q63010.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010

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: 001-33652

FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Washington                                                                                    
                            26-0610707                  
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization  (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) 
   
201 Wells Avenue South, Renton, Washington                       
                              98057                          
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)                          
   
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (425) 255-4400                
 
           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 [ X ] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes [ ] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer [ ]   Accelerated filer [ X ]   Non-accelerated filer [ ]   Smaller reporting company [ ] 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [ ] No [ X ]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: As of August 5, 2010, 18,805,168 shares of the issuer’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share, were outstanding.

 
1

 







FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION    Page
     
Item 1 - Financial Statements     3
     
Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
   23
     
Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     39
     
Item 4 - Controls and Procedures     42
     
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION    
     44
Item 1 - Legal Proceedings     
     
 Item 1A - Risk Factors     44
     
 Item 2 - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds     47
     
 Item 3 - Defaults upon Senior Securities     47
     
 Item 4 – [Removed and Reserved]     47
     
 Item 5 - Other Information     47
     
 Item 6 - Exhibits     47
     
SIGNATURES    49
                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                

 
2

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
 
             
June 30,
 
December 31,
Assets
 2010     2009
                       
Cash on hand and in banks
$
7,867  
 
$
8,937  
Interest-bearing deposits
 
122,944  
   
96,033  
Investments available for sale
 
142,398  
   
97,383  
Loans receivable, net of allowance of $29,858 and $33,039
971,710  
   
1,039,300  
Premises and equipment, net
 
20,272  
   
19,585  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
 
7,413  
   
7,413  
Accrued interest receivable
 
4,813  
   
4,880  
Federal income tax receivable
 
5,379  
   
9,499  
Deferred tax assets, net
 
—  
   
12,139  
Other real estate owned, net
 
16,493  
   
11,835  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
7,350  
   
8,330  
         
Total assets
$
1,306,639  
 
$
1,315,334  
                       
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
         
                       
Deposits
   
$
972,099  
 
$
939,423  
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank
 
139,900  
   
139,900  
Advance payments from borrowers for taxes and insurance
2,422  
   
2,377  
Accrued interest payable
 
394  
   
457  
Other liabilities
 
5,032  
   
4,660  
         
Total liabilities
 
1,119,847  
   
1,086,817  
                       
Commitments and contingencies  
         
                       
Stockholders' Equity
         
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 10,000,000
     
   
shares, no shares issued or outstanding
 
—  
   
—  
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 90,000,000
       
   
shares; issued and outstanding 18,805,168 and 18,823,068
     
   
shares at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009
 
188  
   
188  
 
Additional paid-in capital
 
186,770  
   
186,120  
 
Retained earnings, substantially restricted
 
11,197  
   
55,251  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
2,462  
   
1,347  
 
Unearned Employee Stock Ownership Plan shares
 
(13,825)
   
(14,389)
         
Total stockholders' equity
 
186,792  
   
228,517  
         
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,306,639  
 
$
1,315,334  
                       
 
     
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.





 
3

 
 
FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)

             
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
             
June 30,
 
June 30,
             
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
Interest income
                     
 
Loans, including fees
$
14,245   
 
$
14,016   
 
$
28,839   
 
$
29,139   
 
Investments available for sale
 
1,106   
   
1,691   
   
2,113   
   
3,316   
 
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits with banks
 
73   
   
20   
   
134   
   
22   
         
Total interest income
$
15,424   
 
$
15,727   
 
$
31,086   
 
$
32,477   
Interest expense
                       
 
Deposits
     
6,322   
   
7,428   
   
12,893   
   
14,757   
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
1,035   
   
1,312   
   
2,058   
   
2,558   
         
Total interest expense
$
7,357   
 
$
8,740   
 
$
14,951   
 
$
17,315   
         
Net interest income
 
8,067   
   
6,987   
   
16,135   
   
15,162   
Provision for loan losses
 
26,000   
   
18,256   
   
39,000   
   
19,800   
         
Net interest loss after provision for loan losses
$
(17,933)  
 
$
(11,269)  
 
$
(22,865)  
 
$
(4,638)  
                                   
Noninterest income (loss)
                     
 
Net gain on sale of investments
 
—    
   
—    
   
—    
   
76   
 
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on investments
 
—    
   
(152)  
   
—    
   
(152)  
 
Other
       
62   
   
55   
   
108   
   
109   
         
Total noninterest income (loss)
$
62   
 
$
(97)  
 
$
108   
 
$
33   
                                   
Noninterest expense
                     
 
Salaries and employee benefits
 
2,892   
   
3,037   
   
6,081   
   
6,076   
 
Occupancy and equipment
 
424   
   
1,293   
   
849   
   
1,643   
 
Professional fees
 
487   
   
389   
   
946   
   
696   
 
Data processing
 
172   
   
150   
   
342   
   
294   
 
Loss (gain) on sale of OREO property, net
 
(14)  
   
—    
   
423   
   
—    
 
OREO market value adjustments
 
897   
   
—    
   
3,168   
   
—    
 
OREO related expenses, net
 
708   
   
—    
   
1,410   
   
—    
 
FDIC/OTS assessments
 
515   
   
896   
   
1,095   
   
1,578   
 
Insurance and bond premiums
 
150   
   
18   
   
299   
   
36   
 
Goodwill impairment
 
—    
   
14,206   
   
—    
   
14,206   
 
Other general and administrative
 
779   
   
718   
   
1,264   
   
1,322   
         
Total noninterest expense
$
7,010   
 
$
20,707   
 
$
15,877   
 
$
25,851   
         
Loss before provision (benefit) for federal income taxes
 
(24,881)  
   
(32,073)  
   
(38,634)  
   
(30,456)  
Provision (benefit) for federal income taxes
 
—    
   
(4,076)  
   
3,999   
   
(3,655)  
         
Net loss
$
(24,881)  
 
$
(27,997)  
 
$
(42,633) 
 
$
(26,801)  
         
Basic loss per share
$
                     (1.43)
 
$
                (1.49)  
 
$
(2.45) 
 
$
                 (1.41)  
         
Diluted loss per share
$
                     (1.43)
 
$
                (1.49)  
 
$
(2.45) 
    
$
                 (1.41)  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 

 
4

 
FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)

                                   
Accumulated
           
                       
Additional
       
Other
 
Unearned
 
Total
                 
Common
 
Paid-in
 
Retained
 
Comprehensive
 
ESOP
 
Stockholders'
             
Shares
 
Stock
 
Capital
 
Earnings
 
Income, net of tax
 
Shares
 
Equity
Balances at December 31, 2009
18,823,068 
 
$
188 
 
$
186,120 
 
$
55,251
 
$
1,347 
 
$
(14,389) 
 
$
228,517  
Comprehensive loss:
                                     
 
Net loss
—  
   
—  
   
—  
   
(42,633
 
—  
   
—   
   
(42,633) 
 
Change in fair value of investments
                                     
   
available for sale, net of tax $601
—  
   
—  
   
—  
   
— 
   
1,115 
   
—   
   
1,115  
       
Total comprehensive loss:
                                   
(41,518) 
Cash dividend declared and paid ($0.085 per share)
—  
   
—  
   
—  
   
(1,421
 
—  
   
—   
   
(1,421) 
Purchase and retirement of common stock
(17,900)
   
—  
   
(106)
   
—  
   
—  
   
—   
   
(106) 
Compensation related to stock options
                                     
   
and restricted stock awards
—  
   
—  
   
978 
   
—  
   
—  
   
—   
   
978 
Allocation of 56,426 ESOP shares
—  
   
—  
   
(222)
   
—  
   
—  
   
564  
   
342 
Balances at June 30, 2010
18,805,168 
 
$
188 
 
$
186,770 
 
$
11,197 
 
$
2,462 
 
$
(13,825)
 
$
186,792 
                                                   
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



 
5

 
 
FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
               
Six Months Ended June 30,
               
2010
 
2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
 
Net loss
     
$
(42,633) 
 
$
(26,801) 
 
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
           
   
net cash provided by operating activities:
           
     
Provision for loan losses
   
39,000  
   
19,800  
     
Goodwill impairment
   
—   
   
14,206  
     
OREO market value adjustments
   
3,168  
   
—   
     
Loss on sale of OREO property, net
   
423  
   
—   
     
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
542  
   
394  
     
Net amortization of premiums and discounts on investments
623  
   
393  
     
ESOP expense
   
342  
   
468  
     
Compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock awards
978  
   
1,038  
     
Net realized gain on investments available for sale
   
—   
   
(76) 
     
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on investments
 
—   
   
152  
     
Loss on disposal of equipment
   
—   
   
983  
     
Deferred federal income taxes
   
11,538  
   
(5,770) 
     
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
           
         
Other assets
   
980  
   
1,458  
         
Accrued interest receivable
   
67  
   
145  
         
Accrued interest payable
   
(63) 
   
36  
         
Other liabilities
   
372  
   
2,082  
         
Federal income taxes
   
4,120  
   
1,665  
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
19,457  
 
$
10,173  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
           
   
Proceeds from sales of investments
   
—   
   
6,853  
   
Capitalized improvements in OREO
   
(286) 
   
—   
   
Proceeds from sales of OREO properties
   
9,703  
   
—   
   
Principal repayments on investments available for sale
   
14,618  
   
18,158  
   
Purchases of investments available for sale
   
(58,540) 
   
(48,752) 
   
Net (increase) decrease in loans receivable, net
   
10,924  
   
(9,943) 
   
Purchases of premises and equipment
   
(1,229) 
   
(2,064) 
           
Net cash used by investing activities
 
$
(24,810) 
 
$
(35,748) 
                         
           
Balance, carried forward
 
$
(5,353) 
 
$
(25,575) 

Continued




6

 
FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

             
Six Months Ended June 30,
             
2010
 
2009
           
Balance, brought forward
$
(5,353) 
 
$
(25,575) 
Cash flows from financing activities:
         
 
Net increase in deposits
 
32,676  
   
92,672  
 
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank
 
50,000  
   
16,750  
 
Repayments of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank
 
(50,000) 
   
(23,000) 
 
Net increase (decrease) in advance payments from borrowers for taxes and insurance
45  
   
(235) 
 
Repurchase and retirement of common stock
 
(106) 
   
(7,739) 
 
Dividends paid
 
(1,421) 
   
(3,254) 
         
Net cash provided by financing activities
$
31,194  
 
$
75,194  
                       
         
Net increase in cash
 
25,841  
   
49,619  
Cash and cash equivalents:
         
 
Beginning of period
 
104,970  
   
5,756  
 
End of period
$
130,811  
 
$
55,375  
                       
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
         
 
Cash paid during the period for:
         
   
Interest
$
15,014  
 
$
17,287  
   
Federal income taxes
$
—   
 
$
450  
Noncash transactions:
         
 
Loans, net of deferred loan fees and allowance for loan losses, transferred to OREO
$
17,666  
 
$
—   
                       
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


 
 
7

 
FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)


Note 1 – Description of Business

First Financial Northwest, Inc. (“First Financial Northwest” or the “Company”), a Washington corporation, was formed on June 1, 2007 for the purpose of becoming the holding company for First Savings Bank Northwest (“First Savings Bank” or “the Bank”) in connection with the conversion from a mutual holding company structure to a stock holding company structure. First Financial Northwest’s business activities generally are limited to passive investment activities and oversight of its investment in First Savings Bank. Accordingly, the information presented in the consolidated financial statements and related data, relates primarily to First Savings Bank. First Financial Northwest is a savings and loan holding company and is subject to regulation by the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”). First Savings Bank is regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (“DFI”).

First Savings Bank is a community-based savings bank primarily serving King and to a lesser extent, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties, Washington through our full-service banking office located in Renton, Washington. First Savings Bank’s business consists of attracting deposits from the public and utilizing these deposits to originate one-to-four family, multifamily, commercial real estate, business, consumer and to a lesser extent, construction/land development loans.

Note 2 – Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP have been included. All significant intercompany balances and transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2010. In preparing the unaudited consolidated financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the allowance for loan losses, other real estate owned (“OREO”), deferred tax assets and the fair value of financial instruments.

Certain amounts in the unaudited consolidated financial statements for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current unaudited financial statement presentation.

Note 3 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2010, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) - Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements.”  ASU 2010-06 requires expanded disclosures related to fair value measurements including (i) the amounts of significant transfers of assets or liabilities between Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy and the reasons for the transfers, (ii) the reasons for transfers of assets or liabilities in or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, with significant transfers disclosed separately, (iii) the policy for determining when transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized and (iv) for recurring fair value measurements of assets and liabilities in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, a gross presentation of information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements. ASU 2010-06 further clarifies that (i) fair value measurement disclosures should be provided for each class of assets and liabilities (rather than major category), which would generally be a subset of assets or liabilities within a line item in the statement of financial position and (ii) company’s should provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements for each class of assets and liabilities included in Levels 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The disclosures related to
 
 
8

FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)
 
the gross presentation of  purchases, sales, issuances and settlements of assets and liabilities included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy will be required beginning January 1, 2011. The remaining disclosure requirements and clarifications made by ASU 2010-06 became effective on January 1, 2010 and did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 6 – Fair Value.

In February 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-09, Subsequent Events (Topic 855)—Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements.  ASU No. 2010-09 establishes separate subsequent event recognition criteria and disclosure requirements for SEC filers.  SEC filers are defined in this update as entities that are required to file or to furnish their financial statements with either the SEC or another appropriate agency, (such as the FDIC or Office of Thrift Supervision) under Section 12(i) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Effective with the release date, the financial statements of SEC filers will no longer disclose either the date through which subsequent events were reviewed or that subsequent events were evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.  The requirement to evaluate subsequent events through the date of issuance is still in place; only the disclosure is affected.  This ASU also removes the requirement to make those disclosures in financial statements revised for either a correction of an error or a retrospective application of an accounting change.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-18, Receivables (Topic 310):  Effect of a Loan Modification When the Loan Is Part of a Pool That is Accounted for as a Single Asset, which clarifies the accounting for acquired loans that have evidence of a deterioration in credit quality since origination (referred to as “Subtopic 310-30 Loans”). Under this ASU, an entity may not apply troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) accounting guidance to individual Subtopic 310-30 Loans that are part of a pool, even if the modification of those loans would otherwise be considered a troubled debt restructuring. Once a pool is established, individual loans should not be removed from the pool unless the entity sells, forecloses, or writes off the loan. Entities would continue to consider whether the pool of loans is impaired if expected cash flows for the pool change. Subtopic 310-30 Loans that are accounted for individually would continue to be subject to TDR accounting guidance.  A one-time election to terminate accounting for loans as a pool, which may be made on a pool-by-pool basis, is provided upon adoption of the ASU. This ASU is effective for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.  Adoption of this ASU is not expected to significantly impact our consolidated financial statements.

