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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007

Commission File Number: 0-12507

ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York

 

22-2448962

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(IRS Employer Identification

incorporation or organization)

        

Number)

 

250 GLEN STREET, GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK 12801

(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (518) 745-1000

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 $1.00

(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

     Yes      x   No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

 

     Yes      x   No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such

reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 x   Yes          No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III

of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K:   

   x 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer     

Accelerated filer   x 

Non-accelerated filer     

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

     Yes      x   No

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter:    $228,716,000

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock.

Class

   

Outstanding as of February 28, 2008

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share

   

10,640,907

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 30, 2008 (Part III)




1






ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-K – TABLE OF CONTENTS


 

Page

Note on Terminology


3

Forward-Looking Statements


3

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures


3

PART I

 

Item 1.

Business


4

A.

General


4

B.

Lending Activities


5

C.

Supervision and Regulation


5

D.

Recent Legislative Developments


6

E.

Statistical Disclosure (Guide 3)


7

F.

Competition


7

G.

Executive Officers of the Registrant


7

H.

Available Information


8

Item 1A.

Risk Factors


8

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments


9

Item 2.

Properties


9

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings


9

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders


9

PART II

 

Item 5.

Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of

Equity Securities


10

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data


13

Item 7.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


14

 

Critical Accounting Policies


16

A.

Overview


16

B.

Results of Operations


17

I.

Net Interest Income


17

II.

Provision for Loan Losses and Allowance for Loan Losses


20

III.

Noninterest Income


23

IV.

Noninterest Expense


24

V.

Income Taxes


25

C.

Financial Condition


25

I.

Investment Portfolio


25

II.

Loan Portfolio


27

a. Types of Loans


28

b. Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Changes in Interest Rates


30

c. Risk Elements


30

III.

Summary of Loan Loss Experience


32

IV.

Deposits


32

V.

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More


33

D.

Liquidity


34

E.

Capital Resources and Dividends


34

F.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements


35

G.

Contractual Obligations


35

H.

Fourth Quarter Results


36

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk


37

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data


38

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure


70

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures


70

Item 9B. Other Information


70

PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance*


71

Item 11. Executive Compensation*


71

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters *


71

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence*


71

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services*


71

PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules


71

  

Signatures


74


*These items are incorporated by reference to the Corporation’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 30, 2008.



2






NOTE ON TERMINOLOGY

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the terms “Arrow,” “the registrant,” “the company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” generally refer to Arrow Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries as a group, except where the context indicates otherwise.  Arrow is a two-bank holding company headquartered in Glens Falls, New York.  Our banking subsidiaries are Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company (Glens Falls National) whose main office is located in Glens Falls, New York, and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company (Saratoga National) whose main office is located in Saratoga Springs, New York.  Subsidiaries of Glens Falls National include Capital Financial Group, Inc. (an insurance agency specializing in selling and servicing group health care policies), North Country Investment Advisers, Inc. (a registered investment adviser that provides investment advice to our proprietary mutual funds) and Arrow Properties, Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT).

At certain points in this Report, our performance is compared with that of our “peer group” of financial institutions.  Unless otherwise specifically stated, this peer group is comprised of the group of 273 domestic bank holding companies with $1 to $3 billion in total consolidated assets as  identified in the Federal Reserve Board’s “Bank Holding Company Performance Report” for December 2007, and peer group data has been derived from such Report.  This peer group is not, however, identical to either of the peer groups comprising the two bank indices included in the stock performance graphs on pages 11 and 12 of this Report.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains statements that are not historical in nature but rather are based on our beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections about the future.  These statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and involve a degree of uncertainty and attendant risk.  Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates” and variations of such words and similar expressions often identify such forward-looking statements.  Some of these statements, such as those included in the interest rate sensitivity analysis in Item 7A of this Report, entitled “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” are merely presentations of what future performance or changes in future performance would look like based on hypothetical assumptions and on simulation models.  Other forward-looking statements are based on our general perceptions of market conditions and trends in activity, both locally and nationally, as well as current management strategies for future operations and development.  


Examples of forward-looking statements in this Report are referenced in the table below:

Topic

Section

Page

Location

Impact of Legislative Developments

Part I,

Item 1.D.

7

Last paragraph in Section D

Impact of Legal Claims

Part I,

Item 3

9

Paragraph under Item 3. “Legal  

  Proceedings”

Impact of Changing Interest Rates on

      Earnings

Part II,

Item 7.B.I.

19

1st and next to last paragraph under

   “Impact of Interest Rate Changes

  2002-2007”

 

Part II,

Item 7.C.II.a.

28

1st paragraph under “Residential

  Real Estate Loans”

 

Part II,

Item 7.C.II.a.

28

Last paragraph under “Indirect Loans”

 

Part II,

Item 7.C.II.a.

29

1st paragraph under table

 

Part II,

Item 7.C.IV.

33

Last paragraph in Section IV “Deposits”

 

Part II,

Item 7A.

37

Last three paragraphs

Adequacy of the Allowance for Loan

      Losses

Part II,

Item 7.B.II.

20

1st and 2nd paragraphs under “II. Provision For Loan Losses and Allowance For Loan Losses”

Expected Level of Real Estate Loans

Part II,  

Item 7.C.II.a.

28

1st paragraph under “Residential

  Real Estate Loans”

Liquidity

Part II,

Item 7.D.

34

Last paragraph in Section D “Liquidity”

Dividend Capacity

Part I,

Item 1.C.

6

Next to last paragraph under Section C

  “Supervision and Regulation”

 

Part II,

Item 7.E.

35

1st paragraph


These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to quantify or, in some cases, to identify.  In the case of all forward-looking statements, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what the statements predict or forecast.  

Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to; unexpected changes in economic and market conditions, including unanticipated fluctuations in interest rates; severe changes in credit markets, including credit insurance markets; new developments in state and federal regulation of financial institutions; enhanced competition from unforeseen sources; new emerging technologies; unexpected loss of key personnel; and similar risks inherent in banking operations or business generally.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  We undertake no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.


USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted Regulation G, which applies to all public disclosures, including earnings releases, made by registered companies that contain “non-GAAP financial measures.”  GAAP is generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.  Under Regulation G, companies making public disclosures containing non-GAAP financial measures must also disclose, along with each non-GAAP financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure and a statement of the company’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure as part of its financial disclosures.  As a parallel measure with Regulation G, the SEC has provided in Item 10 of its Regulation S-K, that public companies must make the same types of supplemental disclosures whenever they include non-GAAP financial measures in their filings with the SEC.  The SEC has exempted from the definition of “non-GAAP financial measures” certain commonly used financial measures that are not based on GAAP.  When these exempted measures are included in public disclosures or SEC filings, supplemental information is not required.  The following measures used in this Report, which although commonly utilized by financial institutions have not been specifically exempted by the SEC, may constitute "non-GAAP financial measures" within the meaning of the SEC's rules, although we are unable to state with certainty that the SEC would so regard them.


Tax-Equivalent Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin: Net interest income, as a component of the tabular presentation by financial institutions of Selected Financial Information regarding their recently completed operations, is commonly presented on a tax-equivalent basis.  That is, to the extent that some component of the institution's net interest income which is presented on a before-tax basis, is exempt from taxation (e.g., is received by the institution as a result of its holdings of state or municipal obligations), an amount equal to the tax benefit derived from that component is added back to the net interest income total.  

This adjustment is considered helpful in comparing one financial institution's net interest income to that of another institution, to correct any distortion that might otherwise arise from the fact that the two institutions typically will have different proportions of tax-exempt items in their portfolios.  Moreover, net interest income is itself a component of a second financial measure commonly used by financial institutions, net interest margin, which is the ratio of net interest income to average earning assets.  For purposes of this measure as well, tax-equivalent net interest income is generally used by financial institutions, again to provide a better basis of comparison from institution to institution.  We follow these practices.


The Efficiency Ratio: Financial institutions often use an "efficiency ratio" as a measure of expense control.  The efficiency ratio typically is defined as the ratio of noninterest expense to net interest income and noninterest income.  Net interest income as utilized in calculating the efficiency ratio is typically expressed on a tax-equivalent basis.  Moreover, most financial institutions, in calculating the efficiency ratio, also adjust both noninterest expense and noninterest income to exclude from these items (as calculated under GAAP) certain component elements, such as intangible asset amortization (deducted from noninterest expense) and securities gains or losses (excluded from noninterest income).  We follow these practices.


PART I

Item 1.  Business

A. GENERAL

Our holding company, Arrow Financial Corporation, a New York corporation, was incorporated on March 21, 1983 and is registered as a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956.  Arrow owns (directly or indirectly) two nationally chartered banks in New York (Glens Falls National and Saratoga National), an insurance agency (Capital Financial Group, Inc.), a registered investment adviser that advises our proprietary mutual funds (North Country Investment Advisers, Inc.), a Real Estate Investment Trust (Arrow Properties, Inc.) and five other non-bank subsidiaries whose operations are insignificant.


Subsidiary Banks (dollars in thousands)

 
 

Glens Falls National

Saratoga National

Total Assets at Year-End

$1,358,356

$230,574

Trust Assets Under Administration and

   Investment Management at Year-End

   (Not Included in Total Assets)

$918,470

$42,682

Date Organized

1851

1988

Employees (full-time equivalent)

407

41

Offices

27

6

Counties of Operation

Warren, Washington,

Saratoga, Essex &

Clinton

Saratoga


Main Office

250 Glen Street

Glens Falls, NY

171 So. Broadway

Saratoga Springs, NY


The holding company’s business consists primarily of the ownership, supervision and control of our two banks.  The holding company provides various advisory and administrative services and coordinates the general policies and operation of the banks.  There were 448 full-time equivalent employees at December 31, 2007.

We offer a full range of commercial and consumer banking and financial products.  Our deposit base consists of deposits derived principally from the communities we serve.  We target our lending activities to consumers and small and mid-sized companies in our immediate geographic areas.  Through our banks' trust operations, we provide retirement planning, trust and estate administration services for individuals, and pension, profit-sharing and employee benefit plan administration for corporations.

In April 2005, Arrow’s subsidiary banks acquired from HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (“HSBC”) three bank branches located within the banks’ service areas.  Glens Falls National acquired two HSBC branches located in Argyle and Salem, New York, and Saratoga National acquired a branch located in Corinth, New York.  The banks acquired substantially all deposit liabilities, the physical facilities and certain loans related to the branches.  At the closing of the acquisitions, total deposits of the three branches were approximately $62 million and the related loans were approximately $8 million.  The acquisition resulted in total intangible assets, including goodwill, of approximately $5.9 million.

In November 2004, Glens Falls National acquired all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Capital Financial Group, Inc. (“CFG”), an insurance agency headquartered in South Glens Falls, New York, which specializes in group health and life insurance products.  The acquisition was structured as a tax-free exchange of Arrow’s common stock for CFG’s common stock.  CFG’s president and staff continued with CFG after the acquisition.  As adjusted for cumulative contingent payments, we recorded the following intangible assets as a result of the acquisition (none of which are deductible for income tax purposes): goodwill ($1.623 million), covenant not to compete ($117 thousand) and portfolio expirations ($686 thousand).  The value of the covenant is being amortized over five years and the value of the expirations is being amortized over twenty years.  Under the acquisition agreement, we issued 66,630 shares of Arrow’s common stock at closing.  The agreement also provides for annual contingent future payments of Arrow common stock, based upon earnings of CFG, adjusted as provided in the agreement, over a five-year period.  We concluded that under criteria established by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141 “Business Combinations,” these contingent future payments would be recorded as additional goodwill at the time of payment.  The maximum contingent payment over the five-year period is $3.0 million of Arrow stock, valued at the market price on the date of payment.  Through December 31, 2007, total contingency payments amounted to $244 thousand (9,380 shares).

In 2000, Glens Falls National formed a subsidiary, North Country Investment Advisers, Inc. (“NCIA”), which is an investment adviser registered with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. NCIA advises two SEC-registered mutual funds, the North Country Intermediate Bond Fund™ and the North Country Equity Growth Fund™.  Currently, the investors in these funds consist primarily of individual, corporate and institutional trust customers of our Banks.  However, the funds are also offered on a retail basis at most of the branch locations of our banks.


B. LENDING ACTIVITIES

Arrow engages in a wide range of lending activities, including commercial and industrial lending primarily to small and mid-sized companies; mortgage lending for residential and commercial properties; and consumer installment and home equity financing.  We also maintain an active indirect lending program through our sponsorship of primarily automobile dealer programs under which we purchase dealer paper, primarily from dealers that meet pre-established specifications.  From time-to-time we have sold a modest portion of our residential real estate loan originations into the secondary market, primarily to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and state housing agencies, while normally retaining the servicing rights.  

In addition to sales of loans into the secondary market, we have periodically securitized some of the mortgage loans in our portfolio.  In the securitized transactions, we sold mortgage loans and concurrently purchased an equivalent amount of guaranteed mortgage-backed securities issued by Freddie Mac, with the sold loans representing the underlying collateral for the pooled securities.  We have no contingent liability to unrelated parites under these securitization arrangements.  At December 31, 2007, the balance of these securitized loans remaining in our securities portfolio was approximately $3.5 million.  In addition to interest earned on loans, we receive facility fees for various types of commercial and industrial credits, and commitment fees for extension of letters of credit and certain types of loans.

Generally, we continue to implement lending strategies and policies that are intended to protect the quality of the loan portfolio, including strong underwriting and collateral control procedures and credit review systems.  It is our policy to discontinue the accrual of interest on loans when the payment of interest and/or principal is due and unpaid for a designated period (generally 90 days) or when the likelihood of repayment is, in the opinion of management, uncertain (see Part II, Item 7.C.II.c. “Risk Elements”).  Future cash payments on nonaccrual loans may be applied all to principal, although income in some cases may be recognized on a cash basis.

We lend primarily to borrowers within our geographic area.  The loan portfolio does not include any foreign loans or any other significant risk concentrations.  We do not participate in loan syndications, either as originator or as a participant.  Most of the portfolio, in general, is fully collateralized, and many commercial loans are further secured by personal guarantees.

We do not engage in subprime mortgage lending as a business line and we do not extend or purchase so-called “negative amortization,” “option ARM’s” or “negative equity” mortgage loans.


C. SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

The following generally describes the laws and regulations to which we are subject.  Bank holding companies, banks and their affiliates are extensively regulated under both federal and state law.  To the extent that the following information summarizes statutory or regulatory law, it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular provisions of the various statutes and regulations.  Any change in applicable law may have a material effect on our business and prospects.

Arrow is a registered bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (“BHC Act”) and is subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”).  Arrow is not a so-called “financial holding company” under federal banking law.  Additionally, as a “bank holding company” under New York State law, Arrow is subject to a limited amount of regulation by the New York State Banking Department.  Our two subsidiary banks are both nationally chartered banks and are subject to supervision and examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”). The banks are members of the Federal Reserve System and the deposits of each bank are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).  The BHC Act generally prohibits Arrow from engaging, directly or indirectly, in activities other than banking, activities closely related to banking, and certain other financial activities.  Under the BHC Act, a bank holding company must obtain FRB approval before acquiring, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the voting shares of another bank or bank holding company (unless it already owns a majority of such shares).  Bank holding companies are able to acquire banks or other bank holding companies located in all 50 states.  In addition, 48 of the 50 states permit banks headquartered in other states to establish branches in their states, although in some cases such branching may be achieved only by acquiring existing banks in such states.  The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, enacted in 1999, authorized bank holding companies to affiliate with a much broader array of other financial institutions than was previously permitted, including insurance companies, investment banks and merchant banks.  See Item 1.D., “Recent Legislative Developments.”

An important area of banking regulation is the federal banking system’s promulgation and enforcement of minimum capitalization standards for banks and bank holding companies.  The FRB has adopted various "capital adequacy guidelines" for its use in the examination and supervision of bank holding companies.  The FRB’s risk-based capital guidelines assign risk weightings to all assets and certain off-balance sheet items and establish an 8% minimum ratio of qualified total capital to the aggregate dollar amount of risk-weighted assets (which is almost always less than the dollar amount of such assets without risk weighting).  Under the risk-based guidelines, at least half of total capital must consist of "Tier 1" capital, which comprises common equity, retained earnings and a limited amount of permanent preferred stock, less goodwill.  Under the FRB’s “final” rule, issued February 28, 2006, trust preferred securities may also qualify as Tier 1 capital, in an amount not to exceed 25% of Tier 1 capital.  The final rule limits restricted core capital elements to a percentage of the sum of core capital elements, net of goodwill less any associated deferred tax liability.  We issued trust preferred securities in 2003 and 2004 to serve as part of our core capital.  Up to half of total capital may consist of so-called "Tier 2" capital, comprising a limited amount of subordinated debt, preferred stock not qualifying as Tier 1 capital, certain other instruments and a limited amount of the allowance for loan losses. The FRB’s other important guideline for measuring a bank holding company’s capital is the leverage ratio standard, which establishes minimum limits on the ratio of a bank holding company's "Tier 1" capital to total tangible assets (not risk-weighted).  For top-rated holding companies, the minimum leverage ratio is 3%, but lower-rated companies may be required to meet substantially greater minimum ratios.  Our subsidiary banks are subject to capital requirements similar to the capital requirements applicable at the holding company level described above.  Our banks’ capital requirements have been promulgated by their primary federal regulator, the OCC.

Under applicable law, federal banking regulators are required to take prompt corrective action with respect to depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements.  The regulators have established five capital classifications for banking institutions, the highest being "well-capitalized."  Our holding company and both of our subsidiary banks currently qualify as “well-capitalized.”  Under regulations adopted by the federal bank regulators, a banking institution is considered "well-capitalized" if it has a total risk-adjusted capital ratio of 10% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-adjusted capital ratio of 6% or greater and a leverage ratio of 5% or greater and is not subject to any regulatory order or written directive regarding capital maintenance.  The year-end 2007 capital ratios of our holding company and our banks are set forth in Part II, Item 7.E. "Capital Resources and Dividends" and in Note 15 “Regulatory Matters” to the audited financial statements under Part II, Item 8 of this Report.  

A holding company's ability to pay dividends or repurchase its outstanding stock, as well as its ability to expand its business through acquisitions of additional banking organizations or permitted non-bank companies, may be restricted if its capital falls below these minimum capitalization ratios or fails to meet other informal capital guidelines that the regulators may apply from time to time to specific banking organizations.  In addition to these potential regulatory limitations on payment of dividends, our holding company’s ability to pay dividends to our shareholders, and our subsidiary banks’ ability to pay dividends to our holding company are also subject to various restrictions under applicable corporate laws, including banking laws (affecting our subsidiary banks) and the New York Business Corporation Law (affecting our holding company).  The ability of our holding company and banks to pay dividends in the future is, and is expected to continue to be, influenced by regulatory policies, capital guidelines and applicable law.

In cases where banking regulators have significant concerns regarding the financial condition, assets or operations of a bank or bank holding company, the regulators may take enforcement action or impose enforcement orders, formal or informal, against the organization.  


D. RECENT LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS

The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 became effective October 17, 2005. The Act addressed many areas of bankruptcy practice, including consumer bankruptcy, general and small business bankruptcy, treatment of tax claims in bankruptcy, ancillary and cross-border cases, financial contract protection amendments to Chapter 12 governing family farmer reorganization, and special protection for patients of a health care business filing for bankruptcy.  This Act did not have a significant impact on our earnings or on our efforts to recover collateral on secured loans.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, signed into law on July 30, 2002, adopted a number of measures having a significant impact on all publicly-traded companies, including Arrow.  Generally, the Act sought to improve the quality of financial reporting of these companies by compelling them to adopt good corporate governance practices and by strengthening the independence of their auditors.  The Act placed substantial additional duties on directors, officers, auditors and attorneys of public companies.  Among other specific measures, the Act required that chief executive officers and chief financial officers certify to the SEC in the holding company’s annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC regarding the accuracy of its financial statements contained therein and the integrity of its internal controls.  The Act also accelerated insiders' reporting requirements for transactions in company securities, restricts certain executive officer and director transactions, imposed obligations on corporate audit committees, and provided for enhanced review of company filings by the SEC.  As part of the general effort to improve public company auditing, the Act places limits on consulting services that may be performed by a company's independent auditors by requiring that the company’s Audit Committee of the Board of Directors evaluate amounts to determine independence.  The Act created a federal public company accounting oversight board (the PCAOB) to set auditing standards, inspect registered public accounting firms, and exercise enforcement powers, subject to oversight by the SEC.  

In the wake of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the nation’s stock exchanges, including the exchange on which Arrow’s stock is listed, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”), promulgated a wide array of governance standards that must be followed by listed companies.  The NASD standards include having a Board of Directors the majority of whose members are independent of management, and having audit, compensation and nomination committees of the Board consisting exclusively of independent directors.  We have implemented a variety of corporate governance measures and procedures to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley and the amended NASD listing requirements, although we have always relied on a Board of Directors a majority of whose members are independent and independent Board committees to make important decisions regarding the company.

The USA Patriot Act initially adopted in 2001 and re-adopted by the U.S. Congress in 2006 with certain changes (the “Patriot Act”), imposes substantial new record-keeping and due diligence obligations on banks and other financial institutions, with a particular focus on detecting and reporting money-laundering transactions involving domestic or international customers.  The U.S. Treasury Department has issued and will continue to issue regulations clarifying the Patriot Act's requirements.  The Patriot Act requires all financial institutions, including banks, to establish certain anti-money laundering compliance and due diligence programs.  The provisions of the Act impose substantial additional costs on all financial institutions, including ours.

In November 1999, Congress enacted the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”), which permitted bank holding companies to engage in a wider range of financial activities.  For example, under GLBA bank holding companies may underwrite all types of insurance and annuity products and all types of securities products and mutual funds, and may engage in merchant banking activities.  Bank holding companies that wish to engage in these or other financial activities generally must do so through separate “financial” subsidiaries and may themselves be required to register (and qualify to register) as so-called “financial holding companies.”  A bank holding company that does not register as a financial holding company remains a bank holding company subject to substantially the same regulatory restrictions and permitted activities as applied to bank holding companies prior to GLBA (See Item I.C., “Supervision and Regulation,” above).  We have not as yet elected to become a “financial holding company”.  Also under GLBA, financial institutions have become subject to stringent customer privacy regulations, in addition to the privacy provisions under the Fair Credit Reporting Act Amendment of 2003.

The FDIC collects both insurance premiums on insured deposits and an assessment for the Financing Corporation (FICO) bonds.

The FICO was established by the Competitive Equality Banking Act of 1987, and is a mixed-ownership government corporation whose sole purpose was to issue bonds to insure thrift insitutions. Outstanding FICO bonds, which are 30-year noncallable bonds with a principal amount of approximately $8.1 billion, mature in 2017 through 2019.  FICO has assessment authority, separate from the FDIC's authority to assess risk-based premiums for deposit insurance, to collect funds from all FDIC-insured institutions sufficient to pay interest on FICO bonds. The FDIC acts as collection agent for the FICO.  Since the first quarter of 2000, all FDIC-insured deposits have been assessed at the same rate by FICO.  For 2007, our FICO assessment was approximately $140,000.

In 2007 the FDIC resumed charging financial institutions a premium under the new “risk-based assessment system.”  Under this system, institutions in Risk Category I (the lowest of four risk categories) will pay a rate (based on a formula) of 5 to 7 cents per $100 of assessable deposits.  Both of our banks qualified for the 5 cent per $100 assessment rate during 2007.

 

The Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 allowed "eligible insured depository institutions" to share a one-time assessment credit pool of approximately $4.7 billion.  Our credit amounted to $747,000.  The credit was available to offset 2007 FDIC insurance premiums, but not to offset the FICO bond assessment, which will continue through 2019.  The one-time credit fully offset our FDIC insurance premiums for 2007 and will offset approximately $133 thousand of our 2008 premiums.

Various federal bills that would significantly affect banks are introduced in Congress and the New York State Legislature from time to time.  We cannot estimate the likelihood of any currently proposed banking bills being enacted into law, or the ultimate effect that any such potential legislation, if enacted, would have upon our financial condition or operations.  


E. STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE – (GUIDE 3)

Set forth below is an index identifying the location in this Report of various items of statistical information required to be included in this Report by the SEC’s industry guide for Bank Holding Companies.


Required Information

Location in Report

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity;

  Interest Rates and Interest Differential

Part II, Item 7.B.I.

Investment Portfolio

Part II, Item 7.C.I.

Loan Portfolio

Part II, Item 7.C.II.

Summary of Loan Loss Experience

Part II, Item 7.C.III.

Deposits

Part II, Item 7.C.IV.

Return on Equity and Assets

Part II, Item 6.

Short-Term Borrowings

Part II, Item 8. Note 10.


F. COMPETITION

We face intense competition in all markets we serve.  Traditional competitors are other local commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan institutions and credit unions, as well as local offices of major regional and money center banks.  Also, non-banking financial organizations, such as consumer finance companies, insurance companies, securities firms, money market and mutual funds and credit card companies offer substantive equivalents of the various loan and financial products and transactional accounts that we offer, even though these non-banking organizations are not subject to the same regulatory restrictions and capital requirements that apply to us.  Under federal banking laws, such non-banking financial organizations not only may offer products comparable to those offered by commercial banks, but also may establish or acquire their own commercial banks.


G. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The names and ages of the executive officers of Arrow and positions held by each are presented in the following table.  Officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors.

Name

Age

Positions Held and Years from Which Held

Thomas L. Hoy

59

Chairman, President and CEO since 2004.  Prior to 2004, Mr. Hoy served as President and CEO.  Mr. Hoy has been with the company since 1974.

Terry R. Goodemote

44

Senior Vice President, Treasurer and CFO since January 1, 2007.  Prior to 2007, Mr. Goodemote was Senior Vice President and head of the Accounting Division.  Mr. Goodemote has been with the company since 1992.

John C. Van Leeuwen

64

Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer since 1995.  Prior to 1995, Mr. Van Leeuwen served as Vice President and Loan Review Officer.  Mr. Van Leeuwen has been with the company since 1985.

Gerard R. Bilodeau

61

Senior Vice President and Secretary since 1994.  Mr. Bilodeau was Vice President and Secretary from 1993 to 1994 and was Director of Personnel prior to 1993.  Mr. Bilodeau has been with the company since 1969.


H. AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Our Internet address is www.arrowfinancial.com.  We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports as soon as practicable after we file or furnish them with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act.  We also make available on the internet website various other documents related to corporate operations, including our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the charters of our principal board committees, and our codes of ethics.  We have adopted a financial code of ethics that applies to Arrow’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer and principal accounting officer and a business code of ethics that applies to all directors, officers and employees.


Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our financial results and the market price of our stock in future periods are subject to risks arising from many factors, including:


If economic conditions worsen or the U.S.  experiences a nationwide recession, the company’s allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover actual losses.  Like all financial institutions, we maintain an allowance for loan losses to provide for loan defaults and uncollectibility.  Our allowance for loan losses is based on our historical loss experience as well as an evaluation of the risks associated with our loan portfolio, including the size and composition of the portfolio, current economic conditions and geographic concentrations within the portfolio and other factors.  For a variety of reasons, including falling home prices nationwide and a general deterioration in U.S. credit markets over the past six months to one year, the rate of growth in the national economy slowed dramatically in the fourth quarter of 2007 and available data suggests that economic conditions may continue to deteriorate in upcoming periods.  If the economy in our geographic market area, Northeastern New York State, should deteriorate or enter into a “recession” state, this may have an adverse impact on our loan portfolio.  If the quality of our portfolio should weaken, our allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover actual loan losses, and future provisions for loan losses could materially and adversely affect financial results.  Moreover, loan portfolio difficulties often accompany difficulties in other areas of our business, including our investment portfolio and growth of our business generally, thereby compounding the negative effects on earnings.

The domestic interest rate environment could negatively affect the company’s net interest income.  An institution’s net interest income is significantly affected by market rates of interest, including short-term and long-term rates and the relationship between the two.  Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, which are beyond our control, including general economic conditions, policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies such as the Federal Reserve Board, and actions taken by foreign central banks.  Like all financial institutions, the Company’s balance sheet is affected by fluctuations in interest rates.  Volatility in interest rates can also result in the flow of funds away from financial institutions.  See the discussion under “Changes in Net Interest Income Due to Rate,” on page 18 of this Report.

The financial services industry is highly competitive, and competitive pressures could intensify and adversely affect the company’s financial results.  We operate in a highly competitive industry that could become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and continued entry into the banking business by non-banking companies.  Traditionally we compete with other commercial banks, savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, finance companies, mortgage banking companies, credit unions and investment companies.  However, technology has lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks.  Many of these new competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and some have lower cost structures.   

Changes in accounting standards may materially impact the company’s financial statements.  From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) changes the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of our financial statements.  These changes can be hard to predict and can materially impact how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations.  In some cases, we may be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in changes to previously reported financial statements.

The company’s business could suffer if it loses key personnel unexpectedly or fails to provide for an orderly management succession.  Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to retain our key personnel for the duration of their expected terms of service, and to arrange for an orderly succession of other, equally skilled personnel.  Competition for the best people in our business can be intense.  While our Board of Directors actively reviews succession plans, any sudden change at the senior management level may adversely affect our business.

The company relies on other companies to provide key components of the company’s business infrastructure.  Third-party vendors provide key components of our business infrastructure such as internet connections, network access and mutual fund distribution.  These parties are beyond our control, and any problems caused by these third parties, including their not providing us their services or performing such services poorly, could adversely affect our ability to deliver products and services to our customers and conduct our business.  

Significant legal actions could subject the company to substantial uninsured liabilities.  From time to time we are subject to claims related to our operations.  These claims and legal actions, including supervisory actions by our regulators, could involve large monetary claims and significant defense costs.  To protect ourselves from the cost of these claims, we maintain insurance coverage in amounts and with deductibles that we believe are appropriate for our operations, but this insurance coverage may not cover all claims against us or may increase substantially in cost.  As a result, we may be exposed to significant uninsured liabilities, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

The company is exposed to risk of environmental liability when it takes title to properties.  In the course of our business, we may foreclose on and take title to real estate, including commercial real estate, and could be subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties.  We may be held liable for substantial amounts to a government entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination or may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances or chemical releases at a property.  In addition, if we are the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property.

The company faces continuing and growing security risks to its own information base and to information on its customers.  The computer systems and network infrastructure that we use, are always vulnerable to unforeseen problems, including theft of confidential customer information (“identity theft”) and interruption of service as a result of fire, natural disasters, explosion or general infrastructure failure.  These problems may arise in both our internally developed systems and the systems of our third-party service providers.  We constantly assess and attempt to improve our security systems and disaster preparedness, but the risks in these areas are substantially escalating.

The company’s stock price can be volatile.  Our stock price can fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors, including:  actual or anticipated variations in our operating results; recommendations by securities analysts; significant acquisitions or business combinations; operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us; new technology used or services offered by our competitors; news reports relating to trends, concerns and other issues in the financial services industry; and changes in government regulations.  Many of these factors that may adversely affect our stock price do not directly pertain to our operating results, including general market fluctuations, industry-wide factors and economic and general political conditions and events, including terrorist attacks, economic slowdowns or recessions, interest rate changes, credit loss trends or currency fluctuations.

If the value of real estate in our market area were to decline materially, a significant portion of our loan portfolio could become under-collateralized, which might have a material adverse effect on us.  In addition to considering the financial strength and cash flow characteristics of borrowers, we often secure loans with real estate collateral, which in each case provides an alternate source of repayment in the event of default by the borrower.  This real property may deteriorate in value during the time the credit is outstanding.  If we are required to liquidate the collateral securing a loan to satisfy the debt during a period of reduced real estate values, our earnings and capital could be adversely affected.  Our geographic market area experienced real estate price appreciation in the period 2002-2007 but property values in our region have recently leveled off and future declines in property values, of the sort being experienced elsewhere in the U.S. currently, are quite possible.

