SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION




SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-KSB


[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005 OR


[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Commission File Number: 0-22842


FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


    Missouri

  43-1654695

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)


 142 E. First Street

Mountain Grove, Missouri                        65711

(Address of principal executive offices)       (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (417) 926-5151


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


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:


Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

(Title of Class)


Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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    


Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-B contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or other information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB.  /x/


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act    Yes_____  No_x____


The registrant's revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005 were $16,172,610.


As of September 23, 2005, registrant had outstanding 1,552,010 shares of Common Stock.  The registrant's voting stock is traded over-the-counter and is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq/NMS") under the symbol "FBSI."  The aggregate market value of the common stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant, based on the closing sales price of the registrant's common stock as quoted on the Nasdaq/NMS on September 23, 2005, was $21.0 million. For purposes of this calculation, officers and directors of the registrant and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan are considered affiliates of the registrant.










DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE


1.  Portions of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2005. (Parts I and II)


2.  Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. (Part III)


Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one)

Yes     No  X





















































PART I


Item 1.  Description of Business


General


First Bancshares, Inc. ("First Bancshares" or the "Company"), a Missouri corporation, was incorporated on September 30, 1993 for the purpose of becoming the holding company for First Home Savings Bank ("First Home" or the "Savings Bank") upon the Savings Bank's conversion from a state-chartered mutual to a state-chartered stock savings and loan association ("Conversion").  The Conversion was completed on December 22, 1993.  At June 30, 2005, the Company had consolidated total assets of $244.0 million, total customer deposits of $187.1 million and stockholders' equity of $26.8 million.  The Company is not engaged in any significant activity other than holding the stock of First Home.  Accordingly, the information set forth in this report, including consolidated financial statements and related data, relates primarily to the Savings Bank.


The Savings Bank is a Missouri-chartered, federally insured stock savings and loan association organized in 1911.  The Savings Bank conducts its business from its home office in Mountain Grove and nine full service branch facilities in Marshfield, Ava, Gainesville, Sparta, Theodosia, Crane, Galena, Kissee Mills and Rockaway Beach, Missouri.  The deposits of the Savings Bank are insured up to applicable limits by the Savings Association Insurance Fund ("SAIF") of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC").  


The Savings Bank provides its customers with a full array of community banking services. The Savings Bank is primarily engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and using such deposits, together with other funding sources, to invest primarily in one-to-four family, multi-family and commercial real estate loans, land loans and commercial business loans, and to a lesser extent home equity and consumer loans, for its loan portfolio.  Excess funds are typically invested in mortgage-backed and U.S. Government and agency securities and other assets.  At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank's net loans were $158.1 million, or 64.81% of consolidated total assets, including $89.2 million, or 54.36% of total loans, for one-to-four family properties, $55.1 million, or 33.58% of total loans, for other real estate and $19.8 million of consumer and commercial business loans, or 12.06% of total loans.  Adjustable rate mortgage (“ARM”) loans account for approximately 95% of loans secured by real estate and 84% of the total loan portfolio.  See “-Lending Activities” herein.



Market Area


The Savings Bank is headquartered in the town of Mountain Grove, in Wright County, Missouri.  Wright County has a population of approximately 17,000 and its economy is highly diversified, with an emphasis on the beef and dairy industry. The Savings Bank's market area is predominantly rural in nature and its deposit taking and lending activities primarily encompass Wright, Webster, Douglas, Christian, Ozark, Stone and Taney counties. Companies in the area include Hutchens Steel, Life Time Lumber, Inc., Copeland Corporation, Dairy Farmers of America, WoodPro Cabinetry and Fordick Corporation.  The Savings Bank also transacts a significant amount of business in Texas and Greene Counties, Missouri.  The area, especially Ozark County because of its proximity to Norfolk and Bull Shoals lakes, has experienced a rather slow but steady growth from retirees.  Economic conditions in the Savings Bank's market area have been stable.






Selected Consolidated Financial Information


This information is incorporated by reference to pages 4 and 5 of the 2005 Annual Report to Stockholders ("Annual Report") attached hereto as Exhibit 13.



Average Balances, Yields Earned and Rates Paid


The earnings of the Savings Bank depend largely on the spread between the yield on interest-earning assets (primarily loans and investments) and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities (primarily deposit accounts and FHLB advances), as well as the relative size of the Savings Bank's interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liability portfolios.


The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information regarding average balances of assets and liabilities as well as the total dollar amounts of interest income from average interest-earning assets and interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, resultant yields, interest rate spread, net interest margin, and ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities.  Average balances for a period have been calculated using the average monthly balances for the period.  



 

                                                            Years Ended June 30,

 


2005

 


2004

 


2003

    

Interest

 

                     Interest

 

                             Interest

  

Average

 

and

 

Yield/

Average

and

Yield/

 

Average

and

Yield/

  

Balance(2)

 

Dividends

 

   Cost   

Balance(2)

Dividends

   Cost   

 

Balance(2)

Dividends

   Cost   

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Interest-earning assets:

               

  Loans(1)

 

$ 163,273

 

 $ 11,313

 

6.93

%

$ 170,140

 

 $ 11,965

7.03

%

$ 184,052

 $ 13,751

7.47

%

Mortgage-backed securities

 

     8,421

 

      295

 

3.50

 

     9,890

      

288

2.91

 

    5,860

       152

2.59

  Investment securities

 

37,942

 

 1,211

 

3.19

 

    42,724

 

1,327

3.11

36,003

      1,363

3.79

  Daily interest-bearing deposits

 

    25,048

 

      446

 

1.78

 

    26,143

 

     155

0.59

 

    23,038

 

      220

0.95

     Total interest-earning assets

 

   234,684

 

13,265

 

5.65

 

   248,897

 

13,735

5.52

   248,953

   15,486

6.22

Non-interest earning assets

             

  Office properties and equipment, net

 

     5,853

     

     6,008

   

     6,006

 

  Real estate, net

 

     2,844

     

     2,709

    

     2,522

 

  Other non-interest earning assets

 

     14,510

     

     12,782

    

     6,962

 

     Total assets

 

$257,891

     

$270,396

    

$264,443

 
               

Interest-bearing liabilities:

              

  Passbook accounts

 

 $  17,541

 

      142

 

0.81

 

 $  16,309

 

      133

0.82

 

 $  15,032

 

      215

1.43

  NOW and Super Saver accounts

 

    74,594

 

    641

 

0.86

 

    77,637

 

    686

0.88

 

    77,646

 

    1,268

1.63

  Certificates of deposit

 

   95,885

 

2,672

 

2.79

 

   109,087

 

3,256

2.98

 

   107,051

 

    3,941

3.68

     Total deposits

 

   188,020

 

    3,455

 

1.84

 

   203,033

 

    4,075

2.01

 

   199,729

 

    5,424

2.72






  Other interest-bearing liabilities

 

    29,261

 

    1,636

 

5.59

 

    29,242

 

    1,652

5.65

 

    29,712

 

    1,674

5.63

     Total interest-bearing liabilities

 

   217,281

 

    5,091

 

2.34

 

   232,275

 

5,727

2.47

 

229,441

 

    7,098

3.09

Non-interest bearing liabilities:

            

  Other liabilities

 

     11,997

    

     10,484

    

9,159

  

     Total liabilities

 

   229,278

    

   242,759

    

238,600

  

Stockholders' equity

 

28,613

    

    27,637

    

    25,843

  

     Total liabilities and

              

       stockholders' equity

 

$257,891

    

$270,396

    

$264,443

  

Net interest income

   

 $  8,174

    

 $  8,008

    

$ 8,388

Interest rate spread

    

3.31

 %

  

3.05

 %

  

3.13

 %

Net interest margin

    

3.48

 %

  

3.22

 %

  

3.37

 %

Ratio of average interest-earning

              

  assets to average interest-

              

  bearing liabilities

 

108%

    

107%

   

109%

   
               

__________________               

(1)  Average balances include nonaccrual loans and loans 90 days or more past due. The corresponding interest up to the date of nonaccrual status has been included in the "Interest and Dividends" column.

(2)  Average balances for a period have been calculated using the average monthly balances for the respective year.







Yields Earned and Rates Paid


The following table sets forth (on a consolidated basis) for the periods and at the date indicated, the weighted average yields earned on the Company’s and First Home's assets, the weighted average interest rates paid on First Home's liabilities, together with the net yield on interest-earning assets.


 

At June 30,

  

Years Ended June 30,

 
 

2005

  

2005

   

2004

 

2003

 

Weighted average yield on loan portfolio

6.97

%

 

6.93

%

 

   

7.03

%

7.47

%

Weighted average yield on mortgage-backed

           

  Securities

3.92

  

3.50

   

2.91

 

2.59

 

Weighted average yield on investment securities

3.58

  

3.19

   

3.11

 

3.79

 

Weighted average yield on interest-bearing deposits

2.80

  

1.78

   

0.59

 

0.95

 

Weighted average yield on all interest-earning assets

5.97

  

5.65

   

5.52

 

6.22

 

Weighted average rate paid on total deposits

1.95

  

1.84

   

2.01

 

2.72

 

Weighted average rate paid on FHLB advances

5.50

  

5.59

   

5.65

 

5.63

 

Weighted average rate paid on all interest

           

  -bearing liabilities

2.45

  

2.34

   

2.47

 

3.09

 

Interest rate spread (spread between weighted

           

  average rate on all interest-earning assets

           

  And all interest-bearing liabilities)

3.52

  

3.31

   

3.05

 

3.13

 

Net interest margin (net interest income

           

  (expense) as a percentage of average

           

  interest-earning assets)

N/A

  

3.48

   

3.22

 

3.37

 

















Rate/Volume Analysis


The following table presents certain information regarding changes in interest income and interest expense of the Company and Savings Bank for the periods indicated.  For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, information is provided with respect to (i) effects on interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate); (ii) effects on interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume); (iii) the net changes (the sum of the previous columns).   The effects on interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in both rate and volume are allocated to the change in volume variance and the change in the rate variance on a pro rated basis.


 

Years Ended June 30,

 

Years Ended June 30,

 

2005 Compared to 2004

 

2004 Compared to 2003

 

Increase/(Decrease)

 

Increase/(Decrease)

 

Due to

 

Due to

            
 

Volume

 

Rate

 

Net

 

Volume

 

Rate

 

Net

 

(In thousands)

Interest-earning assets:

           

  Loans (1)

 $   (478)

 

 $  (174)

 

 $(652)

 

 $   (1,005)

 

 $  (781)

 

 $(1,786)

  Mortgage-backed securities

(19)

 

      26

 

     7

 

      115

 

      21

 

     136

  Investment securities

(152)

 

     44

 

     (108)

 

      231

 

     (267)

 

     (36)

  Daily interest-earning deposits

      (6)

 

    290

 

    284

 

      36

 

    (101)

 

    (65)

Total net change in income on

           

  interest-earnings assets

      (655)

 

    186

 

    (469)

 

(623)

 

    (1,128)

 

    (1,751)

            

Interest-bearing liabilities:

           

  Interest-bearing deposits

    (289)

 

  (331)

 

  (620)

 

    90

 

  (1,439)

 

  (1,349)

  FHLB advances

      1

 

(16)

 

    (15)

 

      (25)

 

     3

 

    (22)

Total net change in expense on

           

  Interest-bearing deposits

      (288)

 

  (347)

 

  (635)

 

65

 

  (1,436)

 

  (1,371)

Net increase/(decrease) in net interest income

 $   (367)

 

 $ 533

 

 $ 166

 

 $   (688)

 

 $ 308

 

 $ (380)

            

 

(1)  Includes interest on loans 90 days or more past due not on nonaccrual status.



7








Lending Activities


General.  The principal lending activity of the Savings Bank is the origination of conventional mortgage loans for the purpose of purchasing, constructing or refinancing one-to-four family owner occupied homes within its primary market area.  In an attempt to diversify its lending portfolio, however, the Savings Bank also originates nonresidential real estate loans, consumer loans, mobile home loans, home improvement loans, commercial loans, business loans, student loans and loans secured by savings accounts.  The ratios of residential and commercial real estate loans to total loans has shifted gradually in recent years as a result of market conditions in the Savings Bank’s lending area and the hiring of seasoned loan officers experienced in commercial or agricultural lending.  Additionally, the Savings Bank has extensively used the Small Business Administration’s (“SBA”) guaranteed programs since September 2000.


In addition to loans within the Savings Bank’s primary market area, the Savings Bank also has originated eleven one-to-four family home loans and eleven commercial real estate loans in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada and Oregon.  The aggregate balance of these 22 loans at June 30, 2005 was $5.4 million.  These loans were performing according to the scheduled terms at June 30, 2005.


At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank’s net loans receivable totaled approximately $158.1 million representing approximately 64.8% of consolidated total assets.  Since 1973, the Savings Bank has primarily originated ARM loan products.  At June 30, 2005, ARM loans accounted for $137.1 million or 83.56% of the total loan portfolio and 95.05% of loans secured by real estate.  The Savings Bank focuses on serving the needs of its local community and strongly believes in a lending philosophy that emphasizes individual customer service and flexibility in meeting the needs of its customers.


Loan Portfolio Analysis.  The following table sets forth the composition of the Savings Bank’s loan portfolio by type of loan and type of security as of the dates indicated.  Construction loans are included in residential and commercial loans as these loans are typically made on a construction/permanent basis.  The initial term of the loan is the full term of a loan on a completed residence or building.  This is typically 25-30 years for a personal residence and 15-20 years for a commercial building.  At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank had $3.2 million, or 1.95% of total loans, in interim construction loans in its portfolio.  Because of the long-term nature and amount of its construction loans, the Savings Bank does not separately account for these types of loans.





8






 

At June 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Type of Loan:

                        

  Residential

$ 89,220

 

54.36

%

 

$ 95,339

 

56.21

%

 

$ 103,751

 

57.64

%

 

$ 114,092

 

59.14

%

 

$ 123,758

 

64.00

%

  Commercial or industrial real estate

    41,492

 

25.28

  

    40,196

 

23.70

  

    41,158

 

22.87

  

    41,179

 

21.34

  

    30,839

 

15.95

 

  Land

     9,450

 

5.76

  

     9,019

 

5.32

  

     9,892

 

5.50

  

    11,264

 

5.84

  

     12,526

 

6.48

 

  Second mortgage loans

     4,161

 

2.54

  

     3,882

 

2.29

  

     4,679

 

2.60

  

     5,195

 

2.69

  

     5,076

 

2.62

 

     Total mortgage loans

   144,323

 

87.94

  

   148,436

 

87.52

  

   159,480

 

88.61

  

   171,730

 

89.01

  

   172,199

 

89.05

 
                         

Other Loans:

                        

  Automobile loans

     4,910

 

2.99

  

     5,314

 

3.13

  

     5,972

 

3.32

  

     6,860

 

3.56

  

     7,772

 

4.02

 

  Savings account loans

1,709

 

1.04

  

     1,900

 

1.12

  

     1,813

 

1.01

  

     1,733

 

0.90

  

     1,685

 

0.87

 

  Mobile home loans

     2,139

 

1.30

  

     1,970

 

1.16

  

     1,742

 

0.97

  

     1,543

 

0.80

  

     1,302

 

0.67

 

  Other consumer

     979

 

.60

  

     1,629

 

.97

  

     1,805

 

1.00

  

     1,553

 

0.80

  

     2,080

 

1.08

 

  Commercial business

     10,057

 

6.13

  

     10,350

 

6.10

  

     9,172

 

5.09

  

     9,506

 

4.93

  

     8,344

 

4.31

 

     Total other loans

    19,794

 

12.06

  

    21,163

 

12.48

  

    20,504

 

11.39

  

    21,195

 

10.99

  

    21,183

 

10.95

 

     Total loans

   164,117

 

100.00

%

 

   169,599

 

100.00

%

 

   179,984

 

100.00

%

 

   192,925

 

100.00

%

 

   193,382

 

100.00

%

Add:

                        

  Unamortized deferred loan costs,

                        

    net of origination fees

       201

    

       224

    

       240

    

       265

    

       288

   

Less:

                        

  Undisbursed loans in process

     3,324

    

     2,324

    

     2,373

    

     3,358

    

     2,622

   

  Allowance for possible loan

                        

    Losses

2,851

    

     1,240

    

     1,144

    

       881

    

       696

   

Total loans receivable, net

$158,143

    

$166,259

    

$176,707

    

$188,951

    

$190,352

   





9






 

At June 30,

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Type of Security:

                        

Residential real estate

                        

  Second mortgage loans

$   2,061

 

1.26

%

 

$   2,265

 

1.34

%

 

$   2,758

 

1.53

%

 

$    3,055

 

1.58

%

 

$    3,233

 

1.67

%

  One-to-four family

   86,670

 

52.81

  

   96,113

 

56.67

  

   102,638

 

57.03

  

    114,178

 

59.18

  

    123,758

 

64.00

 

Multi-family

     437

 

0.27

  

     461

 

0.27

  

     1,741

 

0.97

  

      1,969

 

1.02

  

      1,797

 

0.93

 

Commercial or industrial real

                        

  Estate

    43,954

 

26.78

  

    41,556

 

24.50

  

    42,213

 

23.45

  

     41,397

 

21.46

  

     30,734

 

15.89

 

Land

     9,742

 

5.93

  

     8,536

 

5.04

  

     9,660

 

5.37

  

     11,148

 

5.78

  

     12,677

 

6.56

 

Commercial or industrial

                        

     Assets

     10,139

 

6.18

  

     10,247

 

6.04

  

     9,063

 

5.04

  

      9,528

 

4.94

  

      8,344

 

4.31

 

Automobile

     3,976

 

2.42

  

     4,693

 

2.77

  

     5,478

 

3.04

  

      6,810

 

3.53

  

      7,772

 

4.02

 

Savings accounts

     803

 

0.49

  

     1,260

 

0.74

  

     1,408

 

0.78

  

      1,523

 

0.79

  

      1,685

 

0.87

 

Mobile homes

     1,893

 

1.15

  

     1,681

 

0.99

  

     1,564

 

0.87

  

      1,518

 

0.79

  

      1,302

 

0.67

 

Other consumer

     4,442

 

2.71

  

     2,787

 

1.64

  

     3,461

 

1.92

  

      1,799

 

0.93

  

      2,080

 

1.08

 

     Total

   164,117

 

100.00

%

 

   169,599

 

100.00

%

 

   179,984

 

100.00

%

 

    192,925

 

100.00

%

 

    193,382

 

100.00

%

Add:

                        

  Unamortized deferred loan costs,

                        

    net of origination fees

       201

    

       224

    

       240

    

        265

    

        288

   

Less:

                        

  Undisbursed loans in process:

                        

   Nonconstruction loans

151

    

-

    

       165

    

      1,360

    

        937

   
                         

   Construction loans

     3,173

    

     2,324

    

     2,208

    

      1,998

    

      1,685

   

  Allowance for possible loan

                        

    Losses

     2,851

    

     1,240

    

     1,144

    

        881

    

        696

   

Total loans receivable, net

$158,143

    

$166,259

    

$176,707

    

$188,951

    

$190,352

   






10






One-to-Four Family Residential Loans. The primary lending activity of the Savings Bank has been the origination of mortgage loans to enable borrowers to purchase existing homes, to construct new one-to-four family homes or refinance existing debt on their homes.  Management believes that this policy of focusing on single-family residential mortgage loans has been successful in contributing to interest income.  The increases in delinquencies and losses over the last three years have primarily been the result of other lending activities rather than single-family residential mortgage lending.  At June 30, 2005, approximately $86.7 million, or 52.81% of the Savings Bank's gross loan portfolio, consisted of loans secured by one-to-four family residential real estate.  The Savings Bank presently originates ARM loans secured by one-to-four family properties with loan terms of 10 to 30 years.  Since 1973, the Savings Bank has originated almost exclusively ARM loan products. Initially, ARM loans were indexed to the Savings Bank's cost of funds.  In 1979, the Savings Bank discontinued the use of the indexed ARM loans and changed to its current policy of non-indexed ARMs, which generally allows, but does not require, the Savings Bank to adjust the interest rate once a year, up or down, not to exceed 1% per year.  Loans of this nature originated after 1988 generally are limited to a 6% maximum increase over the life of the loan.


