     (147 )     (29 )     (25 )
Benefit obligations at end of year
    10,167       7,539       401       364  
Change in plan assets:
                               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
    7,890       6,252       -       -  
Actual return on plan assets
    (142 )     722       -       -  
Benefits paid
    (199 )     (147 )     (29 )     (25 )
Employer contributions
    -       1,063       29       25  
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
    7,549       7,890       -       -  
Funded Status - (liability) asset
  $ (2,618 )   $ 351     $ (401 )   $ (364 )

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31 are as follows:


 
 
Pension Benefits
Postretirement Benefits
(In thousands)
2011
2010
2011
2010
Unrecognized transition obligation
 $                   -
 $         -
 $                   2
 $      20
Net loss
               5,940
    3,335
                    86
         40
 
               5,940
    3,335
                    88
         61
Tax Effect
               2,376
    1,334
                    36
         25
 
 $            3,564
 $ 2,001
 $                 53
 $      36

Gains and losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the benefit obligation or the fair value of assets are amortized over the average remaining service period of active participants. 

The accumulated benefit obligation for the defined benefit pension plan was $8,245,000 and $6,185,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The postretirement plan had an accumulated benefit obligation of $401,000 and $364,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The significant assumptions used in determining the benefit obligations as of December 31, are as follows:

 
Pension Benefits
Postretirement Benefits
 
2011
2010
2011
2010
Weighted average discount rate
4.40%
5.54%
4.40%
5.54%
Rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.50%
3.50%
                   -
                      -
 
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the postretirement health care plan.   The annual rates of increase in the per capita cost of covered medical and prescription drug benefits for year-end calculations were assumed to be 8.00% for each year.  The rates were assumed to decrease gradually to 5.00% in 2015 and remain at that level thereafter.
 
 
 
Page 71

The composition of the net periodic benefit plan cost for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

 
               Pension Benefits
Postretirement Benefits
 
2011
2010
2011
2010
(In thousands)
       
Service cost
 $             328
 $             261
 $                  -
 $                     -
Interest cost
                414
                376
                  19
                     20
Expected return on plan assets
              (625)
              (554)
                     -
                        -
Amortization of transition obligation
                     -
                     -
                  18
                     18
Amortization of net losses
                247
                200
                    1
                        -
Net periodic benefit plan cost
 $             364
 $             283
 $               38
 $                  38

The significant assumptions used in determining the net periodic benefit plan cost for years ended December 31 were as follows:

 
Pension Benefits
Postretirement Benefits
 
2011
2010
2011
2010
Weighted average discount rate
5.54%
6.25%
5.54%
6.25%
Expected long term rate of return on plan assets
8.00%
8.00%
                   -
                      -
Rate of increase in future compensation levels
3.50%
3.50%
                   -
                      -

The long term rate of return on assets assumption was set based on historical returns earned by equities and fixed income securities, adjusted to reflect expectations of future returns as applied to the plan’s target allocation of asset classes.  Equities and fixed income securities were assumed to earn real rates of return in the ranges of 5.0%-9.0% and 2.0%-6.0%, respectively.  The long-term inflation rate was estimated to be 3.0%.  When these overall return expectations are applied to the plan’s target allocation, the expected rate of return was determined to be in the range of 7.0% to 11.0%.  Management has chosen to use an 8% expected long-term rate of return to reflect current economic conditions and expected returns.

The estimated net actuarial loss that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit plan cost during 2012 is $522,000.  The estimated amortization of the unrecognized transition obligation and actuarial loss for the post retirement health plan in 2012 is $15,000.  The expected net periodic benefit plan cost for 2012 is estimated at $649,000 for both retirement plans.

Plan assets are invested in diversified investment funds of the RSI Retirement Trust (the “Trust”), a private placement investment fund.  The investment funds include a series of equity and bond mutual funds or commingled trust funds, each with its own investment objectives, investment strategies and risks, as detailed in the Statement of Investment Objectives and Guidelines.  The Trust has been given discretion by the Plan Sponsor to determine the appropriate strategic asset allocation versus plan liabilities, as governed by the Trust’s Statement of Investment Objectives and Guidelines.

The long-term investment objectives are to maintain plan assets at a level that will sufficiently cover long-term obligations and to generate a return on plan assets that will meet or exceed the rate at which long-term obligations will grow.  A broadly diversified combination of equity and fixed income portfolios and various risk management techniques are used to help achieve these objectives.

In addition, significant consideration is paid to the plan’s funding levels when determining the overall asset allocation.  If the plan is considered to be well-funded, approximately 65% of the plan’s assets are allocated to equities and approximately 35% allocated to fixed-income.  If the plan is does not satisfy the criteria for a well-funded plan, approximately 50% of the plan’s assets are allocated to equities and approximately 50% allocated to fixed-income.  Asset rebalancing normally occurs when the equity and fixed-income allocations vary by more than 10% from their respective targets (i.e., a 20% policy range guideline).

 
Page 72

The investment goal is to achieve investment results that will contribute to the proper funding of the pension plan by exceeding the rate of inflation over the long-term.  In addition, investment managers for the Trust are expected to provide above average performance when compared to their peer managers.  Performance volatility is also monitored.  Risk/volatility is further managed by the distinct investment objectives of each of the Trust funds and the diversification within each fund.

Pension plan assets measured at fair value are summarized below:

   
At December 31, 2011
 
                     
Total Fair
 
(In thousands)
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Value
 
Asset Category:
                       
Mutual funds - equity
                       
Large-cap value (a)
  $ 675     $ -     $ -     $ 675  
Small-cap core (b)
    895       -       -       895  
Common/collective trusts - equity
                               
Large-cap core (c)
    -       798       -       798  
Large-cap value (d)
    -       393       -       393  
Large-cap growth (e)
    -       1,087       -       1,087  
International core (f)
    -       830       -       830  
Common/collective trusts - fixed income
                               
Market duration fixed (g)
    -       2,871       -       2,871  
                                 
                                 
Total
  $ 1,570     $ 5,979     $ -     $ 7,549  

   
At December 31, 2010
 
                     
Total Fair
 
(In thousands)
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Value
 
Asset Category:
                       
Mutual funds - equity
                       
Large-cap value (a)
  $ 711     $ -     $ -     $ 711  
Small-cap core (b)
    949       -       -       949  
Common/collective trusts - equity
                               
Large-cap core (c)
    -       810       -       810  
Large-cap value (d)
    -       411       -       411  
Large-cap growth (e)
    -       1,164       -       1,164  
International core (f)
    -       1,081       -       1,081  
Common/collective trusts - fixed income
                               
Market duration fixed (g)
    -       2,764       -       2,764  
Total
  $ 1,660     $ 6,230     $ -     $ 7,890  


 
Page 73


(a)  
This category consists of investments whose sector and industry exposures are maintained within a narrow band around Russell 1000 index.  The portfolio holds approximately 150 stocks.
(b)  
This category contains stocks whose sector weightings are maintained within a narrow band around those of the Russell 2000 index.  The portfolio will typically hold more than 150 stocks.
(c)  
This fund tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index by purchasing the securities represented in the Index in approximately the same weightings as the Index.
(d)  
This category contains large-cap stocks with above-average yields.  The portfolio typically holds between 60 and 70 stocks.
(e)  
This category consists of a portfolio of between 45 and 65 stocks that will typically overweight technology and health care.
(f)  
This category consists of a broadly diversified portfolio of non-U.S. domiciled stocks.  The portfolio will typically hold more than 200 stocks, with 0% - 35% invested in emerging markets securities.
(g)  
This category consists of an index fund that tracks the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.  The fund invests in Treasury, agency, corporate, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.