On July 21, 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-20, Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses, which requires significant new disclosures about the allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of financing receivables. The requirements are intended to enhance transparency regarding credit losses and the credit quality of loan and lease receivables. Under this statement, allowance for credit losses and fair value are to be disclosed by portfolio segment, while credit quality information, impaired financing receivables and nonaccrual status are to be presented by class of financing receivable.  Disclosure of the nature and extent, the financial impact and segment information of troubled debt restructurings will also be required.  The disclosures are to be presented at the level of disaggregation that management uses when assessing and monitoring the portfolio’s risk and performance. This ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods after December 15, 2010. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to significantly impact our consolidated financial statements.




9


FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)

 
Note 4 – Investment Securities Available for Sale

Investment securities available for sale are summarized as follows:
 
             
June 30, 2010
                   
Gross
 
Gross
     
             
Amortized
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
     
             
Cost
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fair Value
             
(In thousands)
Mortgage-backed and related investments:
                     
   
Fannie Mae
 
$
86,665  
 
$
2,258  
 
$
(37)
 
$
88,886  
   
Freddie Mac
   
36,163  
   
1,402  
   
(13)
   
37,552  
   
Ginnie Mae
   
4,531  
   
92  
   
—  
   
4,623  
Tax-exempt municipal bonds
 
4,207  
   
61  
   
(376)
   
3,892  
Taxable municipal bonds
 
649  
   
—  
   
(14)
   
635  
U.S. Government agencies
 
1,935  
   
194  
   
—  
   
2,129  
Mutual fund (1)
     
4,460  
   
221  
   
—  
   
4,681  
             
$
138,610  
 
$
4,228  
 
$
(440)
 
$
142,398  

             
December 31, 2009
                   
Gross
 
Gross
     
             
Amortized
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
     
             
Cost
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fair Value
             
(In thousands)
Mortgage-backed and related investments:
                     
   
Fannie Mae
 
$
50,025  
 
$
1,267  
 
$
(21)
 
$
51,271  
   
Freddie Mac
   
28,924  
   
1,020  
   
(3)
   
29,941  
   
Ginnie Mae
   
5,099  
   
84  
   
—  
   
5,183  
Tax-exempt municipal bonds
 
4,207  
   
49  
   
(484)
   
3,772  
Taxable municipal bonds
 
650  
   
—  
   
(48)
   
602  
U.S. Government agencies
 
1,946  
   
57  
   
—  
   
2,003  
Mutual fund (1)
     
4,460  
   
151  
   
—  
   
4,611  
             
$
95,311  
 
$
2,628  
 
$
(556)
 
$
97,383  
                                   
 
(1)  
Represents an investment in the AMF Ultra Short Mortgage Fund. The majority of the fund value is invested in U.S. Government or agency securities with additional holdings of private label mortgage-backed securities.
 

 
10

 
FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)




Investments with unrealized losses at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 by length of time that individual investments have been in a continuous loss position, are as follows:
             
June 30, 2010
             
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Longer
 
Total
                   
Unrealized
     
Unrealized
     
Unrealized
               
Fair Value
 
Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Loss
               
                                                   (In thousands)
           
Fannie Mae
$
       13,421
 
$
             (37)
 
$
                 -
 
$
                 -
 
$
       13,421
 
$
             (37)
Freddie Mac
 
         6,388
   
             (10)
   
            241
   
               (3)
   
         6,629
   
             (13)
Tax-exempt municipal bonds
                 -
   
                 -
   
         1,733
   
           (376)
   
         1,733
   
           (376)
Taxable municipal bonds
                 -
   
                 -
   
            635
   
             (14)
   
            635
   
             (14)
             
$
       19,809
 
$
             (47)
 
$
         2,609
 
$
           (393)
 
$
       22,418
 
$
           (440)
                                               
                                               
             
December 31, 2009
             
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Longer
 
Total
                   
Unrealized
     
Unrealized
     
Unrealized
             
Fair Value
 
Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Loss
               
                                                   (In thousands)
           
Fannie Mae
$
3,255
 
$
(21)
 
$
                 -
 
$
                 -
 
$
3,255
 
$
(21)
Freddie Mac
 
                 -
   
                 -
   
255
   
(3)
   
255
   
(3)
Tax-exempt municipal bonds
                 -
   
                 -
   
1,625
   
(484)
   
1,625
   
(484)
Taxable municipal bonds
                 -
   
                 -
   
602
   
(48)
   
602
   
(48)
             
$
         3,255
 
$
             (21)
 
$
         2,482
 
$
           (535)
 
$
         5,737
 
$
           (556)
                                               


In May 2008, the Board of Trustees of the AMF Ultra Short Mortgage Fund (“Fund”) (a mutual fund) decided to activate the Fund’s redemption-in-kind provision because of the uncertainty in the mortgage-backed securities market. The activation of this provision has limited the options available to the shareholders of the Fund with respect to liquidating their investments. Only the Fund may repurchase the shares in accordance with the terms of the Fund. The Fund is currently closed to new investors, which means that no new investors may buy shares in the Fund. Existing participants are allowed to redeem and receive up to $250,000 in cash per quarter or may receive 100% of their investment in “like kind” securities equal to their proportional ownership in the Fund (i.e. ownership percentage in the Fund times the market value of each of the approximately 150 securities). We have elected to maintain our investment in the mutual fund.

On a quarterly basis, management makes an assessment to determine whether there have been any events or economic circumstances to indicate that a security on which there is an unrealized loss is impaired on an other-than-temporary basis. We consider many factors including the severity and duration of the impairment, recent events specific to the issuer or industry, and for debt securities, external credit ratings and recent downgrades. Securities on which there is an unrealized loss that is deemed to be an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) are written down to fair value. For equity securities, the write-down is recorded as a realized loss in “other-than-temporary impairment loss on investments” on the income statement. For debt securities, if we intend to sell the security or it is likely that we will be required to sell the security before recovering its cost basis, the entire impairment loss would be recognized in earnings as an OTTI. If we do not intend to sell the security and it is not likely that we will be required to sell the security but we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security, only the portion of the impairment loss representing credit losses would be recognized in earnings. The credit loss on a security is measured as the difference between the amortized cost basis and the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected. Projected cash flows are discounted by the original or current effective interest rate depending on the nature of the security being measured for potential OTTI. The remaining impairment related to all other factors, the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and fair value, is recognized as a charge to other comprehensive income (“OCI”). Impairment losses related to all other factors are presented as separate categories within OCI. For investment securities held to maturity, this amount is accreted over the remaining life of the debt security prospectively based on the amount and timing of future estimated cash flows. The accretion of the OTTI amount recorded in OCI will increase the carrying value of the
 
 
11

FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)
 
investment, and would not affect earnings. If there is an indication of additional credit losses the security is re-evaluated in accordance with the procedures described above. For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010, we did not have any OTTI losses on investments.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments, available for sale at June 30, 2010, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Investments not due at a single maturity date, primarily mortgage-backed investments and the mutual fund, are shown separately.
 
             
June 30, 2010
             
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
             
(In thousands)
Due within one year
$
                         -
 
$
                         -
Due after one year through five years
 
                 1,293
   
                 1,380
Due after five years through ten years
 
                 1,189
   
                 1,193
Due after ten years
 
                 4,309
   
                 4,083
               
                 6,791
   
                 6,656
                       
Mortgage-backed investments
 
             127,359
   
             131,061
Mutual fund
     
                 4,460
   
                 4,681
             
$
             138,610
 
$
             142,398
                       
 

There were no sales of investments during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010.

 
12

 
FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)

Note 5 - Loans Receivable, Net

Loans receivable consist of the following:
 
               
June 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
   
               
Amount
 
Percent
   
Amount
 
Percent
   
               
(Dollars in thousands)
   
One-to-four family residential (1):
                         
 
Permanent
   
$
458,010  
 
              44.78
%
 
$
481,046  
 
              43.13
%
 
 
Construction
     
11,409  
 
                1.12
     
15,685  
 
                1.41
   
                 
469,419  
 
45.90
     
496,731  
 
              44.54
   
                                       
Multifamily residential:
                         
 
Permanent
     
134,250  
 
              13.12
     
128,943  
 
              11.56
   
 
Construction
     
20,439  
 
                2.00
     
17,565  
 
                1.58
   
                 
154,689  
 
15.12
     
146,508  
 
              13.14
   
                                       
Commercial real estate:
                         
 
Permanent
     
250,185  
 
              24.46
     
251,185  
 
              22.52
   
 
Construction
     
27,948  
 
                2.73
     
31,605  
 
                2.83
   
 
Land
         
6,771  
 
                0.66
     
6,206  
 
                0.56
   
                 
284,904  
 
27.85
     
288,996  
 
              25.91
   
                                       
Construction/land development:
                         
 
One-to-four family residential
   
60,279  
 
                5.89
     
95,699  
 
                8.58
   
 
Multifamily residential
   
1,283  
 
                0.13
     
3,624  
 
                0.33
   
 
Commercial
   
1,117  
 
                0.11
     
1,129  
 
                0.10
   
 
Land development
   
31,859  
 
                3.11
     
63,501  
 
                5.69
   
                 
94,538  
 
9.24
     
163,953  
 
              14.70
   
                                       
Business
       
280  
 
                0.03
     
353  
 
                0.03
   
                                       
Consumer
         
19,060  
 
                1.86
     
18,678  
 
                1.68
   
Total loans
     
$
1,022,890  
 
            100.00
%
 
$
1,115,219  
 
            100.00
%
 
                                       
Less:
                               
 
Loans in process
   
18,497  
         
39,942  
       
 
Deferred loan fees
   
2,825  
         
2,938  
       
 
Allowance for loan losses
   
29,858  
         
33,039  
       
Loans receivable, net
 
$
971,710  
       
$
1,039,300  
       
____________________________________                          
(1)   Includes $213.8 million and $230.8 million of non-owner occupied loans at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
     
                                       
At June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 there were no loans classified as held for sale.

A summary of changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:
 
             
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
             
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
             
(In thousands)
Balance at the beginning of the period
$
       36,479
 
$
14,294  
 
$
       33,039
 
$
16,982  
Provision for loan losses
 
       26,000
   
18,256  
   
       39,000
   
19,800  
Charge-offs
     
     (32,703)
   
          (100)
   
     (42,385)
   
       (4,332)
Recoveries
     
             82
   
               -
   
           204
   
               -
Balance at the end of the period
$
       29,858
 
$
32,450  
 
$
       29,858
 
$
32,450  

13

FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)

 
Nonaccrual, impaired and troubled debt restructured loans are as follows:
 
 
June 30,
 
December 31,
 
2010
 
2009
   
(In thousands)
           
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance
$
10,958   
 
$
46,282
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance
 
156,262   
   
109,879
    Total impaired loans
$
167,220   
 
$
156,161
           
Valuation allowance related to impaired loans
$
11,367   
 
$
13,432
           
Average investment of impaired loans
$
166,246   
 
 $
117,644
           
Interest income recognized on a cash basis on impaired loans
$
1,631   
 
 $
2,134
           
Nonperforming assets:
         
    90 days or more past due and still accruing
$
—    
 
$
—    
    Nonaccrual loans
 
87,437   
   
94,682
    Nonaccrual troubled debt restructured loans (2)
 
33,208   
   
26,021
Total nonperforming loans
 
120,645   
   
120,703
    Other real estate owned
 
16,493   
   
11,835
Total nonperforming assets
$
137,138   
 
$
132,538
           
Performing troubled debt restructured loans (1)
$
46,575   
 
$
35,458
Nonaccrual troubled debt restructured loans (2)
 
33,208   
   
26,021
Total troubled debt restructured loans
$
79,783   
 
$
61,479
___________________________________________________           
(1) Performing troubled debt restructured loans are loans that have been modified due to financial
difficulty of the borrower where the borrower has complied with the terms of the loan modification
for  a minimum of six months.
         
(2) Troubled debt restuctured loans are also considered impaired loans and are included in the
impaired category at the beginning of the table.
         
 
At June 30, 2010, the amounts committed to be advanced in connection with the impaired loans totaled $5.7 million as compared to $10.6 million at December 31, 2009.

Foregone interest on nonaccrual loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 was $1.9 million and $3.6 million, respectively. Foregone interest for the same periods in 2009 were $2.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively.

 
14

 
FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)

 
A summary of our OREO is as follows:
 
 
 Six Months Ended
 
 Twelve Months Ended
 
June 30, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
   Amount    Number of
Properties
   
 Amount
 
 Number of
Properties
 
 (Dollars in thousands)
Balance at the beginning of the period
$
      11,835
   
            32
 
$
              -
   
              -
     Loans transferred to OREO
      17,666
   
            40
   
      11,835
   
            32
     Capitalized improvements
 
          286
   
 N/A
   
              -
   
 N/A
     Market value adjustments
 
      (3,168)
   
 N/A
   
              -
   
 N/A
     Dispositions of OREO
 
    (10,126)
   
           (29)
   
              -
   
              -
Balance at the end of the period
$
      16,493
   
            43
 
$
      11,835
   
            32
 

Note 6 – Fair Value

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 also establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements.

We determined the fair values of our financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair values. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our estimates for market assumptions.

Valuation inputs refer to the assumptions market participants would use in pricing a given asset or liability using one of the three valuation techniques. Inputs can be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are those assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the particular asset or liability. These inputs are based on market data and are obtained from an independent source. Unobservable inputs are assumptions based on our own information or estimate of assumptions used by market participants in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best and most current information available on the measurement date.

All inputs, whether observable or unobservable, are ranked in accordance with a prescribed fair value hierarchy:

·  
Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
·  
Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar
       instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable.
·  
Level 3 – Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable.

