Quarterlytics / Financial Services / Banks - Regional / First Defiance Financial Corp.

First Defiance Financial Corp.

fdef · NASDAQ Financial Services
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Ticker fdef
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Financial Services
Industry Banks - Regional
Employees 501-1000
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FY2010 Annual Report · First Defiance Financial Corp.
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A n n u a l   R e p o r t

2010

Company  
Profile

irst Defiance Financial Corp., headquartered in Defiance, Ohio, 

is the holding company for First Federal Bank of the Midwest 

and First Insurance & Investments. First Federal Bank operates 

33 full service branches and 45 ATMs in northwest Ohio, southeast 

Michigan and in Fort Wayne, Indiana. First Insurance & Investments 

is a full-service insurance agency with offices in Defiance, Archbold, 

Bowling Green and Bryan, Ohio.

Founded in the 1920s as Northwest Savings, First Federal was 

chartered in 1935 as a federal mutual savings and loan company. 

First Federal converted to a mutual holding company and issued its 

first stock to the public and employees in 1993. In September 1995, 

First Federal converted to a full stock company, trading stock on the 

NASDAQ national market under the ticker symbol FDEF. At the same  

time, First Defiance Financial Corp. was founded as the holding 

company for First Federal. The bank’s name was changed to  

First Federal Bank of the Midwest in 1999, to better reflect our 

community bank business strategy.

Since 2003, First Defiance has acquired three banking offices,  

opened four de novo offices, acquired two insurance agencies  

and completed acquisitions of ComBanc, Inc. based in Delphos,  

Ohio; Genoa Savings and Loan based in Genoa, Ohio; and  

Safe Harbor Statement 
Statements contained in this Annual 

Report may not be based on historical 

facts and are “forward-looking statements” 

within the meaning of Section 27A of 

the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 

and Section 21B of the Securities Act of 

1934, as amended. Actual results could 

vary materially depending on risks and 

uncertainties inherent in general and 

local banking and insurance conditions, 

competitive factors specific to markets in 

which the Company and its subsidiaries 

operate, future interest rate levels, 

legislative and regulatory decisions or 

capital market conditions. The Company 

assumes no responsibility to update this 

information. For more details, please refer 

to the Company’s SEC filings, including its 

most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K 

and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

Pavilion Bancorp, based in Adrian, Michigan. 

1

2010

Financial Highlights

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Summary of  
Operating Results

2010

2009

%  
Change

Balance Sheet 
Data

2010

2009

%  
Change

Net interest income

$ 70,163

$ 67,322

Provision for loan losses
Non-interest income  
(excluding securities gains/losses)
Securities gains (losses)
Non-interest expense  
(excluding non-recurring items)

Net income

Dividends accrued on 
preferred shares

Accretion on  
preferred shares

Net income applicable  
to common shares

23,177

27,929

23,232

29,951

4.2%

(0.2%)

(6.8%)

Total Assets

$ 2,035,517

$ 2,057,523

(1.1%)

(339) 

(3,656)

90.7%

63,463

60,524

4.9%

8,108

7,194

12.7%

(1,850)

(1,850)

—

Loans, net

1,478,423

1,580,575

(6.5%)

Deposits

1,575,419

1,580,226

(0.3%)

Stockholders’ equity

240,331

234,086

2.7%

(170)

(160)

6.3%

6,088

5,184

17.4%

Allowance  
for loan losses

41,080

36,547

12.4%

Share Information:

2010

2009

%  
Change

Key Ratios:

2010

2009

%  
Change

Basic earnings  
per common share

Basic core earnings  
per common share

Diluted earnings  
per common share

Diluted core earnings  
per common share

Dividends  
per common share

Tangible book value  
per common share

Shares outstanding  
at end of period

NM — % not meaningful

$ 0.75

$ 0.64

17.2%

0.75

0.75

0.75

0.64

17.2%

0.63

19.0%

0.63

19.0%

Average  
net interest margin

3.89%

3.76%

3.5%

Return on average  
assets

0.39%

0.36%

8.3%

–

0.295

NM

Return on average  
equity

3.40%

3.09%

10.0%

17.16

16.44

4.4%

8,118

8,118

—

Efficiency ratio

63.89%

61.50%

(3.9%)

Diluted Earnings  
Per Share

Total Assets 
(in millions)

Deposits 
(in millions)

Loans 
(in millions)

Total Non-Interest 
Income 
Excluding Security Gains  
(in millions)