The Savings Bank does not charge points on ARM loans and it does not charge appraisal fees.  It quotes an interest rate, or base rate, with no points and gives the borrower the option, if desired, to pay a 1% fee, but obtain the loan at 1% below the Savings Bank's base rate for the first year of the loan.  Construction loan borrowers can pay a 2% fee and receive a 2% reduction in the initial interest rate for the first year of the loan.  There is a $135 origination fee for purchase or refinanced loans and a $500 origination fee for construction loans.  The Savings Bank funds most of its loan commitments in a relatively short period of time.  If a commitment expires, the Savings Bank will generally renew the commitment upon request.


The Savings Bank underwrites ARMs based on an assumed 1% per year interest rate increase.  The Savings Bank's policy to adjust the interest rate once a year within 1% is a self-imposed limit. The Savings Bank's experience has been that most of its borrowers can manage an increased payment resulting from a 1% increase; however, an increase of over 1% may put a strain on the borrowers' ability to repay.  As a result, the potential for a substantial increase in interest payments on the Savings Bank's ARM loans is lessened as is the likelihood of delinquencies and defaults.


The Savings Bank's lending policies generally limit the maximum loan-to-value ratio on adjustable rate residential mortgage loans to 90% of the lesser of the appraised value or purchase price of the underlying residential property.  The Savings Bank requires title insurance or an abstract extension and attorney's opinion, fire and casualty coverage and a flood zone determination on all mortgage loans originated or purchased.  All of the Savings Bank's real estate loans contain "due on sale" clauses.  The Savings Bank’s personnel prepare all property evaluations at no expense to the borrower unless the property is outside its normal lending territory or the loan exceeds $250,000, in which event, independent appraisers are utilized.  At June 30, 2005 the maximum loan-to-value ratio on loans to local borrowers was generally 90%.


At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank had $3.2 million in interim construction loans in its portfolio with maximum loan to value ratios of 80% to 85%.  Typically, the Savings Bank limits its construction lending to individuals who are building their primary residences.  Generally, loan proceeds are disbursed in increments as construction progresses.  The Savings Bank does not require the substantiation of construction disbursements with related invoices nor are inspections performed by an independent source.  Construction financing generally is considered to involve a higher degree of loss than long-term financing on improved, occupied real estate.  Risk of loss on a construction loan is dependent largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction or development and the estimated cost (including interest) of construction.  During the construction phase, a number of factors could result in delays and cost overruns.  If the estimate of construction costs proves to be inaccurate, the borrower may be required to fund the cost overruns.  The Savings Bank has sought to minimize this risk by primarily limiting construction lending



11






to qualified borrowers in the Savings Bank’s market area and by limiting the aggregate amount of outstanding construction loans.  However, during the previous year, several construction loans have been made outside normal policy guidelines.  At June 30, 2005, these loans were performing according to stated terms.  These loans will be monitored closely until payoff or they comply with policy guidelines.  At June 30, 2005, speculative construction loans amounted to $681,000, or .41% of the total loan portfolio and custom construction loans amounted to $2.5 million, or 1.53% of the total loan portfolio.  The majority of these loans automatically convert into permanent residential real estate loans.  During construction, these loans typically require monthly interest-only payments.  Once construction is completed, payments convert to monthly principal and interest based on amortization schedules for conventional residential or commercial buildings.



Multi-Family Residential Loans.  At June 30, 2005, approximately $437,000, or 0.27% of the Savings Bank's gross loan portfolio consisted of four loans secured by multi-family residential real estate.  Multi-family real estate loans are generally originated at 80% of the appraised value of the property or selling price, whichever is less, and carry adjustable rate mortgages with the principal amortized over 10 to 30 years.  Loans secured by multi-family real estate are generally larger and involve a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential loans.  In addition, multi-family real estate loans carry risks similar to those associated with commercial real estate lending.  See " -- Consumer and Commercial Business Loans."  At June 30, 2005, three of the loans were performing according to scheduled terms and one loan was delinquent by one monthly payment.



The Savings Bank's largest multi-family residential loan was a $239,000 loan made in early 1999 with a balance at June 30, 2005 of $205,000.  The loan is secured by five separate properties with a total of 12 rental units in Harrison, Arkansas and a 400 acre farm in Douglas County, Missouri.  The loan is performing according to its scheduled terms.  



Land and Commercial Real Estate Loans.  The Savings Bank had loans outstanding secured by land and commercial real estate of $53.7 million, or 32.71% of the Savings Bank’s gross loan portfolio, at June 30, 2005.  The commercial real estate loans originated by the Savings Bank amounted to $44.0 million, or 26.78%, and are primarily located in the Savings Bank’s market area.  The average size of these loans is $144,000. These loans typically are made with adjustable interest rates with annual or less repricing dates.  The Savings Bank’s commercial real estate portfolio consists of loans on a variety of property types with no large concentrations by property type.  Land loans on property located primarily in the Savings Bank's primary market area amounted to $9.7 million or 5.93% of the total loan portfolio at June 30, 2005. The Savings Bank's land loans generally are secured by farm land used in beef or dairy operations and involve the risks associated with general agricultural conditions relative to those areas of agriculture.  These risks include adverse weather conditions, fluctuating market prices of both final product and production costs, factors affecting the physical condition of the cattle and government regulations.



The Savings Bank's largest commercial real estate loan at June 30, 2005 was a $2.1 million purchased loan.  The one-year term loan, which was extended for six months in April 2005, was to purchase 3,700 acres in northern Missouri.  The loan is performing according to its scheduled terms.  




12






Of primary concern in commercial real estate lending is the value of the underlying collateral along with the borrower's creditworthiness and the feasibility and cash flow potential of the property.  Loans secured by income properties are generally larger and involve greater risks than residential mortgage loans because payments on loans secured by income properties are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties.  As a result, repayment of such loans may be subject, to a greater extent than residential real estate loans, to supply and demand in the market in the type of property securing the loan and therefore, may be subject to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy.  If the cash flow from the project is reduced, the borrowers’ ability to repay the loan may be impaired.



Consumer and Commercial Business Loans.  The Savings Bank's consumer loans consist of car loans, appliance dealer loans, mobile home loans, savings account loans, and various other consumer loans.  At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank's consumer loans totaled approximately $11.1 million, or 6.77% of the Savings Bank's total loans.  Subject to market conditions, management expects to continue to market and originate consumer loans as part of its strategy to provide a wide range of personal financial services to its depository customer base and as a means to enhance the interest rate sensitivity of the Savings Bank's interest-earning assets and its interest rate spread.


At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank’s loan portfolio secured by automobiles amounted to $4.0 million, or 2.42% of total loans.  These loans are originated directly with the borrower.  The maximum term is 60 months for these loans.  The Savings Bank may lend up to 100% of the purchase price of a new automobile or up to the National Automobile Dealers Association published loan value for a used vehicle.  The Savings Bank requires all borrowers to maintain automobile insurance, including collision, fire and theft, with the Savings Bank listed as loss payee.


Loans secured by mobile homes at June 30, 2005 was $1.9 million, or 1.15% of total loans.  These loans afford the Savings Bank with the opportunity to charge a higher interest rate than on single-family residential lending due to the more rapidly depreciating collateral.  The age, size and overall condition of the mobile home are factors in the mobile home loan underwriting consideration process.  


The Savings Bank's procedures for underwriting consumer loans include an assessment of the applicant's payment history on other debts and ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan.  Although the borrower's creditworthiness is a primary consideration, the underwriting process also includes a comparison of the value of the security, if any, to the proposed loan amount.  




13






Consumer loans entail greater risk than do residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans which are unsecured or secured by rapidly depreciating assets such as automobiles, mobile homes, boats and recreational vehicles.  Any repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance.  The remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower.  In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower's continuing financial stability, and thus are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy.  Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans.  Such loans may also give rise to claims and defenses by a consumer loan borrower against an assignee of such loans such as the Savings Bank, and a borrower may be able to assert against such assignee claims and defenses that it has against the seller of the underlying collateral.  The Savings Bank’s delinquency levels for these types of loans are reflective of these risks.  Several factors which contributed to the increase in delinquencies and charge-off of consumer loans were that the Savings Bank did not include all relevant parties on note agreements and related documents, lack of regular monitoring procedures on delinquent or problem loans, and lack of prompt or no repossession of underlying collateral on seriously delinquent loans.  The Savings Bank is in the process of reviewing and updating procedures to attempt to reduce the negative effects of these factors.  See"-- Non-Performing Assets and Delinquencies."  At June 30, 2005, only $56,000 of the Savings Bank's consumer loan portfolio was 90 days or more past due.


Commercial business loans consist of loans to businesses with no real estate as security, such as business equipment loans, farm equipment loans and cattle loans.  As of June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, these loans totaled $10.1 million, $10.2 million, and $9.1 million, respectively.  The ratio of commercial loans as a percent of total loans increased during the three years ended June 30, 2005 to 6.18%, 6.04% and 5.04%, respectively.  These ratios are an indication that the Savings Bank does not particularly emphasize loans of this type, but may make such loans for well qualified customers.  See"-- Non-Performing Assets and Delinquencies" and “—Reserve for Loan Losses” for data on loans originated by the Savings Bank and categorized as "other loans" in the past three fiscal years.


At June 30, 2005, the average size of a loan in the commercial business category was $30,000.  These loans are typically structured as fixed rate term loans with maturities of five years or less.  The largest commercial loan at June 30, 2005 was a line of credit loan to an area family-owned automobile dealership.  The balance at June 30, 2005 was $448,000 and it was performing according to its scheduled terms.


Commercial business loans are often larger and may involve greater risk than other types of lending.  Because payments on such loans are often dependent on successful operation of the business involved, repayment of such loans may be subject to adverse conditions in the economy.  In recognition of this risk, the Savings Bank attempts to make loans secured by adequate collateral to provide the majority of repayment of the principal balance when business operations are not successful.  However, collateral for these types of loans may quickly decline in market value through normal usage and changes in technology.  In addition, the Savings Bank limits this type of lending to its market area and to borrowers with which it has prior experience or who are otherwise well known to the Savings Bank.  


The substantial increase in non-performing loans and delinquencies, as well as charge-offs, in the Savings Bank’s commercial business loans during the year ended June 30, 2005 reflects unique operating difficulties for individual borrowers rather than weaknesses in the overall economic condition of the Savings Bank’s market area.  In addition to the problems experienced by the borrowers, the collateral securing these loans was in many instances not properly securitized through allowable legal means and regular inspections were not performed .  Also, the collateral was not adequately analyzed at the time of the loan origination to take into account a collateral market value that declined more rapidly than amortization in the principal balance.



14








Second Mortgage Loans.  The Savings Bank offers adjustable rate second mortgage loans that are usually made on the security of the borrower's residence.  Loans normally do not exceed 80% to 85% of the appraised value of the residence, less the outstanding principal of the first mortgage, and have terms of up to 25 years requiring monthly payments of principal and interest.  At June 30, 2005, second mortgage loans amounted to $2.1 million, or 1.26% of total loans of the Savings Bank.



15








Loan Maturity and Repricing


     The following table sets forth certain information at June 30, 2005 regarding the dollar amount of loans maturing in the Savings Bank's portfolio based on their contractual terms to maturity, but does not include scheduled payments or potential prepayments.  Demand loans, loans having no stated schedule of repayments and no stated maturity, are reported as due in one year or less.  Mortgage loans which have adjustable rates are shown as maturing at their next repricing date.  Loan balances do not include undisbursed loan proceeds, unearned discounts, unearned income and allowance for loan losses.


    

After One Year

 

After 3 Years

 

After 5 Years

    
  

Within One Year

 

Through 3 Years

 

Through 5 Years

 

Through 10 Years

 

Beyond 10 Years

 

Total

  

 (In thousands)

Real estate mortgage

 


$       90,505

 


$          492

 


$          -

 

$           204

 

$            25

 

    

$    91,226

Commercial real estate

 

33,944

 

5,667

 

2,954

 

815

 

135

 

43,515

Land

 

9,274

 

253

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

9,527

Mobile home

 

1,589

 

77

 

219

 

146

 

163

 

2,194

Automobile

 

1,040

 

2,320

 

1,482

 

68

 

-

 

4,910

Savings account loans

 

1,509

 

153

 

33

 

14

 

-

 

1,709

Other consumer

 

626

 

230

 

31

 

68

 

24

 

979

Commercial business

 

6,694

 

886

 

1,699

 

684

 

94

 

10,057

     Total loans

 

$      145,181

 

$       10,078

 

 $      6,418

 

 $        1,999

 

 $        441

 

 $  164,117



16







     The following table sets forth the dollar amount of all loans due one year after June 30, 2005, all of which have fixed interest rates.


  

Fixed

 
  

Rates

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Real estate mortgage

 

 $     229

 

Commercial real estate

 

      265

 

Land

 

      -

 

Mobile home

 

       605

 

Automobile

 

      3,867

 

Savings account loans

 

    200

 

Other consumer

 

      353

 

Commercial business

 

    3,144

 

   Total

 

$   8,663

 




17






The following table sets forth scheduled contractual amortization of loans and mortgage-backed securities at June 30, 2005 and the dollar amount of such loans and mortgage-backed securities at that date which are scheduled to mature after one year and have fixed or adjustable interest rates.  Demand loans, loans having no stated schedule of repayments and no stated maturity are reported as due in one year or less.


  

At June 30, 2005

      

Commercial

   

Mortgage-

  

Mortgage

 

Consumer

 

Business

 

Total

 

Backed

  

Loans

 

Loans

 

Loans

 

Loans

 

Securities

  

(In thousands)

Amounts due:

          

  Within one year

 $  9,937

 

 $ 3,082

 

 $5,737

 

 $ 18,756

 

 $      -

  After one year

          

    through three years

    1,007

 

   2,821

 

  740

 

    4,568

 

        -

  After three years

         

    through five years

    2,056

 

   1,882

 

    1,885

 

    5,823

 

      388

  After five years

  131,268

 

   2,007

 

  1,695

 

  134,970

 

   10,404

       Total

 

 $144,268

 

 $ 9,792

 

 $10,057

 

 $164,117

 

 $ 10,792

           

Interest rate terms

         

  on amounts due after

        

  one year:

          

     Fixed

 

 $    494

 

 $ 5,025

 

 $3,144

 

 $ 8,663

 

 $  8,296

     Adjustable

 

  133,837

 

     1,685

 

  1,176

 

  136,698

 

    2,496

       Total

 

 $134,331

 

 $ 6,710

 

 $4,320

 

 $145,361

 

 $ 10,792













18






Mortgage Loan Solicitation and Processing.  The Savings Bank's main source of loans is from referrals from current or prior borrowers, limited walk-ins and contact and relationships with real estate agents.   Once a loan application is received, a credit and property analysis is completed including obtaining a credit report from local reporting agencies, verification of income and deposits through mail or direct contact, asset and liability verification as required and an evaluation of the property offered as collateral.  Real estate evaluations are completed by board approved staff personnel.  The application is then submitted for underwriting by designated staff members and forwarded to a loan officer for review and action along with the underwriter's recommendations.  Decisions are generally made within a week.  


Commercial loans are also primarily obtained through referrals and walk-ins.  While loan officers are delegated reasonable commitment authority based on their qualification, credit decisions on significant commercial loans are made by senior management or, in certain instances, by the Board of Directors.


Consumer loans are originated through referrals and existing deposit and loan customers of the Savings Bank.  Consumer loan applications below set limits may be processed at branch locations or by loan documentation personnel at the main office.


Loan Originations, Purchases and Sales.  The Savings Bank has never sold loans in the secondary market.



The following table shows total mortgage loans originated, purchased, sold and repaid during the periods indicated.


