UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

 

[X]

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

For the fiscal year ended                     June 30, 2015

 

[ ]

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

For the transition period from ________________ to ________________

 

Commission File number 0-15641

 

CALIFORNIA FIRST NATIONAL BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

California	33-0964185
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

28 Executive Park, Irvine, CA 92614

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:	(949) 255-0500

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act
Yes o     No þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act
Yes o     No þ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and 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 þ     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). Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o 

 

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 “accelerated filer, large accelerated filer and smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o     Accelerated filer o     Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company þ

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of December 31, 2014 was $33,504,064. Number of shares outstanding as of September 18, 2015: Common Stock 10,459,924.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Part III incorporates information by reference from Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission within 120 days after the close of the Registrant's fiscal year ended June 30, 2015.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I			Page
Item 1.	Business		2-11
Item 1A.	Risk Factors		11-16
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments		16
Item 2.	Properties		16
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings		16
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures		16
PART II
Item 5.	Market for Company's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities		16-17
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data		18
Item 7.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		19-28
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		29
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data		30-54
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure		55
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures		55
Item 9B.	Other Information		55
PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance		56
Item 11.	Executive Compensation		56
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters		56
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence		56
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services		56
PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules		56-57
Signatures			58

 

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

California First National Bancorp, a California corporation (the “Company”), is a bank holding company headquartered in Orange County, California with a bank subsidiary, California First National Bank (“CalFirst Bank” or the “Bank”) and leasing subsidiary, California First Leasing Corp (“CalFirst Leasing”). The primary business of the Company is secured financing provided through leasing and financing capital assets, commercial loans acquired through participation in the syndicated commercial loan market, by providing non-recourse loans to third parties secured by leases and equipment, and direct commercial loans. CalFirst Bank, now responsible for substantially all lease and loan origination and purchases, gathers deposits through posting rates on the Internet and conducts all banking and other operations from one central location. At June 30, 2015, the Company had total assets of $731.1 million, leases and loans of $541.8 million, total deposits of $471.9 million, and a conservative capital profile with stockholders’ equity of $188.2 million supporting regulatory capital ratios at June 30, 2015 of 29.2% Tier 1 capital, 30.2% total capital and 26.8% Tier 1 leverage capital, well above required regulatory thresholds.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, information concerning our possible future consolidated results of operations, business and growth strategies, financing plans, our competitive position and the effects of competition. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by forward-looking words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “may”, “should”, “will”, “would”, “project” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, and certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Some of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results or performance to differ materially from such forward-looking statements are included in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this report. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which they were made.

 

Leasing Activities

 

At June 30, 2015, leases accounted for 55% of the Company’s lease and loan portfolio, down from 72% and 82% at June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company leases and finances most capital assets used by businesses and organizations, with a focus on high technology systems and other mission critical assets, and has seen an increase in the volume of other assets over the last few years. In addition to computer systems and networks, property leased includes automated warehouse distribution management systems, manufacturing production systems, and telecommunications systems such as wireless networks, voice over Internet protocol (“VoIP”) systems, and satellite tracking systems. Retail point-of-sale and inventory tracking systems often integrate computers, scanners and software. Other electronic equipment leased includes robotic surgical systems, ultrasound and medical imaging systems, computer-based patient monitoring systems, testing equipment, copying and digital printing equipment. In addition, the Company leases a wide variety of non-electronic property, including office equipment, mining equipment, machine tools, school buses, trucks, exercise equipment and office and dormitory furniture. The mixture of property subject to leases booked in any year varies by year, and in fiscal 2015, leases involved with computer equipment and software accounted for 15% of the property, down from 41% and 35% the prior two years. A comparison of the mix of property leased over the three years ending June 30, 2015 is set forth below (dollars in thousands):

 

Year End June 30		2015				%					2014				%					2013				%
Computer Hardware and Software		$	32,857				15	%			$	73,922				41	%			$	86,036				35	%
Warehouse Management Systems			33,240				15	%				1,882				1	%				3,317				1	%
Furniture & Fixtures			27,123				12	%				21,722				12	%				4,385				2	%
Air Transport Equipment			25,000				11	%				6,750				4	%				5,540				2	%
Manufacturing Equipment			23,554				11	%				17,170				9	%				26,433				11	%
Medical Equipment			16,445				8	%				13,819				8	%				22,447				9	%
Transportation equipment			16,331				8	%				15,763				9	%				22,371				9	%
Office Equipment			10,068				5	%				2,205				1	%				2,880				1	%
Yellow Equipment			9,179				4	%				9,095				5	%				47,804				20	%
Other			23,988				11	%				19,022				10	%				21,947				9	%
Cost of Property on Leases Booked		$	217,786								$	181,350								$	243,161

 

The Company provides leasing and financing to customers throughout the United States and across a breadth of industries and disciplines, including commercial, industrial and financial companies, as well as educational, government and non-profit entities. The average size of the lease transactions booked during fiscal 2015 was approximately $1.1 million, compared with $935,000 during fiscal 2014 and $844,000 during fiscal 2013. Two customers accounted for 14% and 12% of the property cost subject to leases booked during fiscal 2015, while in fiscal 2014 one customer accounted for 13% and in fiscal 2013 two other customers accounted for 11% and 8% of leases booked in that year. Leases primarily are originated directly through a centralized marketing program and direct delivery channels, or through other banks or origination sources. During fiscal 2015, 94% of property cost subject to leases booked was originated directly by the Company, compared to 89% originated directly in fiscal 2014 and 79% originated directly in fiscal 2013. The marketing program includes a confidential database of current and potential users of business property, a training program to introduce new marketing employees to leasing, and in-house computer and telecommunication systems. The marketing programs have been augmented through the expanded use of web sites and the Internet to identify and communicate with potential customers. Prospect management software is utilized to enhance the productivity of the sales effort. Specific information about potential customers is entered into a confidential database accessible to sales professionals and their managers that allows them to efficiently focus on the most likely purchaser or lessee of capital assets. A new prospect management system was implemented during fiscal 2015 which is expected to improve the quality of the data available to sales professionals as well as management.

 

Leases generally are for initial terms ranging from two to five years and are structured individually to accommodate a variety of our customers’ objectives. Substantially all leases are non-cancelable "net" leases which contain "hell-or-high-water" provisions under which the lessee must make all lease payments regardless of any defects in the property, and which require the lessee to maintain and service the property, insure the property against casualty loss and pay all property, sales and other taxes. CalFirst Bank or CalFirst Leasing retain ownership of the property on leases they originate, and in the event of default by the lessee, they may declare the lessee in default, accelerate all lease payments due under the lease and pursue other available remedies, including repossession of the property. Upon the expiration of the lease term, the lessee typically has an option, which is dependent upon each lease's defined end of term options, to either purchase the property at a negotiated price, or in the case of a "conditional sales contract," at a predetermined minimum price, or to renew the lease. If the original lessee does not exercise the purchase option, once the leased property is returned, the Company will seek to sell the leased property.

 

Through its lease purchase operations, the Bank purchases lease receivables on a non-recourse basis from other intermediaries. All banks or lessors from whom the Bank purchases lease receivables are subject to an individual credit review and investigation by the Bank and must be approved by the Bank’s board of directors prior to establishing a discounting relationship. The Bank generally does not assume any obligations as lessor for these transactions, and the original lessor retains ownership of any underlying asset, with the Bank taking a priority first lien position. Periodically, the Bank will purchase a whole lease and assume the role as lessor and take a residual interest in the property subject to such lease. The Bank verifies the completeness of all lease documentation prior to purchase, confirms that the Bank’s position is secure and that liens have been perfected, and legal documentation has been filed as appropriate. Leases purchased from unaffiliated third parties during fiscal 2015 aggregated to $13.5 million, or 6% of total leases booked. In fiscal 2014, purchased leases of $19.6 million represented 11% of total bookings while fiscal 2013 purchased leases of $50.2 million represented 21% of total bookings.

 

The Company conducts the leasing business in a manner designed to minimize risk, however, we are subject to risks through the investment in lease receivables held in our own portfolios, lease transactions-in-process, and residual investments. We do not purchase leased property until we have received a binding non-cancelable lease from the customer. A portion of lease originations are discounted to banks or finance companies on a non-recourse basis at fixed interest rates that reflect the customers' financial condition. The lender to which a lease has been assigned has no recourse against the Company, unless we are in default under the terms of the agreement by which the lease was assigned. The institution to which a lease has been assigned may take title to the leased property, but only in the event the lessee fails to make lease payments or otherwise defaults under the terms of the lease. If this occurs, the Company may not realize our residual investment, if any, in the leased property.

 

Lease Portfolio

 

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, 90.4% of the total dollar amount of new leases completed by the Company were booked by CalFirst Bank, down from 92.7% in fiscal 2014 and up from 86.0% in fiscal 2013. Of the new leases booked by CalFirst Leasing in fiscal 2015, 73% were participations with CalFirst Bank, and the remainder purchased from the Bank as CalFirst Leasing no longer has a direct lease origination effort.

 

During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, 88%, 97% and 98%, respectively, of the total dollar amount of new leases completed by the Company were retained in the Company’s portfolios, with the balance of such leases discounted to unaffiliated financial institutions. The Bank’s strategy is to develop a conservative, diversified portfolio of leases with high credit worthy lessees through a portfolio management system that balances risk and reward while also managing exposures to any one credit or industry. The Bank’s credit committee has established underwriting standards and criteria for the lease portfolio and performs an independent credit analysis and due diligence on each lease transaction originated or purchased. The committee applies the same underwriting standards to all leases, regardless of how they are sourced. Through the use of non-recourse financing, the Company avoids risks that do not meet our risk/reward requirements or reduces its exposure to meet internal or regulatory requirements. A small portion of the portfolio, primarily held by CalFirst Leasing, includes leases where the credit profile of the lessee or the underlying leased property is not acceptable to other financial institutions.

 

The table below presents the discounted minimum lease payments receivable (“Net Lease Receivable") related to leases retained in the Company’s portfolios at June 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Of the Bank’s Net Lease Receivable, approximately 82%, 74% and 60%, respectively, represented leases originated directly by the Bank, with 16%, 21% and 26%, of the Bank’s Net Lease Receivables at June 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to leases purchased from unaffiliated parties.

 

(dollars in thousands)		As of June 30,
		2015									2014									2013
		Net Lease Receivable				Percent of Total					Net Lease Receivable				Percent of Total					Net Lease Receivable				Percent of Total
California First National Bank		$	270,657				94	%			$	288,331				91	%			$	299,863				91	%
California First Leasing		$	15,727				6	%			$	27,343				9	%			$	30,933				9	%

 

The Company often makes payments to purchase leased property prior to the commencement of the lease. The disbursements for such lease transactions-in-process are generally made to facilitate the property implementation schedule of the lessees. The lessee generally is contractually obligated to make rental payments during the period that the transaction is in process, and obligated to reimburse the Company for all disbursements under certain circumstances. Income is not recognized while a transaction is in process and prior to the commencement of the lease. At June 30, 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Company’s total investment in property acquired for transactions-in-process amounted to $31.3 million, $40.6 million and $11.9 million, respectively. Of such amounts, approximately 91%, 77% and 97%, respectively, for each respective year related to CalFirst Bank, with the balance held by CalFirst Leasing.