 
15

 
FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)

The tables below present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 
     
Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2010
           
Quoted Prices in
 
Significant
     
           
Active Markets
 
Other
 
Significant
     
Fair Value
 
for Identical
 
Observable
 
Unobservable
     
Measurements
 
Assets (Level 1)
 
Inputs (Level 2)
 
Inputs (Level 3)
     
(In thousands)
Available for sale investments
                       
 
Mortgage-backed investments
                       
 
     Fannie Mae
 
$
               88,886
 
$
                            -
 
$
                88,886
 
$
                         -
 
     Freddie Mac
   
               37,552
   
                            -
   
                37,552
   
                         -
 
     Ginnie Mae
   
                 4,623
   
                            -
   
                  4,623
   
                         -
 
Tax-exempt municipal bonds
   
                 3,892
   
                            -
   
                  3,892
   
                         -
 
Taxable municipal bonds
   
                    635
   
                            -
   
                     635
   
                         -
 
U.S. Government agencies
   
                 2,129
   
                            -
   
                  2,129
   
                         -
 
Mutual Fund
   
                 4,681
   
                    4,681
   
                         -
   
                         -
     
$
             142,398
 
$
                    4,681
 
$
              137,717
 
$
                         -
                           
     
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2009
             
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant
     
             
Active Markets
   
Other
   
Significant
     
Fair Value
   
for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
     
Measurements
   
Assets (Level 1)
   
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Inputs (Level 3)
     
(In thousands)
Available for sale investments
                       
 
Mortgage-backed investments
                       
 
     Fannie Mae
 
$
               51,271
 
$
                            -
 
$
                51,271
 
$
                         -
 
     Freddie Mac
   
               29,941
   
                            -
   
                29,941
   
                         -
 
     Ginnie Mae
   
                 5,183
   
                            -
   
                  5,183
   
                         -
 
Tax-exempt municipal bonds
   
                 3,772
   
                            -
   
                  3,772
   
                         -
 
Taxable municipal bonds
   
                    602
   
                            -
   
                     602
   
                         -
 
U.S. Government agencies
   
                 2,003
   
                            -
   
                  2,003
   
                         -
 
Mutual Fund
   
                 4,611
   
                    4,611
   
                         -
   
                         -
     
$
               97,383
 
$
                    4,611
 
$
                92,772
 
$
                         -
                           


 
16

 
FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)

 
The tables below present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
 
     
Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2010
 
           
Quoted Prices in
 
Significant
             
           
Active Markets
 
Other
 
Significant
       
     
Fair Value
 
for Identical
 
Observable
 
Unobservable
 
Total (Gains)
 
     
Measurements
 
Assets (Level 1)
 
Inputs (Level 2)
 
Inputs (Level 3)
 
Losses(1)
 
     
(In thousands)
 
Impaired loans including undisbursed but committed funds
                               
 
of $5.7 million (included in loans receivable, net)
 
$
                161,538
 
$
                                 -
 
$
                              -
 
$
                  161,538
 
$
            (2,065
Other real estate owned
   
                  16,493
   
                                 -
   
                              -
   
                   16,493
   
               3,168
 
     
$
                178,031
 
$
                                 -
 
$
                              -
 
$
                  178,031
 
$
                1,103
 
                                   
 
(1) This represents the (gain) loss for the quarter
                               
 
ended June 30, 2010.
                               
     
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2009
 
           
Quoted Prices in
 
Significant
             
           
Active Markets
 
Other
 
Significant
       
     
Fair Value
 
for Identical
 
Observable
 
Unobservable
 
Total
 
     
Measurements
 
Assets (Level 1)
 
Inputs (Level 2)
 
Inputs (Level 3)
 
Losses (1)
 
     
(In thousands)
 
Impaired loans including undisbursed but committed funds
                               
 
of $10.6 million (included in loans receivable, net)
 
$
               153,300
 
$
                                 -
 
$
                              -
 
$
                 153,300
 
$
              4,895
 
Goodwill impairment
   
                             -
   
                                 -
   
                              -
   
                              -
   
            14,206
 
Other real estate owned
   
                   11,835
   
                                 -
   
                              -
   
                    11,835
   
                       -
 
     
$
                165,135
 
$
                                 -
 
$
                              -
 
$
                  165,135
 
$
19,101  
 
                                   
 
(1) This represents the loss for the year ended December 31, 2009.
                       
 
      Investments available for sale consist primarily of mortgage-backed securities, bank qualified tax-exempt bonds, taxable municipal bonds, a mutual fund and agency securities. The estimated fair value of Level 1 investments, which consists of a mutual fund investment, is based on quoted market prices. The estimated fair value of Level 2 investments is based on quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, identical or similar investments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable.
 
Loans are considered impaired when, based upon current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The fair value of impaired loans is calculated using the collateral value or the discounted cash flow method. Inputs include appraised values, estimates of certain completion costs and closing and selling costs. Some of these inputs may not be observable in the marketplace.

Nonrecurring adjustments to certain commercial and residential real estate properties classified as OREO are measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell. Fair values are generally based on third party appraisals of the property, resulting in a Level 3 classification. In cases where the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, less costs to sell, an impairment loss is recognized.

 
17

 
FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)

 
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments were as follows:

 
               
June 30, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
               
Carrying
 
Estimated
 
Carrying
 
Estimated
               
value
 
fair value
 
value
 
fair value
             
(In thousands)
Assets:
                             
 
Cash on hand and in banks
 
$
            7,867
 
$
            7,867
 
$
            8,937
 
$
            8,937
 
Interest-bearing deposits
   
        122,944
   
        122,944
   
          96,033
   
          96,033
 
Investments available for sale
   
        142,398
   
        142,398
   
          97,383
   
          97,383
 
Loans receivable, net
   
        971,710
   
        949,880
   
     1,039,300
   
     1,001,562
 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
   
            7,413
   
            7,413
   
            7,413
   
            7,413
 
Accrued interest receivable
   
            4,813
   
            4,813
   
            4,880
   
            4,880
 
OREO
         
          16,493
   
          16,493
   
          11,835
   
          11,835
                             
Liabilities:
                           
 
Deposits
       
        232,775
   
        232,775
   
        225,772
   
        225,772
 
Certificates of deposit
   
        739,324
   
        748,496
   
        713,651
   
        727,250
 
Advances from the Federal Home
                       
   
Loan Bank
     
        139,900
   
        143,021
   
        139,900
   
        140,994
 
Accrued interest payable
   
               394
   
               394
   
               457
   
               457
 

Fair value estimates, methods, and assumptions are set forth below for our financial instruments.

·  
Financial instruments with book value equal to fair value: The fair value of financial instruments that are short-term or reprice frequently and that have little or no risk are considered to have a fair value equal to book value.
 
·  
Investments: The fair value of all investments excluding Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle (“FHLB”) stock was based upon quoted market prices. FHLB stock is not publicly-traded, however it may be redeemed on a dollar-for-dollar basis, for any amount the Bank is not required to hold. The fair value is therefore equal to the book value.
 
·  
Loans receivable: For variable rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values. The fair value of fixed-rate loans is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis utilizing current interest rates that would be offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. As a result of the current market conditions, cash flow estimates have been further discounted to include a credit factor. The fair value of nonperforming loans is estimated using the fair value of the underlying collateral.
 
·  
OREO: The carrying amount represents fair value.
 
·  
Liabilities: The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as statement, NOW and money market accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand. The fair value of certificates of deposit is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The fair value of FHLB advances is estimated based on discounting the future cash flows using current interest rates for debt with similar remaining maturities.
 
·  
Off-balance sheet commitments: No fair value adjustment is necessary for commitments made to extend credit, which represents commitments for loan originations or for outstanding commitments to purchase loans. These commitments are at variable rates, are for loans with terms of less than one year and have interest rates which approximate prevailing market rates, or are set at the time of loan closing.
 
Fair value estimates are based on existing balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business. The fair value has not been estimated for assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments.
 
 
18

FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)

Note 7 – Federal Home Loan Bank stock

At June 30, 2010, we held $7.4 million in shares of FHLB stock. FHLB stock is carried at par and does not have a readily determinable fair value. Ownership of FHLB stock is restricted to the FHLB and member institutions, and can only be purchased and redeemed at par. As a result of ongoing turmoil in the capital and mortgage markets, the FHLB of Seattle has a risk-based capital deficiency largely as a result of write-downs on its private label mortgage-backed securities portfolio.

Management evaluates FHLB stock for impairment. The determination of whether this investment is impaired is based on our assessment of the ultimate recoverability of cost rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value. The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability of cost is influenced by criteria such as: (1) the significance of any decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount for the FHLB and the length of time this situation has persisted, (2) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of the FHLB, (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, the customer base of the FHLB and (4) the liquidity position of the FHLB.

Under Federal Housing Finance Agency Regulations, a Federal Home Loan Bank that fails to meet any regulatory capital requirement may not declare a dividend or redeem or repurchase capital stock in excess of what is required for members’ current loans. Based upon an analysis by Standard and Poors regarding the Federal Home Loan Banks they stated that the FHLB System has a special public status (organized under the Federal Home Loan Bank Act of 1932) and because of the extraordinary support offered to it by the U.S. Treasury in a crisis, (though not used), it can be considered an extension of the government. The U.S. government would almost certainly support the credit obligations of the FHLB System. We have determined there is not an other-than-temporary impairment on the FHLB stock investment as of June 30, 2010.

Note 8 - Stock-Based Compensation

In June 2008, our shareholders approved the First Financial Northwest, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (“Plan”). The Plan provides for the grant of stock options, awards of restricted stock and stock appreciation rights.
 
Total compensation expense for the Plan was $480,000 and $523,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and the related income tax benefit was $168,000 and $183,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Total compensation expense for the Plan was $978,000 and $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and the related income tax benefit was $342,000 and $363,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Stock Options

The Plan authorized the grant of stock options amounting to 2,285,280 shares to our directors, advisory directors, officers and employees. Option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of our common stock at the date of grant. These option awards have a vesting period of five years, with 20% vesting on the anniversary date of each grant date and a contractual life of ten years. Any unexercised stock options will expire ten years after the grant date or 90 days after employment or service ends. We have a policy of issuing new shares upon exercise. At June 30, 2010, remaining options for 831,756 shares of common stock were available for grant under the Plan.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes model that uses the following assumptions. The dividend yield is based on the current quarterly dividend in effect at the time of the grant. Historical employment data is used to estimate the forfeiture rate. The expected volatility is generally based on the historical volatility of our stock price over a specified period of time. Since becoming a publicly-held
 
 
19

FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)
 
company in October 2007, the amount of historical stock price information is limited. As a result, we elected to use a weighted-average of our peers’ historical stock prices as well as our own historical stock prices to estimate volatility. We base the risk-free interest rate on the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity Indices in effect on the date of the grant. We elected to use the “Share-Based Payments” method permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission to calculate the expected term. This method uses the vesting term of an option along with the contractual term, setting the expected life at a midpoint in between. There were 50,000 options granted during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010. The fair value of options granted during the quarter ended June 30, 2010, was determined using the following assumptions as of the grant date.

 
Annual dividend yield
0.00%
Expected volatility
46.32%
Risk-free interest rate
2.42%
Expected term
6.5 years
Weighted-average grant date fair
 
     value per option granted
$1.28

A summary of our stock option plan awards for the six months ended June 30, 2010 follows:

 
     
Shares
     
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
   
Weighted-Average
Remaining Contractual
Term in Years
     
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
                     
Outstanding at January 1, 2010
       1,433,524
 
$
      9.73
 
           8.52
     
 
Granted
            50,000
   
      4.03
 
           9.98
     
 
Exercised
                     -
   
            -
 
                 -
     
 
Forfeited or expired
          (30,000
 
      9.78
 
                 -
     
Outstanding at June 30, 2010
       1,453,524
 
$
      9.53
 
           8.10
 
$
                -
                     
Expected to vest assuming a 3% forfeiture
                 
 
rate over the vesting term
       1,133,743
 
$
      9.49
 
           8.11
 
$
                -
                     
Exercisable at June 30, 2010
          284,705
 
$
      9.73
 
           8.03
 
$
                -
                     
 
As of June 30, 2010, there was $1.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the Plan. The cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average vesting period of 3.1 years.
 
Restricted Stock Awards

The Plan authorized the grant of restricted stock awards amounting to 914,112 shares to our directors, advisory directors, officers and employees. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the awards based on the fair value of the stock at the date of grant. The restricted stock awards’ fair value is equal to the value on the date of grant. Shares awarded as restricted stock vest ratably over a five-year period beginning at the grant date with 20% vesting on the anniversary date of each grant date. At June 30, 2010, remaining restricted awards for 135,478 shares were available to be issued. Shares that have been awarded but have not yet vested in accordance with the agreement are held in trust and totaled 622,587.

 
20

 
FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)

 
A summary of changes in non-vested restricted stock awards for the six months ended June 30, 2010 follows: 

         
Weighted-Average
         
Grant-Date
Non-vested Shares
Shares
 
Fair Value
             
Non-vested at January 1, 2010
        604,987
 
$
                       10.22
 
Granted
 
          32,000
   
                         4.03
 
Vested
 
           (6,400
 
                             -
 
Forfeited
 
           (8,000
 
                       10.35
Non-vested at June 30, 2010
        622,587
 
$
                         9.91
             
Expected to vest assuming a 3% forfeiture
       
 
rate over the vesting term
        603,907
     
             
 
As of June 30, 2010, there was $4.8 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested shares granted as restricted stock awards. The cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average vesting period of 3.3 years. There were no shares vested during the quarters ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.

Note 9 – Federal Taxes on Income

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply 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 in the period that includes the enactment date. These calculations are based on many complex factors including estimates of the timing of reversals of temporary differences, the interpretation of federal income tax laws and a determination of the differences between the tax and the financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ significantly from the estimates and interpretations used in determining the current and deferred income tax liabilities.

Our primary deferred tax assets relate to our allowance for loan losses, our contribution to the First Financial Northwest Foundation and our impairment charge relating to our investment in the AMF Ultra Short Mortgage Fund.

Under GAAP, a valuation allowance is required to be recognized if it is “more likely than not” that a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.  Our policy is to evaluate our deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis and record a valuation allowance for our deferred tax asset if we do not have sufficient positive evidence indicating that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will be realized.  At June 30, 2010, we considered positive and negative evidence, which includes cumulative losses in the most recent three year period and uncertainty regarding short-term future earnings.  We further considered that GAAP places heavy emphasis on prior earnings in determining the realizable deferred tax asset.  After reviewing and weighing these various factors, we recorded a valuation allowance for the balance of the deferred tax asset in excess of the tax carryback refund potential, resulting in no deferred tax asset at June 30, 2010.

 
21

 
FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)

 
Note 10 – Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The following table presents a reconciliation of the components used to compute basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share.

