sctbancorp10k.htm

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
___________________
 
F O R M   10 – K
 
[ X ]
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2008.

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

For the transition period from ____________________ to ____________________


 
Commission file number 333-59824

 
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC.
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
   
Connecticut
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
06-1609692
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
   
215 Church Street
New Haven, Connecticut
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
06510
(Zip Code)
   
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
(203) 782-1100
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
American Stock Exchange
(Title of each class)
(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
 
Yes  [  ]
No  [x]
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.
 
Yes  [  ]
No  [x]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes  [x]
No  [  ]
 
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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, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer
  [  ]
Accelerated filer
  [  ]
Non-accelerated filer
  [  ]
Smaller reporting company
  [x]
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) 
   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes  [  ]
No  [x]
 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates (assumes all directors, executive officers and 10% or greater holders are affiliates) of the registrant, computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of June 30, 2008, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $19,749,652.

The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common equity: Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding as of March 10, 2009: 2,688,152

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which is expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report on Form 10-K.

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Table of Contents

Part I
Page
     
Item 1.
Business.
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
     
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments.
     
Item 2.
Properties.
     
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings.
     
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
     
Part II
 
     
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related
 
 
Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
     
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data.
     
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
 
 
Condition and Results of Operations.
     
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
     
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
     
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
 
 
Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
     
Item 9A(T).
Controls and Procedures.
     
Item 9B.
Other Information.
     
Part III
 
     
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
     
Item 11.
Executive Compensation.
     
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
 
 
and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
     

                      

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Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and
 
 
Director Independence.
     
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
     
Part IV
 
     
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
     
Signatures

                      

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PART I

Item 1. Business.

Background
 
Southern Connecticut Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a bank holding company headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut that was incorporated on November 8, 2000.  The Company’s strategic objective is to serve as a bank holding company for a community-based commercial bank and a mortgage broker serving primarily New Haven County (the “Greater New Haven Market”).  The Company owns 100% of the capital stock of The Bank of Southern Connecticut (the “Bank”), a Connecticut-chartered bank with its headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut and 100% of the capital stock of SCB Capital Inc., a mortage broker with its headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut.

The Bank operates branches at four locations, including downtown New Haven, the Amity/Westville section of New Haven, Branford and North Haven.  The Bank’s branches have a consistent, attractive appearance.  Each location has an open lobby, comfortable waiting area, offices for the branch manager and a loan officer, and a conference room.  The design of the branches complements the business development strategy of the Bank, affording an appropriate space to deliver personalized banking services in professional, confidential surroundings.

The Bank focuses on serving the banking needs of small to medium-sized businesses, professionals and professional corporations, and their owners and employees in the Greater New Haven Market.  The Bank’s target commercial customer has between $1.0 and $30.0 million in revenues, 15 to 150 employees, and borrowing needs of up to $3.0 million.  The primary focus on this commercial market makes the Bank uniquely qualified to move deftly in responding to the needs of its clients.  The Bank has been successful in winning business by offering a combination of competitive pricing for its services, quick decision making processes and a high level of personalized, “high touch” customer service.

 During the first quarter of 2008, the Bank sold one of its branches that was located in New London, Connecticut.  In connection with the transaction, the Bank transferred $7.2 million in loans, $9.3 million in deposits, and fixed assets of $645,000 to the purchaser.  The Company realized a gain in connection with the sale of $875,000.

On August 1, 2008 the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, SCB Capital, Inc., purchased the assets of Evergreen Financial LLC for $180,000. The Company incurred legal fees and assumed the liability for certain employee benefits totaling $65,790 relating to the acquisition. At December 31, 2008, the Company has recorded goodwill of $238,440 relating to this transaction (see Note 12 of the consolidated financial statements). SCB Capital, Inc., operating under the name “Evergreen Financial” (“Evergreen”), now offers mortgage brokerage services. SCB Capital, Inc. operates from the Company’s headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut and is licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Banking to operate a mortgage brokerage business.

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Evergreen will focus on meeting the mortgage brokerage needs of residential and small to medium-sized businesses, professionals and professional corporations, and their owners and employees in the Southern Connecticut market.

The Greater New Haven Market

The Company serves the Greater New Haven Market, which is comprised of the communities located in and around New Haven County in Southern Central Connecticut.  The Greater New Haven Market is located in the center of, and is a critical component of, the commercial activity of the northeast corridor in New England. The market focus resides in the busy transportation and commercial area between New York City to the south, Hartford to the north, Providence to the east, and Boston to the northeast.  The diversified economic base of this market region includes pharmaceutical, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, defense, technology, service and energy companies.  The region is also one of New England’s most popular tourist destinations, featuring popular shoreline and heritage sites.  In addition, the Company’s headquarters is located in downtown New Haven, in the area of Yale University’s campus.
 
Bank Growth and Operating Strategy
 
The Bank seeks to differentiate itself by offering prompt, personal “high touch” service and quality banking products.  The Bank’s target customers are small to medium-sized businesses, professionals and professional corporations, and their owners and employees.  The Bank emphasizes personal relationships with customers, community involvement by employees and the board of directors, and responsive lending decisions by an accessible and experienced local management team.
 
The key elements of the Bank’s business strategy include:

 
·
Provision of individualized attention with local underwriting and credit decision-making authority.  As the only commercial bank based in and wholly focused on the greater New Haven area, the Bank is better able to provide the individualized customer service, combined with prompt local underwriting and credit decision-making authority that management believes small to medium-sized businesses desire.

 
·
Employing qualified and experienced banking professionals.  The Company and the Bank seek to continue to hire and retain highly experienced and qualified local commercial lenders and other banking professionals with successful track records and established relationships with small to medium-sized businesses in targeted market areas.  The experience and expertise of these individuals serves to enhance the Bank’s image within the communities it serves, thereby increasing the Bank’s business.

 
·
Leveraging personal relationships and community involvement.  The directors, officers and senior employees of the Company and the Bank have extensive personal contacts, business relationships and involvement in communities in which they live and work and which the Bank serves. By building on and leveraging these relationships and community involvement, management believes that the Bank has generated and will continue to generate enthusiasm and interest from small to medium-sized businesses and professionals in the targeted market areas.

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·
Offering a suite of products attractive to our core customer base.  The Bank seeks to offer competitive basic, popular products to its commercial and consumer customer base. The Bank offers internet-banking services to its customers through a partnership with Digital Insight, a subsidiary of Intel.  The Bank offers remote deposit capture, a system that allows our customers to deposit checks from their places of business, rather than having to make a trip to the Bank.  The Bank offers a full complement of banking services utilized by small business customers.

 
·
Maintaining high credit quality.  The success of the Bank’s business plan depends to a significant extent on the quality of the Bank’s assets, particularly loans.  The Bank has built a strong internal emphasis on credit quality and has established stringent underwriting standards and loan approval processes.  The Bank actively manages past due and non-performing loans in an effort to minimize credit loss and related expenses and to ensure that the allowance for loan losses is adequate.

 
·
Taking market share from large, non-local competitors.  The Greater New Haven Market is dominated by large, non-locally owned financial institutions with headquarters typically located outside of Connecticut.  Management believes that the Bank has attracted and can continue to attract small to medium-sized businesses and professionals that prefer local decision-making authority and interaction with banking professionals who can provide prompt personalized and knowledgeable service.

 
·
Optimizing net interest margin.  The Bank’s focus on commercial customers helps to support a strong net interest margin.  The high percentage of assets concentrated in loans to commercial entities that typically provide higher yield than consumer loans, particularly residential mortgages and home equity related loans.  The Bank maintains a high percentage of commercial transaction accounts and money market deposit accounts to fund its operations.  These deposits typically have a lower interest rate expense than certificates of deposits.  The combination of the higher yielding assets and lower expense deposits produces a strong margin for the Company.

Lending, Depository and Other Products
 
Lending Products.  The Bank offers a broad range of loans to businesses and individuals in its service area, including commercial and business loans, industrial loans, personal loans, commercial and home mortgage loans, home equity loans and automobile loans. The Bank has received lending approval status from the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to enable it to make SBA loans in communities located throughout the State of Connecticut.  The Bank holds certified lending status (“CLP”) from the SBA.
 
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Loans are made on a variable or fixed rate basis, with fixed rate loans typically limited to three to five year terms.  All loans are approved pursuant to lending policies and procedures authorized by the Bank’s board of directors.  The Bank, at times, participates in multi-bank loans to companies in its market area.  Commercial loans and commercial real estate loans may be written for maturities of up to twenty years.  Loans to purchase or refinance commercial real estate are typically supported by personal guarantees of the principal owners and related parties, and are collateralized by the subject real estate, which may in certain cases be supplemented by additional collateral in the form of liquid assets.  Loans to local businesses are generally supported by the personal guarantees of the principal owners and are carefully underwritten to determine appropriate collateral and covenant requirements.
 
Depository Products.  The Bank has attracted a base of core deposits, including interest bearing and non-interest bearing checking accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts, sweep accounts, NOW accounts, repurchase agreements, and a variety of certificates of deposits and IRA accounts.  To continue to attract deposits, the Bank employs an aggressive marketing plan in its service area and features a broad product line and rates and services competitive with those offered in the Greater New Haven Market.  The primary sources of deposits have been and are expected to continue to be small to medium-sized businesses, professionals (lawyers, doctors, accountants, etc.) and professional corporations, and their owners and employees.  The Bank obtains these deposits through personal solicitation by its officers and directors, outside programs and advertisements published and/or broadcasted in the local media.  The Bank offers internet-banking services to its customers, including commercial cash management services and personal banking services.  The Bank offers remote deposit capture, which offers check deposit capabilities for customers from their place of business.  The Bank also offers drive-in teller services, automated teller services, wire transfer, lock box and safe deposit services.
 
Other Services.  The Bank provides a broad range of other services and products, including cashier’s checks, money orders, travelers’ checks, bank-by-mail, direct deposit and U.S. Savings Bonds.  The Bank is associated with a shared network of automated teller machines that its customers are able to use throughout Connecticut and other regions.  The Bank does not expect to offer trust services directly in the near future, but may offer trust services in the future independently or possibly through a joint venture with a larger institution.  To directly offer trust services, the Bank would need the approval of the Connecticut Banking Commissioner and the FDIC.
 
Mortgage Brokerage Services

Evergreen operates from the Company’s headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut and is licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Banking to operate a mortgage brokerage business.

Evergreen will focus on meeting the mortgage brokerage needs of residential and small to medium-sized businesses, professionals and professional corporations, and their owners and employees in the Southern Connecticut market.

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Investment Services

The Company does not engage in investment services.
 
Investment Securities
 
Investment securities are held by the Company and the Bank with the objective of maximizing the long-term rate of return for shareholders.  Investments are overseen by the Board of Directors and a committee of officers who take into account returns, liquidity needs, and the overall asset/liability management of the Company and the Bank.  Permissible investments include debt securities such as U.S. Government securities, government-sponsored agency securities, municipal bonds, domestic certificates of deposit that are insured by the FDIC, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations.  The Bank’s current investment portfolio is limited to U.S. Government sponsored agency obligations and sponsored agency issued collateralized mortgage obligations, which have been classified as available for sale.  Accordingly, the principal risk associated with the Bank’s current investing activities is market risk (variations in value resulting from general changes in interest rates) rather than credit risk.  The Bank does not take credit risk for the purposes of increasing interest income.  Management continually reviews its portfolio and prevailing market conditions, and under certain market conditions, the Company’s strategy may be reviewed and revised by management and the board of directors.
 
Asset and Liability Management
 
Interest rate risk measures the impact that changing interest rates have on current and future earnings.  The Company’s goal is to optimize long-term profitability while minimizing exposure to interest rate fluctuations.  Interest rate risk exposure, including, among other things, the Company’s exposure to changes in interest income and equity value based on fluctuations in interest rates, is monitored by senior management and reported to the Bank’s Asset Liability Committee (ALCO) and the board of directors on a quarterly basis.  The Bank employs the services of a national service provider for monitoring, analyzing and managing interest rate risk.

Regulatory Compliance
 
The Company operates in a heavily regulated industry and is subject to increasing regulatory review and scrutiny from the Federal Reserve Board, the Connecticut Banking Commissioner, and the FDIC.  The Company and the Bank have invested and continue to invest significant time and resources to ensure compliance and conformity with applicable regulations (see “REGULATION AND SUPERVISION” below).  The Bank is committed to meeting its obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and the USA PATRIOT Act, as well as various other regulations.  Management meets and reports to the board of directors on a regular basis regarding new developments in compliance and the Bank’s efforts to comply therewith.
 
Competition
 
There are numerous banks and other financial institutions serving the Greater New Haven Market posing significant competition to attract deposits and loans.  The Bank competes for loans and deposits with other commercial banks, savings and loan associations, finance companies, money market funds, insurance companies, credit unions and other financial institutions, a number of which are much larger and have substantially greater resources.  To increase its business, the Bank will have to win existing customers away from existing banks and financial institutions as well as successfully compete for new customers from growth in the target markets.

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The greater New Haven market is currently served by approximately 278 offices of 26 commercial and savings banks.  The majority of these banks are substantially larger than the Bank expects to be in the near future, and are able to offer products and services which may be impractical for the Bank to provide at this time.  There are numerous banks and other financial institutions serving the communities surrounding New Haven, which also draw customers from New Haven, posing significant competition for the Bank to attract deposits and loans.  The Bank also experiences competition from out-of-state financial institutions with little or no traditional bank branches in New Haven.  Many of these banks and financial institutions are well established and better capitalized than the Bank, allowing them to provide a greater range of services.
 
Intense market demands, economic pressures, and significant legislative and regulatory actions have eroded traditional banking industry classifications and have increased competition among banks and other financial institutions.  Market dynamics as well as legislative and regulatory changes have resulted in a number of new competitors offering services historically offered only by commercial banks.  Increased customer awareness of product and service differences among competitors has also increased competition among banks.

 Employees  

As of December 31, 2008, the Bank and Evergreen had 34 and 2 full-time equivalent employees, respectively.  Relationships with all employees are believed to be excellent.

REGULATION AND SUPERVISION
 
Banks and bank holding companies are extensively regulated under both federal and state law. The Company and the Bank have set forth below brief summaries of various aspects of supervision and regulation to which they are subject. These summaries do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to applicable laws, rules and regulations.
 
Laws and Regulations to which The Company is Subject
 
General.  As a bank holding company registered in accordance with the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “BHC Act”), the Company is regulated by and subject to the supervision of the Federal Reserve Board and is required to file with the Federal Reserve Board an annual report and such other information as may be required.  The Federal Reserve Board has the authority to conduct examinations of the Company as well.  The Federal Reserve Board has the authority to issue orders to bank holding companies to cease and desist from unsound banking practices and violations of conditions imposed by, or violations of agreements with, the Federal Reserve Board.  The Federal Reserve Board is also empowered to assess civil money penalties against companies or individuals who violate the BHC Act or orders or regulations thereunder, to order termination of non-banking activities of non-banking subsidiaries of bank holding companies, and to order termination of ownership and control of a non-banking subsidiary by a bank holding company.
 
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The BHC Act—Acquisitions and Permissible Activities.  The BHC Act requires the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board for a bank holding company to acquire substantially all the assets of a bank or acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of any class of the voting shares of any bank, bank holding company or savings association, or increase any such non-majority ownership or control of any bank, bank holding company or savings association, or merge or consolidate with any bank holding company.  Federal law generally authorizes bank holding companies to acquire banks located in any state, subject to certain state-imposed age and deposit concentration limits, and also generally authorizes interstate bank holding company and bank mergers and to a lesser extent, interstate branching.
 
Unless a bank holding company becomes a financial holding company under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (“GLBA”) (as discussed below), the BHC Act prohibits a bank holding company from acquiring a direct or indirect interest in or control of more than 5% of any class of the voting shares of a company that is not a bank or a bank holding company and from engaging directly or indirectly in activities other than those of banking, managing or controlling banks or furnishing services to its subsidiary banks, except that it may engage in and may own shares of companies engaged in certain activities the Federal Reserve Board has determined to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto.
 
The GLBA permits a qualifying bank holding company to become a “financial holding company” and thereby engage in a broader range of activities than is permissible for a traditional bank holding company.  In order to qualify for this election, all of the depository institution subsidiaries of the bank holding company must be well capitalized and well managed, as defined under Federal Reserve Board regulations, and all such subsidiaries must have achieved a rating of “satisfactory” or better with respect to meeting community credit needs.  Pursuant to the GLBA, financial holding companies are permitted to engage in activities that are “financial in nature” or incidental or complementary thereto, as determined by the Federal Reserve Board.  The GLBA identifies several activities as “financial in nature,” including, among others, insurance underwriting and agency activities, investment advisory services, merchant banking and underwriting, and dealing in or making a market in securities.  At this time, the Company has not elected to become a financial holding company and has no immediate plans to do so.
 
Capital Requirements.  The Federal Reserve Board has adopted capital adequacy guidelines pursuant to which it assesses the adequacy of capital in examining and supervising a bank holding company and in analyzing applications submitted to it under the BHC Act.  These capital adequacy guidelines generally require bank holding companies to maintain total capital equal to at least 8% of total risk-adjusted assets and off-balance sheet items (the “Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio”), with at least one-half of that amount consisting of Tier I or core capital and the remaining amount consisting of Tier II or supplementary capital.  Tier I capital for bank holding companies generally consists of the sum of common shareholders’ equity and perpetual preferred stock (subject in the case of the latter to limitations on the kind and amount of such stocks which may be included as Tier I capital), less goodwill and other non-qualifying intangible assets.  Tier II capital generally consists of: hybrid capital instruments; perpetual preferred stock, which is not eligible to be included as Tier I capital; term subordinated debt and intermediate-term preferred stock; and, subject to limitations, general allowances for loan losses.  Assets are adjusted under the risk-based guidelines to take into account different risk characteristics.
 
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In addition to the risk-based capital requirements, the Federal Reserve Board requires bank holding companies to maintain a minimum leverage capital ratio of Tier I capital (defined by reference to the risk-based capital guidelines) to total average assets (the “Leverage Ratio”) of 3.0%.  Total average assets for this purpose do not include goodwill and any other intangible assets and investments that the Federal Reserve Board determines should be deducted from Tier I capital.  The Federal Reserve Board has announced that the 3.0% Leverage Ratio requirement is the minimum for the top-rated bank holding companies without any supervisory, financial or operational weaknesses, deficiencies, or those that are not experiencing or anticipating significant growth.  For all other bank holding companies, the minimum leverage ratio is 4%, and bank holding companies with supervisory, financial, managerial or operational weaknesses or organizations expecting significant growth are expected to maintain capital ratios well above minimum levels.
 