 

Commercial Loans

 

Commercial loans of $243.5 million accounted for 45% of the Company’s net investment in leases and loans at June 30, 2015, an increase from $129.2 million, or 28% of the Company’s investment, at June 30, 2014 and $74.0 million, or 18% of the Company’s investment, at June 30, 2013. In January 2015, the Office of Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), CalFirst Bank’s primary regulator, lifted restrictions that limited the growth in the Bank’s commercial loan portfolio within certain guidelines. During fiscal 2015, the Company boarded $155.3 million of new commercial loans that were offset in part by payoffs and principal reductions of $41.1 million. 2015 commercial loan bookings were up 112% from fiscal 2014 bookings of $73.3 million, with payoffs and principal reductions of approximately $18.1 million.

 

The commercial loan portfolio consists primarily of participations in syndicated transactions led primarily by major money center banks, with approximately 7% of the loan portfolio at June 30, 2015 the result of a direct origination effort. Direct loan origination is directed toward the Company’s existing and targeted customer database as a complementary product leveraging existing resources and extending customer longevity. Commercial loan products offered include lines of credit, term loans and commercial mortgages, and generally will be secured by a first priority filing on the customer’s assets, including accounts receivable and inventory, capital equipment or commercial real estate, but unsecured loans or lines of credit will be considered, depending on the nature of the credit. There are three direct commercial loans aggregating to $16.3 million as of June 30, 2015, all at fixed rates, ranging in size from $2.2 million to $8.8 million, and with remaining terms of 33 to 47 months.

 

Syndicated bank loans primarily are term loans secured by all of a borrower’s assets but also include revolving lines of credit secured by accounts receivable and inventories and term loans secured by all assets excluding working capital. Loans are priced at variable rates, and generally are made to larger corporations with debt ratings of BB or Ba, or higher, as rated by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s Investors Service, respectively. At June 30, 2015, 28% of the syndicated loan portfolio is rated investment grade by one or more of the rating agencies, compared to 34% of the syndicated loan portfolio at June 30, 2014, while approximately 6.3% of the syndicated loan portfolio at June 30, 2015 relates to companies that are rated lower than Ba, down from 8.5% at June 30, 2014. Approximately 59% of the loan portfolio at June 30, 2015 is characterized as “leveraged loans” under guidance promulgated by federal bank regulators, compared to 34% under such guidance at June 30, 2014. Credits that the Company characterizes as highly leveraged accounted for approximately 14% of the syndicated loan portfolio at June 30, 2015, compared to 11% at June 30, 2014 under the same definition. All syndicated loan transactions are participations through major money-center banking institutions and are diversified across industries, with the loan commitments ranging in size from $1.0 million to $10.0 million. At June 30, 2015, the average principal outstanding on 47 credits was $4.9 million, and the remaining terms ranged from two to seven years.

 

The Bank’s underwriting of commercial loans has been maintained in accordance with its existing credit standards, although its policies have been augmented to address credit issues related to the larger average investment in individual loans and regulatory issues governing the leveraged loan and participation market. Federal banking regulators issued guidance with respect to leveraged lending that has been incorporated into the Bank’s policies. The risks associated with loans in which the Bank participates as part of a syndicate of financial institutions are similar to those of directly originated commercial loans; however, additional risks may arise from the Bank’s limited ability to control actions of the syndicate. Existing staff administer loan operations including documentation, lien perfection, funding, payments and collections. The Bank’s current computer systems are capable of fully processing loans and have the requisite connectivity to the Company’s accounting, customer service and collections processes.

 

The table below presents the commercial loan balance before allowances by loan type in the Company’s portfolios at June 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

(dollars in thousands)		As of June 30,
		2015									2014									2013
		Net Loan Balance				Percent of Total					Net Loan Balance				Percent of Total					Net Loan Balance				Percent of Total
Commercial term loans		$	238,424				96.7	%			$	120,803				92.1	%			$	64,751				85.2	%
Revolving lines of credit		$	562				0.2	%			$	2,448				1.9	%			$	1,797				2.4	%
Commercial real estate loans		$	7,523				3.1	%			$	7,907				6.0	%			$	9,403				12.4	%

 

Commercial loan transactions funded during fiscal 2015 of $155.3 million were all acquired through participations. This compared to $73.3 million of commercial loan transactions funded during fiscal 2014, of which $10.0 million were originated directly and $63.3 million acquired through syndication. Yields earned on commercial loans tend to be lower than yields earned on lease transactions, but the average life or duration of the investment is expected to be longer and such yields will vary more with changes in market interest rates.

 

Credit Risk Management

 

The Company’s strategy for credit risk management includes stringent credit authority centered at the most senior levels of management. The strategy emphasizes diversification on both a geographic and customer level, and spreading risk across a breadth of leases and loans while managing the risk to any one area. The consolidated lease and loan portfolio at June 30, 2015 includes over 730 lease schedules and 83 commercial loans. No customer accounted for more than 3% of the net investment in leases and loans at June 30, 2015 and 5% at June 30, 2014, while one customer represented slightly more than 5% of the consolidated portfolio at June 30, 2013. The ten largest customers accounted for 19% of the lease and loan portfolio at June 30, 2015, compared to 24% of the portfolio at June 30, 2014 and 28% at June 30, 2013.

 

As a national bank, CalFirst Bank is subject to lending limit rules that restrict the maximum credit that the Bank may extend to any one entity at any one time to 15% of unimpaired capital and surplus. At June 30, 2015, the Bank’s “legal lending” limit was $17.3 million. The Company and CalFirst Leasing are not subject to any regulatory limits. At June 30, 2015, the largest single exposure of CalFirst Bank to one credit was $16.1 million.

 

The credit policy requires each lease or loan, regardless of whether it is directly originated or acquired through syndication, to have viable repayment sources. The credit process primarily focuses on a customer’s ability to repay the lease or loan through their cash flow, and generally, collateral securing a transaction represents a secondary source of repayment. The credit process includes a policy of classifying all leases and loans in accordance with a risk rating classification system, monitoring changes in the risk ratings of lessees and borrowers, identification of problem leases and loans and special procedures for the collection of problem leases and loans. The lease and loan classification system is consistent with regulatory models under which leases and loans may be rated as “pass”, “special mention”, “substandard”, “doubtful” or “loss”.

 

An Asset Management (“AM”) group handles the day-to-day management and oversight of the lease portfolios. The AM group monitors the performance of all leases held in the portfolios, transactions-in-process as well as lease transactions assigned to lenders, if the Company retains a residual investment in the leased property subject to the lease. The AM group conducts an ongoing review of all leases 10 or more days delinquent, contacts the lessee directly and generally sends the lessee a notice of non-payment within 15 days after the due date. In the event that payment is not then received, senior management becomes involved. Delinquent leases are coded in the AM tracking system in order to provide management visibility, periodic reporting, and appropriate reserves. Legal recourse is considered and promptly undertaken if alternative resolutions are not obtained. At 90 days past due, leases and loans will be placed on non-accrual status such that interest income no longer accretes into income, unless the Company believes the amounts due are otherwise recoverable.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses

 

The allowance for credit losses is an estimate of probable and assessable losses in the Company’s lease and loan portfolios applying the principles of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 450, “Contingencies,” and ASC Topic 310-35, “Loan Impairment.” The allowance recorded is based on a quarterly review of all leases and loans outstanding and transactions-in-process. The determination of the appropriate amount of any provision is based on management’s judgment at that time and takes into consideration all known relevant internal and external factors that may affect the lease and loan portfolios. The primary responsibility for setting reserves resides with executive management who report quarterly to the Company’s Audit Committee and Board of Directors regarding overall asset quality, problem leases and loans and the adequacy of valuation allowances. The Bank's classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances are subject to review by regulators who can order the establishment of additional loss allowances.

 

The Company individually analyzes the net book value of each non-performing or problem lease and loan to determine whether the carrying value is less than or equal to the expected recovery anticipated to be derived from lease or loan payments, additional collateral or residual realization. The amount estimated as unrecoverable is recognized as a reserve specifically identified for the lease or impaired loan. An analysis of the remaining portfolios is conducted, taking into account recent loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, levels of delinquencies, adverse situations that may affect the customer’s ability to repay, trends in volume and other factors, including regulatory guidance and current and anticipated economic conditions in the market. This portfolio analysis includes a stratification of the lease and loan portfolio by risk classification and segments, and estimation of potential losses based on risk classification or segment. The composition of the portfolio based on risk ratings is monitored, and changes in the overall risk profile of the portfolio also is factored into the evaluation of inherent risks in the portfolios. Regardless of the extent of the Company's analysis of customer performance or portfolio evaluation, certain inherent but undetected losses are probable within the lease and loan portfolios. This is due to several factors including inherent delays in obtaining information regarding a customer’s financial condition or change in business conditions; the judgmental nature of individual credit evaluations and classification, and the interpretation of economic trends; volatility of economic or customer-specific conditions affecting the identification and estimation of losses and the sensitivity of assumptions utilized to establish allowances for losses, among other factors. Therefore, an estimated inherent loss not based directly on the specific problem assets is recorded as an unallocated allowance. The level of such unallocated allowance is determined based on a review of prior years’ loss experience, and may vary depending on general market conditions. The aggregate allowance in any one period is apportioned between allowance for lease and loan losses and allowance for valuation of residual value.

 

Banking Operations

 

The Bank is focused on gathering deposits from depositors nationwide for the primary purpose of funding its investment in leases and loans. The Bank’s strategy is to be a low cost producer through marketing its products and services directly to end-users. The Bank believes that its operating costs generally will be lower than those of traditional "bricks and mortar" banks because it does not have the expense of a traditional branch network to generate deposits and conduct operations.

 

Deposit Products

 

At June 30, 2015, the Bank had $471.9 million in deposits, of which $70.4 million were demand and savings accounts and $401.5 million, or 85%, were time deposits. The Bank’s deposits have been gathered primarily through the Internet. The Bank offers interest-bearing checking accounts, money market accounts, savings accounts and three (3) month to three (3) year certificates of deposit (“CDs”) to taxable and IRA depositors. CDs are offered with varying maturities in order to achieve a fair approximation or match of the average life of the Bank’s lease and loan portfolio. With leases generally providing for fixed rental rates, a matching fixed rate CD book is intended to allow the Bank to minimize interest rate fluctuation risk. Most of the Bank’s commercial loans are floating rate.