  

Years Ended June 30,

  

2005

 

2004

 

2003

  

(In thousands)

Total mortgage loans at beginning of period

 

 $ 148,436

 

 $ 159,480

 

 $ 171,730

Loans originated:

      

  One-to-four family residential

 

    23,711

 

    26,933

 

    26,601

  Multi-family residential and commercial real       estate

      10,709

 

    11,367

     

    10,047

  Land

 

     3,334

 

     3,263

 

     2,502

     Total loans originated

 

    37,754

 

    41,563

 

    39,150

       

Loans purchased:

      

  One-to-four family residential

 

       -   

 

       -   

 


       -  

  Multi-family residential and commercial real       estate

       -   

 

-

  

411

  Land

 

       -   

 

       -   

 

       -  

  Participation loans-commercial real estate

 

      

 -   

 

      

 2,100   

 

       -  

     Total loans purchased

 

      

 -   

 

      

 2,100   

 

       411

       

Loans sold

 

       -   

 

       -   

 

       -  

       

Mortgage loan principal repayments

 

    40,926

 

    53,726

 

    51,083

       

Other-loans charged off or

      



19






  transferred to other real estate(1)

 

941

 

981

 

       728

     Total other activity

 

941

 

981

 

       728

Total gross mortgage loans at end of period

 

 $ 144,323

 

 $ 148,436

 

 $ 159,480

       

Total mortgage-backed certificates at beginning of

     

  Period

 

 $   6,906

 

 $   12,278

 

$    2,759

Mortgage-backed purchased

 

    6,826

 

    2,550

 

  13,330

Mortgage-backed sold

 

       (126)

 

       -   

 

-

Principal repayments

 

    (2,806)

 

    (7,711)

 

(3,650)

Amortization of premiums

 

      (61)

 

      (153)

 

             (133)

Adjustment to market value

 

        53

 

       (58)

 

            (28)

Total mortgage-backed at end of period

 

 $  10,792

 

 $  6,906

 

        

 $  12,278


-------------   

(1)   Loans transferred to other real estate amounted to $754,000,$823,000 and $673,000 during fiscal 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  Mortgage loans charged off amounted to $187,000,$158,000 and $55,000 during fiscal 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.




20







Loan Commitments.  The Savings Bank issues commitments for one-to-four family residential ARM loans that are honored for up to a maximum of 30 days from approval.  If the commitment expires, it is generally renewed upon request without penalty or expense to the borrower at the current market rate.  The Savings Bank had outstanding net loan commitments of approximately $1.3 million at June 30, 2005.  See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Annual Report.


Loan Origination and Other Fees.  The Savings Bank does not charge points on ARM loans.  Instead, it quotes an interest rate, or base rate, with no points and gives the borrower the option, if desired, to pay a 1% fee, but obtain the loan at 1% below the Savings Bank's base rate at the time the loan is issued.  This option is only valid on ARMs that reprice annually.  Therefore, the Savings Bank may increase the rate at the loan’s anniversary date.  Subsequent increases in the loan's interest rate are based upon the reduced rate rather than the base rate.  Construction borrowers can pay a 2% fee and receive a 2% reduction in the initial rate.  Current accounting standards require fees received by the Savings Bank (net of certain loan origination costs) for originating loans to be deferred and amortized into interest income over the contractual life of the loan.  The Savings Bank had $201,000 net deferred loan costs at June 30, 2005.


Non-Performing Assets and Delinquencies.  The Savings Bank generally institutes collection procedures when a monthly payment is two to four weeks delinquent.  A first notice is generally mailed to the borrower, or a phone call made.  If necessary, a second notice follows at the end of the next two week period.  In most cases, delinquencies are cured promptly; however, if the Savings Bank is unable to make contact with the borrower to obtain full payment, or, full payment is not possible, and the Savings Bank cannot work out a repayment schedule, a notice to commence foreclosure may be mailed to the borrower.  The Savings Bank makes every reasonable effort, however, to work with delinquent borrowers.  Understanding that borrowers sometimes cannot make payments because of illness, loss of employment, etc., the Savings Bank will attempt to work with delinquent borrowers who are communicating and cooperating with the Savings Bank.  


The Savings Bank institutes the same collection procedures for non-mortgage loans.


The Board of Directors is informed on a monthly basis as to the status of all mortgage and non-mortgage loans that are delinquent 90 days or more, as well as the status on all loans currently in foreclosure or owned by the Savings Bank through foreclosure.


The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of non-performing assets in the Savings Bank's loan portfolio at the dates indicated.  Loans are placed on non-accrual status when it is determined that the payment of interest or principal is doubtful of collection, or when interest or principal is past-due 90 days or more.  Any accrued but uncollected interest previously recorded on such loans is generally reversed in the current period and interest income is subsequently recognized upon collection.  The Savings Bank would have recorded interest income on non-accrual loans of $167,000, $66,000 and $13,700 during the years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, if such loans had been performing during such periods.  






21






Nonaccrual loans increased during the year ended June 30, 2005 from $1.8 million at June 30, 2004 to $2.9 million at June 30, 2005.  The increase is primarily attributable to weakness in the Savings Bank underwriting practices.  At June 30, 2004, these loans were not past due more than 90 days.  Accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more have decreased during the year ended June 30, 2005 from $710,000 to $148,000 for the year ended June 30, 2005.  Two of those loans totaling $63,000 have been placed on nonaccrual status.  The three remaining past due loans totaling $85,000 are now current.   


The Savings Bank has identified six loans totaling $2.0 million which were considered impaired. These loans were delinquent less than 60 days but other factors had been identified which made the Savings Bank doubt whether it would fully collect the principal balance and accrued interest. Subsequent to June 30, 2005, one of these loans was charged off after a principal reduction of $32,000 from the sale of the collateral.  The total amount of the charge off was $396,000.  The remaining loans are being closely monitored and necessary action will be taken if they become more seriously delinquent or the Savings Bank obtains information of probable significant loss.



Home loans which are 60 or more days but less than 91 days past due have increased slightly during the fiscal year 2005. Savings Bank personnel have concentrated efforts on working with borrowers who were past due in the prior year.  This process reduces the amount of residential loans past due 60 days or more and moves these loans into the current or less than 60 days delinquent category.  



The following table sets forth information with respect to the Savings Bank's non-performing assets at the dates indicated.  At June 30 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Savings Bank had no restructured loans within the meaning of SFAS 15.  At June 30, 2005, there was one restructured loan of $428,000 which is included in the commercial business line item as a nonaccrual loan.  The decrease in total loans, net loans and total consolidated assets was also a factor in the percentage increases in nonperforming loans.



  

At June 30,

  

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

  

(Dollars in thousands)

Loans accounted for on

          

  a nonaccrual basis

          

    Real estate:

          

      Residential

 

 

$    221

 

 

  $158  

 

 $  -   

 

 $  -   

 

 $  -   

      Commercial

 

1,112

 

386

 

    176

 

    175

 

    -   

    Commercial business

 

1,502

 

1,224

 

    -   

 

    -   

 

     40

    Consumer

 


19

 


44

 

    -   

 

    -   

 

      9

        Total

 

 $ 2,854

 

 $ 1,812

 

 $  176

 

 $  175

 

 $   49

           

Accruing loans which are contractually

        

  past due 90 days or more:

         



22






    Real estate:

          

      Residential

 

 $  63

 

 $  555

 

 $  640

 

 $  666

 

 $1,623

      Commercial

 

    30

 

    142

 

    893

 

    261

 

  1,038

    Commercial business

 

    -   

 

    -   

 

     27

 

     24

 

    552

    Consumer

 

    55

 

    13

 

    214

 

    146

 

    275

        Total

 

 $ 148

 

 $710

 

 $1,774

 

 $1,097

 

 $3,488

           

    Total of nonaccrual and

         

      90 days past due loans

 $3,002

 

 $2,522

 

 $1,950

 

 $1,272

 

 $ 3,537

           

Real estate owned

 

    340

    

174

 

    282

 

399

 

    193   

           

Other non-performing assets

   

    

       

  

   

Impaired loans not past due or     past due less than 60 days

2,044   

 

  -

 

  1,368

 

    1,357   

 

     -   

Slow home loans (60 to     90 days delinquent)

 

  450

 

  430

  

1,173

    

1,507

 

    995

      Total non-performing assets

 $5,836

 

 $3,126

 

 $4,773

 

 $4,535

 

 $ 4,725

           

Total loans delinquent 90 days

         

  or more to net loans

 

1.90%

 

1.52%

 

1.10%

 

0.67%

 

1.86%

           

Total loans delinquent 90 days

         

  or more to total consolidated

         

  Assets

 

1.23%

 

0.95%

 

0.73%

 

0.49%

 

1.60%

           



23






Total non-performing assets

         

  to total consolidated

          

  Assets

 

2.39%

 

1.18%

 

1.78%

 

1.76%

 

2.14%



24







Asset Classification.  The OTS has adopted various regulations regarding problem assets of savings institutions.  The regulations require that each insured institution review and classify its assets on a regular basis.  In addition, in connection with examinations of insured institutions, OTS examiners have authority to identify problem assets and, if appropriate, require them to be classified.  There are three classifications for problem assets: substandard, doubtful and loss.  An asset is classified substandard when it is inadequately protected by the current new worth and paying capacity of the borrower or by the collateral pledged, if any.  Assets so classified must have one or more defined weaknesses and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the insured institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Doubtful assets have the weaknesses of substandard assets with the additional characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values questionable, and there is a high possibility of loss.  An asset classified loss is considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as an asset of the institution is not warranted.  If an asset or portion thereof is classified loss, the insured institution must either establish specific allowances for loan losses for the full amount of the portion of the asset classified as loss or charge off such amount.  All or a portion of general loan loss allowances established to cover possible losses related to assets classified substandard or doubtful may be included in determining an institution's regulatory capital, while specific valuation allowances for loan losses generally do not qualify as regulatory capital.  During a State of Missouri Division of Finance regulatory examination which began in June 2005, several loans, which the Savings Bank had not previously identified as classified assets,  were identified as classified assets by the examiners.  In light of this, an extensive review, conducted by an outside consultant, of the majority of outstanding loans and current underwriting and monitoring procedures is currently underway.  Completion of the review is anticipated by mid- to late October.


At June 30, 2005 and 2004 the aggregate amounts of the Savings Bank's classified assets as determined by the Savings Bank, and of the Savings Bank's general and specific loss allowances and charge-offs, were as follows:


  

At June 30,

  

2005

  

2004

  

(In thousands)

Loss

 

 $1,122

  

 $    -

Doubtful

 

    1,087

  

    2,141

Substandard assets

 

  3,841

  

  2,519

   Total classified assets

 $6,050

  

$4,660

     

General loss allowances

 $  1,729

 

 $  772

Specific loss allowances

    1,122

 

    468

     Total loss allowances

 $2,851

 

 $1,240

  

  

  

Charge-offs

 

 $  809

 

$ 346

     


The Savings Bank does not use a special mention category in its loan classification process. A category titled ‘watch’ is used by the Savings Bank to monitor loans which are not typical in their repayment terms, collateral, or a situation with the borrower that may create repayment difficulties in the future.  Loans classified as substandard, therefore, have one or more defined weaknesses and are characterized by the distinct possibility the Savings Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. The Savings



25






Bank's policy is to classify as substandard, for example, any loan, irrespective of payment record or collateral value, when a bankruptcy filing occurs, the pay record becomes erratic (i.e., miss several monthly payments, but make double payments in the future), or a loan becomes contractually delinquent by three monthly payments. The $1.0 million decrease in doubtful assets to $1.1 million at June 30, 2005 from $2.1 million at June 30, 2004 was the result of the classification of certain loans as loss and the related establishment of specific loss allowances for those loans included as doubtful at June 30, 2004. The increase in specific loss allowances was attributable to commercial loans to one borrower and related companies that have filed for protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.


During the years ended June 30, 2004 and 2005, the Company made a number of announcements with respect to the decline in its asset quality and the effect on its earnings.


On June 21, 2004, the Company disclosed that the Savings Bank had been informed that its largest substandard borrower had filed for protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  Loans outstanding to this borrower totaled $1.8 million and a reserve of $340,000 was established by the Savings Bank in connection with these loans.  After this announcement, the Savings Bank received updated information from bankruptcy filings which caused an additional $110,000 in the reserve to $450,000.

Subsequently, on March 11, 2005, the Company disclosed that it wrote-off a portion of the $1.8 million owed by this borrower, reducing the total amounts outstanding under the borrower’s loans to $1.6 million.  The write-off of a portion of the borrower’s debt decreased the Savings Bank’s reserve allocation from $450,000 to $265,000; In addition, the Savings Bank indicated that it had received information that there may be an additional expense as the result of the borrower’s possible draw on letters of credit of up to $765,000 and the absence of any additional collateral.  


On April 6, 2005, announced that, in addition to the borrower’s possible draw on letters of credit previously disclosed, there had been a draw request by the borrower of $580,000 on an additional letter of credit.   Based on information it received, the Savings Bank determined to honor $439,707 of the draw request, which the Company determined would decrease its earnings by $294,604 on an after tax basis during the quarter ended March 31, 2005.  The $439,707 is included in the Consolidated Statements of Income under other credit losses and related expenses in the noninterest expense section.

On April 14, 2005, announced that it had received additional information on the value of the collateral securing its largest substandard borrower’s loans and that as a result had determined to increase its reserves from $265,000 to $400,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.   

On June 3, 2005, the Company announced that it had received additional information on the value of the collateral securing one of the substandard loans, which would result in a decrease in earnings of $204,000 on an after tax basis for the quarter ended June 30, 2005.  


On July 29, 2005, the Company announced that in connection with further adverse developments as a result of certain loans in the Savings Bank’s loan portfolio and the overall deterioration of the loan portfolio caused by weaknesses in the Savings Bank’s underwriting practices, it would increase its allowance for loan losses by $1.8 million for the year ended June 30, 2005.  The Company reported that the approximate after tax effect of the increase would be a $1.1 million reduction in net income for the year ended June 30, 2005.


Finally, on September 9, 2005, the Company disclosed its earnings for the quarter and the year ended June 30, 2005 and announced that it had a net



26






loss of $652,000 for the quarter. Included in the net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 was a provision for the increase in allowance for loan losses of $1.8 million, as previously announced.  The increase in the allowance for loan losses was in connection with the Savings Bank’s determination there had been further adverse developments with respect to certain loans in its loan portfolio.  The approximate after tax effect of the provision to increase the allowance for loan losses was a $1.1 million reduction in net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. The Savings Bank also has a policy not to remove a loan from a substandard classification, again, irrespective of pay record or collateral value, until those perceived weaknesses are cured.  Because of this stringent classification policy, the June 30, 2005 substandard classification totals included $461,000 of loans that were current in their payment obligations.


At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank's largest substandard loans to one borrower consisted of three loans to an individual with a collective outstanding balance of $269,000.  One of the loans was performing according to its contractual terms at June 30, 2005 while the other two loans were past due by 91 days.  The borrower had experienced cash flow difficulties several times in the last twelve months.  The loans are collateralized by first deeds of trust on a real estate.  

 

Real Estate Owned.  Real estate acquired by the Savings Bank as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure is classified as real estate owned until it is sold.  When property is acquired, the unpaid principal balance of the related loan plus foreclosure costs are compared to the property's net realizable  value.  The property is then directly written down to the lower of cost or net realizable value.  Subsequently, the property is carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value with any adjustments made through the establishment of a specific reserve. At June 30, 2005, nine

properties were held as real estate owned with a total value of $340,000.  At June 30, 2004, five properties were held as real estate owned with a total value of $174,000.


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.


The Savings Bank’s Asset Classification Committee performs a quarterly review of the probable estimated losses in the loan portfolio.  The Committee reviews the following information:


(i)  All loans classified during the previous analysis – Current information such as payment history, or actions taken to correct the deficiency are reviewed and, if justified, the classification level may be upgraded.  If conditions have not improved, the loan classification is reviewed to ensure the appropriate action is being taken to mitigate loss.  

(ii)  Past due loans – The Committee reviews loans past due 60 days or more, taking into consideration the borrower, the nature of the collateral and its value, the circumstances that have caused the delinquency, and the likelihood of the borrower correcting the conditions that have resulted in the delinquent status.  The Committee may recommend more aggressive collection activity, inspection of the collateral, or no change in its classification.


(iii)  Reports from Savings Bank’s loan officers – Loan officers may be aware of a borrower’s circumstances that have not yet resulted in any past due payments but have the potential for problems in the immediate future.  Each loan officer reviews their respective lending unit’s loans and identifies any that may have developing weaknesses.  This “self



27






identification” process is an important component of maintaining credit quality as each loan officer is accountable for monitoring as well as originating loans.


(iv)  Current economic conditions – The Savings Bank takes into consideration economic conditions in its market area as well as national economic factors that could influence the quality of the loan portfolio in general.  



The Savings Bank’s methodology for analyzing the allowance for loan losses consist of three components: formula, specific and general allowances.  The formula allowance is determined by applying an estimated loss percentage to various groups of loans.  The loss percentage are generally based on various historical measures such as the amount and type of classified loans, past due ratios and loss experience, which could affect the collectibility of the respective loan types.


The specific allowance component is created when management believes that the collectibility of a specific large loan, such as a real estate, multi-family or commercial real estate loan, has been impaired and a loss is probable.


The general allowance element relates to assets with no well-defined deficiency or weakness (i.e., assets classified pass or watch) and takes into consideration loss that is inherent within the portfolio but has not been realized.  Borrowers are impacted by events well in advance of a lender’s  knowledge that may ultimately results in a loan default and eventual loss. Examples of such loss-causing events in the case of consumer or one-to-four-family residential loans would be a borrower job loss, divorce or medical crisis.  Examples in commercial or construction loans may be the loss of customers due to competition or changes in the economy.  General allowances for each major loan type are determined by applying to the associated loan balance loss factors that take into consideration past loss experience, asset duration, economic conditions and overall portfolio quality.


The allowance is increased by the provision for loan losses, which is charged against current period operating results and decreased by the amount of actual loan charge-offs, net of recoveries.


The Savings Bank had reserves for loan losses at June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003 of approximately $2.9 million, $1.2 million, and $1.1 million respectively.  The calculation of reserves for loan losses at June 30, 2005 contained a substantial increase for loans identified as impaired.  The collectibility of these loans was analyzed on an individual basis and any probable loss was included in the calculation.  Also, a higher  historical loss percentage as a result of increased losses in the prior two years was used to calculate the formula allowance portion of the provision calculation.


Management believes that loan loss reserves were adequate at June 30, 2005.  However, if the underlying facts and circumstances of the loan portfolio change in the future, the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses will be addressed and, if need be, adjusted accordingly.


While the Savings Bank believes it has established its existing allowance for loan losses in accordance with GAAP, there can be no assurance that regulators, in reviewing the Savings Bank's loan portfolio, will not request the Savings Bank to significantly increase its allowance for loan losses.  Any material increase in reserves may adversely affect the Savings Bank's financial condition and earnings.



28







The following table sets forth an analysis of the Savings Bank's gross reserve for possible loan losses for the periods indicated.  Where specific loan loss reserves have been established, any difference between the loss reserve and the amount of loss realized has been charged or credited to current income.