$2.50

$2,000

$1,500

2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50

0

1,500

1,000

500

1,000

500

$1,600

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

$30.0

25.0

20.0

15.0

10.0

5.0

06 07 08 09

10

06 07 08 09

10

06 07 08 09

10

06 07 08 09

10

06 07 08 09

10

2

To Our  
Shareholders

rom an economic environment perspective, the journey 

through 2010 can be compared to a ride on a roller 
through 2010 can be compared to a ride on a roller 

coaster. It was certainly a year filled with ups and downs 

and twists and turns. The year began with a sense of renewed 

optimism and enthusiasm that buoyed confidence and made 

many think we were going to finally shake all remnants of The 

Great Recession. Through the first five months of the year the 

positive energy was sustained, but was soon derailed as summer 

approached and several stimulus programs expired or stalled, 

and the housing market failed to exhibit any rally. The stock 

market gave up its better-than-five-percent gain attained through 

mid-May and continued to lose ground throughout the summer. 

Unemployment rates barely budged, and capital investments 

by businesses were at a standstill. At the same time, Washington was involved in several contentious 

legislative debates, including financial regulatory reform, which led to the passage of the Dodd-Frank  

Wall Street and Consumer Protection Act. The negative political rhetoric that bombarded us during the 

pre-election time frame did little to inspire consumer confidence, and any early optimism had totally 

vanished by August. Some hopefulness returned as we entered the final quarter of the year,  

and consumer confidence began to inch upward after the elections. The uptick continued through  

the end of 2010 following the two-year extension of the tax cuts to all taxpayers, but a cloud will  

continue to hang over the economy until the housing and job markets regain strength.

The Dodd-Frank Act is the most comprehensive financial reform legislation to ever come out of 

Washington, and will have an effect on First Defiance. The bill was passed and signed into law in July,  

and it will take some time for all of the regulations prescribed in the bill to be written. However, we do 

know that because of this bill, First Defiance Financial Corp. will be operating under a different set of 

regulators in 2011. The Office of Thrift Supervision, our current regulator, is being phased out and  

3

merged into the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). 

Agency in Bryan, Ohio. This acquisition was accretive from 

The OCC will become the regulator of First Federal Bank, and 

the start, and strengthens our insurance agency presence in 

the Federal Reserve will regulate First Defiance Financial Corp. 

several of our market areas.

The Dodd-Frank Act also created the new Consumer Financial 

Protection Bureau that will oversee all regulation pertaining to 

consumer financial products and services. One critical area we 

will be closely monitoring as the regulations are implemented is 

the bill’s overall effect on non-interest income. There is potential 

for this act to restrict service fees on certain products, which will 

negatively impact non-interest income for banks.

Going forward, we will be adjusting to a new normal in financial 

services. The recent legislation, the change in regulators, the 

overall regulatory climate, and the tenuous economic scene 

all point to the need to develop new and different ways to 

conduct business. We know the economic and political twists 

and turns and ups and downs are now part of everyday life. 

We have been able to anticipate and react to them quite well 

Despite the challenges we faced as the economy limped 

throughout the year, thanks to our conservative operating 

along, First Defiance accomplished key strategic goals in 2010. 

history and prudent policies. We feel more prepared, 

Earnings remained below traditional run rate levels, primarily 

experienced, confident and ready to deal with a slow economic 

due to credit-related expenses, but the core earnings structure 

recovery. We know the  local competition from large and 

was very solid. At First Federal Bank, significant deposit growth 

small financial service companies will be strong, but we will 

with an improved mix and disciplined pricing on the loan 

continue to differentiate our company with a full line of financial 

side produced a strong net interest margin throughout the 

products offered at the highest level of customer service. We 

year. Residential mortgage production was extremely robust, 

remain committed to all of our stakeholders – shareholders, 

especially in the second half of the year, resulting in substantial 

employees, and clients – and appreciate their trust and 

gain on sale income to the bank. We focused on controlling the 

commitment to us as we grow and succeed in this new era.

operating expenses that will provide long-lasting benefits to the 

company. We also completed a conversion of our bank-wide 

Thank you for your interest in First Defiance Financial Corp.

core processing system in November. The successful execution 

Sincerely, 

of this conversion was due to the diligence of our employees and 

their commitment to make this change as seamless as possible 

for our clients. The new system enhances our effectiveness and 

efficiency, and will help us create fresh and innovative products 

and services for our customers. Within our insurance unit First 

Insurance & Investments, we acquired a group life and health 

benefits book of business from the Andres, O’Neill, & Lowe 

William J. Small 

Chairman, President & CEO

4

Barbara A. Mitzel 
Area Manager 
Consumers Energy 
Adrian, Michigan 
4, 5 & 7
James L. Rohrs 
President &  
Chief Executive Officer 
First Federal Bank 
Executive Vice President  
First Defiance Financial Corp. 
1, 7 & 9
Samuel S. Strausbaugh 
Co-President &  
Chief Financial Officer 
Defiance Metal Products 
Defiance, Ohio 
2, 3, 6 & 9 
Thomas A. Voigt 
Vice President &  
General Manager 
Bryan Publishing Company 
Bryan, Ohio 
3, 4 & 5

