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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(MARK ONE)
 
x     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the Quarterly Period ended September 30, 2014

OR

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

For the Transition Period from _________to_________

Commission File No. 001-33065

TIDELANDS BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

South Carolina
02-0570232
(State or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)
Identification No.)
 
875 Lowcountry Blvd.
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464
(Address of principal executive offices)

(843) 388-8433
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
________________________________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the 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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  x Yes       o No

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 the definitions of “larger accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer  o Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated 
(do not check if smaller reporting company)
o
 
Smaller reporting company
 
x
 

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:4,277,176 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share, were issued and outstanding as of November 12, 2014.
 
 
 

 
 
INDEX

 
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    Page No.
         
Item 1. Financial Statements     3
         
  Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2014 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2013 (Audited)     3
         
  Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Nine and Three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (Unaudited)     4
         
  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity Nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (Unaudited)     5
         
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (Unaudited)     6
         
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements     7-30
         
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     31-54
         
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.     55
         
Item 4. Controls and Procedures     55
         
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION     55
         
Item 1. Legal Proceedings     55
         
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities     56
         
Item 6. Exhibits     57
 
This statement has not been reviewed, or confirmed for accuracy or relevance, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

 
 

 
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
Assets:
 
2014
   
2013
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Audited)
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
           
Cash and due from banks
  $ 3,501,224     $ 4,079,965  
Interest bearing balances
    15,869,502       15,198,532  
Total cash and cash equivalents
    19,370,726       19,278,497  
Securities available-for-sale
    83,844,554       80,839,795  
Nonmarketable equity securities
    903,400       1,276,400  
Total securities
    84,747,954        82,116,195  
Loans receivable
    323,334,862       331,088,969  
Less allowance for loan losses
    5,145,291       6,026,110  
Loans, net
    318,189,571       325,062,859  
Premises, furniture and equipment, net
    20,888,278       21,061,882  
Accrued interest receivable
    1,339,873       1,501,379  
Bank owned life insurance
    16,176,479       15,855,148  
Other real estate owned
    18,965,215       18,692,607  
Other assets
    2,254,964       3,195,703  
Total assets
  $ 481,933,060     $ 486,764,270  
                 
Liabilities:
               
Deposits:
               
Noninterest-bearing transaction accounts
  $ 28,355,928     $ 21,388,282  
Interest-bearing transaction accounts
    36,757,700       44,740,415  
Savings and money market accounts
    101,785,597       92,459,062  
Time deposits $100,000 and over
    167,729,000       172,496,459  
Other time deposits
    100,356,488       105,839,263  
Total deposits
    434,984,713       436,923,481  
                 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
    10,000,000       10,000,000  
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank
    9,000,000       13,000,000  
Junior subordinated debentures
    14,434,000       14,434,000  
ESOP borrowings
            600,000  
Accrued interest payable
    3,153,993       2,692,018  
Other liabilities
    4,951,797       4,146,321  
Total liabilities
    476,524,503       481,795,820  
                 
Commitments and contingencies-Note 5,14, and 19
               
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value and liquidation value per share of $1,000, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 14,448 issued and outstanding
    14,448,000       14,448,000  
Common stock, $.01 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized; 4,277,176
               
shares issued and outstanding
    42,772       42,772  
Common stock-warrant, 571,821 shares outstanding
    1,112,248       1,112,248  
Unearned ESOP shares
          (1,183,898 )
Capital surplus
    41,550,104       42,708,140  
Retained deficit
    (49,896,066 )     (48,851,197 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (1,848,501 )      (3,307,615 )
Total shareholders’ equity
    5,408,557        4,968,450  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 481,933,060     $ 486,764,270  
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
 
3

 
 
Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(Unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
 2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
Interest income:
                       
Loans, including fees
  $ 11,969,829     $ 12,475,791     $ 3,996,065     $ 4,250,821  
Securities available for sale, taxable
    1,252,763       878,909       381,658       388,647  
    Interest bearing deposits
    26,254       40,289       11,306       10,147  
Other interest income
    31,942       33,472       9,503       8,799  
Total interest income
    13,280,788       13,428,461       4,398,532       4,658,414  
Interest expense:
                               
Time deposits $100,000 and over
    1,684,125       1,729,879       564,330       572,756  
Other deposits
    1,249,235       1,503,317       431,300       444,945  
Other borrowings
    962,238       1,200,978       323,830       355,050  
Total interest expense
    3,895,598       4,434,174       1,319,460       1,372,751  
Net interest income
    9,385,190       8,994,287       3,079,072       3,285,663  
Provision for loan losses
    71,000       435,000             45,000  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    9,314,190       8,559,287       3,079,072       3,240,663  
Noninterest income:
                               
Service charges on deposit accounts
    27,754       28,845       9,041       9,725  
Residential mortgage origination income
    137,803       123,752       74,739       29,885  
   Loss on sale of securities available-for-sale
          (128,177 )            
   Other service fees and commissions
    381,565       367,564       131,029       119,703  
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI
    321,331       325,859       109,048       109,227  
   Loss on extinguishment of debt
          (43,725 )            
Other
    7,150       6,648       3,112       2,367  
Total noninterest income
    875,603       680,766       326,969       270,907  
Noninterest expense:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    4,460,468       4,474,141       1,483,857       1,478,551  
Net occupancy
    1,121,605       1,238,333       387,002       408,934  
Furniture and equipment
    757,444       647,991       254,787       221,690  
Other real estate owned expense, net
    264,092       451,042       (1,135 )     84,475  
Other operating
    3,620,435       3,342,766       1,222,724       934,628  
Total noninterest expense
    10,224,044       10,154,273       3,347,235       3,128,278  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (34,251 )     (914,220 )     58,806       383,292  
    Income tax expense
    16,000             8,000        
       Net income (loss)
    (50,251 )     (914,220 )     50,806       383,292  
Accretion of preferred stock to redemption value
          189,714             63,238  
Preferred dividends accrued
    994,618       697,182       395,534       207,045  
       Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
  $ (1,044,869 )   $ (1,801,116 )   $ (344,728 )   $ 113,009  
Comprehensive Income (loss):
                               
       Net income (loss)
    (50,251 )     (914,220 )     50,806       383,292  
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale
    2,353,410       (5,000,958 )     260,494       (2,052,565 )
 Reclassification adjustment for realized loss on  securities
          128,177              
 Tax effect
    (894,296 )     1,851,657       (98,988 )     779,975  
      Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 1,408,863     $ (3,935,344 )   $ 212,312     $ (889,298 )
                                 
Basic income (loss) per common share
  $ (0.25 )   $ (0.43 )   $ (0.08 )   $ 0.03  
Diluted income (loss) per common share
  $ (0.25 )   $ (0.43 )   $ (0.08 )   $ 0.03  
Weighted average common shares outstanding
                               
Basic
    4,210,000       4,164,971       4,220,991       4,168,350  
Diluted
    4,210,000       4,164,971       4,220,991       4,168,350  
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
 
4

 
 
Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(Unaudited)

                                                    Accumulated        
                Common                 Unearned                 other        
   
Preferred Stock
    Stock    
Common Stock
    ESOP     Capital     Retained     Comprehensive        
    Shares     Amount    
Warrants
    Shares     Amount    
Shares
   
Surplus
   
Deficit
   
income (loss)
   
Total
 
Balance, December 31, 2012
    14,448     $ 14,195,052     $ 1,112,248       4,277,176     $ 42,772     $ (1,562,049 )   $ 43,073,284     $ (46,672,617 )   $ (8,561 )   $ 10,180,129  
Repayment of ESOP borrowings
                                                    (365,144 )                     (365,144 )
Preferred stock, dividend accrued
                                                            (697,182 )             (697,182 )
Accretion of discount on preferred stock
            189,714                                               (189,714 )              
Allocation of  unearned ESOP shares
                                            378,151                               378,151  
Net loss
                                                            (914,220 )             (914,220 )
Other comprehensive loss
 
                                                                    (3,021,124 )     (3,021,124 )
                                                                                 
Balance, September 30, 2013
    14,448     $ 14,384,766     $ 1,112,248       4,277,176     $ 42,772     $ (1,183,898 )   $ 42,708,140     $ (48,473,733 )   $ (3,029,685 )   $ 5,560,610  
                                                                                 
Balance, December 31, 2013
    14,448     $ 14,448,000     $ 1,112,248       4,277,176     $ 42,772     $ (1,183,898 )   $ 42,708,140     $ (48,851,197 )   $ (3,307,615 )   $ 4,968,450  
Repayment of  ESOP borrowings
                                                    (1,158,036 )                     (1,158,036 )
Preferred stock, dividend accrued
                                                            (994,618 )             (994,618 )
Allocation of unearned ESOP shares
                                            1,183,898                               1,183,898  
Net loss
                                                            (50,251 )             (50,251 )
Other comprehensive income
                                                                    1,459,114       1,459,114  
 
                                                                               
Balance, September 30, 2014
     14,448     $ 14,448,000     $ 1,112,248       4,277,176     $ 42,772     $     $ 41,550,104     $ (49,896,066 )   $ (1,848,501 )    $ 5,408,557  
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
 
5

 

Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(Unaudited)
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net loss
  $ (50,251 )   $ (914,220 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    71,000       435,000  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    858,899       803,786  
Discount accretion and premium amortization
    302,391       870,277  
 Decrease in residential mortgages held-for-sale
          21,000  
Decrease in accrued interest receivable
    161,506       208,092  
Increase in accrued interest payable
    461,975       457,095  
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance
    (321,331 )     (325,859 )
      Loss on extinguishment of debt
          43,725  
Gain from sale of real estate
    (221,596 )     (54,347 )
Loss from sale of securities available-for-sale
          128,177  
Decrease in carrying value of other real estate owned
    85,500       170,065  
Decrease in other assets
    46,440       148,117  
Increase in other liabilities
    (189,141 )     (457,731 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    1,205,392       1,533,177  
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of securities available-for-sale
    (8,094,304 )     (48,311,652 )
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale
          10,212,122  
Proceeds from calls, maturities, and paydowns of securities available-for-sale
    7,513,565       32,213,424  
Net decrease in loans receivable
    3,016,912       73,264  
Purchase of premises, furniture and equipment, net
    (685,295 )     (250,322 )
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned
    3,648,865       4,395,688  
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
    5,399,743       (1,667,476 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net increase in demand deposits, interest-bearing
  transaction accounts and savings accounts
    8,311,466       721,848  
Net decrease in certificates of deposit and other time deposits
    (10,250,234 )     (8,166,544 )
Repayment of FHLB advances
    (4,000,000 )     (21,000,000 )
Repayment of ESOP borrowings
    (600,000 )     (625,000 )
Decrease in unearned ESOP shares
    25,862       13,007  
Net cash used by financing activities
    (6,512,906 )     (29,056,689 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    92,229       (29,190,988 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    19,278,497       45,388,968  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 19,370,726     $ 16,197,980  
                 
Supplemental cash flow information:
               
Interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds
  $ 3,433,623     $ 3,977,079  
Transfer of loans to foreclosed assets
  $ 3,785,377     $ 1,925,446  
Preferred stock-dividends accrued
  $ 994,618     $ 697,182  
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale
  $ 2,353,410     $ (3,021,124 )
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
 
6

 
 
NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements for interim financial statements and, accordingly, they are condensed and omit disclosures, which would substantially duplicate those contained in the most recent annual report on Form 10-K.  The consolidated financial statements, as of September 30, 2014 and for the interim periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation.  Operating results for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.  The financial information as of December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date.  For further information, refer to the financial statements and the notes included in the Company’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In preparing these financial statements, subsequent events were evaluated through the time the financial statements were issued.  Financial statements are considered issued when they are widely distributed to all shareholders and other financial statement users, or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  In conjunction with applicable accounting standards, all material subsequent events have been either recognized in the financial statements or disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization - Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated on January 31, 2002 to serve as a bank holding company for its subsidiary, Tidelands Bank (the “Bank”).  The Company operated as a development stage company from January 31, 2002 to October 5, 2003.  Tidelands Bank commenced business on October 6, 2003.  The principal business activity of the Bank is to provide banking services to domestic markets, principally in Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley, Horry, Georgetown, Beaufort and Jasper counties in South Carolina.  The Bank is a state-chartered commercial bank, and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent company and its wholly-owned subsidiary after elimination of all significant intercompany balances and transactions.  The Company formed Tidelands Statutory Trust I and Tidelands Statutory Trust II on February 22, 2006 and June 20, 2008, respectively, for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities. In accordance with current accounting guidance, the Trusts are not consolidated in these financial statements.  As further discussed in Note 18, on December 19, 2008, as part of the Capital Purchase Program established by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, the Company issued 14,448 preferred shares and a common stock warrant to purchase 571,821 shares in return for $14.4 million in cash, to the U.S. Department of Treasury.

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

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for losses on loans, including valuation allowances for impaired loans, and the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans.  In connection with the determination of the allowances for losses on loans and foreclosed real estate, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties.  Management must also make estimates in determining the estimated useful lives and methods for depreciating premises and equipment.

While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans and foreclosed real estate, future additions to the allowances may be necessary based on changes in local economic conditions.  In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for losses on loans and valuation of foreclosed real estate.  Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowances based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.  Because of these factors, it is reasonably possible that the allowance for losses on loans and valuation of foreclosed real estate may change materially in the near term.

Concentrations of Credit Risk - Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of loans receivable, investment securities, federal funds sold and amounts due from banks.

The Company makes loans to individuals and small businesses for various personal and commercial purposes primarily in the Charleston metropolitan area (which includes Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley counties), Horry, Georgetown, Jasper and Beaufort counties, and additional markets along the South Carolina coast.  The Company’s loan portfolio is not concentrated in loans to any single borrower or a relatively small number of borrowers.  Additionally, management is not aware of any concentrations of loans to classes of borrowers or industries that would be similarly affected by economic conditions.

 
7

 
 
In addition to monitoring potential concentrations of loans to particular borrowers or groups of borrowers, industries and geographic regions, management monitors exposure to credit risk from concentrations of lending products and practices such as loans that subject borrowers to substantial payment increases (e.g., principal deferral periods, loans with initial interest-only periods, etc.), and loans with high loan-to-value ratios.  Additionally, there are industry practices that could subject the Company to increased credit risk should economic conditions change over the course of a loan’s life.  For example, the Company makes variable rate loans and fixed rate principal-amortizing loans with maturities prior to the loan being fully paid (i.e., balloon payment loans).  These loans are underwritten and monitored to manage the associated risks.  Therefore, management believes that these particular practices do not subject the Company to unusual credit risk.

The Company’s investment portfolio consists principally of obligations of the United States and its agencies or its corporations.  In the opinion of management, there is no concentration of credit risk in its investment portfolio.  The Company places its deposits and correspondent accounts with and sells its federal funds to high quality institutions.  Management believes credit risk associated with correspondent accounts is not significant.

Securities Available-for-Sale - Securities available-for-sale are carried at amortized cost and adjusted to estimated market value by recognizing the aggregate unrealized gains or losses in a valuation account.  Aggregate market valuation adjustments are recorded in shareholders’ equity net of deferred income taxes.  Reductions in market value considered by management to be other than temporary are reported as a realized loss and a reduction in the cost basis of the security. The adjusted cost basis of investments available-for-sale is determined by specific identification and is used in computing the gain or loss upon sale.

Nonmarketable Equity Securities - Nonmarketable equity securities include the cost of the Company’s investment in the stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank and stock in community bank holding companies.  The Federal Home Loan Bank stock has no quoted market value and no ready market exists.  Investment in the Federal Home Loan Bank is a condition of borrowing from the Federal Home Loan Bank, and the stock is pledged to collateralize such borrowings.  Dividends received on this stock are included as interest income.

Loans Receivable - Loans are stated at their unpaid principal balance.  Interest income on loans is computed based upon the unpaid principal balance.  Interest income is recorded in the period earned.

The accrual of interest income is generally discontinued when a loan becomes contractually 90 days past due as to principal or interest.  Management may elect to continue the accrual of interest when the estimated net realizable value of collateral exceeds the principal balance and accrued interest.  A payment of interest on a loan that is classified as nonaccrual is applied against the principal balance.  Nonaccrual loans may be restored to performing status when all principal and interest has been kept current for six months and full repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest is expected.

Loan origination and commitment fees are deferred and amortized to income over the contractual life of the related loans or commitments, adjusted for prepayments, using the straight-line method, which approximates the interest method.

Loans are defined as impaired when it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  All loans are subject to these criteria except for smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and loans measured at fair value or at the lower of cost or fair value.  The Company considers its consumer installment portfolio, credit card loans, and home equity lines as such exceptions.

Impairment of a loan is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral, less estimated costs to sell, if the loan is collateral dependent.  When management determines that a loan is impaired, the difference between the Company’s investment in the related loan and the present value of the expected future cash flows, or the fair value of the collateral, less estimated costs to sell, is generally charged off with a corresponding entry to the allowance for loan losses.  The accrual of interest is discontinued on an impaired loan when management determines the borrower may be unable to meet payments as they become due.

Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”)The Company designates loan modifications as TDRs when, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, it grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider.   Loans on nonaccrual status at the date of modification are initially classified as nonaccrual TDRs.  Loans on accruing status at the date of modification are initially classified as accruing TDRs at the date of modification, if the note is reasonably assured of repayment and performance is in accordance with its modified terms.  Such loans may be designated as nonaccrual loans subsequent to the modification date if reasonable doubt exists as to the collection of interest or principal under the restructuring agreement.  Nonaccrual TDRs are returned to accruing status when there is economic substance to the restructuring, there is well documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition,, the remaining balance is reasonably assured of repayment in accordance with its modified terms, and the borrower has demonstrated repayment performance in accordance with the modified terms for a reasonable period of time (a minimum of six months).

 
8

 
 
Allowance for Loan Losses - An allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level deemed appropriate by management to provide adequately for known and inherent losses in the loan portfolio.  The Company’s judgment as to the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on a number of assumptions about future events, which the Company believes to be reasonable, but which may or may not prove to be accurate.  The Company’s determination of the allowance for loan losses is based on evaluations of the collectability of loans, including consideration of factors such as the balance of impaired loans, the quality, mix, and size of the Company’s overall loan portfolio, economic conditions that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the amount and quality of collateral securing the loans, the Company’s historical loan loss experience, and a review of specific problem loans.  The Company also considers subjective issues such as changes in the lending policies and procedures, changes in the local/national economy, changes in volume or type of credits, changes in volume/severity of problem loans, quality of loan review and board of director oversight, concentrations of credit, and peer group comparisons.  Loans which are deemed to be uncollectible are charged off and deducted from the allowance.  The provision for loan losses and recoveries of loans previously charged off are added to the allowance.  Our analysis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) indicates that the level of the allowance for loan losses is appropriate to cover estimated credit losses on individually evaluated loans as well as estimated credit losses inherent in the remainder of the portfolio.
 
Residential Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale - The Company’s residential mortgage lending activities for sale in the secondary market are comprised of accepting residential mortgage loan applications, qualifying borrowers to standards established by investors, funding residential mortgage loans and selling mortgage loans to investors under pre-existing commitments.  Funded residential mortgages held temporarily for sale to investors are recorded at the lower of cost or market value.  Application and origination fees collected by the Company are recognized as income upon sale to the investor.

The Company issues rate lock commitments to borrowers based on prices quoted by secondary market investors.  When rates are locked with borrowers, a sales commitment is immediately entered (on a best efforts basis) at a specified price with a secondary market investor.  Accordingly, any potential liabilities associated with rate lock commitments are offset by sales commitments to investors.