  

At June 30,

  

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

  

(Dollars in thousands)

Allowance at beginning of period

$1,240

 

 $ 1,144

 

 $  884

 

 $  698

 

 $  597

Provision for loan losses

 

2,333

 

    340

 

    427

 

    374

 

      155

Recoveries:

          

  Residential real estate

 

1

 

      9

 

    7   

 

      -

 

    5   

  Commercial real estate

 

9

 

    -   

 

    -   

 

    -   

 

    -   

  Consumer

 

62

 

     79

 

     53

 

      16

 

      1

  Commercial business

 

15

 

   14   

 

    -   

 

    -   

 

    -   

    Total recoveries

 

87

 

     102

 

     60

 

      16

 

      6

           

Charge offs:

          

  Residential real estate

 

110

 

     41

 

     44

 

     36

 

     20

  Commercial real estate

 

77

 

     127

 

     18

 

   23   

 

    -   

  Consumer

 

415

 

    147

 

    165

 

     143

 

     37

  Commercial business

 

207

 

   31   

 

      -

 

      2

 

    3   

    Total charge offs

 

809

 

    346

 

    227

 

     204

 

     60

    Net charge offs

 

722

 

    244

 

    167

 

     188

 

     54

      Allowance at end of period

$2,851

 

 $1,240

 

 $1,144

 

 $  884

 

 $  698

           

  Ratio of allowance to total loans

         

  outstanding at the end of the       period

1.74%

 

0.73%

 

0.63%

 

0.46%

 

0.36%

  Ratio of net charge offs to average loans

        

 Loans outstanding during the period

0.44%

 

0.14%

 

0.09%

 

0.10%

 

0.03%







29






















Allowance for Loan Losses by Category

 

At June 30,

 

 

2005

  

2004

  

2003

 
     

Percent

      

Percent

      

Percent

 
   

Percent

 

of Gross

    

Percent

 

of Gross

    

Percent

 

of Gross

 
   

of Allowance

 

Loans in

    

of Allowance

 

Loans in

    

of Allowance

 

Loans in

 
   

to Gross

 

Category

    

to Gross

 

Category

    

to Gross

 

Category

 
   

Loans in

 

to Gross

    

Loans in

 

to Gross

    

Loans in

 

to Gross

 
 

Amount

 

Category

 

Loans

  

Amount

 

Category

 

Loans

  

Amount

 

Category

 

Loans

 
 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Real estate -- mortgage:

                    

  Residential

 $   217

 

0.24

%

54.36

%

 

 $   283

 

0.30

%

56.21

%

 

 $   287

 

0.28

%

57.64

%

  Commercial

759

 

1.83

 

25.28

  

337

 

0.84

 

23.70

  

302

 

0.73

 

22.87

 

  Land

26

 

0.28

 

5.76

  

31

 

0.34

 

5.32

  

26

 

0.26

 

5.50

 

  Second mortgage loans

32

 

0.76

 

2.54

  

20

 

0.52

 

2.29

  

33

 

0.71

 

2.60

 

Consumer

177

 

1.82

 

5.93

  

240

 

2.22

 

6.38

  

182

 

1.61

 

6.30

 

Commercial business

1,640

 

16.30

 

6.13

  

329

 

3.18

 

6.10

  

314

 

3.43

 

5.09

 

     Total allowance for

                    

        loan losses

 $ 2,851

 

1.74

%

100.00

%

 

 $ 1,240

 

0.73

%

100.00

%

 

 $  1,144

 

0.64

%

100.00

%



 

At June 30,



30






 

2002

  

2001

 
     

Percent

      

Percent

 
   

Percent

 

Of Gross

    

Percent

 

of Gross

 
   

of Allowance

 

Loans in

    

of Allowance

 

Loans in

 
   

to Gross

 

Category

    

to Gross

 

Category

 
   

Loans in

 

To Gross

    

Loans in

 

to Gross

 
 

Amount

 

Category

 

Loans

  

Amount

 

Category

 

Loans

 
 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Real estate -- mortgage:

             

  Residential

 $   252

 

0.22

%

59.14

%

 

 $   193

 

0.16

%

64.00

%

  Commercial

238

 

0.58

 

21.34

  

127

 

0.41

 

15.95

 

  Land

22

 

0.20

 

5.84

  

23

 

0.18

 

6.48

 

  Second mortgage loans

19

 

0.37

 

2.69

  

14

 

0.28

 

2.62

 

Consumer

138

 

1.18

 

6.06

  

203

 

1.58

 

6.64

 

Commercial business

215

 

2.27

 

4.93

  

136

 

1.63

 

4.31

 

Total allowance for

             

loan losses

 $   884

 

0.46

%

100.00

%

 

 $   696

 

0.36

%

100.00

%




31









Investment Activities


Savings and loan associations have authority to invest in various types of liquid assets, including United States Treasury obligations, securities of various Federal agencies and of state and municipal governments, deposits at the FHLB-Des Moines, certificates of deposit of federally insured institutions, certain bankers' acceptances and federal funds.  Subject to various restrictions, savings institutions may also invest a portion of their assets in commercial paper, corporate debt securities and mutual funds, the assets of which conform to the investments that federally chartered savings institutions are otherwise authorized to make directly.  Savings institutions are also required to maintain minimum levels of liquid assets which vary from time to time.  See "REGULATION OF FIRST HOME -- Federal Home Loan Bank System."  The Savings Bank may decide to increase its liquidity above the required levels depending upon the availability of funds and comparative yields on investments in relation to return on loans.


Routine short-term investment decisions, which are reported monthly to the Board of Directors, are made by the President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, who act within policies established by the Board.  Those investments include federally insured certificates of deposit, FHLB term time obligations, bankers acceptances, treasury obligations, U.S. Government agency obligations, mortgage-backed securities, bank qualifying municipal tax exempt bonds, and corporate bonds.  Securities not within the parameters of the policies require prior Board approval.  Securities are purchased for investment purposes.  The goals of the Savings Bank's investment policy are to select investments based on safety first, flexibility second and diversification third.  In addition, as a result of the concern with interest rate risk exposure, there has been a focus on short-term investments.  At June 30, 2005, the Company's and the Savings Bank's securities investment portfolio totaled $34.2 million and consisted primarily of federal agency obligations securities, common and preferred stocks, and municipal bonds.  For further information concerning the Savings Bank's investment and mortgage-backed securities portfolio, see Notes  2, 3 and 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report.




32






Investment Securities Analysis


The following table sets forth the Company's and the Savings Bank's investment securities portfolio at carrying value at the dates indicated. Securities that are held-to-maturity are shown at amortized cost, and securities that are available-for-sale are shown at the current market value.


 

At June 30,

 

2005

  

2004

  

2003

 
 

Book

 

Percent of

  

Book

 

Percent of

  

Book

 

Percent of

 
 

Value(1)

 

Portfolio

  

Value(1)

 

Portfolio

  

Value(1)

 

Portfolio

 
 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Debt securities:

              
               

United States Government and

              

  Federal Agencies obligations

 $26,426

 

77.24

%

 

 $31,701

 

81.51

%

 

 $24,440

 

69.88

%

Corporate bonds

     -

 

-

  

     -

 

-

  

       636

 

       1.82

 

Corporate Senior Notes

-

 

-

  

145

 

0.37

  

254

 

0.72

 

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

   3,431

 

10.03

  

   2,685

 

6.90

  

   4,658

 

13.32

 

   Total debt securities

  29,857

 

87.27

  

34,531

 

88.78

  

  29,988

 

85.74

 
               

Equity securities:

              

Federal Home Loan Bank

              

   Stock

   1,904

 

5.56

  

   1,904

 

4.90

  

   1,901

 

5.43

 

Other

   2,454

 

7.17

  

   2,460

 

6.32

  

   3,086

 

8.83

 

   Total equity securities

   4,358

 

12.73

  

   4,364

 

11.22

  

   4,987

 

14.26

 

Total investment securities

 $34,215

 

100.00

 %

 $38,895

 


    100.00

%

 $34,975

 

100.00

%


-------------------------

(1)  The market value of the Company’s and the Savings Bank's investment securities portfolio amounted to $34.1 million, $38.7 million, and $35.2 million at June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  At June 30, 2005, the market value of the principal component of the Company’s and the Savings Bank investment securities portfolio which were obligations of U.S. government agencies was $26.3 million.




33







The following table sets forth the maturities and weighted average yields of the debt securities in the Company’s and the Savings Bank's investment securities portfolio at June 30, 2005.



 

One Year

  

After One Year

  

After Five Years

  

After Ten

 
 

or Less

  

Through Five Years

  

Through Ten Years

  

Years

 
 

Amount

 

Yield

  

Amount

 

Yield

  

Amount

 

Yield

  

Amount

 

Yield

 
 

(Dollars in thousands)

United States Government and

                  

  Federal Agencies obligations

$ 4,483

 

  2.06

 %

$ 19,696

 

  3.23

 %

$ 1,359

 

  4.15

 %

$ 1,000

 

  5.00

 %

   

                   

Obligations of state and political subdivisions

       590

 

  2.56

  

    1,413

 

  3.60

  

       1,111

 

  4.10

  

     205

 

        5.08

 

   Total

$ 5,073

 

  2.12

  

$ 21,109

 

  3.25

  

$ 2,470

 

  4.13

  

$ 1,205

 

  5.02

 


At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank held no security which had an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of the Company’s stockholders’ equity.


Other equity securities at June 30, 2005 was comprised of Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) preferred stock totaling $2.0 million and preferred stock totaling $212,000 in other financial institutions in Missouri.


Mortgage-Backed Securities.  To supplement lending activities in periods of deposit growth and/or declining loan demand, the Savings Bank has invested in residential mortgage-backed securities.  Although such securities are held for investment, they can serve as collateral for borrowings and, through repayments, as a source of liquidity.  For information regarding the carrying and market values of the Savings Bank's mortgage-backed securities portfolio, see Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report.  The Savings Bank has invested in federal agency securities issued by FHLMC, FNMA and Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”).  As of June 30, 2005, 23.12% of the outstanding balance of the mortgage-backed securities had adjustable rates of interest that adjust within the next two years.  As of June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank's portfolio included $10.8 million of mortgage-backed securities purchased as investments to supplement the Savings Bank's mortgage lending activities.


The FHLMC, FNMA and GNMA certificates are modified pass-through mortgage-backed securities that represent undivided interests in underlying pools of fixed-rate, or certain types of adjustable-rate, single-family residential mortgages issued by these government-sponsored entities.  As a result, the interest rate risk characteristics of the underlying pool of mortgages, such as fixed- or adjustable-rate, as well as prepayment risk, are passed on to the certificate holder.  FHLMC and FNMA provide the certificate holder a guarantee of timely payments of interest and ultimate collection of principal, whether or not they have been collected.  GNMA’s guarantee to the holder of timely payments of principal and interest is backed by the full



34







faith and credit of the U.S. government.  Mortgage-backed securities generally yield less than the loans that underlie such securities, because of the cost of payment guarantees or credit enhancements that reduce credit risk.  In addition, mortgage-backed securities are more liquid than individual mortgage loans and may be used to collateralize obligations of the Savings Bank.


The Savings Bank has incorporated into its investment policy the regulatory requirements set forth in the OTS Thrift Bulletin 52, which addresses the selection of securities dealers, securities policies, unsuitable investment practices and mortgage derivative products.  At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank owned no derivatives.


Deposit Activities and Other Sources of Funds


General.  Deposits and loan repayments are the major source of the Savings Bank's funds for lending and other investment purposes.  Loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows and loan prepayments are significantly influenced by general interest rates and money market conditions.  Borrowings may be used on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in the availability of funds from other sources.  They may also be used on a longer term basis for general business purposes.


Deposit Accounts.  Deposits are attracted from within the Savings Bank's primary market area through the offering of a broad selection of deposit instruments, including negotiable order of withdrawal ("NOW") accounts, money market accounts, regular savings accounts, certificates of deposit and retirement savings plans.  Deposit account terms vary according to the minimum balance required, the time periods the funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate, among other factors.  In determining the terms of its deposit accounts, the Savings Bank considers the rates offered by its competition, profitability to the Savings Bank, matching deposit and loan products and its customer preferences and concerns. The Savings Bank generally reviews its deposit mix and pricing at least weekly, and adjusts it as necessitated by liquidity needs, the gap position and competition.  


The Savings Bank experienced significant decreases in Super Saver accounts and fixed rate certificates of deposit maturing within one year during the year ended June 30, 2005.  During the majority of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, the rates paid by the Savings Bank were below rates offered by area competitors.  Beginning in September 2005, rates on the Savings Bank’s deposit accounts were increased.  






35






The following table sets forth information concerning the Savings Bank's time deposits and other interest-bearing deposits at June 30, 2005.


Weighted

           

Average

         

Percentage

 

Interest

     

Minimum

   

of Total

 

Rate

 

Term

 

Category

 

Amount

 

Balance

 

Deposits

 
        

(Dollars in thousands)

   

0.00%

 

None

 

Non-interest bearing

 

$   -

 

 $  11,816

 

6.31

%

0.60%

 

None

 

NOW accounts

 

      25

 

   38,238

 

20.43

 

1.21%

 

None

 

Super Saver accounts

 

       1

 

   29,874

 

15.96

 

0.80%

 

None

 

Savings accounts

 

     -   

 

   17,584

 

9.40

 
            
    

Certificates of deposit

       

2.05%

 

3 months

Fixed term, fixed rate

 

     500

 

    1,935

 

1.03

 

2.43%

 

6 months

Fixed term, fixed rate

 

     500

 

   11,918

 

6.37

 

2.50%

 

12 months

Fixed term, fixed rate

 

     500

 

   16,803

 

8.98

 

2.36%

 

18 months

Fixed term, fixed rate

 

     500

 

    1,295

 

0.69

 

2.45%

 

24 months

Fixed term, fixed rate

 

     500

 

    2,995

 

1.60

 

2.80%

 

30 months

Fixed term, fixed rate

 

     500

 

    1,041

 

0.56

 

2.69%

 

36 months

Fixed term, fixed rate

 

     500

 

    1,425

 

0.76

 

3.43%

 

48 months

Fixed term, fixed rate

 

     500

 

      675

 

0.36

 

4.12%

 

60 months

Fixed term, fixed rate

 

     500

 

    3,595

 

1.92

 

3.37%

 

72 months

Fixed term, fixed rate

 

     500

 

       58

 

0.03

 

5.22%

 

120 months

Fixed term, fixed rate

 

     500

 

       21

 

0.01

 

various

 

Various

 

Fixed term, adjustable rate

     500

 

   23,461

 

12.54

 

various

 

Various

 

Jumbo certificates

 

 100,000

 

   24,409

 

13.05

 
        

 $187,143

 

100.00

%




36







     The following table indicates the amount of the Savings Bank's jumbo certificates of deposit by time remaining until maturity as of June 30, 2005.  Jumbo certificates of deposit require minimum deposits of $100,000 and rates paid on such accounts are negotiable.


  

Jumbo

  

Certificates

Maturity Period

 

of Deposit

  

(In thousands)

Three months or less

 

 $ 8,268

After three through six

  months

   3,377

After six through twelve

  months

   4,289

After twelve

  months

 

   8,475

     Total

 

 $24,409


Time Deposits by Rates


The following table sets forth the time deposits in the Savings Bank classified by rates as of the dates indicated.


  

At June 30,

  

2005

 

2004

 

2003

  

(In thousands)

0.00 - 1.49%

 

$      916

 

$ 18,649

 

$  4,351

1.50 - 2.49%

 

29,595

 

    47,126

 

    38,405

2.50 - 3.49%

 

36,780

 

    13,243

 

    29,462

3.50 - 4.49%

 

18,957

 

    10,260

 

    15,328

4.50 - 5.49%

 

2,566

 

     3,245

 

     5,344

5.50 - 6.49%

 

492

 

    10,036

 

    15,264

6.50 - 7.49%

 

325

 

     1,917

 

     2,363

Over 7.49%

 

-

 

     

 21   

 

-     

Total

 

$89,631

 

 $104,497

 

$110,517



37







   




 The following table sets forth the amount and maturities of time deposits at June 30, 2005.


  

Amount Due

     
              

Percent

 
    

More than

 

More than

 

More than

     

of Total

 
  

One Year

 

One Year thru

 

2 Years thru

 

3 Years thru

 

After

   

Certificate

 
  

Or less

 

2 Years

 

3 Years

 

4 Years

 

4 Years

 

Total

 

Accounts

 
  

(In thousands)

   

0.00 - 1.49%

 $  916

 

 $     -

 

 $     -

 

 $    -

 

 $    -

 

 $  916

 

1.02

%

1.50 - 2.49%

    28,162

 

   1,343

 

      90

 

   -

 

      -

 

    29,595

 

33.02

 

2.50 - 3.49%

    22,441

 

   8,779

 

     3,495

 

  1,579

 

   486

 

    36,780

 

41.04

 

3.50 - 4.49%

     3,797

 

   3,175

 

   3,276

 

  8, 078

 

  631

 

    18,957

 

21.15

 

4.50 - 5.49%

     1,619

 

   295

 

   631

 

    21

 

    -

 

     2,566

 

2.86

 

5.50 - 6.49%

     322

 

   -

 

     5

 

      97

 

     68

 

    492

 

.55

 

6.50 - 7.49%

     325

 

   -

 

     -

 

      -

 

      -

 

     325

 

.36

 

Over 7.49%

 

         -

 

       -

 

       -

 

      -

 

      -

 

        -

 

          -

 

Total

 

$  57,582

 

$13,592

 

$ 7,497

 

$9,775

 

$1,185

 

$ 89,631

 

100.00

%


                         




38






Deposit Flow


The following table sets forth the balances of savings deposits in the various types of savings accounts offered by the Savings Bank at the dates indicated.