We are subject to the local economies where we operate, and unfavorable economic conditions in these areas could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  Our success depends upon the growth in population, income levels and deposits in our geographic market area.  Unpredictable and unfavorable economic conditions unique to our market area may have an adverse effect on the quality of our loan portfolio and financial performance.  As a community bank, we are less able than our larger regional competitors to spread the risk of unfavorable local economic conditions over a larger market area.  Moreover, we cannot give any assurances that we will benefit from any unique and  favorable economic conditions in our market area, even if they do occur.  

We may be adversely affected by government regulation.  We are subject to extensive federal and state banking regulations and supervision.  Banking regulations are intended primarily to protect our depositors’ funds and the federal deposit insurance funds, not the company’s shareholders.  Regulatory requirements affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements could result in the imposition of limitations on our operations that would adversely impact our operations and could, if capital levels dropped significantly, result in our being required to cease or scale back our operations.  Changes in governing law, regulations or regulatory practices could impose additional costs on us or adversely affect our ability to obtain deposits or make loans and thereby hurt our revenues and profitability.


Item 1.B.  Unresolved Staff Comments - None


Item 2.  Properties

Our main office is at 250 Glen Street, Glens Falls, New York.  The building is owned by us and serves as the main office for Glens Falls National Bank, our principal subsidiary.  We own twenty-seven branch offices and lease six others at market rates.

In the opinion of management, the physical properties of our holding company and our subsidiary banks are suitable and adequate.  For more information on our properties, see Notes 1, 6 and 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Report.


Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

We are not the subject of any material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation occurring in the normal course of our business.  On an ongoing basis, we are the subject of or a party to various legal claims, which arise in the normal course of our business.  The various pending legal claims against us will not, in the opinion of management based upon consultation with counsel, result in any material liability.


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

None in the fourth quarter of 2007.



3






PART II


Item 5.  Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity

    Securities


The common stock of Arrow Financial Corporation is traded on The Nasdaq Stock MarketSM under the symbol AROW.

The high and low prices listed below represent actual sales transactions, as reported by Nasdaq.  All stock prices and cash dividends per share have been restated to reflect subsequent stock dividends.  On September 28, 2007, we distributed a 3% stock dividend on our outstanding shares of common stock.

 

2007

2006

 

Sales Price

Cash Dividends

Sales Price

Cash Dividends

 

Low

High

Declared

Low

High

Declared

First Quarter

$20.583

$24.553

$.233

$24.225

$26.393

$.226

Second Quarter

20.825

22.990

.233

22.434

26.393

.226

Third Quarter

19.417

25.810

.233

23.565

26.082

.226

Fourth Quarter

20.490

25.000

.240

22.699

25.971

.233

       

The payment of cash dividends by Arrow is at the discretion of its Board of Directors and is dependent upon, among other things, our earnings, financial condition and other factors, including applicable legal and regulatory restrictions.  See "Capital Resources and Dividends" in Part II, Item 7.E. of this report.

There were approximately 5,811 holders of record of Arrow’s common stock at December 31, 2007. Arrow has no other class of stock outstanding.


Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table sets forth certain information regarding Arrow's equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2007.  These equity compensation plans were our 1993 Long Term Incentive Plan ("1993 Stock Plan"), our 1998 Long Term Incentive Plan ("1998 Stock Plan"), our Director, Officer and Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") and our Directors' Stock Plan.  Consistent with applicable law and regulation, the 1993 Stock Plan and the 1998 Stock Plan were approved by Arrow's shareholders, while the ESPP and the Directors' Plan were not.





Plan Category

(a)

Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights        

(b)

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights     

(c)

Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a))        

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders

519,557 (1)

$20.77

151,278 (2)

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders

           0

0

561,765 (3)

Total

519,557

$20.77

713,043


(1) Includes 426,477 shares of common stock  issuable pursuant to outstanding stock options granted under the 1998 Stock Plan and 93,080 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to outstanding stock options granted under the 1993 Stock Plan.

(2) Under the terms of the 1998 Stock Plan, the ability to issue options or other stock-based awards expired in January 2008.  On that date, there remained available for issue but unissued 151,278 shares of common stock.  Awards under the 1993 Stock Plan expired in 2003.  The Company is submitting a new 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan for shareholder approval at its 2008 annual meeting of shareholders.

(3) Includes 2,094 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the Directors’ Stock Plan and 559,671 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the ESPP.  The company is preparing to amend the Directors’ Stock Plan to add 30,000 shares of common stock to the total of authorized shares issuable thereunder; the amendment will be submitted for shareholder approval at the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders.


Description of Non-Shareholder Approved Plans.


Director, Officer and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  The Director, Officer and Employee Stock Purchase Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors in 2000.  Under the plan, eligible participants (currently directors, officers, full-time employees and certain retirees) are permitted to acquire shares of common stock at a price that represents a small discount from the current market price of the stock by authorizing regular withholding from their paychecks or, in the case of directors or retirees, regular withdrawals from their bank deposit accounts.  Participants may also purchase shares on an ad hoc basis through optional cash contributions.  The discount on shares acquired through regular withholdings or withdrawals is 5%.  The discounted price only applies to the first $1,000 of a participant's monthly contribution; after that threshold is reached, shares are purchased at 100% of market price.  The total number of shares originally authorized for purchase under the Plan, as adjusted, was 775,546 shares.  There are maximum and minimum levels for participant contributions, which the Board of Directors may change from time to time.



4






Directors' Stock Plan.   The Directors' Stock Plan was originally adopted by the Board of Directors in 1999.  It provides for the automatic issuance of shares of Common Stock to directors of Arrow and its subsidiary banks in lieu of cash director fees otherwise payable to them.  The portion of their cash directors’ fees payable in stock is fixed each year in advance by a vote of the full Board of Directors.  The total number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan, as adjusted through December 31, 2007, is 32,736 shares.

 

STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPHS

The following two graphs provide a comparison of the total cumulative return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) for the common stock of Arrow as compared to the Russell 2000 Index, the SNL NASDAQ Bank Index and the SNL Bank $1-$5B Index.  The historical information set forth below may not be indicative of future results.  The first graph presents the five year period from December 31, 2002 to December 31, 2007 and the second graph presents the ten year period from December 31, 1997 to December 31, 2007.


[tenk002.gif]


Source: SNL Financial LC, Charlottesville, VA © 2008




TOTAL RETURN PERFORMANCE

 

Period Ending

Index

12/31/02

12/31/03

12/31/04

12/31/05

12/31/06

12/31/07

Arrow Financial Corporation

100.00

116.49

138.03

123.98

125.54

117.11

Russell 2000

100.00

147.25

174.24

182.18

215.64

212.26

SNL NASDAQ Bank Index

100.00

129.08

147.94

143.43

161.02

126.42

SNL Bank $1B - $5B Index

100.00

135.99

167.83

164.97

190.90

139.06











5






[tenk004.gif]


TOTAL RETURN PERFORMANCE

 

Period Ending

Index

12/31/97

12/31/98

12/31/99

12/31/00

12/31/01

12/31/02

12/31/03

12/31/04

12/31/05

12/31/06

12/31/07

Arrow Financial

  Corporation

100.00

87.97

85.07

89.08

145.97

166.85

194.37

230.30

206.87

209.47

195.39

SNN NASDAQ Bank

  Index

100.00

103.20

99.15

114.47

124.60

128.15

165.42

189.58

183.81

206.36

162.01

SNL Bank $1B - $5B

  Index

100.00

99.77

91.69

104.05

126.42

145.94

198.46

244.93

240.75

278.59

202.93

Russell 2000

100.00

97.45

118.17

114.60

117.45

93.39

137.52

162.73

170.14

201.39

198.24


Source: SNL Financial LC, Charlottesville, VA © 2008


Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

In connection with Arrow’s acquisition in 2004 of Capital Financial Group, Inc. (CFG), an insurance agency specializing in the sale of group health and life insurance products, Arrow issued 66,630 shares of its common stock to the former sole shareholder of CFG, John Weber, in exchange for Mr. Weber’s CFG shares.  The acquisition agreement contained a post-closing purchase price adjustment provision, under which Arrow would also pay to Mr. Weber, over the 5-year period following closing, additional consideration in the form of additional shares of Arrow’s common stock, depending on the financial performance of CFG as a subsidiary of Arrow during such period.  Under this provision, Arrow issued an additional 9,380 shares to Mr. Weber from 2005 to 2007.  All shares issued to Mr. Weber at the original closing and in post-closing adjustments were issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance upon the exemption for such registration set forth in Section 3(a)(11) of the Act and Rule 147 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.  This exemption was available because Mr. Weber was and remains a New York resident, and CFG was and remains a New York corporation having substantially all of its assets and business operations in the State of New York.


Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table presents information about repurchases by us during the three months ended December 31, 2007 of our common stock (our only class of equity securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934):

Fourth Quarter

Calendar Month

Total Number of

Shares Purchased1

Average Price

Paid Per Share1

Total Number of

Shares Purchased as

Part of Publicly

Announced

Plans or Programs2

Maximum

Approximate Dollar

Value of Shares that

May Yet be

Purchased Under the

Plans or Programs2

October

7,388

$21.69

5,000

1,307,689

November

34,197

21.62

  10,000

1,091,089

December

22,662

22.47

       ---

1,091,089

Total

64,247

21.93

15,000

 


1The total number of shares purchased and the average price paid per share include shares purchased in open market transactions under the Arrow Financial Corporation Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “DRIP”) by the administrator of the DRIP and shares surrendered or deemed surrendered to Arrow by holders of options to acquire Arrow common stock in connection with the exercise of such options.  In the months indicated, the listed number of shares purchased included the following numbers of shares purchased through such methods:  October 2007 - DRIP purchases (2,388 shares); November 2007 – DRIP purchases (4,369 shares), stock options (19,828 shares); December 2007 – DRIP purchases (19,078 shares), stock options (3,584 shares).  DRIP purchases do not reflect so-called “netting” transactions, that is, purchases effected within the DRIP itself by the DRIP administrator consisting of monthly acquisitions of shares by purchasing participants who are investing funds in the plan from other selling participants who are withdrawing funds from the plan.

2Includes only those shares acquired by Arrow pursuant to publicly-announced stock repurchase programs.  Does not include shares purchased or subject to purchase under the DRIP or any compensatory stock plan.  Our only current publicly-announced stock repurchase program is the program approved by the Board of Directors and announced in April 2007 under which the Board authorized a twelve-month maximum cumulative purchase of $6,000,000 in stock.


Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

FIVE YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED DATA

Arrow Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries

(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)



Consolidated Statements of Income Data:

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Interest and Dividend Income

$86,577 

$80,611 

$72,127 

$68,443 

$70,731 

Interest Expense

  40,283 

  34,743 

  24,114 

  19,206 

  21,610 

Net Interest Income

46,294 

45,868 

48,013 

49,237 

49,121 

Provision for Loan Losses

       513 

       826 

    1,030 

    1,020 

    1,460 

Net Interest Income After Provision

 for Loan Losses

45,781 

45,042 

46,983 

48,217 

47,661 

Noninterest Income

16,288 

15,883 

14,584 

12,830 

11,592 

Net (Losses) Gains on Securities Transactions

--- 

(102)

364 

362 

755 

Noninterest Expense

  37,930 

  36,807 

  35,189 

  32,972 

   32,485 

Income Before Provision for Income Taxes

24,139 

24,016 

26,742 

28,437 

27,523 

Provision for Income Taxes

    6,807 

    7,124 

    8,103 

    8,959 

    8,606 

Net Income

$17,332 

$16,892 

$18,639 

$19,478 

$18,917 

      

Earnings Per Common Share: 1

     

Basic

$ 1.62

$ 1.55

$ 1.69

$ 1.76

$ 1.71

Diluted

1.61

1.53

1.66

1.72

1.67

      

Per Common Share: 1

     

Cash Dividends

$    .94

$    .91

$    .87

$    .81

$  .74

Book Value

11.50

10.83

10.68

10.59

9.62

Tangible Book Value 2

9.94

9.28

9.10

9.54

8.74

      

Consolidated Year-End Balance Sheet Data:

     

Total Assets

$1,584,846

$1,520,217

$1,519,603

$1,377,949

$1,373,920

Securities Available-for-Sale

338,070

315,886

326,363

325,248

349,831

Securities Held-to-Maturity

114,611

108,498

118,123

108,117

105,776

Loans

1,038,844

1,008,999

996,545

875,311

855,178

Nonperforming Assets

2,336

3,169

2,372

2,245

2,687

Deposits

1,204,200

1,186,397

1,165,763

1,032,280

1,046,616

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

160,000

125,000

157,000

150,000

150,000

Other Borrowed Funds

73,719

68,324

63,054

63,976

55,936

Shareholders’ Equity

122,256

118,130

117,421

118,034

105,865

      

Selected Key Ratios:

     

Return on Average Assets

1.11%

1.11%

1.28%

1.40%

1.42%

Return on Average Equity

14.68   

14.38   

15.94   

17.54   

18.34   

Dividend Payout

58.39   

59.87   

52.27   

47.25   

44.63   


1Share and per share amounts have been adjusted for subsequent stock splits and dividends, including the most recent September

    2007 3% stock dividend.

2Tangible book value excludes intangible assets from total equity.



6






Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The following table presents selected quarterly information for the fourth quarter of 2007 and the preceding four quarters:


Selected Quarterly Information:

(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

Share and per share amounts have been adjusted for subsequent stock dividends, including the most recent September 2007 3% stock dividend.

 

Dec 2007

Sep 2007

Jun 2007

Mar 2007

Dec 2006

Net Income

$4,481

$4,510

$4,210

$4,131

$4,295

      

Transactions Recorded in Net Income (Net of Tax):

     

Visa Litigation

$(362)

$---

$---

$---

$---

Net Securities Gains

---

---

---

---

10

Net Gains on Sales of Loans

5

2

14

3

7

Net (Losses) Gains on the Sale of Other Real Estate Owned

(5)

---

---

3

---

      

Period End Shares Outstanding

10,627

10,612

10,689

10,807

10,905

Basic Average Shares Outstanding

10,619

10,628

10,732

10,881

10,895

Diluted Average Shares Outstanding

10,682

10,697

10,804

10,966

11,021

Basic Earnings Per Share

$.42

$.42

$.39

$.38

$.39

Diluted Earnings Per Share

.42

.42

.39

.38

.39

Cash Dividends Per Share

.24

.23

.23

.23

.23

Stock Dividends/Splits

---

3%

---

---

---

      

Average Assets

$1,601,053

$1,566,329

$1,539,278

$1,525,423

$1,530,566

Average Equity

120,433

116,362

116,998

118,532

120,097

Return on Average Assets

1.11%

1.14%

1.10%

1.10%

1.11%

Return on Average Equity

14.76

15.38

14.43

14.13

14.19

      

Average Earning Assets

$1,526,148

$1,494,744

$1,469,060

$1,456,018

$1,458,211

Average Paying Liabilities

1,265,765

1,231,812

1,218,644

1,202,593

1,203,444

Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent 1

23,171

22,669

22,126

21,530

21,388

Interest Expense

10,413

10,272

9,984

9,614

9,488

Net Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent 1

12,758

12,397

12,142

11,916

11,900

Tax-Equivalent Adjustment

740

748

717

714

557

Net Interest Margin 1


3.32%

3.29%

3.32%

3.32%

3.24%


Efficiency Ratio Calculation:1

     

Noninterest Expense

$  9,773 

$  9,223 

$  9,573 

$  9,361 

$  9,120 

Less: Intangible Asset Amortization

       (96)

       (96)

       (96)

     (106)

     (107)

   Net Noninterest Expense

$  9,677 

$  9,127 

$  9,477 

$  9,255 

$  9,013 

Net Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent 1

$12,758 

$12,397 

$12,142 

$11,916 

$11,900 

Noninterest Income

4,016 

4,089 

4,171 

4,012 

3,973 

Less: Net Securities (Gains) Losses

          --- 

         --- 

         --- 

         --- 

       (16)

   Net Gross Income

$16,774 

$16,486 

$16,313 

$15,928 

$15,857 

Efficiency Ratio 1

57.69%

55.36%

58.10%

58.11%

56.84%


Period-End Capital Information:

     

Tier 1 Leverage Ratio

8.37%

8.39%

8.51%

8.62%

8.63%

Total Shareholders’ Equity (i.e. Book Value)

$122,256

$118,874

$115,911

$118,380

$118,130

Book Value per Share

11.50

11.20

10.84

10.95

10.83

Intangible Assets

16,590

16,699

16,808

16,917

16,925

Tangible Book Value per Share

9.94

9.63

9.27

9.39

9.28

      

Net Loans Charged-off as a

  Percentage of Average Loans, Annualized

.05%

.04%

.03%

.03%

.10%

Provision for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Average Loans, Annualized

 .07   

 .05   

 .04   

 .04   

 .11   

Allowance for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Loans, Period-end

1.19   

1.19   

1.21   

1.21   

1.22   

Allowance for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Nonperforming Loans, Period-end

567.81   

610.64   

614.22   

603.43   

442.12   

Nonperforming Loans as a

  Percentage of Loans, Period-end

 .21   

 .20   

 .20   

 .20   

 .28   

Nonperforming Assets as a

  Percentage of Total Assets, Period-end

 .15   

 .13   

 .15   

 .15   

 .21   

      

 1 See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on page 3.





7






Selected Twelve-Month Information:

(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

Share and per share amounts have been adjusted for subsequent stock dividends, including the most recent September 2007 3% stock dividend.

   

Dec 2007

Dec 2006

Dec 2005

Net Income

  

$17,332

$16,892

$18,639

      

Transactions Recorded in Net Income (Net of Tax):

     

Visa Litigation

  

$(362)

$---  

$--- 

Net Securities (Losses) Gains

  

   --- 

  (61)

  219

Net Gains on Sales of Loans

  

25

44

73

Gain on the Sale of Premises

  

---

136

---

Net (Losses) Gains on the Sale of Other Real Estate Owned

  

(2)

---

35

      

Period End Shares Outstanding

  

10,627

10,905

10,997

Basic Average Shares Outstanding

  

10,714

10,922

11,054

Diluted Average Shares Outstanding

  

10,786

11,067

11,242

Basic Earnings Per Share

  

$1.62  

$1.55  

$1.69  

Diluted Earnings Per Share

  

1.61  

1.53  

1.66  

Cash Dividends Per Share

  

.94  

.91  

.87  

      

Average Assets

  

$1,558,252

$1,522,327

$1,458,716

Average Equity

  

118,082

117,466

116,956

Return on Average Assets

  

1.11%

1.11%

1.28%

Return on Average Equity

  

14.68   

14.38   

15.94   

      

Average Earning Assets

  

$1,486,707

$1,451,655

$1,386,485

Average Paying Liabilities

  

1,229,882

1,201,612

1,149,426

Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent 1

  

89,498

82,999

74,624

Interest Expense

  

40,283

34,743

24,114

Net Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent 1

  

49,215

48,256

50,510

Tax-Equivalent Adjustment

  

2,921

2,388

2,497

Net Interest Margin 1


  

3.31%

3.32%

3.64%


Efficiency Ratio Calculation 1

     

Noninterest Expense

  

$37,930 

$36,807 

$35,189 

Less: Intangible Asset Amortization

  

     (394)

     (436)

     (385)

   Net Noninterest Expense

  

$37,536 

$36,371 

$34,804 

Net Interest Income, Tax-Equivalent 1

  

$49,215 

$48,256 

$50,510 

Noninterest Income

  

16,288 

15,781 

14,948 

Less: Net Securities Losses (Gains)

  

          --- 

       102 

     (364)

   Net Gross Income

  

$65,503 

$64,139 

$65,094 

Efficiency Ratio 1

  

57.30%

56.71%

53.47%


Period-End Capital Information:

     

Tier 1 Leverage Ratio (Period-end)

  

8.37%

8.63%

8.33%

Total Shareholders’ Equity (i.e. Book Value)

  

$122,256

$118,130

$117,421

Book Value per Share

  

11.50

10.83

10.68

Intangible Assets

  

16,590

16,925

17,337

Tangible Book Value per Share

  

9.94

9.28

9.10

      

Net Loans Charged-off as a

  Percentage of Average Loans

  

.04%

.08%

.09%

Provision for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Average Loans

  

 .05   

 .08   

 .11   

Allowance for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Loans, Period-end

  

1.19   

1.22   

1.23   

Allowance for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Nonperforming Loans, Period-end

  

567.81   

442.12   

544.55   

Nonperforming Loans as a

  Percentage of Loans, Period-end

  

 .21   

 .28   

 .23   

Nonperforming Assets as a

  Percentage of Total Assets, Period-end

  

 .15   

 .21   

 .16   


1 See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on page 3.




8






CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

In order to prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, we were required to make estimates and assumptions that affected the amounts reported in these statements.  There are uncertainties inherent in making these estimates and assumptions, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial position.  We consider the following to be critical accounting policies:


The allowance for loan losses:  The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is sensitive to changes in current economic conditions that may make it difficult for borrowers to meet their contractual obligations.  Any downward trend in the economy, regional or national, may require us to increase the allowance for loan losses resulting in a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition at the same time that other areas of our operations, including new loan originations and assets under administration in our trust department may also be experiencing negative pressures from the same underlying negative economic conditions.

Liabilities for retirement plans:  We have a variety of pension and retirement plans.  Liabilities under these plans rely on estimates of future salary increases, numbers of employees and employee retention, discount rates and long-term rates of investment return.  Changes in these assumptions due to changes in the financial markets, the economy, our own operations or applicable law and regulation may result in material changes to our liability for postretirement expense, with consequent impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets:  SFAS No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes,” requires a reduction in the carrying amount of deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The valuation allowance should be sufficient to reduce the deferred tax asset to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.  Our analysis of the need for a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is, in part, based on an estimate of future taxable income.

Goodwill:  SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at a level of reporting referred to as a reporting unit.  Impairment is the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.  The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill.  The second step of the goodwill impairment test, used to measure the amount of impairment loss, compares the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.

Other than temporary decline in the value of debt and equity securities:  SFAS No. 115 “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” requires that, for individual securities classified as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity, an enterprise shall determine whether a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis is other than temporary.  For example, if it is probable that the investor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of a debt security not impaired at acquisition, an other-than-temporary impairment shall be considered to have occurred.  If the decline in fair value is judged to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the individual security shall be written down to fair value as a new cost basis and the amount of the write-down shall be included in current period earnings.  A significant economic downturn might result in an other-than-temporary impairment in securities held in our portfolio.

The following discussion and analysis focuses on and reviews our results of operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007 and our financial condition as of December 31, 2007 and 2006.  The discussion below should be read in conjunction with the selected quarterly and annual information set forth above and the consolidated financial statements and other financial data presented elsewhere in this Report.  When necessary, prior-year financial information has been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation.


A. OVERVIEW


Summary of 2007 Financial Results

We reported net income of $17.3 million for 2007, an increase of $440 thousand, or 2.6%, compared to 2006.  Diluted earnings per share of $1.61 represented an increase of $.08, or 5.2%, from 2006.  During 2007, our net interest margin stabilized and net interest income increased from 2006.  This followed two successive years of decreasing net interest income and three consecutive years of decreasing net interest margins.  Out net interest margin was essentially the same as in 2006, and our increase in net interest income from 2006 to 2007 was attributable to a 2.4% increase in average earning assets.

We recorded a non-cash pre-tax charge in the fourth quarter of 2007 of $600 thousand related to our proportionate share, as a member bank of the Visa credit card organization, of certain estimated litigation costs incurred by Visa U.S.A., Inc. in the quarter.  Like other financial institutions that are Visa members, we are obligated to indemnify Visa in connection with certain legal proceedings.  While the outcome and amount of potential losses that may be incurred by Visa, and ultimately by its member banks, related to litigation involving Visa and certain of its member banks is inherently uncertain, based on the settlement of the litigation with American Express and our estimate of the fair value of potential losses related to the remaining litigation, we recognized an after-tax charge to fourth quarter earnings of $362 thousand representing a 3.4 cents dilution of earnings per share for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2007.  However, in October 2007, Visa, in connection with a restructuring, issued shares of its common stock to its member banks in contemplation of an initial public offering (IPO) of these and other shares which Visa has indicated is planned for the first half of 2008.  Visa has indicated that it intends that payments related to its antitrust litigation matters will be funded from an escrow account to be established with a portion of the proceeds from its IPO, including proceeds allocable to member banks’ shares.  We currently expect that our proportional share of the proceeds of Visa’s planned IPO in 2008 will exceed the aggregate amount of this charge, and if so, that the income to us in 2008 will exceed the 2007 charge.  On February 25, 2008, Visa, Inc. filed an amended Form S-1 registration statement for its Class A common stock public offering with a price range of $37.00 to $42.00 per share, but Visa has not yet set a date for the IPO.

At December 31, 2007, our tangible book value per share (calculated based on shareholders’ equity reduced by intangible assets including goodwill and other intangible assets) amounted to $9.94, an increase of $.66, or 7.1%, from year-end 2006.  Our total shareholders’ equity at year-end 2007 increased 3.5% over the year-end 2006 level.  Major changes to shareholders’ equity included: i) $17.3 million of net income for the year ii) a $3.7 million net unrealized gain in the valuation allowance for available-for-sale securities, offset by iii) cash dividends of $10.0 million, and iv) repurchases of our own common stock of $7.3 million.  As of the last trading day of 2007, the average of our closing bid and asked stock price was $21.43, resulting in a trading multiple of 2.16 to tangible book value.

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.24 per share for the fourth quarter of 2007.  For the year, total cash dividends (as adjusted for stock dividends) were $.94 compared to $.91 for 2006, an increase of $.03, or 3.3%.

Through year-end 2007, we had experienced an improvement in the credit quality of our loan portfolio; assets continued to demonstrate considerable strength, both as compared to our peer banks and to our historically sound asset quality levels.  Nonperforming loans amounted to $2.2 million at December 31, 2007, a decrease of $593 thousand from the prior year-end.  The ratio of nonperforming loans to period-end loans was .21% at December 31, 2007, a decrease from .28% one year earlier.   Loans charged-off (net of recoveries) against the allowance for loan losses were $390 thousand for 2007, as compared to $789 thousand for the prior year.   At year-end 2007, the allowance for loan losses was $12.4 million, representing 1.19% of total loans, down three basis points from 1.22% at the prior year-end.


B. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following analysis of net interest income, the provision for loan losses, noninterest income, noninterest expense and income taxes, highlights the factors that had the greatest impact on our results of operations for 2007 and the prior two years.


I. NET INTEREST INCOME (Tax-equivalent Basis)

Net interest income represents the difference between interest, dividends and fees earned on loans, securities and other earning assets and interest paid on deposits and other sources of funds.  Changes in net interest income result from changes in the level and mix of earning assets and sources of funds (volume) and changes in the yields earned and interest rates paid (rate).  Net interest margin is the ratio of net interest income to average earning assets.  Net interest income may also be described as the product of average earning assets and the net interest margin.  As described in the section entitled “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures“ on page 3 of the Report we calculate net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis.


CHANGE IN NET INTEREST INCOME

 (Dollars In Thousands) (Tax-equivalent Basis)

  

Years Ended December 31,

Change From Prior Year

     

2006 to 2007

2005 to 2006

  

2007

2006

2005

Amount

%

Amount

%

Interest and Dividend Income

 

$89,498

$82,999

$74,624

$6,499 

7.8 %

$ 8,375 

11.2 %

Interest Expense

 

  40,283

  34,743

  24,114

 5,540 

15.9 

 10,629 

44.1 

Net Interest Income

 

$49,215

$48,256

$50,510

$   959 

2.0 

$(2,254)

(4.5)


On a tax-equivalent basis, net interest income was $49.2 million in 2007, an increase of $959 thousand, or 2.0%, from $48.3 million in 2006.  This compared to a decrease of $2.3 million, or 4.5%, between 2005 and 2006.  Factors contributing to the decrease in net interest income over the three-year period are discussed in the following portions of this Section B.I.

In the following table, net interest income components are presented on a tax-equivalent basis.  Changes between periods are attributed to movement in either the average daily balances or average rates for both earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  Changes attributable to both volume and rate have been allocated proportionately between the categories.


  

2007 Compared to 2006

2006 Compared to 2005

  

Change in Net Interest Income Due to:

Change in Net Interest Income Due to:

Interest and Dividend Income:

 

Volume

Rate

Total

Volume

Rate

Total

Federal Funds Sold

 

$  656 

$    (12)

$    644 

$  269 

$     89 

$    358 

Securities Available-for-Sale:

       

  Taxable

 

(674)

862 

188 

179 

701 

880 

  Non-Taxable

 

  295 

  262 

  557 

  441 

  (25)

  416 

Securities Held-to-Maturity:

       

  Taxable

 

  (2)

  1 

  (1)

  (2)

  1 

  (1)

  Non-Taxable

 

  416 

 24 

  440 

  (464)

 285 

  (179)

Loans

 

 1,523 

  3,148 

  4,671 

 3,247 

  3,654 

  6,901 

Total Interest and Dividend Income

 

 2,214 

  4,285 

  6,499 

 3,670 

  4,705 

  8,375 

Interest Expense:

       

Deposits:

       

  Interest-Bearing NOW Deposits

 

461 

1,313 

1,774 

(302)

1,680 

1,378 

  Regular and Money Market Savings

 

  (229)

 607 

 378 

  (115)

 1,156 

 1,041 

  Time Deposits of $100,000 or More

 

 876 

 594 

1,470 

 1,260 

 1,961 

3,221 

  Other Time Deposits

 

   370 

  1,448 

  1,818 

 1,673 

  2,183 

  3,856 

Total Deposits

 

1,478 

3,962 

5,440 

2,516 

6,980 

9,496 

        

Short-Term Borrowings

 

  87 

 152 

239 

  (55)

 459 

 404 

Long-Term Debt

 

   (528)

     389 

    (139)

    331 

     398 

      729 

Total Interest Expense

 

 1,036 

  4,504 

  5,540 

 2,792 

  7,837 

 10,629 

Net Interest Income

 

$1,179 

$ (220)

$   959 

$  878 

$(3,132)

$(2,254)

The following table reflects the components of our net interest income, setting forth, for years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 (i) average balances of assets, liabilities and shareholders' equity, (ii) interest and dividend income earned on earning assets and interest expense incurred on interest-bearing liabilities, (iii) average yields earned on earning assets and average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, (iv) the net interest spread (average yield less average cost) and (v) the net interest margin (yield) on earning assets.  Interest income and interest rate information is presented on a tax-equivalent basis (see the discussion under “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures“ on page 3 of the Report).  The yield on securities available-for-sale is based on the amortized cost of the securities.  Nonaccrual loans are included in average loans.  