Premises, Furniture and Equipment - Premises, furniture and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation.  The provision for depreciation is computed by the straight-line method, based on the estimated useful lives for furniture and equipment of five to 10 years and buildings of 40 years.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the leases, which range up to 40 years.  The cost of assets sold or otherwise disposed of and the related allowance for depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and the resulting gains or losses are reflected in the income statement when incurred.  Maintenance and repairs are charged to current expense.  The costs of major renewals and improvements are capitalized.

Other Real Estate Owned - Other real estate is acquired through, or in lieu of, foreclosure and is held for sale.  It is initially recorded at fair value less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis.  Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.  Revenue and expenses from operations are included within noninterest expense as part of other operating expense.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase - The Bank enters into sales of securities under agreements to repurchase.  Fixed-coupon repurchase agreements are treated as financing, with the obligation to repurchase securities sold being reflected as a liability and the securities underlying the agreements remaining as assets.

Income Taxes - Income taxes are the sum of amounts currently payable to taxing authorities and the net changes in income taxes payable or refundable in future years.  Income taxes deferred to future years are determined utilizing a liability approach.  This method gives consideration to the future tax consequences associated with differences between financial accounting and tax bases of certain assets and liabilities which are principally the allowance for loan losses, depreciable premises and equipment, and the net operating loss carry forward.  Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, if based on the weight of evidence available; it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company believes that its income tax filing positions taken or expected to be taken in its tax returns will more likely than not be sustained upon audit by the taxing authorities and does not anticipate any adjustments that will result in a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow.  Therefore, no reserves for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded.
 
 
9

 
 
Retirement Plan - The Company has a 401(k) profit sharing plan, which provides retirement benefits to substantially all officers and employees who meet certain age and service requirements.  The plan includes a “salary reduction” feature pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Additionally, the Company maintains supplemental retirement plans for certain highly compensated employees designed to offset the impact of regulatory limits on benefits under qualified pension plans.  There are supplemental retirement plans in place for certain current employees. Effective June 30, 2010, the executive officers agreed to cease further benefit accrual under the contracts and will only be entitled to receive benefits accrued through June 30, 2010.

Bank Owned Life Insurance - Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) represents life insurance on the lives of certain current and former employees who have provided positive consent allowing the Bank to be the beneficiary of such policies.  The Bank purchases BOLI in order to use its earnings to help offset the costs of the Bank’s benefit expenses including pre- and post-retirement employee benefits.  Increases in the cash surrender value (“CSV”) of the policies, as well as death benefits received net of any CSV, are recorded in other non-interest income, and are not subject to income taxes.  The CSV of the policies are recorded as assets of the Bank.  Any amounts owed to employees from policy benefits are recorded as liabilities of the Bank.  The Company reviews the financial strength of the insurance carriers prior to the purchase of BOLI and annually thereafter.  The Bank is currently not in compliance with Company policy that BOLI with any individual carrier is limited to 15% of tier one capital and BOLI in total is limited to 25% of tier one capital.
 
Stock Option Plan - On May 10, 2004, the Company established the 2004 Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (“Stock Plan”) that provides for the granting of options to purchase 20% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock to directors, officers, or employees of the Company.  The per-share exercise price of incentive stock options granted under the Stock Plan may not be less than the fair market value of a share on the date of grant and vest based on continued service with the Company for a specified period, generally two to five years following the date of grant.  The per-share exercise price of stock options granted is determined by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors.  The expiration date of any option may not be greater than 10 years from the date of grant.  Options that expire unexercised or are forfeited become available for reissuance.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan - The Company established the Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) for the exclusive benefit of all eligible employees and their beneficiaries subject to authority to amend, from time to time, or terminate, the ESOP.  The ESOP is primarily designed to invest in common stock of the Company and is permitted to purchase Company common stock with contributions to the ESOP made by the Company.  Also, the ESOP is permitted to borrow money and use the loan proceeds to purchase Company common stock.  The money and Company common stock in the ESOP is intended to grow tax free until retirement, death, permanent disability or other severance of employment with the Company.  When an employee retires, he/she will receive the value of the accounts that have been set up for the contributions to the ESOP.  An employee may also be eligible for benefits in the event of death, permanent disability or other severance from employment with the Company.  The employee must pay taxes when the money is paid following one of these events or any other distributable event described in the ESOP.
 
Earnings (loss) per common share - Basic earnings (loss) per common share represent income (loss) available to common shareholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Dilutive earnings (loss) per share reflect additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued.  Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate solely to outstanding stock options and warrants and are determined using the treasury stock method.  Weighted average shares outstanding are reduced for shares encumbered by the ESOP borrowings.

Comprehensive Income (loss) - Accounting principles generally require that recognized income, 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 equity section of the balance sheet, such items, along with net income (loss), are components of comprehensive income (loss).

Statements of Cash Flows - For purposes of reporting cash flows in the consolidated financial statements, the Company considers certain highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  Cash equivalents include amounts due from banks and federal funds sold.  Generally, federal funds are sold for one-day periods.
 
Changes in the valuation account of securities available-for-sale, including the deferred tax effects, are considered noncash transactions for purposes of the statement of cash flows and are presented in detail in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 
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Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments - In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into off-balance sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit.  These financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they become payable by the customer.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements - The following is a summary of recent authoritative pronouncements that could impact the accounting, reporting, and / or disclosure of financial information by the Company.

The Comprehensive Income topic of the ASC was amended in June 2011.  The amendment eliminated the option to present other comprehensive income as a part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity and required consecutive presentation of the statement of net income and other comprehensive income.  The amendments were applicable to the Company on January 1, 2012, and have been applied retrospectively.  In December 2011, the topic was further amended to defer the effective date of presenting reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income to net income on the face of the financial statements while the FASB redeliberated the presentation requirements for the reclassification adjustments.  In February 2013, the FASB further amended the Comprehensive Income topic clarifying the conclusions from such redeliberations.  Specifically, the amendments do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements.  However, the amendments do require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component.  In addition, in certain circumstances an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income.  The amendments became effective for the Company on a prospective basis for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012.  These amendments did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In January 2014, the FASB amended the Receivables topic of the Accounting Standards Codification. The amendments are intended to resolve diversity in practice with respect to when a creditor should reclassify a collateralized consumer mortgage loan to other real estate owned (“OREO”). In addition, the amendments require a creditor to reclassify a collateralized consumer mortgage loan to OREO upon obtaining legal title to the real estate collateral, or the borrower voluntarily conveying all interest in the real estate property to the lender to satisfy the loan through a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement. The amendments will be effective for the Company for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, with early implementation of the guidance permitted. In implementing this guidance, assets that are reclassified from real estate to loans are measured at the carrying value of the real estate at the date of adoption. Assets reclassified from loans to real estate are measured at the lower of the net amount of the loan receivable or the fair value of the real estate less costs to sell at the date of adoption. The Company will apply the amendments using a modified retrospective approach. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance to change the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to reflect the transfer of goods and services to customers in an amount equal to the consideration the entity receives or expects to receive. The guidance will be effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company will apply the guidance using a modified retrospective approach. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance which makes limited amendments to the guidance on accounting for certain repurchase agreements. The new guidance (1) requires entities to account for repurchase-to-maturity transactions as secured borrowings (rather than as sales with forward repurchase agreements), (2) eliminates accounting guidance on linked repurchase financing transactions, and (3) expands disclosure requirements related to certain transfers of financial assets that are accounted for as sales and certain transfers (specifically, repos, securities lending transactions, and repurchase-to-maturity transactions) accounted for as secured borrowings. The amendments will be effective for the Company for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company will apply the guidance by making a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.
 
In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance that is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. In connection with preparing financial statements, management will need to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the organization’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The amendments will be effective for the Company for annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.
 
Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Risks and Uncertainties - In the normal course of its business, the Company encounters two significant types of risks: economic and regulatory.  There are three main components of economic risk:  interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk.  The Company is subject to interest rate risk to the degree that its interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice at different speeds, or on different basis, than its interest-earning assets.  Credit risk is the risk of default on the loan portfolio that results from borrower’s inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments.  Market risk reflects changes in the value of collateral underlying loans receivable and the valuation of real estate held by the Company.
 
 
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The Company is subject to the regulations of various governmental agencies.  These regulations can and do change significantly from period to period.  Periodic examinations by the regulatory agencies may subject the Company to further changes with respect to asset valuations, amounts of required loss allowances and operating restrictions from the regulators’ judgments based on information available to them at the time of their examination.

Reclassifications - Certain captions and amounts in the 2013 financial statements were reclassified to conform to the 2014 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on shareholders’ equity or results of operations as previously presented.

NOTE 3 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The current accounting literature requires the disclosure of fair value information for financial instruments, whether or not they are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, when it is practical to estimate the fair value.  The guidance defines a financial instrument as cash, evidence of an ownership interest in an entity or contractual obligations which require the exchange of cash or other financial instruments.  Certain items are specifically excluded from the disclosure requirements, including the Company’s common stock, premises and equipment, accrued interest receivable and payable, and other assets and liabilities.
 
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the asset or obligation could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale.  Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information and information about the financial instruments.  Because no market value exists for a significant portion of the financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors.
 
The Company has used management’s best estimate of fair value based on the above assumptions.  Thus, the fair values presented may not be the amounts, which could be realized, in an immediate sale or settlement of the instrument. In addition, any income taxes or other expenses, which would be incurred in an actual sale or settlement, are not taken into consideration in the fair values presented.
  
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of significant financial instruments:

Cash and Due from Banks - The carrying amount for cash and due from banks is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Federal Funds Sold - Federal funds sold are for a term of one day, and the carrying amount approximates the fair value.

Securities Available-for-sale - Investment securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions. 

With respect to securities available-for-sale, Level 1 includes those securities traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets and money market funds.  Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored entities, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities.  Securities classified as Level 3 include asset-backed securities in less liquid markets.

Nonmarketable Equity Securities - The carrying amount for nonmarketable equity securities approximates the fair value since no readily available market exists for these securities.
 
Loans Receivable - For certain categories of loans, such as variable rate loans which are repriced frequently and have no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on the carrying amounts.  The fair value of other types of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.  However, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired and an allowance for loan losses is established.  Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired.  The fair value of impaired loans is estimated using one of several methods, including collateral value, market value of similar debt, enterprise value, liquidation value and discounted cash flows.  Those impaired loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceeds the recorded investments in such loans.

 
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Deposits - The fair value of demand deposits, savings, and money market accounts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date.  The fair values of certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies current interest rates to a schedule of aggregated expected maturities.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase - These repurchase agreements have a fixed rate.  Due to the minor change in interest rates, management estimated the fair value using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies the Company’s current borrowing rate for the securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank - The fair values of fixed rate borrowings are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies the Company’s current borrowing rate from the Federal Home Loan Bank.  The carrying amounts of variable rate borrowings are reasonable estimates of fair value because they can be repriced frequently.
 
Junior Subordinated Debentures - The fair values of fixed rate junior subordinated debentures are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies the Company’s current borrowing rate.  The carrying amounts of variable rate borrowings are reasonable estimates of fair value because they can be repriced frequently.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan Borrowings - The carrying value of the ESOP borrowing is a reasonable estimate of fair value because they can be repriced frequently.

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments - Fair values for off-balance sheet, credit-related financial instruments 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.
 
Assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value are classified in one of the following three categories based on a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair value.
 
Level 1 —
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.  Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as U.S. Treasuries, and money market funds.
 
Level 2 —
Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.  Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments, mortgage-backed securities, municipal bonds, corporate debt securities, and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.  This category generally includes certain derivative contracts and impaired loans.
 
Level 3 —
Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.   Observable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to 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.  For example, this category generally includes certain private equity instruments, retained residual interests in securitizations, residential mortgage servicing rights, and highly-structured or long-term derivative contracts.
 
The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:
 
   
September 30, 2014
 
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
       
   
Level 3
 
Financial Assets:
                             
Cash and due from banks
  $ 3,501,224     $ 3,501,224     $ 3,501,224     $     $  
Interest bearing balances
    15,869,502       15,869,502       15,869,502              
Securities available-for-sale
    83,844,554       83,844,554       4,441,406       79,403,148        
Nonmarketable equity securities
    903,400       903,400                   903,400  
Loans receivable
    323,334,862       322,124,000             297,569,618       24,554,382  
                                         
Financial Liabilities:
                                       
Demand deposit, interest-bearing
  transaction, and savings accounts
  $ 166,899,225     $ 166,899,225     $     $ 166,899,225     $  
Certificates of deposit and other
  time deposits
    268,085,488       267,584,000             267,584,000        
Securities sold under agreements
  to repurchase
    10,000,000       10,821,000             10,821,000        
Advances from Federal Home Loan
  Bank
    9,000,000       9,241,000             9,241,000        
Junior subordinated debentures
    14,434,000       14,431,988                   14,431,988  
 
 
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December 31, 2013
 
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
 
Level 1
   
 
Level 2
   
 
Level 3
 
 
Financial Assets:
                             
Cash and due from banks
  $ 4,079,965     $ 4,079,965     $ 4,079,965     $     $  
Interest bearing balances
    15,198,532       15,198,532       15,198,532              
Securities available-for-sale
    80,839,795       80,839,795             80,839,795        
Nonmarketable equity securities
    1,276,400       1,276,400                   1,276,400  
Loans receivable
    331,088,969       330,988,000             302,859,388       28,128,612  
                                         
Financial Liabilities:
                                       
Demand deposit, interest-bearing
  transaction, and savings accounts
  $ 158,587,759     $ 158,587,759     $     $ 158,587,759     $  
Certificates of deposit and other
  time deposits
    278,335,722       276,981,000             276,981,000        
Securities sold under agreements
  to repurchase
    10,000,000       11,105,000             11,105,000        
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank
    13,000,000       13,283,000             13,283,000        
Junior subordinated debentures
    14,434,000       14,431,516                   14,431,516  
ESOP borrowings
    600,000       600,000             600,000        

   
September 30, 2014
   
December 31, 2013
 
   
Notional Amount
   
Estimated Fair Value
   
Notional Amount
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments:
                       
Commitments to extend credit
  $ 19,110,823     $     $ 13,747,105     $  
Letters of credit
    539,440             377,923        
 
In determining appropriate levels, the Company performs a detailed analysis of the assets and liabilities that are subject to fair value disclosures.  At each reporting period, all assets and liabilities for which the fair value measurement is based on significant unobservable inputs are classified as Level 3.  Following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets received of fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis.
 
Investment Securities Available for Sale

Measurement is on a recurring basis upon quoted market prices, if available.  If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for prepayment assumptions, projected credit losses, and liquidity.  Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange or by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets.  Level 2 securities include securities issued by government sponsored enterprises, municipal enterprises, and mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored enterprises.  Generally these fair values are priced from established pricing models.

 
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Loans

Loans that are considered impaired are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis.  Once a loan is considered impaired, the fair value is measured using one of several methods, including collateral liquidation value, market value of similar debt and discounted cash flows.   Those impaired loans not requiring a specific charge against allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral meet or exceed the recorded investment in the loan.  When the Company records the fair value based on a current appraisal, the fair value measurement is considered a non-recurring Level 3 measurement.
 
Other Real Estate Owned (OREO)

Other real estate owned is adjusted to fair value upon transfer of the loans to foreclosed assets.  Subsequently, other real estate owned is carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value.  Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or management’s estimation of the value of the collateral, less estimated costs to sell.  When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, the Bank records the other real estate owned as non-recurring Level 3.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
September 30, 2014
 
Quoted market price in active markets
(Level 1)
   
Significant other observable inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
 
US Treasuries
  $ 4,441,406     $     $  
Government sponsored enterprises
          8,644,687        
Mortgage-backed securities
          59,641,096        
SBA loan pools
          11,117,365        
Total  available-for-sale
investment securities
  $ 4,441,406     $ 79,403,148     $  
                         
 
December 31, 2013
                 
Government sponsored enterprises
  $     $ 6,321,349     $  
Mortgage-backed securities
          63,243,219        
SBA loan pools
          11,275,227        
Total  available-for-sale                                                   
investment securities
  $     $ 80,839,795     $  
 
Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are as follows as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
September 30, 2014
 
Quoted market price in active markets
(Level 1)
   
Significant other observable inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
 
Impaired loans
  $     $     $ 24,554,382  
Other real estate owned
                18,965,215  
Total
  $     $     $ 43,519,597  
December 31, 2013
                       
Impaired loans
  $     $     $ 28,128,612  
Other real estate owned
                18,692,607  
Total
  $     $     $ 46,821,219  

For Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows:
 
 
15

 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Fair Value as of September 30, 2014
 
Valuation Technique
 
Significant Observable  Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
                 
Other real estate owned
  $ 18,965,215  
Appraisal Value/Comparison Sales/Other Estimates
 
Appraisals and or sales of comparable properties
 
Appraisals discounted 7% for sales commissions and other holding costs
Impaired loans
  $ 24,554,382  
Appraisal Value/Comparison Sales/Discounted Cash Flows
 
Appraisals, sales of comparable properties and or discounted cash flows
 
Appraisals discounted 2% to 12% for sales commissions and other holding costs

NOTE 4 - CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

The Company maintains cash balances on hand in order to meet reserve requirements determined by the Federal Reserve.  At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Bank did not need a deposit on hand with the Federal Reserve Bank to meet this requirement. At September 30, 2014, the Bank had $1.3 million in actual currency and cash on hand, $2.2 million in due from non-interest bearing balances and $15.9 million in due from interest bearing balances.

NOTE 5 - INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of securities available-for-sale were:

    Amortized    
Gross Unrealized
    Estimated  
September 30, 2014
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
US Treasuries
  $ 4,457,934     $     $ 16,528     $ 4,441,406  
    Government-sponsored enterprises
    8,919,172             274,485       8,644,687  
Mortgage -backed securities
    61,844,041       21,218       2,224,163       59,641,096  
SBA loan pools
    11,604,859             487,494       11,117,365  
Total
  $ 86,826,006     $ 21,218     $ 3,002,670     $ 83,844,554  
                                 
December 31, 2013
                       
Government-sponsored enterprises
  $ 6,939,019     $     $ 617,670     $ 6,321,349  
Mortgage -backed securities
    67,142,922       12,791       3,912,494       63,243,219  
SBA loan pools
    12,092,717             817,490       11,275,227  
Total
  $ 86,174,658     $ 12,791     $ 5,347,654     $ 80,839,795  

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investment securities at September 30, 2014, by contractual maturity dates, are shown in the following table.  Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalty. Mortgage-backed securities are presented as a separate line item since pay downs are expected before contractual maturity dates.

   
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
 
Due within one year
  $     $  
Due after one year through five years
    7,447,811       7,410,893  
Due after five years through ten years
    971,526       944,133  
Due after ten years
    16,562,628       15,848,432  
Subtotal
    24,981,965       24,203,458  
Mortgage-backed securities
    61,844,041       59,641,096  
Total Securities
  $ 86,826,006     $ 83,844,554  

 
16

 
 
At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, investment securities with market values of $19,406,195 and $13,835,140 respectively, were pledged as collateral for securities sold under agreements to repurchase and a fed funds line. Gross proceeds from the sale of investment securities totaled zero for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. There were no realized gains or losses on the sale of investment securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  Gross proceeds from the sale of investment securities totaled $26,187,123 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The gross realized gain on the sale of investment securities totaled $12,833 with gross realized losses of $141,010 resulting in a net realized loss of $128,177 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  There were no proceeds from the sale of investment securities for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The cost of investments sold is determined using the specific identification method.