The Company is currently in compliance with the Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio, Tier I Capital and the Leverage Ratio requirements.  As of December 31, 2008, the Company had a Tier I Risk-Based Capital Ratio and a Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio equal to 17.13% and 18.46%, respectively, and a Leverage Ratio equal to 15.64%. U.S. bank regulatory authorities and international bank supervisory organizations, principally the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, currently are considering changes to the risk-based capital adequacy framework, including emphasis on credit, market and operational risk components, which ultimately could affect the appropriate capital guidelines.
 
Limitations on Acquisitions of Common Stock.  The federal Change in Bank Control Act prohibits a person or group of persons from acquiring “control” of a depository institution or a depository institution holding company unless the appropriate federal banking agency has been given at least 60 days to review the proposal and public notice has been provided.  “Control” is generally defined under this act as ownership of 25% or more of any class of voting stock.  In addition, under a rebuttable presumption established by the Federal Reserve Board, the acquisition of 10% or more of a class of voting stock of a depository institution or a depository institution holding company with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act would, under the circumstances set forth in the presumption, constitute the acquisition of control.  Furthermore, any company, as that term is broadly defined in the BHC Act, would be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board under BHC Act before acquiring 25% (5% in the case of an acquirer that is a bank holding company) or more of any class of voting securities of a depository institution or a depository institution holding company, or such lesser percentage as the Federal Reserve Board deems to constitute a “controlling influence.”
 
Bank Holding Company Dividends.  The Federal Reserve Board has authority to prohibit bank holding companies from paying cash dividends if such payment is deemed to be an unsafe or unsound practice.  The Federal Reserve Board has indicated generally that it may be an unsafe or unsound practice for bank holding companies to pay dividends unless the bank holding company’s net income over the preceding year is sufficient to fund the dividends and the expected rate of earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality, and overall financial condition.  The Company’s ability to pay dividends is also subject to laws and regulations of the Connecticut Department of Banking.
 
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Bank Holding Company Support of Subsidiary Banks.  Under Federal Reserve Board policy, a bank holding company is expected to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to each of its subsidiary banks and to commit resources to their support.  This support may be required at times when the bank holding company may not have the resources to provide it.  Similarly, under the cross-guarantee provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”), the FDIC can hold any FDIC-insured depository institution liable for any loss suffered or anticipated by the FDIC in connection with (1) the “default” of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution; or (2) any assistance provided by the FDIC to a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution “in danger of default.”
 
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”) implements a broad range of corporate governance and accounting measures for public companies (including publicly-held bank holding companies such as the Company) designed to promote honesty and transparency in corporate America.  Sarbanes-Oxley’s principal provisions, many of which have been interpreted through regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, provide for and include, among other things: (i) the creation of an independent accounting oversight board; (ii) auditor independence provisions that restrict non-audit services that accountants may provide to their audit clients; (iii) additional corporate governance and responsibility measures, including the requirement that the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of a public company certify financial statements; (iv) the forfeiture of bonuses or other incentive-based compensation and profits from the sale of an issuer’s securities by directors and senior officers in the twelve month period following initial publication of any financial statements that later require restatement; (v) an increase in the oversight of, and enhancement of certain requirements relating to, audit committees of public companies and how they interact with the company’s independent auditors; (vi) requirements that audit committee members must be independent and are barred from accepting consulting, advisory or other compensatory fees from the issuer; (vii) requirements that companies disclose whether at least one member of the audit committee is a “financial expert” (as such term is defined by the SEC); (viii) expanded disclosure requirements for corporate insiders, including accelerated reporting of stock transactions by insiders and a prohibition on insider trading during pension blackout periods; (ix) a prohibition on personal loans to directors and officers, except certain loans made by insured financial institutions on non-preferential terms and in compliance with other bank regulatory requirements; (x) disclosure of a code of ethics and filing a Form 8-K for a change or waiver of such code; and (xi) a range of enhanced penalties for fraud and other violations.  On December 15, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission delayed the internal control reporting requirements under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for non-accelerated filers to periods ending after December 15, 2007.  In accordance with the requirements of Section 404(a), Management’s report on internal controls is included herein at Item 9A(T).  On January 31, 2008, the SEC proposed and on June 20, 2008 approved a further one-year delay from fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008 to fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009 for the auditors attestation report on internal controls over financial reporting. On June 20, 2008, the SEC also announced that it received Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to proceed with data collection for a study of the costs and benefits of Section 404 implementation, focusing on the consequences for smaller companies and the effects of the Section 404 auditor attestation requirements. The results of the study are expected to become available during the extension period.
 
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USA PATRIOT ACT.  The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “Patriot Act”), designed to deny terrorists and others the ability to obtain access to the United States financial system, has significant implications for depository institutions, broker-dealers and other businesses involved in the transfer of money.  The Patriot Act, as implemented by various federal regulatory agencies, requires financial institutions, including the Company and the Bank, to implement new policies and procedures or amend existing policies and procedures with respect to, among other matters, anti-money laundering, compliance, suspicious activity and currency transaction reporting, and due diligence on customers.  The Patriot Act and its underlying regulations also permit information sharing for counter-terrorist purposes between federal law enforcement agencies and financial institutions, as well as among financial institutions, subject to certain conditions, and require the Federal Reserve Board (and other federal banking agencies) to evaluate the effectiveness of an applicant in combating money laundering activities when considering applications filed under the BHC Act or the Bank Merger Act.

Significant Laws and Regulations to which the Bank is Subject
 
General.  The Bank is organized under the Banking Law of the State of Connecticut. Its operations are subject to federal and state laws applicable to commercial banks and to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the Connecticut Banking Commissioner, as well as by the FDIC, as its primary federal regulator and insurer of deposits.  While the Bank is not a member of the Federal Reserve System, it is subject to certain regulations of the Federal Reserve Board.  In addition to banking laws, regulations and regulatory agencies, the Bank is subject to various other laws, regulations and regulatory agencies, all of which directly or indirectly affect the Bank’s operations.  The Connecticut Banking Commissioner and the FDIC examine the affairs of the Bank for the purpose of determining its financial condition and compliance with laws and regulations.  The Connecticut Banking Commissioner and the FDIC have the authority to limit the Bank’s payment of cash dividends based on such factors as the maintenance of adequate capital, which could reduce the amount of dividends otherwise payable.
 
The Connecticut Banking Commissioner and the FDIC have significant discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes.  Any change in such policies, whether by the FDIC, Congress, the Connecticut Banking Commissioner, or the Connecticut General Assembly, could have a material adverse impact on the Bank.
 
Activities and Investments of Insured State-Chartered Banks.  Section 24 of the FDIA generally limits the activities of principal and equity investments of FDIC-insured, state-chartered banks to those that are permissible for national banks. The Company does not expect such provisions to have a material adverse effect on the Company or the Bank.
 
14

Capital Requirements.  The FDIC has issued regulations and adopted a statement of policy regarding the capital adequacy of state-chartered banks, such as the Bank.  Under the regulations, a bank generally is deemed to be (i) “well-capitalized” if it has a Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 10.0% or more, a Tier I Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 6.0% or more, a Leverage Ratio of 5.0% or more and is not subject to any written capital order or directive; or (ii) “adequately capitalized” if it has a Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 8.0% or more, a Tier I Risk-Based Capital Ratio of 4.0% or more, and a Leverage Ratio of 4.0% or more (3.0% under certain circumstances) and does not meet the definition of “well-capitalized;” or (iii) “undercapitalized” if it has a Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio that is less than 8.0%, a Tier I Risk-Based Capital Ratio that is less than 4.0% or a Leverage Ratio that is less than 4.0% (3.0% under certain circumstances); or (iv) “significantly undercapitalized” if it has a Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio that is less than 6.0%, a Tier I Risk-Based Capital Ratio that is less than 3.0% or a Leverage Ratio that is less than 3.0%, and (v) “critically undercapitalized” if it has a ratio of tangible equity to total assets that is equal to or less than 2.0%. If an institution becomes undercapitalized, it would become subject to significant additional oversight and regulation, as mandated by the FDIA.
 
The following table illustrates the Company's and the Bank's regulatory capital ratios at December 31:
               
   
Company
Bank
       
Capital
   
Capital
       
Adequacy
   
Adequacy
   
2008
2007
Target Ratio
2008
2007
Target Ratio
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
18.46%
19.97%
8.00%
17.09%
17.34%
8.00%
Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
17.13%
18.80%
4.00%
15.96%
16.13%
4.00%
Tier 1 (Leverage) Capital Ratio to Average Assets
15.64%
15.08%
4.00%
14.55%
12.88%
4.00%
               
 
As of December 31, 2008, the Bank and the Company were deemed to be well-capitalized institutions.
 
Prompt Corrective Action and Other Enforcement Mechanisms.  Federal law requires each federal banking agency to take prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of insured depository institutions, including but not limited to those that fall below one or more prescribed minimum capital ratios.  An institution that, based upon its capital levels, is classified as “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized” or “undercapitalized” may be treated as though it were in the next lower capital category if the appropriate federal banking agency, after notice and opportunity for hearing, determines that an unsafe or unsound condition or an unsafe or unsound practice warrants such treatment. At each successive lower capital category, an insured depository institution is subject to more restrictions.  The federal banking agencies, however, may not treat an institution as “critically undercapitalized” unless its capital ratio actually warrants such treatment.
 
In addition to restrictions and sanctions imposed under the prompt corrective action provisions, commercial banking organizations may be subject to potential enforcement actions by the federal regulators for unsafe or unsound practices in conducting their businesses or for violations of any law, rule, regulation or any condition imposed in writing by the agency or any written agreement with the agency. Enforcement actions may include the imposition of a conservator or receiver, the issuance of a cease and desist order that can be judicially enforced, the termination of insurance of deposits (in the case of a depository institution), the imposition of civil money penalties, the issuance of directives to increase capital, the issuance of formal and informal agreements, the issuance of removal and prohibition orders against institution-affiliated parties and the enforcement of such actions through injunctions or restraining orders based upon a judicial determination that the agency would be harmed if such equitable relief was not granted.

15

Premiums for Deposit Insurance. The FDIC has implemented a risk-based assessment system, under which an institution’s deposit insurance premium assessment is based on the probability that the deposit insurance fund will incur a loss with respect to the institution, the likely amount of any such loss, and the revenue needs of the deposit insurance fund.
 
Under this risk-based assessment system, banks are categorized into one of three capital categories (well capitalized, adequately capitalized, and undercapitalized) and one of three categories based on supervisory evaluations by its primary federal regulator.  The three supervisory categories are: financially sound with only a few minor weaknesses (Group A); demonstrates weaknesses that could result in significant deterioration (Group B); and poses a substantial probability of loss (Group C).  The capital ratios used by the FDIC to define well capitalized, adequately capitalized and undercapitalized are the same in the FDIC’s prompt corrective action regulations.
 
FDIC insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC, after notice and hearing, upon finding by the FDIC that the insured institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, or is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule or order of, or conditions imposed by, the FDIC.
 
Safety and Soundness Standards.  Federal law requires each federal banking agency to prescribe for depository institutions under its jurisdiction standards relating to, among other things: internal controls; information systems and audit systems; loan documentation; credit underwriting; interest rate risk; asset growth; compensation; fees and benefits; and such other operational and managerial standards as the agency deems appropriate.  The federal banking agencies have promulgated regulations and Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safety and Soundness (the “Guidelines”) to implement these safety and soundness standards.  The Guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired. The Guidelines address internal controls and information systems; internal audit system; credit underwriting; loan documentation; interest rate risk exposure; asset quality; earnings and compensation; and fees and benefits.  If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any standards prescribed by the Guidelines, the agency may require the institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard set by the FDIC.
 
The federal banking agencies also have adopted regulations for real estate lending prescribing uniform guidelines for real estate lending.  The regulations require insured depository institutions to adopt written policies establishing standards, consistent with such guidelines, for extensions of credit secured by real estate.  The policies must address loan portfolio management, underwriting standards and loan-to-value limits that do not exceed the supervisory limits prescribed by the regulations.
 
16

Community Reinvestment Act. Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), as implemented by FDIC regulations, the Bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods.  The CRA does not prescribe specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA.  The CRA requires the FDIC, in connection with its examination of a depository institution, to assess the institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by such institution.  The FDIC is required to provide a written evaluation and make public disclosure of an institution’s CRA performance utilizing a four-tiered descriptive rating system.  Institutions are evaluated and rated by the FDIC as “Outstanding,” “Satisfactory,” “Needs to Improve,” or “Substantial Non Compliance.”  Failure to receive at least a “Satisfactory” rating may inhibit an institution from undertaking certain activities, including acquisitions of other financial institutions, which require regulatory approval based, in part, on CRA compliance considerations. In its most recent CRA evaluation, dated July 31, 2003, the Bank was rated as “Satisfactory.”
 
Transactions with Affiliates.  Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act restrict transactions between a bank and an affiliated company, including a parent bank holding company.  The Bank is subject to certain restrictions on loans to affiliated companies, on investments in the stock or securities thereof, on the taking of such stock or securities as collateral for loans to any borrower, and on the issuance of a guarantee or letter of credit on their behalf.  Among other things, these restrictions limit the amount of such transactions, require collateral in prescribed amounts for extensions of credit, prohibit the purchase of low quality assets and require that the terms of such transactions be substantially equivalent to terms of similar transactions with nonaffiliates.  Generally, the Bank is limited in its extensions of credit to any affiliate to 10% of the Bank’s capital and in its extensions of credit to all affiliates to 20% of the Bank’s capital.
 
Customer Information Security.  The FDIC and other bank regulatory agencies have adopted guidelines (the “Security Guidelines”) for safeguarding confidential, personal customer information.  The Security Guidelines require each financial institution, under the supervision and ongoing oversight of its board of directors or an appropriate committee thereof, to create, implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information, protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information, and protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information, and ensure the proper disposal of information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.
 
Privacy.  Financial institutions are required to implement policies and procedures regarding their information collection practices and the disclosure of nonpublic personal information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties.  In general, the statute requires explanations to consumers on policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of such nonpublic personal information, and, except as otherwise required by law, prohibits disclosing such information except as provided in the financial institution’s policies and procedures.

17


Item 1A. Risk Factors.
 
Not required.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2. Properties.

The table below sets forth information about properties the Bank uses for its branch offices.  The Company also owns property located in Clinton, Connecticut.

 
Office
 
Location
 
Square Feet
 
Status
Main Office
  
215 Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut
  
11,306
  
Leased
Branford Office
  
445 West Main Street, Branford, Connecticut
  
3,714
  
Leased
Amity Office
  
1475 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut
  
2,822
  
Owned
North Haven Office
 
24 Washington Avenue, North Haven, Connecticut
 
2,430
 
Leased
             
Property at 215 Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut.  The Bank leases a free-standing building located at 215 Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut, in the central business and financial district of New Haven.  The headquarters of the Bank and the Company, and Evergreen, are located within this building.  The building has a drive-up teller, an automated teller machine, two vaults and a night deposit drop.

The lease term ended in 2006, however, the Bank exercised its option to extend the lease for an additional five years.  The Bank has a right of first refusal to purchase the building.  The Bank’s annual rent, which is fixed in the terms of the lease, including during the option periods, is currently $137,933.  The Bank is responsible for all costs to maintain the interior of the building, other than structural repairs, and for all real estate taxes.

When practical, the Bank seeks to sublease space within the building that is not needed for operations.  The Bank of Southern Connecticut had two tenants during 2008, including the rental of approximately 1,045 square feet to Laydon and Company, LLC, an entity owned by Elmer A. Laydon, the son of Elmer F. Laydon, the Chairman of the board of directors of the Company through August 2, 2008. At December 31, 2008 the Bank had no tenants.
 
Property at 445 West Main Street, Branford, Connecticut.  The Bank of Southern Connecticut leases space at 445 West Main Street, Branford, Connecticut, the site of the Branford branch, which opened for business on October 7, 2002.
 
The current term of the Branford branch lease expires in 2012.  The Bank of Southern Connecticut has an option to extend the lease for two additional terms.  The base rent payable for the current term is $40,631 until September 30, 2012.  The base rent for the option periods increases and is fixed in the lease.  The Bank is responsible for all costs to maintain the building, other than structural repairs, and for all real estate taxes.
 
18

Property at 1475 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut.   The Bank owns a one-acre site with a single story, stucco facility of approximately 2,822 square feet that is located at 1475 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut.  The Bank operates its Amity branch from this location.
 
Property at 24 Washington Avenue, North Haven, Connecticut.  On February 16, 2006, the Company entered into a lease agreement to lease the facility at 24 Washington Avenue, North Haven, Connecticut, the site of The Bank of North Haven, a division of The Bank of Southern Connecticut.  The facility was improved to accommodate the new branch, and $295,000 was expended for improvements, furnishings and equipment.  The Bank of North Haven, a division of The Bank of Southern Connecticut, opened for operations on July 10, 2006.  The lease is for an initial term of five years, with three successive five-year option periods.  Base rent is $38,880 annually until April 30, 2011.  The base rent for the option periods increases and is fixed in the lease.  The Bank is responsible for the pro rata share of operating expenses.

Property in Clinton, Connecticut.  In June 2005, the Company purchased a one-acre improved site with two buildings in Clinton, Connecticut for the primary purpose of establishing a branch office of the Bank.  The net purchase price of the property was $495,000.  During 2007, the Bank determined that it would not establish a branch at this location and subsequently retained a commercial real estate broker to represent the Company in the sale of the property, and the property is classified as held for sale at December 31, 2008.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

The Company and the Bank are being sued by its former Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for age discrimination and breach of contract in connection with his layoff as part of a reduction in staff announced by the Bank in July 2008. The former Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer notified the Company of his claim, filed with the United States District Court, District of Connecticut in New Haven, Connecticut, on September 29, 2008. The only parties to the dispute are the Company, the Bank and the former Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. He is seeking unspecified damages. The matter is currently pending. The Company believes the former Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer’s claims are without merit and intend to defend this case vigorously.

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

No matter was submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Company during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

The Company’s Common Stock is quoted on the NYSE Amex under the symbol "SSE."

19


The following table sets forth the high and low sales price per share of the Company’s Common Stock for the last two years:
 
Quarter Ended
 
High
 
Low
March 31,2008
 
 $    7.50
 
 $    6.73
June 30, 2008
 
 $    7.45
 
 $    6.95
September 30, 2008
 
 $    7.05
 
 $    5.48
December 31, 2008
 
 $    6.25
 
 $    1.40
         
         
March 31,2007
 
 $    8.12
 
 $    7.10
June 30, 2007
 
 $    7.66
 
 $    7.10
September 30, 2007
 
 $    7.65
 
 $    7.00
December 31, 2007
 
 $    7.62
 
 $    6.85

 
Holders

There were approximately 103 registered shareholders of record of the Company’s Common Stock as of March 10, 2009.