  

At June 30,

 
  

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 
    

Percent

     

Percent

     

Percent

 
    

Of

 

Increase

   

Of

 

Increase

   

Of

 
  

Amount

 

Total

 

(Decrease)

 

Amount

 

Total

 

(Decrease)

 

Amount

 

Total

 
  

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Non-interest bearing

 

$       11,816

 

6.31

%

$        1,854

 

 $     9,962

 

4.81

%

 $    1,075

 

 $    8,887

 

4.20

%

NOW checking

 

38,238

 

20.43

 

1,047

 

      37,191

 

17.95

 

      1,987

 

     35,204

 

16.63

 

Regular savings accounts

 

29,874

 

15.96

 

13,122

 

      16,752

 

8.08

 

      421

 

     16,331

 

7.72

 

Super Saver accounts

 

17,584

 

9.40

 

         (21,261)

 

      38,845

 

18.74

 

       (1,880)

 

     40,725

 

19.23

 

Fixed-rate certificates which

                 

  mature (1):

                 

     Within 1 year

 

48,361

 

25.85

 

(10,041)

 

      58,402

 

28.18

 

     (4,965)

 

     63,367

 

29.94

 

     After 1 year, but within 2          years

4,362

 

2.33

 

(980)

 

       5,342

 

2.58

 

       (3,543)

 

8,885

 

4.20

 

     After 2 years, but within 5         years

5,151

 

2.75

 

(241)

 

       5,392

 

2.60

 

     (273)

 

5,665

 

2.68

 

Adjustable-rate certificates

 

31,757

 

16.97

 

(3,604)

 

      35,361

 

17.06

 

     2,761

 

     32,600

 

15.40

 

Total certificates

 

89,631

 

47.90

 

(14,866)

 

     104,497

 

50.42

 

      (6,020)

 

    110,517

 

52.22

 

        Total

 

$      187,143

 

100.00

 

$     (20,104)

 

$   207,247

 

100.00

%

$    (4,417)

 

$  211,664

 

100.00

%


(1)  At June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, jumbo certificates of deposit amounted to $24.4 million, $30.4 million and $29.8 million, respectively, and IRAs amounted to $25.1 million, $25.5 million, $24.6 million at those dates, respectively.





39






The following table sets forth the savings activities of the Savings Bank for the periods indicated.


  

Years Ended June 30,

  

2005

 

2004

 

2003

  

(In thousands)

Beginning balance

 

$ 207,247

 

 $ 211,664

 

 $ 202,450

Net increase (decrease) before

      

   interest credited

 

(23,188)

 

     (8,087)

 

     4,594

Interest credited

 

3,084

 

     3,670

 

     4,620

Net increase/(decrease) in

      

   savings deposits

 

(20,104)

 

     (4,417)

 

     9,214

Ending balance

   

 

 

 

  

$ 187,143

 

 $ 207,247

 

 $ 211,664


In the unlikely event the Savings Bank is liquidated, depositors will be entitled to full payment of their deposit accounts prior to any payment being made to the stockholders of the Savings Bank.  Substantially all of the Savings Bank's depositors are residents of the State of Missouri.


Borrowings.  Savings deposits are the primary source of funds for the Savings Bank's lending and investment activities and for its general business purposes.  The Savings Bank also relies on advances from the FHLB-Des Moines to supplement its supply of lendable funds and to meet deposit withdrawal requirements.  The FHLB-Des Moines has served as the Savings Bank's primary borrowing source.  Advances from the FHLB-Des Moines are typically secured by the Savings Bank's first mortgage loans.  These advances require monthly payments of interest only  with principal due at maturity and have fixed rates.  The short-term advances require interest payable at maturity.  One long-term advance requires monthly payments of principal and interest. These advances were obtained in response to the Savings Bank's previous strong loan demand and limited deposit growth experienced during fiscal years 2001 and 2000.  At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank had $28.4 million in advances from the FHLB-Des Moines.  


Other borrowings include a $1 million line of credit from a regional financial institution used by the Company to manage cash flow.  Typically, when a dividend is received from the Savings Bank, the Company reduces any outstanding balance to zero.  The balance outstanding at June 30, 2005 was $625,000.  The line of credit is secured by the stock of the Savings Bank.  Interest is paid on demand or semi-annually if there is no demand.  The interest rate is equal to .50% below the prime lending rate quoted by the lender and can be adjusted daily.  At June 30, 2005, the interest rate in effect was 5.75%


In connection with the sale of the assets of SCMG, Inc. (formerly South Central Missouri Title, Inc.) in July 2004, a note payable of $55,200 was issued for expenses of the sale.  This note had a balance of $55,000 at June 30, 2005 and was at a fixed interest rate of 6%. 


The following tables set forth certain information concerning the Savings Bank’s borrowings at the dates and for the periods indicated.


  

At June 30,

 
  

2005

 

2004

 

Weighted average rate paid on 

     

   FHLB advances

 

5.50

%

5.55

%

      
  

Years Ended June 30,

 



40






  

2005

 

2004

 
  

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Maximum amounts of FHLB advances

    

   outstanding at any month end

 

$29,121

 

 $29,352

 

Approximate average FHLB advances

    

   Outstanding

 

29,111

 

  29,242

 

Approximate weighted average rate paid

   

   On FHLB advances

 

5.59

%

5.65

%



The FHLB-Des Moines functions as a central reserve bank providing credit for savings and loan associations and other member financial institutions.  As a member, the Savings Bank is required to own capital stock in the FHLB-Des Moines and is authorized to apply for advances on the security of such stock and certain of its mortgage loans and other assets (principally securities which are obligations of,  or guaranteed by, the United States) provided certain standards related to creditworthiness have been met.  Advances are made pursuant to several different programs.  Each credit program has its own interest rate and range of maturities.  Depending on the program, limitations on the amount of advances are based either on a fixed percentage of an institution's retained earnings or on the FHLB's assessment of the institution's creditworthiness.  The FHLB-Des Moines determines specific lines of credit for each member institution.  Because of their prepayment penalties, it is not currently economical to prepay any of these advances prior to maturity.


Subsidiary Activities


Fybar Service Corporation ("Fybar") is a Missouri corporation wholly-owned by the Savings Bank.  Fybar owns five rental properties.  One is an office building in Mountain Grove, Missouri called "The Shannon Centre" which is adjacent to the Savings Bank's drive-in and is currently 86% occupied.  The second is a single family residence in Gainesville, Missouri which is currently occupied.  The third property is a commercial building in Mountain Grove, Missouri which is currently fully occupied.   The fourth is a single family residence in Mountain Grove, Missouri which is currently occupied.  The fifth is a commercial building in Sparta, Missouri which is fully occupied.


Fybar serves as Trustee on all the Savings Bank's deeds of trust, is a registered agent and receives limited income from credit life and accident and health policies written in conjunction with the Savings Bank's loans.


At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank had an investment in Fybar of $576,000.


SCMG,Inc. (formerly South Central Missouri Title, Inc.), is a Missouri corporation wholly-owned by First Bancshares, Inc.  South Central was a licensed agent for the purpose of selling title insurance and also providing real estate closing services.  On June 22, 2004 an agreement was entered into to sell the property and equipment of South Central Missouri Title Company, Inc. for $252,000.  The transaction closed on July 16, 2004.  As a result of this sale, the subsidiary did not offer title insurance or real estate closing services during fiscal year 2005.  See Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report.


First Home Investments, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Savings Bank that offers fixed and variable annuities as well as mutual funds to it customers and members of the general public.  First Home Investments, Inc. also processes stock and bond trades and provides credit life, disability and health insurance services to the Savings Bank’s customers as well as group and individual coverages.  These services were not actively offered during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005 as a representative was not employed for that time period.





41






REGULATION OF FIRST HOME


As a Missouri-chartered and federally insured savings and loan association, First Home is subject to extensive regulation.  Lending activities and other investments must comply with various statutory and regulatory capital requirements.  The Savings Bank is regularly examined by its state and federal regulators and files periodic reports concerning the Savings Bank's activities and financial condition.  The Savings Bank's relationship with its depositors and borrowers is also regulated to a great extent by federal and state laws, especially in such matters as the ownership of savings accounts and the form and content of the Savings Bank's mortgage documents.


Missouri Savings and Loan Law


General.  As a Missouri-chartered savings and loan association, First Home derives its authority from, and is governed by, the provisions of the Missouri Savings and Loan Law ("Missouri Law") and regulations of the Missouri Division of Finance (“Division”).  The Director of the Missouri Division of Finance (“Director”) proposes regulations which must then be approved, amended, modified or disapproved by the State Savings and Loan Commission (“Commission”).  Missouri Law and the resulting regulations are administered by the Director.



Investments and Accounts.  Missouri Law and regulations impose restrictions on the types of investments and loans that may be made by a Missouri-chartered institution, generally bringing these restrictions into parity with the regulation of federally chartered institutions.  The manner of establishing accounts and evidencing the same is prescribed, as are the obligations of the institution with respect to withdrawals from accounts and redemption of accounts.  The Director may also impose or grant the same restrictions, duties and powers concerning deposits as are applicable to federal institutions under federal rules and regulations.  


Branch Offices.  Under Missouri Law, no institution may establish a branch office or agency without the prior written approval of the Director.  The Director reviews the proposed location, the functions to be performed at the office, the estimated volume of business, the estimated annual expense of the office and the mode of payments.  Decisions of the Director may be appealed to the Commission.  The relocation or closing of any office is subject to additional regulation and in certain circumstances may require prior approval.


Merger or Consolidation.  Missouri Law permits the merger or consolidation of savings institutions, subject to the approval by the Director, when the Director finds that such merger or consolidation is equitable to the members or account holders of the institutions and will not impair the usefulness and success of other properly conducted institutions in the community.  Mergers or consolidations of mutual institutions must also be approved by a majority of the members of each institution.  Stock institutions must obtain shareholder approval pursuant to the Missouri statutes relating to general and business corporations.


Holding Companies.  Missouri Law requires a savings and loan holding company and its subsidiaries to register with the Director within 60 days of becoming a savings and loan holding company.  Following registration it is subject to examination by the Division and thereafter must file certain reports with the Director.  A savings and loan holding company may acquire control of an institution of another savings and loan holding company upon application and prior written approval of the Director.  The Director, in reviewing the application, must determine if such acquisition is consistent with the interests of maintaining a sound financial system and that the acquisition does not afford a basis for supervisory objection.


Examination.  Periodic reports to the Division must be made by each Missouri-chartered institution.  The Division conducts and supervises the examination of state-chartered institutions.




42






Supervision.  The Director has general supervisory authority over Missouri-chartered institutions and upon the Director's finding that an institution is violating the provisions of its articles of incorporation, its bylaws or any law of the state, or is conducting business in an unsafe or injurious manner, the Director may order the institution to discontinue such violation or practice, and to conform with all the requirements of law.  The Director may demand and take possession of the institution, if the institution fails to comply with the Director's order, if the Director determines that the institution is insolvent, in an unsafe condition or conducting business in an unsafe manner, or if the institution refuses to submit to examination or inspection by the Division.



Federal Regulation of Savings Banks


Office of Thrift Supervision.  The OTS is an office in the Department of the Treasury subject to the general oversight of the Secretary of the Treasury.  Among other functions, the OTS issues and enforces regulations affecting federally-insured savings associations and regularly examines these institutions.


The OTS has extensive authority over the operations of all insured savings associations.  As part of this authority, First Home is required to file periodic reports with the OTS District Director and is subject to periodic examinations by the OTS and the FDIC.  The OTS and FDIC have extensive discretion in their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes.  Any change in these policies, whether by the OTS, the FDIC or Congress, could have a material adverse impact on the Company.


The OTS has established a schedule for the assessment of fees upon all savings associations to fund the operations of the OTS.  A schedule of fees has also been established for the various types of applications and filings made by savings associations with the OTS.  The general assessment, to be paid on a semi-annual basis, is determined based upon the savings association's total assets, including consolidated subsidiaries, as reported in the association's latest quarterly thrift financial report.  For the first half of 2005, the Savings Bank's assessment under the semi-annual assessment procedure was $34,000.  Based on the current assessment rates published by the OTS and First Home’s total assets of approximately $249.0 million at March 31, 2005, First Home will be required to pay a semi-annual assessment of approximately $34,000 for the second half of calendar year 2005.


Federal law provides that savings institutions are generally subject to the national bank limit on loans to one borrower.  A savings institution may not make a loan or extend credit to a single or related group of borrowers in excess of 15% of its unimpaired capital and surplus.  An additional amount may be lent, equal to 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus, if secured by specified readily marketable collateral.  At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank’s limit on loans to one borrower was $ 4.2 million.  At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank’s largest loan commitment to a related group of borrowers was eight loans totaling $3.8 million, which were all fully funded. These loans are performing according to their original terms.


The OTS, as well as the other federal banking agencies, has adopted guidelines establishing safety and soundness standards on such matters as loan underwriting and documentation, asset quality, earnings standards, internal controls and audit systems, interest rate risk exposure and compensation and other employee benefits.  Any institution that fails to comply with these standards must submit a compliance plan.



Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  The FDIC is an independent federal agency established originally to insure the deposits, up to prescribed statutory limits, of federally insured banks and to preserve the safety and soundness of the banking industry.  The FDIC maintains two separate insurance funds:  the BIF and the SAIF. The Savings Bank’s accounts are insured by the FDIC under the SAIF to the maximum extent permitted by law.  As insurer of the Savings Bank's deposits, the



43






FDIC has examination, supervisory and enforcement authority over all savings associations.


As insurer, the FDIC imposes deposit insurance premiums and is authorized to conduct examinations of and to require reporting by FDIC-insured institutions. It also may prohibit any FDIC-insured institution from engaging in any activity the FDIC determines by regulation or order to pose a serious risk to the SAIF or the BIF. The FDIC also has the authority to initiate enforcement actions against savings institutions, after giving the OTS an opportunity to take such action, and may terminate the deposit insurance if it determines that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices or is in an unsafe or unsound condition.


The FDIC's deposit insurance premiums are assessed through a risk-based system under which all insured depository institutions are placed into one of nine categories and assessed insurance premiums based upon their level of capital and supervisory evaluation. Under the system, institutions classified as well capitalized (i.e., a core capital ratio of at least 5%, a ratio of Tier 1, or core capital, to risk-weighted assets ("Tier 1 risk-based capital") of at least 6% and a risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%) and considered healthy pay the lowest premium while institutions that are less than adequately capitalized (i.e., core or Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios of less than 4% or a risk-based capital ratio of less than 8%) and considered of substantial supervisory concern pay the highest premium. Risk classification of all insured institutions is made by the FDIC for each semi-annual assessment period.


The FDIC is authorized to increase assessment rates, on a semi-annual basis, if it determines that the reserve ratio of the SAIF will be less than the designated reserve ratio of 1.25% of SAIF insured deposits. In setting these increased assessments, the FDIC must seek to restore the reserve ratio to that designated reserve level, or such higher reserve ratio as established by the FDIC. The FDIC may also impose special assessments on SAIF members to repay amounts borrowed from the United States Treasury or for any other reason deemed necessary by the FDIC.


The premium schedule for BIF and SAIF insured institutions ranged from 0 to 27 basis points.  However, SAIF insured institutions and BIF insured institutions are required to pay a Financing Corporation assessment in order to fund the interest on bonds issued to resolve thrift failures in the 1980s. This amount is currently equal to about 1.88 basis points for each $100 in domestic deposits for both BIF and SAIF members.  These assessments, which may be revised based upon the level of BIF and SAIF deposits, will continue until the bonds mature in  2017.


Under the FDIA, the FDIC may terminate insurance of deposits upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC or the OTS.  Management of First Home does not know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of deposit insurance.


Federal Home Loan Bank System.  The FHLB System, consisting of 12 FHLBs, is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Housing Finance Board (“FHFB”).  The designated duties of the FHFB are to:  supervise the FHLBs; ensure that the FHLBs carry out their housing finance mission; ensure that the FHLBs remain adequately capitalized and able to raise funds in the capital markets; and ensure that the FHLBs operate in a safe and sound manner.


First Home, as a member of the FHLB-Des Moines, is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the FHLB-Des Moines equal to the greater of (i) 1.0% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of residential mortgage loans, home purchase contracts and similar obligations at the beginning of each year, or (ii) 1/20 of its advances (borrowings) from the FHLB-Des Moines.  First Home complied with this requirement with an investment in FHLB-Des Moines stock of $1.9 million at June 30, 2005.





44






Among other benefits, the FHLB provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions.  It is funded primarily from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB System.  It makes advances to members in accordance with policies and procedures established by the FHFB and the Board of Directors of the FHLB-Des Moines.  At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank had $28.4 million of advances from the FHLB-Des Moines.


The FHLBs are required to provide funds for the resolution of troubled savings institutions and to contribute to affordable housing programs through direct loans or interest subsidies on advances targeted for community investment and low- and moderate-income housing projects. These contributions have adversely affected the level of FHLB dividends paid in the past and could do so in the future. These contributions also could have an adverse effect on the value of FHLB stock in the future.


Prompt Corrective Action.  The OTS is required to take certain supervisory actions against undercapitalized savings associations, the severity of which depends upon the institution's degree of undercapitalization.  Generally, an institution that has a ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of less than 8%, a ratio of Tier I (core) capital to risk-weighted assets of less than 4%, or a ratio of core capital to total assets of less than 4% (3% or less for institutions with the highest examination rating) is considered to be "undercapitalized."  An institution that has a total risk-based capital ratio less than 6%, a Tier I capital ratio of less than 3% or a leverage ratio that is less than 3% is considered to be "significantly undercapitalized" and an institution that has a tangible capital to assets ratio equal to or less than 2% is deemed to be "critically undercapitalized."  


At June 30, 2005, First Home was a “well capitalized” institution under the prompt corrective action regulations of the OTS.


Standards for Safety and Soundness. The federal banking regulatory agencies have prescribed, by regulation, standards for all insured depository institutions relating to: (i) internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems; (ii) loan documentation; (iii) credit underwriting; (iv) interest rate risk exposure; (v) asset growth; (vi) asset quality; (vii) earnings; and (viii) compensation, fees and benefits ("Guidelines").  The Guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired.  If the OTS determines that the  Savings Bank fails to meet any standard prescribed by the Guidelines, the agency may require the Savings Bank to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard.  Management is aware of no conditions relating to these safety and soundness standards which would require submission of a plan of compliance.



Qualified Thrift Lender Test.  All savings associations, including First Home, are required to meet a qualified thrift lender test to avoid certain restrictions on their operations.  This test requires a savings association to have at least 65% of its portfolio asset, as defined by regulation, in qualified thrift investments on a monthly average for nine out of every 12 months on a rolling basis.  As an alternative, the savings association may maintain 60% of its assets in those assets specified in Section 7701(a)(19) of the Code.  Under either test, such assets primarily consist of residential housing related loans and investments.  At June 30, 2005, First Home met the test and its qualified thrift lender percentage was 68.66%.