The following table shows gross unrealized losses and fair value, for securities available-for-sale, and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

   
Less than Twelve months
   
 
Twelve months or more
   
Total
 
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized
losses
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized
losses
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized
losses
 
September 30, 2014
US Treasuries
  $ 4,441,406     $ 16,528     $     $     $ 4,441,406     $ 16,528  
Government-sponsored enterprises
    1,979,488       1,226       6,665,199       273,259       8,644,687       274,485  
Mortgage -backed securities
    3,739,039       6,098       52,118,537       2,218,065       55,857,576       2,224,163  
SBA loan pools
                11,117,365        487,494       11,117,365       487,494  
    $ 10,159,933     $ 23,852     $ 69,901,101     $ 2,978,818     $ 80,061,034     $ 3,002,670  

   
Less than Twelve months
   
 
Twelve months or more
   
Total
 
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized
losses
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized
losses
   
Fair value
   
Unrealized
losses
 
December 31, 2013
Government-sponsored enterprises
  $ 6,321,349     $ 617,670     $     $     $ 6,321,349     $ 617,670  
Mortgage -backed securities
    46,893,696       2,674,113       14,334,739       1,238,381       61,228,435       3,912,494  
SBA loan pools
    11,275,227       817,490                   11,275,227       817,490  
    $ 64,490,272     $ 4,109,273     $ 14,334,739     $ 1,238,381     $ 78,825,011     $ 5,347,654  
 
Securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded at fair market value.  Of the securities in an unrealized loss position, there were forty-five securities in a continuous loss position for 12 months or more at September 30, 2014 and there were seven securities in a continuous loss position for 12 months or more at December 31, 2013. The Company does not intend to sell these securities, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell these securities before recovery of their amortized cost.  The Company believes, based on industry analyst reports and credit ratings, that the deterioration in value is attributable to changes in market interest rates and not in the credit quality of the issuer and therefore, these losses are not considered other-than-temporary.

Nonmarketable equity securities include the fair value of stock in community bank holding companies of $61,500 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and the Federal Home Loan Bank stock which has no quoted market value and no ready market exists.  Investment in the Federal Home Loan Bank is a condition of borrowing from the Federal Home Loan Bank, and the stock is pledged to collateralize such borrowings.  At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock was $841,900 and $1,214,900, respectively.

The Company reviews its investment securities portfolio at least quarterly and more frequently when economic conditions warrant, assessing whether there is any indication of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). Factors considered in the review include estimated future cash flows, length of time and extent to which market value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, and our intent and ability to retain the security to allow for an anticipated recovery in market value.  If the review determines that there is OTTI, then an impairment loss is recognized in earnings equal to the difference between the investment’s cost and its fair value at the balance sheet date of the reporting period for which the assessment is made, or a portion may be recognized in other comprehensive income. The fair value of investments on which OTTI is recognized then becomes the new cost basis of the investment.

 
17

 
 
NOTE 6 – LOANS RECEIVABLE
 
Major classifications of loans receivable are summarized as follows for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Real estate – construction
  $ 47,307,229     $ 51,289,157  
Real estate – mortgage
    250,565,593       255,090,976  
Commercial and industrial
    23,332,848       22,473,251  
Consumer and other
    2,229,091       2,325,192  
Total loans receivable, gross
    323,434,761       331,178,576  
Deferred origination fees
    (99,899 )     (89,607 )
Total loans receivable, net of deferred origination fees
    323,334,862       331,088,969  
Less allowance for loan losses
    5,145,291       6,026,110  
Total loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses
  $ 318,189,571     $ 325,062,859  
 
The composition of gross loans by rate type is as follows for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Variable rate loans
  $ 103,464,647     $ 108,024,510  
Fixed rate loans
    219,870,215       223,064,459  
Total gross loans
  $ 323,334,862     $ 331,088,969  
 
The following is an analysis of our loan portfolio by credit quality indicators at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
   
Commercial
   
Commercial Real Estate
   
Commercial Real EstateConstruction
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
Grade:
                                   
Pass
  $ 17,436,850     $ 20,817,719     $ 129,996,730     $ 124,471,948     $ 17,857,046     $ 16,926,173  
Special Mention
    35,297       74,417       5,337,852       10,642,183              
Substandard
    5,860,701       1,581,115       16,039,414       11,224,182       1,504,075       1,249,456  
Doubtful
                                   
Loss
                                   
Total
  $ 23,332,848     $ 22,473,251     $ 151,373,996     $ 146,338,313     $ 19,361,121     $ 18,175,629  
 
   
Residential Real Estate
   
Real Estate
Residential Construction
   
Consumer
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
Grade:
                                   
Pass
  $ 88,517,969     $ 94,604,237     $ 22,264,056     $ 25,439,513     $ 2,190,332       2,266,967  
Special Mention
    3,529,222       4,272,201       3,476,510       3,576,510       33,254       39,432  
Substandard
    7,144,406       9,876,225       2,205,542       4,097,505       5,505       18,793  
Doubtful
                                   
Loss
                                   
Total
  $ 99,191,597     $ 108,752,663     $ 27,946,108     $ 33,113,528     $ 2,229,091     $ 2,325,192  

 
18

 
 
Loans are categorized into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors. The following definitions are utilized for risk ratings, which are consistent with the definitions used in supervisory guidance:

Special Mention - Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution's credit position at some future date.
 
Substandard - Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  
 
Doubtful - Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.
 
Loans not meeting the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the above described process are considered to be pass rated loans.
 
The following is an aging analysis of our loan portfolio at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
   
Commercial
   
Commercial Real Estate
   
Commercial Real Estate Construction
   
Residential Real Estate
   
Residential Real Estate
Construction
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
September 30, 2014
                                         
Accruing Loans Paid Current
  $ 22,187,506     $ 143,909,830     $ 18,117,965     $ 97,177,034     $ 25,938,100     $ 2,211,726     $ 309,542,161  
Accruing Loans Past Due:
                                                       
30-59 Days
    377,376       3,824,685                         17,365       4,219,426  
60-89 Days
     —                    185,188       35,443             220,631  
Total Loans Past Due
    377,376       3,824,685             185,188       35,443       17,365       4,440,057  
Loans Receivable on Nonaccrual Status
  $ 767,966     $ 3,639,481     $ 1,243,156     $ 1,829,375     $ 1,972,565     $     $ 9,452,543  
Total Loans Receivable
  $ 23,332,848     $ 151,373,996     $ 19,361,121     $ 99,191,597     $ 27,946,108     $ 2,229,091     $ 323,434,761  
                                                         
December 31, 2013
                                                       
Accruing Loans Paid Current
  $ 20,820,951     $ 141,393,759     $ 15,503,293     $ 103,437,464     $ 29,364,028     $ 2,300,632     $ 312,820,127  
Accruing Loans Past Due:
                                                       
30-59 Days
    166,125       351,423       1,422,880       1,332,087             24,560       3,297,075  
60-89 Days
     183,004       451,628              383,964                   1,018,596  
   Total Loans Past Due
    349,129       803,051       1,422,880       1,716,051             24,560       4,315,671  
Loans Receivable on Nonaccrual Status
  $ 1,303,171     $ 4,141,503     $ 1,249,456     $ 3,599,148     $ 3,749,500     $     $ 14,042,778  
Total Loans Receivable
  $ 22,473,251     $ 146,338,313     $ 18,175,629     $ 108,752,663     $ 33,113,528     $ 2,325,192     $ 331,178,576  
 
The following is a summary of information pertaining to impaired and nonaccrual loans at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance
  $ 13,924,450     $ 21,957,602  
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance
    12,579,591       8,407,274  
Total impaired loans
  $ 26,504,041     $ 30,364,876  
Valuation allowance related to impaired loans
  $ 1,949,659     $ 2,236,264  
Average of impaired loans during the period
  $ 29,711,558     $ 33,958,187  
Total nonaccrual loans
  $ 9,452,543     $ 14,042,778  
Total loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest
  $     $  
Total loans considered impaired which are classified as troubled debt restructurings
  $ 12,617,169     $ 19,081,135  

 
19

 
 
The following is an analysis of our impaired loan portfolio detailing the related allowance recorded at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
Commercial
   
Commercial Real Estate
   
Commercial Real Estate Construction
   
Residential Real Estate
   
Residential Real Estate
Construction
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
With no related allowance recorded:
                                         
Recorded Investment
  $ 764,328     $ 7,148,405     $ 1,243,156     $ 3,466,148     $ 1,302,413     $     $ 13,924,450  
Unpaid Principal Balance
    764,328       8,174,718       1,243,156       3,702,825       1,966,486             15,851,513  
Related Allowance
                                         
With an allowance recorded:
                                                       
Recorded Investment
  $ 4,843,638     $ 3,788,967     $     $ 2,104,332     $ 1,842,654     $     $ 12,579,591  
Unpaid Principal Balance
    4,860,479       4,059,552             2,104,332       1,842,654             12,867,017  
Related Allowance
    453,638       425,181             682,292       388,548             1,949,659  
Total:
                                         
Recorded Investment
  $ 5,607,966     $ 10,937,372     $ 1,243,156     $ 5,570,480     $ 3,145,067     $     $ 26,504,041  
Unpaid Principal Balance
    5,624,807       12,234,270       1,243,156       5,807,157       3,809,140             28,718,530  
Related Allowance
    453,638       425,181             682,292       388,548             1,949,659  
 
December 31, 2013
         
With no related allowance recorded:
       
 
                               
Recorded Investment
  $ 1,303,171     $ 12,351,648     $ 1,249,456     $ 4,486,763     $ 2,566,564     $     $ 21,957,602  
Unpaid Principal Balance
    1,518,169       13,560,805       1,249,456       4,966,022       2,809,746       41,012       24,145,210  
Related Allowance
                                         
With an allowance recorded:
                                                       
Recorded Investment
  $     $ 2,373,553     $     $ 3,239,731     $ 2,793,990     $     $ 8,407,274  
Unpaid Principal Balance
          2,407,159             4,500,311       2,883,899             9,791,369  
Related Allowance
          424,744             1,008,967       802,553             2,236,264  
Total:
                                         
Recorded Investment
  $ 1,303,171     $ 14,725,201     $ 1,249,456     $ 7,726,494     $ 5,360,554     $     $ 30,364,876  
Unpaid Principal Balance
    1,518,169       15,967,964       1,249,456       9,466,333       5,693,645       41,012       33,936,579  
Related Allowance
          424,744             1,008,967       802,553             2,236,264  

The following is an analysis of our impaired loan portfolio detailing average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2014
 
Commercial
   
Commercial Real Estate
   
Commercial Real Estate Construction
   
Residential Real Estate
   
Residential Real Estate
Construction
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
With no related allowance recorded:
                                         
Average Recorded Investment
  $ 769,462     $ 8,165,122     $ 1,249,456     $ 3,740,515     $ 3,064,019     $     $ 16,988,574  
Interest Income Recognized
          103,443             20,000                   123,443  
With an allowance recorded:
                                                       
Average Recorded Investment
    4,844,835       4,214,498             2,104,968       1,864,466             13,028,767  
Interest Income Recognized
    55,660       16,500             20,258       14,777             107,195  
 
September 30, 2013                                          
With no related allowance recorded:
                                         
Average Recorded Investment
  $ 1,518,170     $ 28,683,879     $ 2,594,301     $ 7,599,829     $ 4,296,912     $     $ 44,693,091  
Interest Income Recognized
          324,042             44,436       4,612             373,090  
With an allowance recorded:
                                                       
Average Recorded Investment
          2,304,825       1,541,448       4,643,895       2,969,054       60,925       11,520,147  
Interest Income Recognized
          1,515       14,193       32,121       46,938       2,043       96,810  
 
 
20

 
 
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2014
 
Commercial
   
Commercial Real Estate
   
Commercial Real Estate Construction
   
Residential Real Estate
   
Residential Real Estate
Construction
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
With no related allowance recorded:
                                         
Average Recorded Investment
  $ 824,540     $ 8,185,011     $ 1,245,625     $ 3,713,586     $ 2,841,406     $     $ 16,810,168  
Interest Income Recognized
          317,911             73,976       7,301             399,188  
With an allowance recorded:
                                                       
Average Recorded Investment
    4,843,902       4,105,290             2,109,544       1,842,654             12,901,390  
Interest Income Recognized
    165,179       49,254             59,883       43,848             318,164  
 
September 30, 2013                                          
With no related allowance recorded:
                                         
Average Recorded Investment
  $ 1,429,480     $ 28,601,174     $ 2,816,136     $ 6,350,903     $ 4,563,863     $     $ 43,761,556  
Interest Income Recognized
          809,677             123,837       16,334             949,848  
With an allowance recorded:
                                                       
Average Recorded Investment
          2,324,560       1,544,138       4,654,523       2,987,637       60,925       11,571,783  
Interest Income Recognized
          18,313       44,846       100,781       58,038       2,043       224,021  
 
The following is a summary of information pertaining to our allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
September 30, 2014
 
Commercial
   
Commercial Real Estate
   
Commercial Real Estate Construction
   
Residential Real Estate
   
Residential Real Estate
Construction
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Allowance for
loan losses:
 
 
                                           
Beginning Balance
  $ 370,543     $ 1,000,124     $ 71,090     $ 1,990,816     $ 1,172,156     $ 30,538     $ 1,390,843     $ 6,026,110  
Charge-offs
    (481,011 )     (138,856 )           (329,385 )     (346,973 )     (3,016 )           (1,299,241 )
Recoveries
    87,635                   140,174       95,419       24,194             347,422  
Provision
    607,313       298,270       6,660       (531,327 )     (400,377 )      45,436       45,025       71,000  
Ending Balance
  $ 584,480     $ 1,159,538     $ 77,750     $ 1,270,278     $ 520,225     $ 97,152     $ 1,435,868     $ 5,145,291  
 Individually evaluated for impairment
    453,638       425,181             682,292       388,548                   1,949,659  
Collectively evaluated for impairment
    130,842       734,357       77,750       587,986       131,677       97,152       1,435,868       3,195,632  
Loans Receivable:
                                                               
Ending Balance
  $ 23,332,848     $ 151,373,996     $ 19,361,121     $ 99,191,597     $ 27,946,108     $ 2,229,091     $     $ 323,434,761  
 Individually evaluated for impairment
    5,607,966       10,937,372       1,243,156       5,570,480       3,145,067                   26,504,041  
Collectively evaluated for impairment
    17,724,882       140,436,624       18,117,965       93,621,117       24,801,041       2,229,091             296,930,720  
 
December 31, 2013
 
Commercial
   
Commercial Real Estate
   
Commercial Real Estate Construction
   
Residential Real Estate
   
Residential Real Estate
Construction
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Allowance for
 loan losses:
                                               
Beginning Balance
  $ 383,496     $ 1,336,140     $ 55,829     $ 2,365,718     $ 2,366,052     $ 219,315     $     $ 6,726,550  
Charge-offs
    (301,020 )     (714,012 )     (97,020 )     (911,007 )     (702,738 )     (65,600 )           (2,791,397 )
Recoveries
    88,815       384,262       21,054       344,313       805,396       12,117             1,655,957  
Provision
    199,252       (6,266 )     91,227       191,792       (1,296,554 )      (135,294 )      1,390,843       435,000  
Ending Balance
  $ 370,543     $ 1,000,124     $ 71,090     $ 1,990,816     $ 1,172,156     $ 30,538     $ 1,390,843     $ 6,026,110  
 Individually evaluated for impairment
          424,744             1,008,967       802,553                   2,236,264  
Collectively evaluated for impairment
    370,543       575,380       71,090       981,849       369,603       30,538       1,390,843       3,789,846  
Loans Receivable:
                                                               
Ending Balance
  $ 22,473,251     $ 146,338,313     $ 18,175,629     $ 108,752,663     $ 33,113,528     $ 2,325,192     $     $ 331,178,576  
 Individually evaluated for impairment
    1,303,171       14,725,201       1,249,456       7,726,494       5,360,554                   30,364,876  
Collectively evaluated for impairment
    21,170,080       131,613,112       16,926,173       101,026,169       27,752,974       2,325,192           $ 300,813,700  
 
 
21

 
 
The allowance for loan losses, as a percent of loans, net of deferred fees, was 1.59% and 1.82% for periods ended September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.  At September 30, 2014, the Bank had 33 loans totaling $9,452,543 or 2.92% of gross loans, in nonaccrual status, of which $3,712,566 were deemed to be troubled debt restructurings.  There were 14 loans totaling $8,904,603 deemed to be troubled debt restructurings not in nonaccrual status at September 30, 2014. At December 31, 2013, the Bank had 44 loans totaling $14,042,778 or 4.24% of loans, in nonaccrual status, of which $6,069,251 were deemed to be troubled debt restructurings.  There were 17 loans totaling $13.0 million deemed to be troubled debt restructurings not in nonaccrual status at December 31, 2013.  There were no loans contractually past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest at September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.  Our analysis under generally accepted accounting principles indicates that the level of the allowance for loan losses is appropriate to cover estimated credit losses on individually evaluated loans as well as estimated credit losses inherent in the remainder of the portfolio. We do not recognize interest income on loans that are in nonaccrual status.   At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Bank had $25,000 and $30,000, respectively, reserved for off-balance sheet credit exposure related to unfunded commitments included in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet.

At September 30, 2014, loans totaling $23.5 million were pledged as collateral at the Federal Home Loan Bank, and no loans were required to be pledged to maintain a line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank.

NOTE 7 - OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED

Transactions in other real estate owned for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized below:

   
2014
   
2013
 
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 18,692,607     $ 22,646,747  
Additions
    3,785,377       4,536,273  
Sales
    (3,427,269 )     (7,967,802 )
Write downs
     (85,500 )      (522,611 )
Balance, end of period
  $ 18,965,215     $ 18,692,607  

NOTE 8 - PREMISES, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT
 
Premises, furniture and equipment consist of the following for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Land and land improvements
  $ 3,434,431     $ 3,265,318  
Building and leasehold improvements
    18,659,406       18,575,600  
Furniture and equipment
    5,297,771       4,868,875  
Software
    956,844       888,320  
Construction in progress
      146,721         212,046  
Total
    28,495,173       27,810,159  
Less, accumulated depreciation
    7,606,895       6,748,277  
Premises, furniture and equipment, net
  $ 20,888,278     $ 21,061,882  
 
Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 amounted to $858,899 and $803,786, respectively.

NOTE 9 - DEPOSITS

At September 30, 2014, the scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit were as follows:
 
Maturing:
 
Amount
 
Remaining through 2014
  $ 37,438,674  
2015
    104,870,938  
2016
    71,853,011  
2017
    49,644,315  
2018
    3,839,652  
Thereafter
    438,898  
Total
  $ 268,085,488  

 
22

 
 
NOTE 10 - SECURITIES SOLD UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

The Bank has entered into sales of securities under agreements to repurchase.  These obligations to repurchase securities sold are reflected as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and consist of one obligation totaling $10.0 million at September 30, 2014. On November 14, 2007, the Bank borrowed $10.0 million under a nine-year repurchase agreement at a fixed rate of 4.40%. All repurchase agreements require quarterly interest only payments with principal and interest due on maturity. The dollar amounts of securities underlying the agreements are book entry securities.  Available-for-sale securities with fair values of $11,555,474 and $12,172,378 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, are used as collateral for the agreement.

Securities sold under repurchase agreements are summarized as follows for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

   
2014
   
2013
 
Amount outstanding at period end
  $ 10,000,000     $ 10,000,000  
Average amount outstanding during the period
    10,000,000       10,000,000  
Maximum outstanding at any month-end
    10,000,000       10,000,000  
Weighted average rate paid at period-end
    4.40 %     4.40 %
Weighted average rate paid during the period
    4.40 %     4.40 %

NOTE 11 - JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

On February 22, 2006, Tidelands Statutory Trust (the “Trust I”), a non-consolidated subsidiary of the Company, issued and sold floating rate capital securities of the trust (the “Trust I Securities”), generating proceeds of $8.0 million.  The Trust I loaned these proceeds to the Company to use for general corporate purposes, primarily to provide capital to the Bank.  The debentures qualify as Tier 1 capital under Federal Reserve Board guidelines.
 