Dividends

No cash dividends have been declared to date by the Company.  Management expects that earnings, if any, will be retained and that no cash dividends will be paid in the near future.  The Company may, however, declare stock dividends at the discretion of its Board of Directors.  No stock dividends were declared in 2008 and 2007.
 
The Company’s only significant operating subsidiary during 2008 is the Bank.  The Company is dependent upon the ability of the Bank to declare and pay dividends to the Company.  The Bank’s ability to declare cash dividends is dependent upon the Bank’s ability to earn profits and to maintain acceptable capital ratios, as well as meet regulatory requirements and remain compliant with banking law.
 
The policy of the Connecticut Banking Commissioner is to prohibit payment of any cash dividends prior to recapture of organization and pre-operating expenses from operating profits.  In addition, the Bank is prohibited by Connecticut law from declaring a cash dividend on its Common Stock without prior approval of the Connecticut Banking Commissioner except from its net profits for that year and any retained net profits of the preceding two years.  “Net profits” is defined as the remainder of all earnings from current operations.  In some instances, the FDIC may impose further restrictions on dividends.  At December 31, 2008 and 2007, no cash dividends may be declared by the Bank without regulatory approval.
 
The payment of cash dividends by the Bank may also be affected by other factors, such as the requirement to maintain capital in accordance with regulatory guidelines.  If, in the opinion of the Connecticut Banking Commissioner, the Bank were engaged in or was about to engage in an unsafe or unsound practice, the Commissioner could require, after notice and a hearing, the Bank to cease and desist from the practice.  The federal banking agencies have indicated that paying dividends that deplete a depository institution’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice.  Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvements Act of 1991, a depository institution may not pay any cash dividend if payment would cause it to become undercapitalized or if it already is undercapitalized.  Moreover, the federal banking agencies have issued policy statements that provide that bank holding companies and insured banks should generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings.

20

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

The Company has not sold unregistered securities during the period covered by this report on Form 10-K.

Repurchase of Securities

In November of 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the adoption of a Stock Repurchase Program of up to 147,186 shares of its common stock representing 5% of its outstanding common stock.  The Company completed this stock repurchase program by the middle of July 2008.

On July 15, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the adoption of an additional Stock Repurchase Program of up to 141,126 shares representing 5% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Company completed this stock repurchase program in the beginning of December 2008.

The following table provides common stock repurchases made by and on behalf of the Company during the three months ended December 31, 2008:

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
               
Maximum
           
Total Number of
 
Number of
   
Total
     
Shares Purchased
 
Shares That May
   
Number of
 
Average
 
As Part of Publicly
 
Yet be Purchased
   
Shares
 
Price Paid
 
Announced Plans
 
Under the Plans
Period
 
Purchased
 
Per Share
 
or Programs
 
or programs
                 
October 1 - October 31
 
           30,000
 
 $      5.31
 
               232,186
 
                  56,126
November 1 - November 30
 
           15,000
 
 $      5.00
 
               247,186
 
                  41,126
December 1 - December 31
 
           41,126
 
 $      5.10
 
               288,312
 
                           -
                 
Total
 
           86,126
 
 $      5.16
       
                 
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

Not required.

21


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

The following discussion is intended to assist you in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and the Bank, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes beginning on page F-3.
 
Overview
 
Southern Connecticut Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut that was incorporated on November 8, 2000. The Company’s strategic objective is to serve as a bank holding company for The Bank of Southern Connecticut, a commercial bank serving New Haven, Connecticut and the surrounding communities.   The Bank of Southern Connecticut commenced operations on October 1, 2001. The Company owns 100% of the capital stock of The Bank of Southern Connecticut (the “Bank”), a Connecticut-chartered bank with its headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut and 100% of the capital stock of SCB Capital Inc., a mortage broker with its headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut.

The Company’s net income for fiscal year 2008 was $134,000, an improvement of $708,000 from the net loss of $574,000 in fiscal year 2007.  In comparison to 2007, the 2008 operating results reflect decreased net interest income due to lower average earning assets and lower interest rates.  Noninterest income increased during 2008 due to the gain on the sale of the New London office offset by a decrease in service charges and fees, resulting from decreases in deposit account balances, deposit account activity and deposit account charges.  The decreases in noninterest expenses in 2008 in comparison to 2007 were partially due to sale of the New London office during 2008 offset by expenses related to severance payments made to the former Chief Executive Officer and President of the Bank.  In addition, the decrease in other operating expense is attributable to charges to expense in 2007 for post-retirement benefits for the Bank’s former Chief Executive Officer.

The Company offers a wide range of services to businesses, professionals, and individuals.  The Company focuses on serving the banking needs of small to medium-sized businesses in its geographic areas.  The Company makes commercial loans, industrial loans, real estate loans, construction loans and consumer loans, accepts demand, savings, and time deposits and provides a broad range of other services to its customers, either directly or through third parties.  The Company derives revenues principally from interest earned on loans and fees from other banking-related services. The operations of the Company are influenced significantly by general economic conditions and by policies of financial institution regulatory agencies, primarily the Connecticut Banking Commissioner and the FDIC.  The  Company’s cost of funds is influenced by interest rates on competing investments and general market interest rates.  Lending activities are affected by the demand for financing of real estate and other types of loans, which in turn is affected by the interest rates at which such financings may be offered.


22


 
Selected Operating and Balance Sheet Data –
Years Ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007

Operating Data
 
2008
   
2007
 
Interest income
  $ 7,000,100     $ 9,143,381  
Interest expense
    2,240,045       3,377,776  
Net interest income
    4,760,055       5,765,605  
Provision for loan losses
    226,019       538,480  
Noninterest income
    1,666,625       960,495  
Noninterest expenses
    6,066,912       6,761,301  
Net income (loss)
    133,749       (573,681 )
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share
    0.05       (0.19 )
                 
Balance Sheet Data
               
Cash and due from banks
  $ 5,267,439     $ 3,891,258  
Federal funds sold
    -       21,100,000  
Short-term investments
    8,637,450       8,355,686  
Interest bearing certificates of deposit
    1,642,612       -  
Investment securities
    5,130,005       5,265,679  
Loans, net
    89,241,432       85,995,128  
Total assets
    114,916,562       130,564,261  
Total deposits
    93,970,024       107,422,392  
Repurchase agreements
    214,391       544,341  
Total shareholders' equity
    18,540,954       20,084,483  
Book value per share      6.90       6.76  
 
Segment Reporting

The Company has three reporting segments for purposes of reporting business line results: Community Banking, Mortgage Brokerage and the Holding Company. The Community Banking segment is defined as all operating results of the Bank. The Mortgage Brokerage segment is defined as the results of Evergreen and the Holding Company segment is defined as the results of Southern Connecticut Bancorp on an unconsolidated or standalone basis.  Prior to August 1, 2008, the Company did not have mortgage brokerage operations, and the Holding Company’s activities were solely related to the Bank’s operations. Therefore, prior to the period ended September 30, 2008, the Company had only one operating segment, Community Banking.  Because Evergreen is a subsidiary new to Mortgage Brokerage operations, methodologies and organizational hierarchies are newly developed and will be subject to periodic review and revision. The Company uses an internal reporting system to generate information by operating segment. Estimates and allocations are used for noninterest expenses.

Business Combination

On August 1, 2008, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, SCB Capital, Inc. purchased assets of Evergreen Financial LLC for $180,000. Based upon terms of the asset sale, a cash payment of $80,000 was made on August 1, 2008 and the balance of $100,000 was recorded as a liability by SCB Capital, Inc. The remaining balance due for the assets purchased by SCB Capital, Inc. will be satisfied with payments of $50,000 on August 1, 2009 and $50,000 on August 1, 2010. The Company incurred legal fees and assumed the liability for certain employee benefits totaling $65,790 relating to the transaction.
 
23

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. The Company is in the process of completing its valuations of certain intangible assets, thus, the allocation of the purchase price is subject to adjustment.

Assets:
 
August 1, 2008
 
Furniture and equipment
  $ 7,350  
         
Goodwill
    238,440  
         
Total assets acquired
    245,790  
         
         
Liabilities:
       
Liabilities assumed
    15,696  
         
Total liabilities assumed
    15,696  
         
Net assets acquired
  $ 230,094  
         
Cash Paid
  $ 130,094  
         
Payable to  seller
    100,000  
         
Total
  $ 230,094  
         
Assets

The Company’s total assets were $114.9 million as of December 31, 2008, a decrease of $15.7 million over December 31, 2007 total assets of $130.6 million. $7.5 million of the decline in total assets is attributable to a decrease in premises and equipment and loans from December 31, 2007 attributable to the sale of the New London branch completed on February 29, 2008. Earning assets comprise $105.9 million of the total asset volume, and consist of Federal funds sold, short-term investments, interest-bearing certificates of deposit, securities and loans, which collectively decreased $16.5 million from 2007.  The Company has maintained liquidity by maintaining balances in overnight Federal funds sold and in short-term investments, primarily money market mutual funds, to provide funding for higher yielding loans as they are approved.  As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, Federal funds sold balances were $0.0 million and $21.1 million, respectively and short-term investments balances were $8.6 million and $8.4 million, respectively.  During the latter part of 2008, due to historically low returns available on federal funds sold, the Company focused on money market funds as a short-term investment strategy. Investment securities classified as available for sale were $5.1 million and $5.3 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The gross loan portfolio was $90.4 million and $87.3 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively, an  increase of $10.1 million, excluding the $6.8 million in gross loans held for sale at December 31, 2007 that were transferred with the sale of the Bank’s branch in New London, Connecticut.  This transaction was completed on February 29, 2008.

24


Investments

The amortized cost of the Company’s investments decreased $204,000 during 2008, representing the difference between securities that matured ($9 million) and were called ($2.7 million) and purchases of new securities ($11.5 million).

The following table presents the maturity distribution of the amortized cost of investment securities at December 31, 2008, and the weighted average yield of such securities.  The weighted average yields were calculated based on the amortized cost and effective yields to maturity of each security.
 
         
Over
   
Over
                         
         
One Year
   
Five Years
                     
Weighted
 
   
One Year
   
Through
   
Through
   
Over
   
No
         
Average
 
Available for sale
 
or Less
   
Five Years
   
Ten Years
   
Ten Years
   
Maturity
   
Total
   
Yield
 
U. S. Government sponsored
                                     
 agency obligations
  $ -     $ 1,000,000     $ 2,496,409     $ 1,500,000     $ -     $ 4,996,409       4.78 %
                                                         
Mortgage-backed securities
    -       -       -       -       105,386       105,386       4.29 %
                                                         
Total
  $ -     $ 1,000,000     $ 2,496,409     $ 1,500,000     $ 105,386     $ 5,101,795          
                                                         
                                                         
Weighted Average Yield
    0.00 %     3.50 %     4.89 %     5.44 %     4.29 %     4.77 %        
 
The following table presents a summary of investments for any issuer that exceeds 10% of shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2008:
 
   
Amortized
 
Fair
   
Cost
 
Value
Federal National Mortgage Association
$3,500,000
 
$3,516,725

 
Please see also, “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Loans

The Bank’s net loan portfolio was $89.2 million at December 31, 2008 versus $86.0 million at December 31, 2007, an increase of $10.0 million, excluding the $6.8 million in gross loans held for sale at December 31, 2007 that were transferred with the sale of the Bank’s branch in New London, Connecticut.  This transaction was completed on February 29, 2008.  Loan demand has been steady throughout the year.  The Company attributes the 2008 loan growth to the success of the Bank’s loan business development program in generating loan demand to small to medium-sized businesses.  Management believes that the loan growth will continue as the Bank’s branch system deposit base grows and additional lending capacity is developed.  The Bank’s loans have been made to borrowers primarily in the New Haven market area.  There are no other significant loan concentrations in the loan portfolio.

25

The following table presents the maturities of loans in the Company’s portfolio at December 31, 2008 by type of loan, and the sensitivities of loans to changes in interest rates:
 
         
Due after
                   
   
Due in
   
one year
                   
   
one year
   
through
   
Due after
             
   
or less
   
five years
   
five years
   
Total
   
% of Total
 
                               
Commercial loans secured
                             
  by real estate
  $ 17,130,386     $ 25,352,750     $ 2,979,036     $ 45,462,172       50.22 %
Commercial loans
    27,713,754       9,911,520       -       37,625,274       41.57 %
Construction loans
    4,410,384       2,089,727       -       6,500,111       7.18 %
Consumer home equity loans
    95,466       20,613       267,603       383,682       0.42 %
Consumer installment loans
    364,250       187,906       -       552,156       0.61 %
Total
  $ 49,714,240     $ 37,562,516     $ 3,246,639     $ 90,523,395       100.00 %
 
Fixed rate loans
  $ 7,052,144     $ 7,048,423     $ 141,686     $ 14,242,253          
Variable rate loans
    42,662,096       30,514,093       3,104,953       76,281,142          
Total
  $ 49,714,240     $ 37,562,516     $ 3,246,639     $ 90,523,395          
 
Please see also, “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Critical Accounting Policy

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to reporting the results of operations and financial condition in preparing its financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates under different assumptions and conditions.  The Company believes the following discussion addresses the Company’s only critical accounting policy, which is the policy that is most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results, and requires management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.  The Company has reviewed this critical accounting policy and estimates with its audit committee.  Refer to the discussion below under “Allowance for Loan Losses” and Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for a detailed description of our estimation process and methodology related to the allowance for loan losses.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings.  Loans are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed.  Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectibility of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions.  This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.
 
26

 
The  allowance for loan losses consists of specific and general components.  The specific component relates to allowances established for individual impaired loans.  The general component relates to pools of loans segregated by loan type, and is based on historical loss experience adjusted by certain qualitative factors as determined by management and the board of directors.  The allowance for loan losses does not contain an unallocated component.

Based upon this evaluation, management believes the allowance for loan losses of $1,183,000 or 1.31% of gross loans at December 31, 2008 is adequate, under prevailing economic conditions, to absorb losses on existing loans.  At December 31, 2007, the allowance for loan losses was $1,257,000 or 1.44% of gross loans outstanding.  The decrease in the allowance is attributable to a $91,000 increase in the general component of the allowance due to loan growth as well as an increase in the reserve factors for the general portion of the allowance, offset by a $165,000 decline in the specific component of the allowance. The decrease in the specific component is due to lower specific reserves needed for new impaired loans at December 31, 2008 as compared to the reserves that were needed for loans that were impaired at December 31, 2007.  Based on prevailing nationwide economic conditions and forecasts, management and the Board of Directors determined to increase the reserve factors for the Company’s general reserve components of the allowance.

The accrual of interest income on loans is discontinued whenever reasonable doubt exists as to its collectibility and generally is discontinued when loans are past due 90 days as to either principal or interest, or are otherwise considered impaired.  When the accrual of interest income is discontinued, all previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against interest income.  The accrual of interest on loans past due 90 days or more may be continued if the loan is well secured, and it is believed all principal and accrued interest income due on the loan will be realized, and the loan is in the process of collection.  A non-accrual loan is restored to an accrual status when it is no longer delinquent and collectibility of interest and principal is no longer in doubt.

Management considers all non-accrual loans and restructured loans to be impaired.  In most cases, loan payments that are past due less than 90 days and the related loans are not considered to be impaired.


27

 
Allowance for Loan Losses and Non-Accrual, Past Due and Restructured Loans

   
2008
   
2007
 
Balance,  beginning of year
  $ 1,256,965     $ 1,062,661  
   Provision for loan losses
    226,019       538,480  
   Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
               
      Commercial
    37,109       11,223  
      Consumer
    -       750  
         Total recoveries
    37,109       11,973  
   Loans charged-off:
               
      Commercial loans secured by real estate
    (90,215 )     -  
      Commercial
    (246,509 )     (356,149 )
         Total charge-offs
    (336,724 )     (356,149 )
Balance, end of year
  $ 1,183,369     $ 1,256,965  
                 
Net (charge-offs) recoveries to average loans
    (0.36 %)     (0.41 %)
                 

Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses at December 31. 2008 and 2007:
       
                         
   
2008
   
2007
 
         
Percent of
         
Percent of
 
         
Loans in Each
         
Loans in Each
 
         
Category to
         
Category to
 
   
Balance
   
Total Loans
   
Balance
   
Total Loans
 
Commercial loans secured by real estate
  $ 528,754       50.22 %   $ 405,492       44.45 %
Commercial loans
    530,088       41.57 %   $ 773,075       46.68 %
Construction loans
    114,340       7.18 %   $ 61,907       7.16 %
Residential mortgages
    -       0.00 %   $ 962       0.16 %
Consumer home equity loans
    6,890       0.42 %   $ 3,756       0.64 %
Consumer installment loans
    3,297       0.61 %   $ 11,773       0.91 %
    $ 1,183,369       100.00 %   $ 1,256,965       100.00 %

28

 
Non-Accrual, Past Due and Restructured Loans

Non-accrual loans at December 31, 2008 and 2007 totaled $881,948 and $530,246 respectively.  In 2008 and 2007, there were no loans considered “troubled debt restructurings”. Accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more were $384,442 and $726,036 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
   
December 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
 
Non-accrual loans
  $ 881,948     $ 530,246  
                 
Accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more
               
  Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
  $ 195,822     $ 726,036  
  Matured loans pending renewal and still accruing (1)
    188,620       -  
    Total
  $ 384,442     $ 726,036  
                 
(1)    In November 2007, the Company significantly revamped it's underwriting procedures, including, among other items, a revised process for renewing matured loans. The Bank is in the process of completing negotiations of terms for the matured loans. Each of these loans is making timely payments as to interest since the date of maturity.
 
 
Potential Problem Loans

At December 31, 2008, the Bank had loans totaling $1.4 million, which were not disclosed in the table above, and were not on non-accrual status, but were deemed to be impaired pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 114.  The loans were current with respect to principal and interest.  Management of the Company has reviewed the collateral for the loans and considers the current specific reserves, if any, on the loans to be adequate to cover potential losses related to the relationships.