Funds that are mutual funds and actively traded qualify as “Level 1” assets because market values are readily available and accessible (“using quoted prices in active markets”).  Funds referred to as “common/collective trusts” are proprietary funds that are not available to the general public.  These funds hold assets that are easy to value and, individually, are readily available and accessible, so that the fund manager can easily produce a value, satisfying the condition that a value is determined from “significant other observable inputs”. 

For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012, the Bank expects to contribute approximately $28,000 to the postretirement plan.  In January 2012, the Bank made a contribution of $2.6 million to the pension plan in response to the unfunded pension liability of $2.6 million recorded at December 31, 2011.  Additional contributions may be made in 2012.

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid from both retirement plans:

 
Pension
 
Postretirement
   
 
Benefits
 
Benefits
 
Total
Years ending December 31:
         
(In thousands)
         
2012
 $         212
 
 $           28
 
 $         240
2013
            220
 
              30
 
            250
2014
            230
 
              33
 
            263
2015
            241
 
              33
 
            274
2016
            254
 
              33
 
            287
Years 2017 - 2021
          1,715
 
            156
 
          1,871


The Company also offers a 401(k) plan to its employees.  Contributions to this plan by the Company were $176,000 and $160,000 for 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Company maintains optional deferred compensation plans for its directors and certain executive officers, whereby fees and income normally received are deferred and paid by the Company based upon a payment schedule commencing at age 65 and continuing monthly for 10 years. Directors must serve on the board for a minimum of 5 years to be eligible for the Plan. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, other liabilities include approximately $1,929,000 and $1,872,000, respectively, relating to deferred compensation. Deferred compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 amounted to approximately $224,000 and $225,000, respectively.

 
 
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The Company has a supplemental executive retirement plan for the benefit of the Chief Executive Officer and a retired Chief Executive Officer.  At December 31, 2011 and 2010, other liabilities included approximately $218,000 and $259,000 accrued under this plan. Compensation expense includes approximately $19,000 relating to the supplemental executive retirement plan for the year ended December 31, 2011 and $22,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010.

To assist in the funding of the Company’s benefits under the supplemental executive retirement plan, the Company is the owner of single premium life insurance policies on selected participants.  At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the cash surrender values of these policies were $7,939,000 and $6,915,000, respectively.  The increase in the surrender values was primarily the result of purchases of life insurance policies in the second quarter of 2011.

 
 
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NOTE 13: OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income.  Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, the effective portion of cash-flow hedges, and unrecognized gains and losses and transition assets or obligations for defined benefit pension and post retirement plans are reported as a separate component of the shareholders’ equity section of the consolidated statements of condition, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.

The components of other comprehensive loss and the related tax effect for the years ended December 31, are as follows:

(In thousands)
 
2011
 
2010
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on securities available for sale:
       
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period
 
 $           2,306
 
 $                70
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income
 
               (791)
 
               (211)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale
 
              1,515
 
               (141)
Unrealized holding loss on financial derivative:
       
Unrealized holding loss arising during the period
 
               (151)
 
               (170)
Reclassification adjustment for interest expense included in net income
 
                   61
 
                   60
Net unrealized loss on financial derivative
 
                 (90)
 
               (110)
Defined benefit pension and post retirement plans:
       
Additional plan losses
 
            (2,899)
 
               (823)
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of benefit plans' net loss
       
and transition obligation recognized in net periodic expense
 
                 267
 
                 218
Net change in retirement plans
 
            (2,632)
 
               (605)
Other comprehensive loss before tax
 
            (1,207)
 
               (856)
Tax effect
 
                 482
 
                 342
Other comprehensive loss
 
 $            (725)
 
 $            (514)

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related tax effects, at December 31, are as follows:

(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Unrealized gains on securities available for sale
           
(net of tax expense 2011 - $716; 2010 - $110)
  $ 1,073     $ 164  
Unrealized losses on financial derivative
               
(net of tax benefit 2011 - $80; 2010 - $44)
    (120 )     (66 )
Net pension losses
               
(net of tax benefit 2011 - $2,376; 2010 - $1,334)
    (3,564 )     (2,001 )
Net post-retirement losses and transition obligation
               
(net of tax benefit 2011 - $36; 2010 - $25)
    (53 )     (36 )
    $ (2,664 )   $ (1,939 )

NOTE 14:  STOCK BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The February 1997 Stock Option Plan

In February 1997, the Board of Directors approved an option plan and granted options thereunder with an exercise price equal to the market value of the Company’s shares at the date of grant.  Under the Stock Option Plan, up to 132,249 options had been authorized for grant of incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options.  None of the original options granted prior to July 2001 remain outstanding at December 31, 2011.
 
 
 
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In July 2001, the Board approved the issuance of 38,499 stock options remaining in the 1997 Stock Option Plan.  The exercise price was equal to the market value of the Company's shares at the date of grant ($8.34).  The options granted under the issuance had a 10-year term and expired on July 31, 2011.

The April 2010 Stock Option Plan

In June 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the grant of stock option awards to its Directors and Executive Officers under the 2010 Stock Option Plan that was approved at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 28, 2010 when 150,000 shares were authorized for award.  A total of 45,000 stock option awards were granted to the nine directors of the Company and 75,000 stock option awards, in total, were granted to the Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s four Senior Vice Presidents.  The awards will vest ratably over five years (20% per year for each year of the participant’s service with the Company) and will expire ten years from the date of the grant, or June 2021.

The fair value of each option grant was established at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes model used the following weighted average assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 2.2%; volatility factors of the expected market price of the Company's common stock of .45; weighted average expected lives of the options of 7.0 years: cash dividend yield of 1.49%. Based upon these assumptions, the weighted average fair value of options granted was $3.77.

The compensation expense of the awards is based on the fair value of the instruments on the date of grant.  The Company recorded compensation expense in the amount of $47,000 in 2011, and is expected to record $90,000 in each of the years 2012 through 2015, and $43,000 in 2016.

At December 31, 2011, there were 120,000 options outstanding, none of which were vested, all had an exercise price of $9.00 and an average remaining contractual life of 9.5 years.