The Trust I Securities in the transaction accrue and pay distributions quarterly at a rate per annum equal to the three-month
LIBOR plus 1.38%, which was 1.614% at the period ended September 30, 2014.  The distribution rate payable on the Trust I Securities is cumulative and payable quarterly in arrears.  The Company has the right, subject to events of default, to defer payments of interest on the Trust I Securities for a period not to exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, provided that no extension period may extend beyond the maturity date of March 30, 2036.

The Trust I Securities mature or are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity on March 30, 2036 or upon earlier optional redemption as provided in the indenture.  The Company has the right to redeem the Trust I Securities in whole or in part, on or after March 30, 2011.  The Company may also redeem the Trust I Securities prior to such dates upon occurrence of specified conditions and the payment of a redemption premium.

On June 20, 2008, Tidelands Statutory Trust II (the “Trust II”), a non-consolidated subsidiary of the Company, issued and sold floating rate capital securities of the trust (the “Trust II Securities”), generating proceeds of $6.0 million.  The Trust II loaned these proceeds to the Company to use for general corporate purposes, primarily to provide capital to the Bank.  The debentures qualify as Tier 1 Capital under Federal Reserve Board guidelines.

The Trust II Securities accrue and pay distributions quarterly at a rate equal to (i) 9.425% fixed for the first 5 years, and (ii) the three-month LIBOR rate plus 5.075%, which was 5.309% at the period ended September 30, 2014.  The distribution rate payable on the Trust II Securities is cumulative and payable quarterly in arrears.  The Company has the right, subject to events of default, to defer payments of interest on the Trust II Securities for a period not to exceed 20 consecutive quarterly periods, provided that no extension period may extend beyond the maturity date of September 30, 2038.

The Trust II Securities mature or are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity on September 30, 2038 or upon earlier optional redemption as provided in the indenture.  The Company has the right to redeem the Trust II Securities in whole or in part, on or after June 30, 2013.  The Company may also redeem the Trust II Securities prior to such dates upon occurrence of specified conditions and the payment of a redemption premium.

Beginning with the scheduled payment date of December 30, 2010, the Company has deferred the payments of interest on its outstanding subordinated debentures for an indefinite period (which can be no longer than 20 consecutive quarterly periods).  This and any future deferred distributions will continue to accrue interest.  Distributions on the trust preferred securities are cumulative.  Therefore, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the Company will continue to accrue the monthly cost of the trust preferred securities as it has since issuance.  As of September 30, 2014, the amount of accrued interest was $2,617,992.

As described in Note 16 below, on March 18, 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (“FRB”) which, among other things, prohibits the Company’s making any distributions of interest, principal or other sums on subordinated debentures or trust preferred securities without the prior approval of the FRB.

 
23

 
 
NOTE 12 – ADVANCES FROM FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK

At September 30, 2014, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) consisted of one advance totaling $9.0 million.  On September 21, 2007, the Bank borrowed $9.0 million under a 10-year convertible advance at a fixed rate of 3.96%.  The advance is collateralized by pledged FHLB stock and certain loans.  At September 30, 2014, loans totaling $23.5 million were pledged as collateral at the Federal Home Loan Bank.

FHLB advances are summarized as follows for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

   
2014
   
2013
 
Amount outstanding at period end
  $ 9,000,000     $ 13,000,000  
Average amount outstanding during the period
    12,692,308       18,205,479  
Maximum outstanding at any month-end
    13,000,000       24,000,000  
Weighted average rate at period-end
    3.96 %     2.83 %
Weighted average rate during the period
    2.93 %     2.44 %

NOTE 13 - OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

Other operating expenses for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are summarized below:

   
For the Nine Months
   
For the Three Months
 
   
Ended September 30,
   
Ended September 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
Professional fees
  $ 943,247     $ 829,993     $ 276,650     $ 152,172  
Telephone expenses
    149,570       154,773       47,707       50,318  
Office supplies, stationery, and printing
    72,579       62,074       24,725       21,547  
Insurance
    315,301       306,098       105,327       103,925  
Postage
    6,642       8,896       2,103       3,431  
Data processing
    627,168       568,982       195,791       193,799  
Advertising and marketing
    210,325       219,713       118,201       105,599  
FDIC Assessment
    813,886       829,348       268,401       269,117  
Other loan related expense
    179,962       143,410       87,676       (77,412 )
Other
    301,755       219,479       96,143       112,132  
Total
  $ 3,620,435     $ 3,342,766     $ 1,222,724     $ 934,628  

NOTE 14 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

From time to time, we are involved in routine legal matters incidental to our business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Consistent with Item 103 of Regulation S-K, we are presently involved in the following material pending legal proceedings not incidental to the business of the Company:

In December 2011, a lawsuit was filed in the South Carolina Circuit Court in Charleston, South Carolina against Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. and Tidelands Bank, as well as certain current and former officers and directors, by Robert E. Coffee, Jr., our former President and Chief Executive Officer.  The lawsuit includes causes of action against the Bank and Company for breach of employment contract, fraud, negligent misrepresentation and conversion, all of which relate to a severance provision in Mr. Coffee’s employment agreement with the Bank.  The lawsuit also includes causes of action against certain directors and two former and one current officer of the Bank.  Mr. Coffee is seeking actual damages of approximately $930,000, as well as the value of certain benefits he was receiving as of his termination date.  The lawsuit also seeks punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.  The Bank and Company are prohibited from making any payments to Mr. Coffee without the federal deposit insurance corporation (“FDIC”) approval.  The Bank sought the FDIC’s approval of a payment to Mr. Coffee, and the FDIC denied approval.  The lawsuit is currently in the discovery stage. The Company cannot provide assurances as to the outcome of this matter at this time.  The Bank has not accrued any amounts related to this litigation because a reasonably possible range of loss, if any, that may result from this matter could not be estimated.

On July 3, 2014, an action was filed in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division, on behalf of Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. and Tidelands Bank (“Tidelands”) against Mr. Coffee.  In this action for declaratory judgment, Tidelands seeks a declaration by the court that 12. U.S.C §1828(k)(4)(A)(ii) and FDIC Rules 359.1(f)(1)(ii) (12 C.F.R. §359.1(f)(1)(ii) and 303.10(c) (12 C.F.R §10(c) were the applicable statute and regulatory provision governing the definition, regulation and prohibition of “golden parachute payments” on or about May 1, 2008, the time of Mr. Coffee’s termination by Tidelands.  Further, that pursuant to other applicable regulations, Tidelands was in a “troubled condition” at the time it terminated Mr. Coffee, and as a result of the applicable statutes and regulations, Tidelands is prohibited from making any severance payments arising under its Employment Agreement with Mr. Coffee, as sought by Mr. Coffee in the state court action.
 
On October 3, 2014, the District Court issued an order staying the declaratory judgment action. In reaching its decision, the District Court considered the fact that the parties had been involved in the state court lawsuit for over two and a half years and that the issues raised by Tidelands and the Company in the declaratory judgment action in federal court were at issue in the state court action in the form of affirmative defenses raised by Tidelands and the Company.

The trial of this case is scheduled to take place during the first quarter of 2015.
 
 
24

 
 
NOTE 15 INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive common share equivalents using the treasury stock method.  Potentially dilutive common share equivalents include common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants.

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share is computed below for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:

   
Nine months ended
   
Three months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
Basic net income (loss) per share computation:
                       
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
  $ (1,044,869 )   $ (1,801,116 )   $ (344,728 )   $ 113,009  
Average common shares outstanding – basic
    4,210,000       4,164,971       4,220,991       4,168,350  
Basic net income (loss)  per share
  $ (0.25 )   $ (0.43 )   $ (0.08 )   $ 0.03  
                                 
Diluted net income (loss) per share computation:
                               
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
  $ (1,044,869 )   $ (1,801,116 )   $ (344,728 )   $ 113,009  
Average common shares outstanding – basic
    4,210,000       4,164,971       4,220,991       4,168,350  
Incremental shares from assumed conversions:
Stock options
                       
Average common shares outstanding – diluted
    4,210,000       4,164,971       4,220,991       4,168,350  
Diluted net income (loss)  per share
  $ (0.25 )   $ (0.43 )   $ (0.08 )   $ 0.03  
 
For the period ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 there were no stock options outstanding.  At September 30, 2014 and 2013, there were 571,821 warrant shares outstanding that were anti-dilutive.  Warrants are considered anti-dilutive because the exercise price exceeded the average market price for the period.

NOTE 16 - REGULATORY MATTERS
 
As reported in the Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2011, the Company entered into a written agreement (the “FRB Written Agreement”) with the FRB on March 18, 2011.   The FRB Written Agreement is designed to enhance the Company’s ability to act as a source of strength to the Bank. The Bank’s lending and deposit operations continue to be conducted in the usual and customary manner, and all other products, services and hours of operation remain the same.  All Bank deposits will remain insured by the FDIC to the maximum extent allowed by law.
 
In addition to the foregoing, on June 1, 2010, the FDIC and the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions (the “State Board”) conducted their annual joint examination of the Bank.  As a result of the examination, the Bank entered into a Consent Order, effective December 28, 2010 (the “Consent Order”), with the FDIC and the State Board.  Based on information included in the FDIC’s report, the Bank’s credit risk rating at the FHLB has been negatively impacted, resulting in reduced borrowing capacity.  This action also restricts the Bank’s ability to accept, renew, or roll over brokered deposits.  In addition, the Bank’s ability to borrow funds from the Federal Reserve Bank Discount Window as a source of short-term liquidity is not guaranteed.  The Federal Reserve Discount Window borrowing capacity has been curtailed to only overnight terms, contingent upon credit approval for each transaction.

The Consent Order requires the Bank to, among other things, take the following actions: establish a board committee to monitor and coordinate compliance with the Consent Order; ensure that the Bank has competent management in place; develop an independent assessment of the Bank’s management and staffing needs; achieve Tier 1 capital at least equal to 8% of total assets and Total Risk-Based capital at least equal to 10% of total risk-weighted assets within 150 days and establish a capital plan that includes a contingency plan to sell or merge the Bank; implement a plan addressing liquidity, contingency funding, and asset liability management; implement a program designed to reduce the Bank’s exposure in problem assets; develop a three year strategic plan; adopt an effective internal loan review and grading system; adopt a plan to reduce concentrations of credit; implement a policy to ensure the adequacy of the Bank’s allowance for loan and lease losses; implement a written plan to improve and sustain the Bank’s earnings; revise, adopt and implement a written asset/liability management policy to provide effective guidance and control over the Bank’s funds management activities; develop a written policy for managing interest rate risk; not declare or pay any dividends or bonuses or make any distributions of interest, principal, or other sums on subordinated debentures without prior regulatory approval; not accept, renew, or rollover any brokered deposits unless it is in compliance with regulatory requirements and adopt a plan to eliminate reliance on brokered deposits; limit asset growth to 10% per year; adopt an employee compensation plan after undertaking an independent review of compensation paid to all the Bank’s senior executive officers; and address various violations of law and regulation cited by the FDIC.
 
 
25

 
 
The Company intends to take all actions necessary to enable the Bank to comply with the requirements of the Consent Order.  There can be no assurance that the Bank will be able to comply fully with the provisions of the Consent Order, and the determination of our compliance will be made by the FDIC and the State Board.  Failure to meet the requirements of the Consent Order could result in additional regulatory requirements, which could ultimately lead to the Bank being taken into receivership by the FDIC.  As of September 30, 2014, the Bank is not in compliance with all the provisions outlined in the Consent Order.

Regulatory Capital Requirements

The Company and 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 adverse material effect on the Company’s or Bank’s financial statements.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  The Company’s and Bank’s 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 Bank to maintain minimum ratios of Tier 1 and total capital as a percentage of assets and off-balance sheet exposures, adjusted for risk weights ranging from 0% to 100%.  Tier 1 capital consists of common shareholders’ equity, excluding the unrealized gain or loss on securities available-for-sale, minus certain intangible assets.  Tier 2 capital consists of the allowance for loan losses subject to certain limitations.  Total capital for purposes of computing the capital ratios consists of the sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital.  The regulatory minimum requirements are 4% for Tier 1 and 8% for total risk-based capital.

The Company and Bank are also required to maintain capital at a minimum level based on total assets, which is known as the leverage ratio.  Only the strongest institutions are allowed to maintain capital at the minimum requirement of 3%.  All others are subject to maintaining ratios 1% to 2% above the minimum.

To be considered “well-capitalized,” generally a bank must maintain a Leverage Capital ratio of at least 5%, Tier 1 Capital of at least 6%, and Total Risk-Based Capital of at least 10%.  The Consent Order, however, includes a requirement that the Bank achieves and maintains minimum capital requirements that exceed the minimum regulatory capital ratios for “well capitalized” banks.

The following table summarizes the capital amounts and ratios of the Company and the regulatory minimum requirements at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
   
Actual
   
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
   
To Be Well-
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
 
Tidelands Bancshares, Inc.
 
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
September 30, 2014
                                   
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
  $ 19,352,000       5.39 %   $ 28,738,000       8.00 %     N/A       N/A  
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    9,676,000       2.69 %     14,369,000       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
    9,676,000       2.00 %     19,396,000       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
December 31, 2013
                                               
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
  $ 22,070,000       6.10 %   $ 28,968,000       8.00 %     N/A       N/A  
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    11,035,000       3.05 %     14,484,000       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
    11,035,000       2.25 %     19,619,000       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
 
 
26

 
 
The following table summarizes the capital amounts and ratios of the Bank and the regulatory minimum requirements at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
 
   
Actual
   
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
   
To Be Well-
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
 
Tidelands Bank
 
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
September 30, 2014
                                   
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
  $ 31,838,000       8.86 %   $ 28,733,000       8.00 %   $ 35,917,000       10.00 %
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    27,340,000       7.61 %     14,367,000       4.00 %     21,550,000       6.00 %
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
    27,340,000       5.64 %     19,376,000       4.00 %     24,220,000       5.00 %
December 31, 2013
                                               
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
  $ 31,337,000       8.66 %   $ 28,950,000       8.00 %   $ 36,187,000       10.00 %
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    26,795,000       7.40 %     14,475,000       4.00 %     21,712,000       6.00 %
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
    26,795,000       5.48 %     19,566,000       4.00 %     24,458,000       5.00 %

To be considered “well-capitalized” per the requirements of the Consent Order, the Bank must maintain a minimum amount of $35,917,000 in total capital in order to maintain a Total Risk-Based Capital of 10%. In addition, the Bank would need to maintain $38,752,000 of Tier 1 capital in order to achieve a minimum Leverage Capital ratio of 8%. As of September 30, 2014, the Bank was deemed “adequately capitalized.” As such, the Bank was not considered in compliance with the capital requirements of the Consent Order.

NOTE 17 - UNUSED LINES OF CREDIT

As of September 30, 2014, the Bank had a line of credit with Alostar Bank of Commerce of $6.0 million, Raymond James of $5 million, and $108,000 with the Federal Reserve Bank.  These credit lines are currently secured by $7.4 million, zero, and $408,000, respectively in bonds as of September 30, 2014.   The Raymond James line of credit is required to be secured by bonds prior to any disbursements.   A line of credit is also available from the FHLB with a remaining credit availability of $63.0 million and an excess lendable collateral value of approximately $4.6 million at September 30, 2014.

NOTE 18 - SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred Stock - In December 2008, in connection with the Troubled Asset Relief Program (the “TARP”) Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”), established as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”), the Company issued to the U.S. Treasury 14,448 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series T (the “Preferred Stock”), having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share.  The Preferred Stock qualifies as Tier 1 capital and will be entitled to cumulative dividends at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years, and 9% per annum beginning with the May 15, 2014 dividend date.  We must consult with the Federal Reserve before we may redeem the Preferred Stock but, contrary to the original restrictions in the EESA, will not necessarily be required to raise additional equity capital in order to redeem this stock.  The Preferred Stock has a call feature after three years.

In connection with the sale of the Preferred Stock, the Company also issued to the U.S. Treasury a ten-year warrant to purchase up to 571,821 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Warrants”), par value $0.01 per share at an initial exercise price of $3.79 per share.  Please see the Form 8-K we filed with the SEC on December 19, 2008, for additional information about the Series T Preferred Stock and the CPP Warrant.

As required under the TARP Capital Purchase Program, dividend payments on and repurchase of the Company’s common stock are subject to certain restrictions.  For as long as the Preferred Stock is outstanding, no dividends may be declared or paid on the Company’s common stock until all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Preferred Stock are fully paid.  In addition, the U.S. Treasury’s consent is required for any increase in dividends on common stock before the third anniversary of issuance of the Preferred Stock and for any repurchase of any common stock except for repurchases of common shares in connection with benefit plans.

The Preferred Stock and Warrants were sold to the U.S. Treasury for an aggregate purchase price of $14,448,000 in cash.  The purchase price was allocated between the Preferred Stock and the Warrants based upon the relative fair values of each to arrive at the amounts recorded by the Company.  This resulted in the Preferred Stock being issued at a discount which was amortized on a level yield basis and charged to retained earnings over the assumed life of five years.

Beginning with the payment date of November 15, 2010, the Company deferred dividend payments on the TARP Preferred Stock.  Although the Company may defer dividend payments, the dividend is a cumulative dividend and failure to pay dividends for six dividend periods triggered board appointment rights for the holder of the TARP Preferred Stock. The Company deferred its seventh dividend payment in May 2012.  The Treasury has appointed an observer to the Board.  As of September 30, 2014, the amount of cumulative unpaid dividends is $3,526,831.
 
 
27

 
 
Restrictions on Dividends - A South Carolina state bank may not pay dividends from its capital.  All dividends must be paid out of undivided profits then on hand, after deducting expenses, including reserves for losses and bad debts.  The Bank is authorized to pay cash dividends up to 100% of net income in any calendar year without obtaining the prior approval of the State Board, provided that the Bank received a composite rating of one or two at the last federal or state regulatory examination.  The Bank must obtain approval from the State Board prior to the payment of any other cash dividends.  In addition, under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act, the Bank may not pay a dividend if, after paying the dividend, the Bank would be undercapitalized.  As described above on December 28, 2010, the Bank entered into the Consent Order with the FDIC and the State Board which, among other things, prohibits the Bank from declaring or paying any dividends or making any distributions of interest, principal, or other sums on subordinated debentures without the prior approval of the supervisory authorities.

As described above, on March 18, 2011, the Company entered into the FRB Written Agreement with the FRB which, among other things, prohibits the Company’s declaring or paying any dividends or directly or indirectly take dividends or any other form of payment representing a reduction in capital from the Bank without the prior approval of the FRB.

NOTE 19 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments consist of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  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 generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  A commitment involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the instrument is represented by the contractual notional amount of the instrument.  Since certain commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments to extend credit as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.  Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee a customer’s performance to a third party and have essentially the same credit risk as other lending facilities. At September 30, 2014, the Bank had $25,000 reserved for off-balance sheet credit exposure related to unfunded commitments included in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet.

Collateral held for commitments to extend credit and letters of credit varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant, equipment and income-producing commercial properties.

The following table sets forth the length of time until maturity for unused commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit at September 30, 2014.
 
   
Amount
 
Commitments to extend credit
  $ 19,110,823  
Standby letters of credit
    539,440  
Total
  $ 19,650,263  

NOTE 20 - EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
 
On May 17, 2007, the Company announced the formation of the Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), a non-contributory plan, for its employees.  The ESOP will purchase shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market from time to time with funds borrowed from a loan from a third party lender.  All employees of the Company meeting certain tenure requirements are entitled to participate in the ESOP.  Compensation expense related to the ESOP was $25,862 and $13,007 for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
 
A summary of the unallocated share activity of the Company’s ESOP is presented for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

   
2014
   
2013
 
Balance, beginning of year
    56,186       108,825  
New share purchases
           
Shares released to participants
          (5,514 )
Shares allocated to participants
          (47,125 )
Balance, end of period
    56,186       56,186  
 
 
28

 
 
The aggregate fair value of the 56,186 unallocated shares was $23,598 based on the $0.42 closing price of our common stock on September 30, 2014.  The aggregate fair value of the 56,186 unallocated shares was $21,351 based on the $0.38 closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2013.  The Company paid off the ESOP borrowing as of January 2014.