Deposits

Total deposits were $94.0 million at December 31, 2008, a decrease of $13.4 million (12.5%) in comparison to total deposits as of December 31, 2007 of $107.4 million.  $9.9 million of the decrease in deposits from December 31, 2007 is attributable to the sale of the New London branch completed on February 29, 2008. Following is a discussion of the $3.5 million (3%) decrease in total deposits in 2008 excluding the aforementioned $9.9 million in deposits held for sale at December 31, 2007. Non-interest bearing deposits were $28.2 million at December 31, 2008, an increase of $4.6 million (19%) from $23.6 million at December 31, 2007. The balance of interest bearing checking accounts can fluctuate as much as 5% to 10% on a daily basis.  Total interest bearing checking, money market and savings decreased $10.7 million, or 22%, to $33.8 million at December 31, 2008, from $44.5 million at December 31, 2007.  Time deposits increased to $32.0 million at December 31, 2008 from $29.4 million at December 31, 2007, an 9% increase.  Included in time deposits is the Company’s placement of $2.2 million in customer deposits and purchase of $2.0 million in brokered certificates of deposit through the CDARS program. The Bank continues to emphasize growth in core non-interest checking accounts and related interest bearing checking, money market deposit, and savings accounts and is less aggressive in attracting higher cost time deposits.  As of December 31, 2008, these core deposits represented 66.0% of total deposits.
 
29

The Bank maintains relationships with several deposit brokers and could continue to utilize the services of one or more of such brokers if management determines that issuing brokered certificates of deposits would be in the best interest of the Bank and the Company.

The Greater New Haven Market is highly competitive.  The Bank faces competition from a large number of banks (ranging from small community banks to large international banks), credit unions, and other providers of financial services.  The level of rates offered by the Bank reflects the high level of competition in our market.

As of December 31, 2008 the Bank's maturities of time deposits were:
 
                   
   
$100,000
   
Less than
       
   
or greater
   
$100,000
   
Totals
 
( Thousands of dollars)
                     
                       
Three months or less
  $ 5,239     $ 2,934     $ 8,173  
Over three months to six months
    3,518       2,324       5,842  
Over six months to one year
    4,054       9,547       13,601  
Over one year to two years
    208       934       1,142  
Over two years to three years
    815       2,126       2,941  
Over three years
    100       201       301  
                         
    $ 13,934     $ 18,066     $ 32,000  
 
Other

The decrease in Premises and Equipment of $824,000 is due mainly to the sale of assets related to the New London branch of $656,000.

The decrease in Other Assets Held for Sale is due to the write down of the Clinton property.  The property is recorded at fair market value, net of estimated costs to sell, of $374,900 as of December 31, 2008.  

30

The following table presents average balance sheets (daily averages), interest income, interest expense, and the corresponding annualized rates on earning assets and rates paid on interest bearing liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.
 
                                           
Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity;
 
Interest Rates and Interest Differential
 
   
2008
   
2007
       
                                           
         
Interest
               
Interest
         
Decreases
 
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Average
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Average
   
in interest
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Rate
   
Income/Expense
 
Interest earning assets
                                         
    Loans (1)
  $ 84,106     $ 6,334       7.53 %   $ 83,977     $ 7,539       8.98 %   $ (1,205 )
    Short-term  and other investments
    10,120       266       2.63 %     7,388       370       5.01 %     (104 )
    Investments
    5,051       196       3.88 %     7,318       259       3.54 %     (63 )
    Federal funds sold
    7,497       204       2.72 %     19,225       975       5.07 %     (771 )
Total interest earning assets
    106,774       7,000       6.56 %     117,908       9,143       7.76 %     (2,143 )
                                                         
Cash and due from banks
    4,387                       5,413                          
Premises and equipment, net
    2,974                       4,269                          
Allowance for loan losses
    (1,213 )                     (1,161 )                        
Other
    1,995                       1,547                          
Total assets
  $ 114,917                     $ 127,976                          
Interest bearing liabilities
                                                       
    Time certificates
  $ 29,904       1,251       4.18 %   $ 31,150       1,566       5.03 %     (315 )
    Savings deposits
    1,557       21       1.35 %     1,908       25       1.31 %     (4 )
    Money market / checking deposits
    35,661       783       2.20 %     44,603       1,601       3.59 %     (818 )
    Capital lease obligations
    1,184       176       14.86 %     1,187       176       14.83 %     -  
    Repurchase agreements
    567       9       1.59 %     648       10       1.54 %     (1 )
                                                         
Total interest bearing liabilities
    68,873       2,240       3.25 %     79,496       3,378       4.25 %     (1,138 )
                                                         
Non-interest bearing deposits
    25,170                       27,285                          
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    1,281                       729                          
Shareholder's equity
    19,593                       20,466                          
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 114,917                     $ 127,976                          
Net interest income
          $ 4,760                     $ 5,765             $ (1,005 )
                                                         
Interest spread
                    3.31 %                     3.51 %        
Interest margin
                    4.46 %                     4.89 %        
                                                         
(1) Includes nonaccruing loans.
 
 
 
31

RATE VOLUME VARIANCE ANALYSIS

The following table summarizes the variance in interest income and expense for 2008 and 2007 resulting from changes in assets and liabilities and fluctuations in interest rates earned and paid. The changes in interest income and expense attributable to both rate and volume have been allocated to both rate and volume on a pro rata basis.

   
2008 vs 2007
 
   
Variance due to:
       
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Volume
   
Rate
   
Total
 
Interest earning assets
                 
    Loans
  $ 13     $ (1,218 )   $ (1,205 )
    Short-term and other investments
    109       (213 )     (104 )
    Investments
    (74 )     11       (63 )
    Federal funds sold
    (438 )     (333 )     (771 )
Total interest earning assets
    (390 )     (1,753 )     (2,143 )
                         
Interest bearing liabilities
                       
    Time certificates
    (61 )     (254 )     (315 )
    Savings deposits
    (5 )     1       (4 )
    Money market / checking deposits
    (279 )     (539 )     (818 )
    Capital lease obligations
    -       -       -  
    Repurchase agreements
    (1 )     -       (1 )
Total interest bearing liabilities
    (346 )     (792 )     (1,138 )
Net interest income
  $ (44 )   $ (961 )   $ (1,005 )
 
The decrease in net interest income during 2008 reflects the decrease in the yields on earning assets from 7.76% in 2007 to 6.56% in 2008 and the decrease in total average interest earning asset balances from 2007, as the average earning assets in 2008 of $106.8 million were 9% lower than average earning assets of $117.9 million in 2007. The decline in interest income attributable to  average interest earning assets was partially offset by the decrease in rates on interest bearing liabilities from 4.25% in 2007 to 3.25% in 2008 and a $10.6 million decrease in average interest bearing liabilities from $79.5 million in 2007 to $68.9 million in 2008.  Overall, interest income attributed to volume decreases was $44,000 versus a decrease of $961,000 due to the decrease in interest rates. Interest income from interest earning assets in 2008 compared to 2007 declined $1.8 million due to rates and decreased $390,000 due to volume.  Variances in the 2008 cost of interest bearing liabilities in comparison to 2007 were due to decreased rate considerations of $792,000 combined with decreased volume considerations of $346,000.

The Company intends for the Bank to continue to emphasize lending to small to medium-sized businesses in its market area as its strategy to increase assets under management and to improve earnings.  The Bank will seek opportunities through marketing to increase its deposit base, with a primary objective of attracting core non-interest checking and related money market deposit accounts, in order to support its earning assets and also by considering additional branch locations and new product and service offerings.

32

The following are measurements of the Company’s results of operations in relation to assets and equity, and average equity to average assets for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:
 
   
2008
 
2007
Income (loss) on average assets
 
0.12%
 
(0.45%)
Income (Loss) on average equity
 
0.68%
 
(2.80%)
Average equity to average assets
 
17.05%
 
15.99%
 
Results of Operations

The Company’s net income for fiscal year 2008 was $134,000, an improvement of $708,000 from the net loss of $574,000 in fiscal year 2007. In comparison to 2007, the improvement in 2008 operating results is due to a combination of factors, including increased earnings of $875,000 from the sale of the New London branch; a decrease in the provision for loan losses of $312,000; and a decrease in noninterest expenses of $694,000, due to the sale of the New London branch and reductions in professional services, offset by severance payments to the former Chief Executive Officer and President of the Bank. Additional factors were a decline in net interest income of $1.0 million, attributable to decreases in average earning assets/liabilities previously discussed, and  decreases in noninterest income of $169,000 related to lower levels of service charges, SBA loan servicing income and rental income, as well as revenues from sales of the guaranteed portion of SBA originated loans.

Net Interest Income

The principal source of revenue for the Bank is net interest income.  The Bank’s net interest income is dependent primarily upon the difference or spread between the average yield earned on loans receivable and securities and the average rate paid on deposits and borrowings, as well as the relative amounts of such assets and liabilities.  The Bank, like other banking institutions, is subject to interest rate risk to the degree that its interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice at different times, or on a different basis, than its interest-earning assets.

The Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) reduced short-term interest rates (which resulted in a corresponding reduction in the prime lending rate) from 7.25% at December 31, 2007 to 3.25% at December 31, 2008.  Decreases in short-term rates tend to compress the Company’s net interest spread and net interest margin. During periods of declining interest rates, the interest expense related to sources of funds is not reduced commensurate with reduction in interest earned on interest earning assets (which are most typically tied to the prime lending rate or other market indices).  This situation inherently compresses the spread during periods of declining interest rates.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, net interest income was $4,760,000 versus $5,765,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007, a decrease of $1,005,000 or 17.4%.  The 2008 decrease was primarily the result of decreases in rates and volume on interest earning assets which exceeded the rate and volume decreases on interest bearing liabilities.

The Company’s average total interest earning assets decreased 9% for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $106.8 million (a decrease of $11.1 million) from the Company’s average total interest earning assets of $117.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease in average interest earning assets of $11.1 million was comprised of increases in average balance of loans of $0.1 million, decreases in average balance of investments of $2.2 million, increases in average balance of short-term and other investments of $2.7 million, and decreases in average balance of federal funds sold of $11.7 million.

33

The yield on average interest earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2008 was 6.56% versus 7.76% for 2007, a decrease of 120 basis points.  The decrease in the yield on assets reflects the decreases in market interest rates that occurred throughout 2008, particularly in the prime lending rate and the Bank’s base lending rate and the increasing competitive market to attract new loans.

The cost of average interest bearing liabilities was 3.25% for the year ended December 31, 2008 versus 4.25% for 2007, a decrease of 100 basis points, reflecting a general decrease in market interest rates.  Due to decreases in the average yields on earning assets, in excess of the decreases in rates on interest bearing liabilities, the interest spread decreased to 3.31% for 2008, a decrease of 20 basis points from the interest spread realized in 2007.  The net interest margin decreased to 4.46% in 2008 from 4.89% in 2007, a decrease of 43 basis points that largely reflects the decreasing short-term yields on interest earning assets during 2008.

Provision for Loan Losses

The Company’s provision for loan losses was $226,000 and $538,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The change is primarily attributable to the favorable reclassification of an impaired loan and a net increase in loans receivable.
 
Noninterest Income

Total noninterest income was $1,667,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008 versus $960,000 for the same period in 2007.  Noninterest income in 2008 included $875,000 from a gain on sale of the Bank’s New London branch.  Service charges and fees decreased $33,000 due to changes in business practices of customers of the Bank.  Gains on sales of SBA loans decreased $45,000 during 2008. Other noninterest income decreased from $305,000 in 2007 to $215,000 in 2008 principally due to decreases in rental income ($24,000) and SBA loan servicing income ($58,000).

Noninterest Expenses

Total noninterest expenses were $6,067,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008 versus $6,761,000 for the same period in 2007, a decrease of $694,000 or 10.3%.

Salaries and benefits expense for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $3,688,000 versus $3,460,000 for the same period in 2007.  Salaries and benefits expense increased $228,000 in 2008 primarily due to expenses related to the severance of the former Chief Executive Officer and President of the Bank, the addition of Evergreen employees and the accrual and payment of employee related benefits and performance bonuses. The increases were offset by expense savings related to a reduction in staff implemented in July, 2008 and the sale of the New London branch.

34

Occupancy and equipment expense for 2008 decreased by $168,000 or 19.7%.  The decrease is primarily attributable to the elimination of expenses related to the operation of the New London branch.  FDIC insurance expense decreased by $45,000 from $124,000 to $79,000 due to a lower assessment rate as a result of an improved FDIC rating.

In addition, professional services decreased $428,000, the result of lower legal costs, consulting fees and expenses related to the Company’s implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  Other operating expenses decreased by $311,000 to $679,000 largely as a result of the accrual of $293,000 in 2007 related to post-retirement benefits with the retired Chairman of the board of directors.  This accrual reflects the changing nature of a consulting agreement from a consulting agreement to a post-retirement benefit, as a result of the former Chairman retiring from his position as a director of the Company as of December 31, 2007.

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements

See Note 14 to the accompanying consolidated Financial Statements for required disclosure regarding off-balance-sheet arrangements.

Liquidity

The Company’s liquidity position as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007  consisted of liquid assets totaling $20.7 million and $38.6 million, respectively.  This represents 18.0% and 29.6% of total assets at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The liquidity ratio is defined as the percentage of liquid assets to total assets.  The following categories of assets as described in the accompanying balance sheet are considered liquid assets: Cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, short-term investments, interest-bearing certificates of deposit and securities available for sale.  Liquidity is a measure of the Company’s ability to generate adequate cash to meet financial obligations.  The principal cash requirements of a financial institution are to cover downward fluctuations in deposits and increases in its loan portfolio.

Management believes the Company’s short-term assets provide sufficient liquidity to cover potential fluctuations in deposit accounts and loan demand and to meet other anticipated operating cash and investment requirements.

Capital
 
The following table illustrates the Company's and the Bank's regulatory capital ratios at December 31:
               
   
Company
Bank
       
Capital
   
Capital
       
Adequacy
   
Adequacy
   
2008
2007
Target Ratio
2008
2007
Target Ratio
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
18.46%
19.97%
8.00%
17.09%
17.34%
8.00%
Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
17.13%
18.80%
4.00%
15.96%
16.13%
4.00%
Tier 1 (Leverage) Capital Ratio to Average Assets
15.64%
15.08%
4.00%
14.55%
12.88%
4.00%
 
Capital adequacy is one of the most important factors used to determine the safety and soundness of individual banks and the banking system.  Based on the above ratios, the Bank is considered to be “well capitalized” under applicable regulations.  To be considered “well capitalized” an institution must generally have a leverage capital ratio of at least 5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6% and a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%.

35

Market Risk

Market risk is defined as the sensitivity of income to fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices, commodity prices and other market-driven rates or prices.  Based upon the nature of the Company’s business, market risk is primarily limited to interest rate risk, which is defined as the impact of changing interest rates on current and future earnings.

The Company’s goal is to maximize long-term profitability, while minimizing its exposure to interest rate fluctuations.  The first priority is to structure and price the Company’s assets and liabilities to maintain an acceptable interest rate spread, while reducing the net effect of changes in interest rates.  In order to reach an acceptable interest rate spread, the Company must generate loans and seek acceptable long-term investments to replace the lower yielding balances in Federal Funds sold and short-term investments.  The focus also must be on maintaining a proper balance between the timing and volume of assets and liabilities re-pricing within the balance sheet.  One method of achieving this balance is to originate variable loans for the portfolio to offset the short-term re-pricing of the liabilities.  In fact, a number of the interest bearing deposit products have no contractual maturity.  Customers may withdraw funds from their accounts at any time and deposits balances may therefore run off unexpectedly due to changing market conditions.

The exposure to interest rate risk is monitored by Senior Management of the Bank and reported quarterly to the Asset and Liability Management Committee and the Board of Directors.  Management reviews the interrelationships within the balance sheet to maximize net interest income within acceptable levels of risk.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The Company’s financial statements have been prepared in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation.  Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all of the assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature.  As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on a financial institution’s performance than the effect of general levels of inflation.  Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services.  Notwithstanding this fact, inflation can directly affect the value of loan collateral, in particular, real estate.  Inflation, or disinflation, could significantly affect the Company’s earnings in future periods.

Factors Affecting Future Results

Some of the statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operations,” “Business” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may include forward-looking statements which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance.  Statements which include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “anticipate” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements for purposes of the federal securities laws or otherwise.  All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties.  Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements or that could adversely affect the holders of our common stock.  These factors include, but are not limited to, (1) changes in prevailing interest rates which would affect the interest earned on the Company’s interest earning assets and the interest paid on its interest bearing liabilities, (2) the timing of re-pricing of the Company’s interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, (3) the effect of changes in governmental monetary policy, (4) the effect of changes in regulations applicable to the Company and the conduct of its business, (5) changes in competition among financial service companies, including possible further encroachment of non-banks on services traditionally provided by banks and the impact of recently enacted federal legislation, (6) the ability of competitors which are larger than the Company to provide products and services which it is impractical for the Company to provide, (7) the volatility of quarterly earnings, due in part to the variation in the number, dollar volume and profit realized from SBA guaranteed loan participation sales in different quarters, (8) the effect of a loss of any executive officer, key personnel, or directors, (9) the effect of the Company’s opening of branches and the receipt of regulatory approval to complete such actions, (10) concentration of the Company’s business in southern and southeastern Connecticut, (11) the concentration of the Company’s loan portfolio in commercial loans to small-to-medium sized businesses, which may be impacted more severely than larger businesses during periods of economic weakness, (12) lack of seasoning in the Company’s loan portfolio, which may increase the risk of future credit defaults, and (13) the effect of any decision by the Company to engage in any business not historically permitted to it.  Other such factors may be described in other filings made by the Company with the SEC.

36

Although the Company believes that it has the resources needed for success, future revenues and interest spreads and yields cannot be reliably predicted.  These trends may cause the Company to adjust its operations in the future.  Because of the foregoing and other factors, recent trends should not be considered reliable indicators of future financial results or stock prices.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Not required.

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended, together with the report thereon of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP dated March 27, 2009 are included as part of this Form 10-K following page 46 hereof.

37


Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

Not applicable.

Item 9A(T). Controls and Procedures.

 
(a)
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Based upon an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures performed by the Company’s management, with participation of the Company’s President and Chief Operating  Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures have been effective in ensuring that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiary, is made known to the certifying officers by others within the Company and the Bank during the period covered by this report.

As used herein, “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures of the Company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 
(b)
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Under the supervision and with the participation of the President and Chief Operating  Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Accounting Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).  Based on our evaluation under the framework, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

 
(c)
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
38

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the Company’s last fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2008 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information.

None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

The information required by this Item 10 is incorporated into this Form 10-K by reference from the sections captioned “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors”, “Corporate Governance”, “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”, and “Code of Ethics” in the Company's definitive proxy statement for its 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Definitive Proxy Statement").

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated into this Form 10-K by reference from the sections captioned “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” in the Definitive Proxy Statement.