 

To open a new account, a customer can complete an on-line enrollment form on the Bank’s web site, or can call the Bank’s toll-free customer service number and open an account telephonically. Signature cards and deposits are then mailed to the Bank. Customers can make deposits by wire transfer, via direct deposit programs, or by mail. No teller line is maintained. The Bank’s customers have 24-hour access to account information. Customers can view their banking records and current balances, and transfer funds between accounts through the use of personal computers. They can also pay bills on-line. Customers can receive a free ATM card upon opening a demand deposit or savings account. In order to obtain cash, the Bank’s customers use other banks’ automated teller machines that are affiliated with the Plusä system. The Bank generally will reimburse customers for some portion of any ATM fees charged by other financial institutions. The Bank believes that any inconvenience resulting from the Bank not maintaining automated teller machines or a local branch office will be offset by the Bank’s higher investment yields and lower banking fees.

 

Operations

 

The Bank’s operations have been developed by outsourcing certain principal functions to leading bank industry service providers and by sharing established systems utilized by CalFirst Leasing or the Company. Outsourced systems include the Bank’s core processing and electronic banking system, electronic bill payment systems and depositary services, including item processing. The Bank believes it benefits from the service provider's expertise and investments in developing technology. A critical element to the Bank’s success is the ability to provide secure transmission of confidential information over the Internet. The Bank’s service providers utilize sophisticated technology to provide maximum security. All banking transactions are encrypted and all transactions are routed from the Internet server through a "firewall" that limits access to the Bank’s and service provider’s systems. Systems are in place to detect attempts by third parties to access other users' accounts and feature a high degree of physical security, secure modem access, service continuity and transaction monitoring. The Bank has implemented the two-factor authentication security to its Internet banking procedures and platform.

 

Investments

 

In addition to leases and loans, the Company had total cash and cash equivalents and investment securities of $144.8 million at June 30, 2015 compared to $69.4 million at June 30, 2014 and $123.6 million at June 30, 2013. The investment portfolio consists of interest-earning deposits with banks and short-term money market securities, as well as corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury Notes, U.S. government agency (“Agency”) mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock and other investments. The Company is authorized to invest in high-quality United States agency obligations, mortgage-backed securities, investment grade corporate bonds and municipal securities and selected preferred and equity securities. The investment portfolio may increase or decrease depending upon the comparative returns on investments in relation to leases and loans.

 

Customers

 

Leasing and loan customers include major corporations and middle-market companies, subsidiaries and divisions of Fortune 1000 companies, private and state-related educational institutions, municipalities and other not-for-profit organizations and institutions located throughout the United States. The Company does not believe the loss of any one customer would have a material adverse effect on its operations taken as a whole.

 

The Bank’s deposit customers are primarily individuals from across the nation who place a substantial portion of their savings in safe, government-insured deposits and businesses that spread their liquid investments among a breadth of banks in order to ensure that they are government insured. Such depositors are seeking to maximize their interest income and, therefore, are more inclined to move their investments to a bank that offers the highest yield regardless of the geographic location of the depository.

 

Competition

 

The Company competes for the lease and loan financing of capital assets with other banks, commercial finance companies, and other financial institutions, independent leasing companies, credit companies affiliated with equipment manufacturers, and equipment brokers and dealers. Many of the Company's competitors have substantially greater resources, capital, and more extensive and diversified operations than the Company. The Company believes that the principal competitive factors are rate, responsiveness to customer needs, flexibility in structuring lease financing and loans, financial technical proficiency and the offering of a broad range of financing options. The level of competition varies depending upon market and economic conditions, the interest rate environment, and availability of capital.

 

The Bank competes with other banks and financial institutions to attract deposits. The Bank faces competition from established local and regional banks and savings and loan institutions. Many of them have larger customer bases, greater name recognition and brand awareness, greater financial and other resources, broader product offerings and longer operating histories. The market for Internet banking has seen increased competition over the past several years as large banks and other financial institutions have deployed and aggressively promoted their own on-line banking platforms and aggressively sought deposits over the internet. Additionally, new competitors and competitive factors are likely to emerge with the continued development of Internet banking.

 

Supervision and Regulation

 

The Company is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and is registered with, regulated and examined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”). In addition to the regulation of the Company by the FRB, the Bank is subject to extensive regulation and periodic examination, principally by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”). The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insures the Bank’s deposits up to certain prescribed limits. The Bank is a member bank within the San Francisco Federal Reserve district. The Company is also subject to jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and to the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and through the listing of the common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market is subject to the rules of NASDAQ.

 

The Bank Holding Company Act, the Federal Reserve Act, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act subject the Company and the Bank to a number of laws and regulations. In addition, substantial changes to the regulation of banks and bank holding companies have occurred as a result of the enactment in 2010 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). The primary concern of banking regulation is “Safety and Soundness” with an emphasis on asset quality and capital adequacy. These laws and regulations also encompass a broad range of other regulatory concerns including insider transactions, the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, intercompany transactions, regulatory reporting, adequacy of systems of internal controls and limitations on permissible activities. The federal banking agencies possess broad powers to take corrective action as deemed appropriate for an insured depository institution and its holding company. The FRB examines the Company, which exam includes CalFirst Leasing. The OCC, which has primary supervisory authority over the Bank, regularly examines banks in such areas as asset quality, reserves, investments, risk management practices, interest rate exposure, vendor management and other aspects of operations. These examinations are designed for the protection of the Bank’s depositors rather than the Company’s shareholders. The Bank must furnish annual and quarterly reports to the OCC, which has the authority under the Financial Institutions Supervisory Act to prevent a national bank from engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting its business. The OCC may impose restrictions or new requirements on the Bank, including, but not limited to, growth limitations, dividend restrictions, individual increased regulatory capital requirements, lease and loan loss reserve requirements, increased supervisory assessments, activity limitations or other restrictions that could have an adverse effect on the Bank, the Company or holders of our common stock. Many banking laws and regulations have undergone significant change in recent years and, given the recent financial crisis in the United States, regulators have increased their oversight of financial institutions and taken a more active role in imposing restrictions on bank operations, the classification of assets and determination of the allowance for credit losses. Future changes to these laws and regulations, and other new financial services laws and regulations are likely, and cannot be predicted with certainty.

 

Under FRB policy, the Company is expected to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to the Bank and, under appropriate circumstances, to commit resources to support the Bank. Certain loans by the Company to the Bank would be subordinate in right of payment to deposits in, and certain other indebtedness of, the Bank.

 

Among the regulations that affect the Company and the Bank are provisions of Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act that places limits on the amount of loans or extensions of credit the Bank may make to affiliates and the amount of assets purchased from affiliates, except for transactions exempted by the FRB. The aggregate of all of the above transactions is limited in amount, as to any one affiliate, to 10% of a bank’s capital and surplus and, as to all affiliates combined, to 20% of a bank's capital and surplus. Regulation W (“Reg. W”) provides a framework under Section 23A by which the Bank does not have to comply with the quantitative limits of Section 23A when making a loan or extension of credit to an affiliate, but also contains certain provisions designed to prohibit the Bank from buying low-quality assets from an affiliate. The Company and the Bank are also subject to the provisions of Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act which, among other things, prohibits an institution from engaging in transactions with affiliates unless the transactions are on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the institution as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with non-affiliated companies. All transactions between the Company or CalFirst Leasing and the Bank are in accordance with these provisions.

 

In connection with the approval of the Company’s purchase of the stock of the Bank in 2001, the FRB and the OCC required the Company and the Bank to make certain commitments with respect to the operation of the Bank. In September 2006, the OCC approved a change in the Bank’s original operating plan that provided for the Bank to originate commercial loans. In June 2012, the OCC provided a written determination of no objection to a revised business plan to continue development of the commercial loan portfolio, but with certain conditions that required the Bank to maintain a Tier 1 capital ratio of not less than 14% through June 30, 2015 and limit the growth in the commercial loan portfolio within certain guidelines. In January 2015, the OCC terminated the 2001 operating agreement between the OCC and the Bank and eliminated restrictions imposed in 2012. The only continuing commitment at June 30, 2015 is a binding written agreement between the Bank and the Company setting forth the Company’s obligations to provide capital maintenance and liquidity support to the Bank, if and when necessary.

 

Bank holding companies are subject to risk-based capital guidelines adopted by the FRB. The Company currently is required to maintain (i) Tier 1 capital equal to at least six percent of its risk-weighted assets and (ii) total capital (the sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital) equal to ten percent of risk-weighted assets. The FRB also requires the Company to maintain a minimum Tier 1 "leverage ratio" (measuring Tier 1 capital as a percentage of adjusted total assets) of at least five percent. At June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company exceeded all these requirements.

 

The Bank is also subject to risk-based and leverage capital requirements. In July 2013, Federal bank regulatory agencies jointly issued final rules that revise the general risk-based capital requirements to incorporate certain revisions by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision to the Basel capital framework (“Basel III”). Under the final rule, minimum requirements increase both the quantity and quality of capital held by banking organizations. Consistent with Basel III, the rule includes a new minimum ratio of common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.5 percent and a common equity tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5 percent of risk-weighted assets. The rule also raises the minimum ratio of tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4 percent to 6 percent and includes a minimum leverage ratio of 4 percent for all banking organizations. The final rule minimizes the burden on smaller, less complex financial institutions such as the Company and the Bank, with a phase-in period that began in January 2015 while the phase-in period for larger institutions began in January 2014. At June 30, 2015, the Bank had capital in excess of all current minimum risk-based and leverage capital requirements as well as the new guidelines.

 

Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), the Bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of its entire communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. CalFirst Bank is designated as a wholesale institution for CRA purposes. To evaluate the CRA performance of banks with this designation, regulatory agencies use the community development test. This includes an assessment of the level and nature of the Bank’s community development lending, investments and services. The CRA requires the OCC, in connection with its examination of the Bank, to assess and assign one of four ratings to the Bank’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community. The CRA also requires that the Bank publicly disclose its CRA rating. In July 2013, CalFirst Bank was subjected to a CRA examination and received a “satisfactory” rating on the CRA performance evaluation.

 

The Bank is a member of the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) maintained by the FDIC. Through the DIF, the FDIC insures the deposits of the Bank up to prescribed limits for each depositor. As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, the maximum deposit insurance amount has been increased permanently from $100,000 to $250,000. The FDIC utilizes a risk-based assessment system that imposes insurance premiums based upon a risk matrix that takes into account a bank’s capital category (“well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” and “undercapitalized.”) and supervisory ratings. Generally, the assessment base is the bank’s average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity. In February 2011, the FDIC adopted a final rule implementing the Dodd-Frank Act provisions which provides for use of a risk scorecard to determine deposit premiums. The effect of the rule did not materially alter the FDIC premiums paid by the Bank.

 

For FDIC assessment purposes, the bank’s assessment base is its average consolidated total assets minus its average tangible equity. The assessment rate is determined by the FDIC using a risk-based calculation. The FDIC assessment is calculated by multiplying the assessment rate by the assessment base. A bank's assessment base and assessment rate are calculated and billed each quarter. The FDIC may increase or decrease the assessment rate in the future, and any such increase could have an adverse impact on the earnings of insured institutions, including the Bank.