             
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
             
2010
 
2009
 
2010
 
2009
             
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
Net loss
         
$
(24,881)
 
$
         (27,997)
 
$
(42,633)
 
$
         (26,801)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
 
17,421,031 
   
18,836,770 
   
17,398,285 
   
19,074,587 
       
Basic loss per share
$
             (1.43)
 
$
(1.49)
 
$
             (2.45)
 
$
(1.41)
       
Diluted loss per share
$
             (1.43)
 
$
(1.49)
 
$
             (2.45)
 
$
(1.41)
 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, 50,000 stock options were included in calculating the dilutive loss per share. For the same periods in 2009, no stock options were included in the diluted loss per share calculation because they were antidilutive.

Note 11 – Segment Information

Our activities are considered to be a single industry segment for financial reporting purposes. We are engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and originating loans for our portfolio in our primary market area. Substantially all income is derived from a diverse base of commercial and residential real estate loans, consumer lending activities and investments.




 
22

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-looking statements:

Certain matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, expectations of the business environment in which we operate, projections of future performance, perceived opportunities in the market, potential future credit experience, and statements regarding our mission and vision. These forward-looking statements are based upon current management expectations and may, therefore, involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those suggested, expressed, or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of a wide variety or range of factors including, but not limited to: the credit risks of lending activities, including changes in the level and trend of loan delinquencies and write-offs that may be impacted by deterioration in the housing and commercial real estate markets and may lead to increased losses and nonperforming assets in our loan portfolio, and may result in our allowance for loan losses not being adequate to cover actual losses, and require us to materially increase our reserves; changes in general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas; changes in the levels of general interest rates, and the relative differences between short and long term interest rates, deposit interest rates, our net interest margin and funding sources; fluctuations in the demand for loans, the number of unsold homes and other properties and fluctuations in real estate values in our market areas; results of examinations of us by the Office of Thrift Supervision and our bank subsidiary by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banks or other regulatory authorities, including the possibility that any such regulatory authority may initiate a formal enforcement action against the Company and/or the Bank such as a cease and desist order to take corrective action and refrain from unsafe and unsound practices which also may require us, among other things, to increase our reserve for loan losses, write-down assets, change our regulatory capital position or affect our ability to borrow funds or maintain or increase deposits, which could adversely affect our liquidity and earnings; our ability to control operating costs and expenses; the use of estimates in determining the fair values of certain of our assets, which estimates may prove to be incorrect and result in significant declines in valuation; difficulties in reducing risk associated with the loans on our balance sheet; staffing fluctuations in response to product demand or the implementation of corporate strategies that affect our work force and potential associated charges; computer systems on which we depend could fail or experience a security breach; our ability to retain key members of our senior management team; costs and effects of litigation, including settlements and judgments; our ability to implement our branch expansion strategy; our ability to successfully integrate any assets, liabilities, customers, systems, and management personnel we have acquired or may in the future acquire into our operations and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames and any goodwill charges related thereto; our ability to manage loan delinquency rates; increased competitive pressures among financial services companies; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business including changes in regulatory policies and principles, including the interpretation of regulatory capital or other rules; the availability of resources to address changes in laws, rules, or regulations or to respond to regulatory actions; adverse changes in the securities markets; inability of key third-party providers to perform their obligations to us; changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the financial institution regulatory agencies or the Financial Accounting Standards Board, including additional guidance and interpretation on accounting issues and details of the implementation of new accounting methods; the economic impact of war or any terrorist activities; other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting our operations; pricing, products and services; and other risks detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. Any of the forward-looking statements that we make in this Form 10-Q and in the other public reports and statements we make may turn out to be wrong because of the inaccurate assumptions we might make, because of the factors illustrated above or because of other factors that we cannot foresee. Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on our behalf. Therefore, these factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We undertake no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

 
23

 

Overview

First Savings Bank is a community-based savings bank primarily serving King and, to a lesser extent, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties, Washington through our full-service banking office located in Renton, Washington. First Savings Bank’s business consists of attracting deposits from the public and utilizing these funds to originate one-to-four family, multifamily, commercial real estate, business, consumer, and to a lesser extent construction/land development loans.

Our primary source of revenue is net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income, which is the income that we earn on our loans and investments, and interest expense, which is the interest that we pay on our deposits and borrowings. Changes in levels of interest rates affect our net interest income.

An offset to net interest income is the provision for loan losses which represents the quarterly charge to operations which is required to adequately provide for probable losses inherent in our loan portfolio.

Noninterest expense consists primarily of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment, data processing, marketing, postage and supplies, professional services, expenses associated with OREO and deposit insurance premiums. Salaries and employee benefits consist primarily of the salaries and wages paid to our employees, payroll taxes, expenses for retirement benefits, the equity incentive plan and other employee benefits. Occupancy and equipment expenses consist primarily of real estate taxes, depreciation charges, maintenance and costs of utilities. OREO expenses consist of valuation allowances related to real estate that we own as well as maintenance costs, taxes and insurance and gains/losses resulting from the sale of these properties.

We incurred a net loss for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010, of $24.9 million, or $1.43 per diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $28.0 million or $1.49 per diluted share for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. The change in operating results in the second quarter of 2010 as compared to the second quarter of 2009 was primarily the result of a $7.7 million increase in the loan loss provision to $26.0 million offset by a $13.7 million decline in noninterest expense due primarily to a $14.2 million goodwill impairment charge in the second quarter of 2009 with no comparable charge in 2010. In addition, results for the second quarter of 2009 were increased by a $4.1 million federal income tax benefit while there was no comparable tax benefit in the second quarter of 2010. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Company incurred a net loss of $42.6 million, or $2.45 per diluted share as compared to a net loss of $26.8 million or $1.41 per diluted share for the comparable period in 2009. The change in operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to the same period last year was primarily the result of a $19.2 million increase in the provision for loan losses to $39.0 million offset by a $10.0 million decline in noninterest expense due primarily to a $14.2 million goodwill impairment charge in the second quarter of 2009 with no comparable charge in 2010. In addition, results for the six months ended June 30, 2009 were increased by a $3.7 million  federal income tax benefit while  there was no comparable tax benefit in the same period of 2010.

During the six months ended June 30, 2010, our total loan portfolio decreased $92.3 million or 8.3% from December 31, 2009 primarily due to a $69.4 million or 42.3% decrease in construction/land development loans. Our one-to-four family residential loans decreased $27.3 million or 5.5%, multifamily loans increased $8.2 million or 5.6% and commercial real estate loans decreased $4.1 million, or 1.4%.

Our loan policy limits the maximum amount of loans we can make to one borrower to 20% of First Savings Bank’s risk-based capital. As of June 30, 2010, the maximum amount which we could lend to any one borrower was $27.0 million based on our policy. Exceptions may be made to this policy with the prior approval of the Executive Committee and ratified by the Board of Directors if the borrower exhibits financial strength or compensating factors to sufficiently offset any weaknesses based on the loan-to-value ratio, borrower’s financial condition, net worth, credit history, earnings capacity, installment obligations and current payment history.

 
24

 
 
The five largest borrowing relationships, as of June 30, 2010, in descending order were:

 
June 30, 2010
Aggregate Amount
 
Number
       
Borrower (1)
of Loans (2)
 
of Loans
       
                   
Real estate builder
$
    38.8
 million (3)
 
           147
       
Real estate builder
 
    29.3
 million (4)
 
           128
       
Real estate builder
 
    27.6
 million
 
           113
       
Real estate investor
 
    17.5
 million
 
               3
       
Real estate investor
 
    17.2
 million
 
             41
       
Total
$
  130.4
 million
 
           432
       
________________                  
(1)   The composition of borrowers represented in the table
       
        may change from one period to the next.
           
(2)   Net of undisbursed funds.
             
(3)   Of this amount, $36.0 million are considered impaired loans
       
        (of which $13.6 million are performing and $22.4 million are nonperforming).
 
(4)   Of this amount, $26.1 million are considered impaired loans
       
        (of which $12.0 million are performing and $14.1 million are nonperforming).
 

The total loan balance of our two largest merchant builders decreased $18.6 million to $68.1 million at June 30, 2010 from $86.7 million at March 31, 2010. The decrease was principally the result of $16.1 million in charge-offs.

The following table details the breakdown of the types of loans to our top five largest borrowing relationships at June 30, 2010:
 
 
Permanent
One-to-Four Family
 
Permanent
Multifamily
 
Permanent
Commercial
               
 
Residential Loans
 
Loans
 
Loans
 
Construction/
 
Aggregate Amount
Borrower
(Rental Properties)
 
(Rental Properties)
 
(Rental Properties)
 
Land Development (1)
 
of Loans (1)
                                       
Real estate builder (2)
$
      18.5
  million
 
$
          -
   
$
        1.7
  million
 
$
      18.6
  million
 
$
      38.8
  million
Real estate builder (3)
 
      22.7
  million
   
          -
     
        0.8
  million
   
        5.8
  million
   
      29.3
  million
Real estate builder
 
      18.2
  million
   
        1.0
  million
   
        0.1
  million
   
        8.3
  million
   
      27.6
  million
Real estate investor
 
          -
     
          -
     
      17.5
  million
   
          -
     
      17.5
  million
Real estate investor
 
      11.1
  million
   
        5.1
  million
   
        1.0
  million
   
          -
     
      17.2
  million
Total
$
      70.5
  million
 
$
        6.1
  million
 
$
      21.1
  million
 
$
      32.7
  million
 
$
    130.4
  million
 ________________                                  
(1)   Net of undisbursed funds.
                                 
(2)   Of the $36.0 million loans considered impaired, $16.3 million are one-to-four family residential loans and $17.9 million are
       
        construction/land development loans and $1.7 million are commercial loans.
                   
(3)   Of the $26.1 million loans considered impaired, $21.1 million are one-to-four family residential loans and $5.0 million are
       
        construction/land development loans.
                               
 
The two largest builders listed in the above tables, have in the past, retained a certain percentage of their finished homes in their own inventory of permanent investment properties, (i.e. one-to-four family rental properties). These two builders are currently marketing these properties for sale. For the two builders included in the table above, the total one-to-four family rental properties decreased $4.1 million, or 9.0% to $41.2 million at June 30, 2010 from $45.3 million at December 31, 2009, principally as a result of charge-offs during the second quarter of 2010.
 
 
25


We have classified all of the loans to our two largest merchant builders, excluding nearly all of their rental properties, as nonperforming. Both of these builders are current on all of their loan payments. As a result of the prolonged recession, these builders are experiencing cash flow difficulties. We are currently establishing workout arrangements with these borrowers to reduce the Bank’s exposure. These loans are included in the one-to-four family residential, construction/land development and commercial loan portfolios as set forth in the table above.

The following table includes construction/land development loans, net of undisbursed funds, by the five counties that contain our largest loan concentrations at June 30, 2010.
 

                         
Nonperforming
 
                         
Loans as a
 
         
Percent of
   
Nonperforming
 
Percent of Loan
 
County
Loan Balance (1)
Loan Balance (1)
 
Loans
 
Balance (2)
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
King
 
$
         38,484
   
46.26
%
   
$
           26,252
 
68.2
%
Pierce
   
         13,738
   
16.51
       
             7,788
 
56.7
 
Kitsap
   
           9,768
   
11.74
       
             9,017
 
92.3
 
Whatcom
   
           4,381
   
5.27
       
             4,381
     (3)
100.0
 
Snohomish
   
           3,138
   
3.77
       
             1,782
 
56.8
 
All other counties
 
         13,690
   
16.45
       
             7,775
 
56.8
 
Total
 
$
         83,199
   
100.0
%
   
$
           56,995
 
68.5
%
___________                       
(1) Net of undisbursed funds.
                     
(2) Represents the percent of the loan balance by county that is nonperforming.
   
(3) Represents one loan.
                     
 
Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are those that involve significant judgments and assumptions by management and that have, or could have, a material impact on our income or the carrying value of our assets. The following are our critical accounting policies.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses. Management recognizes that loan losses may occur over the life of a loan and that the allowance for loan losses must be maintained at a level necessary to absorb specific losses on impaired loans and probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Our methodology for analyzing the allowance for loan losses consists of two components: formula and specific allowances. The formula allowance is determined by applying factors to our various groups of loans. Management considers factors such as charge-off history, the prevailing economy, borrower’s ability to repay, the regulatory environment, competition, geographic and loan type concentrations, policy and underwriting standards, nature and volume of the loan portfolio, management’s experience level, our loan review and grading system, the value of underlying collateral, the level of problem loans, business conditions and credit concentrations in assessing the allowance for loan losses. The specific allowance component is created when management believes that the collectability of a specific loan, such as a construction/land development, multifamily, business or commercial real estate loan, has been impaired and a loss is probable. The specific reserves are computed using current appraisals, listed sales prices and other available information less costs to complete (if any) and costs to sell the property. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available or as future events differ from predictions.

Our Board of Directors approves the provision for loan losses on a quarterly basis. The allowance is increased by the provision for loan losses, which is charged against current period earnings and decreased by the amount of actual loan charge-offs, net of recoveries.

We believe that the accounting estimate related to the allowance for loan losses is a critical accounting estimate because it is highly susceptible to change from period-to-period requiring management to make
 
26

assumptions about probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio; and the impact of a sudden large loss could deplete the allowance and potentially require increased provisions to replenish the allowance, which would negatively affect earnings. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review a financial institution’s ALLL and carrying amounts of OREO. Such agencies may require the financial institution to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgment and information available to them at the time of their examination. For additional information see the section titled “Our provision for loan losses has increased substantially and we may be required to make further increases in our provision for loan losses and to charge-off additional loans in the future, which could adversely affect our results of operations,” within the section titled “Item 1A. Risk Factors”.

Valuation of OREO and Foreclosed Assets. Real estate properties acquired through foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is generally determined by management based on a number of factors, including third-party appraisals of fair value in an orderly sale. Accordingly the valuation of OREO is subject to significant external and internal judgment. Any differences between management’s assessment of fair value, less estimated costs to sell, and the carrying value of the loan at the date a particular property is transferred into OREO are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Management periodically reviews OREO values to determine whether the property continues to be carried at the lower of its recorded book value or fair value, net of estimated costs to sell. Any further decreases in the value of OREO are considered valuation adjustments and trigger a corresponding charge to noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Expenses from the maintenance and operations and any gains or losses from the sale of OREO are included in noninterest expense.

Deferred Taxes. Deferred tax assets arise from a variety of sources, the most significant being: a) expenses, such as our charitable contribution to the First Financial Northwest Foundation, that can be carried forward to be utilized against profits in future years; b) expenses recognized in our books but disallowed in our tax return until the associated cash flow occurs; and c) write-downs in the value of assets for book purposes that are not deductible for tax purposes until the asset is sold or deemed worthless.