Any savings association that fails to meet the qualified thrift lender test must convert to a national bank charter, unless it requalifies as a qualified thrift lender and thereafter remains a qualified thrift lender.  If an association does not requalify and converts to a national bank charter, it must remain SAIF-insured until the FDIC permits it to transfer to the BIF.   If such an association has not yet requalified or converted to a national bank, its new investments and activities are limited to those permissible for both a savings association and a national bank, and it is limited to national bank branching rights in its home state.  In addition, First Home is immediately ineligible to receive any new FHLB borrowings and is



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subject to national bank limits for payment of dividends.  If such association has not requalified or converted to a national bank within three years after the failure, it must divest of all investments and cease all activities not permissible for a national bank.  In addition, it must repay promptly any outstanding  FHLB borrowings, which may result in prepayment penalties.  If any association that fails the qualified thrift lender test is controlled by a holding company, then within one year after the failure, the holding company must register as a bank holding company and become subject to all restrictions on bank holding companies.  


Capital Requirements.  Federally insured savings associations, such as the Savings Bank, are required to maintain a minimum level of regulatory capital. The OTS has established capital standards, including a tangible capital requirement, a leverage ratio (or core capital) requirement and a risk-based capital requirement applicable to such savings associations.


The capital regulations require tangible capital of at least 1.5% of adjusted total assets (as defined by regulation). At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank had tangible capital of $23.7 million, or 9.9% of adjusted total assets, which is approximately $20.0 million above the minimum requirement of 1.5% of adjusted total assets in effect on that date. At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank had $413,000 in intangible assets.


The capital standards also require core capital equal to at least 3% to 4% of adjusted total assets, depending on an institution's supervisory rating. Core capital generally consists of tangible capital.  At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank had core capital equal to $23.7 million, or 9.9% of adjusted total assets, which is $14.1 million above the minimum leverage ratio requirement of 4% in effect on that date.                                  


The OTS risk-based requirement requires savings associations to have total capital of at least 8% of risk-weighted assets. Total capital consists of core capital, as defined above, and supplementary capital.  Supplementary capital consists of certain permanent and maturing capital instruments that do not qualify as core capital and general valuation loan and lease loss allowances up to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets. Supplementary capital may be used to satisfy the risk-based requirement only to the extent of core capital.           



In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet items, are multiplied by a risk weight, ranging from 0% to 100%, based on the risk inherent in the type of asset.  For example, the OTS has assigned a risk weight of 50% for prudently underwritten permanent one-to-four family first lien mortgage loans not more than 90 days delinquent and having a loan-to-value ratio of not more than 80% at origination unless insured to such ratio by an insurer approved by FNMA or FHLMC.  


On June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank had total risk-based capital of an approximately $25.4 million, including $23.7 million in core capital and $1.7 million in qualifying supplementary capital, and risk-weighted assets of $153.4 million, or total capital of 16.5% of risk-weighted assets.  This amount was $13.1 million above the 8% requirement in effect on that date.


The OTS  is authorized to impose capital requirements in excess of these standards on individual associations on a case-by-case basis. The OTS and the FDIC are authorized and, under certain circumstances required, to take certain actions against savings associations that fail to meet their capital requirements. The OTS is generally required to take action to restrict the activities of an "undercapitalized association" (generally defined to be one with less than either a 4% core capital ratio, a 4% Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio or an 8% risk-based capital ratio). Any such association must submit a capital restoration plan and until such plan is approved by the OTS may not increase its assets, acquire another institution, establish a branch or engage in any new activities, and generally may not make capital distributions.  The OTS is authorized to impose the additional restrictions that are applicable to significantly undercapitalized associations.




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The OTS is also generally authorized to reclassify an association into a lower capital category and impose the restrictions applicable to such category if the institution is engaged in unsafe or unsound practices or is in an unsafe or unsound condition.

   

The imposition by the OTS or the FDIC of any of these measures on the Company or the Savings Bank may have a substantial adverse effect on their operations and profitability.












The following table presents the Savings Bank's capital levels as of June 30, 2005.


  

At June 30, 2005

 
    

Percent of

  

Amount

 

Assets

 
  

(Dollars in thousands)

Tangible capital

 

 $23,681

 

9.9

%

Minimum required

     

   tangible capital

   3,606

 

1.5

 

Excess

 

 $20,075

 

8.4

%

      

Core capital

 

 $23,681

 

9.9

%

Minimum required core

    

   capital

 

  9,617

 

4.0

 

Excess

 

 $14,064

 

5.9

%

      

Risk-based capital

 

 $25,367

 

16.5

%

Minimum risk-based

     

   capital requirement

  12,271

 

8.0

 

Excess

 

 $ 13,096

 

8.5

%

      



Limitations on Capital Distributions.  OTS regulations impose various restrictions on savings institutions with respect to their ability to make distributions of capital, which include dividends, stock redemptions or repurchases, cash-out mergers and other transactions charged to the capital account.  


Generally, savings institutions, such as the Savings Bank, that before and after the proposed distribution are well-capitalized, may make capital distributions during any calendar year equal to up to 100% of net income for the year-to-date plus retained net income for the two preceding years. However, an institution deemed to be in need of more than normal supervision by the OTS may have its dividend authority restricted by the OTS. The Savings Bank may pay dividends in accordance with this general authority.




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Savings institutions proposing to make any capital distribution need not submit written notice to the OTS prior to such distribution unless they are a subsidiary of a holding company or would not remain well-capitalized following the distribution.  Savings institutions that do not, or would not meet their current minimum capital requirements following a proposed capital distribution or propose to exceed these net income limitations, must obtain OTS approval prior to making such distribution. The OTS may object to the distribution during that 30-day period based on safety and soundness concerns.


Loans to One Borrower.  Federal law provides that savings institutions are generally subject to the national bank limit on loans to one borrower.  Generally, this limit is 15% of the Savings Bank’s unimpaired capital and surplus, plus an additional 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus, if such loan is secured by readily-marketable collateral, which is defined to include certain financial instruments and bullion.  The OTS by regulation has amended the loans to one borrower rule to permit savings associations meeting certain requirements, including capital requirements, to extend loans to one borrower in additional amounts under circumstances limited essentially to loans to develop or complete residential housing units.  At June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank’s largest loan outstanding to any one borrower, including related entities, was $3.8 million.  At June 30, 2005, that borrower had eight separate loans secured by nine different pieces of real estate.  These loans were performing in accordance with their terms at that date.


Activities of Savings Associations and Their Subsidiaries.  When a savings association establishes or acquires a subsidiary or elects to conduct any new activity through a subsidiary that the associations controls, the savings association shall notify the FDIC and the OTS 30 days in advance and provide the information each agency may, by regulation, require.  Savings associations also must conduct the activities of subsidiaries in accordance with existing regulations and orders.


The OTS may determine that the continuation by a savings association of its ownership control of, or its relationship to, the subsidiary constitutes a serious risk to the safety, soundness or stability of the association or is inconsistent with sound banking practices or with the purposes of the FDIA.  Based upon that determination, the FDIC or the OTS has the authority to order the savings association to divest itself of control of the subsidiary.  The FDIC also may determine by regulation or order that any specific activity poses a serious threat to the SAIF.  If so, it may require that no SAIF member engage in that activity directly.


Accounting and Regulatory Standards.  An OTS policy statement applicable to all savings associations clarifies and re-emphasizes that the investment activities of a savings association must be in compliance with approved and documented investment policies and strategies, and must be accounted for in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  Under the policy statement, management must support its classification of an accounting for loans and securities (i.e., whether held for investment, sale or trading) with appropriate documentation.  First Home is in compliance with these amended rules.


The OTS has adopted an amendment to its accounting regulations, which may be made more stringent than generally accepted accounting principles by the OTS, to require that transactions be reported in a manner that best reflects their underlying economic substance and inherent risk and that financial reports must incorporate any other accounting regulations or orders prescribed by the OTS.


Investment Portfolio Policy.  OTS supervisory policy requires that securities owned by thrift institutions must be classified and reported in accordance with GAAP which establishes three classifications of investment securities:  held-to-maturity, trading and available-for-sale.  Trading securities are acquired principally for the purpose of near term sales.  Such securities are reported at fair value and unrealized gains and losses are included in income.  


Securities which are designated as held-to-maturity are designated as such because the investor has the ability to hold these securities to maturity.  Such securities are reported at amortized cost.



48







All other securities are designated as available-for-sale, a designation which provides the investor with certain flexibility in managing its investment portfolio.  Such securities are reported at fair value; net unrealized gains and losses are excluded from income and reported net of applicable income taxes as a separate component of stockholders' equity.  The Savings Bank has adopted a reporting policy that complies with these OTS requirements.


Transactions with Affiliates. Savings institutions must comply with Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act relative to transactions with affiliates in the same manner and to the same extent as if the savings institution were a Federal Reserve member bank.  Generally, transactions between a savings institution or its subsidiaries and its affiliates are required to be on terms as favorable to the association as transactions with non-affiliates.  In addition, certain of these transactions, such as loans to an affiliate, are restricted to a percentage of the association’s capital.  Affiliates of the Savings Bank include the Company and any company that is under common control with the Savings Bank.  In addition, a savings institution may not lend to any affiliate engaged in activities not permissible for a savings and loan holding company or acquire the securities of most affiliates.  The OTS has the discretion to treat subsidiaries of savings institutions as affiliates on a case-by-case basis.


On April 1, 2004, the Federal Reserve's Regulation W, which comprehensively amends sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, became effective.  The Federal Reserve Act and Regulation W are applicable to savings institutions such as the Bank.  The Regulation unifies and updates staff interpretations issued over the years, incorporates several new interpretative proposals (such as to clarify when transactions with an unrelated third party will be attributed to an affiliate) and addresses new issues arising as a result of the expanded scope of nonbanking activities engaged in by banks and bank holding companies in recent years and authorized for financial holding companies under the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999.


In addition, OTS regulations prohibit a savings institution from lending to any of its affiliates that is engaged in activities that are not permissible for bank holding companies and from purchasing the securities of any affiliate, other than a subsidiary.


Certain transactions with directors, officers or controlling persons are also subject to conflict of interest regulations enforced by the OTS.  These conflict of interest regulations and other statutes also impose restrictions on loans to such persons and their related interests.  Among other things, such loans must be made on terms substantially the same as for loans to unaffiliated individuals.


Privacy Standards. On November 12, 1999, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 ("GLBA") was signed into law.  The purpose of this legislation is to modernize the financial services industry by establishing a comprehensive framework to permit affiliations among commercial banks, insurance companies, securities firms and other financial service providers.


The Savings Bank is subject to OTS regulations implementing the privacy protection provisions of the GLBA. These regulations require the Bank to disclose its privacy policy, including identifying with whom it shares "non-public personal information," to customers at the time of establishing the customer relationship and annually thereafter.


The regulations also require the Savings Bank to provide its customers with initial and annual notices that accurately reflect its privacy policies and practices. In addition, the Savings Bank is required to provide its customers with the ability to "opt-out" of having the Bank share their non-public personal information with unaffiliated third parties before they can disclose such information, subject to certain exceptions.




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The Savings Bank is subject to regulatory guidelines establishing standards for safeguarding customer information. These regulations implement certain provisions of the GLBA. The guidelines describe the agencies' expectations for the creation, implementation and maintenance of an information security program, which would include administrative, technical and physical safeguards appropriate to the size and complexity of the institution and the nature and scope of its activities. The standards set forth in the guidelines are intended to insure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information, protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such records and protect against unauthorized access to or use of such records or information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.


Anti-Money Laundering and Customer Identification. In response to the terrorist events of September 11, 2001, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the "USA Patriot Act") was signed into law on October 26, 2001.  The USA Patriot Act gives the federal government new powers to address terrorist threats through enhanced domestic security measures, expanded surveillance powers, increased information sharing, and broadened anti-money laundering requirements. The Bank Secrecy Act, Title III of the USA Patriot Act takes measures intended to encourage information sharing among bank regulatory agencies and law enforcement bodies. Further, certain provisions of Title III impose affirmative obligations on a broad range of financial institutions. Title III of the USA Patriot Act and the related OTS regulations impose the following requirements with respect to financial institutions:


·

establishment of anti-money laundering programs;

·

establishment of a program specifying procedures for obtaining identifying information from customers seeking to open new accounts, including verifying the identity of customers within a reasonable period of time;

·

establishment of enhanced due diligence policies, procedures and controls designed to detect and report money laundering;

·

prohibitions on correspondent accounts for foreign shelled banks and compliance with record keeping obligations with respect to correspondent accounts of foreign banks.


Bank regulators are directed to consider a holding company's effectiveness in combating money laundering when ruling on Federal Reserve Act and Bank Merger Act applications. The Bank’s policies and procedures have been updated to reflect the requirements of the USA Patriot Act, which had a minimal impact on business and customers.



REGULATION OF FIRST BANCSHARES


General


First Bancshares is a unitary savings and loan holding company subject to regulatory oversight of the OTS.  Accordingly, the Company is registered with the OTS and subject to OTS regulations, examinations, supervision and reporting requirements.  The Company is required to file certain reports with, and otherwise comply with the regulations of, the OTS and the Securities and Exchange Commission.  As a subsidiary of a savings and loan holding company, the Savings Bank is subject to certain restrictions in its dealings with the Company and with other companies affiliated with the Company and also is subject to regulatory requirements and provisions as federal institutions.


Mergers and Acquisitions. The Company must obtain approval from the OTS before acquiring more than 5% of the voting stock of another savings institution or savings and loan holding company or acquiring such an institution or holding company by merger, consolidation or purchase of its assets.  In evaluating an application for the Company to acquire control of a savings institution, the OTS would consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the Company and the target institution, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the insurance funds, the convenience and the needs of the community and competitive factors.



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Activities Restrictions.  As a unitary savings and loan holding company, the Company generally is not subject to activity restrictions. The Company and its non-savings institution subsidiaries are subject to statutory and regulatory restrictions on their business activities specified by federal regulations, which include performing services and holding properties used by a savings institution subsidiary, activities authorized for savings and loan holding companies as of March 5, 1987, and non-banking activities permissible for bank holding companies pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 or authorized for financial holding companies pursuant to the GLBA.


The USA Patriot Act. In response to the events of September 11th, 2001, the President of the United States signed into law the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, or the USA PATRIOT Act, on October 26, 2001. The USA PATRIOT Act gives the federal government new powers to address terrorist threats through enhanced domestic security measures, expanded surveillance powers, increased information sharing, and broadened anti-money laundering requirements.  Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act takes measures intended to encourage information sharing among 27 bank regulatory agencies and law enforcement bodies. Further, certain provisions of Title III impose affirmative obligations on a broad range of financial institutions.



Among other requirements, Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act imposes the following requirements:


·

All financial institutions must establish anti-money laundering programs.   


·

Financial institutions that establish, maintain, administer, or manage private banking accounts or correspondent accounts in the United States for non-United States persons or their representatives (including foreign individuals visiting the United States) to establish appropriate, specific, and, where necessary, enhanced due diligence policies, procedures, and controls designed to detect and report money laundering.


·

Financial institutions are prohibited from establishing, maintaining, administering or managing correspondent accounts for foreign banks that do not have a physical presence in any country, and will be subject to certain recordkeeping obligations with respect to correspondent accounts of foreign banks.


·

Bank regulators are directed to consider a holding company's effectiveness in combating money laundering when ruling on Federal Reserve Act and Bank Merger Act applications.


The Federal Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau of the Department of Treasury, has issued proposed and interim regulations to implement the provisions of Sections 312 and 352 of the USA Patriot Act. To date, it has not been possible to predict the impact the USA PATRIOT ACT and its implementing regulations may have on the Company and the Savings Bank.


Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was signed into law by President Bush on July 30, 2002 in response to public concerns regarding corporate accountability in connection with recent accounting scandals.  The stated goals of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are to increase corporate responsibility, to provide for enhanced penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at publicly traded companies and to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures pursuant to the securities laws.  The Sarbanes-Oxley Act generally applies to all companies that file or are required to file periodic reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including the Company.


The Sarbanes-Oxley Act includes very specific additional disclosure requirements and new corporate governance rules, requires the SEC and securities exchanges to adopt



51






extensive additional disclosure, corporate governance and other related rules and mandates further studies of certain issues by the SEC and the Comptroller General. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act represents significant federal involvement in matters traditionally left to state regulatory systems, such as the regulation of the accounting profession, and to state corporate law, such as the relationship between a board of directors and management and between a board of directors and its committees.


Qualified Thrift Lender Test


If the Savings Bank fails the qualified thrift lender test, within one year the Company must register as a bank holding company, and will become subject to, the significant activity restrictions applicable to bank holding companies.  See "Regulation of First Home -- Qualified Thrift Lender Test" for information regarding the Savings Bank’s qualified thrift lender test.



TAXATION

Federal Taxation


General.  The Corporation and the Savings Bank report their income on a fiscal year basis using the accrual method of accounting and will be subject to federal income taxation in the same manner as other corporations with some exceptions, including particularly the Savings Bank’s reserve for bad debts discussed below.  The following discussion of tax matters is intended only as a summary and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of the tax rules applicable to the Savings Bank or the Corporation.


Bad Debt Reserve.  Historically, savings institutions such as the Savings Bank which met certain definitional tests primarily related to their assets and the nature of their business (“qualifying thrift”) were permitted to establish a reserve for bad debts and to make annual additions thereto, which may have been deducted in arriving at their taxable income.  The Savings Bank’s deductions with respect to “qualifying real property loans,” which are generally loans secured by certain interest in real property, were computed using an amount based on the Savings Bank’s actual loss experience, or a percentage equal to 8% of the Savings Bank’s taxable income, computed with certain modifications and reduced by the amount of any permitted additions to the non-qualifying reserve.  Due to the Savings Bank’s loss experience, the Savings Bank generally recognized a bad debt deduction equal to 8% of taxable income.