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

Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following schedule provides information with respect to the compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2008:
 
39

                 
 
Plan Category
 
Number of securities to
 
Weighted-average
 
Number of securities
 
     
be issued upon exercise
 
exercise price of
 
remaining available for
 
     
of outstanding options,
 
outstanding options,
 
future issuance under
 
     
warrants and rights
 
warrants and rights
 
equity compensation
 
     
(a)
 
(b)
 
plans (excluding
 
             
securities reflected in
 
             
column (a)
 
                 
 
Equity Compensation Plans
 
202,763
 
$7.79
 
257,249
 
 
approved by security
             
 
holders
             
                 
 
Equity Compensation Plan
 
77,184
 
$10.39
 
0
 
 
not approved by security
             
 
holders (1)
             
                 
 
Total
 
279,947
 
$8.51
 
257,249
 
                 
 
(1) The Company adopted a 2001 Warrant Plan and 2001 Supplemental Warrant Plan (collectively, the “Warrant Plans”) on April 11, 2001 and October 16, 2001, respectively.  The Warrant Plans were not approved by security holders.  Under the Warrant Plans, each director of the Company, other than Mr. Joseph V. Ciaburri (who served as the Chairman of the board of directors of the Company at the time), and each director of the Bank who is not a director of the Company, as of the initial public offering of the Company in July 2001, received a warrant to purchase one share of the Company common stock for each four shares purchased in the offering by such director or members of such director’s immediate family.  Under the 2001 Supplemental Warrant Plan, certain organizers of the Company who are not directors, officers or employees of the Company or the Bank but who made contributions to the Company’s enterprise received a warrant to purchase one share of the Company common stock for each five shares purchased in the offering by such person or member of such person’s immediate family.  The warrants have a term of ten years. The exercise price of the warrants is $10.39, the price at which the Company’s common stock was sold in the initial public offering, as adjusted for subsequent stock dividends. As of December 31, 2008, the warrants are fully exercisable.
 
Additional information required by this Item 12 is incorporated into this Form 10-K by reference from the section captioned “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Definitive Proxy Statement.

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

The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated into this Form 10-K by reference from the sections captioned “Corporate Governance”, “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Definitive Proxy Statement.


40

 
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

McGladrey & Pullen, LLP and RSM McGladrey, Inc. provide audit, audit-related and tax advisory and tax return preparation services for the Company and The Bank of Southern Connecticut.  The following table summarizes the fees provided in 2008 and 2007, respectively:
 
   
2008
 
2007
Audit fees
 
 $139,609
 
 $  149,806
Audit Related Fees
 
 None
 
 None
Tax fees
 
     10,900
 
      10,825
All Other fees
 
      2,733
 
 None
 
Audit fees consist of fees for professional services rendered for the audit of the consolidated financial statements, review of financial statements included in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or 10-QSB and annual reports on Form 10-K or 10-KSB, and services connected with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.  Audit-related fees are principally for consultations on various accounting and reporting matters.  Tax service fees consist of fees for tax return preparation for the Company.

The audit committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has established policies and procedures for the engagement of the independent auditor to provide non-audit services, including a requirement for approval in advance of all non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditor.  To ensure that this does not restrict access to the independent auditor by management on matters where the advice and consultation of the independent auditor is sought by management and such advice or consultation, in the opinion of management, cannot practically be delayed pending pre-approval by the audit committee, the committee authorizes management to use their judgment and retain the independent auditor for such matters and consider such services to be pre-approved provided the estimated cost of such services does not exceed 5% of the annual fees paid to the independent auditor and such services are formally approved by the audit committee at its next meeting.
 
41

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

((a) Financial Statements and Schedules:

The following Financial Statements and Supplementary Data are filed as part of this annual report:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are either inapplicable or not required, or because the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

(b) Exhibits (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K):

Exhibit No.
Description
   
3(i)
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on August 14, 2002)
   
3(ii)
By-Laws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on April 30, 2001)
   
10.1
Lease, dated as of August 17, 2000, between 215 Church Street, LLC and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on April 30, 2001)
   
10.2
Letter agreement dated January 3, 2001 amending the Lease between 215 Church Street, LLC and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on April 30, 2001)
   
10.3
First Amendment to Lease dated March 30, 2001 between 215 Church Street, LLC and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on April 30, 2001)
   
10.4
Second Amendment to Lease dated March 31, 2001 between 215 Church Street, LLC and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement Form SB-2 filed on April 30, 2001)
   
10.5
Assignment of Lease dated April 11, 2001 between the Registrant and The Bank of Southern Connecticut (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on April 30, 2001)
   
 
42

10.6
Sublease dated January 1, 2001 between Michael Ciaburri, d/b/a Ciaburri Bank Strategies and The Bank of Southern Connecticut (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on April 30, 2001)
   
10.7
Sublease dated January 1, 2001 between Laydon & Company, LLC and The Bank of Southern Connecticut (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on April 30, 2001)
   
10.8
Lease dated August 2, 2002 between 469 West Main Street LLC and The Bank of Southern Connecticut (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 30, 2004)
   
10.9
Lease dated January 14, 2004 between The City of New London and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 30, 2004)
   
10.10
Agreement of Sale dated June 22, 2004 between Dr. Alan Maris and James S. Brownstein, Trustee relating to property and premises located at 51-53 West Main Street, Clinton, Connecticut (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on November 15, 2004)
   
10.11
Employment Agreement dated as of January 23, 2001 among The Bank of Southern Connecticut, the Registrant and Joseph V. Ciaburri (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on April 30, 2001)
   
10.12
Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of October 20, 2003 among the Registrant, The Bank of Southern Connecticut and Joseph V. Ciaburri (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on November 12, 2003)
   
10.13
Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 2005 among the Registrant, The Bank of Southern Connecticut and Michael M. Ciaburri (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 28, 2005)
   
10.14
Registrant’s 2001 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on April 30, 2001)
   
10.15
Registrant’s 2001 Warrant Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on April 30, 2001)
   
10.16
Registrant’s  2001 Supplemental Warrant Plan  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 29, 2002)
   
10.17
Registrant’s 2002 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 18, 2002)
   
10.18
Form of Stock Option Agreement for Non-qualified Stock Option granted under the Registrant’s 2002 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on November 15, 2004)
   
10.19
Form of Stock Option Agreement for Incentive Stock Option granted under the Registrant’s 2002 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on November 15, 2004)
   
 
43

10.20
Underwriting agreement dated June 16, 2004 among A.G.Edwards & Sons, Inc. and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2/A filed on June 9, 2004)
   
10.21
Employment Agreement dated October 26, 2005, by and among the Registrant, and The Bank of Southern Connecticut and John H. Howland (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 31, 2005)
   
10.22
Amendment to Employment Agreement dated March 1, 2007, by and among the Registrant and The Bank of Southern Connecticut and Joseph V. Ciaburri (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 28, 2007)
   
10.23
Consulting agreement dated March 1, 2007, by and among the Registrant and The Bank of Southern Connecticut and Joseph V. Ciaburri (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 28, 2007)
   
10.24
Employment Agreement dated February 28, 2007, by and among the Registrant and The Bank of Southern Connecticut and Michael M. Ciaburri (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 28, 2007)
   
10.25
Sales agreement made November 13, 2007, by and between Savings Institute Bank and Trust Company, a federally chartered stock savings bank having its principal office in Willimantic, Connecticut (the “Purchaser”), and The Bank of Southern Connecticut, a Connecticut state chartered bank and trust company having its main office in New Haven, Connecticut (the “Seller”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 20, 2007)
   
10.26
Employment Agreement dated February 8, 2008, effective January 1, 2008, by and among the Registrant and The Bank of Southern Connecticut and John Howard Howland (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 14, 2008)
   
10.27
Employment Agreement dated May 5, 2008, effective May 5, 2008, by and among the Registrant and The Bank of Southern Connecticut and Stephen V. Ciancarelli (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2008)
   
10.28
Separation Agreement and General Release dated March 26, 2008, by and among the Registrant, The Bank of Southern Connecticut and Michael M. Ciaburri (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 27, 2008)
   
14.
Amended and Restated Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on March 30, 2004)
   
21.
   
23.
   
31.1
   
31.2
   
 
44

31.3
   
32.1
   
32.2
   
32.3
   
99.1
2005 Stock Option and Award Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Form S-8 filed on January 13, 2006)
   
99.2
Common Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant’s Form S-8 filed on January 13, 2006)
 
 
45

SIGNATURES



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

 
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC.
 
(Registrant)
     
     
 
By:
/s/ JOHN HOWARD HOWLAND
 
Name:
John Howard Howland
 
Title:
President and Chief Operating Officer
     
 
Date:   March 27, 2009

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

/s/ John Howard Howland
 
March 27, 2009
John H. Howland
 
Date
President and Chief Operating Officer
   
     
/s/ Stephen V. Ciancarelli
 
March 27, 2009
Stephen V. Ciancarelli
 
Date
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   
     
/s/ Elmer F. Laydon
 
March 27, 2009
Elmer F. Laydon
 
Date
Chairman and Director
   
     
/s/ Alphonse F. Spadaro, Jr.
 
March 27, 2009
Alphonse F. Spadaro, Jr.
 
Date
Vice Chairman and Director
   
     
/s/ Carl R. Borrelli
 
March 27, 2009
Carl R. Borrelli
 
Date
Director
   
     
/s/ James S. Brownstein, Esq.
 
March 27, 2009
James S. Brownstein, Esq.
 
Date
Director
   
     
/s/ Alfred J. Ranieri, Jr.
 
March 27, 2009
Alfred J. Ranieri, Jr.
 
Date
Director
   
     
 
46

 
/s/ Joshua H. Sandman, Ph.D.
 
March 27, 2009
Joshua H. Sandman, Ph.D.
 
Date
Director
   
     
/s/ Anthony M. Avellani
 
March 27, 2009
Anthony M. Avellani
 
Date
Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
   

47

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

CONTENTS



   
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
   
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


F-1


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
Southern Connecticut Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Southern Connecticut Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 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 Southern Connecticut Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We were not engaged to examine management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, included in the accompanying “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” and accordingly, we do not express an opinion thereon.

/s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP



New Haven, Connecticut
March 27, 2009


F-2


SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
           
             
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
           
December 31, 2008 and 2007
           
             
ASSETS
 
2008
   
2007
 
Cash and due from banks (Note 2)
  $ 5,267,439     $ 3,891,258  
Federal funds sold
    -       21,100,000  
Short-term investments
    8,637,450       8,355,686  
Cash and cash equivalents
    13,904,889       33,346,944  
                 
Interest bearing certificates of deposit
    1,642,612       -  
Available for sale securities (at fair value) (Note 3)
    5,130,005       5,265,679  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock (Note 7)
    66,100       66,100  
Loans held for sale
    -       354,606  
Loans receivable (Note 4)
               
Loans receivable - portfolio
    90,424,801       80,404,844  
Loans receivable - branch disposed of (Note 18)
    -       6,847,249  
Allowance for loan losses
    (1,183,369 )     (1,256,965 )
Loans receivable, net
    89,241,432       85,995,128  
Accrued interest receivable
    411,729       533,690  
Premises and equipment (Note 5)
               
Premises and equipment
    2,754,153       2,921,459  
Premises and equipment - branch disposed of (Note 18)
    -       656,261  
Premises and equipment, net
    2,754,153       3,577,720  
Other assets held for sale (Note 18)
    374,920       414,920  
Other assets
    1,390,722       1,009,474  
Total assets
  $ 114,916,562     $ 130,564,261  

F-3



SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
           
             
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS, Continued
           
December 31, 2008 and 2007
           
             
             
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
           
             
Liabilities
 
2008
   
2007
 
Deposits (Note 6)
           
Noninterest bearing deposits
           
    Noninterest bearing deposits
  $ 28,214,381     $ 23,610,756  
    Noninterest bearing deposits - branch disposed of (Note 18)
    -       4,187,632  
Total noninterest bearing deposits
    28,214,381       27,798,388  
Interest bearing deposits
               
    Interest bearing deposits
    65,755,643       73,911,903  
    Interest bearing deposits - branch disposed of (Note 18)
    -       5,712,101  
Total interest bearing deposits
    65,755,643       79,624,004  
Total deposits
    93,970,024       107,422,392  
Repurchase agreements
    214,391       544,341  
Capital lease obligations (Note 8)
    1,180,938       1,186,043  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    1,010,255       1,327,002  
Total liabilities
    96,375,608       110,479,778  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 7, 8, 10, and 14)
               
                 
Shareholders' Equity (Notes 10 and 15)
               
    Preferred stock, no par value; shares authorized: 500,000;
               
         none issued
               
Common stock, par value $.01; shares authorized: 5,000,000;
               
shares issued and outstanding:  2008 2,688,152; 2007 2,969,714
    26,882       29,697  
Additional paid-in capital
    22,521,164       24,263,531  
Accumulated deficit
    (4,035,302 )     (4,169,051 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) - net unrealized gain
               
(loss) on available for sale securities
    28,210       (39,694 )
Total shareholders' equity
    18,540,954       20,084,483  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 114,916,562     $ 130,564,261  
                 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Ststements
               
 
 
F-4

 
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
           
             
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
           
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
           
             
             
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Interest Income:
           
Interest and fees on loans
  $ 6,333,993     $ 7,539,044  
Interest on securities
    195,748       259,052  
Interest on Federal funds sold and short-term and other investments
    470,359       1,345,285  
Total interest income
    7,000,100       9,143,381  
                 
Interest Expense:
               
Interest expense on deposits (Note 6)
    2,055,427       3,192,322  
Interest expense on capital lease obligations
    176,110       175,796  
Interest expense on repurchase agreements and other borrowings
    8,508       9,658  
Total interest expense
    2,240,045       3,377,776  
                 
Net interest income
    4,760,055       5,765,605  
                 
Provision for Loan Losses (Note 4)
    226,019       538,480  
Net interest income after
               
provision for loan losses
    4,534,036       5,227,125  
                 
Noninterest Income:
               
Service charges and fees
    576,801       609,888  
Gains on sales of loans
    -       45,286  
Gain from sale of branch (Note 18)
    874,912       -  
Other noninterest income
    214,912       305,321  
Total noninterest income
    1,666,625       960,495  
                 
Noninterest Expenses:
               
Salaries and benefits
    3,688,383       3,460,037  
Occupancy and equipment
    684,817       852,504  
Professional services
    358,122       786,449  
Data processing and other outside services
    397,464       420,806  
Advertising and promotional expenses
    73,641       38,898  
Forms, printing and supplies
    106,826       88,433  
FDIC Insurance
    79,068       124,155  
Other operating expenses
    678,591       990,019  
Total noninterest expenses
    6,066,912       6,761,301  
                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 133,749     $ (573,681 )
                 
Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) per Share
  $ 0.05     $ (0.19 )
                 
                 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
               

F-5

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   
                                     
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                   
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
                         
                                     
                           
Accumulated
       
   
Number
         
Additional
         
Other
       
   
of Common
   
Common
   
Paid-In
   
Accumulated
   
Comprehensive
       
   
Shares
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Deficit
   
Loss (Income)
   
Total
 
                                     
Balance, December 31, 2006
    2,941,297     $ 29,413     $ 24,147,883     $ (3,595,370 )   $ (250,077 )   $ 20,331,849  
                                                 
Comprehensive loss:
                                               
Net loss
    -       -       -       (573,681 )     -       (573,681 )
Unrealized holding gain on available for
                                               
sale securities
    -       -       -       -       210,383       210,383  
Total comprehensive loss
                                            (363,298 )
                                                 
Directors fees settled in common stock (Note 10)
    2,605       26       19,483       -       -       19,509  
Exchange of stock options (Note 10)
    20,532       205       9,808       -       -       10,013  
Exercise of stock options (Note 10)
    1,280       13       9,819       -       -       9,832  
Restricted stock compensation (Note 10)
    4,000       40       28,171       -       -       28,211  
Stock option compensation (Note 10)
    -       -       48,367       -       -       48,367  
                                                 
                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2007
    2,969,714       29,697       24,263,531       (4,169,051 )     (39,694 )     20,084,483  
                                                 
Comprehensive income:
                                               
Net income
    -       -       -       133,749       -       133,749  
Unrealized holding gain on available for
                                               
sale securities
    -       -       -       -       67,904       67,904  
Total comprehensive income
                                            201,653  
                                                 
Restricted stock compensation (Note 10)
    6,750       68       54,943       -       -       55,011  
Stock option compensation (Note 10)
    -       -       20,119       -       -       20,119  
Stock repurchases (Note 10)
    (288,312 )     (2,883 )     (1,817,429 )     -       -       (1,820,312 )
                                                 
                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2008
    2,688,152     $ 26,882     $ 22,521,164     $ (4,035,302 )   $ 28,210     $ 18,540,954  
                                                 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
                                         
 
 
F-6

 
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
             
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
       
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
       
             
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash Flows From Operations
           
Net income (loss)
  $ 133,749     $ (573,681 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash(used in) provided by
 
operating activities:
               
Amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on investments, net
    3,575       (478 )
Provision for loan losses
    226,019       538,480  
Gain on sale of branch
    (874,912 )     -  
Share based compensation
    75,130       106,100  
Loans originated for sale, net of principal payments received
    (58,513 )     (327,074 )
Proceeds from sales of loans
    -       195,286  
Gains on sales of loans
    -       (45,286 )
Depreciation and amortization
    300,165       407,156  
Write-down of other assets held for sale
    40,000       88,886  
Increase in cash surrender of life insurance
    (46,444 )     (44,212 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Increase in deferred loan fees
    25,299       3,315  
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable
    121,961       (65,992 )
(Increase) decrease in other assets
    (96,364 )     49,611  
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities
    (432,443 )     741,557  
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (582,778 )     1,073,668  
                 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
               
Purchases of interest bearing certificates of deposit
    (1,642,612 )     -  
Purchases of available for sale securities
    (11,500,000 )     -  
Principal repayments on available for sale securities
    3       3  
Proceeds from maturities / calls of available for sale securities
    11,700,000       3,000,000  
Net payments on sale of branch
    (495,521 )     -  
Net increase in loans receivable
    (10,333,247 )     (11,289,977 )
Purchases of premises and equipment
    (113,971 )     (63,854 )
Acquisition of mortgage broker
    (130,094 )     -  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (12,515,442 )     (8,353,828 )
                 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
               
Net (decrease) increase in demand, savings and money market deposits
    (4,732,082 )     3,085,732  
Net increase in certificates of deposit
    543,614       3,063,140  
Net decrease in repurchase agreements
    (329,950 )     (339,262 )
Principal repayments on capital lease obligations
    (5,105 )     (2,085 )
Stock repurchased
    (1,820,312 )     -  
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options
    -       9,832  
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (6,343,835 )     5,817,357  
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (19,442,055 )     (1,462,803 )
Cash and cash equivalents
               
Beginning
    33,346,944       34,809,747  
                 
Ending
  $ 13,904,889     $ 33,346,944  
           
(Continued)
 
 
 
F-7

 
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
       
             
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, Continued
       
For the Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007
           
             
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
           
Cash paid for:
           
Interest
  $ 2,247,054     $ 3,366,477  
                 
Income taxes
  $ 750     $ 750  
                 
Supplemental Disclosures of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
               
Assets and Liabilities transferred in sale of branch:
               
    Premises and equipment
  $ 644,723     $ -  
                 
    Loans receivable
  $ 7,248,744     $ -  
                 
    Deposits
  $ 9,263,900     $ -  
                 
Transfer of loans receivable to loans held for sale
  $ -     $ 59,309  
                 
Transfer of loans held for sale to loans receivable
  $ 413,119     $ -  
                 
Transfer of premises and equipment to other assets held for sale
  $ -       414,920  
                 
Unrealized holding gains on available for sale securities arising
               
during the period
  $ 67,904     $ 210,383  
                 
See Note 12 for information regarding the acquisition of certain assets and
               
    liabilities of a mortgage broker.
               