We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount which can be recognized in line with the relevant accounting standards. The level of deferred tax asset recognition is influenced by management’s assessment of our historic and future profitability profile. At each balance sheet date, existing assessments are reviewed and, if necessary, revised to reflect changed circumstances. In a situation where income is less than projected or recent losses have been incurred, the relevant accounting standards require convincing evidence that there will be sufficient future tax capacity.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments In the Market Value of Investments. Declines in the fair value of any available for sale or held to maturity investment below their cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary results in a reduction in the carrying amount of the investment to that of fair value. A charge to earnings and an establishment of a new cost basis for the investment is made. Unrealized investment losses are evaluated at least quarterly to determine whether such declines should be considered other-than-temporary and therefore be subject to immediate loss recognition in income. Although these evaluations involve significant judgment, an unrealized loss in the fair value of a debt security is generally deemed to be temporary when the fair value of the investment security is below the carrying value primarily due to changes in interest rates and there has not been significant deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer. An unrealized loss in the value of an equity security is generally considered temporary when the fair value of the security is below the carrying value primarily due to current market conditions and not deterioration in the financial condition of the issuer. Other factors that may be considered in determining whether a decline in the value of either a debt or an equity security is other-than-temporary include ratings by recognized rating agencies; the extent and duration of an unrealized loss position; actions of commercial banks or other lenders relative to the continued extension of credit facilities to the issuer of the security; the financial condition, capital strength and near-term prospects of the issuer and recommendations of investment advisors or market analysts. Therefore continued deterioration of market conditions could result in additional impairment losses recognized within the investment portfolio.

 
27

 

Comparison of Financial Condition at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

General. Total assets were $1.3 billion at both June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. Increases in cash and interest-bearing deposits of $25.8 million, investments available for sale of $45.0 million and OREO of $4.7 million were offset by decreases in net loans receivable of $67.6 million, federal income tax receivable of $4.1 million and deferred tax assets of $12.1 million. Total liabilities were $1.1 billion at June 30, 2010, an increase of $33.0 million or 3.0% from December 31, 2009. The increase in total liabilities was the result of a $32.7 million increase in deposits. Stockholders’ equity decreased $41.7 million, primarily due to the 2010 year-to-date net loss of $42.6 million.

Assets. Total assets remained relatively unchanged at $1.3 billion at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The following table details the changes in the composition of our assets.
 
       
Increase/(Decrease)
     
 
Balance at
 
from
 
Percentage
 
 
June 30, 2010
 
December 31, 2009
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
               (Dollars in thousands)
                 
Cash on hand and in banks
$
                          7,867
 
$
                           (1,070)
 
                     (11.97) %
Interest-bearing deposits
 
                      122,944
   
                           26,911 
 
                       28.02
 
Investments available for sale
 
                      142,398
   
                           45,015 
 
                       46.22
 
Loans receivable, net
 
                      971,710
   
                         (67,590)
 
                       (6.50)
 
Premises and equipment, net
 
                        20,272
   
                                687 
 
                         3.51
 
Federal Home Loan Bank
               
   stock, at cost
 
                          7,413
   
                                     - 
 
                            -
 
Accrued interest receivable
 
                          4,813
   
                                (67)
 
                       (1.37)
 
Federal income tax receivable
 
                          5,379
   
                           (4,120)
 
                     (43.37)
 
Deferred tax assets, net
 
                                 -
   
                         (12,139)
 
                   (100.00)
 
Other real estate owned
 
                        16,493
   
                             4,658 
 
                       39.36
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
                          7,350
   
                              (980)
 
                     (11.76)
 
    Total assets
$
                   1,306,639
 
$
                           (8,695)
 
                       (0.66) %
                 
 
Cash and interest-bearing deposits increased $25.8 million to $130.8 million at June 30, 2010 from $105.0 million at December 31, 2009, as a result of $9.7 million in sales proceeds from OREO, $69.2 million in loan repayments and a $32.7 million increase in deposits. Investments available for sale increased $45.0 million, or 46.2% to $142.4 million at June 30, 2010 from $97.4 million at December 31, 2009. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, we purchased $58.5 million of investments primarily in mortgage-backed securities issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Net loans receivable decreased $67.6 million or 6.5% to $971.7 million at June 30, 2010, from $1.0 billion at December 31, 2009. This decrease in net loans was primarily the result of the $69.4 million decrease in total construction/land development loans. The reduction in this portfolio was achieved by a decrease in new loan originations, cancelling the majority of unfunded land development construction commitments, charging-off $26.3 million during the first six months of 2010 and loan repayments. One-to-four family residential loans decreased $27.3 million as result of loan repayments, lower loan demand and $10.9 million in charge-offs during the six month period ended June 30, 2010. The remainder of the loan portfolio had a net growth of $4.4 million. OREO increased $4.7 million or 39.4% to $16.5 million at June 30, 2010 from $11.8 million at December 31, 2009. During the first six months of 2010, the Company added $14.8 million to its OREO inventory and sold $10.1 million generating a $423,000 loss on these sales. Deposits increased $32.7 million or 3.5% to $972.1 million at June 30, 2010, from $939.4 million at December 31, 2009. The increase in deposits was used to fund the purchases of investments and contributed to the decrease in the costs of funding during the six months ended June 30, 2010 from December 31, 2009.

Loan originations for the six months ended June 30, 2010, totaled $38.7 million and included: $11.6 million in one-to-four family residential loans; $9.1 million and $6.8 million in multifamily and commercial real
 
 
28

estate loans, respectively; and $7.7 million in construction/land development loans to fulfill previous commitments to existing customers. We also originated $3.5 million in consumer loans. Origination activity for the first six months of 2010 was offset by repayments during the same period of $69.2 million, transfers to OREO of $17.7 million and charge-offs of $42.4 million. The originations in the construction/land development loan portfolio were primarily to our merchant builders so they could continue to complete their projects and utilize their existing land inventory. We are concentrating on working with our existing builders and have limited new originations. We have not expanded our customer base for this type of lending.

Deposits. During the first six months of 2010, deposits increased $32.7 million to $972.1 million. The increase in deposits was a result of competitive pricing of our deposit accounts. While most of our deposit categories increased from December 31, 2009, the increases in certificates of deposit of $25.7 million and money market accounts of $3.9 million comprised the majority of the increase. In an effort to increase our core deposits, we have both competitively priced our deposit products and continued our marketing campaign to attract new customers to the Bank. We did not have any brokered deposits at June 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009. A breakdown of our deposits by type is as follows:
 

             
June 30,
 
December 31,
             
2010
 
2009
             
(In thousands)
Noninterest-bearing accounts
$
         4,697
 
$
3,294  
NOW accounts
 
       12,792
   
12,740  
Statement savings accounts
 
       17,057
   
15,423  
Money market accounts
 
     198,229
   
194,315  
Certificates of deposit
 
     739,324
   
713,651  
             
$
     972,099
 
$
939,423  
 

Advances. Total advances were $139.9 million, remaining unchanged at both June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

Stockholders’ Equity. Total stockholders’ equity decreased $41.7 million, or 18.3% to $186.8 million at June 30, 2010 from $228.5 million at December 31, 2009. The decrease was primarily the result of our net loss for the first six months of 2010 of $42.6 million.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three and Six months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009

General. We incurred a net loss of $24.9 million for the second quarter of 2010, a decrease of $3.1 million from the comparable quarter in the prior year. Net interest income was $8.1 million for the second quarter of 2010, offset by the provision for loan losses of $26.0 million and noninterest expense of $7.0 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, we incurred a net loss of $42.6 million, an increase in the net loss of $15.8 million as compared with the same period in 2009. The increase in net loss was the result of increases in the provision for loan losses of $19.2 million and provision for federal income taxes of $7.7 million offset by a decrease of $10.0 million in noninterest expense.

Net Interest Income. Our net interest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, increased $1.1 million to $8.1 million, as compared to $7.0 million for the same quarter in the prior year. Average interest-earning assets increased $2.0 million to $1.3 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared to the same quarter in 2009. Average total interest-bearing liabilities increased $100.4 million to $1.1 billion for the second quarter of 2010 compared to $1.0 billion for the second quarter of 2009. During the same period our yield on interest-earning assets decreased 11 basis points while our cost of funds decreased 83 basis points. Our interest rate spread for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, increased 72 basis points to 2.26% from 1.54% during the same quarter in 2009. Our
 
 
29

 
net interest margin for the second quarter of 2010 increased 34 basis points to 2.58% from 2.24% for the same quarter last year.

Our net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2010, increased $973,000 to $16.1 million, as compared to $15.2 million for the same period in 2009. The reason for this increase was a decrease of $2.4 million in interest expense offset by a decrease of $1.4 million in interest income. Average total interest-earning assets increased $25.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, from $1.2 billion for the same period in 2009. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $120.2 million to $1.1 billion from the first six months of 2009. During the same period, yield on our interest-earning assets decreased 34 basis points while our cost of funds decreased 83 basis points increasing our interest rate spread for the first half of 2010 by 49 basis points to 2.24% from 1.75% for the same period last year. Our net interest margin for the first six months of 2010 increased to 2.59% as compared to 2.48% for the same period last year.

The following table sets forth the effects of changes in rates and volumes on our net interest income.

 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
 
 
Compared to June 30, 2009 Increase (Decrease)
 
Compared to June 30, 2009 Increase (Decrease)
 
 
 Rate
 
 Volume
 
 Total
 
 Rate
 
 Volume
 
 Total
 
 
 (Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-earning assets:
                                   
   Loans receivable, net
$
                  584
 
$
                (355
$
                  229
 
$
                     49
 
$
                (349
$
                (300
   Investments available for sale
 
                (206
 
                (379
 
                (585
 
                (347
 
                (856
 
              (1,203
   Federal funds sold and interest-
                                   
     bearing deposits with banks
 
                     26
   
                     27
   
                     53
   
                     54
   
                     58
   
                    112
 
                                     
Total net change in income on
                                   
   interest-earning assets
 
                  404
   
                (707
 
                (303
 
                (244
 
               (1,147
 
               (1,391
                                     
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                   
   NOW accounts
 
                     (9
 
                       4
   
                     (5
 
                    (15
 
                       8
   
                     (7
   Statement savings accounts
 
                    (18
 
                      10
   
                     (8
 
                   (38
 
                     20
   
                    (18
   Money market accounts
 
                 (314
 
                   190
   
                 (124
 
                (562
 
                  577
   
                      15
 
   Certificates of deposit
 
              (1,639
 
                  670
   
                (969
 
             (3,226
 
                1,372
   
              (1,854
   Advances from the Federal
                                   
     Home Loan Bank
 
                 (190
 
                   (87
 
                (277
 
                (376
 
                 (124
 
                (500
                                     
Total net change in expense on
                                   
   interest-bearing liabilities
 
              (2,170
 
                  787
   
              (1,383
 
              (4,217
 
                1,853
   
             (2,364
                                     
Net change in net interest income
$
               2,574
 
$
              (1,494
$
                1,080
 
$
               3,973
 
$
             (3,000
$
                  973
 
                                     
 

Interest Income. Total interest income for the second quarter of 2010 decreased $303,000, or 1.9%, to $15.4 million from $15.7 million as compared to the second quarter of 2009. Total interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2010, decreased $1.4 million or 4.3% to $31.1 million from $32.5 million as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2009.

 
30

 
 
The following table compares detailed average interest-earning asset balances, associated yields and resulting changes in interest income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:
 
                         
Increase/
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
(Decrease) in
 
 
2010
 
2009
 
Interest and
 
 
Average
       
Average
       
Dividend
 
 
Balance
 
Yield
   
Balance
 
Yield
   
Income
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                               
Loans receivable, net
$
   1,005,428
 
       5.67
%
 
$
     1,033,623
 
       5.42
%
 
$
            229
 
Investments available for sale
 
      121,742
 
       3.63
     
        157,047
 
       4.31
     
           (585
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing
                         
                 -
 
   deposits
 
      116,145
 
       0.25
     
          50,673
 
       0.16
     
              53
 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
          7,413
 
          -
     
            7,413
 
          -
     
                 -
 
Total interest-earning assets
$
   1,250,728
 
       4.93
%
 
$
     1,248,756
 
       5.04
%
 
$
           (303
                               
 
Interest income from loans increased $229,000 during the second quarter of 2010 as compared to the same quarter in 2009. The increase in loan interest income was primarily the result of the average yield on the loan portfolio increasing 25 basis points for the three months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 accounting for $584,000 of the increase. This increase was partially offset by a $28.2 million decrease in the average interest-earning loans resulting in a $355,000 decrease in interest income. The decrease in the average loan portfolio was due to charge-offs recorded in the period and the lack of loan demand. Interest income on investments available for sale decreased $585,000 to $1.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, compared to $1.7 million for the comparable quarter in 2009. The primary reason for the decline in interest income from investments available for sale was due to the decline in the average balance of investments available for sale of $35.3 million, resulting in a decrease of $379,000 in interest income.  In addition, the yield earned declined to 3.63% during the second quarter of 2010 from 4.31% for the same quarter in 2009, resulting in a $206,000 decrease in interest income.
 
                         
Increase/
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
   
(Decrease) in
 
 
2010
 
2009
 
Interest and
 
 
Average
       
Average
       
Dividend
 
 
Balance
 
Yield
   
Balance
 
Yield
   
Income
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                               
Loans receivable, net
$
   1,020,703
 
       5.65
%
 
$
     1,033,572
 
       5.64
%
 
$
           (300
Investments available for sale
 
      111,634
 
       3.79
     
        150,330
 
       4.41
     
        (1,203
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing
                             
   deposits
 
      107,518
 
       0.25
     
          30,196
 
       0.15
     
            112
 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
          7,413
 
          -
     
            7,413
 
          -
     
                 -
 
Total interest-earning assets
$
   1,247,268
 
       4.98
%
 
$
     1,221,511
 
       5.32
%
 
$
        (1,391
                               

Interest income from loans decreased $300,000 during the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The decrease in interest income was due to a decrease in average loan balances of $12.9 million resulting in a decrease in interest income of $349,000, partially offset by an increase in average yield of one basis point or $49,000. Interest income on investments available for sale decreased $1.2 million to $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to $3.3 million for the comparable period in 2009. The primary reason for the decline in interest income from investments available for sale was due to the decrease in the average balance which resulted in an $856,000 decrease in interest income. In addition, the yield on investments also decreased 62 basis points resulting in a $347,000 decline in interest income.
 
 
31


Interest Expense. Total interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2010 was $7.4 million, a decrease of $1.4 million as compared to the second quarter of 2009. Total interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2010, was $15.0 million, a decrease of $2.3 million from $17.3 million for the same six month period in 2009.