 

The Bank also is required to make payments for the servicing of obligations of the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) issued in connection with the resolution of savings and loan associations, so long as such obligations remain outstanding. The FICO annual assessment rate as of June 30, 2015 is 0.58 cents per $100 of deposits compared to 0.62 cents per $100 of deposits as of June 30, 2014.

 

The FDIC can terminate insurance of the Bank’s deposits upon a finding that the Bank has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order, or condition imposed by the OCC. The termination of deposit insurance could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, business and financial condition.

 

The principal source of cash flow to the Company, including cash flow to pay dividends on its common shares, is dividends from its subsidiaries and fees for services rendered to its subsidiaries. Various statutory and regulatory provisions limit the amount of dividends or fees that may be paid to the Company by the Bank. In general, the Bank may not declare or pay a dividend to the Company in excess of 100% of its net retained earnings for the current year combined with its net retained earnings for the preceding two calendar years without prior approval of the OCC. The Company has not received any dividends from the Bank to date, and believes CalFirst Leasing and CalFirst Bank have sufficient resources to meet the Company’s requirements.

 

There are numerous laws, regulations and policies affecting financial services businesses currently in effect and they are continually under review by Congress and state legislatures and federal and state regulatory agencies. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act established requirements for financial institutions to provide privacy protections to consumers and notices to customers about its privacy policies and practices. The Bank Secrecy Act and USA Patriot Act impose obligations to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report suspicious activities, money laundering and terrorist financing as well as maintain compliance programs to verify the identity of customers. The Dodd-Frank Act provides for sweeping financial regulatory reform and may have the effect of increasing the cost of doing business, limiting or expanding permissible activities and affect the competitive balance between banks and other financial intermediaries. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) has assumed all authority to prescribe rules or issue orders or guidelines pursuant to any federal consumer financial laws. While many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act do not impact the existing business of the Bank, the extension of FDIC insurance to all non-interest bearing deposit accounts and the repeal of prohibitions on the payment of interest on demand deposits, thereby permitting depository institutions to pay interest on business transaction and other accounts, will likely increase deposit rates to be paid by the Bank in order to retain or grow deposits. In addition, the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act known as the Volcker Rule prohibit proprietary trading of securities and other financial instruments that do not currently impact the Company but could limit future activities. Changes in the laws, regulations or policies that impact the Company cannot necessarily be predicted, and they may have a material effect on the business and earnings of the Company.

 

The commercial banking business is also influenced by the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government and the policies of the FRB. The FRB implements national monetary policies through its management of the discount rate, the money supply, and reserve requirements on bank deposits. Indirectly, such policies and actions may impact the ability of non-bank financial institutions to compete with the Bank. Monetary policies of the FRB have had, and will continue to have, a significant effect on the operating results of financial institutions. The nature and impact of any future changes in monetary or other policies of the FRB cannot be predicted.

 

Employees

 

At June 30, 2015, the Company and its subsidiaries had 107 employees, none of whom are represented by a labor union. The Company believes that its relations with its employees are satisfactory.

 

Available Information

 

Our Internet address is www.calfirstbancorp.com. There we make available, by link to the SEC, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our SEC reports can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of our Internet site. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Management are available for viewing and printing under the Corporate Governance section of our Internet site. The information found on our Internet site is not part of this or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC and is not incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

There are a number of factors, including those specified below, that may adversely affect the Company’s business, financial results or stock price. Additional risks that the Company currently does not know about or currently views as immaterial may also affect the Company’s business or adversely impact its financial results or stock price.

 

Industry Risk Factors

 

The Company’s business and financial results are subject to general business and economic conditions. The economic downturn and slow recovery reduced demand for financing capital assets. Continued or renewed weakness in the economy or in certain sectors could impact the financial performance and condition of customers and negatively affect the repayment of their obligations. In addition, changes in securities markets and monetary fluctuations adversely affect the availability and terms of funding necessary to meet the Company’s liquidity needs.

 

Changes in the domestic interest rate environment could reduce the Company’s net finance and interest income. The Company’s net finance and interest income, which is the difference between income earned on leases, loans and investments and interest expense paid on deposits, is affected by market rates of interest, which in turn are affected by prevailing economic conditions, by the fiscal and monetary policies of the Federal government and by the policies of various regulatory agencies. The Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC) of the FRB is expected to start increasing short term interest rates from the near zero level maintained for several years, but volatile market and economic conditions are raising questions about the timing and amount of any increase. Increases in interest rates will increase the income earned on the Company’s available cash balances, but will also increase the Bank’s cost of funds over time. If the interest rates on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on leases, loans, securities and other interest-earning investments, net interest income and therefore earnings, could be adversely affected.

 

Disruptions and volatility in the domestic interest rate environment and credit markets, including changes in interest spreads and the yield curve, could negatively impact business and the value of certain assets. Higher interest rates could negatively impact the value of our fixed rate securities portfolio and affect demand for new leases and loans and reduce the ability of borrowers to repay their current loan obligations. Eighty-six percent of the Company’s loan portfolio consists of loans at variable rates and subject to higher interest costs to the borrowers as interest rates increase. The increase in interest rates could lead to increased delinquencies if highly-leveraged customers are unable to pay the higher interest costs and otherwise meet their obligations. These circumstances could not only result in increased loan defaults, and charge-offs, but require increases to the allowance for credit losses which may materially and adversely affect our results of operations, business, and financial condition.

 

Changes in the laws, regulations and policies governing financial services companies could alter the Company’s business environment and adversely affect operations. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System regulates the supply of money and credit in the United States. Its fiscal and monetary policies determine in a large part the Company’s cost of funds and the return that can be earned on leases, loans and investments, which affect the Company’s net finance, loan and interest income.

 

The Company and the Bank are subject to a wide range of complex laws and regulations established by government entities. Most regulation is intended to protect depositors, federal deposit insurance funds and the banking system as a whole. Bank regulators can impose restrictions on the ability of the Company to undertake certain business and growth initiatives. Following the recent financial crisis, regulators have increased their oversight of banks and taken a more active role in imposing restrictions on bank operations, the classification of assets and determination of the allowance for credit losses. Changes in laws or governmental regulations, or changes in the interpretation of existing laws or regulations by a regulatory authority, could affect the Company in substantial and unpredictable ways. The Company cannot predict whether any additional legislation will be enacted, and if enacted, the effect that it or any regulations would have on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

Cyber security and privacy breaches may hurt our business, damage our reputation, increase our costs, and cause losses. Our systems and networks store personal information about our customers and employees. We have security systems and information technology infrastructure in place designed to protect against unauthorized access to such information. However, there is still a risk that the security systems and infrastructure that we maintain may not be successful in protecting against all security breaches, employee error, malfeasance, and cyber-attacks. The techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently and often are not recognized until launched and we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Third parties, including vendors that provide services for our operations, could also be a source of security risk to us in the event of a failure of their own security systems and infrastructure or outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees or customers to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our data or our customers' data. Any significant violations of data privacy could result in a loss of confidence in the security of our products and services, the loss of business, litigation, regulatory investigations, and penalties that could damage our reputation and adversely affect the growth of our business.

 

The financial services industry is highly competitive, and competitive pressures could intensify and adversely affect the Company’s financial results. The Company operates in a highly competitive industry that could become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes. The Company competes with other commercial banks, savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, finance companies, credit unions and investment companies, many of which have greater resources than the Company.

 

Acts or threats of terrorism and political or military actions taken by the United States or other governments could adversely affect general economic or industry conditions.

 

Company Risk Factors

 

The Company’s allowance for credit losses may not be adequate to cover actual losses. The Company’s subsidiaries retain over 90% of lease transactions and all loans in their own portfolios, which expose the Company to credit risk. The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to provide for probable and estimatable losses in the portfolio. The Company’s allowance for credit losses is based on its historical experience as well as industry data, an evaluation of the risks associated with its portfolio, including the size and composition of the lease and loan portfolio, current economic conditions and concentrations within the portfolio. The allowance for credit losses may not be adequate to cover losses resulting from unanticipated adverse changes in the economy or the financial markets. If the credit quality of the customer base materially decreases, or if the reserve for credit losses is not adequate, future provisions for credit losses could materially and adversely affect financial results.

 

The Company may suffer losses in its lease and loan portfolio despite its underwriting practices. The Company seeks to mitigate the risks inherent in its lease and loan portfolio by adhering to specific credit practices. Although the Company believes that its criteria are appropriate for the various kinds of leases and loans it makes, the Company may incur losses on leases and loans that meet these criteria.

 

Larger transactions and customer concentration may increase the risk of loss in the event of the deterioration of one of these customers or industries. At June 30, 2015, leases aggregating to $14.4 million to one customer accounted for 2.6% of the Company’s net investment in leases and loans, with the ten largest customers representing 19% of the portfolio. Hospitals, nursing homes and other ambulatory medical facilities represented 10% of the total investment in leases and loans while 9% was with public and private colleges, universities, elementary and secondary schools located throughout the United States and 5% was related to gold and silver mining.

 

The Bank’s commercial loan initiative may increase the Company’s risk of losses. The commercial loan portfolio increased 88% in fiscal 2015 and contains a number of commercial loans with relatively larger balances than the average lease. About 59% of the portfolio consists of “leveraged loans” as characterized by federal regulatory guidelines, with 14% of the commercial loan portfolio considered to be “highly leveraged transactions” by the Company. No loan credit is rated substandard, but the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant increase in non-performing loans. An increase in non-performing loans could result in an increase in the provision for credit losses and an increase in charge-offs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

 

The Bank’s lease purchase operations may increase the Company’s risk of losses. CalFirst Bank’s program to grow its lease portfolio through the purchase of lease receivables on a non-recourse basis from other banks and finance companies has accounted for 6% to 21% of leases booked in each of the past three years. The Company seeks to mitigate the risks inherent in this third-party business by adhering to specific underwriting practices, but many of these relationships are new and untested, and the Bank could be exposed to risks not inherent with the lease transactions originated directly, including unfamiliar documentation and reliance on sales and funding professionals not subject to the Bank’s policies and practices.

 

The Company’s diversification into broader investment alternatives may increase the Company’s risk of losses. The Company’s investment portfolio may include U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities, corporate and municipal bonds and closed-end mutual funds, in addition to interest-earning deposits, short-term money market securities and federal funds previously held. These securities subject the Company to increased risk of volatility in the valuation of the investment, as well as greater interest and market risks. The deterioration of one or a few of these investments on a permanent basis could result in an determination that the investment has been permanently impaired and require a write-down of such investment, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

 

The Company may be adversely affected by significant changes in the bank deposit market and interest rates. CalFirst Bank has grown to represent 92% of the Company’s assets, and bank deposits now exceed $472 million. As a result, the Company’s sensitivity to changes in interest rates and demand for bank deposits has increased from historical levels. Time deposits due within one year of June 30, 2015 totaled $321 million. If these maturing deposits do not roll over, CalFirst Bank may be required to seek other sources of funds, including other time deposits and borrowings, or sell assets. Depending on market conditions, rates paid on deposits and borrowings may be higher than currently paid or no longer available. Although the Bank employs a funding strategy designed to correlate the repricing characteristics of assets with liabilities, the impact of interest rate movements and customer demand is not always consistent during different market cycles, and changes in the costs for deposits and yields on assets may not coincide.