Activity in the stock option plans is as follows:
 


         
Weighted
       
   
Options
   
Average
   
Shares
 
(Shares in thousands)
 
Outstanding
   
Exercise Price
   
Exercisable
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2010
    19     $ 8.34       19  
Exercised
    -       -          
Expired
    -       -          
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    19     $ 8.34       19  
Granted
    120     $ 9.00       -  
Exercised
    (8 )     8.34       (8 )
Expired
    (11 )     8.34       (11 )
Outstanding at December 31, 2011
    120     $ 9.00       -  


The aggregate intrinsic value of a stock option represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the amount by which the current market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options prior to the expiration date.  The intrinsic value changes based on fluctuations in the market value of the Company’s stock.  The intrinsic value of the 8,000 options exercised during 2011 was $11,000.  At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 the market value of the Company’s stock was less than the stock option price, and therefore, the outstanding and exercisable stock options had no aggregate intrinsic value.
 

 
 
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NOTE 15:  EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN

The Company established the Pathfinder Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“Plan”) to purchase stock of the Company for the benefit of its employees.  In July 2011, the Plan received a $1.1 million loan from Community Bank, N.A. to fund the Plan’s purchase of 125,000 shares of the Company’s treasury stock.  The loan is to be repaid in equal quarterly installments of principal plus interest over ten years beginning October 1, 2011.  Interest will accrue at the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate plus 1.00%, and is secured by the unallocated shares of the ESOP stock.  In accordance with the payment of principal and interest on the loan, a proportionate number of shares will be allocated to the employees over the ten year time horizon of the loan.  Participants’ vesting interest in the shares of Company stock will be at the rate of 20% per year.  The Company recorded $72,000 in compensation expense in 2011, including $7,000 for dividends on unallocated shares.  At December 31, 2011, there were 117,895 unearned ESOP shares with a fair value of $1.1 million.

NOTE 16: INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, is as follows:

(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Current
  $ (149 )   $ 744  
Deferred
    1,193       263  
    $ 1,044     $ 1,007  

The provision for income taxes includes the following:

(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Federal Income Tax
  $ 968     $ 911  
New York State Franchise Tax
    76       96  
    $ 1,044     $ 1,007  


 
 
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The components of the net deferred tax asset, included in other assets as of December 31, are as follows:

(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Assets:
           
Deferred compensation
  $ 832     $ 825  
Allowance for loan losses
    1,540       1,411  
Postretirement benefits
    156       141  
Mortgage recording tax credit carryforward
    277       242  
Impairment losses on investment securities
    342       686  
Capital loss carryforward
    307       -  
AMT credit carryforward
    59       -  
Pension liability
    85       -  
Other
    106       165  
      3,704       3,470  
Liabilities:
               
Pension asset
    -       (136 )
Depreciation
    (749 )     (359 )
Accretion
    (45 )     (48 )
Loan origination fees
    (221 )     (278 )
Intangible assets
    (1,409 )     (1,220 )
Investment securities and financial derivative
    (636 )     (52 )
Prepaid expenses
    (114 )     (168 )
      (3,174 )     (2,261 )
      530       1,209  
Less: deferred tax asset valuation allowance
    (458 )     (458 )
Net deferred tax asset
  $ 72     $ 751  


Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income or the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carry back period.  A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of the deferred tax assets, will not be realized.  In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management considers the scheduled reversal of the deferred tax liabilities, the level of historical taxable income and the projected future level of taxable income over the periods in which the temporary differences comprising the deferred tax assets will be deductible.  The judgment about the level of future taxable income is inherently subjective and is reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. The valuation allowance of $458,000 represents the portion of the deferred tax asset that management believes may not be realizable, as the Company may not generate sufficient capital gains to offset its capital losses.

 
 
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A reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to the effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, is as follows:
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Federal statutory income tax rate
    34.0 %     34.0 %
State tax, net of federal benefit
    1.5       1.8  
Tax-exempt interest income
    (4.4 )     (3.4 )
Increase in value of bank owned life insurance less premiums paid
    (1.9 )     (2.3 )
Gain on proceeds from bank owned life insurance
    -       (1.5 )
Other
    1.8       0.1  
Effective income tax rate
    31.0 %     28.7 %

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company did not have any uncertain tax positions.  The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties, if any, in income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  The tax years subject to examination by the Federal and New York State taxing authorities are the years ended December 31, 2008 through 2011.

NOTE 17: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated statement of condition. The contractual amount of those commitments to extend credit reflects the extent of involvement the Company has in this particular class of financial instrument. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of the instrument.  The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the following financial instruments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk:

   
Contract Amount
 
(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Commitments to grant loans
  $ 9,010     $ 9,591  
Unfunded commitments under lines of credit
    17,174       18,950  
Standby letters of credit
    1,595       1,524  

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since some of the commitment amounts are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counter party. Collateral held varies but may include residential real estate and income-producing commercial properties.  Loan commitments outstanding at December 31, 2011 with fixed interest rates amounted to approximately $4.5 million. Loan commitments, including unused lines of credit and standby letters of credit, outstanding at December 31, 2011 with variable interest rates amounted to approximately $23.3 million.  These outstanding loan commitments carry current market rates.
 

 
 
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Unfunded commitments under standby letters of credit, revolving credit lines and overdraft protection agreements are commitments for possible future extensions of credit to existing customers.  These lines of credit usually do not contain a specified maturity date and may not be drawn upon to the total extent to which the Company is committed.

Letters of credit written are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  Generally, all letters of credit, when issued have expiration dates within one year.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as those that are involved in extending loan facilities to customers.  The Company generally holds collateral and/or personal guarantees supporting these commitments.  Management believes that the proceeds obtained through a liquidation of collateral and the enforcement of guarantees would be sufficient to cover the potential amount of future payments required under the corresponding guarantees.  The amount of the liability as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 for guarantees under standby letters of credit issued is not material.
 
The Company leases land and leasehold improvements under agreements that expire in various years with renewal options over the next 30 years.  Rental expense, included in building occupancy expense, amounted to $73,000 for 2011 and $67,000 for 2010.

Approximate minimum rental commitments for non-cancelable operating leases are as follows:

Years Ending December 31:
   
(In thousands)
   
2012
 
 $           65
2013
 
              30
Total minimum lease payments
 
 $           95

The total amount of minimum rents to be received in the future under non-cancelable subleases is $16,000.

NOTE 18: DIVIDENDS AND RESTRICTIONS

The Board of Directors of Pathfinder Bancorp, M.H.C., determines whether the Holding Company will waive or receive dividends declared by the Company, subject to regulatory approval, each time the Company declares a dividend, which is expected to be on a quarterly basis. The Holding Company may elect to receive dividends and utilize such funds to pay expenses or for other allowable purposes. The FRB has indicated that (i) the Holding Company shall provide the FRB annually with written notice of its intent to waive its dividends prior to the proposed date of the dividend and the FRB shall have the authority to approve or deny any dividend waiver request; (ii) if a waiver is granted, dividends waived by the Holding Company will be excluded from the Company’s capital accounts for purposes of calculating dividend payments to minority shareholders.  During 2011 and 2010, the Company paid or accrued dividends totaling $190,000 to the Holding Company in each of these two years. The Holding Company did not waive the right to receive its portion of the cash dividends declared during 2011 or 2010.