The following table details average balances, cost of funds and the resulting decrease in interest expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
       
 
2010
   
2009
   
Increase/
                         
(Decrease) in
 
Average
       
Average
       
Interest
 
Balance
 
Cost
   
Balance
 
Cost
   
Expense
   
(Dollars in thousands)
                             
NOW accounts
$
      13,046
 
        0.46
%
 
$
       10,961
 
        0.73
%
 
$
                 (5)
Statement savings accounts
 
      15,474
 
        1.27
     
       13,147
 
        1.73
     
                 (8)
Money market accounts
 
    199,557
 
        1.38
     
     162,139
 
        2.00
     
             (124)
Certificates of deposit
 
    732,534
 
        3.04
     
     664,138
 
        3.94
     
             (969)
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank
 
    139,900
 
        2.96
     
     149,765
 
        3.50
     
             (277)
Total interest-bearing liabilities
$
 1,100,511
 
        2.67
%
 
$
  1,000,150
 
        3.50
%
 
$
          (1,383)
 
The average balance of our money market accounts increased $37.4 million, which resulted in an additional $190,000 of interest expense as compared to the second quarter of 2009. This increase in money market balances was a result of our deposit pricing strategy and the desire of our customers to save more in this challenging economic environment. This increase in interest expense was partially offset by a decrease in the average cost of these funds of 62 basis points or $314,000 less in interest expense for the second quarter of 2010 as compared to the same quarter in 2009. The average cost of our certificates of deposit decreased 90 basis points as compared to the second quarter of 2009 primarily due to maturing certificates repricing to lower rates which equates to a decline in interest expense of $1.6 million. The decline in interest expense was offset by an increase in the average balance of certificates of deposit of $68.4 million, which resulted in an additional $670,000 of interest expense. Interest expense related to our average balance of advances from the FHLB decreased $277,000 primarily as a result of the decrease in the cost of funds as we extended our borrowings at lower interest rates.
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
       
 
2010
   
2009
   
Increase/
                         
(Decrease) in
 
Average
       
Average
       
Interest
 
Balance
 
Cost
   
Balance
 
Cost
   
Expense
   
(Dollars in thousands)
                             
NOW accounts
$
      12,971
 
        0.46
%
 
$
      10,474
 
        0.71
%
 
$
                 (7)
Statement savings accounts
 
      15,298
 
        1.24
     
      12,986
 
        1.74
     
               (18)
Money market accounts
 
    196,706
 
        1.45
     
    141,904
 
        1.99
     
                 15 
Certificates of deposit
 
    725,804
 
        3.13
     
    658,053
 
        4.01
     
          (1,854)
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank
 
    139,900
 
        2.94
     
    147,062
 
        3.48
     
             (500)
Total interest-bearing liabilities
$
 1,090,679
 
        2.74
%
 
$
    970,479
 
        3.57
%
 
$
          (2,364)

Our interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2010 decreased $2.4 million to $14.9 million from $17.3 million for the same period in 2009. The average balance of our money market accounts increased $54.8 million, which resulted in an additional $577,000 of interest expense as compared to the same period last year.  This increase in interest expense was almost completely offset by a decrease in the average cost of these funds of 54 basis points or $562,000 less in interest expense for the first six months of 2010 as compared to the same period last year. The average cost of our certificates of deposit for the first half of 2010 decreased 88 basis points compared to the first six months of 2009 resulting in a decline in interest expense of $1.9 million. This decline in interest expense was offset by an increase in the average balance of certificates of deposit of $67.8 million, which resulted in an additional $1.4 million of interest expense. Interest expense related to advances from the FHLB decreased $500,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2010, from the same period in 2009. The average balance of
 
 
32

 
advances and the average cost of funds decreased $7.2 million and 54 basis points, respectively, resulting in this decrease. The decrease in the average balance in advances was due to the Company capitalizing on the lower interest rate environment over the six month period ended June 30, 2010 to increase deposits to generate liquidity to fund the reduction in advances from the FHLB.

Provision for Loan Losses. We establish the provision for loan losses at a level we believe is necessary to absorb known and inherent losses that are both probable and reasonably estimable at the date of the financial statements. Our methodology in assessing the allowance for loan losses places greater emphasis on factors such as charge-off history, the economy, the regulatory environment, competition, geographic and loan type concentrations, policy and underwriting standards, nature and volume of the loan portfolio, management experience levels, our loan review and grading system and the value of underlying collateral. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available or as future events differ from predictions.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2010, management continued to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and concluded that a provision of $26.0 million was required for the quarter. Charge-offs for the second quarter of 2010 were $32.7 million as compared to $9.7 million for the first quarter of 2010 and $100,000 for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009. The balance of the allowance for loan losses at June 30, 2010 was $29.9 million, a decrease of $3.1 million from December 31, 2009. Nonperforming assets increased to $137.1 million at June 30, 2010, an increase of $4.6 million from $132.5 million at December 31, 2009. Nonperforming assets decreased $29.3 million at June 30, 2010, as compared to $166.4 million at March 31, 2010. This decrease was achieved by charging-off that portion of the loans that were deemed uncollectible, short sales and loan payoffs. Approximately half of the $32.7 million in charge-offs, during the second quarter of 2010, were related to the decline in the market value of the collateral supporting the lending relationships of two of the Bank's largest merchant builders discussed above coupled with short falls in cash flow related to their rental portfolios. These borrowers were current on their loan payments during the second quarter but have been experiencing cash flow challenges due to the extended economic recession.

During the second quarter of 2010, we charged-off more than our loan loss provision amount for the quarter. Our policy is to charge-off the portion of the loan that we deem is uncollectible. Our analysis includes obtaining a current appraisal in order to validate the current market value of the real estate underlying the loan.  At times we may not have a current appraisal when we perform our quarterly analysis and as a result, we include the amount that is deemed uncollectible in the provision for that quarter based on our internal evaluation. When the appraisal is received and after it has been reviewed internally to verify its validity, we charge-off the amount deemed uncollectible at that time. Some of the charge-offs that were recorded in the second quarter related to provisions that had been recorded in previous quarters.

The following table presents a breakdown of our nonperforming assets:
 
 
June 30,
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
Three-Month
 
 
2010
 
2010
 
2009
 
Change $
 
 
(In thousands)
 
                         
     One-to-four family residential (1)
$
          48,246
 
$
             48,035
 
$
             36,874
 
$
                 211 
 
     Commercial real estate
 
          14,657
   
             14,108
   
             11,535
   
                 549 
 
     Construction/land development
 
          56,995
   
             83,016
   
             71,780
   
          (26,021)
 
     Consumer
 
               747
   
                  759
   
                  514
   
                 (12)
 
Total nonperforming loans (2)
$
        120,645
 
$
           145,918
 
$
           120,703
 
$
          (25,273)
 
                         
Other real estate owned
 
          16,493
   
             20,500
   
             11,835
   
            (4,007)
 
                         
Total nonperforming assets
$
        137,138
 
$
           166,418
 
$
           132,538
 
$
          (29,280)
 
________________________________                         
(1) The majority of these loans are related to our merchant builders rental properties.
             
(2) There were no loans accruing interest which were contractually past due 90 days or more at the dates indicated.
       
 
 
33


The three largest nonperforming loans in the commercial real estate portfolio at June 30, 2010, consisted of a $2.0 million loan secured by an office building in Pierce County, a $1.9 million loan secured by an office building also located in Pierce County and a $1.5 million loan secured by land located in Whatcom County.

The three largest nonperforming, construction/land development loans include a $4.4 million loan on a 34-acre, 251-unit development in Whatcom County. The project consists of 77 detached condominium lots (single-family residences) and vacant land for 174 attached units (multifamily). All of the ground work has been completed and the property is ready for construction although no vertical construction has taken place.  The second largest nonperforming, construction/land development loan is a $2.5 million loan on a 24-unit residential subdivision in Thurston County.  All of the houses are finished and nine homes have been sold. We are in the process of obtaining deeds in lieu of foreclosure on the remaining 15 houses. The third largest nonperforming, construction/land development loan is a $1.9 million loan secured by 46 completed lots and two partially completed houses in Pierce County. At this time, we have no intention of providing additional construction funds except for funds to finish the two homes under construction.

During the second quarter, we obtained appraisals on the majority of the properties securing our nonperforming loans. We obtain appraisals on our nonperforming loans once per year or sooner if management believes significant changes have affected market values of the underlying properties. During the second quarter we received appraisals on nearly all of the properties underlying the loans to our two largest merchant builder relationships. Consequently, we have charged-off $32.7 million, of which $17.4 million was related to raw land. Loans on raw land comprised 3.77% of our total loan portfolio at June 30, 2010, down from 6.25% at December 31, 2009. We continue to work with these borrowers to reduce the Bank’s loss exposure.

The following table presents a breakdown of our OREO at June 30, 2010:
 
 
 King
County
 Pierce
County
 Snohomish
County
 Kitsap
County
 All other
counties
Total Other
Real Estate
Owned
Percent of
Total Other
Real Estate Owned
 
 (Dollars in thousands)
One-to-four family residential
$
      1,369
 
$
      1,473
 
$
                  332
 
$
               -
 
$
                   510
 
$
                 3,684
 
            22.34
%
Commercial
 
               -
   
     2,523
   
                        -
   
               -
   
                        -
   
                 2,523
 
             15.30
 
Construction/land development
 
     4,968
   
      1,208
   
                1,842
   
         970
   
                1,298
   
                10,286
 
            62.36
 
Total other real estate owned
$
     6,337
 
$
     5,204
 
$
                2,174
 
$
         970
 
$
                1,808
 
$
                16,493
 
          100.00
%
 

OREO decreased $4.0 million or 19.5% to $16.5 million at June 30, 2010 from $20.5 million at March 31, 2010. OREO at December 31, 2009 was $11.8 million. During the second quarter of 2010, loans transferred from the nonperforming loan category to OREO totaled $3.3 million. Capital improvements related to OREO were $286,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2010. We sold $6.7 million of OREO during the second quarter of 2010 which was comprised of 22 properties and generated a net gain of $14,000. We evaluate the market value of our OREO inventory quarterly. As a result of this evaluation, we expensed $897,000 related to the decline in the market value of our OREO as of June 30, 2010. Additional expenses related to OREO were $708,000 for the second quarter of 2010.

The three largest properties included in OREO at June 30, 2010 were a retail commercial building valued at $2.0 million located in Pierce County, a parcel of land valued at $1.6 million intended for multifamily residential development located in King County and a parcel of land with some improvements intended for a multifamily residential development valued at $1.2 million located in Pierce County. The $2.0 million retail commercial building is under contract to sell which is scheduled to close in the third quarter of 2010.

During the second half of 2010 we will focus our efforts on converting our nonperforming loans to OREO through foreclosure or deeds in lieu of foreclosure. These properties consist primarily of non-owner occupied and completed one-to-four family residential homes. By taking ownership of these properties, it will allow us to convert these nonearning assets to earning assets on a more timely basis.
 
 
34


The following table presents a breakdown of our troubled debt restructured loans:
 
 
At June 30,
 
At December 31,
 
2010
 
2009
 
 (In thousands)
Performing troubled debt restructured loans
$
                  46,575
 
$
                  35,458
Nonaccrual troubled debt restructured loans (1)
 
                  33,208
   
                  26,021
     Troubled debt restructured loans
$
                  79,783
 
$
                  61,479
____________________________________________           
(1)  Balances represent loans, net of undisbursed funds.
     
 

Our troubled debt restructured loans increased $18.3 million to $79.8 million at June 30, 2010 as compared to $61.5 million at December 31, 2009. As we work with our borrowers to help them through this difficult economic cycle, we explore all options available to us to minimize our risk of loss. At times, the best option for our customers and the Bank is to modify the loan for a period of time, usually one year or less. These modifications have included lowering the interest rate on the loan for a period of time and/or extending the maturity date of the loan or allowing interest only payments for a period of time. On rare occasions, we have pooled loans from an existing relationship, adjusted the interest rates on the loans in order to ensure the loans debt service is sufficient and charged-off the uncollectible balance of the loans. These modifications are granted only when there is a reasonable and attainable workout plan that has been agreed to by the borrower and is in the Bank’s best interest. Of the $79.8 million in troubled debt restructured loans at June 30, 2010, $46.6 million were classified as performing and $33.2 million were not performing according to their terms.

We believe that the allowance for loan losses as of June 30, 2010 was adequate to absorb the probable and inherent risks of loss in the loan portfolio at that date. While we believe the estimates and assumptions used in our determination of the adequacy of the allowance are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will not be proven incorrect in the future, or that the actual amount of future provisions will not exceed the amount of past provisions or that any increased provisions that may be required will not adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. Future additions to the allowance may become necessary based upon changing economic conditions, increased loan balances or changes in the underlying collateral of the loan portfolio. In addition, the determination of the amount of our allowance for loan losses is subject to review by the Bank’s regulators as part of the routine examination process, which may result in the establishment of additional reserves or charge-offs, based upon their judgment of information available to them at the time of their examination.

 
 
At or For the Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2010
   
2009
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
               
Provision for loan losses
$
       39,000
   
$
        19,800
 
Charge-offs
$
       42,385
   
$
          4,332
 
Recoveries
$
            204
   
$
                 -
 
Allowance for loan losses
$
       29,858
   
$
        32,450
 
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans outstanding
             
   at the end of the period, net of undisbursed funds
 
           2.97
%
   
            3.06
%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of nonperforming loans
             
   at the end of the period, net of undisbursed funds
 
         24.75
%
   
          25.07
%
Total nonaccrual and 90 days or more past due loans, net of undisbursed funds
$
     120,645
   
$
      129,428
 
Nonaccrual and 90 days or more past due loans as a
             
   percent of total loans, net of undisbursed funds
 
         12.01
%
   
          12.20
%
Total loans receivable, net of undisbursed funds
$
  1,004,393
   
$
   1,060,506
 
Total loans originated, net of undisbursed funds
$
       38,665
   
$
        78,411
 
 
Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased $159,000 to $62,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2010 from a loss of $97,000 in the comparable quarter in 2009. Noninterest income for the six months ended
 
 
35

June 30, 2010 increased $75,000 to $108,000 from $33,000 for the same period in 2009. The following table provides a detailed analysis of the changes in the components of noninterest income:

   
Three Months
 
Increase/(Decrease)
         
   
Ended
 
from
 
Percentage
   
June 30, 2010
 
June 30, 2009
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
                   (Dollars in thousands)
                               
Service fees on deposit accounts
   
$
          34
     
$
            1
     
          3.03  
%
 
Loan service fees
     
          42
       
        (23
   
       (35.38)
   
Other-than-temporary impairment on investments
 
             -
       
        152
     
     (100.00)
   
Amortization of servicing rights
     
        (36)
       
          22
     
       (37.93)
   
Other
     
          22
       
            7
     
        46.67
   
Total noninterest income
   
$
          62
     
$
        159
     
     (163.92)
%
 
                               
 
The increase in noninterest income was the result of no OTTI charge on investments available for sale recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to $152,000 recorded in the second quarter of 2009.
 

