SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION






SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549


Form 8-K


Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 18, 2006


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Inc.

(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania        0-11204        25-1424278

(State or other     (commission    (I.R.S. Employer

jurisdiction        File Number)   Identification No.)

of Incorporation)


Main and Franklin Streets, Johnstown, Pa.  15901

(address or principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 814-533-5300


N/A

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


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to

simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under

any of the following provisions:


( ) Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities

Act (17 CFR 230.425)


( ) Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange

Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


( ) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the

Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


( ) Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the

Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4c))
















Form 8-K


Item 2.02 Results of operation and financial condition.


AMERISERV FINANCIAL Inc. (the "Registrant") announced first quarter  results as of March 31, 2006.  For a more detailed description of the announcement see the press release attached as Exhibit #99.1.  


Exhibits

--------


Exhibit 99.1

Press release dated April 18, 2006, announcing the first quarter results as of March 31, 2006.



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



AMERISERV FINANCIAL, Inc.


By /s/Jeffrey A. Stopko

Jeffrey A. Stopko

Senior Vice President

& CFO


Date: April 18, 2006










Exhibit 99.1


 AMERISERV FINANCIAL REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2006     


JOHNSTOWN, PA – AmeriServ Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASRV) reported net income of $540,000 or $0.02 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2006.  This compares to net income of $833,000 or $0.04 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2005.  Note that for comparative purposes the first quarter 2005 results included a one-time income tax benefit of $475,000.  There was no such tax benefit in the first quarter of 2006.  The following table highlights the Company’s financial performance for the quarters ended March 31, 2006 and 2005:  

   

 

First Quarter 2006

First Quarter 2005

Income before taxes

$676,000

$401,000

Net income

$540,000

$833,000

Diluted earnings per share

0.02

0.04


Allan R. Dennison, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the first quarter 2006 results, “AmeriServ’s first quarter 2006 financial performance is beginning to show the benefits of our focus on traditional community banking and the balance sheet restructuring completed in 2005.  Average loans and deposits in the first quarter of 2006 both grew approximately 5.7% when compared to the first quarter of 2005.  This growth combined with significant reductions in both investment securities and borrowings caused our net interest margin to increase by 45 basis points to 3.20% in the first quarter of 2006.  Other first quarter 2006 performance highlights include stable asset quality, reduced non-interest expenses, and strong growth in trust revenues.”  


Overall, the Company generated a comparable level of net interest income from a smaller, but stronger balance sheet in the first quarter of 2006.  The Company’s net interest income in the first quarter of 2006 was essentially flat with the prior year first quarter as the benefits from an increased net interest margin offset a reduced level of earning assets.  Specifically, the net interest margin increased by 45 basis points to 3.20% while the level of average earning assets declined by $132 million or 14.4%.  Both of these items reflect the deleverage of high cost debt from the Company’s balance sheet which has resulted in lower levels of both borrowed funds and investment securities.  The Company’s net interest margin also benefited from increased loans in the earning asset mix as total loans outstanding averaged $549 million in the first quarter of 2006, a $30 million or 5.7% increase from the prior year first quarter. This loan growth occurred in the commercial loan portfolio as a result of successful new business development efforts.    Total deposits averaged $719 million in the first quarter of 2006, a $39 million or 5.7% increase from 2005 due largely to increased deposits from the trust company’s operations.  This deposit growth also allowed the Company to further reduce FHLB borrowings as these wholesale borrowings averaged only 5.7% of total assets in the first quarter of 2006 compared to 20.9% of total assets in the first quarter of 2005.  


The Company did not record a provision for loan losses in either the first quarter of 2006 or the first quarter of 2005 due to the Company’s continuing sound asset quality.  Non-performing assets have remained relatively stable in a range of $3.3 to $4.3 million for the past five quarters and ended the first quarter of 2006 at $4.2 million or 0.76% of total loans.  Net charge-offs in the first quarter of 2006 amounted to $117,000 or 0.09% of total loans which was up from the net charge-offs of $60,000 or 0.05% of total loans in the prior year first quarter.  The allowance for loan losses provided 215% coverage of non-performing assets at March 31, 2006 compared to 212% coverage at December 31, 2005, and 258% coverage at March 31, 2005.  The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans amounted to 1.65% at March 31, 2006.   

  

The Company’s non-interest income in the first quarter of 2006 increased by $94,000 or 3.0% from the prior year first quarter due to strong growth in trust revenue and increased deposit service charges.  Trust fees increased by $169,000 or 11.5% due to continued successful new business development efforts in both the union and traditional trust product lines.  Trust assets under management totaled $1.67 billion at March 31, 2006.  Deposit service charges grew by $43,000 or 7.4% due to increased checking service charges and overdraft penalty fees.  These positive items were partially offset by fewer gains on asset sales in the first quarter of 2006.  Specifically, the Company realized no gains on investment security sales in the first quarter of 2006 compared to $78,000 of investment security gains realized in the first quarter of 2005.  There was also a $49,000 decrease in gains realized on loan sales into the secondary market due to weaker residential mortgage loan production in the first quarter of 2006.        