The Company's ability to pay dividends to its shareholders is largely dependent on the Bank's ability to pay dividends to the Company.  In addition to state law requirements and the capital requirements discussed in Note 19, federal statutes, regulations and policies limit the circumstances under which the Bank may pay dividends.  The amount of retained earnings legally available under these regulations approximated $5,619,000 as of December 31, 2011.  Dividends paid by the Bank to the Company would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the Bank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum capital requirements.  The Company is prohibited from accepting or directing the Bank to declare or pay a dividend or other capital distributions without prior written approval of the Federal Reserve Board.

 
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Since the Company has chosen to participate in the Treasury’s SBLF program, it is permitted to pay dividends on its common stock provided certain Tier 1 capital minimums are exceeded and SBLF dividends have been declared and paid to Treasury as of the most recent dividend period.

NOTE 19: REGULATORY MATTERS

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of its assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classifications 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 Bank to maintain amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined).

As of December 31, 2011, the Bank’s most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized the Bank as “well-capitalized”, under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  To be categorized as “well-capitalized”, the Bank must maintain total risk based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the tables below. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

The Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 are presented in the following table.
         
Minimum
         
To Be "Well-
     
Minimum
Capitalized"
     
For Capital
Under Prompt
 
                           Actual
Adequacy Purposes
Corrective Provisions
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
As of December 31, 2011:
           
Total Core Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 $    43,670
14.9%
 $  23,386
8.0%
 $  29,233
10.0%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 $    39,917
13.7%
 $  11,693
4.0%
 $  17,540
6.0%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
 $    39,917
9.4%
 $  17,041
4.0%
 $  21,301
5.0%
As of December 31, 2010
           
Total Core Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 $    35,837
13.5%
 $  21,197
8.0%
 $  26,496
10.0%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 $    32,440
12.2%
 $  10,598
4.0%
 $  15,898
6.0%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
 $    32,440
8.1%
 $  16,001
4.0%
 $  20,002
5.0%

On September 11, 2009, the Company entered into the Purchase Agreement with the United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to which the Company has issued and sold to Treasury: (i) 6,771 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share, having a liquidation amount per share equal to $1,000, for a total price of $6,771,000; and (ii) a Warrant to purchase 154,354 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at an exercise price per share of $6.58.  The Company contributed to the Bank, its subsidiary, $5,500,000 or 81.23% of the proceeds of the sale of the Series A Preferred Stock.

 
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The $6,771,000 of proceeds was allocated to the Series A Preferred Stock and the Warrant based on their relative fair values at issuance ($6,065,000 was allocated to the Series A Preferred Stock and $706,000 to the Warrant).

On September 1, 2011, the Company redeemed all 6,771 shares of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock Series A.  The Company paid $6,786,000 to the Treasury Department to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, which included the original investment of $6,771,000, plus accrued dividends.

In connection with this redemption, on September 1, 2011, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with the Secretary of the Treasury (“Treasury”) pursuant to which the Company sold to the Treasury, 13,000 shares of its Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B (“Series B Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share for aggregate proceeds of $13,000,000.  This transaction was entered into as part of the Treasury’s Small Business Lending Fund Program (“SBLF”).

Accordingly, the Company is no longer subject to restrictions of the CPP program.  The SBLF program does have its own requirements, which are summarized below:

The Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to receive non-cumulative dividends payable quarterly, on each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1, beginning October 1, 2011.  The dividend rate, which is calculated on the aggregate Liquidation Amount, was initially set at 4.2% per annum based upon the current level of “Qualified Small Business Lending”, or “QSBL” (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, the Bank.  The dividend rate for future dividend periods will be set based upon the “Percentage Change in Qualified Lending” (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) between each dividend period and the “Baseline” QSBL level.  Such dividend rate may vary from 1% per annum to 5% per annum for the second through tenth dividend periods, from 1% per annum to 7% per annum for the eleventh through the first half of the nineteenth dividend periods.   If the Series B Preferred Stock remains outstanding for more than four-and-one-half years, the dividend rate will be fixed at 9%.  Prior to that time, in general, the dividend rate decreases as the level of the Bank’s QSBL increases.   The Company’s dividend rate as of the date of this report is 3.56%. Such dividends are not cumulative, but the Company may only declare and pay dividends on its common stock (or any other equity securities junior to the Series B Preferred Stock) if it has declared and paid dividends for the current dividend period on the Series B Preferred Stock, and will be subject to other restrictions on its ability to repurchase or redeem other securities.  

The Company may redeem the shares of Series B Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to the sum of the Liquidation Amount per share and the per-share amount of any unpaid dividends for the then-current period, subject to any required prior approval by the Company’s primary federal banking regulator.

The Company’s ability to pay common stock dividends is conditional on payment of the Series B Preferred Stock Dividends described above.  In addition, the SBLF program requires the Company to file quarterly reports on QSBL lending reported on by its Auditor annually.  The Company must also outreach and advertise the availability of QSBL to organizations and individuals who represent minorities, woman and veterans.  The Company must annually certify that no business loans are made to principals of businesses who have been convicted of a sex crime against a minor.  Finally, the SBLF program requires the Company to file quarterly, annual and other reports provided to shareholders concurrently with the Treasury.

The Company’s goal is to maintain a strong capital position, consistent with the risk profile of its subsidiary banks that supports growth and expansion activities while at the same time exceeding regulatory standards.  At December 31, 2011, the Bank exceeded all regulatory required minimum capital ratios and met the regulatory definition of a “well-capitalized” institution, i.e. a leverage capital ratio exceeding 5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio exceeding 6% and a total risk-based capital ratio exceeding 10%.

The Bank is required to maintain average balances on hand or with the Federal Reserve Bank.  At December 31, 2011 and 2010, these reserve balances amounted to $2,582,000 and $2,804,000, respectively.
 

 
 
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NOTE 20: INTEREST RATE DERIVATIVE

Derivative instruments are entered into primarily as a risk management tool of the Company. Financial derivatives are recorded at fair value as other assets and other liabilities. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship. For a fair value hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument and changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability are recognized currently in earnings. For a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument, to the extent that it is effective, are recorded in other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified to earnings as the hedged transaction impacts net income. Any ineffective portion of a cash flow hedge is recognized currently in earnings.  See Note 21 for further discussion of the fair value of the interest rate derivative.

The Company has $5 million of floating rate trust preferred debt indexed to 3-month LIBOR.  As a result, it is exposed to variability in cash flows related to changes in projected interest payments caused by changes in the benchmark interest rate.   During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement, with a $2.0 million notional amount, to convert a portion of the variable-rate junior subordinated debentures to a fixed rate for a term of approximately 7 years at a rate of 4.96%.  The derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge.  The hedging strategy ensures that changes in cash flows from the derivative will be highly effective at offsetting changes in interest expense from the hedged exposure.