In August 1996, the provisions repealing the current thrift bad debt rules were passed by Congress as part of  “The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996.”  The rules eliminate the 8% of taxable income method for deducting additions to the tax bad debt reserves for all thrifts for tax years beginning after December 31, 1995.  These rules also require that all institutions recapture all or a portion of their bad debt reserves added since the base year (last taxable year beginning before January 1, 1988).  The Savings Bank has previously recorded a deferred tax liability equal to the bad debt recapture and as such the new rules will have no effect on the net income or federal income tax expense.  For taxable years beginning after December 31, 1995, the Savings Bank’s bad debt deduction will be determined under the experience method using a formula based on actual bad debt experience over a period of years or, if the Savings Bank is a “large” association (assets in excess of $500 million) on the basis of net charge-offs during the taxable year.  The rules allow an institution to suspend bad debt reserve recapture for the 1996 and 1997 tax years if the institution’s lending activity for those years is equal to or greater than the institutions average mortgage lending activity for the six taxable years preceding 1996 adjusted for inflation.  For this purpose, only home purchase or home improvement loans are included and the institution can elect to have the tax years with the highest and lowest lending activity removed from the average calculation.  If an institution was permitted to postpone the reserve recapture, it would have began its six year recapture no later than the 1998 tax year.  The unrecaptured base year reserves will not be subject to recapture as long as the institution continues



52






to carry on the business of banking.  In addition, the balance of the pre-1988 bad debt reserves continue to be subject to provisions of present law referred to below that require recapture in the case of certain excess distributions to shareholders.

 

Distributions.  To the extent that the Savings Bank makes “nondividend distributions” to the Corporation that are considered as made:  (i) from the reserve for losses on qualifying real property loans, to the extent the reserve for such losses exceeds the amount that would have been allowed under the experience method; or (ii)  from the supplemental reserve for losses on loans (“Excess Distributions”), then an amount based on the amount distributed will be included in the Savings Bank’s taxable income.  Nondividend distributions include distributions in excess of the Savings Bank’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, distributions in redemption of stock, and distributions in partial or complete liquidation.  However, dividends paid out of the Savings Bank’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as calculated for federal income tax purposes, will not be considered to result in a distribution from the Savings Bank’s bad debt reserve.  Thus, any dividends to the Corporations that would reduce amounts appropriated to the Savings Bank’s bad debt reserve and deducted for federal income tax purposes would create a tax liability for the Savings Bank.  The amount of additional taxable income attributable to an Excess Distribution is an amount that, when reduced by the tax attributable to the income, is equal to the amount of the distribution.  Thus, if, the Savings Bank makes a “nondividend distribution,” then approximately one and one-half times the amount so used would be includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes, assuming a 35% corporate income tax rate (exclusive of state and local taxes).See “REGULATION” for limits on the payment of dividends by the Savings Bank.  The Savings Bank does not intend to pay dividends that would result in a recapture of any portion of its tax bad debt reserve.


Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax.  The Code imposes a tax on alternative minimum taxable income (“AMTI”) at a rate of 20%.  The excess of the tax bad debt reserve deduction using the percentage of taxable income method over the deduction that would have been allowable under the experience method is treated as a preference item for purposes of computing the AMTI.  AMTI is increased by an amount equal to 75% of the amount by which the Savings Bank’s adjusted current earnings exceed its AMTI (determined without regard to this preference and prior to reduction for net operating losses).  


Dividends-Received Deduction and Other Matters.  The Corporation may exclude from its income 100% of dividends received from the Savings Bank as a member of the same affiliated group of corporations.  The corporate dividends-received deduction is generally 70% in the case of dividends received from unaffiliated corporations with which the Corporation and the Savings Bank will not file a consolidated tax return, except that if the Corporation or the Savings Bank owns more than 20% of the stock of a corporation distributing a dividend, then 80% of any dividends received may be deducted.


Other Federal Tax Matter.  Other changes in the federal tax system could also affect the business of the Savings Bank.  These changes include limitations on the deduction for personal interest paid or accrued by individual taxpayers, limitations on the deductibility of losses attributable to investment in certain passive activities and limitations on the deductibility of contributions to individual retirement accounts.  The Savings Bank does not believe these changes will have a material effect on its operations.


There have not been any IRS audits of the Savings Bank's Federal income tax returns during the past five years.


Missouri Taxation


Missouri-based thrift institutions, such as the Savings Bank, are subject to a special financial institutions tax, based on net income without regard to net operating loss carryforwards, at the rate of 7% of net income.  This tax is in lieu of certain other state taxes on thrift institutions, on their property, capital or income, except taxes on tangible personal property owned by the Savings Bank and held



53






for lease or rental to others and on real estate, contributions paid pursuant to the Unemployment Compensation Law of Missouri, social security taxes, sales taxes and use taxes.  In addition, First Home is entitled to credit against this tax all taxes paid to the State of Missouri or any political subdivision except taxes on tangible personal property owned by the Savings Bank and held for lease or rental to others and on real estate, contributions paid pursuant to the Unemployment Compensation Law of Missouri, social security taxes, sales and use taxes, and taxes imposed by the Missouri Financial Institutions Tax Law.  Missouri thrift institutions are not subject to the regular state corporate income tax.


There have not been any audits of the Savings Bank’s state income tax returns during the past five years.


For additional information regarding taxation, see Notes 1 and 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report.


Competition


The Savings Bank has been, and continues to be, a community-oriented savings institution offering a variety of financial resources to meet the needs of Wright, Webster, Douglas, Ozark , Christian, Stone and Taney counties, Missouri.  The Savings Bank also transacts a significant amount of business in Texas and Greene counties, Missouri.  The Savings Bank's deposit gathering and lending activities are concentrated in these market areas.  The Savings Bank's offices are located in Mountain Grove, Marshfield, Ava, Gainesville, Sparta, Theodosia, Crane, Galena, Kissee Mills and Rockaway Beach, Missouri.


The Savings Bank is the only thrift institution located in Wright County, Missouri.  The Savings Bank faces strong competition in the attraction of savings deposits and in the origination of loans.  Its most direct competition for savings deposits and loans has historically come from other thrift institutions and from commercial banks located in its primary market area, some with a state-wide or regional presence.  The Savings Bank also competes with securities firms, credit unions, money market funds and mutual funds in raising deposits.  


Management considers the Savings Bank's reputation for financial strength and customer service as its major competitive advantage in attracting and retaining customers in its market area.  The Savings Bank also believes it benefits from its community orientation as well as its relatively high core deposit base.


Executive Officers.


The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the executive officers of the Company and the Savings Bank.


Name

Age(1)

Position


Stephen H. Romines

61

Interim President and CEO, First Bancshares, Inc.

Interim President and Chief Executive Officer,

   First Home Savings Bank



Charles W. Schumacher(2)

53

President and CEO, First Bancshares, Inc.

President and Chief Executive Officer,

  First Home Savings Bank


Susan J. Uchtman

42

Chief Financial Officer, First Bancshares,

  Inc. and First Home Savings Bank

_________________

(1)

As of June 30, 2005.

(2)

Mr. Schumacher resigned as Chairman of the Board, director, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Savings Bank effective September 7, 2005.




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The principal occupation of each executive officer of the Company is set forth below.  All of the officers listed above have held positions with or been employed by the Company for at least five years unless otherwise stated.  All executive officers reside in the Savings Bank’s primary trade area in Missouri, unless otherwise stated.  There are no family relationships among or between the executive officers, unless otherwise stated.


 Stephen H. Romines returned to the Savings Bank on an interim basis upon the resignation of Charles W. Schumacher on September 7, 2005.  Mr. Romines had served as President and CEO of First Bancshares, Inc. until 2004 and President and CEO of the Savings Bank until 2002.


 Charles W. Schumacher joined the Savings Bank in 2000 as the Senior Vice President and became President of the Savings Bank in January 2002 and President and CEO of First Bancshares on June 30, 2004.  Previously, Mr. Schumacher was the Executive Vice President and CEO of Northwoods State Bank in Iowa from 1992-2000. Effective September 7, 2005, Mr. Schumacher resigned as President and CEO, of First Bancshares, Inc., President and Chief Executive Officer, of First Home Savings Bank.


Susan J. Uchtman has been employed by First Home since June of 1994.  Mrs. Uchtman, a CPA, was previously employed by Kirkpatrick Phillips & Miller, CPAs, P.C., the Company’s independent auditors, from September 1985 through May 1994.  




Personnel


As of June 30, 2005, the Savings Bank had 88 full-time employees and 12 part-time employees.  The Savings Bank believes that employees play a vital` role in the success of a service company and that the Savings Bank's relationship with its employees is good.  The employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit.



55








Item 2.  Description of Property


The following table sets forth information regarding the Savings Bank's offices as of June 30, 2005.


      

Net

 

Land

 

Building

  
    

Year

 

Book Value

 

Owned/

 

Owned/

 

Square

Location

 

County

 

Opened

 

as of 6/30/05

 

Leased

 

Leased

 

Footage

Main Office

     

(Dollars in thousands)

      

142 East First Street

 

Wright

 

1911

 

 $  1,275

 

Owned

 

Owned

 

 10,700

Mountain Grove, Missouri 65711

          
             

Branch Offices

            

1208 N. Jefferson Street

 

Douglas

 

1978

 

      313

 

Owned

 

Owned

 

  3,500

Ava, Missouri  65608

            
             

103 South Clay Street

 

Webster

 

1974

 

      336

 

Owned

 

Owned

 

  4,200

Marshfield, Missouri  65706

            
             

203 Elm Street

 

Ozark

 

1992

 

      572

 

Owned

 

Owned

 

  3,600

Gainesville, Missouri  65655

           
             

7164 Highway 14 East

 

Christian

1995

 

      227

 

Owned

 

Owned

 

  3,000

Sparta, Missouri  65753

            
             

Business Highway 160

 

Ozark

 

1997

 

       43

 

Leased

 

Leased

 

  1,200

Theodosia, Missouri  65761

            
             

123 Main Street

 

Stone

 

1998

 

      226

 

Owned

 

Owned

 

  3,800

Crane, Missouri  65633 (1)

            
             

South Side of Square

 

Stone

 

1998

 

       57

 

Owned

 

Owned

 

  1,600

Galena, Missouri  65656 (1)

            
             

20377 US Highway 160

 

Taney

 

2000

 

      863

 

Owned

 

Owned

 

  2,250



56






Forsyth, Missouri  65653

            
             

2536 State Highway 176

 

Taney

 

2000

 

      446

 

Owned

 

Owned

 

  2,500

Rockaway Beach, Missouri  65740

          
             

Drive-in Facilities

            

Route 60 and Oakland

 

Wright

 

1986

 

      146

 

Owned

 

Owned

 

  1,200

Mountain Grove, Missouri  65711

          
             

223 West Washington

 

Webster

 

1993

 

      166

 

Owned

 

Owned

 

  1,100

Marshfield, Missouri  65706

            



57







(1)In March 1998, the Savings Bank purchased these branch offices from NationsBank.  As part of the agreement, the Savings Bank assumed customer deposits of $17.4 million and other liabilities of $60,000 in exchange for loans of $4.8 million, premises and equipment of $300,000, cash of $11.3 million and other assets of $70,000.  The Savings Bank paid a premium of $1.0 million for the loans purchased and the customer deposits assumed.  The acquisition was recorded using the purchase method of accounting. At June 30, 2005, the premium paid for the branches was being amortized on a straight-line basis over 15 years.  Results of operations of the branches acquired since the date of acquisition are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Annual Report.



Item 3.  Legal Proceedings


The Savings Bank has issued letters of credit totaling $1.3 million for a customer who is now in bankruptcy with $1.7 million in impaired loans.  The Savings Bank has paid $440,000 on the letters of credit and the beneficiary of the letters of credit has filed suit claiming the balance of $895,000 plus punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.  The Savings Bank has filed a counterclaim and the case is pending in federal court.  Counsel for the Savings Bank has advised that, at this point in the proceedings, the extent of the loss, if any, cannot be predicted.  The Savings Bank believes the beneficiary’s claim is without merit, but a $150,000 accrual has been established for attorney’s fees and litigation expenses.


In the opinion of management, the Savings Bank is not a party to any other pending claims or lawsuits that are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Savings Bank's financial condition or operations.  Periodically, there have been various claims and lawsuits involving the Savings Bank mainly as a defendant, such as claims to enforce liens, condemnation proceedings on properties in which the Savings Bank holds security interests, claims involving the making and servicing of real property loans and other issues incident to the Savings Bank's business.  Aside from such pending claims and lawsuits which are incident to the conduct of the Savings Bank's ordinary business and the lawsuit noted above, the Savings Bank is not a party to any material pending legal proceedings that would have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operations of the Savings Bank.


Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders


No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005.


PART II


Item 5.  Market for Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters


The information contained in the section captioned "Common Stock Information" in the Annual Report to Stockholders attached to this Form 10-KSB as Exhibit 13 is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the “Equity Compensation Plan Information” contained in Part III, Item 11 of this Form 10-KSB is incorporated herein by reference.


Share Repurchase Activity


The table below sets forth information regarding the Company’s repurchases of its common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005.




58






Period

Total Number of Shares Purchased

Average Price Paid per Share

Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan

Maximum Number of Shares that may yet be Purchased Under the Plan

April 1-30, 2005

-

-

-

72,513

May 1-31, 2005

-

-

-

72,513

June 1-30, 2005

500

$19.64

500

72,013

Total

500

$19.64

500

72,013



Item 6.  Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation


The information contained in the section captioned "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 6A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk


Interest Rate Sensitivity of Net Portfolio Value


The following table sets forth the change in the Savings Bank’s net portfolio value at June 30, 2005, based on Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”) models, and to a lesser extent, internal assumptions, that would occur upon an immediate change in interest rates, with no effect given to any steps that management might take to counteract that change.   Net portfolio value is the present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts. The calculation is intended to illustrate the change in net portfolio value that will occur upon an immediate change in interest rates of at least 200 basis points with no effect given to any steps that management might take to counter the effect of that interest rate movement.


        

Net Portfolio as % of

 
  

Net Portfolio Value

 

Portfolio Value of Assets

 

Basis Point ("bp")

 

Dollar

 

Dollar

 

Percent

 

Net Portfolio

   



59






Change in Rates

 

Amount

 

Change(1)

 

Change

 

Value Ratio(2)

 

Change(3)

 
  

 (Dollars in thousands)

 

                  300

Bp

 $ 34,078

 

 $     (939)

 

           (3)

 %

    13.73

 %

         (14)

 bp

                  200

 

   35,329

 

       312

 

           1

 

    14.12

 

         25

 

    100

 

35,742

 

       725

 

           2

 

    14.20

 

         33

 

                    -

 

   35,017

 

           -

   

    13.88

 

          -

 

                 (100)

 

   33,373

 

      (1,644)

 

          (5)

 

13.22      

 

        (65)

 

                (200)

 

   31,685

 

     (3,331)

 

        (10)

 

       12.54

 

     (133)

 


(1) Represents the increase (decrease) of the estimated net portfolio value at the indicated change in interest rates compared to the net portfolio value assuming no change in interest rates.


(2) Calculated as the estimated net portfolio value divided by the portfolio value of total assets.

(3) Calculated as the increase (decrease) of the net portfolio value ratio assuming the indicated change in interest rates over the estimated net portfolio value ratio assuming no change in interest rates.


The above table illustrates, for example, that at June 30, 2005 an instantaneous 200 basis point increase in market interest rates would increase the Savings Bank’s net portfolio value by approximately $312,000, or 1%, and an instantaneous 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would decrease the Savings Bank’s net portfolio value by $1.6 million , or 5%.








60






    The following summarizes key exposure measures for the dates indicated.  They measure the change in net portfolio value ratio for a 200 basis point (100 basis point for June 30, 2004) adverse change in interest rates.


  

June 30,

 

March 31,

 

June 30,

  

2005

 

2005

 

2004

 Pre-shock net portfolio

      

    Value ratio

 

13.88%

 

14.11%

 

11.87%

 Post-shock net portfolio

      

    Value ratio

 

12.54%

 

13.06%

 

11.29%

 Decline in net portfolio

      

    Value ratio

 

133 bp

 

105 bp

 

58 bp



The calculated risk exposure measures indicate the Savings Bank’s interest rate risk at June 30, 2005 has increased from the previous year end, in that the “shock” increase in market rates would have a relatively small negative effect on net portfolio value.  


The OTS uses certain assumptions in assessing the interest rate risk of thrift institutions.  These assumptions relate to interest rates, loan prepayment rates, deposit decay rates, and the market values of certain assets under differing interest rate scenarios, among others.  As with any method of measuring interest rate risk, certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the foregoing table.  For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or period to repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates.  Also, the interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market interest rates.  Additionally, certain assets, such as adjustable rate mortgage loans, have features that restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset.  Further, in the event of a change in interest rates, expected rates of prepayments on loans and early withdrawals from certificates of deposit could deviate significantly from those assumed in calculating the table.





Item 7.  Financial Statements


Independent Auditors Report*

(a)   Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of June 30, 2005 and 2004*

(b)   Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003*

(c)   Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003*

(d)   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003*

(e)   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements*


* Contained in the Annual Report to Stockholders attached to this Form 10-KSB as  Exhibit 13 is incorporated herein by reference.  All schedules have been omitted as the required information is either inapplicable or  contained in the Consolidated Financial Statements or related Notes contained in the Annual Report to Stockholders.




61






Item 8.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure


No disagreement with the Company's independent accountants on accounting and financial disclosure has occurred during the two most recent fiscal years.


Item 8A.  Controls and Procedures


(a)

 Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:   An evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Section 13(a)-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act")) was carried out as of June 30, 2005 under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and several other members of the Company's senior management.  The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as currently in effect are effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Act is (i) accumulated and communicated to the Company's 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: There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Act) that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2005, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

The Company intends to continually review and evaluate the design and effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures and to improve its controls and procedures over time and to correct any deficiencies that it may discover in the future.  The goal is to ensure that senior management has timely access to all material non-financial information concerning the Company’s business.  While the Company believes the present design of its disclosure controls and procedures is effective to achieve its goal, future events affecting its business may cause the Company to modify its disclosure controls and procedures.


Item 8B.  Other Information


     Not applicable.



PART III


Item 9.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant; Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.


The information concerning Directors of the Company contained under the section captioned "Proposal I -- Election of Directors" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.


Information concerning Executive Officers of the Company contained under the caption "Executive Officers " in Part I of this Form 10-KSB is incorporated herein by this reference.


Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act


The information contained under the section captioned "Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.