Average Consolidated Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis

(Tax-equivalent basis using a marginal tax rate of 35%)

(Dollars in Thousands)

Years Ended:

                          2007                       

                          2006                       

                          2005                       

  

Interest

  

Interest

  

Interest

 
 

Average

Income or

Rate Earned

Average

Income or

Rate Earned

Average

Income or

Rate Earned

 

Balance

Expense

or Paid

Balance

Expense

or Paid

Balance

Expense

or Paid

Federal Funds Sold

$     22,022 

$   1,098 

4.99%

$       8,875 

$     454 

5.12%

$      3,060 

$       96 

3.14%

Securities Available-for-

  Sale:

         

    Taxable

308,172 

14,349 

4.66

323,162 

14,161 

4.38

318,896 

13,281 

4.16

    Non-Taxable

24,015 

1,455 

6.06

18,627 

898 

4.82

9,508 

482 

5.07

Securities Held-to-Maturity:

         

    Taxable

310 

16 

5.16

356 

17 

4.78

395 

18 

4.56

    Non-Taxable

111,332 

6,350 

5.70

104,024 

5,910 

5.68

112,340 

6,089 

5.42

Loans

 1,020,856 

  66,230 

6.49

    996,611 

  61,559 

6.18

    942,286 

  54,658 

5.80

  Total Earning Assets

 1,486,707 

  89,498 

6.02

 1,451,655 

  82,999 

5.72

 1,386,485 

  74,624 

5.38

Allowance for Loan Losses

(12,323)

  

(12,263)

  

(12,136)

  

Cash and Due From Banks

33,180 

  

33,853 

  

36,312 

  

Other Assets

      50,687 

  

      49,082 

  

      48,055 

  

  Total Assets

$1,558,251 

  

$1,522,327 

  

$1,458,716 

  

Deposits:

         

  Interest-Bearing NOW

$   315,614 

6,868 

2.18

$   290,860 

5,094 

1.75

$   314,836 

3,716 

1.18

  Regular and Money Market

    Savings

266,007 

3,973 

1.49

283,253 

3,595 

1.27

296,159 

2,554 

0.86

  Time Deposits of $100,000

    Or More

180,606 

8,628 

4.78

161,729 

7,158 

4.43

126,919 

3,937 

3.10

  Other Time Deposits

    258,042 

  11,393 

4.42

    248,706 

   9,575 

3.85

    198,130 

   5,719 

2.89

    Total Interest-

      Bearing Deposits

1,020,269 

30,862 

3.02

984,548 

25,422 

2.58

936,044 

15,926 

1.70

Short-Term Borrowings

49,355 

1,389 

2.81

46,044 

1,150 

2.50

49,493 

746 

1.51

FHLB Advances  and

   Long-Term Debt

    160,258 

   8,032 

5.01

    171,020 

   8,171 

4.78

    163,889 

   7,442 

4.54

    Total Interest-

      Bearing Funds

1,229,882 

 40,283 

3.28

1,201,612 

 34,743 

2.89

1,149,426 

 24,114 

2.10

Demand Deposits

186,474 

  

182,706 

  

174,762 

  

Other Liabilities

      23,813 

  

      20,543 

  

      17,572 

  

    Total Liabilities

1,440,169 

  

1,404,861 

  

1,341,760 

  

Shareholders’ Equity

    118,082 

  

    117,466 

  

    116,956 

  

    Total Liabilities and

      Shareholders’ Equity

$1,558,251 

  

$1,522,327 

  

$1,458,716 

  

Net Interest Income

  (Tax-equivalent Basis)

 

49,215 

  

48,256 

  

50,510 

 

Reversal of Tax

  Equivalent Adjustment

 

  (2,921)

  

  (2,388)

  

  (2,497)

 

Net Interest Income

 

$46,294 

  

$45,868 

  

$48,013 

 

Net Interest Spread

  

2.74%

  

2.83%

  

3.28%

Net Interest Margin

  

3.31%

  

3.32%

  

3.64%



CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME DUE TO RATE

YIELD ANALYSIS (Tax-equivalent basis)

 

December 31,

  

2007

2006

2005

Yield on Earning Assets

 

6.02%

5.72%

5.38%

Cost of Interest-Bearing Liabilities

 

3.28

2.89

2.10

Net Interest Spread

 

2.74%

2.83%

3.28%

Net Interest Margin

 

3.31%

3.32%

3.64%




9






After two years of decreases in net interest income, we experienced an increase in net interest income of $959 thousand from 2006 to 2007.  An increase in average net earning assets (i.e., changes in volume), had a $1.2 million positive impact on net interest income, which more than offset  a $220 thousand negative effect of a one basis point decrease in net interest margin (i.e. changes in rates).  We experienced a decrease in net interest income of $2.3 million from 2005 to 2006.  Although we experienced an increase in average net earning assets (i.e., changes in volume), which had an $878 thousand positive impact on net interest income, this was more than offset by the negative effect of a decrease in our net interest spread and net interest margin (i.e. changes in rates), which had a negative impact of $3.1 million on net interest income.

Generally, the following items have a major impact on changes in net interest income due to rate:  general interest rate changes, the ratio of our rate sensitive assets to rate sensitive liabilities (interest rate sensitivity gap) during periods of interest rate changes, and changes in the level of nonperforming loans.  


Impact of Interest Rate Changes 2002 – 2007

In mid-2003, due to actions by the Federal Reserve (Fed) the federal funds target rate decreased to an almost unprecedented low of 1.00%.  In mid-2004, the Federal Reserve Board reversed course and began to increase short-term rates with a series of 25 basis point increases in the targeted federal funds rate, reaching 5.25% by mid-2006.  From mid-2006 to fall 2007, the Fed did not take any actions to change short-term rates.  In September 2007, however, in response to perceptions of a weakening economy and a loss of liquidity in the short-term credit market, precipitated in large part by problems related to subprime residential real estate lending, the Fed began lowering the federal funds target rate.  By the December 2007 meeting of the Board of Governors, the rate had decreased 100 basis points, to 4.25%, and in early 2008, the Fed, in response to continuing liquidity concerns in the credit markets, lowered the federal funds rate by an additional 125 basis points, to 3.00%.  We expect to see an immediate impact in the cost of our deposits, which will be followed by a gradual reduction as maturing time deposits reprice.  We also expect that our loan yields will decline, but that decrease may not be as severe if mid- to long-term rates do not fall as quickly or to the extent of short-term rates.   

Our net interest margin has traditionally been sensitive to and impacted by changes in prevailing market interest rates.  The following analysis of the relationship between prevailing rates (and changes in rates) and our net interest margin and net interest income covers the period from 2002 to the present.

An important recent development with regard to the effect of rate changes in our profitability has been the so-called “flattening” of the yield curve.  After the Fed began increasing short-term interest rates in June 2004, the yield curve did not maintain its traditional upward curve but flattened; that is, as short-term rates increased, longer-term rates stayed unchanged or decreased.  Therefore, the traditional spread between short-term rates and long-term rates (the upward yield curve) essentially disappeared, i.e., the curve had flattened.  Late in 2006 and in early 2007, the yield curve was occasionally inverted, with short-term rates exceeding long-term rates.  This flattening of the yield curve was the most significant factor in reducing our net interest income in 2005 and 2006.   Only at the end of the second quarter of 2007 did the yield on longer-term securities begin to increase over short-term investments.  This was further enhanced when long-term rates held steady after the Fed lowered short-term rates in September 2007.

Nevertheless, longer-term rates were resistant to increases during the period of rising short-term rates, both due to borrower expectations and to a widespread perception in the credit markets of limited risk of default.  To the extent these perceptions and expectations are now changing, long-term rates may be expected to remain steady, or perhaps even rise, even though short-term rates have now begun to drop sharply.  Thus, the yield curve may be expected to return to a more traditional shape with consequent benefit to company margins.  No assurances can be given on this recent development, however, particularly as aggregate levels of borrowing, especially consumer mortgage related borrowings may be expected to diminish.

In addition to the shape of the yield curve, our net interest margin has traditionally been sensitive to and impacted by changes in prevailing market interest rates.  Generally, there has been a negative correlation between changes in prevailing interest rates and our net interest margin, especially when rates begin to move in a different direction.  When prevailing rates begin to decline, our net interest margin generally increases in immediately ensuing periods, and vice versa, as in each case earning assets reprice more slowly than interest-bearing sources of funds.  This was the case for our net interest margin during the 2002 to mid-2003 period, when prevailing market rates were declining and our margin increased, and during the mid-2003 to 2004 period, when the rate decline began to decelerate and rates then reversed and began to increase and our margins experienced a negative effect.  In 2005 and 2006, however, as the Fed’s push to increase prevailing rates matured, our net interest margin continued to suffer as a result of the flattening yield curve.  This historical trend too, however, may be expected to benefit our net interest margins in upcoming periods, as deposit rates begin to decline.

The net interest margin for the full year of 2002 was 4.50%.  In ensuing years, our margin steadily decreased, during an extended period of increasing short-term interest rates.  Our margin reached a low point in the fourth quarter of 2006, at 3.24%.  The margin for the first two and last quarter of 2007 was 3.32%.  Margin decreased to 3.29% for the third quarter of 2007 primarily due to an increase in seasonal higher-costing municipal deposits.  In general, the recovery from the fourth quarter of 2006 was due to the fact that a portion of our earning assets repriced upwards at a rate faster than the rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities.  For the year 2007, net interest margin was 3.31%, down one basis point from 2006.  The impact of this decrease was $220 thousand on net interest income for the year 2007.

Overall, we expect that the dramatic reduction in short-term interest rates since September 2007 will have a significant impact on our net interest income and net interest margin in future periods.    

A discussion of the models we use in projecting the impact on net interest income resulting from possible changes in interest rates vis-à-vis the repricing patterns of our earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is included later in this report under Item 7.A., “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”  




10






CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME DUE TO VOLUME

AVERAGE BALANCES

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

Years Ended December 31,

Change From Prior Year

    

2006 to 2007

2005 to 2006

 

2007

2006

2005

Amount

%

Amount

%

Earning Assets

$1,486,707

$1,451,655

$1,386,485

$35,052

 2.4%

$65,170

 4.7%

Interest-Bearing Liabilities

1,229,882

1,201,612

1,149,426

28,270

 2.3   

52,186

 4.5   

Demand Deposits

186,474

182,706

174,762

 3,768

2.1   

 7,944

4.6   

Total Assets

1,558,251

1,522,327

1,458,716

35,924

 2.4   

63,611

 4.4   

Earning Assets to Total Assets

95.41%

95.36%

95.05%

    


2006 to 2007:

In general, an increase in average earning assets has a positive impact on net interest income.  For 2007, average earning assets increased $35.1 million over 2006, while average paying liabilities only increased $28.3 million.  This combination led to a $1.2 million increase in net interest income.  (This positive effect was partially offset by the $220 thousand negative effect on net interest income resulting from the changes in rates during the year, discussed above.)

The $35.1 million increase in average earning assets from 2006 to 2007 reflected an increase in average loans of $24.2 million, or 2.4%, a decrease of $2.3 million, or 0.5%, in investment securities and an increase of $13.1 million in the average balance of federal funds.  We experienced increases in all major categories within the loan portfolio during 2007, although the average balance of indirect loans (which represented the second largest segment of the loan portfolio) decreased slightly.  Indirect loans are primarily auto loans financed through local dealerships where we acquire the dealer paper.  Increases in the average balances of other loan categories included: i) commercial and commercial real estate loans (an increase of $11.6 million, or 4.4%), ii) residential real estate loans (an increase of $8.0 million, or 2.5%) and iii) other consumer loans (an increase of $5.5 million, or 10.1%).  Although average loans increased by 2.4% in 2007, this was a lower rate of increase than the 5.8% rate experienced in 2006.  

The $28.3 million increase in average paying liabilities resulted from a $28.2 million increase in time deposits and a $7.5 million increase in non-maturity deposit balances.  These increases were offset in part by a decrease of $7.5 million in the average balance of other borrowed funds.  

The fact that average earning assets grew at a faster pace than average paying liabilities was primarily due to a $3.8 million, or 2.1%, increase in the average balance of non-interest bearing demand deposits.


2005 to 2006:

For 2006, average earning assets increased $65.2 million over 2005, while average paying liabilities only increased $52.2 million.  This combination led to a $878 thousand increase in net interest income.  (However, this positive effect was more than offset by the $3.1 million negative effect on net interest income resulting from the changes in rates during the year, especially the decrease in the net interest margin, discussed above.)

The $65.2 million increase in average earning assets from 2005 to 2006 reflected an increase in average loans of $54.3 million, or 5.8%, an increase of $5.0 million, or 1.1%, in investment securities and an increase of $5.8 million in the average balance of federal funds.  We experienced increases in all major categories within the loan portfolio during 2006, although the average balance of indirect loans was modest.  Increases in the average balances of other loan categories included: i) commercial and commercial real estate loans (an increase of $33.2 million, or 13.0%), ii) residential real estate loans (an increase of $13.8 million, or 4.6%) and iii) other consumer loans (an increase of $7.1 million, or 14.5%).  Although average loans increased by 5.8% in 2006 this was a lower rate of increase than the 8.7% rate experienced in 2005.  The only category of loans that grew faster in 2006 than in 2005 was commercial loans, which grew at an 11.6% rate in 2005 versus 14.5% in 2006.

The $52.2 million increase in average paying liabilities between 2005 and 2006 resulted from an $85.3 million increase in time deposits, offset, in part, by a $36.9 million decrease in non-maturity deposit balances.  The average balance of other borrowed funds was virtually unchanged.  The change in the mix of deposit categories from non-maturity to time deposits is typical during a period of rising rates.  The $62 million of deposits acquired in the April 2006 branch acquisition accounted for a portion of the increase in average deposit balances between 2005 and 2006, since these deposits were not included in the average balances for the first three months of 2005.  

The fact that average earning assets grew at a faster pace than average paying liabilities was primarily due to a $7.9 million, or 4.6%, increase in the average balance of non-interest bearing demand deposits.

Increases in the volume of loans and deposits, as well as yields and costs by type, are discussed later in this report under Item 7.C. “Financial Condition.”


II. PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

We consider our accounting policy relating to the allowance for loan losses to be a critical accounting policy, given the uncertainty involved in evaluating the level of the allowance required to cover credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio, and the material effect that such judgments may have on our results of operations.  In addition to the following discussion, see Notes 1 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements, included in Item 8 of this Report.

Through the provision for loan losses, an allowance is maintained that reflects our best estimate of probable incurred loan losses related to specifically identified loans as well as the remaining portfolio.  Actual loan losses are charged against this allowance when loans are deemed uncollectible.

We use a two-step process to determine the provision for loans losses and the amount of the allowance for loan losses.  We evaluate impaired commercial and commercial real estate loans over $250,000 under SFAS No. 114, “Accounting for Creditors for Impairment of a Loan.”   We evaluate the remainder of the portfolio under SFAS No. 5 “Accounting for Contingencies.”

At December 31, 2007 we had one loan considered impaired and evaluated under SFAS No. 114.  That loan had sufficient collateral and required no specific reserve.  See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, included in Item 8 of this Report.  


Homogenous Loan Pools:  Under our SFAS No. 5 analysis, we group homogeneous loans as follows, each with its own estimated loss-rate:

i)

Other commercial and commercial real estate loans,

ii)

One to four family residential real estate loans,

iii)

Home equity loans,

iv)

Indirect loans – low risk tiers (based on credit scores),

v)

Indirect loans – high risk tiers, and

vi)

Other consumer loans.

Within the group of other commercial and commercial real estate loans, we sub-group loans based on our internal system of risk-rating, which is applied to all commercial and commercial real estate loans.  We establish loss rates for each of these pools.  Furthermore, larger balance loans within the higher risk-ratings are pulled out of their homogenous pools and are evaluated individually.

Estimated losses, under our SFAS No. 5 evaluation, reflect consideration of all significant factors that affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of December 31, 2007.  In our evaluation, we do both a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the homogeneous pools.


Quantitative Analysis:  Quantitatively, we determined the historical loss rate for each homogeneous loan pool.

During the past five years we have had little charge-off activity on loans secured by residential real estate.  Indirect consumer lending represents a significant component of our total loan portfolio and is the only category of loans that has a history of losses that lends itself to a trend analysis.  We have had two losses on commercial real estate loans in the past five years.  Losses on commercial loans (other than those secured by real estate) are also historically low, but can vary widely from year-to-year; this is the most complex category of loans in our loss analysis.

Our net charge-offs for the past five years have been at historical lows for our company.  Annualized net charge-offs have ranged from .04% to .10% of average loans during this period.   In prior years this ratio was significantly higher.  For example, in the mid-to-late 1990’s, the charge-off ratio ranged from .16% to .32% for our company.  The ratio for bank holding companies in our peer group was .23% at December 31, 2007, the most recent reporting period.  The peer group ratio was also very low, ranging from .13% to .25% in the five preceding years.


Qualitative Analysis:  While historical loss experience provides a reasonable starting point for our analysis, historical losses, or even recent trends in losses, do not by themselves form a sufficient basis to determine the appropriate level for the allowance.  Therefore, we also considered and adjusted historical loss factors for qualitative and environmental factors that are likely to cause credit losses associated with our existing portfolio.  These included:

·

Changes in the volume and severity of past due, nonaccrual and adversely classified loans

·

Changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and in the terms of loans

·

Changes in the value of the underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans

·

Changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and collection, charge-off, and recovery practices not considered elsewhere in estimating credit losses

·

Changes in the quality of the loan review system

·

Changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff

·

Changes in international, national, regional, and local economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectibility of the portfolio

·

The existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations

·

The effect of other external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in the  existing portfolio or pool

For each homogeneous loan pool, we estimate a loss factor expressed in basis points for each of the qualitative factors above, and for historical credit losses.  We update and change, if necessary, the loss-rates assigned to various pools based on the analysis of loss trends and the change in qualitative and environmental factors.  In order to more accurately estimate probable loan losses, during 2007 we segmented the loan loss reserve pools for our commercial loan portfolio between commercial loans and commercial loans secured by real estate, and updated our loss rates primarily related to criticized commercial loans and indirect consumer loans accounted for under SFAS No. 5.  These enhancements did not result in a material change to the provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2007 or in the allowance for loan losses.

From June 2004 to June 2006, the Federal Reserve Bank increased prevailing short-term rates in an effort to slow down national economic growth and check potential increases in the inflation rate.  In the last part of 2007, the Federal Reserve Bank began to cut rates in response to the growing liquidity crisis in credit markets and evident slowing of the economy-wide growth.  In our market area, however, there was very little impact, by year-end, from these developments in credit markets and the national economy on unemployment rates, job growth and business failures.  During the June 2004 to June 2006 period, when short-term rates rose dramatically, long-term rates held steady or even fell.  Except for indirect consumer loans, interest rates for most of our borrowers are based on intermediate and long-term rates, especially for residential real estate loans and for commercial loans.

Due to the imprecise nature of the loan loss estimation process and ever changing economic conditions, these risk attributes may not be adequately captured in data related to the formula-based loan loss components used to determine allocations in our analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Management, therefore, has established and maintains an unallocated portion within the allowance for loan losses reflecting the uncertainty of future economic conditions within our market area. The amount of this measurement imprecision allocation was $831 thousand at December 31, 2007, a decrease of $177 thousand, or 18%, compared to the $1.0 million at December 31, 2006.  This reduction was primarily due to the improvement in loan quality ratios at December 31, 2007.

SUMMARY OF THE ALLOWANCE AND PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

(Dollars In Thousands) (Loans, Net of Unearned Income)


Years-Ended December 31,

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Loans at End of Period

$1,038,844 

$1,008,999 

$  996,545 

$  875,311 

$  855,178 

Average Loans

1,020,856 

996,611 

942,286 

866,690 

848,664 

Total Assets at End of Period

1,584,846 

1,520,217 

1,519,603 

1,377,949 

1,373,920 

      

Nonperforming Assets:

     

  Nonaccrual Loans:

     

  Commercial Real Estate

  $  758 

  $    708 

  $    597 

  $    512 

  $      56 

  Commercial Loans

 73 

 56 

 26 

  7 

  180 

  Residential Real Estate Loans

253 

452 

59 

603 

312 

  Consumer Loans

    855 

    822 

  1,193 

    981 

 1,274 

    Total Nonaccrual Loans

1,939 

2,038 

1,875 

2,103 

1,822 

      

Loans Past Due 90 or More Days and

     

  Still Accruing Interest

     245 

     739 

      373 

         6 

     685 

    Total Nonperforming Loans

2,184 

2,777 

2,248 

2,109 

2,507 

Repossessed Assets

63 

144 

124 

136 

180 

Other Real Estate Owned

       89 

     248 

        --- 

        --- 

        --- 

    Total Nonperforming Assets

$2,336 

$3,169 

$2,372 

$2,245 

$2,687 

      

Allowance for Loan Losses:

     

Balance at Beginning of Period

$12,278 

$12,241 

$12,046 

$11,842 

$11,193 

Loans Charged-off:

     

  Commercial, Financial

     

    and Agricultural

(27)

(32)

(134)

(22)

(10)

  Real Estate - Commercial

(6)

--- 

--- 

--- 

(82)

  Real Estate - Residential

 --- 

 --- 

 (30)

 --- 

 (24)

  Installment Loans to Individuals

 (797)

 (1,105)

   (964)

   (1,040)

   (1,037)

    Total Loans Charged-off

   (830)

   (1,137)

   (1,128)

   (1,062)

   (1,153)

                                      

     

Recoveries of Loans Previously Charged-off:

     

  Commercial, Financial

     

    and Agricultural

13 

27 

18 

 6 

 8 

  Real Estate - Commercial

17 

17 

17 

17 

22 

  Real Estate - Residential

 2 

 2 

 2 

 3 

 5 

  Installment Loans to Individuals

      408 

      302 

      256 

      220 

      307 

    Total Recoveries of Loans

     Previously Charged-off

      440 

      348 

      293 

      246 

      342 

    Net Loans Charged-off

(390)

(789)

(835)

(816)

(811)

Provision for Loan Losses

     

  Charged to Expense

       513 

       826 

   1,030 

   1,020 

   1,460 

                                      

     

Balance at End of Period

$12,401 

$12,278 

$12,241 

$12,046 

$11,842 

      

Nonperforming Asset Ratio Analysis:

     

Net Loans Charged-off as a Percentage of

  Average Loans

.04%

.08%

.09%

.09%

.10%

Provision for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Average Loans

 .05   

 .08   

 .11   

 .12   

 .17   

Allowance for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Loans, Period-end

1.19   

1.22   

1.23   

1.38   

1.38   

Allowance for Loan Losses as a

  Percentage of Nonperforming Loans

567.81   

442.12   

544.55   

571.18   

472.37   

Nonperforming Loans as a

  Percentage  of Loans, Period-end

 .21   

 .28   

 .23   

 .24   

 .29   

Nonperforming Assets as a Percentage of

  Total Assets, Period-end

 .15   

 .21   

 .16   

 .16   

 .20   

      


ALLOCATION OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

(Dollars in Thousands)


 

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Commercial, Financial  and Agricultural

$  1,634

$  1,691

$  1,574

$  1,430

$  2,554

Real Estate-Commercial

3,247

3,348

3,160

2,632

1,381

Real Estate-Residential Mortgage

2,320

1,714

1,569

1,411

1,576

Indirect and Other Installment Loans to Individuals

4,369

4,517

5,294

4,392

4,293

Unallocated

       831

    1,008

      644

   2,181

   2,038

Total

$12,401

$12,278

$12,241

$12,046

$11,842

      




11






III. NONINTEREST INCOME

The majority of our noninterest income constitutes fee income from services, principally fees and commissions from fiduciary services, deposit account service charges, insurance commissions, computer processing fees and other recurring fee income.  Net gains or losses on the sale of securities available-for-sale is another category of noninterest income.


ANALYSIS OF NONINTEREST INCOME

(Dollars In Thousands)


 

Years Ended December 31,

Change From Prior Year

   

2006 to 2007

2005 to 2006

2007 

2006 

2005

Amount 

%

Amount 

%

Income from Fiduciary Activities

$  5,572 

$  5,082 

$  4,676

$490 

9.6%

$406 

8.7%

Fees for Other Services to Customers

8,130 

7,954 

7,372

 176 

2.2   

 582 

7.9   

Net (Losses) Gains on Securities Transactions

 --- 

 (102)

 364

102 

100.0 

(466)

(128.0)  

Insurance Commissions

1,869 

1,768 

1,682

101 

5.7   

86 

5.1   

Other Operating Income

       717 

    1,079 

      854

(362)

(33.5) 

  225 

26.3   

  Total Noninterest Income

$16,288 

$15,781 

$14,948

$507 

 3.2%

$833 

 5.6%


2007 compared to 2006: Total noninterest income increased $507 thousand, or 3.2%, from 2006 to 2007.  

For 2007, income from fiduciary activities increased $490 thousand, or 9.6%, from 2006.  Most of the increase resulted from an increase in assets under administration and management.  At year-end 2007, the market value of assets under trust administration and investment management amounted to $961.2 million, an increase of $54.7 million, or 6.0%, from year-end 2006.  

Income from fiduciary activities includes income from funds under investment management in the North Country Funds, specifically the North Country Equity Growth Fund (“NCEGX”) and the North Country Intermediate Bond Fund (“NCBDX”), both of which are advised by our registered investment adviser subsidiary, North Country Investment Advisers, Inc.  On a combined basis, these funds had a market value of $207.1 million and $176.1 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The funds were introduced in March 2001.  Most of the dollars invested in these funds are derived from retirement and pension plan accounts of which our banks serve as trustee, but our North Country Funds also are offered on a retail basis through an arrangement with UVEST Financial Services Group, Inc., a third-party registered broker/dealer that provides securities brokerage services to our customers from several of our bank branches.  Included as an investor in the North Country Funds is our company’s pension plan, which owned shares in the funds with a market value of approximately $17.5 million at December 31, 2007 and $17.0 million at 2006.

Fees for other services to customers include deposit account service charges, debit card processing fees, merchant bankcard processing fees, safe deposit box fees and loan servicing fees.  These fees amounted to $8.1 million in 2007, an increase of $176 thousand, or 2.2%, from 2006.  The increase was primarily attributable to increases in rental income from our third-party provider of securities brokerage services and from our merchant bankcard and debit card activity fee income.


The following table presents sales and purchases within the available-for-sale portfolio during 2007.


2007 Investment Sales and Purchases

(In Thousands)

Available-for-Sale Portfolio

  1st

Quarter

  2nd

 Quarter

  3rd

 Quarter

  4th Quarter


    2007

Sales:

     

Equities and Other Investments

$     ---

$1,195 

$1,030 

$    3

 $2,228

  Total Sales

$     ---

$1,195 

$1,030 

$    3

$2,228

Net Gains (Losses)

$     ---

$      ---

$     --- 

$   ---

$     ---

      

Purchases:

     

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

$     ---

$        -- 

$       --- 

$21,745

$21,745

Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

---

39,494 

--- 

---

39,494

U.S. Agency Securities

---

500 

--- 

---

500

State and Municipal Obligations

1,466

3,526 

3,983 

1,166

10,141

Equities and Other Investments

     539

    1,047 

    8,033 

      471

  10,090

  Total Purchases

$2,005

$44,567 

$12,016 

$23,382

$81,970

      

In November 2004, we acquired Capital Financial Group, Inc., a local insurance agency specializing in the sale of group health and life insurance.  See the more detailed discussion of the acquisition on page 4 of this Report.  Insurance commission income was $1.7 million for 2005, the first full year of income from this business and increased to $1.8 million in 2006 and $1.9 million in 2007.

Other operating income includes net gains on the sale of loans and other real estate owned as well as other miscellaneous revenues.  For 2007, other operating income decreased $362 thousand, or 33.5%, from 2006.  In 2006, we sold, at market price, a parcel of land that we had earlier purchased to serve as premises for a new branch.  The sale of land resulted in a gain of $227 thousand.  We subsequently entered into an agreement with Stewart’s Shops Corp., the buyer, to lease from them a portion of the building they constructed on the parcel of land to serve as a bank branch.  In years prior to 2007, other operating income included data processing servicing fee income received from one unaffiliated upstate New York bank.  However, this arrangement came to an end in the second quarter of 2007, following the acquisition of that institution by an unrelated company.  This represented a reduction in fee income of $56 thousand for the comparative period.  





12






2006 compared to 2005: Total noninterest income increased $833 thousand, or 5.6%, from 2005 to 2006.  

For 2006, income from fiduciary activities increased $406 thousand, or 8.7%, from 2005.  Most of the increase reflected a similar increase in assets under administration and management.  At year-end 2006, the market value of assets under trust administration and investment management amounted to $906.5 million, an increase of $92.8 million, or 11.4%, from year-end 2005.  

Income from fiduciary activities includes income from funds under investment management in the North Country Funds.  On a combined basis, these funds had a market value of $176.1 million and $153.0 million at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  Included as an investor in the North Country Funds is our company’s pension plan, which owned shares in the funds with a market value of approximately $17.0 million at December 31, 2006 and $16.8 million at year-end 2005.

Fees for other services to customers include deposit account service charges, debit card processing fees, merchant bankcard processing fees, safe deposit box fees and loan servicing fees.  These fees amounted to $8.0 million in 2006, an increase of $582 thousand, or 7.9%, from 2005.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in deposit account service charges as a result of an increase in our retail product fee structure.  We also experienced increases in

rental income from our third-party provider of securities brokerage services and on our merchant bankcard activities.

In 2006 total other income included net securities losses of $102 thousand on the sale of $44.1 million of securities available-for-sale.  The primary purpose of the sales was to extend and restructure the maturities of the portfolio by selling certain investments with shorter remaining maturities.  The following table presents sales and purchases within the available-for-sale portfolio during 2006.


2006 Investment Sales and Purchases

(In Thousands)

Available-for-Sale Portfolio

  1st Quarter

  2nd  Quarter

  3rd

 Quarter

  4th Quarter


    2006

Sales:

     

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

$      ---

$      --- 

$     --- 

$  9,753

$  9,753

Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

---

--- 

--- 

794

794

U.S. Agency Securities

---

10,000 

--- 

4,999

14,999

State and Municipal Obligations

  ---

  --- 

  --- 

---

---

Equities and Other Investments

  5,808

   4,806 

  4,806 

   3,124

  18,544

  Total Sales

$5,808

$14,806 

$4,806 

$18,670

$44,090

Net (Losses) Gains

$     ---

$   (118)

$     --- 

$       16

$  (102)

      

Purchases:

     

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

$     ---

$19,746 

$       --- 

$      ---

$19,746

Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

---

5,913 

--- 

---

5,913

U.S. Agency Securities

---

5,000 

--- 

1,000

6,000

State and Municipal Obligations

3,266

4,767 

7,397 

2,365

17,795

Equities and Other Investments

  5,581

   5,945 

   4,122 

  2,234

  17,882

  Total Purchases

$8,847

$41,371 

$11,519 

$5,599

$67,336

      

Insurance commission income for 2005, at $1.7 million, represented the first full year of income from this business.  For 2006, insurance commission income increased to $1.8 million.

Other operating income includes net gains on the sale of loans and other real estate owned, if any, as well as other miscellaneous revenues.  For 2006, other operating income increased $225 thousand, or 26.3%, from 2005.  In 2006, we sold, at market price, a parcel of land that we had earlier purchased to serve as premises for a new branch.  The sale resulted in a gain of $227 thousand.  We subsequently entered into an agreement with Stewart’s Shops Corp., the buyer, to lease from them a portion of the building they constructed on the parcel of land to serve as a bank branch.


IV. NONINTEREST EXPENSE

Noninterest expense is a means of measuring the delivery cost of services, products and business activities of a company.  The key components of noninterest expense are presented in the following table.