NOTE 21 – RETIREMENT PLAN

The Company has a 401(k) profit sharing plan, which provides retirement benefits to a majority of officers and employees who meet certain age and service requirements.  The plan includes a “salary reduction” feature pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Expenses charged to earnings for the 401(k) profit sharing plan were $66,917 and $61,993 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The Bank has a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“Supplemental Plan”).  This plan provides an annual post-retirement cash payment beginning after a chosen retirement date for certain officers of the Bank.  The officers will receive annual payments from the Bank equal to the promised benefits.  In connection with this plan, life insurance contracts were purchased on the officers.  Effective June 30, 2010, the executive officers agreed to cease further benefit accrual under the contracts and will only be entitled to receive benefits accrued through June 30, 2010. As a result, there was no expense related to the plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 or September 30, 2013.

NOTE 22 – TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCTURINGS

The troubled debt restructurings (“TDR’s”) amounted to $12,617,169 at September 30, 2014.   The accruing TDR’s were $8,904,603 and the non-accruing TDR’s were $3,712,566 at September 30, 2014.  The TDR’s amounted to $34,274,056 at September 30, 2013.  The accruing TDR’s were $24,382,249 and the non-accruing TDR’s were $9,891,807 at September 30, 2013.

The Bank did not incur any troubled debt restructurings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

The following chart represents the TDR’s incurred during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
   
For the nine months ended
 
   
September 30, 2013
 
         
Pre-Modification
   
Post-Modification
 
         
Outstanding
   
Outstanding
 
   
Number
   
Recorded
   
Recorded
 
Troubled Debt Restructurings
 
of Contracts
   
Investment
   
Investment
 
Residential Real Estate
   
2
   
$
395,653
   
$
395,653
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
4
     
3,651,559
     
3,651,559
 
Commercial
    1       838,328       838,328  
Totals
   
7
   
$
4,885,540
   
$
4,885,540
 
 
   
For the three months ended
 
   
September 30, 2013
 
         
Pre-Modification
   
Post-Modification
 
         
Outstanding
   
Outstanding
 
   
Number
   
Recorded
   
Recorded
 
Troubled Debt Restructurings
 
of Contracts
   
Investment
   
Investment
 
Commercial Real Estate
   
2
   
$
1,842,654
   
$
1,842,654
 
Commercial & Industrial
    1        838,328       838,328  
Totals
   
3
   
$
2,680,982
   
$
2,680,982
 
 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Bank did not modify any loans that were considered to be troubled debt restructurings.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Bank modified 7 loans that were considered to be troubled debt restructurings.   We extended the terms and lowered the interest rate for these 7 loans.  During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Bank modified 3 loans that were considered to be troubled debt restructurings.
 
 
29

 
 
The following chart represents the TDR’s that defaulted during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013:
 
   
For the nine months ended
September 30, 2013
 
   
Number of Contracts
   
Recorded Investment
 
Troubled Debt Restructurings
               
That Subsequently Defaulted
               
During the Period:
               
Residential Real Estate Construction
   
1
   
$
66,150
 
Residential Real Estate
    1       121,500  
Commercial Real Estate
    3       2,527,926  
Totals
    5     $ 2,715,576  

   
For the three months ended
September 30, 2013
 
   
Number of Contracts
   
Recorded Investment
 
Troubled Debt Restructurings
               
That Subsequently Defaulted
               
During the Period:
               
Residential Real Estate Construction
   
1
   
$
121,500
 
Commerical Real Estate
    3       2,527,926  
Totals
    4     $ 2,649,426  
 
No loans that were determined to be troubled debt restructurings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 subsequently defaulted.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, five loans that had previously been restructured defaulted.  There were four loans that were determined to be troubled debt restructurings that subsequently defaulted during the three months ended September 30, 2013.

In the determination of the allowance for loan losses, management considers troubled debt restructurings and subsequent defaults in these restructurings by performing the usual process for all loans in determining the allowance for loan loss.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, four loans that had previously been restructured, were in default, all of which went into default in the third quarter.
 
 
30

 
 
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following is a discussion of our financial condition as of September 30, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013 and the results of operations for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013. These comments should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes appearing in this report and in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes and disclosures in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

This report contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Forward-looking statements may relate to our financial condition, results of operation, plans, objectives, or future performance.  These statements are based on many assumptions and estimates and are not guarantees of future performance.  Our actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements, as they will depend on many factors about which we are unsure, including many factors which are beyond our control.  The words “may,” “would,” “could,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” and “estimate,” as well as similar expressions, are meant to identify such forward-looking statements.  Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to those described  under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the following:

●  
general economic conditions (both generally and in our markets) may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a continued deterioration in credit quality, a further reduction in demand for credit and/or a further decline in real estate values;
●  
a general decline in the real estate and lending market, particularly in our market areas, could negatively affect our financial results;
●  
our ability to raise additional capital may be impaired if market disruption and volatility occur;
●  
the results of our most recent external, independent review of our credit risk assets may not accurately predict the adverse effects on our financial condition if the economy were to deteriorate;
●  
our ability to comply with our Consent Order and potential regulatory actions if we fail to comply;
●  
our ability to maintain appropriate levels of capital, including the potential that the regulatory agencies may require higher levels of capital above the standard regulatory-mandated minimums;
●  
our ability to complete the sale of our Other Real Estate Owned properties, specifically at values equal or above the currently recorded loan balances which could result in additional writedowns;
●  
the adequacy of the level of our allowance for loan losses and the amount of loan loss provisions required in future periods;
●  
increased funding costs due to market illiquidity, increased competition for funding, and /or increased regulatory requirements with regard to funding;
●  
changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Financial Accounting Standards Board;
●  
legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards and compliance requirements, may adversely affect the businesses in which we are engaged;
●  
competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions may increase significantly;
●  
changes in the interest rate environment may reduce margins or the volumes or values of the loans we make;
●  
competitors may have greater financial resources and develop products that enable those competitors to compete more successfully than we can;
●  
our ability to attract and retain key personnel can be affected by the increased competition for experienced employees in the banking industry;
●  
adverse changes may occur in the bond and equity markets;
●  
war or terrorist activities may cause further deterioration in the economy or cause instability in credit markets;
●  
economic, governmental or other factors may prevent the projected population, residential and commercial growth in the markets in which we operate; and
●  
we will or may continue to face the risk factors discussed from time to time in the periodic reports we file with the SEC.

              We have based our forward-looking statements on our current expectations about future events.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that these expectations will be achieved.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 
31

 

Overview

We are a South Carolina corporation organized in 2002 to serve as the holding company for Tidelands Bank (the “Bank”), a state-chartered banking association under the laws of South Carolina headquartered in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.  The Bank commenced operations in October 2003 through our main office located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.  On April 23, 2007, we opened a permanent full service banking facility in our Summerville, South Carolina location.  We opened a permanent facility for our full service branch in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on June 7, 2007.  In addition, we opened a new full service branch office in the Park West area of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina on May 14, 2007, and converted the loan production office in the West Ashley area of Charleston, South Carolina to a full service branch on July 2, 2007.  The Bluffton, South Carolina loan production office opened as a full service banking facility on May 21, 2008.  On July 23, 2008, we opened a permanent full service banking facility in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.  We plan to focus our efforts at these branch locations on obtaining lower cost deposits that are less affected by rising rates.

The following discussion describes our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and also analyzes our financial condition as of September 30, 2014 as compared to December 31, 2013.  Like most community banks, we derive most of our income from interest we receive on our loans and investments.  In addition to earning interest on our loans and investments, we earn income through fees and other expenses we charge to our customers.  We describe the various components of this noninterest income, as well as our noninterest expense, in the following discussion.  Our primary source of funds for making these loans and investments is our deposits, on which we pay interest.  Consequently, one of the key measures of our success is our amount of net interest income, or the difference between the income on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and the expense on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits.  Another key measure is the spread between the yield we earn on these interest-earning assets and the rate we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities.  There are risks inherent in all loans, so we maintain an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible.  We establish and maintain this allowance by charging a provision for loan losses against our operating earnings.  In the following section we have included a detailed discussion of this process.

We encourage you to read this discussion and analysis in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes and the other statistical information also included in this report.

Critical Accounting Policies

We have adopted various accounting policies that govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and with general practices within the banking industry in the preparation of our financial statements.  Our significant accounting policies are described in the footnotes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2014 and our audited consolidated financial statements included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions by us that have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities.  We consider these accounting policies to be critical accounting policies.  The judgment and assumptions we use are based on historical experience and other factors, which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Because of the nature of the judgment and assumptions we make, actual results could differ from these judgments and estimates that could have a material impact on the carrying values of our assets and liabilities and our results of operations.

We believe the allowance for loan losses is the critical accounting policy that requires the most significant judgment and estimates used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements.  Some of the more critical judgments supporting the amount of our allowance for loan losses include judgments about the credit worthiness of borrowers, the estimated value of the underlying collateral, the assumptions about cash flow, determination of loss factors for estimating credit losses, the impact of current events, and conditions and other factors impacting the level of probable inherent losses.  Under different conditions or using different assumptions, the actual amount of credit losses incurred by us may be different from management’s estimates provided in our consolidated financial statements.  Refer to the portion of this discussion that addresses our allowance for loan losses for a more complete discussion of our processes and methodology for determining our allowance for loan losses.

 
32

 
 
Legislative and Regulatory Initiatives

In response to the challenges facing the financial services sector, regulatory and governmental actions have included the following:

●  
On October 14, 2008, the U.S. Treasury created the Troubled Asset Relief Program (the “TARP”) Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”) that helped financial institutions build capital through the sale of senior preferred shares to the U.S. Treasury on terms that were non-negotiable.

●  
On February 17, 2009 President Obama signed into law The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”), more commonly known as the economic stimulus or economic recovery package.  ARRA includes a wide variety of programs intended to stimulate the economy and provide for extensive infrastructure, energy, health, and education needs.  In addition, ARRA imposes certain executive compensation and corporate expenditure limits on all current and future TARP recipients that are in addition to those previously announced by the U.S. Treasury.  These new limits are in place until the institution has repaid the Treasury, which is now permitted under ARRA without penalty and without the need to raise new capital, subject to the Treasury’s consultation with the recipient institution’s appropriate regulatory agency.

●  
On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed by the President of the United States.  The Dodd-Frank Act resulted in changing the financial regulatory system, some of which became effective immediately and some which became effective at various future dates.  Implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act requires many new rules by various federal regulatory agencies over the next several years.  The ultimate impact of the Dodd-Frank Act is still developing.  It could have an adverse impact on the financial services industry as a whole or on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.  Provisions in the legislation that affect consumer financial protection regulations, deposit insurance assessments, payment of interest on demand deposits, and interchange fees could increase the costs associated with deposits and place limitations on certain revenues those deposits may generate.  The Dodd-Frank Act includes provisions that:

°  
Made permanent the $250,000 limit for federal deposit insurance.

°  
Implemented corporate governance revisions, including with regard to executive compensation and proxy access by shareholders, which apply to all public companies, not just financial institutions.

●  
In December 2010, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, an international forum for cooperation on banking supervisory matters, announced the “Basel III” capital rules, which seek to establish new capital requirements for certain banking organizations.  On June 7, 2012 the Federal Reserve Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the FDIC issued a joint notice of proposed rulemaking that would implement sections of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) that encompass certain aspects of Basel III with respect to capital and liquidity.  On November 9, 2012, following a public comment period, the US federal banking agencies announced that the originally proposed January 1, 2013 effective date for the proposed rules was being delayed so that the agencies could consider operational and transitional issues identified in the large volume of public comments received.  The proposed rules, if adopted, would lead to higher capital requirements and more restrictive leverage and liquidity ratios than those currently in place.  The ultimate impact of the US implementation of the new capital and liquidity standards on the Company and the Bank is currently being reviewed and is dependent on the terms of the final regulations, which may differ from the proposed regulations.  At this point, the Company cannot determine the ultimate effect that any final regulations, if enacted would have on its earnings or financial position.  In addition, important questions remain as to how the numerous capital and liquidity mandates of the Dodd-Frank Act will be integrated with the requirements of Basel III.  On July 18, 2013, the Group of Governors and Heads of Supervision agreed to the calibration and phase-in of the Basel III minimum capital requirements (raising the minimum Tier 1 common equity ratio to 4.5% and minimum Tier 1 equity ratio to 6.0%, with implementation by January 2015) and introducing a capital conservation buffer of common equity of an additional 2.5% with full implementation by January 2019.

From time to time, various legislative and regulatory initiatives are introduced in Congress and state legislatures, as well as by regulatory agencies.  Such legislation could change banking statutes and the operating environment of the Company in substantial and unpredictable ways.  If enacted, such legislation could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions.  We cannot predict whether any such legislation will be enacted, and, if enacted, the effect that it, or any implementing regulations, would have on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
 
 
33

 
 
Regulatory Developments

      I.  Federal Reserve Board
 
As reported in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2011, the Company entered into a written agreement (the “FRB Agreement”) with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (“FRB”) on March 18, 2011.   The FRB Agreement is designed to enhance the Company’s ability to act as a source of strength to the Bank. The Bank’s lending and deposit operations continue to be conducted in the usual and customary manner, and all other products, services and hours of operation remain the same.  All Bank deposits will remain insured by the FDIC to the maximum extent allowed by law.
 
Pursuant to the FRB Agreement, the Company agreed to seek the prior written approval of the FRB before (i) declaring or paying any dividends, (ii) directly or indirectly taking dividends or any other form of payment representing a reduction in capital from the Bank, (iii) directly or indirectly making any distributions of interest, principal or other sums on subordinated debentures or trust preferred securities, (iv) directly or indirectly incurring, increasing or guaranteeing any debt, or (v) directly or indirectly purchasing or redeeming any shares of its stock.
 
Pursuant to its plans to preserve capital and to inject more capital into the Bank, the Company has no plans to undertake any of the foregoing activities.
 
The Company submitted, and the FRB approved, a written plan designed to maintain sufficient capital at the Company on a consolidated basis.  Although the FRB Agreement does not contain specific target capital ratios or specific timelines, the plan must address the Company’s and Bank’s current and future capital requirements, the adequacy of the Bank’s capital, the source and timing of additional funds to satisfy the Company’s and the Bank’s future capital requirements, and supervisory requests for additional capital at the Bank or the supervisory action imposed on the Bank.
 
The Company also agreed to comply with certain notice provisions set forth in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Board of Governors’ Regulations in appointing any new director or senior executive officer, or changing the responsibilities of any senior executive officer so that the officer would assume a different senior executive officer position.  The Company is also required to comply with certain restrictions on indemnification and severance payments pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and FDIC regulations.  The Company is providing quarterly progress reports on all provisions of the FRB Agreement.
 
      II.    FDIC and South Carolina State Board

On June 1, 2010, the FDIC and the State Board conducted their annual joint examination of the Bank.  As a result of the examination, the Bank entered into a Consent Order, effective December 28, 2010 (the “Consent Order”), with the FDIC and the State Board.  The Consent Order requires the Bank to, among other things, take the following actions:

●  
Establish, within 60 days from the effective date of the Consent Order, a board committee to monitor compliance with the Consent Order, consisting of at least four members of the board, three of whom shall not be officers of the Bank.  This requirement has been completed by the Bank.

●  
Develop, within 60 days from the effective date of the Consent Order, a written management plan that addresses specific areas in the Joint Report of Examinations dated as of June 1, 2010.  This requirement has been completed by the Bank.

●  
Notify the supervisory authorities in writing of the resignation or termination of any of the Bank’s directors or senior executive officers and provide prior notification and approval for any new directors or senior executive officers. This requirement has been completed by the Bank.

●  
Achieve and maintain, within 150 days from the effective date of the Consent Order, Total Risk Based capital at least equal to 10% of risk-weighted assets and Tier 1 capital at least equal to 8% of total assets.  The Bank is in the process of complying with this requirement.

●  
Establish, within 60 days from the effective date of the Consent Order, a written capital plan to include a contingency plan in the event the Bank fails to maintain minimums, submit an acceptable capital plan as required by the Consent Order, or implement or adhere to the capital plan to which supervisory authorities have taken no objections.  Such contingency plan must include a plan to sell or merge the Bank.  The Bank must implement the contingency plan upon written notice from the Regional Director.  This requirement has been completed by the Bank.

 
34

 
 
●  
Adopt and implement, within 60 days from the effective date of the Consent Order, a written plan addressing liquidity, contingency funding, and asset /liability management.  This requirement has been completed by the Bank.

●  
Eliminate, within 30 days from the effective date of the Consent Order, by charge-off or collection, all assets or portions of assets classified “Loss,” and during the Consent Order, within 30 days of receipt of any Report of Examination, eliminate by collection, charge-off, or other proper entry, the remaining balance of any assets classified as “Loss” and 50% of those assets classified “Doubtful”.  This requirement has been completed by the Bank.  The Bank is in compliance with this continuing requirement.

●  
Submit, within 60 days from the effective date of the Consent Order, a written plan to reduce the Bank’s risk exposure in relationships with assets in excess of $500,000 criticized as “Substandard” in the Report of Examination.  The plan must require a reduction in the aggregate balance of assets criticized as “Substandard” in accordance with the following schedule: (i) within 180 days, a reduction of 25% in the balance of assets criticized “Substandard; (ii) within 360 days, a reduction of 45% in the balance of assets criticized “Substandard; (iii) within 540 days, a reduction of 60% in the balance of assets criticized “Substandard; and (iv) within 720 days, a reduction of 70% in the balance of assets criticized “Substandard.”  The Bank is in compliance with this ongoing requirement.

●  
Not extend any additional credit to any borrower who has a loan or other extension of credit from the Bank that has been charged off or classified, in whole or in part, “Loss,” and is uncollected.  In addition, the Bank may not extend any additional credit to any borrower who has a loan or other extension of credit from the Bank that has been criticized, in whole or in part, “Substandard,” and is uncollected, unless the Bank’s board of directors determines that failure to extend further credit to a particular borrower would be detrimental to the best interests of the Bank.  The Bank is in compliance with this requirement.

●  
Prepare and submit, within 90 days from the effective date of the Order, a plan consisting of long term goals designed to improve the condition of the Bank and its viability, and strategies for achieving those goals.  The plan must cover minimum of three years and provide specific objectives for asset growth, market focus, earnings projections, capital needs, and liquidity position.  The Bank is in compliance with this requirement.

●  
Adopt, within 60 days from the effective date of the Consent Order, an effective internal loan review and grading system to provide for the periodic review of the Bank’s loan portfolio in order to identify and categorize the Bank’s loans, and other extensions of credit which are carried on the Bank’s books as loans, on the basis of credit quality.  This requirement has been completed by the Bank.

●  
Perform, within 60 days from the effective date of the Consent Order, a risk segmentation analysis with respect to the Bank’s concentrations of credit and develop a written plan to reduce any segment of the portfolio which the supervisory authorities deem to be an undue concentration of credit in relation to Tier 1 capital.  The Bank is working to reduce concentrations within required thresholds.

●  
Review and establish, within 60 days from the effective date of the Consent Order, a policy to ensure the adequacy of the Bank’s allowance for loan and lease losses, which must provide for a review of the Bank’s allowance for loan and lease losses at least once each calendar quarter.  This requirement has been completed by the Bank.

