10-K 1 d84884e10-k.txt FORM 10-K FOR FISCAL YEAR END DECEMBER 31, 2000 1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2000 Commission File Number 0-11928 AMERICAN BANCORP, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Louisiana 72-0951347 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) 321 East Landry Street Opelousas, Louisiana 70570 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, including area code: (337) 948-3056 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $5.00 Par Value (Title of Class) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (l) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No --- --- Indicate by check mark 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. [ ] The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates* of the registrant: $5,109,941 The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of December 31, 2000: Common Stock, $5.00 Par Value, 117,630 shares outstanding. Documents Incorporated by Reference Portions of the annual shareholders' report for the year ended December 31, 2000 are incorporated by reference into Parts I and II. Portions of the proxy statement for the annual shareholders meeting to be held April 11, 2001 are incorporated by reference into Part III. - 1 - 2 *For purposes of the computation, shares owned by executive officers, directors, 5% shareholders and shares by non-affiliates whose voting rights have been assigned to directors have been excluded. - 2 - 3 PART I Item 1. Business American Bancorp, Inc. (the Company) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Louisiana in 1982. On October 1, 1983, American Bank and Trust Company (the Bank) was reorganized as a subsidiary of the Company. Prior to October 1, 1983, the Company had no material activity. The Company is currently engaged, through its subsidiary, in banking and related business. The Bank is the Company's principal asset and primary source of revenue. The Bank The Bank, incorporated under the State Banking Laws on August 1, 1958 is in the business of gathering funds by accepting checking, savings, and other time-deposit accounts and reemploying these by making loans and investing in securities and other interest-bearing assets. The Bank is a full service commercial bank. Some of the major services which it provides include checking, NOW accounts, Money Market checking, savings, and other time deposits of various types, loans for business, agriculture, real estate, personal use, home improvement, automobile, and a variety of other types of loans and services including letters of credit, safe deposit boxes, bank money orders, wire transfer facilities, and electronic banking facilities. The State of Louisiana, through its various departments and agencies, deposits public funds with the Bank. However, as of December 31, 2000, the State of Louisiana did not have any funds on deposit with the Bank. The Bank's general market area is in St. Landry Parish, which has a population of approximately 81,939. Its primary market is Opelousas, which has a population of approximately 19,540, and has experienced little population growth over the past several years. The commercial banking business in St. Landry Parish is highly competitive. The Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980 and the Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982 have eliminated most, if not all, substantive distinctions between the services of commercial banks and thrift institutions. The Bank competes with two banks and two savings and loan institutions located in St. Landry Parish. The following is a list of banks and savings associations in this market with the total deposits and assets as of December 31, 2000.

- 3 - 4 Item 1. Business (continued) In addition to the institutions listed above, further competition is provided by banks and other financial institutions located in Lafayette, Louisiana, which is 20 miles south of Opelousas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the state capital, which is 60 miles east of St. Landry Parish. The banking industry is extensively regulated under both federal and state law. The Company is subject to regulation under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (BHCA) and to supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB). The BHCA requires the Company to obtain the prior approval of the FRB for bank acquisitions and prescribes certain limitations in connection with acquisitions and the non-banking activities of the Company. The Bank is subject to regulation and examination by the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA) further expanded the regulatory and enforcement powers of bank regulatory agencies. Among the significant provisions of FDICIA is the requirement that bank regulatory agencies prescribe standards relating to internal controls, information systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits. FDICIA mandates annual examinations of banks by their primary regulators. The banking industry is affected by the monetary and fiscal policies of the FRB. An important function of the FRB is to regulate the national supply of bank credit to moderate recessions and to curb inflation. Among the instruments of monetary policy used by the FRB to implement its objectives are: open-market operations of U.S. Government securities, changes in the discount rate and the federal funds rate (which is the rate banks charge each other for overnight borrowings) and changes in reserve requirements on bank deposits. Employees During 2000, the average number of full-time equivalent employees at the Bank was 45. This includes the officers of the Company that are listed under Item 1 below. There are no unions or bargaining units that represent the employees of the Bank. The relation between management and employees is considered to be good. - 4 - 5 Item 1. Business (continued) Executive Officers The executive officers of the Company are as follows:

