Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition
The company reported its preliminary financial results for the third quarter
and year-to-date period ended September 30, 2007, on October 23, 2007. The press
release is included in this current report as Exhibit 99.1. This release is also
being furnished for purposes of Regulation FD and Regulation G of the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
The company cautioned, however, that its financial results and financial
statements for the period are preliminary and unaudited and subject to the
completion of the pending examination of the mortgage lending practices and
construction loan portfolio of the company's subsidiary, Westsound Bank by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, and the Washington Department of
Financial Institutions, or DFI. The FDIC and DFI recently indicated to the
company's management that in the opinion of the regulators, the Bank violated
certain banking laws and regulations which are primarily related to the
origination, administration and monitoring of construction and mortgage loans.
The examiners advised that they intend to recommend that the FDIC and DFI take
regulatory action against the Bank with respect to such lending practices and
activities, which may include a cease and desist order, monetary penalties,
further increases in allowances for loan losses, reserves and/or charge-offs.
Additionally, the company has been cooperating in an investigation by the
regulators pertaining to certain past activities involving former employees and
third parties, including possible fraud, misconduct and other violations with
respect to the application, processing and approval of certain loans previously
made. The company is also conducting its own internal investigation into the
issues surrounding the past activities of mortgage and construction loan
origination, and plans to retain an independent auditor to analyze these loans,
particularly construction loans and assist the company and its management in
determining the appropriate level of loan loss allowances, reserves or
charge-offs with respect to such loans.
The company and the Bank are cooperating with the regulatory investigation.
The company has no further comment at this time regarding the regulatory
investigation or its own internal investigation. There have been no findings
issued to date and these investigations are continuing.
The company cannot currently comment on the timing for completion of, or the
ultimate scope or outcome of, these investigations, the audit or any necessary
restatements.
The company previously announced its decision to downsize its mortgage
division and eliminate 33 positions in this division, generating an estimated
pre-tax charge of approximately $200,000 in the third and fourth quarters of
2007.
Item 2.06 Material Impairments.
Our board of directors and its audit committee have decided to retain an
independent auditor to help the company and its outside counsel to conduct an
internal investigation of mortgage and construction loans previously originated.
The company and its management expect that upon completion of its internal
investigation, that a material additional charge for impairment to certain of
its loans, particularly construction loans, may be required under generally
accepted accounting principles and regulatory guidelines pertaining to the Bank.
The company's board of directors and officers have determined, however, that at
the time of this filing they are unable in good faith to make a determination of
an estimate of the amount or range of amounts of the impairment charge. The
company will file an amended report on Form 8-K under this Item 2.06 promptly
and in any event, within 4 business days after it makes a determination of such
an estimate or range of estimates, or include such information in its next
quarterly report on Form 10-Q which is currently due to be filed under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, by November 14, 2007.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors;
Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On October 22, 2007, the company's executive vice president and chief
financial officer, Mark D. Freeman, advised the company that for personal health
reasons he was requesting a temporary paid leave of absence from October 22
through December 31, 2007. The company has decided to recruit and retain a
qualified individual
from outside the company to serve as chief financial officer on an interim or
temporary basis during Mr. Freeman's absence. Until such individual can be
retained, the responsibilities of Mr. Freeman will be shared by the company's
chief executive officer, David K. Johnson, its chief risk officer, Veronica R.
Colburn, and its AVP staff accountant, Janet M. Hobson.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
The company filed its Call Report with the FDIC for the third quarter of 2007
online with the FDIC on October 19, 2007, which is available on its website at
fdic.gov. and incorporated by reference in this report.
Item 8.01 Other Items.
Pending examination and related investigations by the FDIC and DFI.
The FDIC and DFI recently indicated to the company's management that in the
opinion of the regulators, the Bank violated certain banking laws and
regulations which are primarily related to the previous lending practices of
Westsound Bank's mortgage division, and the administration and monitoring of
mortgage and construction loans. The examiners advised that they intend to
recommend that the FDIC and DFI take regulatory action against the Bank with
respect to such lending practices and activities, which may include a cease and
desist order, monetary penalties, additional increases in allowances for loan
losses, reserves and/or charge-offs.
Additional Risk Factors.
Since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, we
have identified additional risk factors which could materially affect our
business, financial condition or future results. Any of the following factors
could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and
results of operations after December 31, 2006, and the risks described below are
not the only risks that we may face. Additional risks and uncertainties not
currently known to us may also materially and adversely affect our business,
financial condition or results of operations.
The examination and related investigations by the FDIC and DFI could result
in costs, fines, penalties and restrictions that could have an adverse effect on
us.
The FDIC and DFI recently indicated to the company's management that in the
opinion of the regulators, the Bank violated certain banking laws and
regulations which are primarily related to the origination, administration and
monitoring of construction and mortgage loans.
The FDIC has requested documents and information from us in the course of
their examination and related investigation. We have provided our cooperation.
The company is also conducting its own internal investigation. The costs
incurred in connection with these investigations to date have been immaterial,
but future costs related to these investigations, including the company's own
internal investigation, could be significant. However, we cannot predict the
ultimate impact, if any, that the pending examination by FDIC and DFI and the
related investigations may have on our business operations or results. While we
cannot predict the ultimate impact, if any, that these investigations may have
on our business operations or results, a material adverse result is possible,
including but not limited to imposition of fines or other financial penalties,
restriction of our business and lending activities, removal or resignation of
one or more members of our senior management and board of directors, and
additional loan losses, reserves and/or charge-offs.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
99.1 Press Release dated October 23, 2007