 

The change in residual value of leased assets may have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial results. A portion of the Company’s leases is subject to the risk that the residual value of the property under lease will be less than the Company’s recorded value. Adverse changes in the residual value of leased assets can have a negative impact on the Company’s financial results. The risk of changes in the realized value of the leased assets compared to recorded residual values depends on many factors outside of the Company’s control.

 

The financial services business involves significant operational risks. Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from the Company’s operations, including, but not limited to, the risk of fraud by employees or persons outside of the Company, the execution of unauthorized transactions by employees, errors relating to transaction processing and technology, breaches of the internal control system and compliance requirements, and failure of business continuation and disaster recovery plans. This risk of loss also includes the potential legal actions that could arise as a result of an operational deficiency or as a result of noncompliance with applicable regulatory standards, adverse business decisions or their implementation, and customer attrition due to potential negative publicity. In the event of a breakdown in the internal control system, improper operation of systems or improper employee actions, the Company could suffer financial loss, face regulatory action and suffer damage to its reputation.

 

Bank regulators can impose restrictions on the Company’s ability to execute its strategic plan. The OCC has terminated the operating agreement that imposed restrictions on the Bank’s operations, but the Bank and Company are still subject to periodic examination by the FRB and the OCC and if the Bank were found to be operating in an unsound or unsafe manner, they could impose new restrictions or requirements, including, but not limited to activity or growth limitations, dividend restrictions, increased loan and lease loss reserve requirements, or other restrictions that could have an adverse effect on the Bank or the Company.

 

Quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly.  Operating results may differ from quarter to quarter due to a variety of factors, including the volume and profitability of leased property being remarketed, the size and credit quality of the lease and loan portfolio, the interest rate environment, the volume of new lease and loan originations, including variations in the property mix and funding of such originations and economic conditions in general. The results of any quarter may not be indicative of results in the future.

 

Negative publicity could damage the Company’s reputation and adversely impact its business and financial results. Reputation risk, or the risk to the Company’s business from negative publicity, is inherent in the Company’s business. Negative publicity can result from the Company’s actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including leasing practices, corporate governance, and actions taken by government regulators in response to those activities. Negative publicity can adversely affect the Company’s ability to keep and attract customers and can expose the Company to litigation and regulatory action.

 

The Company’s reported financial results are subject to certain assumptions and estimates and management’s selection of accounting method. The Company’s management must exercise judgment in selecting and applying many accounting policies and methods so they comply with generally accepted accounting principles and reflect management’s judgment of the most appropriate manner to report the Company’s financial condition and results. In some cases, management may select an accounting policy which might be reasonable under the circumstances yet might result in the Company’s reporting different results than would have been reported under a different alternative.

 

Certain accounting policies are critical to presenting the Company’s financial condition and results. They require management to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments about matters that are uncertain. Materially different amounts could be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions or estimates. These critical accounting policies include the estimate of residual values, the allowance for credit losses, and income taxes. For more information, refer to “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”.

 

Changes in accounting standards could materially impact the Company’s financial statements. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) may change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of the Company’s financial statements. These changes can be hard to predict and can materially impact how the Company records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. Recently, FASB has proposed new accounting standards related to the allowance for credit losses that could materially change the Company’s financial statements if ultimately put into effect. In some cases, the Company could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in the Company’s restating prior period financial statements.

 

Loss of certain key officers would adversely affect the Company’s business. The Company‘s business and operating results are substantially dependent on certain key employees, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, the President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank and certain key sales managers. The loss of the services of these individuals, particularly the Chief Executive Officer, would have a negative impact on the business because of their expertise and years of industry experience.

 

The Company’s business could suffer if the Company fails to attract and retain qualified people. The Company’s success depends, in large part, on its ability to attract and retain key people. Competition for personnel in most activities the Company engages in can be intense. The Company may not be able to hire the best people or to keep them.

 

The Company relies on other companies to provide components of the Company’s business infrastructure. Third party vendors provide certain components of the Company’s business infrastructure, such as the Bank’s core processing and electronic banking systems, item processing, and Internet connections. While the Company has selected these third party vendors carefully, it does not control their actions. Any problems caused by these third parties not providing the Company their services for any reason or their performing their services poorly, could adversely affect the Company’s ability to deliver products and services to the Company’s customers and otherwise to conduct its business. Replacing these third party vendors could also entail significant delay and expense.

 

A natural disaster could harm the Company’s business. Natural disasters could harm the Company’s operations directly through interference with communications, including the interruption or loss of the Company’s websites, which would prevent the Company from gathering deposits, originating leases and loans and processing and controlling its flow of business, as well as through the destruction of facilities and the Company’s operational, financial and management information systems.

 

The Company faces systems failure risks as well as security risks, including “hacking” and “identity theft.” The computer systems and network infrastructure the Company and others use could be vulnerable to unforeseen problems. These problems may arise in both our internally developed systems and the systems of our third-party service providers. Our operations are dependent upon our ability to protect computer equipment against damage from fire, power loss or telecommunication failure. Any damage or failure that causes an interruption in our operations could adversely affect our business and financial results. In addition, our computer systems and network infrastructure present security risks, and could be susceptible to hacking or identity theft.

 

The Company relies on dividends from its subsidiaries for its liquidity needs. The Company is a separate and distinct legal entity from CalFirst Leasing and the Bank. The principal source of funds to pay dividends on the Company’s stock is from distributions from the subsidiaries. Various regulations limit the amount of dividends that the Bank may pay to the Company.

 

The Company’s stock price can be volatile. The Company’s stock price can fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors, including: actual or anticipated variations in the Company’s quarterly operating results and dividend policy; operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to the Company; news reports relating to trends, concerns and other issues in the financial services industry, and changes in government regulations. General market fluctuations, industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, including terrorist attacks, economic slowdowns or recessions, interest rate changes, credit loss trends or currency fluctuations, could also cause the Company’s stock price to decrease regardless of the Company’s operating results. In addition, the volume of trading in the Company’s stock is very limited and can result in fluctuations in prices between trades.

 

The Company is a “controlled company” as defined by NASDAQ, with over 64% of the stock held by the Chief Executive Officer, over 77% held by two senior executives and fewer than 100 shareholders of record. As a result, senior management has the ability to exercise significant influence over the Company’s policies and business, and determine the outcome of corporate actions requiring stockholder approval. These actions may include, for example, the election of directors, the adoption of amendments to corporate documents, the approval of mergers, sales of assets and the continuation of the Company as a registered company with obligations to file periodic reports and other filings with the SEC.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

At June 30, 2015 the Company and its subsidiaries occupied approximately 36,000 square feet of office space in Irvine, California leased from an unaffiliated party. The lease provides for monthly rental payments that average $56,308 from July 2015 through August 2018.

 

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company is sometimes named as a defendant in litigation relating to its business operations. Management does not expect the outcome of any existing suit to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMPANY'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

The common stock of California First National Bancorp trades on the NASDAQ Global Market System under the symbol CFNB. The following high and low closing sale prices for the periods shown reflect inter-dealer prices without retail markup, markdown or commissions and may not necessarily reflect actual transactions.

 

		For the years ended
		June 30, 2015								June 30, 2014
		High				Low				High				Low
First Quarter		$	15.25			$	14.26			$	17.48			$	15.26
Second Quarter			15.08				14.04				18.52				14.73
Third Quarter			14.70				13.61				15.62				14.64
Fourth Quarter		$	13.85			$	13.27			$	15.48			$	13.91

 

The Company had approximately 20 stockholders of record and in excess of 450 beneficial owners as of September 12, 2015.

 

Beginning in October 2009, the Board of Directors’ dividend policy provided for one annual dividend payment each year. The Company paid an annual dividend in the amount of $2.20 on December 14, 2012 and $0.40 on December 13, 2013 and $0.42 on December 16, 2014. The Board of Directors will continue to review the dividend policy on an ongoing basis, taking into consideration a variety of factors including the business, economic and tax environment. No decision to pay dividends in fiscal 2016 and beyond has been made.

 

In April 2001, the Board of Directors authorized management, at its discretion, to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of common stock. This authorization has no termination date, but the Board of Directors reviews the authorization to repurchase common stock from time to time. The Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock under this authorization during the three years ended June 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013. As of September 10, 2015, 368,354 shares remain available under this authorization.

 

Common Stock Performance Graph

 

The following graph shows a comparison of the five-year cumulative return among the Company, the NASDAQ Composite Index and the Russell 2000. The graph assumes an investment of $100 on June 30, 2010 in our common stock and in each of the indices listed on the graph and reflects the change in the market price of our common stock relative to the changes in the noted indices at June 30, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The performance shown below is based on historical data and is not indicative of, nor intended to forecast, future price performance of our common stock. As required by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, total return in each case assumes the reinvestment of dividends paid.

 

 

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following table provides information about shares of the Company’s Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options under our existing equity compensation plans as of June 30, 2015.

 

Plan category		Number of shares of common stock to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options				Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options				Number of shares of common stock available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding shares in first column)(1)
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders			10,000			$	16.00				2,115,246
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders			None				N/A				N/A
Total			10,000			$	16.00				2,115,246	(1)

(1)

The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the equity compensation plan increases each year by an amount equal to 1% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of June 30 of the fiscal year immediately preceding such fiscal year.

 

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following table sets forth selected financial data and operating information of the Company and its subsidiaries. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and notes thereto and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition contained herein.