ANALYSIS OF NONINTEREST EXPENSE

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

Years Ended December 31,

Change From Prior Year

    

2006 to 2007

2005 to 2006

 

2007 

2006 

2005 

Amount

%

Amount

%

Salaries and Employee Benefits

$21,424 

$22,096 

$20,693 

$ (672)

(3.0)%

$ 1,403 

 6.8%

Occupancy Expense of Premises, Net

 3,198 

 3,058 

 2,914 

140 

  4.6   

144 

  4.9   

Furniture and Equipment Expense

3,015 

2,971 

2,875 

 44 

1.5   

 96 

3.3   

Other Operating Expense

  10,293 

   8,682 

   8,707 

  1,611 

18.6   

     (25)

(0.3)  

   Total Noninterest Expense

$37,930 

$36,807 

$35,189 

$1,123 

  3.1   

$1,618 

  4.6   


2007 compared to 2006:  Noninterest expense for 2007 amounted to $37.9 million, an increase of $1.1 million, or 3.1%, from 2006.  One comparative measure of operating expenses for financial institutions is the efficiency ratio.  The efficiency ratio (a ratio where lower is better) is calculated as the ratio of noninterest expense to the sum of tax equivalent net interest income and other income.  Excluded from the calculation are intangible asset amortization and any net securities gains or losses.    The efficiency ratio might be considered a non-GAAP financial measure but is generally utilized by banks and bank analysts to assess an institution’s performance.  See the discussion on “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on page 3 of this Report.  For 2007, the efficiency ratio for Arrow was 57.3%, an increase from the 2006 ratio of 56.7%.  Our 2007 ratio, however, still compared favorably to the ratio for our peer group of 64.6% as of December 31, 2007.  For information on the calculation of our efficiency ratios on a quarterly and annual basis, see pages 14 and 15 of this Report.  

Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased $672 thousand, or 3.0%, from 2006 to 2007.  Salary expense increased $246 thousand, or 1.5%, from 2006, due primarily to normal merit increases and to staff increases at our new branches.  Employee benefits, however, decreased $918 thousand, or 15.2% from 2006 to 2007.  This was primarily attributable to decreases in post-retirement benefits and incentive compensation expenses.  The ratio of total personnel expense (salaries and employee benefits) to average assets was 1.37% for 2007, 22 basis points less than the annualized ratio for our peer group of 1.59% at December 31, 2007.

Occupancy expense increased $140 thousand, or 4.6%, from 2006 to 2007. A portion of the increase was attributable to increased costs for our new branches.  Furniture and equipment expense increased by $44 thousand, or 1.5%, from 2006 to 2007.  

Other operating expense increased from 2006 to 2007, by $1.6 million, or 18.6%.  The most significant component of the increase was the $600 reserve for the Visa U.S.A. litigation costs (see page 16).  Other increases were spread among a variety of categories, including marketing and third party computer processing fees.


2006 compared to 2005:  Noninterest expense for 2006 amounted to $36.8 million, an increase of $1.6 million, or 4.6%, from 2005.  One comparative measure of operating expenses for financial institutions is the efficiency ratio, which is the ratio of other expense to the sum of tax equivalent net interest income and other income.  Excluded from the calculation are intangible asset amortization and any net securities gains or losses.    The efficiency ratio might be considered a non-GAAP financial measure but is generally utilized by banks and bank analysts to assess an institution’s performance.  See the discussion on “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on page 3 of this Report.  For 2006, the efficiency ratio for Arrow was 56.7%, an increase from the 2005 ratio of 53.5%.  Our 2006 ratio, however, still compared favorably to the ratio for our peer group of 61.3% as of December 31, 2006.  For information on the calculation of our efficiency ratios on a quarterly and annual basis, see pages 14 and 15 of this Report.  

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased $1.4 million, or 6.8%, from 2005 to 2006.  The increase in salary expense for 2006 was 4.7% over 2005, due primarily to normal merit increases and to staff increases resulting from the acquisition of new branches in April 2005 (which staff increases were only included in 2005 expenses for nine months).  Employee benefits increased 12.7% from 2005 to 2006.  This was primarily attributable to increases in health insurance and post-retirement benefits.  The ratio of total personnel expense (salaries and employee benefits) to average assets was 1.45% for 2006, 14 basis points less than the annualized ratio for our peer group of 1.59% at December 31, 2006.

Occupancy expense increased $144 thousand, or 4.9%, from 2005 to 2006. Most of the increase was attributable to increased costs for utilities and the fact that the three branches acquired in 2005 were only included in 2005 expense for nine months of 2005.  Furniture and equipment expense increased by $96 thousand, or 3.3%, from 2005 to 2006.  

Other operating expense actually decreased from 2005 to 2006, by $25 thousand, or 0.3%.  Legal, advertising and supplies expenses decreased in 2006 from 2005 levels, which were enhanced by one-time expenses in 2005 for the branch acquisition, while other areas of other operating expenses experienced normal increases or fluctuations.


V. INCOME TAXES

The following table sets forth our provision for income taxes and effective tax rates for the periods presented.


INCOME TAXES AND EFFECTIVE RATES

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Years Ended December 31,

Change From Prior Year

    

2006 to 2007

2005 to 2006

 

2007

2006

2005

Amount

%

Amount

%

Provision for Income Taxes

$6,807

$7,124

$8,103

$(317)

(4.4)%

$(979)

(12.1)%

Effective Tax Rate

28.2%

29.7%

30.3%

(1.5)%

(4.9)

(0.6)%

(2.1)

        

The provisions for federal and state income taxes amounted to $6.8 million, $7.1 million and $8.1 million for 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.   The effective income tax rates for 2007, 2006 and 2005 were 28.2%, 29.7% and 30.3%, respectively, with the decreasing rate in recent periods reflecting an increase in the ratio of tax-exempt income to income before taxes.



C. FINANCIAL CONDITION


I. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

Investment securities are classified as held-to-maturity, trading, or available-for-sale, depending on the purposes for which such securities were acquired and are being held.  Securities held-to-maturity are debt securities that the company has both the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity; such securities are stated at amortized cost.  Debt and equity securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of sale in the near term are classified as trading securities and are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings.  Debt and equity securities not classified as either held-to-maturity or trading securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported net of taxes in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.  At December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, we held no trading securities.  Set forth below is certain information about our securities available-for-sale portfolio and securities held-to-maturity portfolio.




13






Securities Available-for-Sale:

The following table sets forth the carrying value of our securities available-for-sale portfolio at year-end 2007, 2006 and 2005.


SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE

(In Thousands)


 

December 31,

 

2007

2006

2005

U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations

$  39,497

$  55,077

$ 64,408

State and Municipal Obligations

24,206

23,189

10,815

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

138,971

126,315

122,141

Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

112,458

90,051

106,753

Corporate and Other Debt Securities

11,574

11,613

11,838

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

   11,364

     9,641

   10,408

  Total

$338,070

$315,886

$326,363


In all periods, other mortgage-backed securities consisted of solely of agency mortgage pass-through securities.  Pass-through securities provide to the investor monthly portions of principal and interest pursuant to the contractual obligations of the underlying mortgages.  Collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) separate the repayments into two or more components (tranches), where each tranche has a separate estimated life and yield.  Our practice has been to purchase pass-through securities and CMOs that are guaranteed by federal agencies and tranches of CMOs with shorter maturities.  Included in corporate and other debt securities are highly rated corporate bonds and commercial paper.  At year-end 2007, approximately $9.6 million, or 84.2%, of the listed amount of mutual funds and equity securities consisted of required holdings of stock of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.

The following table sets forth the maturities of our securities available-for-sale portfolio as of December 31, 2007.  CMOs and other mortgage-backed securities are included in the table based on their expected average lives.  Mutual funds and equity securities, which have no stated maturity, are included in the after 10-years category.


MATURITIES OF SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE

(In Thousands)

 

Within

One

Year

After

1 But

Within

5 Years

After

5 But

Within

10 Years

After

10 Years

Total  

U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations

$38,484

$    1,013

$       ---

$       ---

$  39,497

State and Municipal Obligations

7,472

12,639

 1,511

2,584

24,206

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

12,176

110,077

15,716

 1,002

138,971

Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

716

76,905

14,641

20,196

112,458

Corporate and Other Debt Securities

---

11,144

  ---

430

11,574

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

         ---

           ---

         ---

  11,364

   11,364

    Total

$58,848

$211,778

$31,868

$35,576

$338,070


The following table sets forth the tax-equivalent yields of our securities available-for-sale portfolio at December 31, 2007.


YIELDS ON SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE

(Fully Tax-Equivalent Basis)


 

Within

One

Year

After

1 But

Within

5 Years

After

5 But

Within

10 Years

After

10 Years

Total

U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations

3.90%

5.21%

---%

 ---%

3.93%

State and Municipal Obligations

6.07

5.58

9.06

7.71

6.17

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

4.66

4.61

5.56

5.46

4.73

Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

6.10

4.75

5.04

5.55

4.94

Corporate and Other Debt Securities

---

5.76

---

7.03

5.81

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

---

---

---

5.15

5.15

    Total

4.11

4.67

5.34

5.41

4.72


The yields on debt securities shown in the table above are calculated by dividing annual interest, including accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, by the amortized cost of the securities at December 31, 2007.  Yields on obligations of states and municipalities exempt from federal taxation were computed on a fully tax-equivalent basis using a marginal tax rate of 35%.  Dividend earnings derived from equity securities were adjusted to reflect applicable federal income tax exclusions.

At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the weighted average maturity was 3.3 and 2.8 years, respectively, for debt securities in the available-for-sale portfolio.  At December 31, 2007, the net unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale amounted to $61 thousand.  The net unrealized gain or loss on such securities, net of tax, is reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income/loss.  




14






The unrealized loss was $6.2 million at December 31, 2006.  The net unrealized loss at year-end 2006 was primarily attributable to the decreased fair value of the debt securities (primarily fixed rate) portfolios resulting from an increase in prevailing interest rates, chiefly short-term rates.  Conversely, the decrease from 2006 to 2007 was primarily attributable to a decline in market yields during 2007.

For further information regarding our portfolio of securities available-for-sale, see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Report.


Securities Held-to-Maturity:

The following table sets forth the carrying value of our portfolio of securities held-to-maturity (consisting exclusively of state and municipal obligations) at December 31 of each of the last three years.


SECURITIES HELD-TO-MATURITY

(In Thousands)

 

December 31,

 

2007

2006

2005

State and Municipal Obligations

$114,611

$108,498

$118,123


For information regarding the fair value of our portfolio of securities held-to-maturity at December 31, 2007, see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Report.


The following table sets forth the maturities of our portfolio of securities held-to-maturity as of December 31, 2007.


MATURITIES OF SECURITIES HELD-TO-MATURITY

(In Thousands)


 

Within

One Year

After 1 But

Within 5 Years

After 5 But

Within 10 Years

After

10 Years

Total

State and Municipal Obligations

 $24,488

$47,676

$27,987

$14,460

$114,611


The following table sets forth the tax-equivalent yields of our portfolio of securities held-to-maturity at December 31, 2007.


YIELDS ON SECURITIES HELD-TO-MATURITY

(Fully Tax-Equivalent Basis)

 

Within

One Year

After 1 But

Within 5 Years

After 5 But

Within 10 Years

After

10 Years

Total

State and Municipal Obligations

 5.79%

5.36%

5.59%

5.99%

5.59%




The yields shown in the table above are calculated by dividing annual interest, including accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, by the carrying value of the securities at December 31, 2007.  Yields on obligations of states and municipalities exempt from federal taxation (which constituted the entire portfolio) were computed on a fully tax-equivalent basis using a marginal tax rate of 35%.

During 2007, 2006 and 2005, we sold no securities from the held-to-maturity portfolio.  The weighted-average maturity of the held-to-maturity portfolio was 4.8 years and 4.5 years at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


II. LOAN PORTFOLIO


The amounts and respective percentages of loans outstanding represented by each principal category on the dates indicated were as follows:




15






a. Types of Loans

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

December 31,

 

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

 

Amount

%

Amount

%

Amount

%

Amount

%

Amount

%

Commercial, Financial

 and Agricultural

$     79,128 

8

$   79,581 

8

$  79,917 

8

$  76,379 

9

$  82,808 

10

Real Estate -

 Commercial

160,787 

15

161,443 

16

152,447 

15

137,107 

15

110,499 

13

Real Estate -

 Construction

39,265 

4

31,319 

3

25,736 

3

7,868 

1

8,670 

1

Real Estate -

 Residential

417,092 

40

399,446 

40

376,820 

38

342,957 

39

328,673 

38

Indirect and Other Installment

  Loans to Individuals

    342,572 

      33

   337,210 

      33

  361,625 

     36

  311,000 

     36

 324,528 

     38

Total Loans

1,038,844 

100

1,008,999 

100

996,545 

100

875,311 

100

855,178 

100

Allowance for Loan

 Losses

     (12,401)

 

   (12,278)

 

  (12,241)

 

  (12,046)

 

  (11,842)

 

Total Loans, Net

$1,026,443 

 

$ 996,721 

 

$984,304 

 

$863,265 

 

$843,336 

 


No Subprime Mortgage Activities: During the second half of 2007, the U.S. experienced significant disruption and volatility in its financial and capital markets.  A major cause of the disruption was a collapse of residential real estate values across much of the U.S., which in turn triggered widespread defaults on subprime mortgage loans and steep devaluations of portfolios containing these loans and securities collateralized by them.  Many lending institutions suffered sizable charge-offs and losses in the second half of 2007.  We did not.  

We have never engaged in subprime mortgage lending as a business line and we have never acquired any subprime mortgage loans.  On occasion we may have made a loan to a borrower having a FICO score of 660 or below or have had extensions of credit outstanding to borrowers who have developed credit problems after origination resulting in deterioration of their FICO scores.  We also on occasion have extended community development loans to borrowers whose creditworthiness is below our normal standards as part of the community support program we have developed in fulfillment of our statutorily-mandated duty to support low- and moderate-income neighborhoods within our service area.  However, we are a prime lender and apply prime lending standards.  


Residential Real Estate Loans: In recent years, residential real estate and home equity loans have represented the largest segment of our loan portfolio.  Residential mortgage demand has been moderate since 2004, after a period in the preceding years when demand was high.  However, during 2004 and 2005 and the first quarter of 2006, we sold many of our 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage originations, while retaining the servicing.  By the end of the first quarter of 2006, as yields on longer-term residential real estate loans began to rise, we stopped selling our 30-year mortgage originations and decided to retain them in our portfolio.  During 2007, the $53.6 million of new residential real estate loan originations more than offset normal principal amortization on the pre-existing loans in the segment.    We expect that, if we continue to retain all or most originations, we will be able to maintain the current level of residential real estate loans and may experience some continued growth.  However, if the demand for residential real estate loans in our service area decreases, due to mortgage rate increases or a softening of the local real estate market or the economy generally, our portfolio also may decrease, which may negatively impact our financial performance, and if the economy or local real estate market suffers a major downturn, the quality of our residential loan portfolio and our financial condition itself may be damaged.


Indirect Loans: For several years prior to 2003, indirect consumer loans (consisting principally of auto loans financed through local dealerships where we acquire the dealer paper) was the largest segment of our loan portfolio.  For much of this period, indirect consumer loans were the fastest growing segment of our loan portfolio, both in terms of absolute dollar amount and as a percentage of the overall portfolio.  In the ensuing five years, this segment of the portfolio fluctuated in size, with periods of expansion followed by contraction.  Generally, over the period the segment experienced little growth in absolute terms and decreased as a percentage of the overall portfolio.  This change in indirect loan totals was largely the result of aggressive campaigns of zero rate and other subsidized financing by auto manufacturers, commencing late 2001 and recurring periodically in the years since then.  During the fourth quarter of 2002 and for the first two quarters of 2003, the indirect portfolio experienced a small amount of growth, but the level flattened in the third quarter of 2003 and declined during the fourth quarter of 2003 and the first half of 2004 before rising slightly during the second half of 2004.  

At the end of the first quarter of 2005, we experienced an increase in indirect loans, which continued throughout the second and third quarters of 2005, for a variety of factors, including the decision by the automobile manufacturers to be less aggressive with their subsidized financing programs.  In the fourth quarter of 2005, however, indirect loan balances declined by 4.3%, measured at quarter-end (although the average balance for the fourth quarter was slightly higher than the average balance for the third quarter).

During the first three quarters of 2006, we elected not to compete aggressively in the indirect loan sector, in the face of a resurgence of extremely low rates being offered by automobile manufacturers.  As a result, principal amortization and prepayments exceeded our originations and indirect balances decreased.  In the fourth quarter of 2006 and the first three quarters of 2007, however, we saw our indirect loan balances increase.  Even though indirect balances fell during the fourth quarter of 2007, our indirect loan total at December 31, 2007 was $6.7 million above the prior year-end total.

At December 31, 2007, indirect loans continued to represent the second largest category of loans in our portfolio and a significant component of our business.  However, if auto manufacturers and their finance affiliates persist in marketing heavily subsidized financing programs, our indirect loan portfolio is likely to continue to experience rate pressure and limited, if any, overall growth as a percentage of the total portfolio.  Moreover, as noted above for residential real estate loans, if the national or regional economy weakens in upcoming periods, we may experience a weakened demand for indirect loans and possibly a weakened quality within the portfolio, which could negatively impact our financial performance.

Commercial, Commercial Real Estate and Construction and Land Development Loans: We have experienced strong to moderate demand for commercial loans for the past several years, and thus commercial and commercial real estate loan balances have grown significantly, both in dollar amount and as a percentage of the overall loan portfolio.  This pattern continued during 2007 as these loan balances grew $6.8 million, or 2.5%, from December 31, 2006.  Substantially all commercial and commercial real estate loans in our portfolio are extended to businesses or borrowers located in our regional market.  Many of the loans in the commercial portfolio have variable rates tied to prime, FHLB or U.S. Treasury indices.

The following table indicates the changing mix in our loan portfolio by including the quarterly average balances for our significant loan products for the past five quarters.  The remaining quarter-by-quarter tables present the percentage of total loans represented by each category and the annualized tax-equivalent yield of each category.


LOAN PORTFOLIO

Quarterly Average Loan Balances

(Dollars In Thousands)

  

Quarter Ending

  

Dec 2007

Sep 2007

Jun 2007

Mar 2007

Dec 2006

Commercial and Commercial Real Estate

 

$   273,068

$    265,060

$    265,076

$   262,937

$260,416

Residential Real Estate

 

318,883

315,576

313,239

310,404

305,926

Home Equity

 

 46,152

 45,864

 47,065

 48,366

 49,224

Indirect Consumer Loans

 

342,595

339,955

335,318

335,004

331,972

Other Consumer Loans1

 

    55,963

       54,944

       53,789

       53,874

    52,138

 Total Loans

 

$1,036,661

$1,021,399

$1,014,487

$1,010,585

$999,676


Percentage of Total Quarterly Average Loans

  

Quarter Ending

  

Dec 2007

Sep 2007

Jun 2007

Mar 2007

Dec 2006

Commercial and Commercial Real Estate

 

26.3%

25.9%

26.1%

26.0%

26.1%

Residential Real Estate

 

30.8

30.9   

30.9   

30.7   

30.6

Home Equity

 

4.4

4.5   

4.6   

4.8   

4.9

Indirect Consumer Loans

 

33.1

33.3   

33.1   

33.2   

33.2

Other Consumer Loans1

 

   5.4

    5.4   

    5.3   

    5.3   

   5.2

 Total Loans

 

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%


Quarterly Tax-Equivalent Yield on Loans

  

Quarter Ending

  

Dec 2007

Sep 2007

Jun 2007

Mar 2007

Dec 2006

Commercial and Commercial Real Estate

 

7.15%

7.26%

7.31%

7.28%

7.24%

Residential Real Estate

 

6.01

6.03   

6.02   

6.08   

5.93

Home Equity

 

7.33

7.82   

7.77   

7.70   

7.53

Indirect Consumer Loans

 

6.20

6.05   

6.00   

5.80   

5.61

Other Consumer Loans1

 

7.35

7.35   

7.29   

7.20   

7.16

 Total Loans

 

6.50

6.51   

6.50   

6.44   

6.31


1 Other Consumer Loans includes certain home improvement loans secured by mortgages.  However, these same loan balances are reported as

   Real Estate – Residential in the table of period-end balances on the previous page, captioned “Types of Loans.”


In general, the yield (tax-equivalent interest income divided by average loans) on our loan portfolio and other earning assets has been impacted by changes in prevailing interest rates, as previously discussed on in this Report on page 19 under the heading "Impact of Interest Rate Changes 2002 - 2007."  We expect that such will continue to be the case; that is, that loan yields will continue to rise and fall with changes in prevailing market rates, although the timing and degree of responsiveness will continue to be influenced by a variety of other factors, including the makeup of the loan portfolio, the shape of the yield curve, consumer expectations and preferences and the rate at which the portfolio expands.   

Additionally, there is a significant amount of cash flow from normal amortization and prepayments in all loan categories, and this cash flow reprices at current rates as new loans are generated at the current yields.  

As noted in the earlier discussion, during a period of change in prevailing rates, we generally experience a time lag between the impact of the change on our deposit portfolio (which is felt relatively quickly) and the impact of the change on our loan portfolio (which occurs more slowly).  The consequence of this time lag is a positive impact on the net interest margin during the beginning of the rate decline period, and a negative impact on the margin at the beginning of a rate increase period.

As we discussed in the prior review of net interest income, during the period from mid-2004 to mid-2006, the Federal Reserve Bank increase the targeted federal funds rate from 1.00% to 5.25%, in an effort to dampen inflationary pressures and unrestrained borrowing.  During this period of rate increase, the time-lag between repricing of our deposits and the repricing of loan balances was especially lengthy; in some sectors of the portfolio, the repricing upward of loan rates was not completed before the Fed began decreasing rates in the last four months of 2007.  Thus, for our company as for any commercial banks, the return to a decreasing interest rate environment, while it may relieve some of the recent extreme pressures on our net interest margins, may not have quite the positive impact on margins and net interest income that would normally be experienced in periods where spreads are typically wider before the rate decline commences.

The following table indicates the respective maturities and interest rate structure of our commercial, financial and agricultural loans and real estate - construction loans at December 31, 2007.  For purposes of determining relevant maturities, loans are assumed to mature at (but not before) their scheduled repayment dates as required by contractual terms.  Demand loans and overdrafts are included in the “Within 1 Year” maturity category.  Most of the real estate - construction loans are made with a commitment for permanent financing, whether extended by us or unrelated third parties.  The maturity distribution below reflects the final maturity of the permanent financing.



16






b. Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Changes in Interest Rates

(In Thousands)


  


Within

1 Year

After 1

But Within

5 Years


After

5 Years



Total

Commercial, Financial and Agricultural

 

$29,860

$30,309

$18,959

$  79,128

Real Estate - Construction

 

    4,155

  10,631

  24,479

   39,265

  Total

 

$34,015

$40,940

$43,438

$118,393

 

Fixed Interest Rates

 

$  5,660

$34,281

$14,113

$  54,054

Variable Interest Rates

 

  28,355

   6,659

  29,325

   64,339

  Total

 

$34,015

$40,940

$43,438

$118,393

 


COMMITMENTS AND LINES OF CREDIT

Stand-by letters of credit represent extensions of credit granted in the normal course of business, which are not reflected in the financial statements at a given date because the commitments are not funded at that time.  As of December 31, 2007, our total contingent liability for standby letters of credit amounted to $3.2 million.  In addition to these instruments, we also have issued lines of credit to customers, including home equity lines of credit, commitments for residential and commercial construction loans and other personal and commercial lines of credit, which also may be unfunded or only partially funded from time to time.  Commercial lines, generally issued for a period of one year, are usually extended to provide for the working capital requirements of the borrower.  At December 31, 2007, we had outstanding unfunded loan commitments in the aggregate amount of approximately $175.7 million.


c. Risk Elements


1. Nonaccrual, Past Due and Restructured Loans

The amounts of nonaccrual, past due and restructured loans for the past five years are presented in the table on page 22 under the heading “Summary of the Allowance and Provision for Loan Losses.”

We designate loans as nonaccrual when the payment of interest and/or principal is due and unpaid for a designated period (generally 90 days) or when the likelihood of the full repayment of principal and interest is, in the opinion of management, uncertain.  Under the Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy established by banking regulators, fixed-maturity consumer loans must generally be charged-off no later than when 120 days past due.  Loans secured with non-real estate collateral in the process of collection are charged-down to the value of the collateral, less cost to sell.  Open-end credits, residential real estate loans and commercial loans are evaluated for charge-off on a loan-by-loan basis when placed on nonaccrual status.  We had no material commitments to lend additional funds on outstanding nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2007.  Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest are those loans which were contractually past due 90 days or more but because of expected repayments, were still accruing interest.  

The balance of loans 30-89 days past due totaled $8.5 million at December 31, 2007 and represented 0.82% of loans outstanding at that date, as compared to approximately $6.0 million, or 0.60% of loans at December 31, 2006.  These non-current loans at December 31, 2007 were composed of approximately $5.2 million of consumer loans, principally indirect motor vehicle loans, $1.4 million of residential real estate loans and $1.9 million of commercial loans.

SFAS No. 114 requires that all impaired loans, except for large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans, be measured based on (i) the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, (ii) the loan's observable market price or (iii) the fair value of the collateral, less cost to sell, if the loan is collateral dependent.  We apply the provisions of SFAS No. 114 to all impaired commercial and commercial real estate loans over $250 thousand, and to all restructured loans.  Allowances for losses for the remaining smaller-balance loans are evaluated under SFAS No. 5.  Under the provisions of SFAS No. 114, we determine impairment for collateralized loans based on fair value of the collateral less estimated cost to sell.  For other loans, impairment is determined by comparing the recorded value of the loan to the present value of the expected cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate.  We determine the interest income recognition method for impaired loans on a loan-by-loan basis.  Based upon the borrowers’ payment histories and cash flow projections, interest recognition methods include full accrual or cash basis.

During 2007, one commercial loan was considered impaired under SFAS No. 114 with an average recorded investment of $733 thousand.  At year-end 2007, the balance of impaired loans consisted of that one loan with a balance of $759 thousand which had no related reserve.

At December 31, 2007, nonperforming loans amounted to $2.2 million, a decrease of $593 thousand, or 21.4%, from the balance at year-end 2006.  Total nonperforming loans at year-end 2007 represented .21% of period-end loans, a decrease from .28% at year-end 2006.  The ratio of nonperforming loans to average loans for our peer group at December 31, 2007 was 1.05%, up from .56% at December 31, 2006.

During 2007, income recognized on year-end balances of nonaccrual loans was $70 thousand.  Income that would have been recognized during that period on nonaccrual loans, if such loans had been current in accordance with their original terms and had been outstanding throughout the period (or since origination if held for part of the period) was $162 thousand.

During 2006, two commercial loans were considered impaired under SFAS No. 114 with an average recorded investment of $341 thousand.  At year-end 2006, the balance of impaired loans consisted of one loan with a balance of $708 thousand which had no related reserve.

At December 31, 2006, nonperforming loans amounted to $2.8 million, an increase of $529 thousand, or 23.5%, from the balance at year-end 2005.  Total nonperforming loans at year-end 2006 represented .28% of period-end loans, an increase from .23% at year-end 2005.  The ratio of nonperforming loans to average loans for our peer group at December 31, 2006 was .56%.

During 2006, income recognized on year-end balances of nonaccrual loans was $126 thousand.  Income that would have been recognized during that period on nonaccrual loans, if such loans had been current in accordance with their original terms and had been outstanding throughout the period (or since origination if held for part of the period) was $160 thousand.

During 2005, one commercial loan was considered impaired under SFAS No. 114 with an average recorded investment of $512 thousand.  At year-end 2005, the balance of the loan was $512 thousand and it had a related reserve of $96 thousand.

At December 31, 2005, nonperforming loans amounted to $2.2 million, an increase of $139 thousand, or 6.6%, from the balance at year-end 2004.  Total nonperforming loans at year-end 2005 represented .23% of period-end loans, a decrease from .24% at year-end 2004.  The ratio of nonperforming loans to average loans for our peer group at December 31, 2005 was .52%.

During 2005, income recognized on year-end balances of nonaccrual loans was $81 thousand.  Income that would have been recognized during that period on nonaccrual loans, if such loans had been current in accordance with their original terms and had been outstanding throughout the period (or since origination if held for part of the period) was $156 thousand.


2. Potential Problem Loans

On at least a quarterly basis, we apply an internal credit quality rating system to commercial loans that are either past due or fully performing but exhibit certain characteristics that could reflect a potential weakness.  Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when the likely amount of future principal and interest payments are expected to be less than the contractual amounts, even if such loans are not 90 days past due.  

Periodically we review the loan portfolio for evidence of potential problem loans.  Potential problem loans are loans that are currently performing in accordance with contractual terms, but where known information about possible credit problems of the borrower causes doubt about the ability of the borrower to comply with the loan payment terms and may result in disclosure of such loans as nonperforming at some time in the future.  Through our on-going credit monitoring, we consider loans which, in our internal classification system, are classified as substandard but continue to accrue interest to be potential problem loans.  At December 31, 2007 we identified 35 commercial relationships totaling $25.3 million as potential problem loans.  At December 31, 2006 we identified 23 commercial relationships totaling $13.6 million as potential problem loans.  Factors such as payment history, value of supporting collateral, and personal or government guarantees led us to conclude that the current risk exposure on these loans did not warrant accounting for the loans as nonperforming.  Although in a performing status as of year-end, these loans exhibited certain risk factors, which have the potential to cause them to become nonperforming at some point in the future.  

The overall level of our performing loans that demonstrate characteristics of potential weakness from time-to-time is for the most part dependent on economic conditions in northeastern New York State.  


3. Foreign Outstandings - None


4. Loan Concentrations

The loan portfolio is well diversified.  There are no concentrations of credit that exceed 10% of the portfolio, other than the general categories reported in the preceding Section C.II.a. of this Item 7.  For further discussion, see Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Report.


5. Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) consists of real property acquired in foreclosure.  OREO is carried at the lower of (i) fair value less estimated cost to sell or (ii) the recorded investment in the loan at the date of foreclosure, or cost.  We establish allowances for OREO losses, which are established and monitored on a property-by-property basis and reflect our ongoing estimate of the property's estimated fair value less costs to sell (when such amount is less than cost).  For all periods, all OREO was held for sale.  Repossessed assets for each of the five years in the table below consist almost entirely of motor vehicles.


Distribution of OREO and Repossessed Assets

(Net of Allowance) (In Thousands)

  

December 31,

 

2007 

2006 

2005

2004 

2003 

Single Family 1 - 4 Units

$  89 

$  48 

 $  --- 

$  --- 

$  --- 

Commercial Real Estate

  --- 

  200 

  --- 

  --- 

  --- 

Construction

    --- 

  --- 

  --- 

  --- 

  --- 

Other Real Estate Owned, Net

   89 

   248 

   --- 

   --- 

   --- 

Repossessed Assets

    63 

  144 

  124 

  136 

  180 

Total OREO and Repossessed Assets

$152 

$392 

$124 

$136 

$180 


The following table summarizes changes in the net carrying amount of OREO for each of the periods presented.

Schedule of Changes in OREO

(Net of Allowance) (In Thousands)

  

2007 

2006 

2005

2004 

2003 

Balance at Beginning of Year

 

$248 

$   --- 

$   --- 

$   --- 

$  51 

Properties Acquired Through Foreclosure

 

 115 

 248 

 295 

 --- 

  10 

Writedown of Properties Previously Foreclosed

 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

Sales

 

(274)

    --- 

 (295)

    --- 

  (61)

Balance at End of Year

 

$  89 

$248 

$   --- 

$   --- 

$  --- 


There was no allowance for OREO losses at year-end 2007, 2006 or 2005.  We started 2007 with two properties in OREO.  During the year we acquired two more and sold three, ending the year with just one property.  We started 2006 with no properties in OREO.  During the year we acquired one commercial and one residential property, which remained unsold at year-end.  We started 2005 with no properties in OREO.  During the year we acquired and sold four properties, ending the year with no properties in OREO.  

We started 2004 with no properties in OREO.  During 2004, we did not acquire or sell any real estate acquired through foreclosure.  We started 2003 with $51 thousand in OREO.  During 2003, we acquired one property for $10 thousand through foreclosure.  Also during the year, we sold two properties with a carrying amount of $61 thousand for a net gain of $12 thousand.  