●  
Formulate and implement, within 60 days from the effective date of the Consent Order, a written plan to improve and sustain Bank earnings, which shall include (i) goals and strategies for improving and sustaining earnings; (ii) major areas and means by which to improve operating performance; (iii) realistic and comprehensive budget; (iv) budget review process to monitor income and expenses to compare with budgetary projections; (v) operating assumptions forming the basis for, and adequately support, major projected income and expense components; and (vi) coordination of the Bank’s loan, investment, and operating policies and budget and profit planning with the funds management policy.  The written plan must be evaluated at the end of each calendar quarter and record results and any actions taken by the Board in minutes.  The Bank is in compliance with this ongoing requirement.

●  
Revise, adopt and implement, within 60 days of the effective date of the Consent Order, the Bank’s written asset/liability management policy to provide effective guidance and control over the Bank’s funds management activities, which shall also address all items of criticism set forth in the Joint Report of Examinations in June 2010.  This requirement has been completed by the Bank.

 
35

 
 
●  
Develop and implement, within 60 days of the effective date of the Consent Order, a written policy for managing interest rate risk in a manner that is appropriate to the size of the Bank and the complexity of its assets.  The policy shall comply with the Joint Inter-Agency Policy Statement on Interest Rate Risk.  This requirement has been completed by the Bank.

●  
Eliminate or correct, within 30 days from the effective date of the Consent Order, all violations of law and regulation or contraventions of FDIC guidelines and statements of policy described in the Joint Report of Examinations in June 2010.  This requirement has been completed by the Bank.

●  
Not declare or pay any dividends or bonuses or make any distributions of interest, principal, or other sums on subordinated debentures without the prior approval of the supervisory authorities. The Bank is in compliance with this ongoing requirement.

●  
Not accept, renew, or rollover any brokered deposits unless it is in compliance with the requirements of 12 C.F.R. § 337.6(b), and, within 60 days of the effective date of the Consent Order, submit a written plan to the supervisory authorities for eliminating reliance on brokered deposits.  This requirement has been completed by the Bank.

●  
Limit asset growth to 10% per annum.  The Bank is in compliance with this ongoing requirement.

●  
Adopt, within 60 days of the effective date of the Consent Order, an employee compensation plan after undertaking an independent review of compensation paid to all the Bank’s senior executive officers, as defined at Section 301.101(b) of the FDIC Rules and Regulations.  This requirement has been completed by the Bank.

●  
Furnish, within 30 days from the end of the first quarter following the effective date of the Consent Order, and within 30 days of the end of each quarter thereafter, written progress reports to the supervisory authorities detailing the form and manner of any actions taken to secure compliance with the Consent Order.  The Bank is in compliance with this ongoing requirement.

We have taken actions to comply with the requirements of both the FRB Agreement and the Consent Order.  All of the provisions except for two have been completed.  Capital levels are below the thresholds of 10% for Total Risk-Based Capital and 8% for Tier 1 Leverage Capital.  Credit concentrations within the portfolio continue to decrease, and we have met each quarterly threshold requirement on commercial real estate.

The Bank presents monthly updates to the Board of Directors regarding compliance with the FRB Agreement and the Consent Order, and quarterly updates to the regulators on all provisions.  We continue to focus our efforts on meeting the objectives in these two documents designed to improve the Bank’s financial condition and enable the Bank to meet regulatory requirements.

The determination of our compliance with the regulatory requirements will be made by the FDIC and the South Carolina State Board.  Failure to comply with the requirements could result in additional regulatory pressures and, if the Bank is unable to comply, could ultimately lead to further action by the FDIC including the Bank being taken into receivership by the FDIC.
 
 
36

 
 
Results of Operations

Income Statement Review

Summary

Nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

Our net loss was approximately $50,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to net loss of approximately $914,000 for the same period in 2013. Net loss before income tax expense was $34,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to net loss before income tax expense of $914,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The $880,000 decrease in net loss before income tax benefit resulted primarily from a decrease in provision for loan losses of $364,000 and increases in our net interest income before provision for loan losses of $391,000 and noninterest income of $195,000, offset by an increase in noninterest expense of $70,000.
 
Three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

Our net income was approximately $51,000 compared to net income of $383,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Net income before income tax expense was $59,000 compared to net income of $383,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The $324,000 decrease in net income before income tax benefit resulted primarily from a decrease of $207,000 in our net interest income before provision for loan losses and an increase of $219,000 in noninterest expense, offset by a decrease of $45,000 in provision for loan losses and an increase in noninterest income of $56,000.

Net Interest Income

Our level of net interest income is determined by the level of earning assets and the management of our net interest margin.  The growth in our loan portfolio has historically been the primary driver of the increase in net interest income.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, our loan portfolio decreased $7.8 million from the year-end balance.

Our loans typically provide higher interest yields than do other types of interest-earning assets, which is why we direct a substantial percentage of our earning assets into our loan portfolio.  This strategy resulted in a significant portion of our assets being in higher earning loans rather than in lower yielding investments.  At September 30, 2014, loans represented 67.1% of total assets, while securities and interest bearing deposits represented 20.7% of total assets.  While we plan to continue our focus of maintaining the size of our loan portfolio, we also anticipate managing the size of the investment portfolio as loan demand regains ground and investment yields become more attractive on a relative basis.

At September 30, 2014, retail deposits represented $435.0 million, or 92.9% of total funding, which includes total deposits plus borrowings.  Borrowings represented $33.4 million, or 7.1% of total funding, and we had no wholesale deposits.  We plan to continue to offer competitive rates on our retail deposit accounts, including investment checking, money market accounts, savings accounts and time deposits.  Our goal is to maintain a higher percentage of assets being funded by retail deposits and to increase the percentage of low-cost transaction accounts to total deposits.  No assurance can be given that these objectives will be achieved.  We operate seven full service banking offices located along the South Carolina coast.  We anticipate that our full service banking offices will assist us in meeting these objectives.  We believe that over time these two strategies will provide us with additional customers in our markets and will provide a lower alternative cost of funding.

In addition to the growth in both assets and liabilities, and the timing of the repricing of our assets and liabilities, net interest income is also affected by the ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities and the changes in interest rates earned on our assets and interest rates paid on our liabilities.  Net interest income increased $391,000 as the result of an increase in investment portfolio revenue of $374,000 and a by a decrease in funding costs of $539,000, partially offset by a decline in loan revenue of $506,000 as compared to the period ended September 30, 2013.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, average interest-bearing liabilities exceeded average interest-earning assets by $20.4 million as compared to average interest-earning liabilities exceeding average interest-bearing assets by $23.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

We have included a number of unaudited tables to assist in our description of various measures of our financial performance.  For example, the “Average Balances” table shows the average balance of each category of our assets and liabilities as well as the yield we earned or the rate we paid with respect to each category during the periods shown.  Similarly, the “Rate/Volume Analysis” tables help demonstrate the effect of changing interest rates and changing volume of assets and liabilities on our financial condition during the periods shown.  We have included tables to illustrate our interest rate sensitivity with respect to interest-earning accounts and interest-bearing accounts.  Finally, we have included various tables that provide detail about our investment securities, our loans, our deposits and other borrowings.

 
37

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

The following table sets forth information related to our average balance sheet, average yields on assets, and average costs of liabilities.  We derived these yields by dividing income or expense by the average balance of the corresponding assets or liabilities.  We derived average balances from the daily balances throughout the periods indicated.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we had no securities purchased with agreements to resell.  All investments were owned at an original maturity of over one year.

Average Balances, Income and Expenses, and Rates

   
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2014
   
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2013
 
   
Average
Balance
   
Income/
Expense
   
Yield/
Rate(1)
   
Average
Balance
   
Income/
Expense
   
Yield/
Rate(1)
 
      (dollars in thousands)  
Earning assets:
                                   
Interest bearing balances
  $ 14,279     $ 58       0.54 %   $ 22,616     $ 73       0.44 %
Taxable investment securities
    81,357       1,253       2.06 %     88,937       879       1.32 %
Loans receivable(2)
    328,434       11,970       4.87 %     340,400       12,476       4.90 %
Total earning assets                                              
    424,070       13,281       4.19 %     451,953       13,428       3.97 %
                                                 
Nonearning assets:
                                               
Cash and due from banks
    4,408                       3,043                  
Mortgages held for sale                                                 
    190                       132                  
Premises and equipment,  net
    21,146                       21,380                  
Other assets                                                 
    39,019                       40,161                  
Allowance for loan losses
    (5,541 )                     (6,737 )                
Total nonearning assets
    59,222                       57,979                  
Total assets                                              
  $ 483,292                     $ 509,932                  
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Interest bearing transaction accounts
    39,474       63       0.21 %     51,538       164       0.43 %
Savings & money market
    96,753       250       0.34 %     106,073       350       0.44 %
Time deposits less than $100,000
    101,809       937       1.23 %     104,983       989       1.26 %
Time deposits greater than $100,000
    169,306       1,684       1.33 %     167,519       1,730       1.38 %
Securities sold under repurchase agreement
    10,000       332       4.44 %     10,000       331       4.43 %
Advances from FHLB
    12,692       278       2.93 %     19,960       351       2.35 %
Junior subordinated debentures
    14,434       352       3.26 %     14,434       479       4.44 %
ESOP borrowings
    26             0.00 %     1,112       40       4.81 %
Federal funds purchased
    4             0.00 %     3             0.00 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    444,498       3,896       1.17 %     475,622       4,434       1.25 %
                                                 
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Demand deposits
    25,077                       19,982                  
Other liabilities
    7,516                       6,419                  
Shareholders’ equity
    6,201                       7,909                  
                                                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 483,292                     $ 509,932                  
Net interest income
          $ 9,385                     $ 8,994          
Net interest spread
                    3.02 %                     2.72 %
Net interest margin
                    2.96 %                     2.66 %

(1) Annualized for the nine month period.
(2) Includes nonaccruing loans
 
38

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 the net interest spread and net interest margin increased in comparison to the previous period in 2013.  Our net interest spread was 3.02% and 2.72% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 2.96%, compared to 2.66% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, interest-earning assets averaged $424.1 million, compared to $452.0 million in the same period of 2013.  During the same periods, average interest-bearing liabilities were $444.5 million and $475.6 million, respectively.

Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $13.3 million, consisting of $12.0 million on loans, $1.3 million on investments, $26,000 on interest bearing balances, and $32,000 in other interest income.  Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $13.4 million, consisting of $12.5 million on loans, $879,000 on investments, $40,000 on interest bearing balances, and $33,000 in other interest income.  Interest and fees on loans represented 90.1% and 92.9% of total interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Income from investments and interest bearing balances represented 9.4% and 6.8% of total interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The high percentage of interest income from loans related to our strategy to maintain a significant portion of our assets in higher earning loans compared to lower yielding investments.  Average loans represented 77.4% and 75.3% of average interest-earning assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, average earning assets were lower by $27.9 million than for the same period in 2013.

Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $3.9 million, consisting of $2.9 million related to deposits, $332,000 related to securities sold under a repurchase agreement, $352,000 related to junior subordinated debentures and $278,000 related to advances from the FHLB.  Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $4.4 million, consisting of $3.2 million related to deposits, $331,000 related to securities sold under a repurchase agreement, $479,000 related to junior subordinated debentures, $350,000 related to advances from the FHLB and $40,000 related to ESOP borrowings.  Interest expense on deposits for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 represented 75.3% and 72.9% of total interest expense, respectively, while interest expense on borrowings represented 24.7% and 27.1%, respectively, of total interest expense.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, average interest-bearing liabilities were lower by $31.1 million than for the same period in 2013.

Net interest income, the largest component of our income, was $9.4 million and $9.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The increase of $391,000 resulted from the net effect of lower levels of both average earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities resulting in a $148,000 decrease in interest income and a $539,000 decrease in interest expense.

 
39

 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

The following table sets forth information related to our average balance sheet, average yields on assets, and average costs of liabilities.  We derived these yields by dividing income or expense by the average balance of the corresponding assets or liabilities.  We derived average balances from the daily balances throughout the periods indicated.  During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we had no securities purchased with agreements to resell.  All investments were owned at an original maturity of over one year.

Average Balances, Income and Expenses, and Rates

   
For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2014
   
For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2013
 
   
Average
Balance
   
Income/
Expense
   
Yield/
Rate(1)
   
Average
Balance
   
Income/
Expense
   
Yield/
Rate(1)
 
      (dollars in thousands)  
Earning assets:
                                   
Interest bearing cash balances
  $ 17,145     $ 21       0.48 %   $ 16,000     $ 19       0.47 %
Taxable investment securities
    83,719       382       1.81 %     85,947       388       1.79 %
Loans receivable(2)
    325,287       3,996       4.87 %     340,039       4,251       4.96 %
Total earning assets                                              
    426,151       4,399       4.09 %     441,986       4,658       4.18 %
                                                 
Nonearning assets:
                                               
Cash and due from banks
    4,715                       3,057                  
Mortgages held for sale                                                 
    353                       73                  
Premises and equipment,  net
    21,040                       21,302                  
Other assets                                                 
    37,724                       41,840                  
Allowance for loan losses
    (5,085 )                     (6,647 )                
Total nonearning assets
    58,747                       59,625                  
Total assets                                              
  $ 484,898                     $ 501,611                  
                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Interest bearing transaction accounts
    38,087       21       0.21 %     49,233       35       0.28 %
Savings & money market
    101,362       97       0.38 %     105,180       92       0.35 %
Time deposits less than $100,000
    100,506       314       1.24 %     102,998       318       1.22 %
Time deposits greater than $100,000
    166,909       564       1.34 %     167,449       573       1.36 %
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
    10,000       112       4.46 %     10,000       112       4.46 %
Advances from FHLB
    12,087       94       3.07 %     16,652       110       2.63 %
Junior subordinated debentures
    14,434       118       3.24 %     14,434       119       3.28 %
ESOP borrowings
                0.00 %     942       13       5.44 %
Federal funds purchased
                0.00 %                 0.00 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    443,385       1,320       1.18 %     466,888       1,372       1.17 %
                                                 
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
                                               
Demand deposits
    27,695                       22,171                  
Other liabilities
    8,137                       6,797                  
Shareholders’ equity
    5,681                       5,755                  
                                                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 484,898                     $ 501,611                  
Net interest income
          $ 3,079                     $ 3,286          
Net interest spread
                    2.91 %                     3.01 %
Net interest margin
                    2.87 %                     2.95 %

(1) Annualized for the three month period.
(2) Includes nonaccruing loans

 
40

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2014, the net interest spread and net interest margin decreased in comparison to the previous period in 2013, as a result of the Bank’s yield on interest earning assets decreasing.  Our net interest spread was 2.91% and 3.01% for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our net interest margin for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was 2.87%, compared to 2.95% for the three months ended September 30, 2013.  During the three months ended September 30, 2014, interest-earning assets averaged $426.2 million, compared to $442.0 million in the same quarter of 2013.  During the same periods, average interest-bearing liabilities were $443.4 million and $466.9 million, respectively.

Interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $4.4 million, consisting of $4.0 million on loans, $382,000 on investments, $11,000 on interest bearing balances, and $10,000 in other interest income.  Interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $4.7 million, consisting of $4.2 million on loans, $389,000 on investments, $10,000 on interest bearing balances, and $9,000 in other interest income.  Interest and fees on loans represented 90.8% and 91.2% of total interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The decrease in interest income was primarily due to loan yields and balances decreasing in the current period which resulted in the decline in interest income when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013.  Income from investments and interest bearing balances represented 8.9% and 8.6% of total interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The higher percentage of interest income from loans relates to our strategy to maintain a significant portion of our assets in higher earning loans compared to lower yielding investments.  Average loans represented 76.3% and 76.9% of average interest-earning assets for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $1.3 million, consisting of $996,000 related to deposits, $112,000 related to securities sold under repurchase agreements, $118,000 related to junior subordinated debentures, and $93,000 related to Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances.  Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $1.4 million, consisting of $1.0 million related to deposits, $112,000 related to securities sold under repurchase agreements, $119,000 related to junior subordinated debentures, $110,000 related to FHLB advances, and $13,000 related to ESOP borrowings.  Interest expense on deposits for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 represented 75.5% and 74.1%, respectively, of total interest expense, while interest expense on other liabilities represented 24.5% and 25.9%, respectively, of total interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Net interest income, the largest component of our income, was $3.1 million and $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The decrease of $206,000 resulted from lower levels of both average earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities resulting in a $260,000 decrease in interest income and a $53,000 decrease in interest expense.

 
41

 

Rate/Volume Analysis

Net interest income can be analyzed in terms of the impact of changing interest rates and changing volume.  The following table sets forth the effect which the varying levels of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the applicable rates have had on changes in net interest income for the periods presented.

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2014 vs. September 30, 2013
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2013 vs. September 30, 2012
 
   
Increase (Decrease) Due to
   
Increase (Decrease) Due to
 
   
 
Volume
   
 
Rate
   
Rate/
Volume
   
 
Total
   
 
Volume
   
 
Rate
   
Rate/
Volume
   
 
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Interest income
                                               
Loans
  $ (438 )   $ (70 )   $ 3     $ (505 )   $ (984 )   $ (813 )   $ 44     $ (1,753 )
Taxable investment securities
    (75 )     491       (42 )     374       177       (738 )     (88 )     (649 )
Interest bearing cash balances
    (27 )     18       (7 )     (16 )     (30 )     34       (13 )     (9 )
Total interest income
    (540 )     439        (46 )     (147 )     (837 )     (1,517 )      (57 )     (2,411 )
                                                                 
Interest expense
                                                               
Deposits
    (55 )     (248 )     4       (299 )     (17 )     (719 )     13       (723 )
Junior subordinated debentures
          (128 )           (128 )           (80 )     (1 )     (81 )
Advances from FHLB
    (128 )     87       (31 )     (72 )     (189 )     141       (59 )     (107 )
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
          1             1       (307 )     25       (12 )     (294 )
Federal funds purchased
                                  1       (1 )      
ESOP borrowings
    (39 )     (40 )     39       (40 )     (9 )     2             (7 )
Total interest expense
    (222 )     (328 )     12       (538 )     (522 )     (630 )     (60 )     (1,212 )
                                                                 
Net interest income
  $ (318 )   $ 767     $ (58 )   $ 391     $ (315 )   $ (887 )   $ 3     $ (1,199 )
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2014 vs. September 30, 2013
   
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2013 vs. September 30, 2012
 
   
Increase (Decrease) Due to
   
Increase (Decrease) Due to
 
   
 
Volume
   
 
Rate
   
Rate/
Volume
   
 
Total
   
 
Volume
   
 
Rate
   
Rate/
Volume
   
 
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Interest income
                                               
Loans
  $ (184 )   $ (74 )   $ 3     $ (255 )   $ (182 )   $ 28     $ 10     $ (144 )
Taxable investment securities
    (10 )     3             (7 )     38       (153 )     (10 )     (125 )
Interest bearing cash balances
    1       1             2       (17 )     17       (10 )     (10 )
Total interest income
    (193 )     (70 )     3       (260 )     (161 )     (108 )     (10 )     (279 )
                                                                 
Interest expense
                                                               
Deposits
    (28 )     6             (22 )     (5 )     (249 )     4       (250 )
Junior subordinated debentures
          (1 )           (1 )           (66 )           (66 )
Advances from FHLB
    (30 )     18       (5 )     (17 )     (79 )     71       (36 )     (44 )
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
                            (93 )     14       (6 )     (85 )
ESOP borrowings
    (13 )     (13 )     13       (13 )     (4 )     3       (1 )     (2 )
Total interest expense
    (71 )     10       8       (53 )     (181 )     (227 )     (39 )     (447 )
                                                                 
Net interest income
  $ (122 )   $ (80 )   $ (5 )   $ (207 )   $ 20     $ 119     $ 29     $ 168  

 
42

 
 
Provision for Loan Losses

We have established an allowance for loan losses through a provision for loan losses charged as an expense on our statement of operations.  We review our loan portfolio periodically to evaluate our outstanding loans and to measure both the performance of the portfolio and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.  Please see the discussion below under “Balance Sheet Review - Allowance for Loan Losses” for a description of the factors we consider in determining the amount of the provision we expense each period to maintain this allowance.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

Included in the statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is a noncash expense related to the provision for loan losses and a corresponding increase in the allowance of $71,000 and $435,000, respectively.  The allowance for loan losses was approximately $5.1 million and $6.9 million as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of gross loans was 1.59% at September 30, 2014 and 2.03% at September 30, 2013. At September 30, 2014, we had 33 nonperforming loans totaling approximately $9.5 million. At September 30, 2013, we had 61 nonperforming loans totaling approximately $24.6 million.  Net charge offs amounted to approximately $952,000 and $301,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The decrease in the allowance for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 when compared to the same period in 2013, relates to our decision to decrease the allowance in response to the improving credit environment as evidenced by a decrease of $15.1 million in nonperforming loans.
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

Included in the statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is a noncash expense related to the provision for loan losses of zero and $45,000, respectively.  The decrease in the provision for the three months ended September 30, 2014 relates to our decision to decrease the allowance in response to the improving credit environment as stated above.