   
Six Months
 
Increase/(Decrease)
         
   
Ended
 
from
 
Percentage
   
June 30, 2010
 
June 30, 2009
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
                      (Dollars in thousands)
                               
Service fees on deposit accounts
   
$
          53
     
$
            4
     
          8.16
%
 
Loan service fees
     
          89
       
        (51
   
       (36.43)
   
Gain on sale of investments
     
             -
       
        (76
   
     (100.00)
   
Other-than-temporary impairment on investments
 
             -
       
        152
     
     (100.00)
   
Amortization of servicing rights
     
        (72
     
          39
     
       (35.14)
   
Other
     
          38
       
            7
     
        22.58
   
Total noninterest income
   
$
        108
     
$
          75
     
      227.27
%
 
 

Noninterest income was $108,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2010, as compared to $33,000 for the same period in 2009, primarily due to the absence of OTTI charges as discussed above. In addition, during the first six months of 2009, we recorded a net gain on the sale of investments of $76,000 as compared to no gain occurring during the same period of 2010.

Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense decreased $13.7 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2010 to $7.0 million as compared to $20.7 million for the same quarter in 2009. Noninterest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2010 decreased $10.0 million to $15.9 million from $25.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009.

 
36

 
 
The following table provides the detail of the changes in noninterest expense:
 
 
Three Months
 
Increase/(Decrease)
       
 
Ended
 
from
 
Percentage
 
June 30, 2010
 
June 30, 2009
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                     
Compensation and benefits
$
                        2,892
 
$
        (145
   
               (4.77
)%
Occupancy and equipment
 
                           424
   
        (869
   
             (67.21
Professional fees
 
                           487
   
            98
     
              25.19
 
Data processing
 
                           172
   
            22
     
              14.67
 
Marketing
 
                             78
   
            (5
   
               (6.02
Office supplies and postage
 
                             74
   
            23
     
              45.10
 
Gain on sale of OREO property, net
 
                            (14
 
          (14
   
           (100.00
OREO valuation expense
 
                           897
   
          897
     
            100.00
 
OREO related expenses, net
 
                           708
   
          592
     
            510.34
 
FDIC/OTS assessments
 
                           515
   
        (381
   
             (42.52
Goodwill
 
                                -
   
   (14,206
   
           (100.00
Bank and ATM charges
 
                             35
   
              -
     
                    -
 
Insurance/Bond premiums
 
                           150
   
          132
     
            733.33
 
Other
 
                           592
   
          159
     
              36.72
 
Total noninterest expense
$
                        7,010
 
$
   (13,697
   
             (66.15
)%
                     

The decrease in noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 was a result of the decrease in occupancy and equipment expense of $983,000 due to the write-off of the remaining book value of our lending center building during the second quarter of 2009 with no comparable write-off during the same quarter in 2010. OREO related expenses incurred during the second quarter of 2010 were $1.6 million with no related expenses in the comparable period in 2009. During the second quarter of 2009, we wrote-off $14.2 million in goodwill impairment with no similar charge for the same quarter in 2010.

 
 
Six Months
 
Increase/(Decrease)
       
 
Ended
 
from
 
Percentage
 
June 30, 2010
 
June 30, 2009
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
                     
Compensation and benefits
$
                        6,081
 
$
              5
     
                0.08
%
Occupancy and equipment
 
                           849
   
        (794
   
             (48.33
Professional fees
 
                           946
   
          250
     
              35.92
 
Data processing
 
                           342
   
            48
     
              16.33
 
Marketing
 
                           121
   
          (14
   
             (10.37
Office supplies and postage
 
                           131
   
              9
     
                7.38
 
Loss on sale of OREO property, net
 
                           423
   
          423
     
            100.00
 
OREO valuation expense
 
                        3,168
   
       3,168
     
            100.00
 
OREO related expenses, net
 
                        1,410
   
       1,294
     
         1,115.52
 
FDIC/OTS assessments
 
                        1,095
   
        (483
   
             (30.61
Goodwill
 
                                -
   
   (14,206
   
           (100.00
Bank and ATM charges
 
                             69
   
            (2
   
               (2.82
Insurance/Bond premiums
 
                           299
   
          262
     
            708.11
 
Other
 
                           943
   
            66
     
                7.53
 
Total noninterest expense
$
                      15,877
 
$
     (9,974
   
(38.58
)%

 
37

 

 The decrease in noninterest expense was related to the $14.2 million goodwill impairment charge recorded in the second quarter of 2009 with no comparable charge during the same period in 2010, offset by $5.0 million of OREO related expenses and net losses recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2010 with no related expenses recorded for OREO during the same period of 2009.
 
Federal Income Tax Expense. We have utilized all the tax benefits available to us, as a result, no tax benefit was recorded for the second quarter of 2010.

Federal income tax expense increased $7.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 to $4.0 million as compared to a $3.7 million tax benefit for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The increase in the provision for federal income taxes was principally a result of the increase in the valuation allowance of $16.6 million related to our deferred tax asset at June 30, 2010.

Under GAAP, a valuation allowance is required to be recognized if it is “more likely than not” that a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.  Our policy is to evaluate our deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis and record a valuation allowance for our deferred tax asset if we do not have sufficient positive evidence indicating that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will be realized.  At June 30, 2010, we considered positive and negative evidence, which includes cumulative losses in the most recent three year period and uncertainty regarding short-term future earnings due to market conditions.  We further considered that GAAP places heavy emphasis on prior earnings in determining the realizable deferred tax asset.  After reviewing and weighing all of the positive and negative evidence, we recorded a valuation allowance for the balance of the deferred tax asset in excess of the tax carryback refund potential, resulting in no deferred tax asset at June 30, 2010.

Liquidity

We are required to have enough cash flow in order to maintain sufficient liquidity to ensure a safe and sound operation. Historically, we have maintained cash balances above the minimum level believed to be adequate to meet the requirements of normal operations, including potential deposit outflows. On a daily basis, we review and update cash flow projections to ensure that adequate liquidity is maintained. See the “Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows” contained in Item 1 – Financial Statements, included herein.

Our primary sources of funds are from customer deposits, loan repayments, maturing investment securities and advances from the FHLB. These funds, together with equity, are used to make loans, acquire investment securities and other assets, and fund continuing operations. While maturities and the scheduled amortization of loans are a predictable source of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by the level of interest rates, economic conditions and competition. At June 30, 2010, certificates of deposit scheduled to mature in one year or less totaled $374.5 million. Historically, we have been able to retain a significant amount of the deposits as they mature. We believe that our current liquidity position and our forecasted operating results are sufficient to fund all of our existing commitments.

While our primary source of funds is our deposits, when deposits are not available to provide the funds for our assets, we use alternative funding sources. These sources include, but are not limited to: advances from the FHLB, wholesale funding, federal funds purchased, dealer repurchase agreements and brokered deposits, as well as other short-term alternatives. At June 30, 2010, the Bank maintained credit facilities with the FHLB totaling $408.9 million with an outstanding balance of $139.9 million. In addition, we have a line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (“FRB”) totaling $89.7 million which could be used for liquidity purposes. There was no balance outstanding for the FRB line of credit at June 30, 2010.

Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and the unused portions of lines of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Commitments to
 
 
38

 
extend credit and lines of credit are not recorded as an asset or liability until the instrument is exercised. At June 30, 2010, we had no commitments to originate loans for sale.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the loan agreement. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. We evaluate each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of the collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, varies, but may include real estate and income-producing commercial properties.

The following table summarizes our outstanding commitments to originate loans and to advance additional amounts related to lines of credit and construction loans at June 30, 2010.
 
       
Amount of Commitment Expiration - Per Period
             
After
 
After
     
             
One
 
Three
     
 
Total
       
Through
 
Through
 
After
 
Amounts
 
Through
 
Three
 
Five
 
Five
 
Committed
 
One Year
 
Years
 
Years
 
Years
 
(In thousands)
                             
Commitments to originate loans
$
         13,905
 
$
     13,905
 
$
               -
 
$
               -
 
$
               -
Unused portion of lines of credit
 
           9,423
   
          358
   
               -
   
       2,603
   
       6,462
Undisbursed portion of construction loans
 
         18,497
   
     14,432
   
       3,565
   
          500
   
               -
       Total commitments
$
         41,825
 
$
     28,695
 
$
       3,565
 
$
       3,103
 
$
       6,462
 
We are from time to time involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. There are currently no matters that in the opinion of management would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operation or liquidity.

Among our contingent liabilities are exposures to limited recourse arrangements with respect to sales of whole loans and participation interests.

We anticipate that we will continue to have sufficient funds and alternative funding sources to meet our current commitments.

Capital

Consistent with our goal to operate a sound and profitable financial organization, we actively manage our capital levels in order to be considered “well capitalized” in accordance with established regulatory ratios. As of June 30, 2010, we exceeded all regulatory capital ratios. Regulatory capital ratios for the Bank only were as follows as of June 30, 2010: Tier 1 capital 9.40%; Tier 1 (core) risk-based capital 14.49%; and total risk-based capital 15.78%. The regulatory capital ratio requirements to be considered well capitalized are 5%, 6% and 10%, respectively, although the regulators may impose higher capital levels, if warranted. In addition, the parent company of the Bank had approximately $49.8 million of capital at June 30, 2010.

At June 30, 2010, stockholders’ equity totaled $186.8 million, or 14.3% of total assets. Our book value per share of common stock was $9.93 as of June 30, 2010, as compared to $12.14 as of December 31, 2009.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market risk is defined as the sensitivity of income and capital to changes in interest rates and other relevant market rates or prices. Our profitability is largely dependent on our net interest income. Consequently, our primary
 
 
39

exposure to market risk arises from the interest rate risk inherent in our lending, deposit and borrowing activities. Interest rate risk is the risk to earnings and capital resulting from adverse movements in interest rates. To that end, we actively monitor and manage our exposure to interest rate risk.

A number of measures are utilized to monitor and manage interest rate risk, including net interest income and economic value of equity simulation models. We prepare these models on a quarterly basis for review by our Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”), senior management and Board of Directors. The use of these models requires us to formulate and apply assumptions to various balance sheet items. Assumptions regarding interest rate risk are inherent in all financial institutions and may include, but are not limited to, prepayment speeds on loans and mortgage-backed securities, cash flows and maturities of financial instruments held for purposes other than trading, changes in market conditions, loan volumes and pricing, deposit sensitivities, consumer preferences and management’s capital plans. We believe that the data and assumptions used for our models are reasonable representations of our portfolio and possible outcomes under the various interest rate scenarios. Nonetheless, these assumptions are inherently uncertain; therefore, the models cannot precisely estimate net interest income or predict the impact of higher or lower interest rates on net interest income. Actual results may differ significantly from simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes and changes in market conditions and specific strategies, among other factors.
 
Asset/Liability Management

Our primary objective in managing interest rate risk is to minimize the adverse impact of changes in interest rates on our net interest income and capital, while structuring the asset and liability components to maximize net interest margin, utilize capital effectively and provide adequate liquidity. We rely primarily on our asset/liability structure to control interest rate risk. We assume a high level of interest rate risk as a result of our business model which calls for us to originate and hold fixed-rate, single-family loans, which by their nature are longer-term than the short-term liabilities of customer deposits and borrowed funds.

Asset/liability management is the responsibility of the ALCO, which acts within policy directives established by the Board of Directors. This Committee meets monthly to monitor the composition of the balance sheet, to assess projected earnings trends and to formulate strategies consistent with the objectives for liquidity, interest rate risk and capital adequacy. The objectives of asset/liability management are to maximize long-term stockholder returns by optimizing net interest income within the constraints of credit quality, interest rate risk policies, capital levels, leverage and adequate liquidity. Assets and liabilities are managed by matching maturities and repricing characteristics in a systematic manner.

Net Interest Income

Our primary source of income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on loans and investments and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings. Like other financial institutions, we are subject to interest rate risk and expect periodic imbalances in the interest rate sensitivities of our assets and liabilities. Over any defined period of time, our interest-earning assets may be more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than our interest-bearing liabilities or vice versa. We principally manage interest rate risk by managing the volume and mix of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

Our income simulation model, based on information as of June 30, 2010, indicated that our net interest income over the subsequent 12 months was projected to increase in the increasing rate scenarios of 100, 200 and 300 basis points and the decreasing rate scenario of 100 basis points. Our income simulation model examines changes in net interest income in which interest rates were assumed to remain at their base level, gradually increase by 100, 200 and 300 basis points over a 12 month period, or decline assuming a gradual 100 basis point reduction in rates. Reductions of rates by 200 and 300 basis points were not reported due to the very low rate environment and the unlikely nature of rates declining that much further. In a rising rate environment we achieve an increase in net interest income due to our interest earning deposits repricing upwards, a high dollar amount of higher cost term liabilities repricing to lower rates in the next quarter and a variable rate deposit pricing strategy where the increase in rates paid on some deposit products is projected to be less than the increase in market interest rates. Interest
 
 
40

income would remain relatively constant due to the fixed-rate nature of our loan portfolio. Although, we will see a slight increase in interest income as our variable rate loans reprice in a rising rate environment. In a declining rate environment, net interest income increases as higher priced term liabilities reprice into lower priced term liabilities while interest income remains flat because of the fixed-rate nature of our loan portfolio.

 
 
June 30, 2010
 
 
Net Interest Income Change
 
 
Basis Point
Change in Rates
 
% Change
 
 
+300
 
6.51%  
 
+200
 
                   6.17
 
 
+100
 
                   5.58
 
 
Base
 
                   3.88
 
 
(100)
 
                   1.21
 
(1)
(200)
 
N/A      
    
(1)
(300)
 
N/A      
 
               _______________________       
(1)
The current federal funds rate is 0.25%
 
 
making a 200 and 300 basis point drop
 
 
impossible.
 