The following table summarizes the fair value of outstanding derivatives and their presentation on the statements of condition as of December 31:

       
 (In thousands)
 
2011
2010
 Cash flow hedge:
     
 
 Other liabilities
 $                         200
 $                         110

The change in accumulated other comprehensive loss, on a pretax basis, and the impact on earnings from the interest rate swap that qualifies as a cash flow hedge for the year ended December 31 were as follows:

(In thousands)
 
2011
2010
Balance as of January 1:
 
 $                (110)
 $                    -
Amount of losses recognized in other comprehensive income
                   (151)
                   (170)
Amount of loss reclassified from other comprehensive income
   
     and recognized as interest expense
 
                      61
                      60
Balance as of December 31:
 
 $                (200)
 $                (110)

No amount of ineffectiveness has been included in earnings and the changes in fair value have been recorded in other comprehensive income.  Some or the entire amount included in accumulated other comprehensive loss would be reclassified into current earnings should a portion of, or the entire hedge no longer be considered effective, but at this time, management expects the hedge to remain fully effective during the remaining term of the swap.

The Company posted cash, of $200,000, under collateral arrangements to satisfy collateral requirements associated with the interest rate swap contract.

 
 
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NOTE 21: FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES

Accounting guidance related to fair value measurements and disclosures specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy:

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 – Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

Level 3 – Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

An asset’s or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate fair value:

Investment securities:  The fair values of securities available for sale are obtained from an independent third party and are based on quoted prices on nationally recognized exchange (Level 1), where available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured by utilizing matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2).  Management made no adjustment to the fair value quotes that were received from the independent third party pricing service.

Interest rate swap derivative:  The fair value of the interest rate swap derivative is calculated based on a discounted cash flow model. All future floating cash flows are projected and both floating and fixed cash flows are discounted to the valuation date.  The curve utilized for discounting and projecting is built by obtaining publicly available third party market quotes for various swap maturity terms.

Impaired loans: Impaired loans are those loans in which the Company has measured impairment generally based on the fair value of the loan’s collateral.  Fair value is generally determined based upon independent third party appraisals of the properties and/or estimates by management of working capital collateral or discounted cash flows based upon expected proceeds.  These assets are included as Level 3 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.  The fair value consists of loan balances less their valuation allowances.

Foreclosed real estate:  The fair values for foreclosed real estate are determined based upon evaluations by third parties less costs to sell.

 
 
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The following tables summarize assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, segregated by the level of valuation inputs within the hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:

 
 2011
       
Total Fair
(In thousands)
         Level 1
       Level 2
     Level 3
Value
Debt investment securities:
       
US Treasury, agencies and GSEs
 $                 -
 $        5,073
 $             -
 $     5,073
State and political subdivisions
                    -
         20,304
                -
      20,304
Corporate
                    -
         20,434
                -
      20,434
Residential mortgage-backed – US agency
                    -
         51,056
                -
      51,056
Residential mortgage-backed - private label
                    -
              519
                -
           519
Equity investment securities:
       
Mutual funds:
       
Ultra short mortgage fund
            1,298
                   -
                -
        1,298
Large cap equity fund
            1,024
                   -
                -
        1,024
Other mutual funds
                    -
              243
                -
           243
Common stock - financial services industry
                 25
              419
                -
           444
Total investment securities
 $         2,347
 $      98,048
 $             -
 $ 100,395
         
Interest rate swap derivative
 $                 -
 $         (200)
 $             -
 $      (200)
         
         
 
2010
       
Total Fair
(In thousands)
         Level 1
       Level 2
     Level 3
Value
Debt investment securities:
       
US Treasury, agencies and GSEs
 $                 -
 $      20,023
 $             -
 $   20,023
State and political subdivisions
                    -
         18,979
                -
      18,979
Corporate
                    -
           5,600
                -
        5,600
Residential mortgage-backed – US agency
                    -
         36,409
                -
      36,409
Residential mortgage-backed - private label
                    -
              837
                -
           837
Equity investment securities:
       
Mutual funds:
       
Ultra short mortgage fund
            1,558
                   -
                -
        1,558
Large cap equity fund
            1,222
                   -
                -
        1,222
Other mutual funds
                    -
              244
                -
           244
Common stock - financial services industry
                 36
              419
                -
           455
Total investment securities
 $         2,816
 $      82,511
 $             -
 $   85,327
         
Interest rate swap derivative
 $                 -
 $         (110)
 $             -
 $      (110)

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).


 
 
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The following tables summarize assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, segregated by the level of valuation inputs within the hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:


 
2011
       
Total Fair
(In thousands)
         Level 1
       Level 2
     Level 3
Value
Impaired loans
 $    -
 $    -
 $     1,608
 $     1,608
Foreclosed real estate
 -
 -
 $        165
 $        165
         
 
2010
       
Total Fair
(In thousands)
         Level 1
       Level 2
     Level 3
Value
Impaired loans
 $    -
 $    -
 $     3,251
 $     3,251
         
There have been no transfers of assets in or out of any fair value measurement level.

Required disclosures include fair value information of financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the consolidated statement of condition, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument.

Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique.  Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in a sales transaction on the dates indicated.  The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective period-ends, and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates.  As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each period-end.

The following information should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Company since a fair value calculation is only provided for a limited portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities.  Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between the Company’s disclosures and those of other companies may not be meaningful.  The Company, in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments, used the following methods and assumptions:

Cash and cash equivalents – The carrying amounts of these assets approximate their fair value.

Interest earning time deposits – The carrying amounts of these assets approximate their fair value.

Investment securities – The fair values of securities available for sale are obtained from an independent third party and are based on quoted prices on nationally recognized exchange (Level 1), where available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured by utilizing matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for specific securities, but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2).  Management made no adjustment to the fair value quotes that were received from the independent third party pricing service.


 
Page 87

Federal Home Loan Bank stock – The carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value.

Loans – The fair values of portfolio loans, excluding impaired loans (see previous discussion of methods and assumptions), are estimated using an option adjusted discounted cash flow model that discounts future cash flows using recent market interest rates, market volatility and credit spread assumptions.

Accrued interest receivable and payable – The carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value.

Mortgage servicing rights - The carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value.

Interest rate swap derivative - The fair value of the interest rate swap derivative is calculated based on a discounted cash flow model. All future floating cash flows are projected and both floating and fixed cash flows are discounted to the valuation date.  The curve utilized for discounting and projecting is built by obtaining publicly available third party market quotes for various swap maturity terms.

Deposits – The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing checking, passbook savings and certain types of money management accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts).  Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered in the market on certificates of deposits to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.

Borrowings – Fixed/variable term “bullet” structures are valued using a replacement cost of funds approach.  These borrowings are discounted to the FHLBNY advance curve.  Option structured borrowings’ fair values are determined by the FHLB for borrowings that include a call or conversion option.  If market pricing is not available from this source, current market indications from the FHLBNY are obtained and the borrowings are discounted to the FHLBNY advance curve less an appropriate spread to adjust for the option.