Noninterest Income

The following table sets forth information related to our noninterest income during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
 
   
Nine Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Service fees on deposit accounts
  $ 28     $ 29     $ 9     $ 10  
Residential mortgage origination income
    138       124       75       30  
Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities
          (128 )            
Other service fees and commissions
    382       368       131       120  
Bank owned life insurance
    321       326       109       109  
Loss on extinguishment of debt
          (44 )            
Other
    7       6       3       2  
     Total noninterest income (loss)
  $ 876     $ 681     $ 327     $ 271  
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

Noninterest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $876,000, an increase of $195,000 compared to noninterest income of during the same period in 2013.  The change was primarily attributable to losses on sales of investment securities and losses on extinguishment of debt of zero versus losses of $172,000 for the same period ended September 30, 2013.

Residential mortgage origination income consists primarily of mortgage origination fees we receive on residential loans sold to a third party.  Residential mortgage origination income was $138,000 and $124,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The increase of $14,000 in 2013 related primarily to an increase in volume in the mortgage department during the first nine months of 2014.
 
 
43

 
 
Service fees on deposits consist primarily of service charges on our checking, money market, and savings accounts.  Service fees on deposit accounts were $28,000 and $29,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Other service fees commissions and the fee income received from customer non-sufficient funds (“NSF”) transactions increased $14,000 to $382,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 when compared to the same period in 2013.
 
A decrease of $5,000 in bank owned life insurance income was primarily attributable to a decrease in the rates paid for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 when compared to the same period in 2013. Other income consists primarily of income on fees received on debit and credit card transactions, income from sales of checks, and the fees received on wire transfers. Other income was $7,000 and $6,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We also incurred a $44,000 charge for retiring an FHLB note early during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

Noninterest income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $327,000 compared to $271,000 during the same period in 2013.  The change was primarily attributable to increased residential mortgage income of $45,000 when compared to the three months ended September 31, 2013.  This increase was related primarily to an increase in volume in the mortgage department during the first nine months of 2014.

Service fees on deposits consist primarily of service charges on our checking, money market, and savings accounts.  Deposit fees were $10,000 and $9,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Other service fees, commissions, and the fee income received from customer NSF transactions increased $11,000 to $131,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014, when compared to the same period in 2013.

We also earned $109,000 in noninterest income received from bank owned life insurance for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. Other income consists primarily of income received on fees received on debit and credit card transactions, income from sales of checks, and the fees received on wire transfers. Other income was $3,000 and $2,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Noninterest Expense

The following table sets forth information related to our noninterest expense for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:

   
Nine Months
   
Three Months
 
   
Ended September 30,
   
Ended September 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Salaries and benefits
  $ 4,460     $ 4,474     $ 1,484     $ 1,479  
Occupancy
    1,122       1,238       387       409  
Furniture and equipment expense
    757       648       255       222  
Other real estate owned expense, net
    264       451       (1 )     84  
Professional fees
    943       830       276       152  
Advertising and marketing
    210       220       118       106  
Insurance
    315       306       105       104  
FDIC Assessment
    814       829       268       269  
Data processing and related costs
    627       569       196       194  
Telephone
    150       155       48       50  
Postage
    7       9       2       3  
Office supplies, stationery and printing
    73       62       25       21  
Other loan related expense
    180       143       88       (77 )
Other
    302       220       96       112  
     Total noninterest expense
  $ 10,224     $ 10,154     $ 3,347     $ 3,128  
 
 
44

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

Noninterest expense increased $70,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The $187,000 decrease in other real estate owned expense and $116,000 decrease in occupancy were offset by increases in furniture and equipment, professional fees, and other expense of $109,000, $113,000, and $82,000, respectively, which primarily accounted for the increases in noninterest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The other real estate expense was lower due to increases in gains on sale of other real estate and fewer write-downs.

Salaries and employee benefits expense was $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  These expenses represented 43.6% and 44.1% of our total noninterest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
Data processing and related costs increased $58,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.  These expenses were $627,000 and $569,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, our data processing costs for our core processing system were $562,000 compared to $533,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

We incurred noninterest expense of approximately $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013.  The $165,000 increase in other loan related expense, the $124,000 increase in professional fees, and the $85,000 decrease in other real estate expenses primarily accounted for the increase in noninterest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.  The other real estate expenses were lower due to increases in gains on sale of other real estate and fewer write-downs.
 
Salaries and employee benefits expenses were approximately $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.  These expenses represented 44.3% and 47.3% of our total noninterest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Data processing and related costs increased approximately $2,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.  These expenses were $196,000 and $194,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  During the three months ended September 30, 2014, our data processing costs for our core processing system were $172,000 compared to $184,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013.

Income Tax Expense

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

We incurred income tax expense of $16,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to zero for the same period in 2013.  Management has determined that it is not likely that the deferred tax asset related to continuing operations at September 30, 2014 will be realized, and accordingly, has established a full valuation allowance.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

We incurred income tax expense of $8,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to zero for the same period in 2013.    Management has determined that is not likely that the deferred tax asset related to continuing operations at September 30, 2014 will be realized, and accordingly, has established a full valuation allowance.

 
45

 
 
Balance Sheet Review

General

At September 30, 2014, we had total assets of $481.9 million, consisting principally of $318.2 million in net loans, $83.8 million in investment securities, $20.9 million in net premises, furniture and equipment, $15.9 million in interest bearing balances and $3.5 million in cash and due from banks.  Our liabilities at September 30, 2014 totaled $476.5 million, consisting principally of $435.0 million in deposits, $10.0 million in securities sold under agreements to repurchase, $14.4 million in junior subordinated debentures, and $9.0 million in FHLB advances.  At September 30, 2014, our shareholders’ equity was $5.4 million.

Investments

At September 30, 2014, the $83.8 million in our available-for-sale investment securities portfolio represented approximately 17.4% of our total assets compared to $80.8 million, or 16.6% of total assets, at December 31, 2013.  At September 30, 2014, we held U.S. treasuries, U.S. government agency securities, government sponsored enterprises, small business administration securities, municipal and mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $83.8 million and an amortized cost of $86.8 million for a net unrealized loss of $3.0 million.  During 2014, we utilized the investment portfolio to provide additional income and to absorb liquidity.  We anticipate maintaining an investment portfolio to provide both increased earnings and liquidity.  As deposit growth outpaces our ability to lend to creditworthy customers, we anticipate maintaining the relative size of the investment portfolio and extinguishing other funding liabilities.

Contractual maturities and yields on our investments at September 30, 2014 are shown in the following table.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

   
One year or less
   
After one year through five years
   
After five years through ten years
   
After ten years
    Total  
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
    Yield    
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
   
Amount
   
Yield
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Available for Sale:
                                                           
Government- sponsored enterprises
  $       %   $ 2,970       1.28 %   $       %   $ 5,675       3.05 %   $ 8,645       2.46 %
US Treasuries
          %     4,441       1.07 %           %           %     4,441       1.07 %
SBA loan pools
          %           %     944       2.15 %     10,174       2.07 %     11,118       2.08 %
Mortgage-backed securities
          %            — %     130       1.32 %     59,511       1.77 %     59,641       1.76 %
Total
  $       %   $ 7,411       1.15 %   $ 1,074       2.05 %   $ 75,360       1.90 %   $ 83,845       1.84 %
 
At September 30, 2014, our investments included United States treasuries with amortized costs of approximately $4.5 million, government sponsored enterprises with amortized costs of approximately $8.9 million, small business administration surety bonds with amortized costs of approximately $11.6 million. Mortgage-backed securities consist of securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and Government National Mortgage Association with amortized costs of approximately $14.4 million, $20.0 million and $27.5 million, respectively.

Other nonmarketable equity securities at September 30, 2014 consisted of Federal Home Loan Bank stock with a cost of $842,000 and other investments of approximately $61,500.

The amortized costs and the fair value of our investments at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are shown in the following table.
 
   
September 30, 2014
   
December 31, 2013
 
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair
Value
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair
Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Available-for-sale:
                       
Government-sponsored enterprises
  $ 8,919     $ 8,645     $ 6,939     $ 6,321  
US Treasuries
    4,458       4,441              
SBA loan pools
    11,605       11,118       12,093       11,275  
Mortgage-backed securities
    61,844       59,641       67,143       63,244  
      Total
  $ 86,826     $ 83,845     $ 86,175     $ 80.840  
 
 
46

 

Loans

Since loans typically provide higher interest yields than other types of interest-earning assets, a substantial percentage of our earning assets are invested in our loan portfolio.  Average loans at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $328.4 million and $339.6 million, respectively.  Gross loans outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $323.3 million and $331.1 million, respectively.

Loans secured by real estate mortgages are the principal component of our loan portfolio.  Most of our real estate loans are secured by residential or commercial property.  We do not generally originate traditional long term residential mortgages for the portfolio, but we do issue traditional second mortgage residential real estate loans and home equity lines of credit.  We obtain a security interest in real estate whenever possible, in addition to any other available collateral.  This collateral is taken to increase the likelihood of the ultimate repayment of the loan.  Generally, we limit the loan-to-value ratio on loans we make to 85%.  The current mix may not be indicative of the ongoing portfolio mix.  We attempt to maintain a relatively diversified loan portfolio to help reduce the risk inherent in concentration in certain types of collateral.

The following table summarizes the composition of our loan portfolio at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
 
   
September 30, 2014
   
December 31, 2013
 
   
 
Amount
   
% of
Total
   
 
Amount
   
% of
Total
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial                                
Commercial and industrial
  $ 23,333       7.2 %   $ 22,474       6.8 %
                                 
Real Estate                                
Mortgage
    250,566       77.5 %     255,091       77.1  %
Construction
    47,307       14.6 %     51,289       15.4 %
Total real estate
    297,873       92.1 %      306,380       92.5 %
                                 
Consumer
Consumer
    2,229       0.7 %     2,325       0.7 %
Total Gross Loans
    323,435       100.0 %     331,179       100.0 %
Deferred origination fees, net
    (100 )     (0.0 %)     (90 )     (0.0 %)
Total gross loans, net of deferred fees
    323,335       100.0 %     331,089       100.0 %
Less – allowance for loan losses
    (5,145 )             (6,026 )        
Total loans, net
  $ 318,190             $ 325,063          

Maturities and Sensitivity of Loans to Changes in Interest Rates

The information in the following table is based on the contractual maturities of individual loans, including loans that may be subject to renewal at their contractual maturity.  Renewal of such loans is subject to review and credit approval, as well as modification of terms upon maturity.  Actual repayments of loans may differ from the maturities reflected below because borrowers have the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.

The following table summarizes the loan maturity distribution by type and related interest rate characteristics at September 30, 2014:
   
One year
or less
   
After one but
within five years
   
After five
years
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Commercial
  $ 6,428     $ 15,192     $ 1,713     $ 23,333  
Real estate
    52,305       195,101       50,467       297,873  
Consumer
    916       1,248       65       2,229  
Deferred origination fees, net                                                    
    (3 )     (93 )     (4 )     (100 )
Total gross loans, net of deferred fees
  $ 59,646     $ 211,448     $ 52,241     $ 323,335  
                                 
Gross loans maturing after one year with:
                               
Fixed interest rates                                                 
                          $ 193,765  
Floating interest rates                                                 
                            70 021  
Total                                              
                          $ 263,786  

 
47

 

Allowance for Loan Losses and Provisions

We have established an allowance for loan losses through a provision for loan losses charged to expense on our statement of operations.  The allowance is maintained at a level deemed appropriate by management to provide adequately for known and inherent losses in the portfolio.  The allowance for loan losses represents an amount which we believe will be adequate to absorb probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible.  Our judgment as to the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on a number of assumptions about future events, which we believe to be reasonable, but which may or may not prove to be accurate.  Our determination of the allowance for loan losses is based on evaluations of the collectability of loans, including consideration of factors such as the balance of impaired loans, the quality, mix, and size of our overall loan portfolio, economic conditions that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the amount and quality of collateral securing the loans, our historical loan loss experience, and a review of specific problem loans.  We also consider subjective issues such as changes in the lending policies and procedures, changes in the local/national economy, changes in volume or type of credits, changes in volume/severity of problem loans, quality of loan review and board of director oversight, concentrations of credit, and peer group comparisons.

More specifically, in determining our allowance for loan losses, we review loans for specific and impaired reserves based on current appraisals less estimated closing costs.  General and unallocated reserves are determined using historical loss trends applied to risk rated loans grouped by FDIC call report classification code.  The general and unallocated reserves are calculated by applying the appropriate historical loss ratio to the loan categories grouped by risk rating (pass, special mention, substandard and doubtful).  The quantitative value of the qualitative factors, as described below, is then applied to this amount to estimate the general and unallocated reserve for the specific loans within this rating category and particular loan category.  Impaired loans are excluded from this analysis as they are individually reviewed for valuation.  The sum of all such amounts determines our general and unallocated reserves.

We also track our portfolio and analyze loans grouped by call report categories.  The first step in this process is to risk grade each and every loan in the portfolio based on a common set of parameters.  These parameters include debt to worth, liquidity of the borrower, net worth, experience in a particular field and other factors.  Weight is also given to the relative strength of any guarantors on the loan.  We have retained an independent consultant to review the loan files on a test basis to confirm the loan grade assigned to the loan.

After risk grading each loan, we then use fourteen qualitative factors to analyze the trends in the portfolio.  These fourteen factors include both internal and external factors.  The internal factors considered are the concentration of credit across the portfolio, current delinquency ratios and trends, the experience level of management and staff, our adherence to lending policies and procedures, current loss and recovery trends, the nature and volume of the portfolio’s categories, current nonaccrual and problem loan trends, the quality of our loan review system, policy exceptions, value of underlying collateral and other factors which include insurance shortfalls, loan fraud and unpaid tax risk.  The external factors considered are regulatory and legal factors and the current economic and business environment, which includes indicators such as national GDP, pricing indicators, employment statistics, housing statistics, market indicators, financial regulatory economic analysis, and economic forecasts from reputable sources.  A quantitative value is assigned to current delinquency ratios and trends and the current nonaccrual and problem loan trends, which, when added together, creates a net qualitative weight.  The net qualitative weight is then added to the loss ratio.  Negative trends in the loan portfolio increase the quantitative values assigned to each of the qualitative factors and, therefore, increase the loss ratio.  As a result, an increased loss ratio will result in a higher allowance for loan loss.  For example, as delinquency ratios and trends increase, this qualitative factor’s quantitative value will increase, which will increase the net qualitative weight and the loss ratio (assuming all other qualitative factors remain constant).  Similarly, positive trends in the nonaccrual and problem loans trends will decrease the quantitative value assigned to this qualitative factor, thereby decreasing the net qualitative weight and the loss ratio (assuming all other qualitative factors remain constant).  These factors are reviewed and updated by the Bank’s executive management on a quarterly basis to arrive at a consensus for our qualitative adjustments.

Our methodology for determining our historical loss ratio is to analyze the most recent losses because we believe this period encompasses the most appropriate time period.  In addition, we have moved to a fully migrated loss history for all loan pools and all risk grades.  The resulting historical loss factor is used as a beginning point upon which we add our quantitative adjustments based on the qualitative factors discussed above.  Once the qualitative adjustments are made, we refer to the final amount as the total factor.  The total factor is then multiplied by the loans outstanding for the period ended, except for any loans classified as non-performing which are addressed specifically as discussed below, to estimate the general and unallocated reserves.

Separately, we review all impaired loans individually to determine a specific allocation for each.  In our assessment of impaired loans, we consider the primary source of repayment when determining whether or not loans are collateral dependent.  Impairment of a loan is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  When management determines that a loan is impaired, the difference between our investment in the related loan and the present value of the expected future cash flows, or the fair value of the collateral, is then reserved for or charged against the allowance for loan losses.

 
48

 
 
Periodically, we adjust the amount of the allowance based on changing circumstances.  We recognize loan losses to the allowance and add back subsequent recoveries.  In addition, on a periodic basis we informally compare our allowance for loan losses to various peer institutions; however, we recognize that allowances will vary as financial institutions are unique in the make-up of their loan portfolios and customers, which necessarily creates different risk profiles for the institutions.  We would only consider further adjustments to our allowance for loan losses based on this review of peers if our allowance was significantly different from our peer group.  To date, we have not made any such adjustment.  There can be no assurance that loan charge-offs of loans in future periods will not exceed the allowance for loan losses as estimated at any point in time or that provisions for loan losses will not be significant to a particular accounting period.

The following table summarizes the activity related to our allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

   
2014
   
2013
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 6,026     $ 6,727  
Charge offs, Commercial and Industrial
    (481 )     (301 )
Charge offs, Real Estate Mortgage
    (468 )     (741 )
Charge offs, Real Estate Construction
    (347 )     (695 )
Charge offs, Consumer
    (3 )     (25 )
Recoveries, Commercial and Industrial
    88       26  
Recoveries, Real Estate Mortgage
    140       710  
Recoveries, Real Estate Construction
    95       714  
Recoveries, Consumer
    24       10  
Provision for loan losses
    71       435  
Balance, end of period
  $ 5,145     $ 6,860  
                 
Total loans outstanding at end of period
  $ 323,335     $ 337,428  
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans
    1.59 %     2.03 %
Net charge-offs to average loans
    0.29 %     0.09 %

Nonperforming Assets

The following table sets forth our nonperforming assets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

   
2014
   
2013
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Nonaccrual loans
  $ 9,453     $ 14,043  
Other real estate owned
     18,965       18,693  
Total nonperforming assets
  $ 28,418     $ 32,736  
                 
Nonperforming assets to total assets
    5.90 %     6.73 %

The Bank had 33 loans on non-accrual status at September 30, 2014, totaling $9.5 million and 44 loans on non-accrual status totaling $14.0 million at December 31, 2013.  Of the 33 loans on non-accrual status at September 30, 2014, it is anticipated that 21 loans totaling approximately $3.4 million will move to other real estate owned through foreclosure or through the Bank’s acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure.  An additional 8 loans amounting to approximately $3.6 million are expected to be paid down or paid in full, and 4 loans totaling approximately $2.5 million are expected to move back to an accruing status. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the allowance for loan losses was $5.1 million and $6.0 million, respectively, or 1.59% and 1.82%, respectively, of outstanding loans.   At September 30, 2014 the Bank had 49 impaired loans totaling $26.5 million, which is a decrease of $3.9 million when compared to the year ended December 31, 2013.  This decrease was primarily related to one loan that was renewed at current terms, and multiple loans that were moved to other real estate owned.  This also accounts for the significant decrease in TDR’s for the period ended September 30, 2014.  We remain committed to working with borrowers to help them overcome their difficulties and will review loans on a loan by loan basis.