First Defiance Financial Corp.  
Board of Directors
William J. Small 
Chairman, President &  
Chief Executive Officer 
First Defiance Financial Corp. 
1, 7, 8 & 9
Stephen L. Boomer 
Vice Chairman & Lead Director 
First Defiance Financial Corp. 
President, Arps Dairy 
Defiance, Ohio 
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 & 9
John L. Bookmyer 
Executive Vice President 
Pain Management Group 
Findlay, Ohio 
2, 3 & 7
Douglas A. Burgei, D.V.M. 
Veterinarian 
Napoleon, Ohio 
5, 6 & 7
Peter A. Diehl 
Retired Business Owner 
Defiance, Ohio 
2, 4, 5 & 6
Jean A. Hubbard 
Business Manager &  
Corporate Treasurer 
The Hubbard Company 
Defiance, Ohio 
2, 3 & 6
Dwain I. Metzger 
Farmer 
Elida, Ohio 
4 & 5

5.  Strategic Planning
6.  Succession Planning
7.  Investment Committee
8.  Trust Committee
9.  First Insurance &  
Investments Board

Appointment
2.  Audit Committee
3.  Compensation Committee
4.  Corporate Governance 

Key For Board of Directors:
1.  Executive Committee 

Committee

First Insurance & Investments, Inc.
Donald P. Hileman 
Chief Executive Officer
Steven P. Grosenbacher 
Executive Vice President
Kenneth G. Keller 
Executive Vice President 

Group Health & Life
Timothy S. Whetstone 
Executive Vice President 
Secretary
Lawrence H. Woods 
Executive Vice President 
Property & Casualty

First Defiance Financial Corp.  
Corporate Officers
William J. Small 
Chairman, President &  
Chief Executive Officer

James L. Rohrs 
Executive Vice President

John W. Boesling 
Senior Vice President &  
Corporate Secretary

Donald P. Hileman 
Executive Vice President, 
Chief Financial Officer

First Federal Bank of the Midwest
William J. Small 
Chairman

John H. Bick 
Senior Vice President,  
Asset Quality

James L. Rohrs  
President,  
Chief Executive Officer

Gregory R. Allen 
Executive Vice President, 
Southern Market Area  
President

Timothy K. Harris 
Executive Vice President, 
Eastern Market Area  
President

Jeffrey D. Vereecke 
Executive Vice President, 
Northern Market Area  
President

Dennis E. Rose, Jr. 
Executive Vice President, 
Chief Operations Officer

James R. Williams 
Senior Vice President,  
Western Market Area  
President

Brent L. Beard 
Senior Vice President,  
Controller

John W. Boesling 
Senior Vice President,  
Secretary

Lisa R. Christy 
Senior Vice President,  
Trust Advisor

Patricia A. Cooper 
Senior Vice President,  
Bank Secrecy, Fraud  
and Security

David J. Kondas 
Senior Vice President,  
Wealth Management

Kathleen A. Miller 
Senior Vice President, 
Information Technology

Richard J. Mitsdarfer 
Senior Vice President,  
Risk Management

Linda R. Moening 
Senior Vice President,  
Deposit Operations

Richard J. Mitsdarfer 
Senior Vice President, 
Risk Management

Eric A. Morman 
Senior Vice President, 
Commercial Lending

Michael D. Mulford 
Senior Vice President,  
Credit Administration

Randall L. Rice 
Senior Vice President,  
Senior Credit Officer

Marybeth Shunck 
Senior Vice President,  
Retail Administration

Mary Beth K. Weisenburger 
Senior Vice President,  
Marketing

Martha J. Woelke 
Senior Vice President, 
Residential Lending

Community Advisory Boards

Paul Kramer 
Kramer Enterprises, Inc.
Michael Mallet 
Corporate Research International
M. Michael Roberts 
dmh Toyota-Lift

Michael Headley 
H&W Automotive Parts, Inc.  
& Headley Enterprises
Sheryl Murphy 
Century 21 Strait Realty, Inc.