Junior subordinated debentures – Current economic conditions have rendered the market for this liability inactive.  As such, we are unable to determine a good estimate of fair value.  Since the rate paid on the debentures held is lower than what would be required to secure an interest in the same debt at year end, and we are unable to obtain a current fair value, we have disclosed that the carrying value approximates the fair value.

Off-balance sheet instruments – Fair values for the Company’s off-balance sheet instruments are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit standing.  Such fees were not material at December 31, 2011 and 2010.


 
 
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The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31 are presented in the following table:

   
2011
   
2010
 
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
 
(In thousands)
 
Amounts
   
Fair Values
   
Amounts
   
Fair Values
 
Financial assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 10,218     $ 10,218     $ 13,763     $ 13,763  
Interest earning time deposits
    2,000       2,000       -       -  
Investment securities
    100,395       100,395       85,327       85,327  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    1,528       1,528       2,134       2,134  
Net loans
    300,770       310,218       281,648       290,049  
Accrued interest receivable
    1,685       1,685       1,709       1,709  
Mortgage servicing rights
    8       8       35       35  
Financial liabilities:
                               
Deposits
  $ 366,129     $ 369,154     $ 326,502     $ 328,963  
Borrowings
    26,074       27,322       41,000       41,984  
Junior subordinated debentures
    5,155       5,155       5,155       5,155  
Accrued interest payable
    145       145       148       148  
Interest rate swap derivative
    200       200       110       110  
Off-balance sheet instruments:
                               
Standby letters of credit
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Commitments to extend credit
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  


NOTE 22: PARENT COMPANY – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following represents the condensed financial information of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. as of and for the years ended December 31:

Statements of Condition
 
2011
   
2010
 
(In thousands)
           
Assets
           
Cash
  $ 1,729     $ 1,199  
Investments
    23       24  
Investment in bank subsidiary
    41,213       34,408  
Investment in non-bank subsidiary
    155       155  
Other assets
    328       166  
Total assets
  $ 43,448     $ 35,952  
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
               
Accrued liabilities
  $ 452     $ 205  
Junior subordinated debentures
    5,155       5,155  
Shareholders' equity
    37,841       30,592  
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 43,448     $ 35,952  




 
Page 89



Statements of Income
2011
2010
(In thousands)
   
Income
   
Dividends from bank subsidiary
 $               -
 $           700
Dividends from non-bank subsidiary
                 4
                  4
Total income
                 4
              704
Expenses
   
Interest
              163
              164
Operating
              200
              171
Total expenses
              363
              335
(Loss)/income before taxes and equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
            (359)
              369
Tax benefit
              108
                98
(Loss)/income before equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
            (251)
              467
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
           2,574
            2,038
Net income
 $        2,323
 $         2,505


Statements of Cash Flows
2011
2010
(In thousands)
   
Operating Activities
   
Net Income
 $        2,323
 $         2,505
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
          (2,574)
          (2,038)
Stock based compensation and ESOP expense
              112
                     -
Net change in other assets and liabilities
               29
              127
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
            (110)
              594
Investing Activities
   
Capital contributed to wholly-owned bank subsidiary
          (4,900)
                  -
Net cash used in investing activities
          (4,900)
                -
Financing activities
   
Proceeds from sale of preferred stock -SBLF
         13,000
                  -
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
               66
                  -
Redemption of preferred stock - CPP
          (6,771)
                  -
Cash dividends paid to preferred shareholders
            (457)
             (339)
Cash dividends paid to common shareholders
            (298)
             (298)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
           5,540
             (637)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
              530
              (43)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
           1,199
            1,242
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
 $        1,729
 $         1,199


 
 
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NOTE 23:  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has granted loans to certain directors, executive officers and their affiliates (collectively referred to as “related parties”).  These loans were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other unaffiliated parties and do not involve more than normal risk of collectibility.

The following represents the activity associated with loans to related parties during the year ended December 31, 2011:

(In thousands)
   
Balance at the beginning of the year
 
 $         5,810
Originations
 
            1,453
Principal payments
 
          (1,274)
Decrease due to Director attrition
 
          (2,236)
Balance at the end of the year
 
 $         3,753

At December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Bank had a loan receivable from the Holding Company of $1.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively.   Interest paid by the Holding Company for the years ended 2011 and 2010 was $59,000 and $64,000, respectively.

Deposits of related parties at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were $2.4 million and $3.2 million, respectively.

In October 2002, the Company entered into a land lease with one of its directors on an arms-length basis. In January 2006, the Company entered into a lease with the Holding Company for the use of a training facility.  This lease was executed on an arms-length basis.  During 2010, the Company entered into an arm’s length lease with the Holding Company for space that is then sub-leased by the Company to a charitable organization at below-market rents.  Rent expense paid to the related parties during 2011 and 2010 was $23,000 and $46,000, respectively, with the decrease due to the departure of the above referenced director during 2011.

NOTE 24: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On February 1, 2012 the Company repurchased from the Treasury a warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase 154,354 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price per share of $6.58.  The repurchase price for the Warrant was an agreed upon price of $537,633.  The Warrant was issued to Treasury on September 11, 2009 in connection with the Company’s participation in the Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) as part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The Company previously redeemed all 6,771 shares of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (“Series A Preferred Stock”) it sold to Treasury on September 11, 2009, in connection with the CPP.  The Company paid $6,786,000 to the Treasury to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock, which included the original investment of $6,771,000, plus accrued dividends.

ITEM 9: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.


 
 
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ITEM 9A: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

REPORT OF MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY

The Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective for the purpose of ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (1) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (2) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting is contained in “Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this annual report in Form 10-K.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the rules of the Dodd-Frank Act that exempts the Company from such attestation and requires only management’s report.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B: OTHER INFORMATION

None

 
 
Page 92


PART III


ITEM 10: DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS, CONTROL PERSONS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, COMPLIANCE WITH SECTIONS 16 (A) OF EXCHANGE ACT

(a)  
Information concerning the directors of the Company is incorporated by reference hereunder in the Company's Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
(b)  
Set forth below is information concerning the Executive Officers of the Company at December 31, 2011.

Name
Age
Positions Held With the Company
Thomas W. Schneider
50
President and Chief Executive Officer
James A. Dowd, CPA
44
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Edward A. Mervine
55
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
Melissa A. Miller
54
Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
Ronald Tascarella
 
53
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Credit Officer
 
ITEM 11: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information with respect to management compensation and transactions required under this item is incorporated by reference hereunder in the Company's Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the caption "Compensation Committee".

ITEM 12: SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference hereunder in the Company’s Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the caption "Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof"

ITEM 13: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference hereunder in the Company’s Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the caption "Transactions with Certain Related Persons”.

ITEM 14: PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference hereunder in the Company’s Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the caption "Audit and Related Fees".