 
F-8

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
Note 1.
Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Southern Connecticut Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a bank holding company headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut that was incorporated on November 8, 2000.  The Company’s strategic objective is to serve as a bank holding company for a community-based commercial bank and a mortgage broker serving primarily New Haven County (the “Greater New Haven Market”).  The Company owns 100% of the capital stock of The Bank of Southern Connecticut (the “Bank”), a Connecticut-chartered bank with its headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut and 100% of the capital stock of SCB Capital Inc., a mortage broker with its headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut.

The Bank operates branches at four locations, including downtown New Haven, the Amity/Westville section of New Haven, Branford and North Haven.  The Bank’s branches have a consistent, attractive appearance.  Each location has an open lobby, comfortable waiting area, offices for the branch manager and a loan officer, and a conference room.  The design of the branches complements the business development strategy of the Bank, affording an appropriate space to deliver personalized banking services in professional, confidential surroundings.

The Bank focuses on serving the banking needs of small to medium-sized businesses, professionals and professional corporations, and their owners and employees in the Greater New Haven Market.  The Bank’s target commercial customer has between $1.0 and $30.0 million in revenues, 15 to 150 employees, and borrowing needs of up to $3.0 million.  The primary focus on this commercial market makes the Bank uniquely qualified to move deftly in responding to the needs of its clients.  The Bank has been successful in winning business by offering a combination of competitive pricing for its services, quick decision making processes and a high level of personalized, “high touch” customer service.

During the first quarter of 2008, the Bank sold one of its branches that was located in New London, Connecticut (see Note 18).

On August 1, 2008 the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, SCB Capital, Inc., purchased the assets of Evergreen Financial LLC (see Note 12). SCB Capital, Inc., operating under the name “Evergreen,” now offers mortgage brokerage services. Evergreen operates from the Company’s headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut and is licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Banking to operate a mortgage brokerage business.

Evergreen will focus on meeting the mortgage brokerage needs of residential and small to medium-sized businesses, professionals and professional corporations, and their owners and employees in the Southern Connecticut market.

Principles of consolidation and basis of financial statement presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and general practices within the banking industry.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.  In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

F-9

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
 
Significant group concentrations of credit risk

Most of the Company’s activities are with customers located within New Haven County, Connecticut.  Note 3 discusses the types of securities in which the Company invests and Note 4 discusses the types of lending in which the Company engages.  The Company does not have any significant concentrations in any one industry or customer.

The following is a summary of the Company's significant accounting policies.

Cash and cash equivalents and statement of cash flows

Cash and due from banks, Federal funds sold, and short-term investments are recognized as cash equivalents in the statements of cash flows.  Federal funds sold generally mature in one day.  For purposes of reporting cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  Cash flows from loans, deposits, and short-term borrowings are reported net.  The Company maintains amounts due from banks and Federal funds sold which, at times, may exceed Federally insured limits.  The Company has not experienced any losses from such concentrations.

Interest-bearing certificates of deposit

Interest-bearing certificates of deposit are carried at cost. At December 31, 2008 the balance in interest-bearing cerificates of deposit was $1,642,612, which consisted of fixed rate certificates of deposit which mature in December 2009 ($1,543,186) and June 2013 ($99,426).

Investments in debt and marketable equity securities
 
Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the date individual investment securities are acquired, and the appropriateness of such classification is reassessed at each balance sheet date.

Debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, if any, are classified as “held to maturity” and recorded at amortized cost.  “Trading” securities, if any, are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recognized in earnings.  Securities not classified as held to maturity or trading, including equity securities with readily determinable fair values, are classified as “available for sale” and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income, net of taxes.

Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities.  Declines in the fair value of held to maturity and available for sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses.  In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.  Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.

F-10

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
The sale of a held to maturity security within three months of its maturity date or after collection of at least 85% of the principal outstanding at the time the security was acquired is considered a maturity for purposes of classification and disclosure.

Loans held for sale

Loans held for sale are primarily the guaranteed portions of SBA loans the Company has the intent to sell in the foreseeable future, and are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or market value.  Gains and losses on sales of loans are determined by the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying value of the loans.

Transfers of financial assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered.  Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right to pledge or exchange the transferred assets and no condition both constrains the transferee from taking advantage of that right and provides more than a trivial benefit for the transferor, and (3) the transferor does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through either (a) an agreement that both entitles and obligates the transferor to repurchase or redeem the assets before maturity or (b) the ability to unilaterally cause the holder to return specific assets, other than through a cleanup call.

Servicing

Servicing assets are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of financial assets.  Generally, purchased servicing rights are capitalized at the cost to acquire the rights.  For sales of loans, a portion of the original cost of the loan is allocated to the servicing right, and if the pass-through rate to the investor is less than the note rate, to an interest-only strip, based on relative fair value.  Fair value is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing and interest income.  The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing and interest income, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, the custodial earnings rate, an inflation rate, ancillary income, prepayment speeds and default rates and losses.  Capitalized servicing rights are reported in other assets and are amortized into non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets.  Interest only strips are also reported in other assets and are amortized into other noninterest income under the same method as servicing assets.

Servicing assets and interest-only strips are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the assets as compared to amortized cost.  Impairment is determined by stratifying the assets into tranches based on predominant risk characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type.  Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual tranche, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the tranche.  If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular tranche, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income.

F-11

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
Servicing fee income is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans.  The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal, or a fixed amount per loan, and are recorded as income when earned.  The amortization of mortgage servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income, and the amortization of interest-only strips is netted against other noninterest income.

Loans receivable

Loans receivable are stated at their current unpaid principal balances, net of the allowance for loan losses and  net deferred loan origination fees and costs.  The Company has the ability and intent to hold its loans receivable for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff.

Impaired loans, if any, are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent.  The amount of impairment, if any, and any subsequent changes are recorded as adjustments to the allowance for loan losses.  A loan is impaired when it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all contractual principal and interest payments due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement.

A loan is classified as a restructured loan when certain concessions have been made to the original contractual terms, such as a reduction in interest rate or deferral of interest or principal payments, due to the borrower’s financial condition.

Management considers all nonaccrual loans, other loans past due 90 days or more, and restructured loans to be impaired.  In most cases, loan payments that are past due less than 90 days, based on contractual terms, are considered minor collection delays, and the related loans are not considered to be impaired.


Allowance for loan losses

The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings.  Loans are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed.  Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The  allowance for loan losses consists of specific and general components.  The specific component relates to allowances established for individual impaired loans.  The general component relates to pools of loans segregated by loan type, and is based on historical loss experience adjusted by certain qualitative factors as determined by managemant and the board of directors.  The allowance for loan losses does not contain an unallocated component.

F-12

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
 
Interest and fees on loans

Interest on loans is accrued and included in operating income based on contractual rates applied to principal amounts outstanding.  The accrual of interest income is discontinued whenever reasonable doubt exists as to its collectibility and generally is discontinued when loans are past due 90 days, based on contractual terms, as to either principal or interest, or are otherwise considered impaired.  When the accrual of interest income is discontinued, all previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against interest income.  The accrual of interest on loans past due 90 days or more may be continued if the loan is well secured, and it is believed all principal and accrued interest income due on the loan will be realized, and the loan is in the process of collection.  A nonaccrual loan is restored to an accrual status when it is no longer delinquent and collectibility of interest and principal is no longer in doubt.

Loan origination fees, net of direct loan origination costs, are deferred and amortized as an adjustment of the loan's yield generally over the contractual life of the loan, utilizing the interest method.

Other real estate owned

Other real estate owned, if any, consists of properties acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure or other proceedings and is initially recorded at fair value at the date of foreclosure, which establishes a new cost basis.  After foreclosure, the properties are held for sale and are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs of disposal.  Any write-down to fair value at the time of acquisition is charged to the allowance for loan losses.  Properties are evaluated regularly to ensure the recorded amounts are supported by current fair values, and valuation allowances are recorded as necessary to reduce the carrying amount to fair value less estimated cost of disposal.  Revenue and expense from the operation of other real estate owned and valuation allowances are included in operations.  Costs relating to the development and improvement of the property are capitalized, subject to the limit of fair value of the collateral.  Gains or losses are included in operations upon disposal.
 
Premises and equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost for purchased assets, and, for assets under capital lease, at the lower of fair value or the net present value of the minimum lease payments required over the term of the lease, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of the terms of the related leases or the estimated economic lives of the improvements.  Depreciation is charged to operations using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets which range from 3 to 20 years.  Gains and losses on dispositions are recognized upon realization.  Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred and improvements are capitalized.

F-13

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
 
Goodwill

During 2008, in connection with a business combination, the Company recorded goodwill. Goodwill represents the cost of acquired assets in excess of value ascribed to net tangible assets. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” goodwill is not amortized, and is evaluated for impairment annually. Goodwill of $238,440 is included in other assets at December 31, 2008, and based upon management’s annual impairment evaluation, goodwill was not impaired at December 31, 2008.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Long-lived assets, including premises and equipment and goodwill, which are held and used by the Company, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  If impairment is indicated by that review, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value through a charge to noninterest expense.

Repurchase agreements

Repurchase agreements, which are classified as secured borrowings, generally mature within one to three days from the transaction date, and are reflected at the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction.  The Company may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities.

Income taxes

The Company files consolidated federal and state income tax returns.  The Company recognizes income taxes under the asset and liability method.  Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions  taken will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained.  The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any.  The evaluation of a tax position taken is considered by itself and not offset or aggregated with other positions.  Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit more than fifty percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority.

F-14

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
Interest and penalties related to income taxes, if any, are recorded within the provision for income taxes.

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a comprehensive model for recognizing, measuring, presenting and disclosing in the financial statements tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, The Company was required to adopt FIN 48 in 2007, and the adoption of this statement had no impact on the Company’s financial statements. In accordance with FIN 48, the Company evaluates each tax position taken and recognizes a liability for any tax position deemed less likely than not to be sustained under examination by the relevant taxing authorities. The Company’s open tax years that remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authorities are 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Share-based compensation

Share-based compensation is recorded in accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment”, (“SFAS No. 123(R)”). SFAS No. 123(R) requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. That cost is measured based on the fair value of the equity or the liability instruments issued. SFAS No. 123(R) covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including stock options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans. SFAS No. 123(R) requires entities to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for stock awards based on the grant-date fair value of the award, and to recognize the cost over the period the employee is required to provide services for the award. SFAS No. 123(R) permits entities to use any option-pricing model that meets the fair value objective in the statement. Compensation cost has been measured using the fair value of an award on the grant dates and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period.

Related party transactions

Directors and officers of the Company and the Bank and their affiliates have been customers of and have had transactions with the Bank, and it is expected that such persons will continue to have such transactions in the future.  Management believes that all deposit accounts, loans, services and commitments comprising such transactions were made in the ordinary course of business, and on substantially the same terms, including interest rates, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other customers who are not directors or officers.  In the opinion of management, the transactions with related parties did not involve more than normal risks of collectibility or favored treatment or terms, or present other unfavorable features.  Note 16 contains details regarding related party transactions.

F-15

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
 
Comprehensive income

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income.  Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, are reported as a separate component of the shareholders’ equity section of the balance sheets, such items, along with net income or loss, are components of comprehensive income.

Segment Reporting

The Company has three reporting segments for purposes of reporting business line results, Community Banking, Mortgage Brokerage and the Holding Company. The Community Banking segment is defined as all operating results of the Bank. The Mortgage Brokerage segment is defined as the results of Evergreen and the Holding Company segment is defined as the results of Southern Connecticut Bancorp. on an unconsolidated or standalone basis.  Prior to August 1, 2008, the Company did not have mortgage brokerage operations, and the Holding Company’s activities were solely related to the Bank’s operations. Therefore, prior to the period ended September 30, 2008, the Company had only one operating segment, Community Banking.  Because Evergreen is a subsidiary new to Mortgage Brokerage operations, methodologies and organizational hierarchies are newly developed and will be subject to periodic review and revision. The Company uses an internal reporting system to generate information by operating segment. Estimates and allocations are used for noninterest expenses.

Fair value

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”).  SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurement.  SFAS No. 157 also emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and sets out a fair value hierarchy with the highest priority being quoted prices in active markets.  Under SFAS No. 157, the three categories within the hierarchy are as follows:


 
Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
     
 
Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active; and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
     
 
F-16

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
 
Level 3
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to determining the fair value of the assets or liabilities.  Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, which permits a one-year deferral for the implementation of SFAS No. 157 with regard to nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis.

In October 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset is Not Active (“FSP No. 157-3”).  FSP No. 157-3 amends SFAS No. 157 and clarifies its application in an inactive market.  In reaction to the recent financial crisis, this FSP provides clarification as to whether to use direct market information or internally generated estimates of the fair value of financial assets when a market is not active.  Application issues addressed by FSP No. 157-3 include: i) how management’s internal assumptions should be considered when measuring fair value when relevant observable data do not exist, ii) how observable market information in a market that is not active should be considered when measuring fair value, and iii) how the use of market quotes should be considered when assessing the relevance of observable and unobservable data available to measure fair value.  FSP No. 157-3 was effective upon its October 10, 2008 issuance.  This FSP did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.

The Company adopted SFAS No. 157 for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008, except for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis for which delayed application is permitted as described above.  The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements, and the adoption of the remaining provisions of SFAS No. 157 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

See Note 17 for additional information regarding fair value.


 
Note 2.
Restrictions on Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company is required to maintain reserves against its  transaction accounts and non-personal time deposits.  At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company was required to have cash and liquid assets of approximately $428,000 and $655,000, respectively, to meet these requirements.  In addition, at both December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company was required to maintain $125,000 in the Federal Reserve Bank for clearing purposes.

F-17

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 


 
Note 3.
Available for Sale Securities

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and approximate fair values of available for sale securities at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
2008
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
                         
U.S. Government Sponsored Agency
  $ 4,996,409     $ 28,552     $ -     $ 5,024,961  
obligations
                               
Mortgage-backed securities
    105,386       -       (342 )     105,044  
    $ 5,101,795     $ 28,552     $ (342 )   $ 5,130,005  
                                 
                                 
           
Gross
   
Gross
         
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
2007
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
                                 
U.S. Government Sponsored Agency
  $ 5,199,956     $ -     $ (35,054 )   $ 5,164,902  
obligations
                               
Mortgage-backed securities
    105,417       -       (4,640 )     100,777  
    $ 5,305,373     $ -     $ (39,694 )   $ 5,265,679  


F-18

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
The following table presents the Company’s available for sale securities’ gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by the length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
 
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
2008
 
Value
   
Loss
   
Value
   
Loss
   
Value
   
Loss
 
U.S. Government
                                   
Sponsored Agency
                                   
obligations
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Mortgage-backed
                                               
securities
    -       -       105,044       342       105,044       342  
Totals
  $ -     $ -     $ 105,044     $ 342     $ 105,044     $ 342  
                                                 
                                                 
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
         
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
2007
 
Value
   
Loss
   
Value
   
Loss
   
Value
   
Loss
 
U.S. Government
                                               
Sponsored Agency
                                               
obligations
  $ 599,831     $ 168     $ 4,565,071     $ 34,886     $ 5,164,902     $ 35,054  
Mortgage-backed
                                               
securities
    -       -       100,777       4,640       100,777       4,640  
Totals
  $ 599,831     $ 168     $ 4,665,848     $ 39,526     $ 5,265,679     $ 39,694  
 
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had 2 and 10 available for sale securities in an unrealized loss position, respectively.  Management believes that none of the unrealized losses on available for sale securities are other than temporary because all of the unrealized losses in the Company’s investment portfolio are due to market interest rate changes related to debt and mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored agencies, which the Company has both the intent and the ability to hold until maturity or until the fair value fully recovers.  In addition, management considers the issuers of the securities to be financially sound and the Company will receive all contractual principal and interest related to these investments.

The amortized cost and fair value of available for sale debt securities at December 31, 2008 by contractual maturity are presented below.  Actual maturities of mortgage-backed securities may differ from contractual maturities because the mortgages underlying the securities may be called or repaid without any penalties.

F-19

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
Because mortgage-backed securities are not due at a single maturity date, they are not included in the maturity categories in the following summary:
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
 
             
Maturity:
           
Within one year
  $ -     $ -  
After 1 but within 5 years
    1,000,000       1,000,630  
After 5 but within 10 years
    2,496,409       2,513,546  
Over 10 years
    1,500,000       1,510,785  
Mortgage-backed securities
    105,386       105,044  
    $ 5,101,795     $ 5,130,005  
 
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, available for sale securities with a carrying value of $3,117,504 and $4,169,886, respectively, were pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements with Bank customers and to secure public deposits.

There were no sales of available for sale securities in 2008 and 2007.


F-20

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
Note 4.
Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses
 
A summary of the Company's loan portfolio at December 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
 
             
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Commercial loans secured by real estate
  $ 45,462,172     $ 38,821,133  
Commercial loans
    37,625,274       40,763,176  
Construction and land loans
    6,500,111       6,248,455  
Residential mortgages
    -       142,333  
Consumer home equity loans
    383,682       555,694  
Consumer installment loans
    552,156       794,597  
                    Total loans
    90,523,395       87,325,388  
Net deferred loan fees
    (98,594 )     (73,295 )
Allowance for loan losses
    (1,183,369 )     (1,256,965 )
                    Loans receivable, net
  $ 89,241,432     $ 85,995,128  
                 
Included in the 2007 amounts above are $3,736,880 of commercial loans secured by real estate, $3,092,344 of commercial loans, and $18,025 of consumer loans that are classified as loans receivable - branch disposed of.
 