None of the directors and executive officers of the Company or the Bank holds a directorship in any company with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of that Act or in any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Salvador L. Diesi, Sr. and Ronald J. Lashute are the nephews of J.C. Diesi. No other family relationships exist among the above named directors or executive officers of the Company. Supervision and Regulation The Bank is subject to regulation and regular examinations by the Louisiana Commissioner of Financial Institutions and by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Applicable regulations relate to reserves, investments, loans, issuance of securities, establishment of branches, and other aspects of its operations. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 ("FDICIA") further expanded the regulatory and enforcement powers of bank regulatory agencies. Among the significant provisions of FDICIA is the requirement that bank regulatory agencies prescribe standards relating to internal controls, information systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, compensation, fees and benefits. FDICIA mandates annual examinations of banks by their primary regulators. The Company is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the Act), and is thereby subject to the provisions of the Act and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Board). - 5 - 6 Item 1. Business (continued) The Act requires the Company to file with the Board an annual report containing such information as the Board may require. The Board is authorized by the Act to examine the Company and all of its activities. The activities that may be engaged in by the Company and its subsidiary are limited by the Act to those so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. In determining whether a particular activity is a proper incident to banking or managing or controlling banks, the Board must consider whether its performance by an affiliate of a holding company can reasonably be expected to produce benefits to the public, such as greater convenience, increased competition or gains in efficiency that outweigh possible adverse effects, such as undue concentration of resources, decreased or unfair competition, conflicts of interest, or unsound banking practices. The Board has adopted regulations implementing the provisions of the Act with respect to the non-banking activities of bank holding companies. Such regulations reflect a determination by the Board that certain specified activities are permissible for a bank holding company. An activity not listed in the regulation may be engaged in if, upon application, the Board determines that the activity meets the criteria described in the preceding paragraph. In each case, a bank holding company must secure the approval of the Board prior to engaging in any of these activities. Whether or not a particular non-banking activity is permitted under the Act, the Board is authorized to require a holding company to terminate any activity, or divest itself of any non-banking subsidiary, if in its judgment the activity or subsidiaries would be unsound. Under the Act and the Board's regulations, a bank holding company and its subsidiaries are prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in connection with any extension of credit or provision of any property or services. In some cases, the Company must receive the prior approval of the Board in order to repurchase or redeem its outstanding equity securities. With certain exceptions, the Subsidiary Bank is restricted by Sections 22 and 23A of the Federal Reserve Act from extending credit or making loans to or investments in the Company and certain other affiliates as defined in the Federal Reserve Act. Such transactions by the Subsidiary Bank with the Company or any such affiliate are limited in an amount to 10% of the Subsidiary Bank's capital and surplus. Furthermore, loans and extensions of credit are subject to various collateral requirements. The Louisiana bank holding company law, as amended (the "Louisiana Act"), permits bank holding companies to own more than one bank. In addition, a bank holding company and its subsidiaries may not engage in any insurance activity in which a bank may not engage. The Louisiana Commissioner of Financial Institutions is authorized to administer the Louisiana Act and to issue orders and regulations. The Board of Directors of the Company have no present plans or intentions to cause the Company to engage in any substantial business activity which would be permitted to it under the Act or the Louisiana Act but which is not permitted to the Bank; however, a significant reason for formation of the one-bank holding company is to take advantage of the additional flexibility afforded by that structure if the Board of Directors of the Company concludes that such action would be in the best interest of stockholders. - 6 - 7 Item 1. Business (continued) Statistical Information The following tables contain additional information concerning the business and operations of the Registrant and its subsidiary and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Registrant and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The 2000 Annual Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference under Item 8. Investment Portfolio The following table sets forth the carrying amount of Investment Securities at the dates indicated (in thousands of dollars):

- 7 - 8 Item 1. Business (continued) The following tables set forth the maturities of investment securities at December 31, 2000, 1999, and 1998 and the weighted average yields of such securities (in thousands of dollars):

- 8 - 9 Item 1. Business (continued)

- 9 - 10 Item 1. Business (continued)

* Weighted average yields have been computed on a fully tax-equivalent basis assuming a rate of 34% for 2000, 1999 and 1998. - 10 - 11 Item 1. Business (continued) Loan Portfolio Loans outstanding at the indicated dates are shown in the following table according to type of loan (in thousands of dollars):

Selected Loan Maturities The following table shows selected categories of loans outstanding as of December 31, 2000 which, based on remaining scheduled repayments of principal, are due in the amounts indicated. Also, the amounts are classified according to the sensitivity to the changes in interest rates (in thousands).