III. SUMMARY OF LOAN LOSS EXPERIENCE

The information required in this section is presented in the discussion of the “Provision for Loan Losses and Allowance for Loan Losses” in Part II Item 7.B.II. beginning on page 20 of this Report, including:

·

Charge-offs and Recoveries by loan type

·

Factors that led to the amount of the Provision for Loan Losses

·

Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses by loan type


The percent of loans in each loan category is presented in the table of loan types in the preceding section on page 28 of this report.


IV. DEPOSITS

The following table sets forth the average balances of and average rates paid on deposits for the periods indicated.


AVERAGE DEPOSIT BALANCES

Years Ended December 31,

(Dollars In Thousands)



 

2007

2006

2005

  

Average

Balance


Rate

Average

Balance


Rate

Average

Balance


Rate

Demand Deposits

 

$   186,474

--%

$   182,706

--%

$   174,762

--%

Interest-Bearing Demand Deposits

 

315,614

2.18

290,860

1.75

314,836

1.18

Regular and Money Market Savings

 

266,007

1.49

283,253

1.27

296,159

0.86

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More

 

180,606

4.78

161,729

4.43

126,919

3.10

Other Time Deposits

 

     258,042

4.42

     248,706

3.85

     198,130

2.89

  Total Deposits

 

$1,206,743

2.56

$1,167,254

2.18

$1,110,806

1.43


During 2007, average deposit balances increased by $39.5 million, or 3.4%, over the average for 2006.  The increase was primarily generated from our pre-existing branch network, although we did open two new branches in 2007; a new branch in Plattsburgh in the beginning of 2007 and another in the Saratoga Springs area in April of 2007.

During 2006, average deposit balances increased by $56.4 million, or 5.1%, over the average for 2005.  Early in April 2005 we acquired approximately $62 million of deposit balances in our acquisition of three branches from HSBC.  The inclusion of these acquired deposits in our average deposit balances for only part of the 2005 year, versus the entire 2006 year, accounted for approximately $16 million of the increase in average balances.  The remaining increase was generated from our pre-existing branch network, and we opened a new branch in the Saratoga Springs area in January of 2006.

During 2005, average deposit balances increased by $63.1 million, or 6.0%, over the average for 2004.  The acquisition of balances in the HSBC branch purchase transaction accounted for approximately $45 million of the increase in average balances between the years.  The remaining increase was generated from our pre-existing branch network.

We did not sell or close any branches during the covered period, 2005-2007.


The following table presents the quarterly average balance by deposit type for each of the most recent five quarters.  


DEPOSIT PORTFOLIO

Quarterly Average Deposit Balances (Dollars In Thousands)

  

Quarter Ending

  

Dec 2007

Sep 2007

Jun 2007

Mar 2007

Dec 2006

Demand Deposits

 

$   190,002

$   194,628

$   181,282

$   179,781

$   184,267

Interest-Bearing Demand Deposits

 

353,655

310,219

305,409

292,559

301,519

Regular and Money Market Savings

 

263,784

263,620

268,823

267,877

269,186

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More

 

174,915

189,685

175,550

182,254

170,388

Other Time Deposits

 

    250,260

     257,056

     265,056

     259,913

     259,346

  Total Deposits

 

$1,232,616

$1,215,208

$1,196,120

$1,182,384

$1,184,706


Fluctuations in balances of our NOW accounts and time deposits of $100,000 or more are largely the result of municipal deposit fluctuations.  Municipal deposits on average represent 15% to 20% of our total deposits.  Municipal deposits are typically placed in NOW accounts and time deposits of short duration.  Many of our municipal deposit relationships are subject to annual renewal, by formal or informal agreements.  

In general, there is a seasonal pattern to municipal deposits starting with a low point during July and August.  Account balances tend to increase throughout the fall and into the winter months from tax deposits and receive an additional boost at the end of March from the electronic deposit of state funds.  In addition to these seasonal fluctuations within types of accounts, the overall level of municipal deposit balances fluctuates from year-to-year as some municipalities move their accounts in and out of our banks due to competitive factors.  Often, the balances of municipal deposits at the end of a quarter are not representative of the average balances for that quarter.  

Overall our deposit balances generally followed a pattern of flat to slightly decreased levels in the first calendar quarter, increasing totals in the second and third quarters, and continued increases in the fourth quarter, but moderating slightly at year-end.  Our deposit experience in 2007 followed this pattern.  In the first quarter, the average balance decreased $2.3 million, or 0.2%, from the fourth quarter of 2006, but rebounded in the second quarter with a $13.7 million, or 1.2%, increase in average balances over the first quarter of 2007.  Average deposit balances for the third quarter of 2007 increased by $19.1 million, or 1.6%, over the second quarter of 2007.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in municipal balances, but non-municipal balances also increased during the quarter.

During the fourth quarter of 2007, the average balance increased as expected, by $17.4 million, reflecting the significant increase in interest-bearing demand deposits attributable to the seasonal increase in municipal deposits.  However, by the fourth quarter period-end, municipal deposit balances were only $3.83 million higher than the balance at September 30, 2007.

During the uninterrupted period of declining interest rates from May 2000 through the first half of 2004, we experienced a trend (typical for financial institutions) where maturing time deposits were transferred to non-maturity interest-bearing transaction accounts.  This period of declining rates ended in June 2004 as the Fed initiated a series of seventeen 25 basis point increases in prevailing rates extending through June 2006.  

As a result of this rising short-term rate environment commencing in mid-2004, we began to experience a reversal of the prior trend in deposit account migration as our customers, including municipal accounts, started to transfer some of their non-maturity balances back into time deposits.  At December 31, 2007 time deposits represented 35.7% of total deposits, up from 22.5% at June 30, 2004.  This ratio did not reach the high-water mark for recent years of 40.8% at June 30, 2000.  As prevailing market rates began decreasing in the last four months of 2007, we saw the beginnings of a migration out of time deposits and back to non-maturity accounts.   The total quarterly average balances as a percentage of total deposits are illustrated in the table below.


Percentage of Total Quarterly Average Deposits

 

Quarter Ending

  

Dec 2007

Sep 2007

Jun 2007

Mar 2007

Dec 2006

Demand Deposits

 

15.4%

16.0%

15.2%

15.2%

15.6%

Interest-Bearing Demand Deposits

 

28.7

25.5   

25.5   

24.7   

25.5

Regular and Money Market Savings

 

21.4

21.7   

22.5   

22.7   

22.7

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More

 

14.2

15.6   

14.7   

15.4   

14.4

Other Time Deposits

 

  20.3

  21.2   

  22.1   

  22.0   

 21.8

  Total Deposits

 

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%


Time deposits of $100,000 or more are to a large extent comprised of municipal deposits and are obtained on a competitive bid basis.


Quarterly Cost of Deposits

 

Quarter Ending

  

Dec 2007

Sep 2007

Jun 2007

Mar 2007

Dec 2006

Demand Deposits

 

---%

---%

---%

---%

---%

Interest-Bearing Demand Deposits

 

2.34

2.16

2.18

1.98

2.04

Regular and Money Market Savings

 

1.52

1.51

1.48

1.45

1.36

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More

 

4.60

4.88

4.81

4.81

4.69

Other Time Deposits

 

4.42

4.41

4.42

4.41

4.23

  Total Deposits (Including Non-Interest-Bearing)

 

2.55

2.57

2.58

2.53

2.43


In general, rates paid by us on various types of deposit accounts are influenced by the rates being offered or paid by our competitors, which in turn are influenced by prevailing interest rates in the economy as impacted from time to time by the actions of the Federal Reserve Bank.  There typically is a time lag between the Federal Reserve’s actions undertaken to influence rates and the actual repricing of our deposit liabilities, although this lag is normally shorter than the lag between Federal Reserve actions and the repricing of our loans and other earning assets.  

As a result of the Federal Reserve rate decreases in the 2001 through mid-2004 period, we experienced a decrease in the cost of deposits throughout the period.  The cost of deposits during the second quarter of 2005 was at its lowest point in many years.  After the Federal Reserve Bank began a protracted series of rate increases in June 2004, our cost of deposits continued to fall in the third quarter of 2004 as maturing time deposits were still repricing at lower rates.  From the fourth quarter of 2004 through the second quarter of 2007, however, our average cost of deposits increased each quarter.  This trend began to reverse itself in the past two quarters and we expect that our cost of deposits will continue to fall as long as the Federal Reserve Bank continues a policy of further rate decreases to stimulate the economy in 2008.  


V. TIME DEPOSITS OF $100,000 OR MORE

The maturities of time deposits of $100,000 or more at December 31, 2007 are presented below.  (In Thousands)


Maturing in:

 

Under Three Months

$107,297

Three to Six Months

43,155

Six to Twelve Months

18,867

2009

7,260

2010

2,557

2011

  ---

2012

      1,198

  Total

$180,334



17






D. LIQUIDITY

Our liquidity is measured by our ability to raise cash when we need it at a reasonable cost.  We must be capable of meeting expected and unexpected obligations to our customers at any time.  Given the uncertain nature of customer demands as well as the need to maximize earnings, we must have available reasonably priced sources of funds, on- and off-balance sheet, that can be accessed quickly in time of need.

Securities available-for-sale represent a primary source of our balance sheet cash flow.  Certain investment securities are selected at purchase as available-for-sale based on their marketability and collateral value, as well as their yield and maturity.  Our securities available-for-sale portfolio was $338.1 million at year-end 2007.  Maturing loans in our portfolio also represent a steady source of balance sheet cash flow.

In addition to liquidity arising from balance sheet cash flows, we have supplemented liquidity with additional off-balance sheet sources such as federal funds lines of credit and credit lines with the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”).    We have established federal funds lines of credit with three correspondent banks totaling $30 million.  The average balance throughout 2007 was only $18 thousand and there was no period-end balance.  We have established overnight and 30 day term lines of credit with the FHLB; each of these lines provided for a maximum borrowing line of $122.1 million at December 31, 2007.  We borrowed only occasionally from the overnight line of credit with the FHLB during 2007.  The average balance throughout 2007 was $285 thousand and there was no period-end balance.  If advanced, such lines of credit are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities, loans and FHLB stock.   The balance in other short-term borrowings at December 31, 2007 consisted entirely of treasury, tax and loan balances at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

In addition, we have identified wholesale and retail repurchase agreements and brokered certificates of deposit as appropriate off-balance sheet sources of funding accessible in relatively short time periods.  Also, Glens Falls National has established a borrowing facility with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, pledging certain consumer loans as collateral for potential “discount window” advances.  At December 31, 2007, the amount available under this facility was $148.6 million, but there were no advances then outstanding.  We measure and monitor our basic liquidity as a ratio of liquid assets to short-term liabilities, both with and without the availability of borrowing arrangements.  Based on the level of cash flows from our investment securities portfolio, particularly mortgage-backed securities, and from maturing loans in our portfolio, our stable core deposit base and our significant borrowing capacity, we believe that our liquidity is sufficient to meet any reasonably likely events or occurrences.


E. CAPITAL RESOURCES AND DIVIDENDS

Shareholders' equity was $122.3 million at December 31, 2007, an increase of $4.1 million, or 3.5%, from the prior year-end.  The most significant changes to shareholders’ equity include, net income of $17.3 million and net unrealized gains in the valuation allowance for available-for-sale securities ($3.7 million, net of tax) which were only partially offset by: i) cash dividends ($10.0 million), ii) repurchases of our own common stock ($7.3 million) and, iii) our guarantee of a $1.5 million loan to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) which requires a reduction in shareholders’ equity for the shares acquired with loan proceeds that have not yet been allocated to employees.  

In each of 2004 and 2003, we enhanced our regulatory capital by issuing $10 million of capital securities in private placements with institutional investors, utilizing a subsidiary Delaware business trust for that purpose.  These trust preferred securities were reflected as “Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts” on our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2007 and 2006.  These securities have certain features that make them an attractive funding vehicle.  Under the Federal Reserve’s regulatory capital guidelines discussed below, trust preferred securities may qualify as Tier 1 capital, in an amount not to exceed 25% of Tier 1 capital, net of goodwill less any associated deferred tax liability.  Both of our issues or trust preferred securities qualify as Tier 1 regulatory capital.  

The maintenance of appropriate capital levels is a management priority.  Overall capital adequacy is monitored on an ongoing basis by management and reviewed regularly by the Board of Directors.  Our principal capital planning goal is to provide an adequate return to shareholders while retaining a sufficient base to provide for future expansion and comply with all regulatory standards.

One set of regulatory capital guidelines applicable to our holding company and subsidiary banks are the so-called risk-based capital measures.  Under these measures, as established by federal bank regulators, the minimum ratio of "Tier 1" capital to risk-weighted assets is 4.0% and the minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets is 8.0%.  For Arrow, Tier 1 capital is comprised of common shareholders' equity and the trust preferred securities issued by our two unconsolidated subsidiaries (see the second previous paragraph), less intangible assets.  Total capital for the risk-based capital guidelines, includes Tier 1 capital plus other qualifying regulatory capital, including a portion of our allowance for loan losses.

In addition to the risk-based capital measures, the federal bank regulatory agencies require banks and bank holding companies to satisfy another capital guideline, the Tier 1 leverage ratio (Tier 1 capital to quarterly average assets less intangible assets).  The minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio is 3.0% for the most highly rated institutions.  The guidelines provide that other institutions should maintain a Tier 1 leverage ratio that is at least 1.0% to 2.0% higher than the 3.0% minimum level for top-rated institutions.

The table below sets forth the capital ratios of our holding company and subsidiary banks, Glens Falls National and Saratoga National, as of December 31, 2007:


Capital Ratios:

Arrow  

GFNB  

SNB  

Risk-Based Tier 1 Ratio

12.9%

13.3%

11.5%

Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio

14.1

14.5

12.7

Tier 1 Leverage Ratio

8.4

8.4

8.6


At December 31, 2007 our holding company and both banks exceeded the minimum capital ratios established by the regulatory guidelines, and qualified as "well-capitalized", the highest category, in the capital classification scheme set by federal bank regulatory agencies (see the further discussion under "Supervision and Regulation" in Part I Item 1.C. of this Report).




18






The source of funds for the payment of shareholder dividends by our holding company consists primarily of dividends declared and paid to the holding company by our bank subsidiaries.  In addition to regulatory constrictions on payments of dividends, there are statutory limitations applicable to the payment of dividends by our bank subsidiaries.  As of December 31, 2007, under this statutory limitation, the maximum amount that could have been paid by the bank subsidiaries to the holding company, without special regulatory approval, was approximately $19.0 million.  The ability of our holding company and our banks to pay dividends in the future is and will continue to be influenced by regulatory policies, capital guidelines and applicable laws.

See Part II, Item 5, "Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities" for a recent history of our cash dividend payments.


F. OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

In the normal course of operations, we may engage in a variety of financial transactions that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, are not recorded in the financial statements, or are recorded in amounts that differ from the notional amounts.  These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate, and liquidity risk.  Such transactions may be used by us for general corporate purposes or for customer needs.  Corporate purpose transactions may be used to help manage credit, interest rate, and liquidity risk or to optimize capital.  Customer transactions may be used to manage customers' requests for funding.

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity or capital expenditures.


G. CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS (In Thousands)

 

Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligation

Total

Less Than

 1 Year

1-3 Years

3-5 Years

More Than 5 Years

Long-Term Debt Obligations:

     

  Federal Home Loan Bank Advances1

$160,000

$     ---

$40,000

$110,000

$10,000

Junior Subordinated Obligations

    Issued to Unconsolidated

    Subsidiary Trusts2

20,000

---

---

---

20,000

Operating Lease Obligations3

      2,728

  318

      579

        519

    1,312

Obligations under Retirement Plans4

      2,583

  5,285

    6,103

    21,578

  35,549

Total

$185,311

$5,603

$46,682

$132,097

$66,861


1 See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report for additional information on Federal Home Loan Bank Advances, including call provisions.

2 See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report for additional information on Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts.

3 See Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report for additional information on our Operating Lease Obligations.

4 See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report for additional information on our Retirement Plans.




19






H. FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

We reported net income of $4.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, an increase of $186 thousand, or 4.3%, from the fourth quarter of 2006.  Diluted earnings per common share for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $.42, an increase of $.03, or 7.7%, from the $.39 amount for the fourth quarter of 2006.  The net increase in earnings was primarily attributable to the following: (i) an $858 thousand increase in tax-equivalent net interest income, (ii) a $75 thousand decrease in the provision for loan losses, (iii) a $43 thousand increase in noninterest income, (iv) a $653 thousand increase in noninterest expense, including a $600 thousand expense incurred by our banks, as Visa member banks, relating to members’ obligation to indemnify Visa USA, Inc. for losses recognized by it in the fourth quarter of 2007 in connection with antitrust litigation against Visa, and (v) a $46 thousand decrease in the provision for income taxes.  The factors contributing to these quarter-to-quarter changes are included in the discussion of the year-to-year changes elsewhere in this Report.


SELECTED FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Dollars In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

  

For the Quarters Ended

 December 31,

  

2007 

2006 

Interest and Dividend Income

 

$22,431 

$20,831 

Interest Expense

 

  10,413 

   9,488 

Net Interest Income

 

12,018 

11,343 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

      191 

      266 

Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses

 

11,827 

11,077 

Noninterest Income

 

4,016 

3,973 

Noninterest Expense

 

   9,773 

   9,120 

Income Before Provision for Income Taxes

 

6,070 

5,930 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

    1,589 

   1,635 

Net Income

 

$  4,481 

$ 4,295 

    

SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA: 1

   

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding:

   

  Basic

 

10,619 

10,895 

  Diluted

 

10,682 

11,021 

Basic Earnings Per Common Share

 

$.42 

$.39 

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

 

.42 

.39 

Cash Dividends Per Common Share

 

.24 

.23 

    

AVERAGE BALANCES:

   

Assets

 

$1,601,053 

$1,530,566 

Earning Assets

 

1,526,148 

1,458,211 

Loans

 

1,036,661 

999,676 

Deposits

 

1,232,616 

1,184,706 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

120,433 

120,097 

    

SELECTED RATIOS (Annualized):

   

Return on Average Assets

 

1.11% 

1.11% 

Return on Average Equity

 

14.76% 

14.19% 

Net Interest Margin 2

 

 3.32% 

 3.24% 

    

Net Charge-offs to Average Loans

 

.05% 

.10% 

Provision for Loan Losses to Average Loans

 

.07% 

.11% 

    

1 Share and Per Share amounts have been restated for the September 2007 3% stock dividend.

2 Net Interest Margin is the ratio of tax-equivalent net interest income to average earning assets. (See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial

   Measures” on page 3).



20






Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

In addition to credit risk in our loan portfolio and liquidity risk, discussed earlier, our business activities also generate market risk.  Market risk is the possibility that changes in future market rates (interest rates) or prices (fees for products and services) will make our position less valuable.  The ongoing monitoring and management of risk is an important component of our asset/liability management process, which is governed by policies that are reviewed and approved annually by the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors delegates responsibility for carrying out asset/liability oversight and control to management’s Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”).  In this capacity ALCO develops guidelines and strategies impacting our asset/liability profile based upon estimated market risk sensitivity, policy limits and overall market interest rate levels and trends.  We have not made use of derivatives, such as interest rate swaps, in our risk management process.

Interest rate risk is the most significant market risk affecting us.  Interest rate risk is the exposure of our net interest income to changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is directly related to the different maturities and repricing characteristics of interest-bearing assets and liabilities, as well as to the risk of prepayment of loans and early withdrawal of time deposits, and the fact that the speed and magnitude of responses to interest rate changes varies by product.

The ALCO utilizes the results of a detailed and dynamic simulation model to quantify the estimated exposure of net interest income to sustained interest rate changes.  While ALCO routinely monitors simulated net interest income sensitivity over a rolling two-year horizon, it also utilizes additional tools to monitor potential longer-term interest rate risk.

The simulation model attempts to capture the impact of changing interest rates on the interest income received and interest expense paid on all interest-sensitive assets and liabilities reflected on our consolidated balance sheet.  This sensitivity analysis is compared to ALCO policy limits which specify a maximum tolerance level for net interest income exposure over a one year horizon, assuming no balance sheet growth and a 200 basis point upward and downward shift in interest rates, and a repricing of interest-bearing assets and liabilities at their earliest reasonably predictable repricing dates.  A parallel and pro rata shift in rates over a 12 month period is assumed.  Applying the simulation model analysis as of December 31, 2007, a 200 basis point increase in interest rates demonstrated a 3.3% decrease in net interest income, and a 200 basis point decrease in interest rates demonstrated a 0.5% decrease in net interest income.  These amounts were within our ALCO policy limits.  Historically there has existed an inverse relationship between changes in prevailing rates and our net interest income, reflecting the fact that our liabilities and sources of funds generally reprice more quickly than our earning assets.  

The preceding sensitivity analysis does not represent a forecast on our part and should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected operating results.  As noted elsewhere in this Report, the Federal Reserve Board took certain actions from September 2007 through January 2008 that resulted in a 225 basis point decrease in prevailing rates.  We believe that decreases in prevailing interest rates will generally have a short-term positive impact on our net interest margin and net interest income, which would be mitigated or perhaps reversed over the mid- to longer-term.  We believe that increases in prevailing rates will generally have a negative impact on our margin and net interest income in the short-term, which would be mitigaged or perhaps reversed over the long-term.  In each case, that is, in the case of increasing or decreasing rates, the slope of the yield curve and changes in the slope of the yield curve will also affect net interest income and the net interest margin.  We are not able to predict with certainty what the magnitude of these effects would be.  

The hypothetical estimates underlying the sensitivity analysis are based upon numerous assumptions including: the nature and timing of changes in interest rates including yield curve shape, prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment/replacement of asset and liability cash flows, and others.  While assumptions are developed based upon current economic and local market conditions, we cannot make any assurance as to the predictive nature of these assumptions including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change.

Also, as market conditions vary from those assumed in the sensitivity analysis, actual results will differ due to: prepayment/refinancing levels likely deviating from those assumed, the varying impact of interest rate changes on caps or floors on adjustable rate assets, the potential effect of changing debt service levels on customers with adjustable rate loans, depositor early withdrawals and product preference changes, unanticipated shifts in the yield curve and other internal/external variables.  Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis does not reflect actions that ALCO might take in responding to or anticipating changes in interest rates.




21






Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data


The following audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited supplementary data are submitted herewith:

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Financial Statements:

Consolidated Balance Sheets

as of December 31, 2007 and 2006

Consolidated Statements of Income

for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Supplementary Data:  (Unaudited)

Summary of Quarterly Financial Data for the Years Ended December 31, 2007 and 2006



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Board of Directors and Stockholders

of Arrow Financial Corporation:


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Arrow Financial Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.


We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.


In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Arrow Financial Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.


We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 6, 2008, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.




/s/ KPMG LLP



Albany, New York

March 6, 2008



22






Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Board of Directors and Stockholders

of Arrow Financial Corporation:


We have audited Arrow Financial Corporation’s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.


We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.


A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.


Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


In our opinion, Arrow Financial Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).


We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Arrow Financial Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007, and our report dated March 6, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.



/s/ KPMG LLP



Albany, New York

March 6, 2008  



23






ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)


 

December 31,

 

2007

2006

ASSETS

  

Cash and Due from Banks

$    35,289 

$    34,995 

Federal Funds Sold

      16,000 

        9,000 

  Cash and Cash Equivalents

      51,289 

      43,995 

   

Securities Available-for-Sale

338,070 

315,886 

Securities Held-to-Maturity  (Approximate Fair

  

  Value of $114,977 in 2007 and $108,270 in 2006)

114,611 

108,498 

            

  

Loans

1,038,844 

1,008,999 

  Allowance for Loan Losses

     (12,401)

     (12,278)

     Net Loans

1,026,443 

996,721 

Premises and Equipment, Net

 16,728 

 15,608 

Other Real Estate and Repossessed Assets, Net

 152 

 392 

Goodwill

14,614 

14,503 

Other Intangible Assets, Net

1,976 

2,422 

Other Assets

      20,963 

      22,192 

      Total Assets

$1,584,846 

$1,520,217 

   

LIABILITIES          

  

Deposits:            

  

  Demand

$  184,273 

$  183,492 

  Regular Savings, N.O.W. & Money Market Deposit Accounts

590,383 

559,132 

  Time Deposits of $100,000 or More

180,334 

187,777 

  Other Time Deposits

     249,210 

     255,996 

      Total Deposits

  1,204,200 

  1,186,397 

Short-Term Borrowings:

  

  Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

52,630 

47,566 

  Other Short-Term Borrowings

 1,089 

 758 

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

160,000 

125,000 

Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts

   (Junior Subordinated Obligations)

20,000 

20,000 

Other Liabilities

      24,671 

      22,366 

      Total Liabilities

 1,462,590 

 1,402,087 

   

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Notes 22 and 23)  

  
   

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  

Preferred Stock, $5 Par Value; 1,000,000 Shares Authorized

--- 

--- 

Common Stock, $1 Par Value; 20,000,000 Shares Authorized

   (14,728,543 Shares Issued at December 31, 2007 and

   14,299,556 Shares Issued at December 31, 2006)

14,729 

14,300 

Surplus

161,476 

150,919 

Retained Earnings

15,347 

17,619 

Unallocated ESOP Shares (109,885 Shares in 2007

  

   and 62,811 Shares in 2006)

(2,042)

(862)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 (4,890)

 (7,965)

Treasury Stock, at Cost (3,991,399 Shares at December 31,

  

  2007 and 3,649,803 Shares at December 31, 2006)

      (62,364)

      (55,881)

      Total Shareholders’ Equity

     122,256 

     118,130 

      Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

$1,584,846 

$1,520,217 

   









See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



24






ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)


 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2007 

2006 

2005 

INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME

   

Interest and Fees on Loans

$65,904 

$61,244 

$54,361 

Interest on Federal Funds Sold

1,098 

454 

96 

Interest and Dividends on Securities Available-for-Sale

   15,317 

   14,917 

   13,579 

Interest on Securities Held-to-Maturity

   4,258 

   3,996 

    4,091 

Total Interest and Dividend Income

  86,577 

  80,611 

  72,127 

INTEREST EXPENSE 

   

Interest on Deposits: 

   

Time Deposits of $100,000 or More

8,628 

7,158 

3,937 

Other Deposits

22,234 

18,264 

11,989 

Interest on Short-Term Borrowings: 

   

Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold 

   

Under Agreements to Repurchase

1,367 

1,119 

 725 

Other Short-Term Borrowings

 22 

 31 

 21 

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

    6,627 

    6,789 

    6,243 

Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in

   Corporation’s Junior Subordinated Debentures

    1,405 

    1,382 

    1,199 

Total Interest Expense

  40,283 

  34,743 

  24,114 

NET INTEREST INCOME

46,294 

45,868 

48,013 

Provision for Loan Losses

       513 

       826 

    1,030 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER

   

  PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

  45,781 

  45,042 

  46,983 

NONINTEREST INCOME 

   

Income from Fiduciary Activities

5,572 

5,082 

4,676 

Fees for Other Services to Customers

8,130 

7,954 

7,372 

Net (Losses) Gains on Securities Transactions

 --- 

 (102)

 364 

Insurance Commissions

1,869 

1,768 

1,682 

Other Operating Income

       717 

    1,079 

       854 

Total Noninterest Income

  16,288 

  15,781 

  14,948 

NONINTEREST EXPENSE 

   

Salaries and Employee Benefits

21,424 

22,096 

20,693 

Occupancy Expense of Premises, Net

3,198 

3,058 

2,914 

Furniture and Equipment Expense

3,015 

2,971 

2,875 

Other Operating Expense

  10,293 

    8,682 

    8,707 

Total Noninterest Expense

  37,930 

  36,807 

  35,189 

    

INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

24,139 

24,016 

26,742 

Provision for Income Taxes

    6,807 

    7,124 

    8,103 

NET INCOME

 $17,332 

 $16,892 

 $18,639 

Average Shares Outstanding: 

   

  Basic

10,714 

10,922 

11,054 

  Diluted

10,786 

11,067 

11,242 

Earnings Per Common Share: 

   

  Basic

$ 1.62 

$ 1.55 

$ 1.69 

  Diluted

   1.61 

   1.53 

   1.66 

    











All share and per share amounts have been adjusted for the 2007 3% stock dividend.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



25






ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)




      

Accumulated

  
     

Unallo-

Other Com-

  
 

Common

   

cated

prehensive

  
 

Shares

Common

 

Retained

ESOP

Income

Treasury

 
 

Issued

Stock

Surplus

Earnings

Shares

   (Loss)

Stock

Total

Balance at December 31, 2004

13,478,703 

$13,479 

$127,312 

$23,356 

$(1,358)

$     429 

$(45,184)

$118,034 

Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:

        

 Net Income

--- 

--- 

--- 

18,639 

--- 

--- 

--- 

   18,639 

 Increase in Additional Pension

  Liability Over Unrecognized

  Prior Service Cost (Pre-tax $742)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

(446)

--- 

 (446)

 Net Unrealized Securities Holding

  Losses Arising During the Period,

  Net of Tax (Pre-tax $7,197)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

 (4,327)

--- 

   (4,327)

 Reclassification Adjustment for

  Net Securities Gains Included

  in Net  Income, Net of Tax

  (Pre-tax $364)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

  (219)

--- 

       (219)

     Other Comprehensive Loss

       

    (4,992)

      Comprehensive Income

       

   13,647 

 

3% Stock Dividend

404,361 

404 

10,631 

(11,035)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

Cash Dividends Paid, $.87 per Share

--- 

--- 

--- 

(9,558)

--- 

--- 

--- 

(9,558)

Stock Options Exercised

  (101,686 Shares)

--- 

--- 

117 

--- 

--- 

--- 

 864 

  981 

Shares Issued Under the Directors’ Stock

  Plan  (4,647 Shares)

--- 

--- 

81 

--- 

--- 

--- 

 39 

120 

Shares Issued Under the Employee Stock

  Purchase Plan  (23,597 Shares)

--- 

--- 

377 

--- 

--- 

--- 

200 

577 

Tax Benefit for Disposition of

  Stock Options

--- 

--- 

684 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

684 

Purchase of Treasury Stock

  (287,142 Shares)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

(7,528)

(7,528)

Acquisition of Subsidiary  (3,424 Shares)

--- 

--- 

62 

--- 

--- 

--- 

29 

91 

Allocation of ESOP Stock  (14,213 Shares)

              --- 

         --- 

         178 

         --- 

      195 

          --- 

           --- 

         373 

Balance at December 31, 2005

13,883,064 

$13,883 

$139,442 

$21,402 

$(1,163)

$ (4,563)

$(51,580)

$117,421 

         

(Continued on Next Page)


























26






ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY, Continued

(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)




      

Accumulated

  
     

Unallo-

Other Com-

  
 

Common

   

cated

prehensive

  
 

Shares

Common

 

Retained

ESOP

Income

Treasury

 
 

Issued

Stock

Surplus

Earnings

Shares

   (Loss)

Stock

Total

Balance at December 31, 2005

13,883,064 

$13,883 

$139,442 

$21,402 

$(1,163)

$ (4,563)

$(51,580)

$117,421 

Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:

        

 Net Income

--- 

--- 

--- 

16,892 

--- 

--- 

--- 

   16,892 

 Net Unrealized Securities Holding

  Losses Arising During the Period,

  Net of Tax (Pre-tax $36)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

 (21)

--- 

   (21)

 Reclassification Adjustment for

  Net Securities Losses Included

  in Net  Income, Net of Tax

  (Pre-tax $102)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

  61 

--- 

           61 

     Other Comprehensive Income

       

           40 

      Comprehensive Income

       

    16,932 

         

Adjustment to Initially Apply FASB

  Statement No. 158, Net of Tax

  (Pre-tax $5,725)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

(3,442)

--- 

(3,442)

3% Stock Dividend

416,492 

417 

10,329 

(10,746)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

Cash Dividends Paid, $.91 per Share

--- 

--- 

--- 

(9,929)

--- 

--- 

--- 

(9,929)

Stock Options Exercised

  (63,415 Shares)

--- 

--- 

144 

--- 

--- 

--- 

 580 

  724 

Shares Issued Under the Directors’ Stock

  Plan  (5,370 Shares)

--- 

--- 

82 

--- 

--- 

--- 

 48 

130 

Shares Issued Under the Employee Stock

  Purchase Plan  (20,642 Shares)

--- 

--- 

315 

--- 

--- 

--- 

185 

500 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

Tax Benefit for Disposition of

  Stock Options

--- 

--- 

315 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

315 

Purchase of Treasury Stock

  (202,335 Shares)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

(5,127)

(5,127)

Acquisition of Subsidiary  (1,466 Shares)

--- 

--- 

28 

--- 

--- 

--- 

13

41 

Allocation of ESOP Stock  (21,969 Shares)

              --- 

         --- 

         259 

         --- 

      301 

          --- 

           --- 

         560 

Balance at December 31, 2006

14,299,556 

$14,300 

$150,919 

$17,619 

$  (862)

$ (7,965)

$(55,881)

$118,130 


(Continued on Next Page)

























ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY, Continued

(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)




      

Accumulated

  
     

Unallo-

Other Com-

  
 

Common

   

cated

prehensive

  
 

Shares

Common

 

Retained

ESOP

Income

Treasury

 
 

Issued

Stock

Surplus

Earnings

Shares

   (Loss)

Stock

Total

Balance at December 31, 2006

14,299,556 

$14,300 

$150,919 

$17,619 

$  (862)

$ (7,965)

$(55,881)

$118,130 

Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax:

        

 Net Income

--- 

--- 

--- 

17,332 

--- 

--- 

--- 

   17,332 

 Net Unrealized Securities Holding Gains

   Arising During the Period, Net of Tax

  (Pre-tax $6,137)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

  3,691 

--- 

       3,691 

Net Retirement Plan Loss (Pre-tax $1,524)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

 (939)

--- 

       (939)

Net Retirement Plan Prior Service Credit

  (Pre-tax $329)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

 199 

--- 

       199 

Amortization of Net Retirement Plan

  Actuarial Loss (Pre-tax $444)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

  268 

--- 

          268 

Accretion of Net Retirement Plan Prior

  Service Credit (Pre-tax $239)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

  (144)

--- 

            (144)

     Other Comprehensive Income

       

         3,075 

      Comprehensive Income

       

    20,407 

 

3% Stock Dividend

428,987 

429 

9,148 

(9,577)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

Cash Dividends Paid, $.94 per Share

--- 

--- 

--- 

(10,027)

--- 

--- 

--- 

(10,027)

Stock Options Exercised

  (69,236 Shares)

--- 

--- 

498 

--- 

--- 

--- 

 557 

1,055 

Shares Issued Under the Directors’ Stock

  Plan  (6,354 Shares)

--- 

--- 

90 

--- 

--- 

--- 

 50 

140 

Shares Issued Under the Employee Stock

  Purchase Plan  (22,749 Shares)

--- 

--- 

308 

--- 

--- 

--- 

181 

489 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

--- 

--- 

70 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

70 

Tax Benefit for Disposition of

  Stock Options

--- 

--- 

164 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

164 

Purchase of Treasury Stock

  (327,562 Shares)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

(7,303)

(7,303)

Acquisition of Subsidiary  (4,317 Shares)

--- 

--- 

79 

--- 

--- 

--- 

32

111 

Acquisition of Shares by ESOP

  (67,190 Shares)

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

(1,500)

 --- 

--- 

      (1,500)

Allocation of ESOP Stock  (23,317 Shares)

              --- 

         --- 

         200 

         --- 

      320 

          --- 

           --- 

         520 

Balance at December 31, 2007

14,728,543 

$14,729 

$161,476 

$15,347 

$(2,042)

$ (4,890)

$(62,364)

$122,256 

         

  Per share amounts and share data have been adjusted for subsequent stock splits and dividends, including the most recent 2007 3% stock dividend.