 

INCOME STATEMENT FINANCIAL DATA		YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)		2015				2014				2013				2012				2011
Finance and loan income		$	21,489			$	18,370			$	18,995			$	20,505			$	22,445
Investment and interest income			1,516				1,371				2,408				3,133				3,347
Total interest income			23,005				19,741				21,403				23,638				25,792
Interest expense on deposits and borrowings			3,945				3,037				2,664				2,914				3,613
Net interest income			19,060				16,704				18,739				20,724				22,179
Provision for credit losses			1,175				200				275				-				1,025
Net interest income after provision for credit losses			17,885				16,504				18,464				20,724				21,154
Operating and sales-type lease income			305				2,152				1,711				2,755				2,127
Gain on sale of  leases and leased property			4,791				2,980				2,278				2,478				2,758
Other income			3,132				432				526				569				642
Realized gain on sale of investment securities			481				-				316				56				2,342
Total non-interest income			8,709				5,564				4,831				5,858				7,869
Non-interest expenses			11,779				10,995				11,610				12,307				12,088
Earnings before income taxes			14,815				11,073				11,685				14,275				16,935
Income taxes			5,760				4,022				4,331				5,372				6,028
Net earnings		$	9,055			$	7,051			$	7,354			$	8,903			$	10,907
Diluted earnings per share		$	0.87			$	0.67			$	0.70			$	0.85			$	1.05
Diluted common shares outstanding			10,460				10,456				10,453				10,429				10,401
Cash dividends per share		$	0.42			$	0.40			$	2.20			$	1.10			$	1.00
Dividend payout ratio			48.5	%			59.3	%			312.6	%			128.7	%			93.8	%
Net interest margin			3.15	%			3.22	%			3.77	%			4.40	%			5.00	%
Net interest spread			2.88	%			2.92	%			3.41	%			4.00	%			4.40	%
Return on average assets			1.39	%			1.30	%			1.40	%			1.80	%			2.30	%
Return on average equity			4.87	%			3.90	%			4.00	%			4.50	%			5.50	%
BALANCE SHEET DATA			AS OF JUNE 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)			2015				2014				2013				2012				2011
Cash and cash equivalents		$	60,240			$	40,122			$	75,469			$	56,921			$	97,302
Investment securities			84,546				29,316				48,162				66,751				66,321
Net investment in leases and loans			541,786				455,805				416,569				336,463				317,174
Total assets			731,074				579,550				558,903				486,171				524,415
Demand, savings and time deposits			471,906				355,810				346,028				253,297				274,775
Short and long term borrowings			42,000				6,858				-				-				10,000
Non-recourse debt			10,193				8,640				768				3,275				8,448
Stockholders’ equity		$	188,218			$	183,745			$	180,879			$	196,439			$	199,622
Equity to total assets ratio			25.75	%			31.70	%			32.36	%			40.41	%			38.07	%
Book value per common share		$	17.99			$	17.57			$	17.31			$	18.83			$	19.16

 

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

General

 

The Company’s results include the operations of CalFirst Bank and CalFirst Leasing. The Company’s finance, loan and interest income includes interest income earned on the Company’s investment in lease receivables and residuals, commercial loans and investment securities. Non-interest income primarily includes gains realized on the sale of leased property, income from sales-type and operating leases, gains realized on the sale of leases, gains or losses recorded on investment securities and other income. Income from sales-type leases relates to the re-lease of off-lease property (“lease extensions”) while operating lease income generally involves lease extensions that do not meet the accounting requirements for sales-type leases.

 

The Company's operating results are subject to quarterly fluctuations resulting from a variety of factors, including the size and credit quality of the lease and loan portfolios, the interest rate environment, the volume and profitability of leased property being re-marketed through re-lease or sale, the market for investment securities, the volume of new lease or loan originations, including variations in the mix and funding of such originations, and economic conditions in general. The Company’s principal market risk exposure currently is related to interest rates and the differences in the repricing characteristics of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The FRB began decreasing interest rates in 2007 and has maintained historically low market interest rates from 2009 to 2015. The Company’s current balance sheet structure is short-term in nature, with over 60% of interest-earning assets and 84% of interest-bearing liabilities that mature or reprice within one year. The Company’s interest margin is susceptible to timing lags related to varying movements in market interest rates. Many of the Company’s leases, loans and liquid investments are tied to U.S. treasury rates and Libor that often do not move in step with bank deposit rates. As a result, this can result in a greater change in net interest income than indicated by the repricing asset and liability comparison.

 

The Company conducts its business in a manner designed to mitigate risks. However, the assumption of risk is a key source of earnings in the leasing and banking industries and the Company is subject to risks through its investment in leases and loans held in its own portfolio, securities, lease transactions-in-process, and residual investments. The Company takes steps to manage risks through the implementation of strict credit and risk management processes and on-going risk management review procedures.

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of the Company’s financial statements requires management to make certain critical accounting estimates that impact the stated amount of assets and liabilities at a financial statement date and the reported amount of income and expenses during a reporting period. These accounting estimates are based on management’s judgment and are considered to be critical because of their significance to the financial statements and the possibility that future events may differ from current judgments, or that the use of different assumptions could result in materially different estimates. The following is a description of the most critical accounting policies management applies, all of which require the use of accounting estimates and management’s judgment, based on the relevant information available at the end of each period.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses – The allowance for credit losses provides coverage for probable and estimatable losses in the Company’s lease and commercial loan portfolios. The allowance recorded is based on a quarterly review of all leases and loans outstanding, loan commitments and transactions-in-process. The determination of the appropriate amount of any provision is highly dependent on management’s judgment at that time and takes into consideration all known relevant internal and external factors that may affect the lease and loan portfolio, including levels of non-performing leases and loans, customers financial condition, leased property values and collateral appraisals as well as general economic conditions and credit quality indicators. The Company’s allowance includes an estimate of reserves needed to cover specifically identified lease and loan losses and certain unidentified but inherent risks in the portfolio.

 

Fair Value of Investments – Investment securities are characterized as held-to-maturity (Investments) or as available-for-sale (Securities Available-for-Sale) based on management’s ability and intent regarding such investment at acquisition. On an ongoing basis, management must estimate the fair value of its investment securities based on information and assumptions it deems reliable and reasonable, which may be quoted market prices or if quoted market prices are not available, fair values extrapolated from the quoted prices of similar instruments. Based on this information, an assessment must be made as to whether any decline in the fair value of an investment security should be considered an other-than-temporary impairment and recorded in non-interest income as a loss on investments. The determination of such impairment is subject to a variety of factors, including management’s judgment and experience.

 

Residual Values – For capital leases that qualify as direct financing leases, the aggregate lease payments receivable and estimated residual value, if any, are recorded on the balance sheet, net of unearned income and allowances, as net investment in leases. Of the volume of leases booked during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013, approximately 15.9%, 25.0% and 11.3%, respectively, were structured such that the Company owns the leased asset at the end of the term and recorded a residual value. The residual value is an estimate for accounting purposes of the fair value of the leased property at lease termination and is determined at the inception of the lease based on the property leased and the terms and conditions of the underlying lease contract. The realizability of any estimated residual value depends on future collateral values, contractual options available to the lessee, the credit of the lessee, market conditions and other subjective and qualitative factors. The estimated residual values established at lease inception are periodically reviewed to determine if values are realizable and any identified losses are recognized at such time.

 

Initial Direct Costs Deferred – A portion of the Company’s non-interest expenses that management estimates is directly related to originating lease and loan transactions is deferred through a reduction to non-interest expenses recognized in a period. The amount deferred reflects management’s estimate of the expenses applicable to the origination process, taking into account a variety of factors including sales productivity, credit and documentation efficiency and estimates of completion percentages.

 

Deferred Income Taxes and Valuation Allowance – Deferred tax assets and liabilities result from temporary differences between the time income or expense items are recognized for financial statement purposes and for tax reporting. Such amounts are calculated using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The determination of current and deferred income taxes is based on complex analyses of many factors including interpretation of Federal and state income tax laws, the difference between tax and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities (temporary differences), estimates of amounts due or owed such as the timing of reversals of temporary differences and current financial accounting standards. A valuation allowance is established if, based upon the relevant facts and circumstances, management believes that some or all of certain tax assets will not be realized. The Company has open tax years that may in the future be subject to examination by Federal and state taxing authorities. Management periodically evaluates the adequacy of related valuation allowances, taking into account open tax return positions, tax assessments received and tax law changes. The process of evaluating allowance accounts involves the use of estimates and a high degree of management judgment. Actual results could differ significantly from the estimates and interpretations used in determining the current and deferred income tax liabilities and reserves.

 

The Company's estimates are reviewed continuously to ensure reasonableness. However, the amounts the Company may ultimately realize could differ from such estimated amounts.

 

 

Overview of Results, Trends and Outlook

 

Net earnings for the year ended June 30, 2015 of $9.05 million increased $2.0 million, or 28%, from $7.05 million reported in fiscal 2014. The increase in net income in fiscal 2015 includes the one-time pre-tax recovery of $2,743,918 from the settlement of claims filed in a TFT-LCD (thin-film transistor liquid display) products antitrust case. Excluding the one-time gain, 2015 net income is estimated to have increased by $327,000, or 5%, benefitting from a $2.4 million increase in net interest income, that was offset in part by $975,000 increase in the provision for credit losses and increased non-interest expenses.

 

For the year ended June 30, 2015, total leases and loans booked of $373.1 million were 47% above fiscal 2014 bookings of $254.7 million. New lease bookings of $217.8 million, of which 94% were originated directly, were up 20% from the $181.4 million booked in the prior fiscal year, of which 89% were originated directly. Commercial loans boarded of $155.3 million more than doubled from the $73.3 million boarded in fiscal 2014. The Company’s net investment in leases and loans of $541.8 million at June 30, 2015 increased 19% from $455.8 million at June 30, 2014. The Bank’s investment in leases and loans of $520.6 million increased 23.1% and now accounts for 96% of the Company’s consolidated investment at June 30, 2015.

 

New lease and loan transactions approved (“lease and loan originations”) of $369.3 million during fiscal 2015 were 20% ahead of the levels of the prior year. Fiscal 2015 loan originations of $185.2 million were up $108.4 million from $76.8 million in fiscal 2014. Lease originations during fiscal 2015 of $184.1 million were down 21% from $232.0 million in fiscal 2014, with 94% originated directly in both years. As a result, the estimated backlog of approved lease and loan commitments of $124.8 million at June 30, 2015 is down 9% from $136.7 million at June 30, 2014, 74% of which relates to leases.

 

Consolidated Statement of Earnings Analysis

 

Summary – For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, net earnings of $9.05 million increased $2.0 million compared to $7.05 million for fiscal 2014. Diluted earnings per share increased 28% to $0.87 in fiscal 2015 from $0.67 fiscal 2014. Net interest income after provision for credit losses increased $1.4 million and non-interest income increased by $3.1 million but was offset by a $784,000 increase in non-interest expenses and a slightly higher tax rate.

 

Net Interest Income – Net interest income is the difference between interest earned on the investment in leases, loans, securities and other interest earning assets and interest paid on deposits or other borrowings. Net interest income is affected by changes in the volume and mix of interest earning assets and liabilities, the movement of interest rates, and funding and pricing strategies.