 
49

 
 
To determine current collateral values we obtain new appraisals on loan renewals and potential problem loans.  In the process of estimating collateral values for non-performing loans, management evaluates markets for stagnation or distress and discounts appraised values on a property by property basis.  Currently, management does not review collateral values for properties located in stagnant or distressed residential areas if the loan is performing and not up for renewal.

As of September 30, 2014, we had 22 loans with a current principal balance of $12.4 million on the watch list compared to 36 loans with a current principal balance of $18.6 million at December 31, 2013.  The watch list is the classification utilized by us when we have an initial concern about the financial health of a borrower.  We then gather current financial information about the borrower and evaluate our current risk in the credit.  We will then either move it to “substandard” or back to its original risk rating after a review of the information.  There are times when we may leave the loan on the “watch list,” if, in management’s opinion, there are risks that cannot be fully evaluated without the passage of time, and we want to review it on a more regular basis.  Loans on the watch list are not considered “potential problem loans” until they are determined by management to be classified as substandard.

Loans past due 30-89 days amounted to $4.4 million at September 30, 2014 as compared to $4.3 million at December 31, 2013.  Past due loans are often regarded as a precursor to further credit problems which would lead to future increases in nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned.  At September 30, 2014, there were no loans past due greater than 90 days that were not already placed on nonaccrual.  Generally, a loan is placed on nonaccrual status when it becomes 90 days past due as to principal or interest, or when we believe, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that the borrower’s financial condition is such that collection of the loan is doubtful.  A payment of interest on a loan that is classified as nonaccrual is applied against the principal balance.  During the periods ended September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the gross interest that we would have recorded if the loans had been in current status was $80,000 and $276,000 respectively.  Forgone interest income on impaired loans was $318,000 and $238,000 during the periods ended September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Deposits

Our primary source of funds for loans and investments is our deposits.  Due to the Consent Order, we may not accept brokered deposits unless a waiver is granted by the FDIC.  We no longer have any brokered or wholesale deposits.  Our loan-to-deposit ratio was 74.3% and 75.8% at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.  Although we currently do not utilize brokered deposits as a funding source, if we were to seek to begin using such funding source, there is no assurance that the FDIC will grant us the approval when requested.  These restrictions could have a substantial negative impact on our liquidity.  Additionally, we are restricted from offering an effective yield on deposits of more than 75 basis points over the national rates published by the FDIC weekly on their website.

The following table shows the average balance amounts and the average rates paid on deposits held by us for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013.

   
September 30, 2014
   
December 31, 2013
 
   
Average
Balance
   
 
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
 
Rate
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Noninterest bearing demand deposits
  $ 25,077       %   $ 20,666       %
Interest bearing demand deposits
    39,474       0.21 %     49,957       0.39 %
Savings and money market accounts money
    96,753       0.34 %     103,641       0.41 %
Time deposits less than $100,000
    101,809       1.23 %     104,943       1.25 %
Time deposits greater than $100,000
    169,306       1.33 %     168,166       1.37 %
Total deposits
  $ 432,419       0.91 %   $ 447,373       0.95 %

All of our time deposits are certificates of deposits.  The maturity distribution of our time deposits of $100,000 or more at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was as follows:

   
September 30, 2014
   
December 31, 2013
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Three months or less                                                 
  $ 24,819     $ 17,364  
Over three through six months
    14,371       24,816  
Over six though twelve months
    43,902       28,718  
Over twelve months                                                 
    84,637       101,598  
Total                                           
  $ 167,729     $ 172,496  
 
 
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Borrowings and Other Interest-Bearing Liabilities

The following table outlines our various sources of borrowed funds during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013, the amounts outstanding at the end of each period, at the maximum point for each component during the periods, on average for each period, and the average and period end interest rate that we paid for each borrowing source.  The maximum month-end balance represents the high indebtedness for each component of borrowed funds at any time during each of the periods shown.
 
 
                      Average for the Period  
    Endning Balance     Period End Rate     Maximum Month End Balance     Balance     Rate  
                               
At or for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:                              
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase   $ 10,000       4.40 %   $ 10,000     $ 10,000       4.44 %
Advance from FHLB     9,000       3.96 %     13,000       12,692       2.93 %
Junior subordinated debentures     14,434       3.20 %     14,434       14,434       3.26 %
ESOP borrowings     -       - %     -       26       - %
                                         
At or for the year ended December 31, 2013:                                        
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase   $ 10,000       4.40 %   $ 10,000     $ 10,000       4.44 %
Advance from FHLB     13,000       2.83 %     24,000       18,205       2.44 %
Junior subordinated debentures     14,434       3.21 %     14,434       14,434       4.13 %
ESOP borrowings     600       4.50 %     1,225       983       4.76 %
 
We have exercised our right to defer distributions on the junior subordinated debentures (and the related trust preferred securities), during which time we cannot pay any dividends on our common stock.   In addition, the Consent Order and the FRB Written Agreement prohibits us from declaring or paying any dividends or making any distributions of interest, principal, or other sums on subordinated debentures without the prior approval of the supervisory authorities.

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances, Fed Funds Lines of Credit and Federal Reserve Discount Window.

Our other borrowings have traditionally included proceeds from FHLB advances and federal funds lines of credit from correspondent banks.  At September 30, 2014, we had $9.0 million in total advances and lines from the FHLB with a remaining credit availability of $63.0 million and an excess lendable collateral value of approximately $4.6 million.  We also have credit availability through the Federal Reserve Discount Window.   As of September 30, 2014, $108,000 was available, based on qualifying collateral.   The Federal Reserve Discount Window borrowing capacity has been curtailed to only overnight terms, contingent upon credit approval for each transaction.  Availability of the Federal Reserve Discount Window may be terminated at any time by the Federal Reserve, and we can make no assurances that this funding source will continue to be available to us.

Capital Resources

Total shareholders’ equity was $5.4 million at September 30, 2014 and $5.0 million at December 31, 2013.  The difference is attributable to the amount of preferred stock dividend accrued of $995,000, an increase of $1.5 million in the fair value of available-for-sale securities, and by a net loss of $50,000 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014.  Since our inception, we have not paid any cash dividends on our common shares.

The following table shows the annualized return on average assets (net income (loss) divided by average total assets), annualized return on average equity (net income (loss) divided by average equity), and average equity to average assets ratio (average equity divided by average total assets) for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013.
 
   
September 30, 2014
   
December 31, 2013
 
Return on average assets
    (0.01 %)     (0.20 %)
Return on average equity
    (0.44 %)     (13.71 %)
Equity to assets ratio
    1.28 %     1.47 %
 
 
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The Federal Reserve and bank regulatory agencies require bank holding companies and financial institutions to maintain capital at adequate levels based on a percentage of assets and off-balance sheet exposures, adjusted for risk weights ranging from 0% to 100%.  Under the capital adequacy guidelines, regulatory capital is classified into two tiers.  These guidelines require an institution to maintain a certain level of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital to risk-weighted assets.  Tier 1 capital consists of common shareholders’ equity, excluding the unrealized gain or loss on securities available for sale, minus certain intangible assets.  In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets, are multiplied by a risk-weight factor of 0% to 100% based on the risks believed to be inherent in the type of asset.  Tier 2 capital consists of Tier 1 capital plus the general reserve for loan losses, subject to certain limitations.  The Bank is required to maintain capital at a minimum level based on total average assets, which is known as the Tier 1 leverage ratio.

To be considered “well-capitalized,” banks must maintain total risk-based capital of at least 10%, Tier 1 capital of at least 6%, and a leverage ratio of at least 5%.  To be considered “adequately capitalized” under capital guidelines, we must maintain a minimum total risk-based capital of 8%, with at least 4% being Tier 1 capital.  Banking regulators have established a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 4%.  In addition, the Consent Order requires us to achieve and maintain Tier 1 capital at least equal to 8% of total assets and Total Risk-Based capital at least equal to 10% of total risk-weighted assets by May 27, 2011.  As of September 30, 2014, the Bank is not in compliance with the capital requirements established in the Consent Order.

The following table sets forth the Company’s various capital ratios at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.  For all periods, the Company was in compliance with regulatory capital requirements established by the Federal Reserve Board’s Capital Adequacy Guidelines for Bank Holding Companies.

Tidelands Bancshares, Inc.
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Leverage ratio                                               
    2.00 %     2.25 %
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio                                               
    2.69 %     3.05 %
Total risk-based capital ratio                                               
    5.39 %     6.10 %

The following table sets forth the Bank’s various capital ratios at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Tidelands Bank
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
Leverage ratio                                               
    5.64 %     5.48 %
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio                                               
    7.61 %     7.40 %
Total risk-based capital ratio                                               
    8.86 %     8.66 %

To provide the additional capital needed to support the Bank’s growth in assets, during the first quarter of 2005 we borrowed $2.1 million under a short-term holding company line of credit.  On March 31, 2005, we completed a private placement of 1,712,000 shares at $9.35 to increase the capital of the Company and the Bank.  Net proceeds from the offering were approximately $14.9 million.  Upon closing the transaction, the holding company line of credit was repaid in full.  On February 22, 2006, Tidelands Statutory Trust, a non-consolidated subsidiary of the Company, issued and sold floating rate capital securities of the trust, generating net proceeds of $8.0 million.  The trust loaned these proceeds to the Company to use for general corporate purposes, primarily to provide capital to the Bank.  The junior subordinated debentures qualify as Tier 1 capital under Federal Reserve Board guidelines.  On October 10, 2006, we closed a public offering in which 1,200,000 shares of our common stock were issued at a purchase price of $15.00 per share.  Net proceeds after deducting the underwriter’s discount and expenses were $16.4 million.

On June 20, 2008, Tidelands Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”), a non-consolidated subsidiary of the Company, issued and sold fixed/floating rate capital securities of the trust, generating proceeds of $6.0 million.  Trust II loaned these proceeds to the Company to use for general corporate purposes, primarily to provide capital to the Bank.  The junior subordinated debentures qualify as Tier I under Federal Reserve Board guidelines.
 
On December 19, 2008, we entered into the CPP Purchase Agreement with the Treasury, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to Treasury (i) 14,448 shares of the Company’s Series T Preferred Stock, having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, and (ii) a ten-year warrant to purchase up to 571,821 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at an initial exercise price of $3.79 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $14,448,000 in cash.  The Series T Preferred Stock qualifies as Tier 1 capital under Federal Reserve Board guidelines.
 
 
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Effect of Inflation and Changing Prices

The effect of relative purchasing power over time due to inflation has not been taken into account in our consolidated financial statements.  Rather, our financial statements have been prepared on an historical cost basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Unlike most industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature.  Therefore, the effect of changes in interest rates will have a more significant impact on our performance than will the effect of changing prices and inflation in general.  In addition, interest rates may generally increase as the rate of inflation increases, although not necessarily in the same magnitude.  As discussed previously, we seek to manage the relationships between interest sensitive assets and liabilities in order to protect against wide rate fluctuations, including those resulting from inflation.

Off-Balance Sheet Risk

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as the customer has not violated any material condition established in the contract.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require the payment of a fee.  At September 30, 2014, unfunded commitments to extend credit were $19.1 million.  A significant portion of the unfunded commitments related to consumer equity lines of credit.  Based on historical experience, we anticipate that a significant portion of these lines of credit will not be funded.  We evaluate each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by us upon extension of credit, is based on our credit evaluation of the borrower.  The type of collateral varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and commercial and residential real estate.

At September 30, 2014, there were commitments totaling approximately $539,000 under letters of credit.  The credit risk and collateral involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.  Since most of the letters of credit are expected to expire without being drawn upon, they do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

Except as disclosed in this report, we are not involved in off-balance sheet contractual relationships, unconsolidated related entities that have off-balance sheet arrangements or transactions that could result in liquidity needs or other commitments that significantly impact earnings.

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates, which principally arises from interest rate risk inherent in our lending, investing, deposit gathering, and borrowing activities.  Other types of market risk, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk and commodity price risk, do not generally arise in the normal course of our business.

We actively monitor and manage our interest rate risk exposure principally by measuring our interest sensitivity “gap,” and net interest income simulations.  Interest sensitivity gap is the positive or negative dollar difference between assets and liabilities that are subject to interest rate repricing within a given period of time.  Interest rate sensitivity can be managed by repricing assets or liabilities, selling securities available for sale, replacing an asset or liability at maturity, or adjusting the interest rate during the life of an asset or liability.  Managing the amount of assets and liabilities repricing in this same time interval helps to hedge the risk and minimize the impact on net interest income of rising or falling interest rates.  We generally would benefit from increasing market rates of interest when we have an asset-sensitive gap position and generally would benefit from decreasing market rates of interest when we are liability-sensitive.  We are currently liability
sensitive on a cumulative basis over the one year, five year and over five year horizon.
 
 
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Liquidity and Interest Rate Sensitivity
 
Liquidity represents the ability of a company to convert assets into cash or cash equivalents without significant loss, and the ability to raise additional funds by increasing liabilities.  Liquidity management involves monitoring our sources and uses of funds in order to meet our day-to-day cash flow requirements while maximizing profits.  Liquidity management is made more complicated because different balance sheet components are subject to varying degrees of management control.  For example, the timing of maturities of our investment portfolio is fairly predictable and subject to a high degree of control at the time investment decisions are made.  However, net deposit inflows and outflows are far less predictable and are not subject to the same degree of control.

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our liquid assets, which consist of cash and due from banks, amounted to $19.4 million and $19.3 million, or 4.0% and 4.0% of total assets, respectively.  Our available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 amounted to $83.8 million and $80.8 million, or 17.4% and 16.6% of total assets, respectively.  Investment securities traditionally provide a secondary source of liquidity since they can be converted into cash in a timely manner.  However, approximately $19.4 million of these securities are pledged against outstanding debt or borrowing lines of credit.  Therefore, the related debt would need to be repaid prior to the securities being sold in order for these securities to be converted to cash.

Our ability to maintain and expand our deposit base and borrowing capabilities serves as our primary source of liquidity.  We plan to meet our future cash needs through the generation of deposits.  In addition, we receive cash upon the maturity and sale of loans and the maturity of investment securities.  We are also a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, from which applications for borrowings can be made for leverage or liquidity purposes.  The FHLB requires that securities, qualifying mortgage loans, and stock of the FHLB owned by the Bank be pledged to secure any advances.  At September 30, 2014, we had $9.0 million in total advances and lines from the FHLB with a remaining credit availability of $63.0 million and an excess lendable collateral value of approximately $4.6 million.  In addition, we maintain a line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of $108,000 secured by securities.

Asset/liability management is the process by which we monitor and control the mix and maturities of our assets and liabilities.  The essential purposes of asset/liability management are to ensure adequate liquidity and to maintain an appropriate balance between interest sensitive assets and liabilities in order to minimize potentially adverse impacts on earnings from changes in market interest rates.  The asset/liability committee monitors and considers methods of managing exposure to interest rate risk.  The asset/liability committee is responsible for maintaining the level of interest rate sensitivity of our interest sensitive assets and liabilities within board-approved limits.
 
 
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Not applicable.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e).  Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that our current disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of September 30, 2014.  There have been no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

The design of any system of controls and procedures is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events.  There can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
In December 2011, a lawsuit was filed in the South Carolina Circuit Court in Charleston, South Carolina against Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. and Tidelands Bank, as well as certain current and former officers and directors, by Robert E. Coffee, Jr., our former President and Chief Executive Officer.  The lawsuit includes causes of action against the Bank and Company for breach of employment contract, fraud, negligent misrepresentation and conversion, all of which relate to a severance provision in Mr. Coffee’s employment agreement with the Bank.  The lawsuit also includes causes of action against certain directors and two former and one current officer of the Bank.  Mr. Coffee is seeking actual damages of approximately $930,000, as well as the value of certain benefits he was receiving as of his termination date.  The lawsuit also seeks punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.  The Bank and Company are prohibited from making any payments to Mr. Coffee without the FDIC’s approval.  The Bank sought the FDIC’s approval of a payment to Mr. Coffee, and the FDIC denied approval.  The lawsuit is currently in the discovery stage. The Company cannot provide assurances as to the outcome of this matter at this time.  The Bank has not accrued any amounts related to this litigation because a reasonably possible range of loss, if any, that may result from this matter could not be estimated.

On July 3, 2014, an action was filed in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division, on behalf of Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. and Tidelands Bank (“Tidelands”) against Mr. Coffee.  In this action for declaratory judgment,  Tidelands seeks a declaration by the court that 12. U.S.C §1828(k)(4)(A)(ii) and FDIC Rules 359.1(f)(1)(ii) (12 C.F.R. §359.1(f)(1)(ii) and 303.10(c) (12 C.F.R §10(c) were the applicable statute and regulatory provision governing the definition, regulation and prohibition of “golden parachute payments” on or about May 1, 2008, the time of Mr. Coffee’s termination by Tidelands.  Further,  that pursuant to other applicable regulations, Tidelands was in a “troubled condition” at the time it terminated Mr. Coffee, and as a result of the applicable statutes and regulations, Tidelands is prohibited from making any severance payments arising under its Employment Agreement with Mr. Coffee, as sought by Mr. Coffee in the state court action.
 
On October 3, 2014, the District Court issued an order staying the declaratory judgment action. In reaching its decision, the District Court considered the fact that the parties had been involved in the state court lawsuit for over two and a half years and that the issues raised by Tidelands and the Company in the declaratory judgment action in federal court were at issue in the state court action in the form of affirmative defenses raised by Tidelands and the Company.

The trial of this case is scheduled to take place during the first quarter of 2015.
 
 
55

 
 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

As previously disclosed in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2011, the FRB Written Agreement between the Company and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond requires that we obtain the written approval of the Federal Reserve Bank before incurring additional debt, purchasing or redeeming our capital stock, or declaring or paying cash dividends on our securities, including dividends on our TARP preferred stock and interest on our trust preferred securities.  Furthermore, pursuant to the terms of our trust preferred securities, absent authorization from a majority of its holders, we are prohibited from paying dividends on our TARP preferred stock until we pay all interest payments due and payable on our trust preferred securities.

Per the FRB Written Agreement the Company cannot pay dividends on TARP preferred stock or interest on our trust preferred securities, until such time as the Company has shown sustained profitability, improvement in asset quality indicators, and compliance with existing regulatory guidance related to such payments.  Cash dividends on the TARP preferred stock are cumulative and accrue and compound on each subsequent payment date.  Beginning with the payment date of November 15, 2010, the Company deferred dividend payments on the TARP Preferred Stock.  Although the Company may defer dividend payments, the dividend is a cumulative dividend and failure to pay dividends for six dividend periods would trigger board appointment rights for the holder of the TARP Preferred Stock.  The dividend payment that was deferred in May 2012 was the seventh missed dividend payment.  Consequently, the Treasury has appointed an observer to the Board. At September 30, 2014, we had unpaid cumulative TARP preferred stock dividends in arrears of $3,526,831.

 
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Item 6. Exhibits
 
31.1   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Principal Executive Officer.
     
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Principal Financial Officer.
     
32   Section 1350 Certifications.
     
101  
The following financial information from Tidelands Bancshares Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2014, filed with the SEC on November 12, 2014, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

  TIDELANDS BANCSHARES, INC.  
       
Date: November 12, 2014
By:
/s/Thomas H. Lyles  
    Thomas H. Lyles, President and Chief Executive Officer  
    (Principal Executive Officer)  
       
       
Date: November 12, 2014
By:
/s/John D. Dalton  
    John D. Dalton, Controller and Vice President  
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)  
       
 
 
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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit Number
  Description
31.1   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Principal Executive Officer.
     
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Principal Financial Officer.
     
32   Section 1350 Certifications.
     
101  
The following financial information from Tidelands Bancshares Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2014, filed with the SEC on November 12, 2014, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
59