 
 
The Company services certain loans that it has sold without recourse to third parties.  The aggregate of loans serviced for others approximated $4,574,000 and $7,021,000 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The balance of capitalized servicing rights, included in other assets at December 31, 2008 and 2007, was $26,302 and $53,613, respectively.  No impairment charges related to servicing rights were recognized during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007.

F-21

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 

The changes in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Balance,  beginning of year
  $ 1,256,965     $ 1,062,661  
   Provision for loan losses
    226,019       538,480  
   Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
               
      Commercial
    37,109       11,223  
      Consumer
    -       750  
         Total recoveries
    37,109       11,973  
   Loans charged-off:
               
      Commercial loans secured by real estate
    (90,215 )     -  
      Commercial
    (246,509 )     (356,149 )
         Total charge-offs
    (336,724 )     (356,149 )
Balance, end of year
  $ 1,183,369     $ 1,256,965  
                 
Net (charge-offs) recoveries to average loans
    (0.36 %)     (0.41 %)
                 
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the unpaid principal balances of loans placed on nonaccrual status were $881,948 and $530,246, respectively. In 2008 and 2007, there were no loans considered “troubled debt restructurings”. Accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more were $384,443 and $726,036 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The following information relates to impaired loans as of and for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:

   
2008
   
2007
 
             
    Impaired loans for which there is a specific allowance
  $ 538,727     $ 789,591  
                 
    Impaired loans for which there is no specific allowance
  $ 1,957,926     $ 86,413  
                 
    Allowance for loan losses related to impaired loans
  $ 162,571     $ 328,410  
                 
    Average recorded investment in impaired loans
  $ 1,978,934     $ 568,641  
 
Interest income collected and recognized on impaired loans was $143,278 and $2,248 in 2008 and 2007, respectively.  If nonaccrual loans had been current throughout their terms, additional interest income of approximately $111,212 and $95,781 would have been recognized in 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The Company has no commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans are impaired.

The Company’s lending activities were conducted principally in New Haven County of Connecticut.  The Company grants commercial and residential real estate loans, commercial business loans and a variety of consumer loans.  In addition, the Company may grant loans for the construction of residential homes, residential developments and land development projects.  All residential and commercial mortgage loans are collateralized by first or second mortgages on real estate.  The ability and willingness of borrowers to satisfy their loan obligations is dependent in large part upon the status of the regional economy and regional real estate market.  Accordingly, the ultimate collectibility of a substantial portion of the loan portfolio and the recovery of a substantial portion of any resulting real estate acquired is susceptible to changes in market conditions.

F-22

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
The Company has established credit policies applicable to each type of lending activity in which it engages, evaluates the creditworthiness of each customer on an individual basis and, when deemed appropriate, obtains collateral.  Collateral varies by each borrower and loan type.  The market value of collateral is monitored on an ongoing basis and additional collateral is obtained when warranted.  Important types of collateral include business assets, real estate, automobiles, marketable securities and time deposits.  While collateral provides assurance as a secondary source of repayment, the Company ordinarily requires the primary source of repayment to be based on the borrower’s ability to generate continuing cash flows.

Note 5.                                Premises and Equipment

At December 31, 2008 and 2007, premises and equipment consisted of the following:
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Land
  $ 255,766     $ 255,766  
Premises under capital lease
    1,192,036       1,192,036  
Buildings and improvements
    678,492       677,474  
Leasehold improvements
    1,027,390       1,510,627  
Furniture and fixtures
    527,969       706,441  
Equipment
    913,186       898,849  
Software
    91,134       82,601  
      4,685,973       5,323,794  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (1,931,820 )     (1,746,074 )
    $ 2,754,153     $ 3,577,720  
                 
Included in the 2007 amounts above are $464,855 of leasehold improvements, $148,905 of furniture and fixtures, and $42,501 of equipment, net of accumulated depreciation classified as premises and equipment - branch disposed of.
 
 
               
 
For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, depreciation and amortization expense related to premises and equipment totaled $300,165 and $407,156, respectively.

F-23

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
Premises under capital lease of $1,192,036, and related accumulated amortization of $403,699 and $344,098, as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, are included in premises and equipment.

Note 6.                                Deposits
 
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, deposits consisted of the following:

   
2008
   
2007
 
Noninterest bearing (1)
  $ 28,214,381     $ 27,798,388  
                 
Interest bearing: (1)
               
   Checking
    5,685,490       5,792,493  
   Money Market
    26,578,024       40,721,374  
   Savings
    1,492,378       1,654,000  
   Time certificates, less than $100,000
    18,066,157       16,600,048  
   Time certificates, $100,000 or more
    13,933,594       14,856,089  
    Total interest bearing
    65,755,643       79,624,004  
                 
          Total deposits
  $ 93,970,024     $ 107,422,392  

(1) Included in the 2007 amounts above are $4,187,632 and $5,712,101 that are classified as noninterest bearing deposits - branch disposed of and interest bearing deposits - branch disposed of, respectively.
(2) Included in time certificates of deposit under $100,000 at December 31, 2008 and December 2007 were brokered  deposits totaling $2,252,167 and $0 respectively.
(3) Included in time certificates of deposits of $100,000 and over at December 31, 2008 and December 2007 were brokered  deposits totaling $1,948,969 and $0 respectively.

Brokered deposits at December 31, 2008 represented:
 
Bank customer time certificates of deposit placed through CDARS to ensure
 
           FDIC coverage
  $
2,201,901
 
Time certificates of deposit purchased by the Bank
 
           through CDARS
   
               1,999,235
 
         Total brokered deposits
  $
4,201,136
 
There were no brokered deposits at December 31, 2007.
 

Contractual maturities of time certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2008 are summarized below:

               Due within:
       
                    1 year
   
       27,614,984
 
                    1-2 years
   
         1,142,832
 
                    2-3 years
   
         2,940,393
 
                    3-4 years
   
            170,737
 
                    4-5 years
   
            130,805
 
    $
31,999,751
 

Interest expense on certificates of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or more was $499,111 and $759,076 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 

F-24

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
 
Note 7.                                Commitments and Contingencies

Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings and stock

The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLB”).  At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Bank had the ability to borrow from the FHLB based on a certain percentage of the value of the Bank’s qualified collateral, as defined in the FHLB Statement of Products Policy, at the time of the borrowing.  In accordance with an agreement with the FHLB, the qualified collateral must be free and clear of liens, pledges and encumbrances.  There were no borrowings outstanding with the FHLB at December 31, 2008 and 2007.

The Bank is required to maintain an investment in capital stock of the FHLB in an amount equal to a percentage of its outstanding mortgage loans and contracts secured by residential properties, including mortgage-backed securities.  No ready market exists for FHLB stock and it has no quoted market value.  For disclosure purposes, such stock is assumed to have a market value which is equal to cost since the Bank can redeem the stock with FHLB at cost.

Employment agreements

 On February 8, 2008, the Company entered into an employment agreement with the Executive Vice President (EVP) of the Bank effective January 1, 2008 (the “EVP Agreement”).  Under the EVP Agreement, the EVP will serve as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company through December 31, 2009, unless the Company terminates the EVP Agreement earlier under the terms of the EVP Agreement.  The EVP will receive a base salary that increases over the term of the agreement and is eligible for salary increases and other merit bonuses at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors.

The EVP received 6,000 shares of restricted stock that vest 50% on December 31, 2008 and 50% on December 31, 2009.  The EVP is provided with health and life insurance, is reimbursed for certain business expenses, and is eligible to participate in the profit sharing or 401(k) plan of the Company (or its subsidiary).

If the EVP’s employment is terminated as a result of a business combination (as defined), the EVP will, subject to certain conditions, be entitled to receive a lump sum payment in an amount equal to two times the total of the EVP's then current base annual salary plus the amount of any bonus for the prior calendar year in the event that the employee is not offered a position with the remaining entity at the EVP's then current base annual salary.  The EVP is also entitled to a continuation of benefits under the EVP Agreement for the balance of the unexpired term of his employment, which will be paid at his option as a lump sum payment or ratably over the balance of the unexpired term. 

If the EVP’s employment is terminated for any reason (other than for cause, or as the result of his death or disability), he will be entitled to a continuation of benefits under the EVP Agreement for the balance of the unexpired term of his employment, which will be paid at his option as a lump sum payment or ratably over the balance of the unexpired term.

F-25

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
The Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company was appointed by the Board of Directors to assume the additional position of President of the Company and the Bank effective on April 3, 2008.

The Company entered into an employment agreement with its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective May 5, 2008.  Under the agreement, he will serve as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company through May 4, 2010, unless the Company terminates  the agreement earlier under the terms of the agreement.  The Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer will receive a base salary that increases over the term of the agreement and is eligible for salary increases and other merit bonuses at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors.

The Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer received 3,000 shares of restricted stock that vest one third on May 5, 2009,  one third May 5, 2010 and one third on May 5, 2011.  The Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer is provided with health and life insurance, is reimbursed for certain business expenses, and is eligible to participate in the profit sharing or 401(k) plan of the Company (or its subsidiary).

If the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer employment is terminated as a result of a business combination (as defined), the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer will, subject to certain conditions, be entitled to receive a lump sum payment in an amount equal to two times the total of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer’s then current base annual salary plus the amount of any bonus for the prior calendar year in the event that the employee is not offered a position with the remaining entity at his then current base annual salary.  The Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer is also entitled to a continuation of benefits under the terms of his agreement for the balance of the unexpired term of his employment, which will be paid at his option as a lump sum payment or ratably over the balance of the unexpired term.

Litigation

The Company and the Bank are being sued by a former officer for age discrimination and breach of contract in connection with the officer’s layoff as part of a reduction in staff announced by the Bank in July 2008. The officer notified the Company of his claim on September 29, 2008.  The only parties to the dispute are the Company, the Bank and the officer.  The officer is seeking unspecified damages. The matter is currently pending.  The Company believes that the officer’s claims are without merit and intends to defend this case vigorously.

F-26

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 


Note 8.                                Lease and Subleases

The Company leases the Bank’s main and Branford branch offices under twenty-year capital leases that expire in 2021 and 2022, respectively.  Under the terms of the leases, the Bank will pay all executory costs including property taxes, utilities and insurance.  In 2006, the Company entered into an operating lease for its North Haven branch.  The Company also leases the driveway to its main office and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating leases.
 
At December 31, 2008, future minimum lease payments to be made under these leases by year and in the aggregate, are as follows:
 
             
   
Capital
   
Operating
 
Year
 
Leases
   
Leases
 
             
2009
  $ 183,087     $ 54,154  
2010
    187,609       50,382  
2011
    206,741       53,214  
2012
    214,357       54,635  
2013
    219,204       47,408  
2014 and thereafter
    1,811,968       600,735  
      2,822,966     $ 860,528  
Less amount representng interest
    (1,642,028 )        
                 
                 
Present value of future minimum lease
         
   payments - capital lease obligation
  $ 1,180,938          
 
Total rent expense charged to operations under the operating leases approximated $82,700 and $113,800 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  Rental income under subleases, and a lease of space in premises owned, approximated $9,900 and $30,300 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. There were no subleases at December 31, 2008.

F-27

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
 

Note 9.                                Income Taxes

A reconciliation of the anticipated income tax expense (benefit) (computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate of 34% to the income (loss) before income taxes) to the amount reported in the statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:

   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Expense (benefit) for income taxes at statutory Federal rate
    45,475       (195,052 )
State tax benefit, net of Federal benefit
    7,115       (27,902 )
(Decrease) increase in valuation allowance
    (36,419 )     239,267  
Other
    (16,171 )     (16,313 )
    $ -     $ -  
 
F-28

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the components of gross deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
 
             
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Deferred tax assets:
           
   Allowance for loan losses
  $ 460,922     $ 489,588  
   Net operating loss carryforwards
    763,460       810,896  
   Postretirement benefits
    116,348       160,468  
   Unrealized loss on available for sale securities
    -       15,461  
   Other
    339,002       282,003  
    Gross deferred tax assets
    1,679,732       1,758,416  
   Less valuation allowance
    (1,599,496 )     (1,662,364 )
    Deferred tax assets - net of valuation allowance
    80,236       96,052  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
   Tax bad debt reserve
    63,319       57,378  
   Unrealized gain on available for sale securities
    10,987       -  
   Depreciation
    5,930       38,674  
    Gross deferred tax liabilities
    80,236       96,052  
                 
    Net deferred taxes
  $ -     $ -  
                 
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had tax net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $2,103,000 and $2,076,000 available to reduce future Federal and state taxable income, respectively, which expire in 2021 through 2028.
 
 
The net changes in the valuation allowance for 2008 and 2007 were a decrease of $62,868 in 2008, and an increase of $157,323 in 2007.  The changes in the valuation allowance have been allocated between operations and equity to adjust the deferred tax asset to an amount considered by management more likely than not to be realized.  The portion of the change in the valuation allowance allocated to equity is to eliminate the tax benefit related to the unrealized holding losses on available for sale securities.

During 2007, the Company had a tax deduction for compensation related to the shares issued to the former Chairman that exceeded the book compensation recorded for such shares and predecessor stock options.  The tax benefit for this excess tax deduction is typically recorded as an increase to shareholders’ equity.  However, because the Company is in a net operating loss position for tax purposes and has a full valuation allowance recorded for its net deferred tax asset, the Company did not record the tax benefit of this deduction in 2007, and will not record such benefit until the Company’s net operating losses are fully utilized.  At both December 31, 2008 and 2007, approximately $140,000 of net operating losses resulting from this deduction, and related tax benefit of approximately $55,000, have been excluded from the calculation of deferred tax assets.

F-29

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
Note 10.                      Shareholders’ Equity

Stock repurchases

In November of 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the adoption of a Stock Repurchase Program of up to 147,186 shares of its common stock representing 5% of its outstanding common stock.  The Company completed this stock repurchase program in July 2008.

On July 15, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the adoption of an additional Stock Repurchase Program of up to 141,126 shares representing 5% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Company completed this stock repurchase program in December 2008.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company repurchased 288,312 of its shares for an aggregate purchase price of $1,820,312.

Loss per share

The Company is required to present basic income (loss) per share and diluted income (loss) per share in its statements of operations.  Basic and diluted loss per share are computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted per share amounts assume exercise of all potential common stock instruments unless the effect is to reduce the loss or increase the income per share.  Weighted average shares outstanding were 2,849,332 and 2,945,289 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  Weighted average dilutive shares outstanding were 2,857,968 and 2,945,289 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

F-30

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 

For the Year Ended December 31,
 
2008
   
2007
 
         
Weighted
               
Weighted
       
   
Net
   
Average
   
Amount
   
Net
   
Average
   
Amount
 
   
Income
   
Shares
   
Per Share
   
Loss
   
Shares
   
Per Share
 
BasicIncome (Loss) Per Share
                                   
Income (Loss) available to common shareholders
  $ 133,749       2,849,332     $ 0.05     $ (573,681 )     2,945,289     $ (0.19 )
Effect of Dilutive Securities
                                               
Warrants/Stock Options outstanding/Restricted Stock
    -       8,636       -       -       -       -  
Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share
                                               
Income (Loss) available to common
                                               
shareholders plus assumed conversions
  $ 133,749       2,857,968     $ 0.05     $ (573,681 )     2,945,289     $ (0.19 )
                                                 
 
Share-based plans

The Company has adopted three share-based plans, the 2001 Stock Option Plan (the “2001 Plan”), the 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “2002 Plan”), and the 2005 Stock Option and Award Plan (the “2005 Plan”), under which an aggregate of 460,012 shares of the Company’s common stock are reserved for issuance of the Company’s common stock, or upon the exercise of incentive options, nonqualified options and restricted stock granted under the share-based plans.

Under all three plans, the exercise price for each share covered by an option may not be less than the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.  For incentive options granted to a person who owns more than 10% of the combined voting power of the Company or any subsidiary (“ten percent shareholder”), the exercise price cannot be less than 110% of the fair market value on the date of grant.

Options under all three plans have a term of ten years unless otherwise determined at the time of grant, except that incentive options granted to any ten percent shareholder will have a term of five years unless a shorter term is fixed.  Under the 2001 and 2002 plans, unless otherwise fixed at the time of grant, 40% of the options become exercisable one year from the date of grant, and 30% of the options become exercisable at each of the second and third anniversaries from the date of grant.  Under the 2005 plan, the vesting terms of the awards is determined at the date of grant.  Dividends are not paid on unexercised options.

Also, under the 2005 Plan, awards in the form of the Company’s common stock may be granted.  The vesting terms of the awards are determined at the time of the grant.
Upon adoption of the 2002 Option Plan in May 2002, the Company determined that no additional options will be granted under the 2001 Option Plan.

F-31

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
 
A summary of the status of stock options at December 31, 2008, and changes during the year then ended, is as follows:
                 

   
2008
 
               
Weighted-
       
         
Weighted-
   
Average
       
   
Number
   
Average
   
Remaining
   
Aggregate
 
   
of
   
Exercise
   
Contractual
   
Intrinsic
 
   
Shares
   
Price
   
Term
   
Value
 
Outstanding at beginning of year
    319,075     $ 7.69       6.6        
Granted
    -       -                
Exercised
    -       -                
Exchanged
    -       -                
Forfeited
    (116,312 )     7.11                
Outstanding at end of year
    202,763       7.79       5.6     $ -  
                                 
Vested or expected to vest at
                               
the end of year
    200,840     $ 7.78       5.5     $ -  
                                 
Exercisable at end of year
    195,263     $ 7.80       5.5     $ -  
                                 
                                 

There were no stock options granted in 2008 and 2007.  The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2007 was $21.  There were no stock options exercised in 2008.

The fair value of options exchanged for shares during the year ended December 31, 2007 was estimated at the grant or exchange date using the Black-Sholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

   
 2007
       
Dividend rate
 
 -
       
Risk free rate
 
 2.99% to 3.32%
       
Expected term (in years)
 
 2.63 years - 4.50 years
       
Weighted-average volatility
 
 23%
       
Expected volatility
 
 23%
       
                 

The exchange of options for shares during the year ended December 31, 2007 consisted of 115,500 options exchanged for 20,532 shares.  The exchange was accounted for as a modification to the stock options and as a result, the incremental fair value of the shares over the fair value of the options  of $10,013 was charged to operations.

F-32

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
A summary of the status of the Company's nonvested shares related to restricted stock at December 31, 2008 and changes during the year then ended is as follows:
 
             
   
2008
 
         
Weighted-
 
   
Number
   
Average
 
   
of
   
Grant-Date
 
   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
Nonvested restricted stock at beginning
           
  of the year
    6,000     $ 7.35  
Granted
    15,000       7.37  
Vested and Issued
    (6,750 )     7.43  
Forfeited
    (4,500 )     7.30  
Nonvested restricted stock at end of the year
    9,750       7.35  
                 
The fair value of nonvested shares is determined based on the trading price of the Company's shares on the grant date.
 