 

The following table presents the components of the increases (decreases) in net interest income by volume and rate:

 

		2015 compared to 2014												2014 compared to 2013
		Volume				Rate				Total				Volume				Rate				Total
		(in thousands)
Interest income
Net investment in leases		$	(1,111	)			945				(166	)		$	2,059			$	(1,782	)		$	277
Commercial loans			3,650				(365	)			3,285				(27	)			(875	)			(902	)
Investment securities			713				(581	)			132				(875	)			(149	)			(1,024	)
Interest-earning deposits with banks			(6	)			19				13				5				(18	)			(13	)
Total interest income			3,246				18				3,264				1,162				(2,824	)			(1,662	)
Interest expense
Demand and savings deposits			(4	)			(1	)			(5	)			(65	)			1				(64	)
Time deposits			659				193				852				594				(158	)			436
Short term borrowings			48				13				61				-				1				1
Total interest expense			703				205				908				529				(156	)			373
Net interest income		$	2,543			$	(187	)		$	2,356			$	633			$	(2,668	)		$	(2,035	)

 

Net interest income increased 14.1% to $19.1 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 compared to $16.7 million for fiscal 2014. Total interest income increased 16.5% to $23.0 million compared to $19.7 million in fiscal 2014. This increase was due to a $3.3 million, or 94%, increase in commercial loan income resulting from a 104% increase in average loan balances to $186.4 million from $91.3 million for fiscal 2014, which offset a 20 basis point drop in average yields earned to 3.64%. Direct finance income declined 1% for the year to $14.7 million, reflecting a 7% decrease in average investment in leases to $306.7 million, which offset a 31 basis point increase in average lease yield to 4.79%. Combined, the average yield on leases and loans for fiscal 2015 increased by 2 basis points to 4.36% from 4.34% in fiscal 2014. Investment interest income in fiscal 2015 was up 11% to $1.5 million, reflecting a 17% increase in average cash and investment balances to $111.5 million and 8 basis point drop in average yields to 1.36%, driven by a $20 million or 56% increase in average securities balances, albeit at yields averaging 104 basis points less than the prior year. Interest expense on deposits and borrowings increased 30% to $3.9 million, reflecting a 25% increase in average balances to $424.8 million and 4 basis point increase in average cost to 0.93%.

 

The average yield on all interest-earning assets in fiscal 2015 remained flat with the prior year at 3.8%, while the average rate paid on all interest-bearing liabilities increased by 4 basis points to 0.93% from 0.89% in fiscal 2014. As a result, the net interest margin for the year decreased from 3.22% in fiscal 2014 to 3.15% in fiscal 2015. While net interest income increased in fiscal 2015 due to growth in assets, the resulting average yield declined as growth was strongest in lower yielding commercial loans while funding costs have started to rise.

 

Net interest income was $16.7 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 compared to $18.7 million for fiscal 2013. Total interest income decreased 7.8% to $19.7 million, compared to $21.4 million in fiscal 2013. This decline was primarily due to a $1.0 million, or 43%, decrease in investment income and $901,000, or 20%, decline in commercial loan income. Investment income of $1.4 million reflected a 17% decline in average investment balances to $95.5 million and 66 basis point drop in average yields earned to 1.44%. The drop in commercial loan income was primarily due to a 96 basis point drop in average yields earned to 3.84% as average balances for the year of $91.3 million compared to $91.9 million for the year ended June 30, 2013. Direct finance income increased 2% for the year to $14.9 million, benefitting from a 14% increase in average investment in leases to $331.5 million, which was offset some by a 54 basis point decline in average yields to 4.48%. Combined, the average yield on leases and loans in the Company’s portfolio for fiscal 2014 decreased by 62 basis points to 4.34%. For the year ended June 30, 2014, interest expense on deposits and borrowings increased by 14% to $3.0 million, reflecting a 15% increase in average balances to $340.4 million and only 1 basis point decline in average rate paid to 0.89%.

 

 

The following table presents the Company’s average balance sheets, finance and loan income and interest earned or interest paid, the related yields and rates on major categories of the Company’s interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities:

 

(dollars in thousands)		Year ended June 30, 2015												Year ended June 30, 2014												Year ended June 30, 2013
Assets		Average Balance				Interest				Yield/ Rate				Average Balance				Interest				Yield/ Rate				Average Balance				Interest				Yield/ Rate
Interest-earning assets
Interest-earning deposits with banks		$	55,374			$	107				0.19	%		$	59,486			$	94				0.16	%		$	56,785			$	107				0.19	%
Investment securities			56,082				1,409				2.51	%			35,986				1,277				3.55	%			58,055				2,301				3.96	%
Commercial loans			186,357				6,792				3.64	%			91,314				3,507				3.84	%			91,868				4,408				4.80	%
Net investment in leases			306,697				14,697				4.79	%			331,474				14,863				4.48	%			290,475				14,587				5.02	%
Total interest-earning assets			604,510				23,005				3.81	%			518,260				19,741				3.81	%			497,183				21,403				4.30	%
Other assets			45,625												37,849												23,387
		$	650,135											$	556,109											$	520,570
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Interest-bearing liabilities
Demand and savings deposits		$	67,338				330				0.49	%		$	68,150				335				0.49	%		$	81,321				399				0.49	%
Time deposits			338,080				3,553				1.05	%			271,693				2,701				0.99	%			215,261				2,265				1.05	%
FHLB borrowings			19,334				62				0.32	%			549				1				0.25	%			-				-				0.0	%
Total interest bearing liabilities			424,752				3,945				0.93	%			340,392				3,037				0.89	%			296,582				2,664				0.90	%
Non-interest bearing demand deposits			2,024												1,785												1,993
Other liabilities			37,278												32,027												35,793
Shareholders' equity			186,081												181,905												186,202
		$	650,135											$	556,109											$	520,570
Net interest income						$	19,060											$	16,704											$	18,739
Net interest spread (2)											2.88	%											2.92	%											3.41	%
Net interest margin (3)											3.15	%											3.22	%											3.77	%
Average interest earning assets over average interest bearing liabilities											142.3	%											152.3	%											167.6	%

 

(1)		Average balance is based on month-end balances, includes non-accrual leases, and is presented net of unearned income.
(2)		Net interest spread is equal to the difference between the average yield on interest earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)		Net interest margin represents net finance and interest income as a percent of average interest earning assets.

 

Provision for Credit Losses – The Company recorded a provision for credit losses in fiscal 2015 of $1.18 million, compared to a provision of $200,000 recorded in fiscal 2014 and a provision of $275,000 in fiscal 2013. The 2015 provision relates to the 88% growth in the commercial loan portfolio and some increased credit risk in the lease portfolio. At June 30, 2015, the allowance for credit losses of $6.5 million, 1.2% of total leases and loans, is consistent with the credit profile of the consolidated portfolio. The provision in fiscal 2014 was made in the fourth quarter of that year and reflected the growth in the overall portfolios and the emergence of potential problem credits at that time. The provision in fiscal 2013 reflected the deterioration in the credit of one large lease position in the beginning of that fiscal year.

 

Total Non-interest Income – Non-interest income was up 57% to $8.7 million from $5.6 million in fiscal 2014. Non-interest income for 2015 includes the pre-tax recovery of $2,743,918 from the settlement of claims filed in a TFT-LCD (thin-film transistor liquid display) products antitrust case recognized during the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Excluding that income, the increase in 2015 non-interest income included a $788,700 increase in gains from sales of leases and $481,200 in securities gains that offset an $826,200 decline in income from end of term transactions. The residual investments realized in fiscal 2015 were 23% lower than the amount realized in fiscal 2014.

 

Total non-interest income of $5.6 million for the year ended June 30, 2014 increased $734,000, or 15.2%, from $4.8 million in 2013. The increase included a $1.4 million increase in income from the sale of leases and $441,000 increase in income from the re-lease of property on leases reaching the end of term. The sale of leases during the year largely related to reducing exposure with certain customers in order to provide capacity to handle new commitments.

 

Non-interest Expenses –The Company’s non-interest expenses increased $784,000, or 7.1%, to $11.8 million recognized for the year ended June 30, 2015. This compared to non-interest expenses in fiscal 2014 of $11.0 million, which had decreased by $615,000, or 5.3%, from $11.6 million in fiscal 2013. The increase in expenses in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 was due primarily to a 10% increase in salaries and benefits, primarily related to the sales force.

 

Non-interest expenses for the year ended June 30, 2014 decreased $615,000, or 5.3%, to $11.0 million compared to non-interest expenses in fiscal 2013 of $11.6 million. The decrease in non-interest expenses during fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 was due to lower compensation costs recognized and lower occupancy costs.

 

Income Taxes – Income taxes were accrued at a tax rate of 38.9% for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, 36.3% for fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 and 37.1% for fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, representing the Company’s estimated effective tax rate for each respective year. The effective tax rate increased in fiscal 2015 compared to 2014 due to the increase in the effective state tax rate.

 

The effective tax rate decreased in fiscal 2014 compared to 2013 due to the benefit of derecognition of uncertain tax positions. During fiscal 2014, the Internal Revenue Service closed an audit of the Company’s tax returns through the year ended June 20, 2012 without any adjustment. The income tax rate decreased in fiscal 2013 compared to 2012 due to benefit related to an average lower state tax rate. Tax-exempt leases represented approximately 2.0% of new lease bookings in fiscal 2015, 3.4% in fiscal 2014, and 2.1% during fiscal 2013.

 

Financial Condition Analysis

 

Lease and Loan Portfolio

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s consolidated lease and loan portfolio by category:

 

		June 30,
		2015				2014				2013				2012				2011
		(in thousands)
Net investment in leases		$	301,733			$	329,935			$	345,753			$	256,686			$	226,426
Commercial loans			238,978				123,238				66,541				71,478				79,372
Commercial real estate loans			7,531				7,920				9,411				13,504				16,425
Total leases and loans			548,242				461,093				421,705				341,668				322,223
Less allowance for credit losses			(6,456	)			(5,288	)			(5,136	)			(5,205	)			(5,049	)
Net leases and loans		$	541,786			$	455,805			$	416,569			$	336,463			$	317,174

 

Lease Portfolio

 

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, 88% of the property value of new leases booked by the Company were held in its own portfolio, compared to 97% during fiscal 2014 and 98% during fiscal 2013. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, the Company’s net investment in lease receivables decreased by $29.3 million and the investment in estimated residual values increased by $1.0 million. The decrease in the investment in lease receivables is due to the sale or assignment of $73.7 million of lease receivable offset by new lease transactions booked and retained by the Company, while the increase in investment in residual values is due to the accretion of interest on the estimated residuals value to end of term.

 

The Company often makes payments to purchase leased property prior to the commencement of the lease. The disbursements for these lease transactions-in-process are made to facilitate the lessees’ property implementation schedule. The lessee generally is contractually obligated by the lease to make rental payments directly to the Company during the period that the transaction is in process, and obligated to reimburse the Company for all disbursements under certain circumstances. Income is not recognized while a transaction is in process and prior to the commencement of the lease. At June 30, 2015, the Company’s investment in property acquired for transactions-in-process was $31.3 million, down from $40.6 million at June 30, 2014, and up from the $11.9 million at June 30, 2013. The decrease in transactions in process at June 30, 2015 reflects the completion of one large lease transaction during the first quarter of fiscal 2015 that represented a large part of transactions in process at June 30, 2014.