  Included in the shares issued for the stock dividend in 2007 were treasury shares of 116,690 and unallocated ESOP shares of 3,201.




















See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



27






ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

Years Ended December 31,

Operating Activities:

2007 

2006 

2005 

Net Income

$17,332 

$16,892 

$18,639 

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

  Provision for Loan Losses

      513 

      826 

      1,030 

  Depreciation and Amortization

    2,868 

    3,025 

    2,807 

  Compensation Expense for Allocated ESOP Shares

200 

259 

195 

  Gains on the Sale of Securities Available-for-Sale

    --- 

    (94)

    (372)

  Losses on the Sale of Securities Available-for-Sale

   --- 

   196 

     8 

  Loans Originated and Held-for-Sale

(4,627)

(5,077)

(8,581)

  Proceeds from the Sale of Loans Held-for-Sale

  4,680 

  5,436 

  8,632 

  Net Gains on the Sale of Loans

    (42)

    (74)

    (122)

  Net (Gains) Losses on the Sale of Premises and

    Equipment and Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets

    19 

    (234)

    (32)

  Contributions to Pension Plans

(2,288)

(2,386)

(1,074)

  Deferred Income Tax Expense

 1,021 

   344 

   190 

  Shares Issued Under the Directors’ Stock Plan

140 

130 

120 

  Stock-Based Compensation Expense

70 

--- 

  Net Decrease (Increase) in Other Assets

(653)

1,118 

(606)

  Net Increase in Other Liabilities

    1,977 

    2,812 

    2,938 

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

  21,210 

  23,178 

  23,772 

    

Investing Activities:

   

Proceeds from the Sale of Securities Available-for-Sale

  2,228 

  43,988 

  50,289 

Proceeds from the Maturities and Calls of Securities Available-for-Sale

63,189 

33,061 

31,840 

Purchases of Securities Available-for-Sale

 (81,970)

 (67,336)

 (91,534)

Proceeds from the Maturities of Securities Held-to-Maturity

  10,085 

  30,234 

   8,481 

Purchases of Securities Held-to-Maturity

 (16,419)

 (20,832)

 (18,688)

Net Increase in Loans

(30,975)

(14,527)

(114,525)

Proceeds from the Sales of Premises and Equipment and Other

  Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets

 953 

 1,331 

   939 

Purchase of Premises and Equipment

      (2,403)

      (1,348)

    (1,587)

Net Increase from Branch Acquisitions

          --- 

          --- 

   47,083 

Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Investing Activities

 (55,312)

     4,571 

  (87,702)

    

Financing Activities:

   

Net Increase in Deposits

17,803 

20,634 

71,271 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Short-Term Borrowings

5,395 

5,270 

(922)

Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

40,000 

60,000 

162,000 

Repayments of Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

(5,000)

(92,000)

(155,000)

Purchase of Treasury Stock

 (7,303)

 (5,127)

 (7,528)

Exercise of Stock Options and Shares Issued to Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan

   1,544 

   1,224 

   1,558 

Tax Benefit for Disposition of Stock Options

164 

315 

684 

Acquisition of Unallocated Common Stock by the ESOP

(1,500)

--- 

--- 

Allocation of Common Stock Purchased by the ESOP

320 

301 

178 

Cash Dividends Paid

 (10,027)

  (9,929)

  (9,558)

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities

  41,396 

 (19,312)

  62,683 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

7,294 

8,437 

(1,247)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year

  43,995 

  35,558 

  36,805 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year

 $51,289 

 $43,995 

 $35,558 

Supplemental Disclosures to Statements of Cash Flow Information:

   

  Cash Paid During the Year for:

   

    Interest on Deposits and Borrowings

 $38,892 

 $33,656 

 $22,933 

    Income Taxes

5,902 

3,296 

6,447 

  Non-cash Investing and Financing Activity:

   

    Transfer of Loans to Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets

 729 

 1,000 

   893 

    Changes in the Valuation Allowance for Securities Available-for-Sale, Net of Tax

3,691 

40 

(4,546)

    Shares Issued for CFG Acquisition

111 

41 

91 

    Change in the Excess of Additional Pension Liability Over Unrecognized Prior Service Cost

(616) 

--- 

--- 

    Adjustment to Initially Apply SFAS No. 158, Net of Tax

--- 

(3,442)

--- 

    Change in the Minimum Pension Liability, Net of Tax

--- 

--- 

(446)


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



28






NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 1:

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)


Arrow Financial Corporation (“Arrow”) is a bank holding company organized in 1983 under the laws of New York and registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956.  The accounting and reporting policies of Arrow Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and general practices within the banking industry in all material respects.


Principles of Consolidation - The financial statements of Arrow and its wholly owned subsidiaries are consolidated and all material inter-company transactions have been eliminated.  In the “Parent Company Only” financial statements in Note 25, the investment in wholly owned subsidiaries is carried under the equity method of accounting.  When necessary, prior years’ consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current-year financial statement presentation.


Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents include the following items:  cash at branches, due from bank balances, cash items in the process of collection and federal funds sold.


Securities - Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase.  Securities reported as held-to-maturity are those debt securities which Arrow has both the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity and are stated at amortized cost.  Securities available-for-sale are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, net of taxes.  Realized gains and losses are based upon the amortized cost of the specific security sold.  Any unrealized losses on securities which reflect a decline in value which is other than temporary are charged to income.  The cost of securities is adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, which is calculated on an effective interest rate method.


Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses - Interest income on loans is accrued and credited to income based upon the principal amount outstanding.  Loan fees and costs directly associated with loan originations are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to yield over the lives of the loans originated.

From time to time, Arrow has sold (some with servicing retained) residential real estate loans at or shortly after origination.  At any point, the amount of loans pending settlement are not material, as well as any loan commitments on loans intended for sale (which under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” are considered derivatives).  All student loans are sold to Sallie Mae (along with servicing) at origination.  Any gain or loss on the sale of loans, along with the value of the servicing right, is recognized at the time of sale as the difference between the recorded basis in the loan and net proceeds from the sale.  The balance of loans serviced for others was $49,404 at December 31, 2007.

Loans are placed on nonaccrual status either due to the delinquency status of principal and/or interest (generally when past due 90 or more days) or a judgment by management that the full repayment of principal and interest is unlikely.

The allowance for loan losses is maintained by charges to operations based upon an evaluation of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, past loan losses and other factors.  Provisions to the allowance for loan losses are offset by actual loan charge-offs (net of any recoveries).  In general, when consumer loans are 120 days past due, an evaluation of estimated proceeds from the liquidation of the loan’s collateral is compared to the loan carrying amount and a charge to the allowance for loan losses is taken for any deficiency.  While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions in Arrow's market area.  In addition, various Federal and State regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, review Arrow's allowance for loan losses.  Such agencies may require Arrow to recognize additions to the allowance in future periods, based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination, which may not be currently available to management.

Arrow accounts for impaired loans under SFAS No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan."  SFAS No. 114, as amended, which requires that impaired loans, except for large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans, be measured based on either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  If the measurement of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, an impairment reserve is recognized as part of the allowance for loan losses.  

Arrow applies the provisions of SFAS No. 114 to all impaired commercial and commercial real estate loans over $250, and to all loans restructured subsequent to the adoption of SFAS No. 114.  Allowances for loan losses for the remaining loans are recognized in accordance with SFAS No. 5.  Under the provisions of SFAS No. 114, Arrow determines impairment for collateralized loans based on the fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell.  For other loans, impairment is determined by comparing the recorded investment in the loan to the present value of the expected cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate.  Arrow determines the interest income recognition method on a loan-by-loan basis.  Based upon the borrowers’ payment histories and cash flow projections, interest recognition methods include full accrual or cash basis.

In management’s opinion, the balance of the allowance for loan losses, at each balance sheet date, is sufficient to provide for probable loan losses.  


Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets - Real estate acquired by foreclosure and assets acquired by repossession are recorded at the lower of the recorded investment in the loan or the fair value of the property less estimated costs to sell.  Subsequent declines in fair value, after transfer to other real estate owned and repossessed assets are recognized through a valuation allowance.  Such declines in fair value along with related operating expenses to administer such properties or assets are charged directly to operating expense.




29






NOTE 1:

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)


Premises and Equipment - Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization.   Depreciation and amortization included in operating expenses are computed largely on the straight-line method.  The provision is based

on the estimated useful lives of the assets and, in the case of leasehold improvements, amortization is computed over the terms of the respective leases or their estimated useful lives, whichever is shorter.  Gains or losses on disposition are reflected in earnings.


Income Taxes - Arrow accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method required by SFAS No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date.  Arrow’s policy is that deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

On January 1, 2007 Arrow adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), in 2007.  FIN 48 clarified the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”  FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.  Interest and penalties are recorded as a component of the provision for income taxes, if any.  The adoption of this interpretation did not have a material effect on Arrow’s results of operations or financial position for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.  


Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets – Under SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination are capitalized and amortized.  Any remaining unidentifiable intangible asset is classified as goodwill, for which amortization is not required but which must be evaluated annually for impairment.  Annually, Arrow tests for any impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets by comparing the carrying amount of those assets to the fair value of each reporting unit’s intangible assets, applying rates derived from recent actual transactions.

In April 2005, Arrow completed the cash purchase of three branches from HSBC Bank USA, N.A.  Arrow recorded the following intangible assets as a result of the acquisition: goodwill ($3,690) and core deposit intangible asset ($2,247).  The value of the core deposit intangible asset is being amortized over ten years.

In November 2004, Arrow acquired all of the outstanding shares of common stock of CFG in a tax-free exchange for Arrow’s common stock (66,630 shares, as restated for stock dividends).  As adjusted for subsequent contingency payments, Arrow recorded the following intangible assets as a result of the acquisition (none of which are deductible for income tax purposes): goodwill ($1,623), covenant ($117) and expirations ($686).  The value of the covenant is being amortized over five years and the value of the expirations is being amortized over twenty years.  The agreement provides for annual contingent future payments of Company stock, based upon earnings, over a five-year period.  Management has concluded that, under criteria established by SFAS No. 141, these payments will be recorded as additional goodwill at the time of payment.  The amount of additional goodwill recorded in 2007 and 2006 was $111 (4,317 shares) and $41 (1,466 shares), respectively.

The carrying amounts of other recognized intangible assets that meet the recognition criteria of SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations” and for which separate accounting records have been maintained (core deposit intangibles and mortgage servicing rights), have been included in the consolidated balance sheet as “Other Intangible Assets, Net.”  Core deposit intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of ten to fifteen years.  

Arrow has sold residential real estate loans (primarily to Freddie Mac) with servicing retained.  Arrow accounts for mortgage servicing rights under SFAS No. 140 “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities.”  Mortgage servicing rights are recognized as an asset when loans are sold with servicing retained, by allocating the cost of an originated mortgage loan between the loan and servicing right based on estimated relative fair values.  The cost allocated to the servicing right is capitalized as a separate asset and amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing income.  Capitalized mortgage servicing rights are evaluated for impairment by comparing the asset’s carrying value to its current estimated fair value.  Fair values are estimated using a discounted cash flow approach, which considers future servicing income and costs, current market interest rates, and anticipated prepayment, and default rates.  Impairment losses are recognized through a valuation allowance for servicing rights having a current fair value that is less than amortized cost.  Adjustments to increase (decrease) the valuation allowance are charged (credited) to income as a component of other operating income. There was no allowance for impairment losses at December 31, 2007 or 2006.


Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Arrow maintains a non-contributory, defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees, as well as a supplemental pension plan covering certain executive officers selected by the Board of Directors. The costs of these plans, based on actuarial computations of current and future benefits for employees, are charged to current operating expenses. Arrow also provides certain post-retirement medical, dental and life insurance benefits to substantially all employees and retirees. The cost of post-retirement benefits other than pensions is recognized on an accrual basis as employees perform services to earn the benefits.




30






NOTE 1:

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)


On December 31, 2006, Arrow adopted SFAS Statement No. 158, “Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132R).”  Issued in September 2006, SFAS No. 158 completed the first phase of FASB's comprehensive project to improve the accounting and reporting for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans.  FAS No. 158 requires an employer to:

·

Recognize the funded status of a benefit plan—measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value (with limited exceptions) and the benefit obligation—in its consolidated balance sheet. For a pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation; for any other postretirement benefit plan, such as a retiree health care plan, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation.

·

Recognize as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost pursuant to FASB Statement No. 87, Employers’ Accounting for Pensions, or No. 106, Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions. Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, including the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and the transition asset or obligation remaining from the initial application of Statements 87 and 106, are adjusted as they are subsequently recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost pursuant to the recognition and amortization provisions of those Statements.

·

Measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end consolidated balance sheet (with limited exceptions).

·

Disclose in the notes to financial statements additional information about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition asset or obligation.

Effective December 31, 2006, SFAS No. 158 required Arrow to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of our single employer defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability on its consolidated balance sheet and to recognize changes in the funded status in comprehensive income in the year in which the change occurred.  [However, gains or losses, prior services costs or credits, and transition assets or obligations that have not yet been included in net periodic benefit cost as of the end of 2006, the fiscal year in which SFAS No. 158 was initially applied, were recognized as components of the ending balance of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.]


Stock-Based Compensation Plans – Arrow adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” on January 1, 2006.

Arrow has two stock option plans, which are described more fully in Notes 17 and 18.  Prior to 2006, Arrow accounted for those plans under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations, therefore, no stock-based employee compensation cost was reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.  However, options granted could impact diluted earnings per share by increasing the weighted average diluted shares outstanding and thereby decreasing diluted earnings per share as compared to basic earnings per share (see also Note 14).  Beginning in 2006, one of the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) requires that the company expense, at grant date, the fair value of options granted.  The expense is recognized over the four year vesting period of the grant.  For grants issued in 2007 and 2006, the amount expensed was $70 and $5, respectively.

Arrow also sponsors an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) under which employees purchased Arrow’s common stock at a 15% discount below market price at the time of purchase for the first two months of 2005 and prior to then.  This discount was changed to 5% discount below market price for all subsequent purchases.  Under APB 25, a plan with a discount of 15% or less is not considered compensatory and expense is not recognized.  Under SFAS No. 123(R), however, a stock purchase plan with a discount in excess of 5% is considered a compensatory plan and thus the ESPP was considered a compensatory plan for the first two months of 2005, and the entire discount for that period was considered compensation expense in the pro forma disclosures set forth below.

In December 2005, Arrow’s Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors accelerated the vesting for all the remaining unvested shares from stock options granted in 2002 through 2004.  The action to accelerate the vesting of the stock options was made to eliminate the non-cash compensation expense that would otherwise have been recognized by the Company in the 2006-2008 period, due to the required adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006.  The cost of accelerating the vesting, in the 2005 period, that would have been recognized under SFAS No. 123(R) is reflected in the following table, which illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if Arrow had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) to stock-based employee compensation.

Year Ended December 31, 2005:

 

Net Income, as Reported

$18,639

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense

   determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of

   related tax effects

       944

Pro Forma Net Income

$17,695

Earnings per Share:

 

  Basic - as Reported

$1.69

  Basic - Pro Forma

1.60

  Diluted - as Reported

1.66

  Diluted - Pro Forma

1.57




31






NOTE 1:

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)


No options were granted in 2005.  The weighted-average fair value of options granted during 2007 and 2006 was $4.37 and $5.68, respectively.  The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2007 and 2006, respectively: dividend yields of 4.34% and 3.86%; expected volatility of 27.3% and 27.2%; risk free interest rates of 3.77% and 4.81%; and expected lives of 8.09 and 7.42 years.  


Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase - In securities repurchase agreements, Arrow receives cash from a counterparty in exchange for the transfer of securities to a third party custodian’s account that explicitly recognizes Arrow’s interest in the securities.  These agreements are accounted for by Arrow as secured financing transactions, since it maintains effective control over the transferred securities, and meets other criteria for such accounting as specified in SFAS No. 140.  Accordingly, the cash proceeds are recorded as borrowed funds, and the underlying securities continue to be carried in Arrow’s securities available-for-sale portfolio.


Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) - Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity (such as Arrow’s stock options), computed using the treasury stock method.  Unallocated common shares held by Arrow’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan are not included in the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for either the basic or diluted EPS calculation.


Financial Instruments - Arrow is a party to certain financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk, such as:  commercial lines of credit, construction lines of credit, overdraft protection, home equity lines of credit and standby letters of credit.  Arrow's policy is to record such instruments when funded.  Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument.  These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time Arrow's entire holdings of a particular financial instrument.  Because no market exists for a significant portion of Arrow's financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors.  These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision.  Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments.  For example, Arrow has a substantial trust department that contributes net fee income annually.  The value of trust department customer relationships is not considered a financial instrument, and therefore this value has not been incorporated into the fair value estimates.  Other significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities include deferred taxes, premises and equipment, the value of low-cost, long-term core deposits and goodwill.  In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of the estimates.

The carrying amount of the following short-term assets and liabilities is a reasonable estimate of fair value: cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, demand deposits, savings, N.O.W. and money market deposits, other short-term borrowings, accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable.  The fair value estimates of other on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments, as well as the method of arriving at fair value estimates, are included in the related footnotes and summarized in Note 24.  As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and during 2007, 2006 and 2005, Arrow had no derivative instruments within the meaning of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended.


Trust Assets and Fiduciary Income - Assets held by Arrow in a fiduciary or agency capacity for its customers are not included in the consolidated balance sheets since these assets are not assets of Arrow.  Income from fiduciary activities is reported on the accrual basis.


Segment Reporting - Management evaluates the operations of Arrow based solely on one business segment - commercial banking, which constitutes Arrow’s only segment for financial reporting purposes.  Arrow operates primarily in northern New York State in Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Essex and Clinton counties and surrounding areas.


Management’s Use of Estimates -The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.


A material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term is the allowance for loan losses.  In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses, management obtains appraisals for properties.  The allowance for loan losses is management’s best estimate of probable loan losses incurred as of the balance sheet date.  While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions.  In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review Arrow’s allowance for loan losses.  Such agencies may require Arrow to recognize adjustments to the allowance for loan losses based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination, which may not be currently available to management.



32






NOTE 1:

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)


Recent Accounting Pronouncements


FASB Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (FAS No. 157) issued in September 2006, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS No. 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the Board having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute.  The provisions of FAS No. 157 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on Arrow’s results of operations or financial position.  For Arrow, FAS No. 157 will only apply to fair value disclosures of our Available-for-Sale securities.  Fair value measurements for most of the portfolio are from “quoted prices in active markets for identical assets” (i.e. Level 1) and a portion are valued from “significant other observable inputs” (i.e. Level 2).


FASB Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (FAS No. 159) issued in February 2007, permits entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. A business entity shall report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings (or another performance indicator if the business entity does not report earnings) at each subsequent reporting date.  The fair value option may be applied instrument by instrument, with a few exceptions, such as investments otherwise accounted for by the equity method.  The election is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs) and is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments.  FAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on Arrow’s results of operations or financial position.


NOTE 2:

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS (In Thousands)


The bank subsidiaries are required to maintain certain reserves of vault cash and/or deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank.  The total amount of the required reserves at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $14,687 and $13,869, respectively.


NOTE  3:

SECURITIES (In Thousands)


The fair value of securities, except certain state and municipal securities, is estimated based on published prices or bid quotations received from securities dealers.  The fair value of certain state and municipal securities is not readily available through market sources, so fair value estimates are based on the discounted contractual cash flows using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the instrument.  For short-term securities the estimated fair value is the carrying amount.

Included in mutual funds and equity securities are Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock.  FHLB and FRB stock are restricted investment securities and amounted to $8,765 and $809 at December 31, 2007, respectively and $7,182 and $802 at December 31, 2006, respectively.  The required level of FHLB stock is based on the amount of FHLB borrowings (see Note 11) and is pledged to secure those borrowings.

A summary of the amortized costs and the approximate fair values of securities at December 31, 2007 and 2006 is presented below:


Securities Available-for-Sale:

 


Amortized

Cost


Fair

Value

Gross Unrealized Gains

Gross Unrealized Losses

December 31, 2007:

U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations

$  39,486

$  39,497

$     84

$    73

State and Municipal Obligations

24,216

24,206

---

10

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

138,909

138,971

386

  324

Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

112,456

112,458

803

801

Corporate and Other Debt Securities

11,566

11,574

115

107

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

    11,498

    11,364

         1

    135

  Total Securities Available-for-Sale

$338,131

$338,070

$1,389

$1,450

 

December 31, 2006:

U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations

$  55,938

$  55,077

$   37

$  898

State and Municipal Obligations

23,246

23,189

24

81

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

128,758

126,315

24

  2,467

Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

92,745

90,051

128

2,822

Corporate and Other Debt Securities

11,681

11,613

53

121

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

      9,716

      9,641

       9

       84

  Total Securities Available-for-Sale

$322,084

$315,886

$ 275

$6,473

 




33






NOTE  3:

SECURITIES (Continued)


Securities Held-to-Maturity:

  


Amortized

Cost


Fair

Value

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

December 31, 2007:

     

State and Municipal Obligations

$114,611

$114,977

$   991

$    625

 

December 31, 2006:

     

State and Municipal Obligations

$108,498

$108,270

$   794

$ 1,022


A summary of the maturities of securities as of December 31, 2007 is presented below.  Mutual funds and equity securities, which have no stated maturity, are included in the over ten-year category.  Collateralized mortgage obligations and other mortgage-backed securities are included in the schedule based on their expected average lives.  Actual maturities may differ from the table below because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.


  

Securities:

 

Available-for-Sale

Held-to-Maturity

  

Amortized

Cost

Fair

Value

Amortized

Cost

Fair

Value

Within One Year:

     

  U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations

 

$  38,487

$  38,484

$         ---

$          ---

  State and Municipal Obligations

 

7,472

7,472

24,488

24,595

  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

 

12,184

12,176

---

---

  Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

710

716

   ---

   ---

  Corporate and Other Debt Securities

 

           ---

           ---

           ---

           ---

    Total

 

    58,853

   58,848

    24,488

    24,595

 

From 1 - 5 Years:

  U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations

 

999

1,013

   ---

   ---

  State and Municipal Obligations

 

12,649

12,639

47,676

47,815

  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

 

109,993

110,077

---

---

  Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

76,930

76,905

   ---

   ---

  Corporate and Other Debt Securities

 

   11,136

    11,144

           ---

           ---

    Total

 

 211,707

  211,778

    47,676

    47,815

 

From 5 - 10 Years:

     

  State and Municipal Obligations

 

1,511

1,511

27,987

28,144

  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

 

15,726

15,716

  

  Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

   14,782

   14,641

           ---

          ---

    Total

 

   32,019

   31,868

    27,987

   28,144

 

Over 10 Years:

  State and Municipal Obligations

 

2,584

2,584

 14,460

14,423

  Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

 

1,006

1,002

  

  Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

20,034

 20,196

   ---

   ---

  Corporate and Other Debt Securities

 

430

430

---

---

  Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

 

    11,498

    11,364

            ---

           ---

    Total

 

    35,552

    35,576

    14,460

    14,423

      Total Securities

 

$338,131

$338,070

$114,611

$114,977

 


The following table sets forth the components of interest and dividend income on securities available-for-sale and securities held-to-maturity for the year ending December 31:


Components of Investment Securities Interest and Dividend Income

2007

2006

2005

Securities Available-for-Sale:

   

  Taxable Interest Income

$13,589

$13,612

$12,840

  Nontaxable Interest Income

982

765

310

  Dividend Income

      746

      540

      429

    Total Interest and Dividend Income, on Securities Available-for-Sale

$15,317

$14,917

$13,579

Securities Held-to-Maturity

   

  Taxable Interest Income

$     16

$     17

$    19

  Nontaxable Interest Income

  4,242

  3,979

  4,072

    Total Interest Income, on Securities Held-to-Maturity

$4,258

$3,996

$4,091




34






NOTE  3:

SECURITIES (Continued)


The fair value of securities pledged to secure repurchase agreements amounted to $52,630 and $47,566 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The fair value of securities pledged to secure public and trust deposits and for other purposes totaled $253,417 and $374,675 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Other mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 2007 and 2006 included $3,484 and $4,349, respectively, of loans previously securitized by Arrow, which it continues to service.


Information on temporarily impaired securities at December 31, 2007 and 2006, segregated according to the length of time such securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position, is summarized as follows:


December 31, 2007

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or Longer

Total

Available-for-Sale Portfolio:

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations

$      ---

$---

$ 27,414

$     73

$  27,414

$     73

State & Municipal Obligations

---

---

3,822

10

3,822

10

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

6,014

  17

77,807

307

83,821

324

Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

195

  1

47,722

800

47,917

801

Corporate & Other Debt Securities

---

---

3,963

107

3,963

 107

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

       59

   4

      1,043

     131

      1,102

     135

  Total Securities Available-for-Sale

$6,268

$22

$161,771

$1,428

$168,039

$1,450

Held-to-Maturity Portfolio

      

State & Municipal Obligations

$10,858

$121

$35,362

$504

$46,220

$625


The table above for December 31, 2007 consists of 253 securities where the current fair value is less than the related amortized cost.  With the exception of one holding, these unrealized losses do not reflect any deterioration of the credit worthiness of the issuing entities.  The U.S. government agency securities are all rated AAA, as are the agency-backed CMOs and the mortgage-backed securities.  The unrealized losses on these temporarily impaired securities are primarily the result of changes in interest rates for fixed rate securities where the interest rate received is less than the current rate available for new offerings of similar securities, changes in market spreads as a result of shifts in supply and demand, and/or changes in the level of prepayments for mortgage related securities.  The municipal obligations are partially insured, with the remainder supported by the general taxing authority of the municipality and, in the cases of school districts, are supported by state aid.  For any non-rated municipal securities, third party credit analysis shows no deterioration in the credit worthiness of the municipalities.  One corporate holding, General Motors Acceptance Corp. (“GMAC”), had experienced deterioration in credit worthiness.  As of December 31, 2007, the bond had a fair value of $1,902 and an amortized cost of $2,007, resulting in an unrealized loss of $105.  Because the declines in market value of investments with unrealized losses are attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality and because we have the intent and ability to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be until maturity, we do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2007.


December 31, 2006

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or Longer

Total

Available-for-Sale Portfolio:

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

U.S. Treasury and Agency Obligations

$ 1,000

$     1

$ 49,040

$   897

$  50,040

$   898

State & Municipal Obligations

321

8

4,101

73

4,422

81

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

4,947

  17

116,282

2,450

121,229

2,467

Other Mortgage-Backed Securities

2,741

  15

75,689

2,807

78,430

2,822

Corporate & Other Debt Securities

1,000

 1

9,025

120

10,025

 121

Mutual Funds and Equity Securities

       951

    79

           20

         5

         971

       84

  Total Securities Available-for-Sale

$10,960

$121

$254,157

$6,352

$265,117

$6,473

Held-to-Maturity Portfolio

      

State & Municipal Obligations

$13,116

$  97

$33,078

$ 925

$46,194

$1,022


The table above for December 31, 2006 consists of 335 securities where the current fair value is less than the related amortized cost.  With the exception of one holding, these unrealized losses do not reflect any deterioration of the credit worthiness of the issuing entities.  The U.S. government agency securities are all rated AAA, as are the agency-backed CMOs and the mortgage-backed securities.  The unrealized losses on these temporarily impaired securities are primarily the result of changes in interest rates for fixed rate securities where the interest rate received is less than the current rate available for new offerings of similar securities, changes in market spreads as a result of shifts in supply and demand, and/or changes in the level of prepayments for mortgage related securities.  