                 
As of December 31, 2008, there was $5,260 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested options granted under the option plans and $63,487 of total unrecognized compensation related to restricted stock. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.7 years. During the year ended December 31, 2008, $20,119 for options and $55,011 for restricted stock, was recognized as compensation cost. During the year ended December 31, 2007, $48,367 for options and $28,211 for restricted stock, was recognized as compensation cost. No tax benefit related to the compensation cost was recognized due to the uncertainty of realizing the tax benefit in the future.
 
 
Director fees paid in stock charged to noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $19,509.

Stock warrants

The Company adopted the 2001 Warrant Plan and the 2001 Supplemental Warrant Plan (the “Warrant Plans”), under which an aggregate of 77,184 shares of the Company’s common stock are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of warrants granted to non-employee directors of the Company and the Bank, and certain other individuals involved in the organization of the Bank.

Warrants under the Warrant Plans have a term of ten years.  Forty percent of the warrants became exercisable one year from the date of grant, and 30% of the warrants became exercisable at each of the second and third anniversaries from the date of grant.

F-33

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
 
A summary of the status of the warrants at December 31, 2008, and changes during the year then ended, is as follows:
 
 
                       
                         
     
2008
 
               
Weighted-
       
         
Weighted-
   
Average
       
   
Number
   
Average
   
Remaining
   
Aggregate
 
   
of
   
Exercise
   
Contractual
   
Intrinsic
 
   
Shares
   
Price
   
Term
   
Value
 
Outstanding at beginning of year
    77,184     $ 10.39              
Granted
    -                      
Exercised
    -                      
Terminated
    -                      
Outstanding at end of year
    77,184     $ 10.39       2.7     $ -  
                                 
Exercisable and vested at end of year
    77,184     $ 10.39       2.7     $ -  
                                 
 
 
Note 11.      401(k) Profit Sharing Plan

The Bank’s employees are eligible to participate in The Bank of Southern Connecticut 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the “Plan”) under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Plan covers substantially all employees of the Bank.  Under the terms of the Plan, participants can contribute a discretionary percentage of compensation, with total annual contributions subject to Federal limitations.  The Bank may make discretionary contributions to the Plan.  Participants are immediately vested in their contributions and become fully vested in employer contributions after three years of service.  There were $30,000 and $0 in discretionary contributions made by the Bank during 2008 and 2007, respectively. The $30,000 in discretionary contributions made by the Bank in 2008 had been accrued for in 2007. The Company has not accrued a discretionary contribution for 2008.

Note 12.      Business Combination

On August 1, 2008, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, SCB Capital, Inc. purchased assets of Evergreen Financial LLC (“Evergreen”) for $180,000. Based upon terms of the asset purchase, on August 1, 2008, SCB Capital, Inc. made a cash payment of $80,000 to Evergreen and recorded the balance due of $100,000 as a liability. The remaining balance due for the assets purchased by SCB Capital, Inc. will be satisfied with payments of $50,000 on August 1, 2009 and $50,000 on August 1, 2010. The Company incurred legal fees and assumed liabilities for certain employee benefits totaling $65,790 relating to the transaction.


F-34

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 


The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:

Assets:
 
August 1, 2008
 
Furniture and equipment
  $ 7,350  
         
Goodwill
    238,440  
         
Total assets acquired
    245,790  
         
         
Liabilities:
       
Liabilities assumed
    15,696  
         
Total liabilities assumed
    15,696  
         
Net assets acquired
  $ 230,094  
         
Cash Paid
  $ 130,094  
         
Payable to  seller
    100,000  
         
Total
  $ 230,094  
         

Note 13.      Segment Reporting

The Company has three reporting segments for purposes of reporting business line results, Community Banking, Mortgage Brokerage and the Holding Company. The Community Banking segment is defined as all operating results of the Bank. The Mortgage Brokerage segment is defined as the results of Evergreen and the Holding Company segment is defined as the results of Southern Connecticut Bancorp on an unconsolidated or standalone basis.  Prior to August 1, 2008, the Company did not have mortgage brokerage operations, and the Holding Company’s activities were solely related to the Bank’s operations. Therefore, prior to the period ended September 30, 2008, the Company had only one operating segment, Community Banking.  Because Evergreen is a subsidiary new to Mortgage Brokerage operations, methodologies and organizational hierarchies are newly developed and will be subject to periodic review and revision. The following represents the operating results and total assets for the segments of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008. The Company uses an internal reporting system to generate information by operating segment. Estimates and allocations are used for noninterest expenses.

F-35

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 


Information about the reporting segments and reconciliation of such information to the consolidated financial statements follows:

Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
   
Community
   
Mortgage
   
Holding
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
   
Banking
   
Brokerage
   
Company
   
Entries
   
Total
 
Net interest income
  $ 4,700,684     $ 3,000     $ 56,371     $ -     $ 4,760,055  
                                         
Provision for loan losses
    226,019               -       -       226,019  
                                         
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    4,474,665       3,000       56,371       -       4,534,036  
                                         
Noninterest Income
    1,663,651       -       2,974       -       1,666,625  
                                         
Noninterest expense
    5,777,307       100,935       188,670       -       6,066,912  
                                         
Net income (loss)
    361,009       (97,935 )     (129,325 )     -       133,749  
                                         
Goodwill
    -       238,440       -       -       238,440  
                                         
Total assets as of December 31, 2008
    113,161,319       336,959       18,555,881       (17,137,597 )     114,916,562  
                                         
Note 14.                         Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk

In the normal course of business, the Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the financial statements.  The contractual amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments.

The contractual amounts of commitments to extend credit represents the amounts of potential accounting loss should  the contract be fully drawn upon, the customer default, and the value of any existing collateral become worthless.  The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments and evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.  Management believes that the Company controls the credit risk of these financial instruments through credit approvals, credit limits, monitoring procedures and the receipt of collateral as deemed necessary.

F-36

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk are as follows at December 31:
 
             
   
2008
   
2007
 
Commitments to extend credit
           
    Future loan commitments
  $ 16,398,484     $ 4,348,250  
    Unused lines of credit
    23,157,442       27,961,313  
    Undisbursed construction loans
    237,000       663,931  
    Financial standby letters of credit
    3,570,308       4,225,778  
    $ 43,363,234     $ 37,199,272  
                 
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments to extend credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee by the borrower.  Since these commitments could expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counter party.  Collateral held varies, but may include residential and commercial property, deposits and securities.

Standby letters of credit are written commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.  Guarantees that are not derivative contracts have been recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at their fair value at inception.  The liability related to guarantees recorded at December 31, 2008 and 2007 was not significant.

Note 15.                      Regulatory Matters

The Company (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank 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 the Company’s and the Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The 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 the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum 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, 2008, that the Company and the Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

F-37

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
As of December 31, 2008, the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the State of Connecticut Department of Banking categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the table.  There are no conditions or events since then, that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

Evergreen offers mortgage brokerage services and is licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Banking to operate a mortgage brokerage business. Minimum Net Worth requirements for mortgage brokers at December 31, 2008 were $25,000. Effective March 2, 2009, the State of Connecticut Department of Banking State increased the Minimum Net Worth requirement to $50,000.

F-38

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
The Company's and the Bank's actual capital amounts and ratios at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were
 
(dollars in thousands):
                                   
                           
To Be Well
 
                           
Capitalized Under
 
               
For Capital
   
Prompt Corrective
 
2008
 
Actual
   
Adequacy Purposes
   
Action Provisions
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
The Company:
                                   
                                     
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
  $ 19,696       18.46 %   $ 8,537       8.00 %     N/A       N/A  
Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
    18,275       17.13 %     4,268       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
Tier 1 (Leverage) Capital to Average Assets
    18,275       15.64 %     4,673       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
                                                 
                                   
To Be Well
 
                                   
Capitalized Under
 
                   
For Capital
   
Prompt Corrective
 
   
Actual
   
Adequacy Purposes
   
Action Provisions
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
The Bank:
                                               
                                                 
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
  $ 17,938       17.09 %   $ 8,396       8.00 %   $ 10,495       10.00 %
Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
    16,755       15.96 %     4,198       4.00 %     6,297       6.00 %
Tier 1 (Leverage) Capital to Average Assets
    16,755       14.55 %     4,607       4.00 %     5,759       5.00 %
                                                 
                                   
To Be Well
 
                                   
Capitalized Under
 
                   
For Capital
   
Prompt Corrective
 
2007
 
Actual
   
Adequacy Purposes
   
Action Provisions
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
The Company:
                                               
                                                 
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
  $ 21,381       19.97 %   $ 8,565       8.00 %     N/A       N/A  
Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
    20,124       18.80 %     4,282       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
Tier 1 (Leverage) Capital to Average Assets
    20,124       15.08 %     5,338       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
                                                 
                                   
To Be Well
 
                                   
Capitalized Under
 
                   
For Capital
   
Prompt Corrective
 
   
Actual
   
Adequacy Purposes
   
Action Provisions
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
The Bank:
                                               
                                                 
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
  $ 18,054       17.34 %   $ 8,329       8.00 %   $ 10,412       10.00 %
Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
    16,797       16.13 %     4,165       4.00 %     6,248       6.00 %
Tier 1 (Leverage) Capital to Average Assets
    16,797       12.88 %     5,216       4.00 %     6,521       5.00 %
                                                 
 
F-39

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
Restrictions on dividends, loans or advances

The Company’s ability to pay cash dividends is dependent on the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Company.  However, certain restrictions exist regarding the ability of the Bank to transfer funds to the Company in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances.  Regulatory approval is required to pay cash dividends in excess of the Bank’s net earnings retained in the current year plus retained net earnings for the preceding two years.  The Bank is also prohibited from paying dividends that would reduce its capital ratios below minimum regulatory requirements, and the Federal Reserve Board may impose further dividend restrictions on the Company.  On October 23, 2008, the Bank declared a dividend of $403,000 payable to the Company.

Under Federal Reserve regulation, the Bank is also limited to the amount it may loan to the Company, unless such loans are collateralized by specified obligations.  Loans or advances to the Company by the Bank are limited to 10% of the Bank’s capital stock and surplus on a secured basis. During the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, no loans or advances were made to the Company by the Bank.

Note 16.                      Related Party Transactions

In the normal course of business, the Company may grant loans to executive officers, directors and members of their immediate families, as defined, and to entities in which these individuals have more than a 10% equity ownership.  Such loans are transacted at terms including interest rates, similar to those available to unrelated customers.

Changes in loans outstanding to such related parties during 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
             
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Balance, at beginning of year
  $ 670,057     $ 1,759,576  
Additional loans
    1,461,828       2,294,936  
Repayments
    (1,129,369 )     (2,387,338 )
Other
    (203,942 )     (997,117 )
Balance,end of year
  $ 798,574     $ 670,057  
                 
Other related party loan transactions represent loans to related parties who either became related parties, or ceased being related parties, during the year.
 
 
               
Related party deposits aggregated approximately $4,336,900 and $3,407,200 as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
 
               

Included in professional services for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $102,000 and $51,000, respectively, in consulting fees paid to the former Chairman, as well as $130,700 and $500, respectively, in legal fees incurred for services provided by law firms, principals of which were directors of the  Company.  During 2008 and 2007, the Company paid approximately $5,900 and $3,500, respectively, for capital expenditures and maintenance to certain companies, principals of which are directors of the Company.

F-40

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
Rental income and expense reimbursements of approximately $7,800 and $17,700 were received in 2008 and 2007, respectively, from a tenant, the principal of which is related to the Company’s Chairman.

Note 17.                      Fair Value and Interest Rate Risk

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  As defined in SFAS No. 157, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  In determining fair value, the Company uses various methods including market, income and cost approaches.  Based on these approaches, the Company often utilizes certain assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk or the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique.  These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable inputs.  The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  Based on the observability of the inputs used in the valuation techniques the Company is required to provide the following information according to the fair value hierarchy described in Note 1.  The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values.

A description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, and for estimating fair value for financial instruments not recorded at fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 107, “Disclosures About Fair Values of Financial Instruments” (“SFAS No. 107”), is set forth below.

Cash and due from banks, Federal funds sold, short-term investments, interest bearing certificates of deposit,  accrued interest receivable, Federal Home Loan Bank stock, accrued interest payable and repurchase agreements

The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value. The Company does not record these assets at fair value on a recurring basis.

Available for Sale Securities

These financial instruments are recorded at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.  If quoted prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models (i.e., matrix pricing) or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.  Examples of such instruments include government agency and sponsored agency bonds and mortgage-backed securities.  Level 3 securities are securities for which significant unobservable inputs are utilized.

F-41

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
Loans held for sale

The fair value is based on prevailing market prices.  The Company records these assets at fair value on a recurring basis.

Loans receivable

For variable rate loans which reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk, carrying values are a reasonable estimate of fair values, adjusted for credit losses inherent in the portfolios.  The fair value of fixed rate loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using estimated year end market rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities, adjusted for credit losses inherent in the portfolios.  The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis.  However, from time to time, nonrecurring fair value adjustments to collateral-dependent impaired loans are recorded to reflect partial write-downs based on the observable market price or current appraised value of collateral.

Servicing assets

The fair value is based on market prices for comparable servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income.  The Company records these assets at fair value on a recurring basis.

Interest only strips

The fair value is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future cash flows.  The Company records these assets at fair value on a recurring basis.

Deposits

The fair value of demand deposits, savings and money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date.  The fair value of certificates of deposit is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities, estimated using local market data, to a schedule of aggregated expected maturities on such deposits.  The Company does not record deposits at fair value on a recurring basis.

Off-balance-sheet instruments

Fair values for the Company’s off-balance-sheet instruments (lending commitments) are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit standing. The Company does not record its off-balance-sheet instruments at fair value on a recurring basis.

F-42

 
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
The following table details the financial instruments carried at fair value and measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2008 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine the fair value:
 
   
Balance
as of
December 31, 2008
   
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
                         
Available for sale securities
  $ 5,130,005     $ -     $ 5,130,005     $ -  
                                 
                                 
   
Balance
as of
December 31, 2008
   
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
                                 
Financial assets held at fair value
                               
    Impaired loans (1)
  $ 2,248,920     $ -     $ -     $ 2,248,920  
                                 
(1)   Represents carrying value and related write-downs for which adjustments are based on appraised value.
 
Management makes adjustments to the appraised values as necessary to consider declines in real
 
estate values since the time of the appraisal. Such adjustments are based on management's
         
knowledge of the local real estate markets.
                         
 
The Company will apply the fair value measurement and disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 157 effective January 1, 2009 to nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis.  The Company may measure the fair value of the following on a nonrecurring basis: (1) long-lived assets; and (2) other real estate owned.

SFAS No. 107 requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the statement of financial condition, for which it is practicable to estimate that value.  SFAS No. 107 excludes certain financial instruments from its disclosure requirements.  Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.

F-43

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
The estimated fair value amounts for 2008 and 2007 have been measured as of their respective year-ends and have not been reevaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates.  As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than amounts reported at each year-end.

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


F-44

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
The following is a summary of the recorded book balances and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2008 and 2007, in thousands:

   
2008
   
2007
 
   
Recorded
         
Recorded
       
   
Book
         
Book
       
   
Balance
   
Fair Value
   
Balance
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Financial Assets:
                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 5,267,439     $ 5,267,439     $ 3,891,258     $ 3,891,258  
Federal funds sold
    -       -       21,100,000       21,100,000  
Short-term investments
    8,637,450       8,637,450       8,355,686       8,355,686  
Interest bearing certificates of deposit
    1,642,612       1,642,612       -       -  
Available for sale securities
    5,130,005       5,130,005       5,265,679       5,265,679  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    66,100       66,100       66,100       66,100  
Loans receivable, net
    89,241,432       91,679,000       85,995,128       86,861,000  
Loans held for sale
    -       -       354,606       354,606  
Accrued interest receivable
    411,729       411,729       533,690       533,690  
Servicing rights
    26,302       32,077       53,613       66,842  
Interest only strips
    34,643       37,887       63,470       80,004  
                                 
Financial Liabilities:
                               
Noninterest-bearing deposits
    28,214,381       28,214,381       27,798,388       27,798,388  
Interest bearing checking accounts
    5,685,490       5,685,490       5,792,493       5,792,493  
Money market deposits
    26,578,024       26,578,024       40,721,374       40,721,374  
Savings deposits
    1,492,378       1,492,378       1,654,000       1,654,000  
Time certificates of deposits
    31,999,751       32,371,000       31,456,137       31,919,000  
Repurchase agreements
    214,391       214,391       544,341       544,341  
Accrued interest payable
    152,052       152,052       182,909       182,909  
 
Unrecognized financial instruments

Loan commitments on which the committed interest rate is less than the current market rate are insignificant at December 31, 2008 and 2007.

F-45

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2008 and 2007

 
The Company assumes interest rate risk (the risk that general interest rate levels will change) as a result of its normal operations.  As a result, fair values of the Company’s financial instruments will change when interest rate levels change and that change may be either favorable or unfavorable to the Company.  Management attempts to match maturities of assets and liabilities to the extent believed necessary to minimize interest rate risk.  However, borrowers with fixed rate obligations are less likely to prepay in a rising rate environment and more likely to prepay in a falling rate environment.  Conversely, members who are receiving fixed rates are more likely to withdraw funds before maturity in a rising rate environment and less likely to do so in a falling rate environment.  Management monitors rates and maturities of assets and liabilities and attempts to minimize interest rate risk by adjusting terms of new loans and shares and by investing in securities with terms that mitigate the Company’s overall interest rate risk

Note 18.                      Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale

During 2007, the Company entered into an agreement for the sale of the majority of the assets and liabilities of its branch located in New London, Connecticut to another bank, and the sale was completed as of the close of business February 29, 2008.  As a result, at December 31, 2007, certain loans, premises and equipment and deposits aggregating approximately $6,847,000, $656,000 and $9,900,000, respectively, are classified as held for sale and are identified on the face of the balance sheet in their respective categories as being  part of “branch disposed of”.  The Company realized a gain of $874,912 in 2008 from the disposition of these assets and liabilities.

In June 2005, the Company purchased a one acre improved site with two buildings in Clinton, Connecticut for the primary purpose of establishing a branch office of the Bank.  During 2007, the Bank determined that it would not establish a branch at this location and subsequently retained a commercial real estate broker to represent the Company with respect to the sale of the property, and the property is classified as other assets held for sale as of December 31, 2008 and 2007.
 
F-46