Lenawee County, MI

Jerry Lewis 
Speedy Arches
Robert J. Schulte, Jr. 
HR Services
Greg Wannemacher 
Wannemacher Enterprises

Fort Wayne, IN
Diane Parent 
Sperry Van Ness-Parke Group

Fostoria, OH
Frank Kinn 
Business/Financial Consultant
Lynn Radabaugh 
Maple Grove Quarry, Inc.
Tom Reineke 
Reineke Ford
Dave Whitta 
Whitta Construction, Inc.
Donald S. Yaris 
Fruth & Company

Hicksville, OH
Larry Haver 
Mayor of Hicksville

Ed Engle 
Rima Manufacturing
Dan Hupp 
Dan’s Farm Supply
Emory Schmidt 
Retired
J. David Stutzman 
Raymond & Stutzman  
Farms, LLC

Lima, OH
Tim DeHaven 
DeHaven’s Lawn &  
Garden Center
Don Fischer 
Cappie Sportswear
Jerry Johnson 
Attorney

Napoleon, OH

Greg Beck 
Beck Construction
Susan Witt 
Gerken Paving
Char Zgela 
Mel Lanzer Co. 

Ottawa, OH

Kevin Ellerbrock 
Ellerbrock Construction
Kenneth Konst 
Farmer
Mike Ruhe 
Pathways Counseling Center
Dr. Dean Walther 
Optometrist

Paulding, OH
Joseph Burkard 
Cook, Troth, Burkard & Gorrell
Michael Keysor 
Custom Assembly
William Shugars 
Retired 

Williams County, OH
Stacey Bock 
Midwest Community  
Health Associates
Walter Bumb 
Retired
LeRoy Feather 
Retired
Renee Isaac 
Retired
Martin Sostoi 
Attorney
Chad Tinkel 
Community Hospitals and 
Wellness Center
James (Chip) Wood 
Bryan Ford Lincoln Mercury

Defiance, OH
Bryan Keller 
Keller Logistics Group, Inc.
Mike Koester 
Koester Corporation
Brad Mangas 
BE Mangas Construction
Rick Weaver 
Poggemeyer Design

Delphos, OH
Eric Fritz 
Delphos Ace Hardware,  
Delphos Rental Corporation, 
Bobcat of Lima
Richard Thompson 
Thompson Seed Farm
Perry Wiltsie 
Vanamatic Company

Findlay, OH
Duane Jebbett 
Rowmark
James Koehler 
Country Club Acres, Inc.

5

Shareholders Information

Total Return Performance

Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of First 

Defiance Financial Corp. will be held on Tuesday, 

April 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the conference room 

at the First Federal Bank Operations Center at 

25600 Elliott Road, Defiance, Ohio 43512.

Investor Information
Shareholders, investors and analysts interested 

in additional information about First Defiance 

Financial Corp. may contact Investor Relations at 

the corporate office, 419-782-5104.

Stock Transfer Agent
Shareholders with questions concerning the 

transfer of shares, lost certificates, dividend 

payments, dividend reinvestment, receipt of 

Dividends Policy
The First Defiance Financial Corp. Board reviews 

and determines on a quarterly basis whether 

to declare dividends. There were no dividends 

multiple dividend checks, duplicate mailings or 

declared in 2010.

changes of address should contact:

Registrar and Transfer Company

First Defiance Financial Corp. Transfer Agent 

10 Commerce Drive, Cranford, NJ 07016-3573 

Telephone: 800-368-5948 

Internet: www.rtco.com

Securities Listing
First Defiance Financial Corp. common stock 

trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market 

under the symbol FDEF.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Shareholders may automatically reinvest dividends  

in additional First Defiance Financial Corp. 

common stock through the Dividend Reinvestment 

Plan, which also provides for purchase by 

voluntary cash contributions. For additional 

information, please contact the Registrar and 

Transfer Company at 800-368-5948.

Auditors
Crowe Horwath LLP 

As of March 4, 2011, there were approximately 

2,296 stockholders of record and 8,118,236 shares 

330 East Jefferson Boulevard 

South Bend, Indiana 46624

General Counsel
Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease LLP 

221 East Fourth Street 

Suite 2000 Atrium Two 

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

outstanding.

Year Ended December 31, 2010

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

High 
$ 12.33 
$ 14.85 
$ 10.63 
$ 12.32 

Year Ended December 31, 2009

First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

High 
$  8.95 
$ 14.25 
$ 18.33 
$ 18.93 

Low
$  9.20
$  8.53
$  8.55
$  9.94

Low
$  3.76
$  6.10
$ 12.00
$ 10.06

 
 
 
 
  
First Defiance Financial Corp.
601 Clinton Street 
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-5104
www.fdef.com

First Federal Bank of the Midwest
601 Clinton Street 
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-5015
www.first-fed.com

First Insurance & Investments
419 Fifth Street, Suite 1200
Defiance, OH 43512
419-784-5431
www.firstii.com

For investor relations information visit www.fdef.com