35






NOTE  3:

SECURITIES (Continued)


The municipal obligations are partially insured, with the remainder supported by the general taxing authority of the municipality and, in the cases of school districts, are supported by state aid.  For any non-rated municipal securities, third party credit analysis shows no deterioration in the credit worthiness of the municipalities.  One corporate holding, General Motors Acceptance Corp. (“GMAC”), had experienced deterioration in credit worthiness, but as of December 31, 2006 the GMAC note bond had improved due to the sale of a majority of its interest in GMAC during 2006.  As of December 31, 2006, the bond had a fair value of $1,995 and an amortized cost of $2,012, resulting in an unrealized loss of $17.  Because the declines in market value of investments with unrealized losses are attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality and because we have the intent and ability to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be until maturity, we do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2006.


NOTE 4:

LOANS (In Thousands)


Loans at December 31, 2007 and 2006 consisted of the following:

  

2007

2006

Commercial, Financial and Agricultural

 

$     79,128

$     79,581

Real Estate - Commercial

 

160,787

161,443

Real Estate - Residential

 

417,092

399,446

Real Estate - Construction

 

39,265

31,319

Indirect and Other Consumer Loans

 

     342,572

     337,210

  Total Loans

 

$1,038,844

$1,008,999


The carrying amount of net loans at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $1,026,443 and $996,721, respectively.  The estimated fair value of net loans at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $1,024,783 and $983,321, respectively.  Included in the carrying amount of loans in the table above are unamortized deferred loan origination costs, net of deferred loan origination fees, of $1,429 and $1,331 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics.  Loans are segregated by type such as commercial, commercial real estate, residential mortgage, indirect and other consumer loans.  Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and by performing and nonperforming categories.

The fair value of performing loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan.  The estimate of maturity is based on historical experience with repayments for each loan classification, modified, as required, by an estimate of the effect of current economic and lending conditions.   Fair value for nonperforming loans is generally based on recent external appraisals.  If appraisals are not available, estimated cash flows are discounted using a rate commensurate with the risk associated with the estimated cash flows.  Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows and discount rates are judgmentally determined using available market information and specific borrower information.

Certain executive officers and directors, including their immediate families and organizations in which they are principals of Arrow or affiliates, have various loan, deposit and other transactions with Arrow.  Such transactions are entered into on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with others.  The amount of such related party loans was $13,605 at December 31, 2007 and $12,933 at December 31, 2006.  During 2007, the amount of new loans and renewals extended to such related parties was $6,919 and the total of loan repayments was $6,133.

Arrow has pledged certain loans secured by one-to-four family residential mortgages under a blanket collateral agreement to secure borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (see Note 11).  As of December 31, 2007, the amount of such pledged loans amounted to $211,357.

Arrow designates certain loans as nonaccrual and suspends the accrual of interest and the amortization of net deferred fees or costs when payment of interest and/or principal is due and unpaid for a period of, generally, ninety days or the likelihood of repayment is uncertain in the opinion of management.  The following table presents information concerning nonperforming loans at December 31:

 

  

2007

2006

2005

Nonaccrual Loans

 

$1,939

$2,038

$1,875

Loans Past Due 90 or More Days and Still Accruing Interest

 

    245

    739

    373

   Total Nonperforming Loans

 

$2,184

$2,777

$2,248


Arrow has no material commitments to make additional advances to borrowers with nonperforming loans.  The following table presents information with respect to interest on the nonaccrual loans shown in the table above for the years ended December 31:


  

2007

2006

2005

Gross Interest That Would Have Been Earned Under Original Terms

 

$162

$160

$156

Interest Included in Income

 

70

126

81





36






NOTE 5:

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES AND IMPAIRED LOANS (In Thousands)


The following summarizes the changes in the allowance for loan losses during the years ended December 31:

  

2007

2006

2005

Balance at Beginning of Year

 

$12,278 

$12,241 

$12,046 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

513 

826 

1,030 

Recoveries

 

  440 

  348 

  293 

Charge-Offs

 

      (830)

  (1,137)

  (1,128)

Balance at End of Year

 

$12,401 

$12,278 

$12,241 


The balance of impaired loans, within the scope of SFAS No. 114, was $759 and $708 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The allowance for loan losses included $0 and $0 allocated to impaired loans at the same respective dates.  The average recorded investment in impaired loans for 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $733, $341 and $512, respectively.  For all years, no interest income was recorded on such loans during the period of impairment.


NOTE  6:

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (In Thousands)


A summary of premises and equipment at December 31, 2007 and 2006 is presented below:

  

2007

2006

Land and Bank Premises

 

$21,122 

$20,282 

Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures

 

15,252 

13,961 

Leasehold Improvements

 

      864 

      638 

  Total Cost

 

 37,238 

 34,881 

Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization

 

(20,510)

(19,273)

  Net Premises and Equipment

 

$16,728 

$15,608 


Amounts charged to expense for depreciation totaled $1,280, $1,260 and $1,230 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Amounts charged to expense for leasing office space totaled $306, $271 and $204 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.



NOTE  7:

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED AND REPOSSESSED ASSETS (In Thousands)


The balance of other real estate owned was $89 at December 31, 2007 and was comprised of one residential real estate property.  The balance of other real estate owned was $248 at December 31, 2006 and was comprised of one commercial property of $200 and one residential real estate property of $48.  Repossessed assets totaled $63 and $144 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and consisted solely of motor vehicles repossessed in satisfaction of loans.


NOTE 8:

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (In Thousands)


The following table presents information on Arrow’s intangible assets (other than goodwill) as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005:



Depositor

Intangibles1

Mortgage

Servicing

Rights2


Covenants3


Expirations4



Total  

Gross Carrying Amount, December 31, 2007

$2,247 

$306 

$117 

$686 

$3,356 

Accumulated Amortization

 (1,021)

 (181)

  (73)

 (105)

 (1,379)

Net Carrying Amount, December 31, 2007

$1,226 

$125 

$ 44 

$581 

$1,976 

      

Gross Carrying Amount, December 31, 2006

$2,247 

$306 

$117 

$686 

$3,356 

Accumulated Amortization

   (684)

 (130)

  (49)

   (71)

   (934)

Net Carrying Amount, December 31, 2006

$1,563 

$176 

$ 68 

$615 

$2,422 

      

Gross Carrying Amount, December 31, 2005

$2,247 

$283 

$117 

$686 

$3,333 

Accumulated Amortization

    (307)

  (79)

  (25)

   (37)

   (448)

Net Carrying Amount, December 31, 2005

$1,940 

$204 

$  92 

$649 

$2,885 

      

Amortization Expense:

     

   2007

$337 

$51 

$24 

$34 

$445 

   2006

 377 

 51 

 24 

 34 

 486 

   2005

 329 

 41 

  23 

  35 

428 




37






NOTE 8:

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued)


 


Depositor

Intangibles1

Mortgage

Servicing

Rights2


Covenants3


Expirations4



Total

Estimated Annual Amortization Expense:1,2,3,4

    

   2008

$296 

$51 

$24 

$ 35 

$406 

   2009

255 

40 

20 

35 

350 

   2010

214 

24 

 

34 

272 

   2011

175 

 

34 

218 

   2012

132 

 

34 

167 

   Later Years

154 

 

 

409 

563 

      

1 Amortization of Depositor Intangibles is reported in the income statement as a component of other operating expense.

2 Amortization of Mortgage Servicing Rights is reported in the income statement as a reduction of servicing fee income.

3 Amortization of Covenants is reported in the income statement as a component of other operating expense.

4 Amortization of Expirations is reported in the income statement as a component of other operating expense.


During 2005, Arrow acquired three branches in one transaction and recorded a core deposit intangible asset of $2,247.  During 2007, no impairment losses were recognized with respect to Arrow’s existing goodwill or intangible assets.


NOTE 9:

TIME DEPOSITS (In Thousands)


The following summarizes the contractual maturities of time deposits during years subsequent to December 31, 2007:


    

Time Deposits

of $100,000 or More

Other

 Time Deposits

2008

$169,319

$201,047

2009

7,260

27,509

2010

2,557

9,135

2011

---

4,460

2012

1,198

6,909

2013 and Beyond

           ---

         150

Total

$180,334

$249,210


The carrying value of time deposits at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $429,544 and $443,773, respectively. The estimated fair value of time deposits at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $429,889 and $441,496, respectively.  The fair value of time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows, except that the fair value is limited to the extent that the customer could redeem the certificate after imposition of a premature withdrawal penalty.  The discount rates are estimated using the FHLB yield curve, which is considered representative of Arrow’s time deposit rates.



NOTE 10:

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS (Dollars in Thousands)


A summary of short-term borrowings is presented below:

    

Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold

  Under Agreements to Repurchase:

 

2007

2006

2005

    Balance at December 31

 

$52,630

$47,566

$41,195

    Maximum Month-End Balance

 

55,926

53,967

74,203

    Average Balance During the Year

 

48,851

45,381

48,810

    Average Rate During the Year

 

2.80%

2.47%

1.48%

    Rate at December 31

 

2.53%

2.50%

1.90%

Other Short-Term Borrowings:

    

    Balance at December 31

 

$ 1,089

$   758

$1,859

    Maximum Month-End Balance

 

2,377

2,013

1,859

    Average Balance During the Year

 

504

663

684

    Average Rate During the Year

 

4.37%

4.65%

3.06%

    Rate at December 31

 

4.00%

5.01%

3.93%

Average Aggregate Short-Term Borrowing Rate During the Year

 

2.81%

2.50%

1.51%


Securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature within ninety days.  Arrow maintains effective control over the securities underlying the agreements.  Federal funds purchased represent overnight transactions.

Other short-term borrowings primarily include demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury.   In addition, Arrow has in place borrowing facilities from correspondent banks, the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”) and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.


NOTE 11:

FHLB ADVANCES (Dollars in Thousands)


Arrow has established overnight and 30 day term lines of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) each in the amount of $122,141.  If advanced, such lines of credit will be collateralized by mortgage-backed securities, loans and FHLB stock.  Participation in the FHLB program requires an investment in FHLB stock.  The investment in FHLB stock, included in Securities Available-for-Sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, amounted to $8,765 and $7,182 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Arrow also borrows longer-term funds from the FHLB.  Certain borrowings are in the form of “convertible advances.”  These advances have a set final maturity, but are callable by the FHLB at certain dates beginning no earlier than one year from the issuance date.  If the advances are called, Arrow may elect to have the funds replaced by the FHLB at the then prevailing market rate of interest.  The borrowings are secured by mortgage loans and/or mortgage-backed securities and/or FHLB stock held by Arrow.  The total amount of assets pledged to the FHLB for borrowing arrangements at December 31, 2007 and 2006 amounted to $211,357 and $236,599, respectively.  


The table below presents information applicable to FHLB advances as of December 31, 2007 and 2006:


2007 Amount

2006 Amount

Effective Rate

Next Call Date

Call Frequency

Maturity Date

$ 10,000

$  10,000

4.32%

10/06/2008

One-Time

10/09/2012

10,000

10,000

3.88%

01/06/2008

Quarterly

10/06/2015

10,000

---

4.70%

01/12/2008

Quarterly

01/12/2012

5,000

5,000

4.82%

01/28/2008

Quarterly

07/28/2011

5,000

5,000

4.91%

01/28/2008

Quarterly

07/28/2011

10,000

10,000

4.76%

02/27/2008

Quarterly

11/27/2009

10,000

10,000

4.53%

03/04/2008

Quarterly

12/04/2009

10,000

10,000

4.41%

03/19/2008

Quarterly

12/19/2010

10,000

10,000

5.03%

04/28/2008

One-Time

04/28/2011

10,000

10,000

5.07%

05/19/2008

One-Time

05/19/2011

10,000

10,000

4.24%

01/06/2008

Quarterly

10/06/2010

10,000

10,000

5.20%

05/19/2009

One-Time

05/19/2011

10,000

---

4.72%

07/27/2009

Quarterly

07/27/2012

10,000

---

4.46%

08/28/2009

Quarterly

08/28/2012

10,000

---

3.73%

12/20/2010

Quarterly

12/20/2012

10,000

10,000

5.12%

 

One-Time

02/14/2011

10,000

10,000

5.18%

 

One-Time

02/23/2011

           ---

      5,000

5.43%

 

One-Time

03/11/2008

$160,000

$125,000

    


The estimated fair value of FHLB advances was $164,270 and $124,887 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The fair value of FHLB advances is estimated based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows.  The discount rate is estimated using current rates on FHLB advances with similar maturities and call features.  The table below presents the amounts of FHLB advances maturing in the next five years and beyond:


Final Maturity

Amount

2008

$         ---

2009

20,000

2010

20,000

2011

60,000

2012

50,000

Beyond

    10,000

  Total FHLB Advances

$160,000


NOTE 12:

GUARANTEED PREFERRED BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN CORPORATION’S JUNIOR SUBORDINATED

DEBENTURES (In Thousands)


During 2007, there were outstanding two classes of financial instruments issued by two separate subsidiary business trusts of Arrow, having an aggregate amount of $20,000, identified as “Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and as “Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in Corporation’s Junior Subordinated Debentures” on the Consolidated Income Statements.

The first of the two classes of trust-issued instruments outstanding at year-end was issued by Arrow Capital Statutory Trust II ("ACST II"), a Delaware business trust established on July 16, 2003, upon the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State.  In July 2003, ACST II issued all of its voting (common) stock to Arrow and issued and sold to an unaffiliated purchaser 30-year guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the trust's assets ("ACST II trust preferred securities") in the aggregate amount of $10,000.  The ACST II trust preferred securities bear a rate of 6.53% until September 30, 2008.  After that date, the rate will become a variable rate adjusted quarterly to the 3-month LIBOR plus 3.15%.  ACST II used the proceeds of the sale of its trust preferred securities to purchase an identical amount ($10,000) of junior subordinated debentures issued by Arrow that bear an interest rate identical at all times to the rate payable on the ACST II trust preferred securities.  The ACST II trust preferred securities are redeemable on or after July 23, 2008.



38






NOTE 12:

GUARANTEED PREFERRED BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN CORPORATION’S JUNIOR SUBORDINATED

DEBENTURES (Continued)


The second of the two classes of trust-issued instruments outstanding at year-end was issued by Arrow Capital Statutory Trust III ("ACST III"), a Delaware business trust established on December 23, 2004, upon the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State. On December 28, 2004, the ACST III issued all of its voting (common) stock to Arrow and issued and sold to an unaffiliated purchaser 30-year guaranteed preferred beneficial interests in the trust's assets ("ACST III trust preferred securities") in the aggregate amount of $10,000.  The rate on the ACST III trust preferred securities is a variable rate, adjusted quarterly, equal to the 3-month LIBOR plus 2.00%.  ACST III used the proceeds of the sale of its trust preferred securities to purchase an identical amount ($10,000) of junior subordinated debentures issued by Arrow that bear an interest rate identical at all times to the rate payable on the ACST III trust preferred securities.  The ACST III trust preferred securities are redeemable on or after March 31, 2010.

The primary assets of the two subsidiary trusts having trust preferred securities outstanding at year-end, ACST II and ACST III (the “Trusts”), are Arrow's junior subordinated debentures discussed above, and the sole revenues of the Trusts are payments received by them from Arrow with respect to the junior subordinated debentures.  The trust preferred securities issued by the Trusts are non-voting.  All common voting securities of the Trusts are owned by Arrow.  Arrow used the net proceeds from its sale of junior subordinated debentures to the Trusts, facilitated by the Trust’s sale of their trust preferred securities to the purchasers thereof, for general corporate purposes.  The trust preferred securities and underlying junior subordinated debentures, with associated expense that is tax deductible, qualify as Tier I capital under regulatory definitions.

Arrow's primary source of funds to pay interest on the debentures held by the Trusts are current dividends received by Arrow from its subsidiary banks.  Accordingly, Arrow's ability to make payments on the debentures, and the ability of the Trusts to make payments on their trust preferred securities, are dependent upon the continuing ability of Arrow's subsidiary banks to pay dividends to Arrow.  Since the trust preferred securities issued by the subsidiary trusts and the underlying junior subordinated debentures issued by Arrow at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 are classified as debt for financial statement purposes, the expense associated with these securities is recorded as interest expense in the consolidated statements of income for the three years.

The estimated fair value of the outstanding trust preferred securities and underlying junior subordinated debentures was $19,969 and $19,887 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The fair value of these securities was estimated based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows.  The discount rate utilized in the estimate was the published yield on seasoned BAA corporate debt securities on the date of valuation.


NOTE 13:

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (In Thousands)


The following table presents the components, net of tax, of accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31:

  

2007

2006

Excess of Additional Pension Liability Over Unrecognized Prior Service Cost

 

$(4,853)

$(4,238)

Net Unrealized Securities Holding Losses

 

       (37)

  (3,727)

  Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

$(4,890)

$(7,965)


NOTE 14:

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)


The following table presents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (“EPS”) for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007.  All share and per share amounts have been adjusted for the 2007 3% stock dividend.

  

Net Income

(Numerator)

Weighted-Average Shares

(Denominator)

Per Share

Amount

For the Year Ended December 31, 2007:

    

Basic EPS

 

$17,332

 10,714

$1.62

Dilutive Effect of Stock Options

 

         ---

       72

 

Diluted EPS

 

$17,332

10,786

$1.61

For the Year Ended December 31, 2006:

Basic EPS

 

$16,892

 10,922

$1.55

Dilutive Effect of Stock Options

 

         ---

    145

 

Diluted EPS

 

$16,892

11,067

$1.53

For the Year Ended December 31, 2005:

Basic EPS

 

$18,639

 11,054

$1.69

Dilutive Effect of Stock Options

 

         ---

     188

 

Diluted EPS

 

$18,639

11,242

$1.66


During a portion of 2007, options to purchase 252 shares of common stock at an average price of $25.66 per share were outstanding but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares during that period.  Antidilutive shares for 2006 and 2005 were 70 shares at an average price of $29.30 per share and 70 shares at an average price of $29.30, for the respective years.




39






NOTE 15:

REGULATORY MATTERS (Dollars in Thousands)


In the normal course of business, Arrow and its subsidiaries operate under certain regulatory restrictions, such as the extent and structure of covered intercompany borrowings and maintenance of reserve requirement balances.

The principal source of the funds for the payment of shareholder dividends by Arrow has been from dividends declared and paid to Arrow by its bank subsidiaries.  As of December 31, 2007, the maximum amount that could have been paid by subsidiary banks to Arrow, without prior regulatory approval, was approximately $19,001.

Under current Federal Reserve regulations, Arrow is prohibited from borrowing from the subsidiary banks unless such borrowings are secured by specific obligations.  Additionally, the maximum of any such borrowing is limited to 10% of an affiliate’s capital and surplus.

Arrow and its subsidiary banks are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory--and possibly additional discretionary--actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on an institution’s financial statements.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, Arrow and its subsidiary banks must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  Capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require Arrow and its subsidiary banks to maintain minimum capital amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier I capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined).  Management believes, as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, that Arrow and both subsidiary banks meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

As of December 31, 2007, Arrow and both subsidiary banks qualified as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  To be categorized as “well-capitalized,” Arrow and its subsidiary banks must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the table below.  There are no conditions or events that management believes have changed Arrow’s or its subsidiary banks’ categories.

Arrow’s and its subsidiary banks’, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company (“Glens Falls National”) and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company (“Saratoga National”), actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the table below as of December 31, 2007 and 2006:


 



Actual

Minimum Amounts

For Capital

Adequacy Purposes

Minimum Amounts

To Be

Well-Capitalized

 

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

As of December 31, 2007:

      

Total Capital

 (to Risk Weighted Assets):

      

  Arrow

$145,475

14.1%

$82,598

8.0%

$103,247

10.0%

  Glens Falls National

124,646

14.5

68,913

8.0

86,141

10.0

  Saratoga National

21,949

12.7

13,622

8.0

17,028

10.0

Tier I Capital

 (to Risk Weighted Assets):

      

  Arrow

133,074

12.9

41,295

4.0

61,943

 6.0

  Glens Falls National

114,396

13.3

34,457

4.0

51,685

 6.0

  Saratoga National

19,799

11.5

6,917

4.0

10,375

 6.0

Tier I Capital

 (to Average Assets):

      

  Arrow

133,074

 8.4

63,596

4.0

63,596

 4.0

  Glens Falls National

114,396

 8.4

54,735

4.0

68,419

 5.0

  Saratoga National

19,799

8.6

9,177

4.0

11,471

 5.0

      




40






NOTE 15:

REGULATORY MATTERS (Continued)


 



Actual

Minimum Amounts

For Capital

Adequacy Purposes

Minimum Amounts

To Be

Well-Capitalized

 

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

As of December 31, 2006:

      

Total Capital

 (to Risk Weighted Assets):

      

  Arrow

$143,763

14.3%

$80,427

8.0%

$100,534

10.0%

  Glens Falls National

122,621

14.6

67,190

8.0

83,987

10.0

  Saratoga National

21,142

12.9

13,111

8.0

16,389

10.0

Tier I Capital

 (to Risk Weighted Assets):

      

  Arrow

131,410

13.1

40,125

4.0

60,188

 6.0

  Glens Falls National

112,421

13.4

33,559

4.0

50,338

 6.0

  Saratoga National

18,485

11.2

6,602

4.0

9,903

 6.0

Tier I Capital

 (to Average Assets):

      

  Arrow

131,410

 8.6

61,121

4.0

61,121

 4.0

  Glens Falls National

112,421

 8.6

52,289

4.0

65,361

 5.0

  Saratoga National

18,485

8.6

8,598

4.0

10,747

 5.0


NOTE  16:

RETIREMENT PLANS (Dollars in Thousands)


Arrow sponsors qualified and nonqualified defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans for its employees.  For the qualified pension plan, the fair value of the plan’s assets, at $31,040, exceeded the projected benefit obligation by $5,859 at December 31, 2007.  Arrow maintains a non-contributory pension plan, which covers substantially all employees.  Effective December 1, 2002, all active participants in the qualified defined benefit pension plan were given a one-time irrevocable election to continue participating in the traditional plan design, for which benefits were based on years of service and the participant’s final compensation (as defined), or to begin participating in the new cash balance plan design.  All employees who participate in the plan after December 1, 2002 automatically participate in the cash balance plan design.  The interest credits under the cash balance plan are based on the 30-year U.S. Treasury rate in effect for November of the prior year.  The service credits under the cash balance plan are equal to 6.0% of eligible salaries for employees who become participants on or after January 1, 2003.  For employees in the plan prior to January 1, 2003, the service credits are scaled based on the age of the participant, and range from 6.0% to 12.0%.  The funding policy is to contribute up to the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes and to make all payments required under ERISA.  Arrow also maintains a supplemental non-qualified unfunded retirement plan to provide eligible employees of Arrow and its subsidiaries with benefits in excess of qualified plan limits imposed by federal tax law.

Arrow has multiple non-pension postretirement benefit plans.  The health care, dental and life insurance plans are contributory, with participants’ contributions adjusted annually.  Arrow’s policy is to fund the cost of postretirement benefits based on the current cost of the underlying policies.  However, the health care plan provision for automatic increases of Company contributions each year is based on the increase in inflation and is limited to a maximum of 5%.  

In December 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Act”) became law in the United States.  The Act introduced a prescription drug benefit under Medicare as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D under the Act.  In the following tables, the accumulated non-pension postretirement benefit obligation and net periodic non-pension postretirement benefit cost reflect the amount associated with the subsidy.





41






NOTE  16:

RETIREMENT PLANS (Continued)


The following table sets forth changes in the plans’ benefit obligations (projected benefit obligation for pension benefits and accumulated benefit obligation for postretirement benefits) and changes in the plans’ assets and the funded status of the pension plans and other postretirement benefit plan at December 31:


  

Pension Benefits

Postretirement Benefits

  

2007

2006

2007

2006

Change in Benefit Obligation:

     

Benefit Obligation at January 1

 

$27,668 

$27,426 

$6,860 

$7,232 

Service Cost

 

994 

1,120 

    165 

    180 

Interest Cost

 

 1,622 

 1,498 

   384 

   428 

Plan Participants’ Contributions

 

    --- 

    --- 

    209 

    209 

Amendments

 

330 

49 

(659)

(181)

Actuarial Loss (Gain)

 

 924 

 (1,242)

357 

(510)

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Federal Subsidy

 

--- 

--- 

21 

38 

Benefits Paid

 

  (2,810)

  (1,183)

   (516)

   (536)

  Benefit Obligation at December 311

 

$28,728 

$27,668 

$6,821 

$6,860 

      

Change in Plan Assets:

     

Fair Value of Plan Assets at January 1

 

$29,317 

$25,080 

$      --- 

$      --- 

Actual Return on Plan Assets

 

2,245 

3,034 

  --- 

  --- 

Employer Contributions

 

2,288 

2,386 

 286 

 327 

Plan Participants’ Contributions

 

  --- 

  --- 

  209 

  209 

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Federal Subsidy

 

--- 

--- 

21 

38 

Benefits Paid

 

  (2,810)

  (1,183)

    (516)

    (536)

  Fair Value of Plan Assets at December 31

 

$31,040 

$29,317 

$      --- 

$      --- 

      

Funded Status

 

$  2,312 

$ 1,649 

$(6,821)

$(6,860)

      

The following table summaries the funded status of the pension and postretirement plans, reconciled to the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2007:

Prepaid Benefit Cost

 

$ 5,859

$ 4,812

$       ---

$       ---

Accrued Benefit Liability

 

 (3,547)

 (3,163)

 (6,821)

 (6,860)

  Net Benefit Cost Recognized

 

$ 2,312

$ 1,649

$(6,821)

$(6,860)

 

1 Represents the projected benefit obligation for pension benefits and the accumulated benefit obligations for postretirement benefits.


The components of accumulated other comprehensive income related to pension plans and other postretirement benefits, on a pre-tax basis, at December 31 are summarized below.  We expect that $443 of net actuarial loss and $211 of prior service credit, included in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2007, will be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in 2008.


Components of Other Comprehensive Income

Pension Benefits

Postretirement Benefits

 

2007

2006

2007

2006

Net Actuarial Loss

$7,602 

$6,751 

$2,063    

$1,834    

Prior Service Credit

   (575)

 (1,026)

 (1,052)   

    (511)   

Total Pre-tax Amounts Recognized in

  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

$7,027 

$5,725 

$1,011    

$1,323    


At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the accumulated benefit obligation (the actuarial present value of benefits, vested and non-vested, earned by employees based on current and past compensation levels) for Arrow’s qualified defined benefit pension plan totaled $24,607 and $23,503, respectively, which compared with total plan assets of $31,040 and $29,317, respectively.  At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the accumulated benefit obligation for Arrow’s non-qualified defined benefit pension plan was $3,547 and $3,163, respectively, which compared with no plan assets at December 31, 2007 and 2006.





42






NOTE 16:

RETIREMENT PLANS (Continued)


The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit costs for the plans for the years ended December 31:


  


Pension Benefits

Postretirement

 Benefits

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

2007

2006

2005

2007

2006

2005

Service Cost

 

$   994 

$1,120 

$1,132 

$165 

$180 

$113 

Interest Cost

 

1,622 

1,498 

1,479 

384 

428 

386 

Expected Return on Plan Assets

 

(2,501)

(2,246)

(2,143)

--- 

--- 

--- 

Amortization of Prior Service Credit

 

(121)

(102)

(102)

(118)

(3)

(52)

Amortization of Transition Obligation

 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

28 

29 

Amortization of Net Loss

 

    325 

    524 

    466 

  119 

  121 

  120 

  Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

    319 

$  794 

$  832 

 550 

$754 

$596 

Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations

  Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income

       

Net Loss

 

1,176

  

 348

  

Prior Service Cost (Credit)

 

330

  

(659)

  

Amortization of Net Loss

 

(325)

  

(119)

  

Amortization of Prior Service Credit

 

    121

  

 118

  

  Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income

 

 1,302

  

(312)

  

  Total Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost and

    Other Comprehensive Income

 

$1.621

  

$238

  


The prior service costs or credits are amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of active participants.  Gains and losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the benefit obligation or the fair value of assets are amortized over the average remaining service period of active participants.  


Additional Information:

 

Pension Benefits

Postretirement Benefits

  

2007

2006

2005

2007

2006

2005

Weighted-Average Assumptions Used

  To Determine Benefit Obligation at

  December 31:

       

    Discount Rate

 

6.40%

5.85%

5.50%

6.40%

5.85%

5.50%

    Rate of Compensation Increase

 

3.50%

3.50%

3.50%

3.50%

3.50%

3.50%

    Interest Rate Credit for Determining

      Projected Cash Balance Account

 

4.75%

4.75%

4.75%

---

---

---

    Interest Rate to Annuitize Cash

      Balance Account

 

6.00%

4.75%

4.75%

---

---

---

    Interest Rate to Convert Annuities

      To Actuarially Equivalent Lump

      Sum Amounts

 

6.00%

4.75%

4.75%

---

---

---



  

          Pension Benefits

     Postretirement Benefits

  

2007

2006

2005

2007

2006

2005

Weighted-Average Assumptions Used

  To Determine Net Periodic Benefit

  Cost for Years Ended December 31:

       

    Discount Rate

 

5.85%

5.50%

5.75%

5.85%

5.50%

5.75%

    Expected Long-Term Return on

      Plan Assets

 

8.50%

8.75%

9.00%

---

---

---

    Rate of Compensation Increase

 

3.50%

3.50%

3.50%

3.50%

3.50%

3.50%

    Interest Rate Credit for Determining

      Projected Cash Balance Account

 

4.75%

4.75%

5.25%

---

---

---

    Interest Rate to Annuitize Cash

      Balance Account

 

4.75%

4.75%

5.25%

---

---

---

    Interest Rate to Convert Annuities

      To Actuarially Equivalent Lump

      Sum Amounts

 

4.75%

4.75%

5.25%

---

---

---


The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on the return of the portfolio as a whole and not the sum of the returns on individual asset categories. This expected return of 8.50% for the year ended December 31, 2007 was based principally on Arrow’s ten-year time-weighted historical return of 8.55% with an adjustment for expected returns. This was reduced from the 8.75% and 9.00% expected return utilized for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 



43






NOTE 16:

RETIREMENT PLANS (Continued)


The discount rate is based on the Citigroup Pension Discount Curve as adjusted to provide the necessary cash flows for the payment of benefits when due. This discount rate utilized for the year ended December 31, 2007 was 6.40%, compared to rates of 5.85% and 5.50% utilized for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.


The following table presents management’s estimated benefit payments for the next ten years:


Estimated Future Benefit Payments

 

Qualified

Non-Qualified

Postretirement Plan

Payment Period

Pension Plans

Pension Plan

Gross

Subsidy

2008

$ 1,853

$   298

$  455

$(23)

2009

1,897

290

496

(25)

2010

1,838

288

524

(23)

2011

2,102

356

544

(20)

2012

2,230

351

561

(21)

2013-2016

10,892

1,438

2,871

(83)



Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates at December 31,

 

Health Care – Pre 65

Health Care – Post 65

Drug Benefits

 

2007

2006

2007

2006

2007

2006

Health Care Cost Trend

  Rate Assumed for Next Year

9.00%

9.00%

8.00%

7.50%

11.00%

11.00%

Rate to which the Cost Trend

  Rate is Assumed to Decline

  (the Ultimate Trend Rate)

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

Year that the Rate Reaches

   the Ultimate Trend Rate

2015

2013

2015

2012

2015

2013


Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans.  A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:


 

1-Percentage-

Point Increase

1-Percentage-

Point Decrease

Effect on Total Service and Interest Cost Components of Net Periodic

   Postretirement Benefit Cost For the Year Ended December 31, 2007

$  30

$(26)

Effect on the Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation as of

  December 31, 2007

234

(210)


Arrow’s pension plan weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2007, and 2006, by asset category are as follows:


 

Plan Assets

At December 31,

 

2007

2006

Asset Category:

  

Cash

7.6%

6.7%

Mortgages

0.1

0.2

Company Stock

10.1

8.5

Mutual Funds – Equity

65.4

66.8

Mutual Funds – Fixed Income

  16.8

  17.8

  Total

100.0%

100.0%


At December 31, 2007 and 2006, plan assets included shares of mutual funds advised by Arrow’s subsidiary, North Country Investment Advisers, Inc., with a market value of $17,453 and $16,995, respectively. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, plan assets also included 146 and 101 shares, respectively, of Arrow Financial Corporation common stock with a market value of $3,137 and $2,482, respectively.  During the respective years, the plan received $123 and $73 from cash dividends on Arrow’s common stock.  In accordance with ERISA guidelines, the Board authorized the purchase of Arrow common stock up to 10% of the fair market value of the plan's assets at the time of acquisition.