         

The Company’s total non-interest expense in the first quarter of 2006 decreased by $85,000 when compared to the first quarter of 2005 reflecting the Company’s continued focus on reducing and containing non-interest expenses.  Expense reductions were experienced in numerous categories including occupancy expense, professional fees, and other expenses.  Also, the loss from discontinued operations declined from $65,000 in the first quarter of 2005 to $0 in the first quarter of 2006 as the Company completed the exit from its mortgage servicing operation in 2005.


The Company recorded a more typical income tax expense of $136,000 in the first quarter of 2006.   The Company’s first quarter 2005 net income performance was favorably impacted by an income tax benefit.  Specifically in the first quarter of 2005, the Company lowered its income tax expense by $475,000 due to a reduction in reserves for prior year tax contingencies as a result of the successful conclusion of an IRS examination on several open tax years.    


At March 31, 2006, ASRV had total assets of $876 million and shareholders’ equity of $84 million or $3.81 per share.  The Company’s asset leverage ratio improved to 10.36% at March 31, 2006 compared to 9.77% at March 31, 2005.  


This news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the risks detailed in the Company's Annual Report and Form 10-K to the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Actual results may differ materially.



Nasdaq NMS: ASRV

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE DATA

April 18, 2006

(In thousands, except per share and ratio data)

(All quarterly and 2006 data unaudited)

2006

 

1QTR

    
      

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

     

Net income  

$540

    
      

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

     

Return on average equity

2.59%

    

Net interest margin

3.20

    

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

0.09

    

Loan loss provision as a percentage of average loans

-

    

Efficiency ratio

92.68

    
      

PER COMMON SHARE:

     

Net income:

     

Basic

$0.02

    

Average number of common shares outstanding

22,119,344

    

Diluted

0.02

    

Average number of common shares outstanding

22,127,090

    
      




2005

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

YEAR

     

TO DATE

PERFORMANCE DATA FOR THE PERIOD:

     

Net income (loss)  

$833

$370

($10,564)

$220

($9,141)

      

PERFORMANCE PERCENTAGES (annualized):

     

Return on average equity

3.95%

1.75%

(49.42)%

1.03%

(10.77)%

Net interest margin

2.75

2.63

2.43

3.21

2.76

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans

0.05

0.06

0.11

0.21

0.11

Loan loss provision as a percentage of average loans

-

(0.21)

0.08

-

(0.03)

Efficiency ratio

94.42

96.81

362.60

96.65

143.54

      

PER COMMON SHARE:

     

Net income (loss):

     

Basic

$0.04

$0.02

($0.53)

$0.01

($0.45)

Average number of common shares outstanding

19,721

19,726

19,785

22,109

20,340

Diluted

0.04

0.02

(0.53)

0.01

(0.45)

Average number of common shares outstanding

19,760

19,765

19,785

22,123

20,340

      


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

(In thousands, except per share, statistical, and ratio data)

(All quarterly and 2006 data unaudited)


2006

 

1QTR

    

PERFORMANCE DATA AT PERIOD END

     

Assets

$876,393

    

Investment securities

223,658

    

Loans

548,466

    

Allowance for loan losses

9,026

    

Goodwill and core deposit intangibles

12,031

    

Deposits

727,987

    

Stockholders’ equity

84,336

    

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

1,669,525

    

Non-performing assets

4,193

    

Asset leverage ratio

10.36%

    

PER COMMON SHARE:

     

Book value (A)

$3.81

    

Market value

5.00

    

Market price to book value

131.26%

    
      

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

     

Full-time equivalent employees

375

    

Branch locations

22

    

Common shares outstanding

22,140,172

    


2005

 

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

PERFORMANCE DATA AT PERIOD END

    

Assets

$996,450

$996,786

$901,194

$880,176

Investment securities

381,124

385,398

253,082

231,924

Loans

527,344

522,437

544,900

550,602

Allowance for loan losses

9,856

9,480

9,435

9,143

Goodwill and core deposit intangibles

12,896

12,680

12,464

12,247

Deposits

725,369

691,740

698,297

712,655

Stockholders’ equity

83,720

86,267

85,022

84,474

Trust assets – fair market value (B)

1,465,028

1,487,496

1,600,968

1,606,978

Non-performing assets

3,819

3,334

3,323

4,316

Asset leverage ratio

9.77%

9.92%

9.90%

10.24%

PER COMMON SHARE:

    

Book value

$4.24

$4.37

$3.85

$3.82

Market value

5.61

5.35

4.35

4.38

Market price to book value

132.35%

122.36%

113.07%

114.65%

     

STATISTICAL DATA AT PERIOD END:

    

Full-time equivalent employees

394

383

384

378

Branch locations

22

22

22

22

Common shares outstanding

19,722,884

19,729,678

22,105,786

22,112,273


    NOTES:

        (A) Other comprehensive income had a negative impact of $0.22 on book value per share at March 31, 2006.

        (B)  Not recognized on the balance sheet.