62






Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert


The Audit Committee consists of Directors Moore, Moody and Sutherland.   The Board of Directors has determined that there is no “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by the SEC.  The Board believes that the current members of the Audit Committee are qualified to serve based on their experience and background.  The Board is in the process of looking for a nominee who will qualify as an audit committee financial expert within the SEC’s definition. 



Code of Ethics



First Bancshares, Inc. has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to First

Bancshares’ directors, executive officers and all other employees, which is included as Exhibit 14 to this Form 10-KSB. A copy of First Bancshares’ Code of Ethics is available to any person without charge, upon written request made to the Corporate Secretary at PO Box 777, Mountain Grove, Missouri 65711.


Item 10.  Executive Compensation


The information contained under the section captioned "Directors’ Compensation” and “Executive Compensation" in the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by reference.


Item 11.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters



Equity Compensation Plan Information.  The following table summarizes share and exercise price information about the Company’s equity compensation plans as of June 30, 2005.


   

(c)

   

Number of securities

 

(a)

(b)

remaining available

 

Number of securities

Weighted-average

for future issuance

 

to be issued

exercise

under equity

 

upon

exercise of

price of outstanding

compensation plans

 

outstanding options,

options, warrants

(excluding securities


Plan category

warrants and rights

and

rights

reflected in column (a))

    

Equity compensation plans

   

  approved by security holders:

   

    Option plan


2,000

$7.75

100,000

    Restricted stock plan


-       

-

50,000

    



63






Equity compensation plans not

   

  approved by security holders:


-


-


-

               Total


          

2,000

      

$7.75

       

150,000

    


 (a)   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners


The information contained in the section captioned "Voting Securities and Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management"  in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.


(b)   Security Ownership of Management


The information contained in the sections captioned "Voting Securities and Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" and "Proposal I - Election of Directors" in the Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by reference.


(c)   Changes in Control


The Company is not aware of any arrangements, including any pledge by any person of securities of the Company, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Company.


Item 12.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions


The information contained in the section captioned " Transactions with Management" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.


                   

Item 13.  Exhibits


(a)     Exhibits


 3.1   Articles of Incorporation of First Bancshares, Inc.*


 3.2   Bylaws of First Bancshares, Inc.*


10.2   First Home Savings Bank 1994 Employee Stock Ownership Plan*


10.3   First Bancshares, Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan**


10.4   First Home Savings Bank Management Recognition and Development Plan**


10.5   Employment Agreement with Charles W. Schumacher***


13.    Annual Report to Stockholders


14.    Code of Ethics


21.    Subsidiaries of the Registrant


23.    Auditors’ Consent


31.1          Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.




64






31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to                Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.



32     Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


 



-------------------

*     Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 File No. 33-69886.


**    Incorporated by reference to the Company’s 1994 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement dated September 14, 1994.

***   Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001.  An updated Employment Agreement with Mr. Schumacher was entered into in November 2004 and terminated in June 2005.


Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Service.


     The information contained under the section captioned “Auditors” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.




SIGNATURES


In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.  


FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.



Date: October 13, 2005

By: /s/Stephen H. Romines

Stephen H. Romines

Interim President and Chief

Executive Officer (Duly

Authorized Representative)


In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.



By: /s/Stephen H. Romines

October 13, 2005

Stephen H. Romines

Interim President and Chief

Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)


By: /s/Susan J. Uchtman_____

October 13, 2005

Susan J. Uchtman

Chief Financial Officer


By: /s/Harold F. Glass _____

October 13, 2005

Harold F. Glass

Director


By: /s/Thomas M. Sutherland

October 13, 2005

Thomas M. Sutherland

Director



65







By: /s/John G. Moody __

October 13, 2005

John G. Moody

Director


By: /s/Dr. James F. Moore

Dr. James F. Moore

Director

October 13, 2005




66









Exhibit 14


Code of Ethics




67






FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.


CODE OF ETHICS



The Business of First Bancshares, Inc.


The business of First Bancshares, Inc. and its affiliates includes a full array of retail banking and related services.  During the performance of our duties, it is necessary to interact with many constituencies.  These persons place their trust in us and accordingly, we have the responsibility to keep this trust and be in strict compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.


First Bancshares requires corporate and affiliate directors, officers and employees to observe a high standard of ethics in business and personal matters.  The following Code of Ethics specifies certain standards for the guidance of all directors, officers and employees.  The Code should be considered as illustrative, but not regarded as all-inclusive.


Failure to comply with all policies and procedures may result in termination of employment or service on the Board of Directors.  Any questions regarding proper code of conduct should be referred to an immediate supervisor or senior management.


Conflict of Interest/Outside Interests


All directors, officers and employees should avoid situations which could result in, or give the appearance of, a conflict of interest concerning either First Bancshares or its stockholders, or any affiliate or its customers.  Personal interest which could affect the proper exercise of judgment must be avoided.  In those cases where personal interests do exist, or may appear to exist, an officer or employee should disqualify himself or herself and permit other members of our staff to handle the transaction, and a director should disqualify himself or herself and abstain from discussion and voting on the matter.


In determining whether a conflict of interest could exist, directors, officers and employees should remember that the rules also apply to their spouses and adult children, where appropriate.  For example, a conflict of interest would arise where the spouse of an employee was offered a business opportunity on account of the employee's position at First Bancshares.


Having a business or other employment outside First Bancshares is permissible provided that it does not conflict with the director, officer or employee's duties or the time and attention required of his or her position at First Bancshares.  Also, the business or employment cannot be directly competitive with First Bancshares.


Acceptance of membership on outside boards involves possible of conflicts of interest. Directors, officers and employees are encouraged to participate in civic, charitable and religious organizations; any other such organization, or position therewith, should be authorized by appropriate management.  Situations which might be in conflict with this policy should be cleared with senior management.


Confidential Information


The confidential nature of bank accounts and company resources in general is a fundamental precept in financial services.  It is important that our directors, officers and employees be constantly alert to the responsibility of maintaining confidentiality.


All information obtained by virtue of employment with or service to First Bancshares should be held in strictest confidence.  This includes financial and personal information of customers, including fellow employees, as well as First Bancshares's financial information and information related to its internal affairs, competitive position, strategic planning and regulatory actions.  Confidential information must not be disclosed to anyone except as required for business transactions or as required by law.  When disclosing confidential information, do so in a manner that does not risk violating confidentiality.




68






Confidential information pertaining to First Bancshares or its customers, suppliers, stockholders and employees is to be used solely for corporate purposes and not as a basis for personal gain by directors, officers or employees.  


In certain instances, confidential information could be considered "insider information" within the meaning of federal and state securities laws.  Disclosure or use of such information for personal gain or for avoiding personal loss could result in substantial civil and criminal penalties to individuals who disclose or who use this information.  Directors, officers and employees must be extremely cautious in discussing the corporate affairs of First Bancshares with customers or outsiders, including with stockholders of First Bancshares who do not have a right to such information before an announcement is made to all stockholders of First Bancshares.


Trading in First Bancshares's Stock


Directors, officers and employees are encouraged to participate and maintain ownership in the stock of First Bancshares.  While there are occasions that dictate the purchase or sale of any investment, active buying and selling of First Bancshares's common stock in order to make short term profits is discouraged.  The Securities and Exchange Commission has stringent rules and regulations related to trading securities while in the possession of material, non-public information.


There may be occasions when you become aware of certain facts related to First Bancshares such as earnings, expansion plans, a potential acquisition or other similar situations which may reasonably be expected to be important to the investing public.  Insider information is information that has not been publicly released and which a reasonable person would consider important in determining whether to buy, sell or hold securities.  Until such information is disseminated to the general public through a press release or other public announcement, directors, officers and employees are prohibited from either purchasing or selling First Bancshares's stock.  Violation of this policy could subject directors, officers or employees to possible action by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the result of which may include fines and/or imprisonment.  Should any directors, officer or employee desire to acquire or sell First Bancshares's stock while knowledgeable of information which has not been released to the public, inquiries for advice should be made to senior management.


Gifts and Entertainment


In the matter of gifts and gratuities to directors, officers or employees, circumstances must govern.  Substantial gifts and excessive entertainment offered because of your affiliation with First Bancshares should be courteously and tactfully declined.  Commissions, fees or propositions involving personal gain to a director, officer or employee in connection with a transaction are highly improper and in some cases, illegal.


No director, officer or employee or member of his or her immediate family should give or accept cash, gifts, special accommodations or other favors from anyone with whom the person is negotiating, soliciting or doing business with on behalf of First Bancshares.  Similarly, officers and employees may not solicit or accept personal fees, commissions or other forms of remuneration because of any transaction or business involving First Bancshares.


The preceding prohibitions are not applicable to entertainment or hospitality of a reasonable value, or gifts (but never cash), which under the circumstances, are of limited or nominal value.  Whenever possible, First Bancshares should pay the expenses of a director, officer or employee.  Frequent invitations from customers or vendors for meals or entertainment should be declined or handled with firm insistence that the director, officer or employee pay for alternate meals.  The acceptance of gifts of more than a nominal value could be considered as an attempt at bribery and could subject both the giver and the recipient to felony charges as well as the penalties prescribed under the Bank Bribery Act, 18 U.S.C. Section 215.  The Bank Bribery Act also covers agents or attorneys of a financial institution.


Full and timely disclosure to senior management or the board of directors must be made with respect to entertainment, hospitality or gifts received.  Any question or doubt as to the appropriateness of their receipt should be referred to and resolved by senior management on a timely basis.  The tactful communication of the limitations of this policy to the donors of gifts is also strongly encouraged.


Anti-Trust Rules and Charges and Pricing




69






Interest rates on deposits and loans, terms of loans, service charges and other similar matters will be determined solely on the basis of what is in the best interest of First Bancshares and its customers.  Under no circumstances should any agreements or understandings be established with any other financial institution concerning such charges.  First Bancshares is individually responsible for its policies and operating procedures.


It is important that no comments be made or actions taken by directors, officers or employees that could be misinterpreted as an agreement to cooperate with competitors in following a common course of action as to rates of interest paid, the terms on which loans are made, hours or the price or services offered to customers.  Situations where discussions with competitors are permissible are strictly limited to circumstances where action by a banking group is warranted, such as an extension of a term loan by a group of banks or a potential bad loan situation where cooperation among lenders is necessary to assist the borrower in working out financial problems.


Undesirable Business


Directors, officers and employees may not discriminate in the acceptance of business brought to us by reputable persons.  However, it should also be kept in mind that accounts or loans requested from known controversial or unsavory persons or firms should generally be declined.  Such relationships could lead to loss and embarrassment for First Bancshares and should be very carefully considered.


Personal Reputation


Loyalty, fidelity and good morals are assumed qualities of those who represent First Bancshares but, nevertheless, need to be emphasized.  It is imperative that each individual display conduct at all times so as to reflect credit on First Bancshares and its directors, officers and employees.  A reputation for good morals, ethics and integrity is within the reach of all, and officers and employees must remain above reproach throughout their business career.


Community and Political Activity


As an institution, First Bancshares cannot and should not engage in politics.  Directors, officers and employees, however, are encouraged to stay well informed on local, state and national affairs and to meet their responsibility to vote in all elections.


Directors, officers and employees should ensure that their participation in political activities in no way reflects unfavorably on First Bancshares.  Community and political activities by directors, officers and employees are encouraged, provided that participation:


·

is accomplished in a legal manner;


·

does not interfere with work performance for First Bancshares;


·

is not deemed to be divisive in the community; and


·

occurs in such a manner which clearly indicates that the director, officer or employee does not speak for First Bancshares.


Before running for an elected political office or accepting an appointment to a federal, state or local government office, the director, officer or employee must discuss the position with First Bancshares's Chief Executive Officer.


Federal law prohibits First Bancshares from making political contributions to parties or candidates.  Loans to political parties or candidates are also generally prohibited.  The use of any corporate funds, supplies, special services, equipment or labor for political purposes must be avoided as such use is illegal.  Additionally, no reimbursement will be made to any individual for political contributions or for the cost of attendance at any political function.  Fund-raising efforts for any purpose should be avoided if there is any possibility of an adverse effect on the reputation of First Bancshares.


Illegal Activity



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Directors, officers and employees are expected to abide by all local, state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines.  Officers or employees engaged in activities found to be in conflict with and against these laws, regulations or guidelines will be subject to termination of employment.  Examples of illegal activity include, but are not limited to:


·

embezzlement;


·

unauthorized sale of information;


·

frauds such as forgery, counterfeiting and check kiting;


·

unauthorized use of funds, revenues and fees;


·

abuse of expense, asset and liability accounts; and


·

sexual harassment or discrimination.


In addition, any director, officer or employee who is charged with, or is entering into a pretrial diversion or similar program for, any crime involving breach of trust, dishonesty, money laundering, a drug-related offense, a crime of violence or a felony must immediately notify senior management.


Competition


The competition between First Bancshares and other financial institutions must always be positive.  The best possible service and personal interest in our customers are much more effective than the criticism of a competitor.  Such criticism is not in keeping with the character of First Bancshares and should have no place in the conversation of directors, officers and employees.


Special Ethical Obligations of the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers


This section of the Code sets forth certain standards for the guidance of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Principal Accounting Officer, Controller of persons performing similar functions ("Senior Financial Officers").  


Honest and Ethical Conduct


Each Senior Financial Officer must act honestly and ethically.  Senior Financial Officers should also promote honest and ethical behavior within First Bancshares.


Acting honestly and ethically includes the duty to avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest, as well as situations which could result in an actual or apparent conflict of interest.  A conflict of interest may arise when personal or financial interest is adverse to, or appears adverse to, the interests of First Bancshares.  Each Senior Financial Officer should report to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors any material transaction or relationship that reasonably could be expected to result in a conflict of interest.


In addition to the duty to avoid conflicts of interest, Senior Financial Officers must treat confidential information properly.  All information obtained by virtue of employment with First Bancshares should be held in strictest confidence.  Confidential information must not be disclosed to anyone except as required for business transactions or as required by law.  When confidential information is disclosed, it must be done in a manner that does not risk violating confidentiality.


Preparation of Public Documents


Each Senior Financial Officer must ensure that all public documents and documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission which he or she is involved in preparing or reviewing contain full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure.  In order to ensure this, the Senior Financial Officers must maintain the skills relevant



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to First Bancshares's needs.  The Senior Financial Officers are also responsible for establishing and maintaining appropriate disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls.


Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations


Each Senior Financial Officer must comply with all local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations.  Any Senior Financial Officer engaged in activities found to be in conflict with and against these laws, rules and regulations will be subject to termination of employment.  The Senior Financial Officers should also cause other officers and employees to comply with all local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations.


Administration of the Code


Any violation or suspected violation of this Code of Ethics must be promptly reported to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.  Violators of the Code may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.  Questions regarding the Code and requests for a waiver from the Code should be brought to the Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee will administer the Code and will make periodic reports to the Board of Directors, as necessary.


This Code of Ethics shall be publicly available.  Changes to, and waivers from, the section of the Code specifically applicable to Senior Financial Officers shall also be disclosed to the public as required by law or stock exchange regulations.  Waivers of the Code of directors or executive officers must be approved by the Board of Directors, and disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K.



Date Approved:  August 25, 2004



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Exhibit 31.1


Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002



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CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER



I, Stephen H. Romines, certify that:


1.

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB of First Bancshares, Inc.;


2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;


3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the small business issuer as of, and for, the periods presented in this report.


4.

The small business issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:


a.

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the small business issuer including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;


b.

Evaluated the effectiveness of the small business issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and


c.

Disclosed in this report any change in the small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the small business issuer’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting; and


5.

The small business issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the small business issuer’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):


a.

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the small business issuer’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and


b.

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting.



Date: October 13, 2005

/s/ Stephen H. Romines

Stephen H. Romines



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Interim President and Chief Executive Officer





Exhibit 31.2




Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002




75







CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER



I, Susan J. Uchtman, certify that:


1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-KSB of First Bancshares, Inc.;


2.

Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;


3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the small business issuer as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report.


4.

The small business issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:


a.

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the small business issuer , including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;


b.

Evaluated the effectiveness of the small business issuer’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and


c.

Disclosed in this report any change in the small business issuer ’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the small business issuer’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting; and


5.

The small business issuer’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the small business issuer’s auditors and the audit committee of the small business issuer’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):


a.

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the small business issuer’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and


b.

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the small business issuer’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date: October 13, 2005

/s/ Susan J. Uchtman

Susan J. Uchtman

Chief Financial Officer




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                            Exhibit 13


Annual Report to Stockholders


(see separate file)



77








Exhibit 21


Subsidiaries of the Registrant





78







Exhibit 21


Subsidiaries of the Registrant




Parent


First Bancshares, Inc.


Percentage

Jurisdiction or

Subsidiaries (a)

of Ownership

State of Incorporation


First Home Savings Bank

100%

Missouri


SCMG, Inc.

100%

Missouri

(formerly South Central Missouri Title, Inc.)


Fybar Service Corporation (b)

100%

Missouri


First Home Investments, Inc. (b)

100%

Missouri



(a)     The operation of the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries are included in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Annual Report attached hereto as Exhibit 13.

(b)

    Wholly owned subsidiary of First Home Savings Bank.



















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Exhibit 23


Consent of Auditors


Kirkpatrick, Phillips & Miller,

   Certified Public Accountants, P.C.

2003 East Sunshine

Springfield, Missouri  65804



CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We have issued our report dated August 16, 2005 accompanying the Consolidated Financial Statement incorporated by reference in the Annual Report of First Bancshares, Inc. on Form 10-KSB for the year ending June 30, 2005.  We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of said reports in the Registration Statement of First Bancshares, Inc. on Form S-8 (File No. 33-87234, effective December 9, 1994).



                                /s/Kirkpatrick, Phillips & Miller

                          KIRKPATRICK, PHILLIPS & MILLER, CPAs , P.C.


Springfield, Missouri

October 12, 2005




80







Exhibit 32


Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002





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CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

OF FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


The undersigned hereby certifies, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and in connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, that:


1.

the report fully complies with the requirements of Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and


2.

the information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the company's financial condition and results of operations.




Date: October 13, 2005

/s/ Stephen H. Romines

Stephen H. Romines

Interim President and Chief Executive Officer




82







CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

OF FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


The undersigned hereby certifies, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and in connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, that:


1.

the report fully complies with the requirements of Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and


2.

the information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the company's financial condition and results of operations.



Date: October 13, 2005

/s/ Susan J. Uchtman

Susan J. Uchtman

Chief Financial Officer







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