(l) Includes demand loans, loans having no stated schedule of repayments and no stated maturity and overdrafts. (2) The floating interest rate loans generally fluctuate according to a formula based on a prime rate. - 11 - 12 Item 1. Business (continued) The following table presents information concerning the aggregate amount of nonperforming loans. Nonperforming loans comprise: (a) loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis; (b) loans contractually past due ninety days or more as to interest or principal payments [but not included in the nonaccrual loans in (a) above];(c) other loans whose terms have been restructured to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal because of a deterioration in the financial position of the borrower [exclusive of loans in (a) or (b) above]; and (d) loans now current where there are serious doubts as to the ability of the borrower to comply with present loan requirement terms (in thousands of dollars).

As of January 1, 1995, the Company adopted SFAS No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan," which, as it relates to in-substance foreclosures, requires that a creditor continue to classify these assets as loans in the balance sheet unless the creditor receives physical possession of the collateral. The Company had no in-substance foreclosures at the date of adoption of SFAS No. 114. At December 31, 2000, the recorded investment in loans that were considered to be impaired under SFAS No. 114 was $-0-, with the related allowance for loan losses of $-0-. The effect of nonperforming loans on interest income has not been substantial in the past five years. Had interest been accrued on the nonperforming loans, interest income would have been recorded in the amount of $3,857, $9,501, $32,424, $53,417 and $59,717 for the years 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Interest income in the amount of $2,490, $2,733, $4,796, $5,621 and $6,633 on nonperforming loans during 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, was recorded. At December 31, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 and 1996, there were no significant commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose loans were considered to be nonperforming. - 12 - 13 Item 1. Business (continued) The Bank places loans on nonaccrual when the borrower is no longer able to make periodic interest payments due to a deterioration of the borrowers financial condition. At December 31, 2000, the Bank has an insignificant amount of loans for which payments are current, but the borrowers are experiencing financial difficulties. These loans are subject to constant management attention, and their classification is reviewed on a monthly basis. Summary of Loan Loss Experience The following table summarizes loan balances at the end of each period and average loans based on daily average balances for 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, and 1996; changes in the allowance for possible loan losses arising from loans charged off and recoveries on loans previously charged off by loan category; and additions to the allowance which have been charged to expense (in thousands of dollars):

- 13 - 14 Item 1. Business (continued) The allowance for possible loan losses has been allocated according to the amount deemed to be reasonably necessary to provide for the possibility of losses being incurred within the following categories of loans at the date indicated: Allocation of Allowance for Possible Loan Losses (In thousands of dollars)

- 14 - 15 Item 1. Business (continued) Deposits The average amount of deposits, using daily average balances for 2000, 1999, and 1998, is summarized for the periods indicated in the following table (in thousands of dollars):

Return on equity and assets The ratio of Net Income to Average Shareholders' Equity and to Average Total Assets, and certain other ratios, are as follows:

Short-Term Borrowing The Company's short-term borrowing and the average interest rate thereon at the end of the last three years, are as follows (in thousands of dollars):

- 15 - 16 Item 1. Business (continued) Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this Report Form 10-K that are not historical facts should be considered forward-looking statements with respect to the Company. Forward-looking statements of this type speak only as of the date of this 10-K. By nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risk and uncertainties. Various factors, including, but not limited to, economic conditions, asset quality, interest rates, loan demand and changes in the assumption used in making the forward-looking statements, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Item 2. Properties The main office of the Company and the Bank are presently located at 321 East Landry Street, Opelousas, Louisiana, in the downtown business district. The Bank leases four branch sites. The building in which the main office is located is free of all mortgages. For information with respect to the Company obligations under its lease commitments, see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which are incorporated herein by reference under Item 8. Item 3. Legal Proceedings The Company is not involved in any legal actions; however, there are presently pending by the Bank a number of legal proceedings. It is the opinion of management that the resulting liability, if any, from these actions and other pending claims will not materially affect the consolidated financial statements. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders No matters were submitted during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report to a vote of security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise. - 16 - 17 PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Stock and Related Security Holder Matters