 

The changes indicated by the simulation model represent anticipated changes in net interest income over a 12 month period if rates were to gradually increase or decrease by the specified amount. The simulation assumes that the size of the balance sheet remains stable over the forecasted timeframe, with no growth or contraction regardless of interest rate movements. Additionally, the tendency for loan and investment prepayments to accelerate in falling interest rate scenarios and slow when interest rates rise are incorporated in the model assumptions. Included in the assumptions are increased investment purchases and loan originations at lower interest rate levels to offset accelerated prepayments and, conversely, reduced investment purchases and loan originations when rates increase and prepayments slow.

The rising and falling interest rate scenarios indicate that, if customer loan and deposit preferences do not change in response to further movements of the yield curve, a parallel 300, 200 or 100 basis point increase or a 100 basis point decrease in rates will result in a positive change in net interest income over the 12 month period.

Economic Value of Equity (EVE) Simulation Model Results

The following table illustrates the change in the net portfolio value at June 30, 2010 that would occur in the event of an immediate change in interest rates equally across all maturities. The simulation model results are reported quarterly and are predicated upon a stable balance sheet, with no growth or change in asset or liability mix. Although the net portfolio value measurement provides an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurement is not intended to and does not provide, a precise forecast.

 
41

 
 

The EVE analysis goes beyond simulating net interest income for a specified period to estimating the present value of all financial instruments in our portfolio and analyzing how the economic value of the portfolio would be affected by various alternative interest rate scenarios. The portfolio’s economic value is calculated by generating principal and interest cash flows for the entire life of all assets and liabilities and discounting these cash flows back to their present values. The assumed discount rate used for each projected cash flow is based on a current market rate, such as a FHLB or Treasury curve and from alternative instruments of comparable risk and duration.
 
 
           
June 30, 2010
                   
                     
Net Portfolio as % of
       
Basis Point
 
Net Portfolio Value (2)
   
Portfolio Value of Assets
   
Market Value
Change in Rates
 
Amount
 
$ Change
 
% Change
   
NPV Ratio (3)
 
% Change (4)
 
of Assets (5)
 
       
(Dollars in thousands)
             
+300
 
$
       120,522
 
$
  (69,168)
 
    (36.46)
%
 
        9.94
%
 
      (5.23)
%
 
$
     1,212,690
+200
   
       146,008
   
  (43,682)
 
    (23.03)
   
      11.64
   
      (3.30)
     
     1,253,960
+100
   
       169,064
   
  (20,626)
 
    (10.87)
   
      13.10
   
      (1.56)
     
     1,290,668
Base
   
       189,690
   
              -
 
            -
   
      14.34
   
            -
     
     1,322,815
(100)
   
       207,887
   
    18,197
 
        9.59
   
      15.39
   
        1.38
     
     1,350,401
(200)
(1)
 
N/A
   
N/A
 
N/A
   
N/A
   
         N/A
     
N/A
(300)
(1)
 
N/A
   
N/A
 
N/A
   
N/A
   
         N/A
     
N/A
 
(1)  
The current federal funds rate is 0.25%, making a 200 or 300 basis point decrease in rates impossible.
(2)  
The difference between the present value of discounted cash flows for assets and liabilities represents the net portfolio value or the market value of equity.
(3)  
Net portfolio value divided by the market value of assets.
(4)  
The increase or decrease in the net portfolio value divided by the market value of assets (base case).
(5)  
Calculated based on the present value of the discounted cash flows from assets.

In the simulated upward rate shift of the yield curve, the discount rates used to calculate the present value of assets and liabilities will increase, causing the present values of fixed-rate assets to decline and fixed-rate liabilities to increase. Our EVE simulation model results as of June 30, 2010 indicated that if rates increased 100, 200 or 300 basis points the market value of our assets would decrease. This decrease is largely because of the fixed-rate nature of our loan portfolio. The fair value of our equity would also decrease under all three rising rate shift scenarios. The opposite occurs if rates were to decline. The discount rates used to calculate the present value of assets and liabilities will decrease, causing the present value of fixed-rate assets to increase and fixed-rate liabilities to decrease. If rates were to decrease by 100 basis points, the market value of our assets would increase and the fair value of equity would increase.

If interest rates change in the designated amounts, there can be no assurance that our assets and liabilities would perform as set forth previously. Changes in U.S. Treasury rates in the designated amounts accompanied by changes in the shape of the Treasury yield curve could cause changes to the net portfolio value and net interest income other than those indicated previously.

At June 30, 2010, we had no derivative financial instruments, we did not maintain a trading account for any class of financial instruments, nor have we engaged in hedging activities or purchased off-balance sheet derivative instruments. Interest rate risk continues to be our primary risk as other types of risks, such as foreign currency exchange risk and commodity pricing risk do not arise in the normal course of our business activities and operations.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The management of First Financial Northwest, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). A control procedure, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives are met. Also, because of the inherent
 
 
42

 
limitations in all control procedures, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. As a result of these inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Further, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

(a)  
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures: An evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) and several other members of our senior management as of the end of the period covered by this report. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2010, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) accumulated and communicated to our management (including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) in a timely manner and (ii) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

(b)  
Changes in Internal Controls: In the quarter ended June 30, 2010, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


 
43

 

PART II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are engaged in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, none of which are currently considered to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, except that the following risk factors are added to those previously contained in the Form 10-K:

Certain regulatory restrictions were recently imposed on us and we expect to be subject to future additional regulatory restrictions and enforcement actions; lack of compliance could result in monetary penalties and/or additional regulatory actions.

On April 14, 2010, in connection with our most recent examination by the OTS, the members of the Board of Directors of First Financial Northwest entered into an informal supervisory agreement (a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”)). Under the terms of the MOU, the Company has agreed, among other things, to provide notice to and obtain written non-objection from the OTS prior to the Company (a) declaring a dividend or redeeming any capital stock; and (b) incurring, issuing, renewing or repurchasing any new debt. Further, as a result of the most recent examination of the Bank by the FDIC and the Washington State DFI, the FDIC notified us that we must obtain written non-objection from the FDIC before engaging in any transaction that would materially change the balance sheet composition (including growth in total assets of five percent or more), significantly change funding sources (including using brokered deposits) or declare or pay cash dividends. In addition, both the Company and the Bank must obtain prior regulatory approval before adding any new director or senior executive officer or changing the responsibilities of any current senior executive officer or pay pursuant to or by entering into certain severance and other forms of compensation agreements.

In light of the continuing challenging operating environment, along with our elevated level of nonperforming assets, delinquencies, and adversely classified assets, our recent operating results and the regulatory restrictions recently imposed on us, we expect the Bank to be requested to enter into a formal written enforcement order with the FDIC and the Washington State DFI. We expect that, under this order, the Bank will be required, among other things, to develop and implement plans to reduce concentrations in construction/land development loans; to improve asset quality and credit administration, to reduce classified assets and to improve profitability within specified time frames.

This expected enforcement action or any additional enforcement action by any of our regulators could also place additional limitations on our business and adversely affect our ability to implement our business plans. Even though the Bank remains well-capitalized, the regulatory agencies have the authority to restrict our operations to those consistent with adequately capitalized institutions. For example, if the regulatory agencies were to impose such a restriction, we would likely have limitations on our lending activities. The regulatory agencies also have the power to limit the rates paid by the Bank to attract retail deposits in its local markets.

 
44

 

Our provision for loan losses has increased substantially and we may be required to make further increases in our provision for loan losses and to charge-off additional loans in the future, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

For the six months ended June 30, 2010 we recorded a provision for loan losses of $39.0 million, compared to $19.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. We also recorded net loan charge-offs of $42.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared to $4.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. We are experiencing loan delinquencies and credit losses. Slower sales and excess inventory in the housing market has been the primary cause of the increase in delinquencies and foreclosures for residential construction/land development and one-to-four family loans, which represent 87.2% of our nonperforming loans at June 30, 2010. In addition, slowing housing sales have been a contributing factor to the increase in nonperforming loans as well as the increase in delinquencies. At June 30, 2010 our total nonperforming assets had increased to $137.1 million compared to $129.4 million at June 30, 2009. Further, construction/land development and commercial real estate loans have a higher risk of loss than residential mortgage loans.

If current trends in the housing and real estate markets continue, we expect that we will continue to experience higher than normal delinquencies and credit losses. Moreover, until general economic conditions improve, we expect that we will continue to experience significantly higher than normal delinquencies and credit losses. As a result, we could be required to make further increases in our provision for loan losses and to charge-off additional loans in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may have continuing losses.

We reported a net loss of $42.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to a net loss of $26.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. This loss primarily resulted from our high level of nonperforming assets and the resultant increased provision for loan losses. We may continue to suffer further losses.

Our allowance for loan losses may prove to be insufficient to absorb losses in our loan portfolio.

Lending money is a substantial part of our business and each loan carries a certain risk that it will not be repaid in accordance with its terms or that any underlying collateral will not be sufficient to assure repayment. This risk is affected by, among other things:

·  
the cash flow of the borrower and/or the project being financed;
·  
changes and uncertainties as to the future value of the collateral, in the case of a collateralized loan;
·  
the duration of the loan;
·  
the credit history of a particular borrower and
·  
changes in economic and industry conditions.

We maintain an allowance for loan losses, which is a reserve established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense, which we believe is appropriate to provide for probable losses in our loan portfolio. The amount of this allowance is determined by our management through periodic reviews and consideration of several factors, including, but not limited to:

·  
our general reserve, based on our historical default and loss experience and certain macroeconomic factors based on management’s expectations of future events and
·  
our specific reserve, based on our evaluation of nonperforming loans and their underlying collateral.

The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets
 
 
45

serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, we review our loans and the loss and delinquency experience, and evaluate economic conditions and make significant estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. If our estimates are incorrect, the allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio, resulting in the need for additions to our allowance through an increase in the provision for loan losses. Continuing deterioration in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an increase in the allowance for loan losses.

Our allowance for loan losses was 2.97% of loans, net of undisbursed funds, and 24.75% of nonperforming loans, net of undisbursed funds, at June 30, 2010. In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require an increase in the provision for possible loan losses or the recognition of further loan charge-offs, based on judgments different than those of management. If charge-offs in future periods exceed the allowance for loan losses, we will need additional provisions to increase the allowance for loan losses. Any increases in the provision for loan losses will result in a decrease in net income and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and our capital.

Our concentration in non-owner occupied real estate loans may expose us to increased credit risk.

At June 30, 2010, $213.8 million, or 45.6% of our one-to-four family residential mortgage loan portfolio and 20.9% of our total loan portfolio, consisted of loans secured by non-owner occupied residential properties. At June 30, 2010, nonperforming non-owner occupied residential loans amounted to $36.5 million. Prior to foreclosure, loans that were classified as non-owner occupied residential properties and are now classified as OREO, amounted to $3.6 million at June 30, 2010.

We may be impacted by the recent legislation passed in July 2010 - Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was signed into law on July 21, 2010.  Generally, the Act is effective the day after it was signed into law, but different effective dates apply to specific sections of the law.  Uncertainty remains as to the ultimate impact of the Act, which could have a material adverse impact either on the financial services industry as a whole or on our business results of operations and financial condition.  The Act, among other things:

·  
Increases the minimum reserve ratio for the deposit insurance fund from 1.15% to 1.35% and changes the basis for determining FDIC premiums from deposits to assets;

·  
Creates a new consumer financial protection bureau that will have rulemaking authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that would apply to all banks and would have broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws;

·  
Provides for new disclosure and other requirements relating to executive compensation and corporate governance;

·  
Provides mortgage reform provisions regarding a customer’s ability to repay, restricting variable-rate lending by requiring the ability to repay to be determined for variable-rate loans by using the maximum rate that will apply during the first five years of a variable-rate loan term and making more loans subject to provisions for higher cost loans, new disclosures, and certain other revisions;

·  
Creates a financial stability oversight council that will recommend to the Federal Reserve increasingly strict rules for capital, leverage, liquidity, risk management and other requirements as companies grow in size and complexity;
 
 
 
46


 
·  
Permanently increases the deposit insurance coverage to $250,000 and allows depository institutions to pay interest on checking accounts; and

·  
Merges the Office of Thrift Supervision within eighteen months into the Office of Comptroller of the Currency and transfers the supervision of savings and loan holding companies to the Federal Reserve.


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

There were no repurchases of equity securities in the second quarter of 2010.

On February 18, 2009, the Board of Directors approved a second stock repurchase plan for the purchase of up to 2,056,752 shares, or approximately 10% of our outstanding shares of common stock. During the first quarter of 2010, we repurchased 17,900 shares at an average cost per share of $5.92. There are 294,400 shares remaining to be repurchased under this plan at June 30, 2010. No repurchases of stock are anticipated at this time.
 
 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4. [Removed and Reserved]


Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits
 
  3.1  Articles of Incorporation of First Financial Northwest (1) 
  3.2  Bylaws of First Financial Northwest (1) 
  Form of stock certificate of First Financial Northwest (1) 
  10.1  Form of Employment Agreement for President and Chief Executive Officer (1) 
  10.2  Form of Change in Control Severance Agreement for Executive Officers (1) 
  10.3  Form of First Savings Bank Employee Severance Compensation Plan (1) 
 
10.4
Form of Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement entered into by First Savings Bank with Victor Karpiak, Harry A. Blencoe and Robert H. Gagnier (1)
  10.5  Form of Financial Institutions Retirement Fund (1) 
  10.6  Form of 401(k) Retirement Plan (2) 
  10.7  2008 Equity Incentive Plan (3) 
  10.8  Forms of incentive and non-qualified stock option award agreements (4) 
  10.9  Form of restricted stock award agreement (4) 
  14  Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (5) 
  21  Subsidiaries of the Registrant 
  31.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 
  31.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 
  32.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 
  32.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 
                  
________________________________________
(1)  Filed as an exhibit to First Financial Northwest’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (333-143549). 
(2)
Filed as an exhibit to First Financial Northwest’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
(3)  Filed as Appendix A to First Financial Northwest’s definitive proxy statement dated April 15, 2008. 
 
 
47

 
(4)  Filed as an exhibit to First Financial Northwest’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 1, 2008. 
(5)
Filed as an exhibit to First Financial Northwest’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
 

 
48

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
   First Financial Northwest, Inc. 
   
   
Date: August 5, 2010   /s/Victor Karpiak                                                      
   Victor Karpiak
   Chairman of the Board, President and
   Chief Executive Officer
   (Principal Executive Officer)
   
   
Date: August 5, 2010    /s/Kari Stenslie                                                        
    Kari Stenslie
   Chief Financial Officer
   (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
   
   
 


 

 
49

 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
32
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
 

 
50