    

AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(In thousands)

(All quarterly and 2006 data unaudited)

2006

       

INTEREST INCOME

1QTR

     

Interest and fees on loans

$8,900

     

Total investment portfolio

2,279

     

Total Interest Income

11,179

     
       

INTEREST EXPENSE

      

Deposits

4,026

     

All other funding sources

861

     

Total Interest Expense

4,887

     
       

NET INTEREST INCOME

6,292

     

Provision for loan losses

-

     

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES


6,292

     
       

NON-INTEREST INCOME

      

Trust fees

1,641

     

Net realized gains on investment securities

    available for sale


-

     

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

23

     

Service charges on deposit accounts

627

     

Bank owned life insurance

256

     

Other income

695

     

Total Non-interest Income

3,242

     
       

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

      

Salaries and employee benefits

4,815

     

Net occupancy expense

655

     

Equipment expense

639

     

Professional fees

795

     

FDIC deposit insurance expense

73

     

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

216

     

Other expenses

1,665

     

Total Non-interest Expense

8,858

     
       

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

676

     

Provision for income taxes

136

     

NET INCOME  

$540

     
       





2005

     

YEAR

 

INTEREST INCOME

1QTR

2QTR

3QTR

4QTR

TO DATE

 

Interest and fees on loans

$7,954

$8,105

$8,200

$8,688

$32,947

 

Total investment portfolio

3,737

3,607

3,273

2,301

12,918

 

Total Interest Income

11,691

11,712

11,473

10,989

45,865

 
       

INTEREST EXPENSE

      

Deposits

2,845

3,188

3,290

3,662

12,985

 

All other funding sources

2,551

2,533

2,725

959

8,768

 

Total Interest Expense

5,396

5,721

6,015

4,621

21,753

 
       

NET INTEREST INCOME

6,295

5,991

5,458

6,368

24,112

 

Provision for loan losses

-

(275)

100

-

(175)

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES


6,295


6,266


5,358


6,368


24,287

 
       

NON-INTEREST INCOME

      

Trust fees

1,472

1,506

1,586

1,565

6,129

 

Net realized gains (losses) on investment securities

     available for sale


78


-


(2,577)


-


(2,499)

 

Net realized gains on loans held for sale

72

83

27

27

209

 

Service charges on deposit accounts

584

704

723

689

2,700

 

Bank owned life insurance

250

254

256

257

1,017

 

Other income

692

633

643

685

2,653

 

Total Non-interest Income

3,148

3,180

658

3,223

10,209

 
       

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

      

Salaries and employee benefits

4,751

4,680

4,804

4,827

19,062

 

Net occupancy expense

668

592

649

683

2,552

 

Equipment expense

639

622

620

628

2,509

 

Professional fees

823

938

1,483

998

4,242

 

FDIC deposit insurance expense

71

69

76

73

289

 

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

216

216

216

217

865

 

Prepayment penalties

-

-

12,287

-

12,287

 

Other expenses

1,775

1,789

2,143

1,867

7,614

 

Total Non-interest Expense

8,943

8,906

22,278

9,293

49,420

 
       

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

500

540

(16,262)

298

(14,924)

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

(398)

96

(5,689)

89

(5,902)

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING

OPERATIONS


$898


$444


($10,573)


$209


($9,022)

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED

OPERATIONS


(65)


(74)


9


11


(119)

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$833

$370

($10,564)

$220

($9,141)

 
       


AMERISERV FINANCIAL, INC.

Nasdaq NMS: ASRV

Average Balance Sheet Data (In thousands)

(All quarterly and 2006 data unaudited)


    Note:  2005 data appears before 2006.


2005

2006

     
 

1QTR

 

1QTR

 

Interest earning assets:

    

Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income

$519,386

 

$548,975

 

Deposits with banks

1,320

 

564

 

Total investment securities

395,894

 

234,729

 
     

Total interest earning assets

916,600

 

784,268

 
     

Non-interest earning assets:

    

Cash and due from banks

22,142

 

19,230

 

Premises and equipment

9,682

 

8,617

 

Assets of discontinued operations

1,832

 

-

 

Other assets

63,173

 

69,831

 

Allowance for loan losses

(9,867)

 

(9,069)

 
     

Total assets

$1,003,562

 

$872,877

 
     

Interest bearing liabilities:

    

Interest bearing deposits:

    

Interest bearing demand

$53,757

 

$55,804

 

Savings

99,608

 

86,721

 

Money market

144,895

 

175,733

 

Other time

277,080

 

295,951

 

Total interest bearing deposits

575,340

 

614,209

 

Borrowings:

    

Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and other short-term borrowings



109,121

 



48,677

 

Advanced from Federal Home Loan Bank

101,022

 

983

 

Guaranteed junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures


20,285

 


13,085

 

Total interest bearing liabilities

805,768

 

676,954

 
     

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

    

Demand deposits

104,842

 

105,004

 

Liabilities of discontinued operations

636

 

-

 

Other liabilities

6,700

 

6,537

 

Stockholders’ equity

85,616

 

84,382

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$1,003,562

 

$872,877