Note: The primary market area for American Bancorp, Inc.'s common stock is the Opelousas, Louisiana area with American Bank and Trust Company acting as registrar and transfer agent. There were approximately 514 shareholders of record at December 31, 2000. Source of market price - American Bank & Trust Company acts as the transfer agent for the Company. The stock is thinly traded and the price ranges are based on stated sales price to the transfer agent, which does not represent all sales. RESTRICTIONS ON CASH DIVIDENDS PAYABLE BY THE REGISTRANT: The only source of funds by the Company to pay dividends is dividends paid by the Subsidiary Bank, the payment of which is restricted by applicable federal and state statutes. Federal bank regulatory authorities have authority under the Financial Institutions Supervisory Act to prohibit a bank from engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice. The payment of a dividend by the Bank could, depending upon the financial condition of the Bank and other factors be deemed an unsafe or unsound practice. Applicable Louisiana law prohibits a state bank subsidiary from paying a dividend if its surplus remaining after payment of the dividend would be less than half the aggregate par value of its outstanding stock. In addition, a state bank subsidiary is required to obtain the prior approval of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of Louisiana before declaring or paying a dividend in a given year if the total of all dividends declared or paid during that year would exceed the total of its net profits for that year combined with the net profits from the immediately preceding year less dividends paid during these periods. - 17 - 18 Item 6. Selected Financial Data The information called for by Item 6 is included in Registrant's Annual Report on page 5 in the Section titled "Summary of Operations for the Last Five Years" and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations The information called for by Item 7 is included in the Registrant's Annual Report in the section titled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Operations" and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data The following consolidated financial statements of the Registrant and its subsidiary included on pages 28 through 58 in the Annual Report are incorporated herein by reference: Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2000 and 1999 Consolidated Statements of Income - Years Ended December 31, 2000, 1999, and 1998 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - Years Ended December 31, 2000, 1999, and 1998 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended December 31, 2000, 1999, and 1998 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Item 9. Disagreements in Accounting and Financial Disclosure There have been no disagreements with an independent accountant on any matter of accounting principles or practice, financial disclosure, auditing scope or procedure. PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers With the exception of identification of executive officers of the Company, the information called for by Item 10 is omitted pursuant to General Instruction G(3) and is included in Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Section 14(a). Executive officers of the Company are identified in Item 1, "Executive Officer," included in Part I of this report. Item 11. Management Remuneration and Transactions The information called for by this item is included in Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is incorporated herein by reference. - 18 - 19 Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management The information called for by this item is included in Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions The information called for by this item is included in Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is incorporated herein by reference. PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K (a) 1. Financial Statements The following consolidated financial statements of American Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary, included in pages 28 through 58 of the Registrant's Annual Report are incorporated by reference in Item 8: Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2000 and 1999 Consolidated Statements of Income - Years Ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - Years Ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (a) 2. Financial Statement Schedules The Schedules to the consolidated financial statements required by Article 9, and all other schedules to the financial statements of the Registrant required by Article 9 of Regulation S-X are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted. (a) 3. Exhibits (13) 2000 Annual Report to Shareholders (22) Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 11, 2001 (23) Consent of Independent Auditors - 19 - 20 Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K (continued) (b) Reports on Form 8-K None (c) Exhibits The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate section of this report. (d) Financial Statement Schedules The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate section of this report. - 20 - 21 Signatures Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. American Bancorp, Inc. (Registrant) By: /s/ Salvador L. Diesi, Sr. ----------------------------------- Salvador L. Diesi, Sr., Chairman of the Board of the Company and the Bank; President of the Company and the Bank Date: March 07, 2001 -------------------------------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. /s/ Salvador L. Diesi, Sr. /s/ Jasper J. Artall ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Salvador L. Diesi, Sr., Chairman of Jasper J. Artall, Director the Board of the Company and the Bank; President of the Company and the Bank Date: March 07, 2001 Date: March 07, 2001 ---------------------------------- ----------------------------- /s/ Ronald J. Lashute /s/ Walter J. Champagne, Jr. ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ Ronald J. Lashute, Executive Vice- Walter J. Champagne, Jr., Director President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank; Secretary/Treasurer of the Company Date: March 07, 2001 Date: March 07, 2001 --------------------------------- ----------------------------- /s/ J. C. Diesi ----------------------------------- J. C. Diesi, Director Date: March 07, 2001 -----------------------------

- 21 - 22 EXHIBIT INDEX

AMERICAN BANCORP INC/LA 10-K