 
 
Page 93


PART IV


ITEM 15: EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
(a)(1)
 
Financial Statements - The Company’s consolidated financial statements, for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, together with the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are filed as part of this Form 10-K report.  See “Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
 
(a)(2)
Financial Statement Schedules - All financial statement schedules have been omitted as the required information is inapplicable or has been included in “Item 7: Management Discussion and Analysis.”
 
(b)
Exhibits
 
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 25, 2001)
 
3.2
Bylaws of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 15, 2005 and November 28, 2007)
 
4
Form of Stock Certificate of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 25, 2001)
 
10.1
Form of Pathfinder Bank 1997 Stock Option Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's S-8 file no. 333-53027)
 
10.2
Form of Pathfinder Bank 1997 Recognition and Retention Plan (Incorporated by reference to the Company's S-8 file no. 333-53027)
 
10.3
2003 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 file no. 000-23601)
 
10.4
2003 Trustee Deferred Fee Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 file no. 000-23601)
 
10.5
Employment Agreement between the Bank and Thomas W. Schneider, President and Chief Executive Officer (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 file no. 000-23601)
 
10.6
 
 
Employment Agreement between the Bank and Edward A. Mervine, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 file no. 000-23601)
 
10.7
 
10.8
Change of Control Agreement between the Bank and Ronald Tascarella (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 file no. 000-23601)
 
Change of Control Agreement between the Bank and James A. Dowd (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 file no. 000-23601)
 

 
 
Page 94



10.9
 
10.10
 
10.11
Change of Control Agreement between the Bank and Melissa A. Miller (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 file no. 000-23601)
 
Executive Supplemental Retirement Agreement between the Bank and Chris C. Gagas (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 file no. 000-23601)
 
Executive Supplemental Retirement Agreement between the Bank and Thomas W. Schneider (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 file no. 000-23601
 
 
14
Code of Ethics (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003)
 
     
21
Subsidiaries of Company
 
 
23
Consent of Bonadio & Co., LLP
 
23.1
Consent of ParenteBeard LLC
   
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer
 
31.2                               Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer
 
32.1                                Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer

99.1  
 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 111(b)(4) of the Emergency Economic
                                      Stabilization Act of 2008

99.2  
                            Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 111(b)(4) of the Emergency Economic
                            Stabilization Act of 2008

 
 
Page 95


Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.
 
Date:
March 28, 2012
By:
/s/ Thomas W. Schneider
Thomas W. Schneider
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By:
 
/s/ Thomas W. Schneider
By:
 
/s/ James A. Dowd
   
Thomas W. Schneider, President and
   
James A. Dowd, Senior Vice President and
   
Chief Executive Officer
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
(Principal Financial Officer)
Date:
 
March 28, 2012
Date:
 
March 28, 2012
           
           
By:
 
/s/ Janette Resnick
By:
 
/s/ Richard M. Jablonka
   
Janette Resnick, Director
   
Richard M. Jablonka, Vice President and
   
Chairman of the Board
   
Controller
         
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Date:
 
March 28, 2012
Date:
 
March 28, 2012
           
           
By:
 
/s/ Bruce E. Manwaring
By:
 
/s/ William A. Barclay
   
Bruce E. Manwaring, Director
   
William A. Barclay, Director
Date:
 
March 28, 2012
Date:
 
March 28, 2012
           
           
By:
 
/s/ L. William Nelson
By:
 
/s/ Chris R. Burritt
   
L. William Nelson, Director
   
Chris R. Burritt, Director
Date:
 
March 28, 2012
Date:
 
March 28, 2012
           
           
By:
 
/s/ Corte J. Spencer
By:
 
/s/ George P. Joyce
   
Corte J. Spencer, Director
   
George P. Joyce, Director
Date:
 
March 28, 2012
Date:
 
March 28, 2012
           
           
By:
 
/s/ Lloyd Stemple
By:
 
/s/ David A. Ayoub
   
Lloyd Stemple, Director
   
David Ayoub, Director
Date:
 
March 28, 2012
Date:
 
March 28, 2012
           
By:
 
/s/John P. Funiciello
     
   
John Funiciello, Director
     
Date:
 
March 28, 2012
     





 
 
Page 96


EXHIBIT 21:  SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY

 
Company
 
Percent Owned
Jurisdiction or State of Incorporation
Pathfinder Bank
100%
New York
Pathfinder Statutory Trust II
100%
Delaware
Pathfinder Commercial Bank (1)
100%
New York
Pathfinder REIT, Inc. (1)
100%
New York
Whispering Oaks Development Corp. (1)
100%
New York

(1) Wholly owned subsidiary of Pathfinder Bank.



EXHIBIT 23: CONSENT OF BONADIO & CO., LLP

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.
Oswego, New York
 
 
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 333-178590) and Form S-8 (No. 333-53027) of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. of our report, dated March 28, 2012, relating to the consolidated financial statements, which appear in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
 
 
Bonadio & Co., LLP
Syracuse, New York
March 28, 2012
/s/ BONADIO & CO., LLP
 


EXHIBIT 23.1: CONSENT OF PARENTEBEARD LLC

Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.
Oswego, New York

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Forms S-8 (No. 333-178590 and No. 333-53027) of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries of our report dated March 24, 2011, relating to the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2010 and for the year then ended, which appears in this form Form 10-K.
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       /s/PARENTEBEARD LLC


Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
March 28, 2012


 
 
Page 97


EXHIBIT 31.1: Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer

Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
I, Thomas W. Schneider, President and Chief Executive Officer, certify that:
 
 
1. I have reviewed this Annual report on Form 10-K of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.;
 
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the consolidated financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
 
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
 
 
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting, to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors:
 
 
 
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
March 28, 2012
/s/ Thomas W. Schneider
Thomas W. Schneider
President and Chief Executive Officer
 


 
 
Page 98


EXHIBIT 31.2: Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer

Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
I,  James A. Dowd, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, certify that:
 
1. I have reviewed this Annual report on Form 10-K of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.;
 
 
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a   material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
 
3. Based on my knowledge, the consolidated financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
 
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
 
 
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting, to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors:
 
 
 
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
March 28, 2012
/s/ James A. Dowd
James A. Dowd
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 


 
 
Page 99


EXHIBIT 32.1  Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
Thomas W. Schneider, President and Chief Executive Officer, and James A. Dowd, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company"), each certify in his capacity as an officer of the Company that he has reviewed the Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and that to the best of his knowledge:
 
1. the report fully complies with the requirements of Sections 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
2. the information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
The purpose of this statement is solely to comply with Title 18, Chapter 63, Section 1350 of the United States Code, as amended by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
March 28, 2012
/s/ Thomas W. Schneider
Thomas W. Schneider
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
March 28, 2012
/s/ James A. Dowd
James A. Dowd
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer





 
Page 100



EXHIBIT 99.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 111(b)(4) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

IFR Section 30.15 – Certification for Partial Fiscal Year 2011

Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. UST #1304

I, Thomas W. Schneider, certify, based on my knowledge, that:

(i) The compensation committee of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has discussed, reviewed, and evaluated with senior risk officers at least every six months between January 1, 2011 and September 1, 2011, the date Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. repurchased preferred stock from the United States Treasury (“the TARP period”), senior executive officer (SEO) compensation plans and employee compensation plans and the risks these plans pose to Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.;

(ii) The compensation committee of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has identified and limited during any part of 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period any features of the SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc and has identified any features of the employee compensation plans that pose risks to Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. and has limited those features to ensure that Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. is not unnecessarily exposed to risks;

(iii) The compensation committee has reviewed, at least every six months during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period, the terms of each employee compensation plan and identified any features of the plan that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. to enhance the compensation of an employee, and has limited any such features;

(iv) The compensation committee of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. will certify to the reviews of the SEO compensation plans and employee compensation plans required under (i) and (iii) above;

(v) The compensation committee of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. will provide a narrative description of how it limited during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period the features in:
 
 
(A)  
SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.;
(B)  
Employee compensation plans that unnecessarily expose Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. to risks; and
(C)  
Employee compensation plans that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. to enhance the compensation of an employee;

(vi) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has required that bonus payments to SEOs or any of the next twenty most highly compensated employees, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA (bonus) payments, be subject to a recovery or ‘‘clawback’’ provision during the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period if the bonus payments were based on materially inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance metric criteria;

(vii) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has prohibited any golden parachute payment, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, to a SEO or any of the next five most highly compensated employees during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period;

(viii) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has limited bonus payments to its applicable employees in accordance with section 111 of EESA and the regulations and guidance established thereunder during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period;

 
Page 101

(ix) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. and its employees have complied with the excessive or luxury expenditures policy, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period; and any expenses that, pursuant to this policy, required approval of the board of directors, a committee of the board of directors, an SEO, or an executive officer with a similar level of responsibility, were properly approved;

(x) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. included in April 2011 a non-binding shareholder resolution in compliance with any applicable federal securities rules and regulations on the disclosures provided under the federal securities laws related to SEO compensation paid or accrued during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period.  The Shareholders voted in favor of the SEO compensation.

(xi) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. will disclose the amount, nature, and justification for the offering during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period, of any perquisites, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, whose total value exceeds $25,000 for any employee who is subject to the bonus payment limitations identified in paragraph (vii);

(xii) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. will disclose whether Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc., the board of directors of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc., or the compensation committee of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has engaged during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period a compensation consultant; and the services the compensation consultant or any affiliate of the compensation consultant provided during this period;

(xiii) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has prohibited the payment of any gross-ups, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, to the SEOs and the next twenty most highly compensated employees during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period;

(xiv) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has substantially complied with all other requirements related to employee compensation that are provided in the agreement between Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. and Treasury, including any amendments;

(xv) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has submitted to Treasury a complete and accurate list of SEOs and the twenty next most highly compensated employees for the current fiscal year, with the non-SEO’s ranked in descending order of level of annual compensation, and with the name, title, and employer of each SEO and most highly compensated employee identified; and

(xvi) I understand that a knowing and willful false or fraudulent statement made in connection with this certification may be punished by fine, imprisonment, or both. (See, for example, 18 U.S.C. 1001.)



Date:  October 31, 2011                                                        /s/ Thomas W. Schneider
Thomas W. Schneider,
President and Chief Executive Officer




 
Page 102


 
 

EXHIBIT 99.2  Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 111(b)(4) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

IFR Section 30.15 – Certification for Partial Fiscal Year 2011

Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. UST #1304

I, James A. Dowd, certify, based on my knowledge, that:

(i) The compensation committee of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has discussed, reviewed, and evaluated with senior risk officers at least every six months between January 1, 2011 and September 1, 2011, the date Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. repurchased preferred stock from the United States Treasury (“the TARP period”), senior executive officer (SEO) compensation plans and employee compensation plans and the risks these plans pose to Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.;

(ii) The compensation committee of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has identified and limited during any part of 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period any features of the SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc and has identified any features of the employee compensation plans that pose risks to Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. and has limited those features to ensure that Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. is not unnecessarily exposed to risks;

(iii) The compensation committee has reviewed, at least every six months during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period, the terms of each employee compensation plan and identified any features of the plan that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. to enhance the compensation of an employee, and has limited any such features;

(iv) The compensation committee of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. will certify to the reviews of the SEO compensation plans and employee compensation plans required under (i) and (iii) above;

(v) The compensation committee of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. will provide a narrative description of how it limited during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period the features in:
 
 
(A)  
SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc.;
(B)  
Employee compensation plans that unnecessarily expose Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. to risks; and
(C)  
Employee compensation plans that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. to enhance the compensation of an employee;

(vi) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has required that bonus payments to SEOs or any of the next twenty most highly compensated employees, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA (bonus) payments, be subject to a recovery or ‘‘clawback’’ provision during the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period if the bonus payments were based on materially inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance metric criteria;

(vii) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has prohibited any golden parachute payment, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, to a SEO or any of the next five most highly compensated employees during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period;

(viii) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has limited bonus payments to its applicable employees in accordance with section 111 of EESA and the regulations and guidance established thereunder during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period;

 
Page 103

(ix) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. and its employees have complied with the excessive or luxury expenditures policy, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period; and any expenses that, pursuant to this policy, required approval of the board of directors, a committee of the board of directors, an SEO, or an executive officer with a similar level of responsibility, were properly approved;

(x) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. included in April 2011 a non-binding shareholder resolution in compliance with any applicable federal securities rules and regulations on the disclosures provided under the federal securities laws related to SEO compensation paid or accrued during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period.  The Shareholders voted in favor of the SEO compensation.

(xi) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. will disclose the amount, nature, and justification for the offering during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period, of any perquisites, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, whose total value exceeds $25,000 for any employee who is subject to the bonus payment limitations identified in paragraph (vii);

(xii) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. will disclose whether Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc., the board of directors of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc., or the compensation committee of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has engaged during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period a compensation consultant; and the services the compensation consultant or any affiliate of the compensation consultant provided during this period;

(xiii) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has prohibited the payment of any gross-ups, as defined in the regulations and guidance established under section 111 of EESA, to the SEOs and the next twenty most highly compensated employees during any part of the 2011 fiscal year that was a TARP period;

(xiv) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has substantially complied with all other requirements related to employee compensation that are provided in the agreement between Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. and Treasury, including any amendments;

(xv) Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. has submitted to Treasury a complete and accurate list of SEOs and the twenty next most highly compensated employees for the current fiscal year, with the non-SEO’s ranked in descending order of level of annual compensation, and with the name, title, and employer of each SEO and most highly compensated employee identified; and

(xvi) I understand that a knowing and willful false or fraudulent statement made in connection with this certification may be punished by fine, imprisonment, or both. (See, for example, 18 U.S.C. 1001.)



Date:  November 1, 2011                                                      /s/ James A. Dowd
James A. Dowd,
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer




 
Page 104