44






NOTE  16:

RETIREMENT PLANS (Continued)


Pension Plan Investment Policies and Strategies:


 Return Requirements:

The portfolio should achieve an inflation-protected rate of return at least equal to the actuarial assumption.


Risk Tolerance:

The Plan has the flexibility to accept an average to above-average degree of risk.  Key factors to consider in reaching conclusions regarding risk tolerance are: (i) the pension plan must meet ERISA prudence requirements, which apply to the entire portfolio, not just its individual component securities, (ii) the expected long-term return on plan assets is reasonable relative to historic results over the last ten years, (iii) the salary progression rate is in line with past results, (iv) the plan is valued annually, (v) Arrow’s average employee age is reasonably low (45), and the time horizon is long, and (vi) the Plan’s operating results have been relatively strong and consistent.


Asset Allocation:

The Plan’s limited liquidity requirements permit a low level of short-term reserves, which in any event do not meet the plan’s 8.50% return requirement.  All of the constraints suggest that moderate emphasis on common stocks is appropriate.  With historically low interest rates, a lower weighting in bonds is appropriate.  A separate asset allocation policy is reviewed by the Compensation Committee of the Board on a regular basis and documented.


Investment Strategy:

The equity portion of the plan will be invested in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of companies with small, mid, and large capitalizations.  Both domestic and international equities are allowed.  While the plan is allowed to invest in the common stock of Arrow Financial up to 10% of the fair market value of plan assets at purchase, the plan assets will not be concentrated in any particular industry.  Both growth and value styles will be employed to increase the diversification and offer varying opportunities for appreciation.  


The fixed income portion of the plan will be invested in U.S. dollar denominated investment grade bonds or debt securities and fixed income mutual funds.  Individual fixed income securities shall be rated within the top four ratings categories by nationally recognized ratings agencies such as Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s.  The individual fixed income portfolio will maintain a dollar-weighted average quality of “A” or better and an average dollar-weighted maturity between 1 and 10 years.  The individual fixed income portion will be invested without regard to industry or sector based on analysis of each target security’s structural and repayment features, current pricing and trading opportunities as well as credit quality of the issuer.  Individual bonds with ratings that fall below the portfolio’s rating requirements will be sold only when it is in the best interests of the plan.  


Cash Flows

The expected 2008 contribution for the qualified pension plan is $2,000 and the expected 2008 contribution for the nonqualified plan is $298.  Arrow makes contributions for its postretirement benefits in an amount equal to actual expenses for the year.  The expected contribution is estimated to be $432 for 2008.


NOTE 17:

OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (In Thousands)


Arrow maintains an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”).  Substantially all employees of Arrow and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate upon satisfaction of applicable service requirements.  The ESOP borrowed $1,500, $105, $464 and $853 in 2007, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively, from one of Arrow’s subsidiary banks to purchase outstanding shares of Arrow’s common stock.  The notes require annual payments of principal and interest through 2011.  Arrow’s ESOP expense amounted to $168, $502 and $196 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  As the debt is repaid, shares are released from collateral based on the proportion of debt paid to total debt outstanding for the year and allocated to active employees.  

Shares pledged as collateral are reported as unallocated ESOP shares in shareholders’ equity.  As shares are released from collateral, Arrow reports compensation expense equal to the current average market price of the shares, and the shares become outstanding for earnings per share computations.  The ESOP shares as of December 31, 2007 were as follows:


Allocated Shares

764

Shares Released for Allocation During 2007

 24

Unallocated Shares

110

  Total ESOP Shares

898

  

Market Value of Unallocated Shares

$2,357


Under the employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”), employees may purchase shares of Arrow’s common stock, up to $24 annually, at a discount to the prevailing market price (currently a 5% discount).  Under the ESPP, shares are issued by Arrow without a charge to earnings in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R).  Substantially all employees of Arrow and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate upon satisfaction of applicable service requirements.

Arrow also sponsors a Long-Term Incentive Award Plan and a Short-Term Incentive Award Plan for senior management and a Profit Sharing Plan for substantially all employees.  The combined cost of these plans was $336, $250 and $323 for 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

NOTE 18:

STOCK OPTION PLANS


Arrow has established fixed Incentive Stock Option and Non-qualified Stock Option Plans.  At December 31, 2007, approximately 151,000 shares remained available for grant under these plans.  Options may be granted at a price no less than the greater of the par value or fair market value of such shares on the date on which such option is granted, and generally expire ten years from the date of grant.  The options usually vest over a four-year period, however, in December 2005 Arrow’s Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors accelerated the vesting for all the remaining unvested shares from stock options granted in 2002 through 2004.  The action to accelerate the vesting of the stock options was made to eliminate the non-cash compensation expense that would otherwise have been recognized by the Company in the 2006-2008 period due to the required adoption of FASB Statement 123(R) on January 1, 2006.


A summary of the status of Arrow’s stock option plans as of December 31, 2007 and changes during the year then ended is presented below (all share and per share data have been adjusted for the September 2007 3% stock dividend).






Options:





Shares


Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Life (in years)



Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

 Outstanding at January 1, 2007

551,154 

$20.01 

  

 Granted

44,500 

21.70 

  

 Exercised

(69,982)

15.05 

  

 Forfeited

   (6,115)

24.74 

  

 Outstanding at December 31, 2007

519,557 

20.77 

5.1

$343

 Exercisable at December 31, 2007

440,195 

20.41 

4.3

449

 Expected to Vest

79,362 

22.76 

9.5

--- 


Cash proceeds, tax benefits and intrinsic value related to total stock options exercised were as follows:


 

Years Ended

December 31,

 

2007

2006

2005

Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised

$1,055

$724

$ 981

Tax Benefits Related to Stock Options Exercised

164

315

684

Intrinsic Value of Stock Options Exercised

485

855

1,761

    


The following table summarizes information about Arrow’s stock options at December 31, 2007:

 

 

Options Outstanding

Options Exercisable



Range of

Exercise

  Prices



Number

Outstanding

At 12/31/07

Weighted-

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Life (Years)


Weighted-

Average

Exercise

Price



Number

Exercisable

at 12/31/07


Weighted-

Average

Exercise

Price

$11.99-$12.92

89,371

2.5

$12.46

89,371

$12.46

$13.54-$14.44

57,730

0.9

13.60

57,730

13.60

$19.21

 75,995

4.0

19.21

 75,995

19.21

$21.70

 44,500

9.9

21.70

 ---

---

$24.11-$24.73

184,662

6.3

24.34

149,800

24.38

$29.30

  67,299

7.0

29.30

  67,299

29.30

 

519,557

5.1

20.77

440,195

20.41


NOTE  19:

SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN


In 1997, the Board of Directors of Arrow adopted a shareholder rights plan.  The rights expired in April 2007.  The plan provided for the distribution of one preferred stock purchase right for each outstanding share of common stock of Arrow.  Each right entitled the holder, following the occurrence of certain events, to purchase a unit consisting of one-hundredth of a share of Series 1 Junior Participating Preferred Stock, at a purchase price of $33.48 (adjusted for stock dividends and stock splits) per unit, subject to adjustment.  The rights were not exercisable or transferable apart from the common stock except under certain circumstances in which a person or group of affiliated persons acquired, or commenced a tender offer to acquire, 20% or more of Arrow’s common stock.  Rights held by such an acquiring person or persons might thereafter have become void.  Under certain circumstances a right may have become a right to purchase common stock or assets of Arrow or common stock of an acquiring corporation at a substantial discount.  Under certain circumstances, Arrow might have redeemed the rights at $.01 per right.  




45






NOTE 20:

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSE (In Thousands)


Other operating expenses included in the consolidated statements of income are as follows:


  

2007

2006

2005

Computer Services

 

$  1,460

$1,352

$1,270

Legal and Other Professional Fees

 

1,369

1,365

1,393

Postage

 

 1,332

 1,258

 1,196

Stationery and Printing

 

926

853

1,035

Advertising and Promotion

 

758

658

700

Telephone and Communications

 

751

679

735

Visa-Related Litigation Exposure*

 

600

---

---

Intangible Asset Amortization (see Notes 1 and 8)

 

395

435

387

FDIC and Other Insurance

 

  354

  366

  359

Charitable Contributions

 

145

153

164

All Other

 

    2,203

  1,563

  1,468

  Total Other Operating Expense

 

$10,293

$8,682

$8,707

     

* Included in “Other Liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet

    


NOTE 21:

INCOME TAXES (In Thousands)


The provision for income taxes is summarized below:

  

Current Tax Expense:

 

2007

2006

2005

  Federal

 

$5,421

$6,264

$7,134

  State

 

    365

    516

    779

    Total Current Tax Expense

 

 5,786

 6,780

 7,913

Deferred Tax Expense

    

  Federal

 

 867

 236

 154

  State

 

     154

    108

      36

    Total Deferred Tax Expense

 

  1,021

    344

    190

      Total Provision for Income Taxes

 

$6,807

$7,124

$8,103

 

The provisions for income taxes differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. Federal Income Tax Rate of 35% for 2007, 2006 and 2005 to pre-tax income as a result of the following:


  

2007

2006

2005

Computed Tax Expense at Statutory Rate

 

$8,449

$8,406

$9,360

Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Resulting From:

    

  Tax-Exempt Income

 

(2,068)

(1,730)

(1,757)

  Nondeductible Interest Expense

 

258

193

151

  State Taxes, Net of Federal Income Tax Benefit

 

338

406

533

  Other Items, Net

 

   (170)

   (151)

   (184)

    Total Provision for Income Taxes

 

$6,807

$7,124

$8,103

 


The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2007 and 2006 are presented below:


Deferred Tax Assets:

 

2007

2006

  Allowance for Loan Losses

 

$ 4,799

$ 4,775

  Pension and Deferred Compensation Plans

 

3,510

3,416

  Pension Liability (Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income)

 

3,184

2,811

  Net Unrealized Losses on Securities Available-for-Sale

 

24

2,472

  Other

 

     441

     250

    Total Gross Deferred Tax Assets

 

11,958

13,724

    

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

   

  Pension Plans

 

4,507

3,772

  Depreciation

 

567

633

  Deferred Income

 

2,469

2,159

  Goodwill

 

  2,377

     2,026

    Total Gross Deferred Tax Liabilities

 

  9,920

  8,590

    Net Deferred Tax Assets (Included in Other Assets)

 

$2,038

$5,134

    




46






NOTE 21:

INCOME TAXES (Continued)


Management believes that the realization of the recognized net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2007 and 2006 is more likely than not, based on existing loss carryback ability, available tax planning strategies and expectations as to future taxable income.  Accordingly, there was no valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2007 and 2006.

At January 1, 2007 and for the period ended December 31, 2007, Arrow had no unrecognized tax benefits under FIN 48.  Interest and penalties are recorded as a component of the provision for income taxes, if any.  At December 31, 2007, the Internal Revenue Service was in the process of conducting an examination of our 2006 federal income tax return.  Tax years 2004 and 2005 also were subject to examination, but were not part of the scope of the current examination.  During 2007, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance conducted an examination of our 2003, 2004 and 2005 bank franchise tax returns, which concluded with no adjustments.  Tax year 2006 remains subject to New York State examination.


NOTE 22:

LEASE COMMITMENTS (In Thousands)


At December 31, 2007, Arrow was obligated under a number of noncancelable operating leases for buildings and equipment.  Certain of these leases provide for escalation clauses and contain renewal options calling for increased rentals if the lease is renewed.

Future minimum lease payments on operating leases at December 31, 2007 were as follows:


 

Operating

Leases

2008

$   318

2009

318

2010

261

2011

259

2012

260

Later Years

  1,312

Total Minimum Lease Payments

$2,728


Arrow leases two of its branch offices, at market rates, from Stewart’s Shops Corp.  Gary Dake, president of Stewart’s Shops Corp., serves on both the boards of Arrow and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company.


NOTE 23:

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

(In Thousands)


Arrow is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  Commitments to extend credit include home equity lines of credit, commitments for residential and commercial construction loans and other personal and commercial lines of credit.  Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.  The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of the involvement Arrow has in particular classes of financial instruments.

Arrow's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments.  Arrow uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.

Commitments to extend credit were $175,744 and $129,570 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  These commitments are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  Arrow evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.  Home equity lines of credit are secured by residential real estate.  Construction lines of credit are secured by underlying real estate.  For other lines of credit, the amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by Arrow upon extension of credit, is based on management's credit evaluation of the counterparty.  Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and income-producing commercial properties.  Most of the commitments are variable rate instruments.

FASB Interpretation No. 45 (“FIN No. 45”), "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others; an Interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57, and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34" requires certain disclosures and potential liability-recognition for the fair value at issuance of guarantees that fall within its scope.  Arrow does not issue any guarantees that would require liability-recognition or disclosure, other than its standby letters of credit.




47






NOTE 23:

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Continued)


Arrow has issued conditional commitments in the form of standby letters of credit to guarantee payment on behalf of a customer and guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  Standby letters of credit generally arise in connection with lending relationships. The credit risk involved in issuing these instruments is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. Contingent obligations under standby letters of credit totaled $3,187 and $2,930 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and represent the maximum potential future payments Arrow could be required to make.  Typically, these instruments have terms of 12 months or less and expire unused; therefore, the total amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  Each customer is evaluated individually for creditworthiness under the same underwriting standards used for commitments to extend credit and on-balance sheet instruments.  Company policies governing loan collateral apply to standby letters of credit at the time of credit extension.  Loan-to-value ratios will generally range from 50% for movable assets, such as inventory, to 100% for liquid assets, such as bank CD's.  Fees for standby letters of credit range from 1% to 3% of the notional amount.  Fees are collected upfront and amortized over the life of the commitment.  The carrying amount and fair value of Arrow's standby letters of credit at December 31, 2007 and 2006 were insignificant.  The fair value of standby letters of credit is based on the fees currently charged for similar agreements or the cost to terminate the arrangement with the counterparties.

Under SFAS No. 107 the fair value of commitments to extend credit is determined by estimating the fees to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms and present creditworthiness of the counterparties, and for fixed rate loan commitments, the difference between the current and committed interest rates.  Arrow provides several types of commercial lines of credit and standby letters of credit to its commercial customers.  The pricing of these services is not isolated as Arrow considers the customer's complete deposit and borrowing relationship in pricing individual products and services.  The commitments to extend credit also include commitments under home equity lines of credit, for which Arrow charges no fee.  The carrying value and fair value of commitments to extend credit are not material and Arrow does not expect to incur any material loss as a result of these commitments.

In the normal course of business, Arrow and its subsidiary banks become involved in a variety of routine legal proceedings.  At present, there are no legal proceedings pending or threatened, which in the opinion of management and counsel, would result in a material loss to Arrow.


NOTE 24:

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (In Thousands)


The following table presents a summary at December 31 of the carrying amount and fair value of Arrow’s financial instruments not carried at fair value or an amount approximating fair value:


  

2007

2006

  

Carrying

Amount

Fair

Value

Carrying

Amount

Fair

Value

Securities Held-to-Maturity (Note 3)

 

$  114,611

$  114,977

$108,498

$108,270

Net Loans (Note 4)

 

1,026,443

1,024,783

996,721

983,321

Time Deposits (Note 9)

 

429,544

429,889

443,773

441,496

FHLB Advances (Note 11)

 

160,000

164,270

125,000

124,887

Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to

   Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts (Note 12)

 

20,000

19,969

20,000

19,887

 


NOTE 25:

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK


Most of Arrow's loans are with customers in northern New York.  Although the loan portfolios of the subsidiary banks are well diversified, tourism has a substantial impact on the northern New York economy.  The commitments to extend credit are fairly consistent with the distribution of loans presented in Note 4.  Generally, the loans are secured by assets and are expected to be repaid from cash flow or the sale of selected assets of the borrowers.  Arrow evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by Arrow upon extension of credit, is based upon management's credit evaluation of the counterparty.  The nature of the collateral varies with the type of loan and may include:  residential real estate, cash and securities, inventory, accounts receivable, property, plant and equipment, income producing commercial properties and automobiles.




48






NOTE 26:

PARENT ONLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (In Thousands)


Condensed financial information for Arrow Financial Corporation is as follows:



BALANCE SHEETS

 

December 31,

ASSETS

 

2007 

2006 

Interest-Bearing Deposits with Subsidiary Banks

 

$       297 

$        253 

Securities Available-for-Sale

 

1,126 

1,036 

Investment in Subsidiaries at Equity

 

144,709 

138,898 

Other Assets

 

      3,417 

      3,898 

  Total Assets

 

$149,549 

$144,085 

    

LIABILITIES

   

Junior Subordinated Obligations Issued to Unconsolidated Subsidiary Trusts

 

$ 20,000 

$ 20,000 

Other Liabilities

 

    7,293 

    5,955 

  Total Liabilities

 

 27,293 

 25,955 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   

  Total Shareholders’ Equity

 

 122,256 

 118,130 

  Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

$149,549 

$144,085 


  

STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

Years Ended December 31,

Income:

 

2007

2006

2005

  Dividends from Bank Subsidiaries

 

$15,850

$14,250

$ 6,100

  Interest and Dividends on Securities Available-for-Sale

 

31

22

32

  Other Income (Including Management Fees)

 

  665

  931

  645

  Net Gains on the Sale of Securities Available-for-Sale

 

         ---

       12

       45

    Total Income

 

 16,546

 15,215

  6,822

     

Expense:

    

  Interest Expense

 

1,547

1,450

1,270

  Salaries and Benefits

 

  138

  249

  219

  Occupancy and Equipment

 

    1

    2

    3

  Other Expense

 

      697

      634

      632

    Total Expense

 

   2,383

   2,335

   2,124

Income Before Income Tax Benefit and Equity

    

  in Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiaries

 

14,163

12,880

4,698

Income Tax Benefit

 

      782

      722

      746

Income Before Equity in Undistributed

    

  Net Income of Subsidiaries

 

14,947

13,602

5,444

Equity in Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiaries

 

    2,387

   3,290

 13,195

Net Income

 

$17,332

$16,892

$18,639


The Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity is the reported because it is identical to the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity.



49






NOTE 26:

 PARENT ONLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)


STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years Ended December 31,

 

2007

2006

2005

Operating Activities:

   

Net Income

$17,332 

$16,892 

$18,639 

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash

   

   Provided by Operating Activities:

   

Undistributed Net Income of Subsidiaries

(2,387)

(3,290)

(13,195)

Net Gains on the Sale of Securities Available-for-Sale

 --- 

 (12)

 (45)

Gain of the Sale of Property

--- 

(148)

--- 

Shares Issued Under the Directors’ Stock Plan

140 

130 

120 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

70 

--- 

Compensation Expense for Allocated ESOP Shares

--- 

259 

195 

Changes in Other Assets and Other Liabilities

      659 

     (159)

      262 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 15,814 

 13,677 

  5,976 

Investing Activities:

   

Proceeds from the Sale of Securities Available-for-Sale

  8 

  429 

  469 

Purchases of Securities Available-for-Sale

(156)

(1,044)

(512)

Proceeds from the Sale of Property

         --- 

      326 

       --- 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

     (148)

     (289)

      (43)

Financing Activities:

   

Exercise of Stock Options and Shares Issued to the Employees’

  Stock Purchase Plan

 1,544 

 1,224 

 1,558 

Tax Benefit for Disposition of Stock Options

164 

315 

684 

Purchase of Treasury Stock

(7,303)

(5,127)

(7,528)

Cash Dividends Paid

 (10,027)

 (9,929)

 (9,558)

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

(15,622)

(13,517)

(14,844)

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

44 

(129)

(8,911)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of the Year

       253 

       382 

    9,293 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of the Year

$     297 

$     253 

$     382 

    

Supplemental Disclosures to Statements of

  Cash Flow Information:

   

Interest Paid

$1,547 

$1,450 

$1,270 

Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities:

   

    Changes in the Valuation Allowance for Securities Available-for-Sale, Net of Tax

3,707 

40 

(4,546)

    Shares Issued for CFG Acquisition

111 

41 

91 

    ESOP Note

(1,500)

--- 

--- 

    Surplus Adjustment for Allocated ESOP Shares

200 

--- 

--- 

    Common Stock Purchased by ESOP

320 

301 

178 

    Change in the Excess of Additional Pension Liability Over

       Unrecognized Prior Service Cost

(632)

--- 

--- 

    Change in the Minimum Pension Liability, Net of Tax

--- 

--- 

(446)

    Adjustment to Initially Apply SFAS No. 158, Net of Tax

--- 

(3,442)

--- 

 





50






SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)


The following quarterly financial information for 2007 and 2006 is unaudited, but, in the opinion of management, fairly presents the results of Arrow.  Earnings per share amounts have been adjusted for the 2007 3% stock dividend.


SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)


  

2007

  

First

Quarter

Second

Quarter

Third

Quarter

Fourth

Quarter

Total Interest and Dividend Income

 

$20,816 

$21,409 

$21,921 

$22,431 

Net Interest Income

 

11,202 

11,425 

11,649 

12,018 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

94 

92 

136 

191 

Net Securities (Losses) Gains

 

--- 

--- 

--- 

--- 

Income Before Provision for Income Taxes

 

5,759 

5,931 

6,379 

6,070 

Net Income

 

4,131 

4,210 

4,510 

4,481 

      

Basic Earnings Per Common Share

 

.38 

 .39 

.42 

 .42 

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

 

.38 

 .39 

.42 

 .42 


  

2006

  

First

Quarter

Second

Quarter

Third

Quarter

Fourth

Quarter

Total Interest and Dividend Income

 

$19,332 

$20,008 

$20,440 

$20,831 

Net Interest Income

 

11,482 

11,496 

11,547 

11,343 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

273 

101 

186 

266 

Net Securities (Losses) Gains

 

--- 

(118)

--- 

 16 

Income Before Provision for Income Taxes

 

5,781 

6,116 

6,189 

5,930 

Net Income

 

4,059 

4,277 

4,261 

4,295 

      

Basic Earnings Per Common Share

 

.37 

 .39 

.39 

 .39 

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

 

.36 

 .39 

.39 

 .39 


Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure - None.


Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures


Senior management maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods provided in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, senior management has recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and therefore has been required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.


Senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13(a)-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2007.  Based upon that evaluation, senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective on that date.  There were no changes made in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these internal controls subsequent to the date of the evaluation performed by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.


Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting


Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.  Our evaluation is based on the framework set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our assessment, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007.



Item 9B. Other Information – None.



51






PART III


Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance


The information required by this item is set forth under the captions “Nominees for Director and Directors Continuing in Office” and “Board Committees” of Arrow’s Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 30, 2008 (the “2008 Proxy Statement”), which sections are incorporated herein by reference.  Certain required information regarding our Executive Officers is contained in Part I, Item 1.G., of this Report, “Executive Officers of the Registrant.”  Arrow has adopted a Financial Code of Ethics applicable to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, a copy of which can be found on our website at www.arrowfinancial.com under the link “Corporate Governance.”


Item 11.  Executive Compensation


The information required by this item is set forth under the captions “Executive Compensation,” “Summary Compensation Table,” “Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table,” “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table,” “Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table,” “Pension Plans,” “Pension Benefits Table,” “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table,” “Potential Payments to Executives upon  Termination or Change-in-Control,”  “Agreements with Executive Officers,” “Compensation of Directors,” and “Director Compensation Table,” of the 2008 Proxy Statement, which sections are incorporated herein by reference.


Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Certain information required by this item is set forth under the captions “Principal Shareholders of the Company” and ”Nominees for Director and Directors Continuing in Office” of the 2008 Proxy Statement, which sections are incorporated herein by reference, and in the section entitled “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in Part II of this Form 10-K on page 10.


Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence


The information required by this item is set forth under the captions “Transactions with Directors, Officers and Associated Persons,” “Corporate Governance” and “Board Independence” of the 2008 Proxy Statement, which sections are incorporated herein by reference.


Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services


The information required by this item is set forth under the captions “Ratification of the Independent Auditors” and “Independent Auditors’ Fees” of the 2008 Proxy Statement, which sections are incorporated herein by reference.


PART IV


Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules


1.  Financial Statements


The following financial statements, the notes thereto, and the independent auditors’ report thereon are filed in Part II, Item 8 of this report.  See the index to such financial statements at the beginning of Item 8.


Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2007 and 2006

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’

   Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


2.  Schedules


All schedules are omitted as the required information is either not applicable or not required or is contained in the respective financial statements or in the notes thereto.




52






3.  Exhibits:


The following exhibits are incorporated by reference herein.


Exhibit

Number


Exhibit

3.(ii)

By-laws of the Registrant, as amended, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, Exhibit 3.(ii).

4.1

Amended and Restated Declaration of the Trust by and among U.S. Bank National Association, as Institutional Trustee, Arrow Financial Corporation, as Sponsor and certain Administrators named therein, dated as of July 23, 2003, relating to Arrow Capital Statutory Trust II, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, Exhibit 4.1.

4.2

Indenture between Arrow Financial Corporation, as Issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, dated as of July 23, 2003, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, Exhibit 4.2.

4.3

Placement Agreement by and among Arrow Financial Corporation, Arrow Capital Statutory Trust II and SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc., dated July 23, 2003, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, Exhibit 4.3.

4.4

Guarantee Agreement by and between Arrow Financial Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of July 23, 2003, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, Exhibit 4.4.

4.5

Amended and Restated Trust Agreement by and among Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee, Arrow Financial Corporation, as Sponsor and certain Administrators named therein, dated as of December 28, 2004, relating to Arrow Capital Statutory Trust III, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, Exhibit 4.6.

4.6

Junior Subordinated Indenture between Arrow Financial Corporation, as Issuer, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, dated as of December 28, 2004, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, Exhibit 4.7.

4.7

Placement Agreement by and among Arrow Financial Corporation, Arrow Capital Statutory Trust III and SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc., dated December 28, 2004, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, Exhibit 4.8.

4.8

Guarantee Agreement by and between Arrow Financial Corporation and Wilmington Trust Company, dated as of December 28, 2004, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, Exhibit 4.9.

10.1

Select Executive Retirement Plan of the Registrant effective January 1, 1992 incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992, Exhibit 10(m). *

10.2

1993 Long Term Incentive Plan of the Registrant, incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s 1933 Act Registration Statement on Form S-8, Exhibit 4.1 (File number 33-66192; filed July 19, 1993). *

10.3

1998 Long Term Incentive Plan of the Registrant, incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s 1933 Act Registration Statement on Form S-8, Exhibit 4.1 (File number 333-62719; filed September 2, 1998). *

10.4

Directors Deferred Compensation Plan of Registrant, incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, Exhibit 10(n).*

10.5

Senior Officers Deferred Compensation Plan of the Registrant, incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, Exhibit 10(o).*

10.6

Directors Stock Plan of the Registrant, as amended, incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s 1933 Act Registration Statement on Form S-8 (file number 333-110445, filed November 13, 2003).*  

10.7

2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of the Registrant, incorporated herein by reference from Registrant's 1933 Act Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File number 333-47912; filed on October 11, 2000).*

10.8

Award under Schedule A of Select Executive Retirement Plan to Thomas L. Hoy, dated May 2, 2001, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, Exhibit 10.15.*

10.9

Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and among Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company, Arrow Financial Corporation, 429 Saratoga Road Corporation, Capital Financial Group, Inc. and John Weber dated November 22, 2004, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, Exhibit 10.14.

10.10

Post-Closing Payment Agreement by and among Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company, Arrow Financial Corporation, 429 Saratoga Road Corporation, Capital Financial Group, Inc. and John Weber dated November 22, 2004, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, Exhibit 10.15.

10.11

Employment Agreement among the Registrant, its subsidiary bank, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company, and Thomas L. Hoy dated January 1, 2008, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 8-K filed December 21, 2007, Exhibit 10.1.*   

10.12

Consulting Agreement between the Registrant and John J. Murphy dated January 1, 2007, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, Exhibit 10.15*

14

Financial Code of Ethics, incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, Exhibit 14.

 

* Management contracts or compensation plans required to be filed as an exhibit.



53






The following exhibits are submitted herewith:


Exhibit

Number


Exhibit

3.(i)

Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended

10.13

Prototype of a change of control agreement between the Registrant and certain executive officers of the Registrant or its subsidiaries, including John C. Van Leeuwen and Terry R. Goodemote, as entered into from time to time.*

10.14

Profit Sharing Plan of the Registrant, dated January 1, 1992 as amended through May 5, 1994.*

21

Subsidiaries of Arrow Financial Corporation

23

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer under SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer under SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

32

Certification of Chief Executive Officer under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and Certification of Chief Financial Officer under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

  
 

* Management contracts or compensation plans required to be filed as an exhibit.




54






SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


ARROW FINANCIAL CORPORATION



Date: March 6, 2008

By   /s/ Thomas L. Hoy


Thomas L. Hoy

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer


Date: March 6, 2008

By:   /s/ Terry R. Goodemote


Terry R. Goodemote

Senior Vice President, Treasurer and

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on March 6, 2008 by the following persons in the capacities indicated.



  /s/ Jan-Eric O. Bergstedt

 

Jan-Eric O. Bergstedt


Director

  /s/ Thomas L. Hoy


Thomas L. Hoy

Director and Chairman, President and CEO

  /s/ Herbert O. Carpenter


Herbert O. Carpenter

Director

  /s/ David G. Kruczlnicki


David G. Kruczlnicki

Director

  /s/ John J. Carusone, Jr.


John J. Carusone, Jr.

Director

  /s/ Elizabeth O’C. Little


Elizabeth O’C. Little

Director

  /s/ Michael B. Clarke


Michael B. Clarke

Director

  /s/ David L. Moynehan


David L. Moynehan

Director

  /s/ Gary C. Dake


Gary C. Dake

Director

  /s/ John J. Murphy


John J. Murphy

Director

  /s/ Mary Elizabeth T. FitzGerald


Mary Elizabeth T. FitzGerald

Director

  /s/ Richard J. Reisman, D.M.D.


Richard J. Reisman, D.M.D.

Director

  /s/ Kenneth C. Hopper, M.D.


Kenneth C. Hopper, M.D.

Director and Vice Chairman

 




55






 EXHIBITS INDEX


Exhibit

Number


Exhibit

3.(i)

Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended

10.13

Prototype of a change of control agreement between the Registrant and certain executive officers of the Registrant or its subsidiaries, including John C. Van Leeuwen and Terry R. Goodemote, as entered into from time to time.*

10.14

Profit Sharing Plan of the Registrant, dated January 1, 1992 as amended through May 5, 1994.*

21

Subsidiaries of Arrow

23

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer under SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer under SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

32

Certification of Chief Executive Officer under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and Certification of Chief Financial Officer under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

  
 

* Management contracts or compensation plans required to be filed as an exhibit.




56