 

The Company leases capital assets to businesses and other commercial or non-profit organizations. All leases are secured by the underlying property being leased. The Company’s strategy is to develop lease portfolios with risk/reward profiles that meet its objectives and avoid risks that do not meet these requirements through the use of non-recourse financing. The strategy emphasizes diversification on both a geographic and customer level, and spreading the Company’s risk across a breadth of leases, however, over the past three years the average size of lease transactions has increased from about $800,000 to over $1.1 million. During the year ended June 30, 2015, one commercial credit accounted for 14.1% of the property cost of leases booked during the fiscal year, with the five largest commercial accounts aggregating to 41% of leases booked. During the year ended June 30, 2014, one commercial credit accounted for 13.3% of the property cost of leases booked during the fiscal year, with the five largest commercial accounts aggregating to 30.0% of leases booked. In fiscal 2013, two commercial credits each accounted for 11.0% and 7.1% of the property cost of leases booked during the fiscal year, with the five largest commercial accounts aggregating to 31.8% of leases booked. At June 30, 2015, two customers accounted for 4.8% and 4.2% of the Company’s net investment in leases, compared to one customer accounting for 6.1% of the Company’s net investment in leases at June 30, 2014 and two customers accounting for 6.1% and 5.1% of the Company’s net investment in leases at June 30, 2013.

Commercial Loan Portfolio

 

The Company’s commercial loan portfolio was $243.5 million at June 30, 2015, an 88.5% increase from $129.2 million at June 30, 2014. The commercial loan portfolio is comprised primarily of participations in commercial loan syndications where the loans are secured by the borrower and any subsidiary guarantors’ assets. Commercial loan participations represent 93.4% of the commercial loan portfolio with the remainder of the portfolio comprised of two commercial real estate loans and one unsecured loan originated directly. The loan portfolio at June 30, 2015 is distributed among 50 credits with an average balance of $4.9 million and the largest outstanding at $10.0 million. Syndicated loans that the Company characterizes as highly leveraged account for approximately 14% of the commercial loan portfolio.

 

The estimated repayment of principal on the commercial loan portfolio as of June 30, 2015 is as follows:

 

						Principal Balance Due in
Loan Type		Principal Balance				One Year Or less				One to Five Years				Due After Five Years
		(in thousands)
Commercial term loans		$	238,973			$	5,142			$	132,711			$	101,120
Commercial real estate loans			7,531				396				7,135				-
Revolving lines of credit			585				-				585				-
Principal balance outstanding		$	247,089			$	5,538			$	140,431			$	101,120
Loans with predetermined interest rates														$	16,331
Loans with floating or adjustable interest rates														$	230,758

 

The lease and loan portfolio is diversified geographically, with investments spread across all fifty states. At June 30, 2015, California (15.9%), and Texas (7.4%), were the only states that represented more than 5% of the Company’s net investment in leases and loans. The lease and loan portfolios include companies in a wide spectrum of industries, however, at June 30, 2015, approximately 8.6% of the Company’s net investment in leases and loans were with public and private colleges, universities, elementary and secondary schools located throughout the United States, compared to 10.9% at June 30, 2014. Hospitals and medical centers represented 6.3% of the portfolio with ambulatory and other health care facilities accounting for 3.4%, down from 8.2% and 6.3%, respectively, at June 30, 2014. Gold and silver mining declined to 3.8% of the portfolio at June 30, 2015 from 6.0% in fiscal 2014. The educational portfolio includes over 250 leases with 117 different lessees, with no university representing more than 1% of the portfolio. The hospital portfolio involves 20 different credits with over 500 different facilities, over 39 lease schedules and 4 loans, with two hospital credits each representing more than 1% of the portfolio. Gold and silver mining includes 3 customers, with one customer representing over 2.2% of the portfolio while another customer has filed bankruptcy due to problems related to the significant decline in the price of gold since 2012.

 

Securities Available-for-Sale

 

The Company maintains a portfolio of securities to generate interest and investment income from the investment of excess funds depending on lease and loan demand and to provide liquidity. Total securities available-for-sale were $81.2 million as of June 30, 2015, compared to $26.8 million at June 30, 2014. The carrying cost and fair value of the Company’s securities portfolio at June 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

 

		As of June 30, 2015								As of June 30, 2014
(in thousands)		Amortized Cost				Fair Value				Amortized Cost				Fair Value
Available-for-sale
U.S. Treasury notes		$	47,286			$	47,770			$	7,930			$	7,973
Corporate debt securities			13,165				13,152				16,030				16,310
Agency MBS			18,765				18,669				-				-
Securities of state and political subdivisions			406				412				409				427
Mutual fund investments			1,215				1,209				1,306				1,261
Equity Investments			-				-				422				793
Total securities available-for-sale		$	80,837			$	81,212			$	26,097			$	26,764

 

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, the Company’s portfolio of securities available-for-sale increased $54.4 million to $81.2 million. The increase during the year related to purchases of $67.5 million offset by maturities and pay downs of $12.5 million. The Company realized a gain of $572,000 from the sale of equity investments for proceeds of $994,000. In September 2014, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $91,000 related to the mutual fund investment which had a $45,000 unrealized loss at June 30, 2014.

 

Management evaluates investment securities for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis. Consideration is given to the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. The weighted-average maturity at June 30, 2015 was 5.9 years and the corresponding weighted-average yield was 2.0 percent.

 

Asset Quality

 

The Company monitors the performance of all leases and loans held in its own portfolio, transactions-in-process and loan commitments as well as lease transactions assigned to lenders, if the Company retains a residual investment in the leased property subject to those leases. An ongoing review of all leases and loans ten or more days delinquent is conducted. Customers who are delinquent with the Company or an assignee are coded in the Company’s accounting and tracking systems in order to provide management visibility, periodic reporting, and appropriate reserves. The accrual of interest income on leases and loans will be discontinued when the customer becomes ninety days or more past due on its lease or loan payments with the Company, unless the Company believes the investment is otherwise recoverable. Leases and loans may be placed on non-accrual earlier if the Company has significant doubt about the ability of the customer to meet its lease or loan obligations, as evidenced by consistent delinquency, deterioration in the customer’s financial condition or other relevant factors.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s non-performing leases and loans.

 

		June 30,
Non-performing Leases and Loans		2015				2014				2013				2012				2011
		(dollars in thousands)
Non-accrual leases and loans		$	41			$	47			$	1,614			$	529			$	1,137
Restructured leases			-				-				-				-				1,441
Leases past due 90 days (other than above)			-				-				-				-				45
Total non-performing leases and loans		$	41			$	47			$	1,614			$	529			$	2,623
Non-performing assets as % of net investment in leases and loans before allowances			0.01	%			0.01	%			0.4	%			0.2	%			0.9	%

 

Non-performing assets decreased at June 30, 2015 due to payments received on non-accrual leases with no new leases added during the year. Direct finance income that would have been recorded had non-accrual leases at each respective fiscal year end been current in accordance with their original terms would have been $0, $0 and $50,168 during fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The amount of direct finance income actually recorded on non-performing leases was $0, $0 and $195,200 during fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Subsequent to June 30, 2015, a lessee in bankruptcy notified the Bank that it would cease using the property leased and would not being making any further lease payments. The lease with a net balance of $2.7 million was placed on non-accrual in July 2015, and is not included in non-accrual leases at June 30, 2015.

 

In addition to the transactions identified as non-performing above, there was $5.6 million of investment in leases at June 30, 2015, including the lease in bankruptcy noted above, which are rated substandard and therefore at higher risk for not being able to meet their existing obligations. This compared to $1.0 million of leases and $10.5 million of loans considered substandard at June 30, 2014. Although these substandard or doubtful leases and loans have been identified as potential problems, they may never become non-performing. These potential problem leases and loans are considered in the determination of the allowance for credit losses. The amount has fluctuated throughout the year ended June 30, 2015 as transactions have been reclassified and potential problems have been identified, with increases offset by payments received, re-classification as non-accrual or actual charge-offs.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses

 

The allowance for credit losses and the residual valuation allowance provide coverage for probable and estimatable losses in the Company’s lease and loan portfolios. The allowance recorded is based on a quarterly review of all leases and loans outstanding, loan commitments and transactions-in-process to determine that it is adequate to cover these inherent losses. The evaluation of each element and the overall allowance is based on a continuing assessment of problem credits, recent loss experience and other factors, including regulatory guidance and economic conditions. The Company utilizes similar processes to estimate its liability for unfunded loan commitments, which is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Both the allowance for credit losses and the liability for unfunded loan commitments are included in the Company’s analysis of credit losses. Lease receivables, loans or residuals are charged off when they are deemed completely uncollectible. The determination of the appropriate amount of any provision is based on management’s judgment at that time and takes into consideration all known relevant internal and external factors that may affect the lease and loan portfolio.

 

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the five years ended June 30, 2015.

 

		Years Ended June 30,
		2015				2014				2013				2012				2011
		(dollars in thousands)
Property acquired for transactions-in-process before allowance		$	31,340			$	40,578			$	11,938			$	18,559			$	29,210
Net investment in leases before allowance			301,733				329,935				345,753				256,686				226,426
Commercial loans, before allowance			246,509				131,158				75,952				84,982				95,797
Leases and loans, before allowances		$	579,582			$	501,671			$	433,643			$	360,227			$	351,433
Average leases and loans		$	493,054			$	422,788			$	382,343			$	322,992			$	314,600
Allowance for credit losses at beginning of year			5,299				5,147				5,216				5,060				4,447
Charge-off of lease receivables and transactions-in-process (1)			(19	)			(62	)			(350	)			(51	)			(557	)
Recovery of lease amounts previously written off (1)			1				14				6				207				145
Provision for credit losses			1,175				200				275				0				1,025
Allowance for credit losses at end of year (“Allowance”)		$	6,456			$	5,299			$	5,147			$	5,216			$	5,060
Components of allowance for credit losses:
Allowance for lease losses		$	3,409			$	3,327			$	3,175			$	3,144			$	2,988
Allowance for loan losses			3,047				1,972				1,972				2,072				2,072
		$	6,456			$	5,299			$	5,147			$	5,216			$	5,060
Allowance as percent of leases and loans before allowances			1.18	%			1.15	%			1.22	%			1.53	%			1.57	%
Net recoveries (charge-offs) as percent of average leases and loans			0.00	%			(0.01	)%			(0.09	)%			0.05	%			(0.13	)%

 

(1)

There were no charge-offs or recoveries related to commercial or real estate loans during the five year period ending June 30, 2015.

 

The allowance for credit losses increased to $6.5 million (1.18% of net investment in leases and loans) at June 30, 2015 from $5.3 million (1.15% of net investment in leases and loans) at June 30, 2014. The allowance at June 30, 2015 consisted of $645,000 allocated to specific accounts that were identified as problems and $5.8 million that was available to cover losses inherent in the portfolio. This compared to $250,000 allocated to specific accounts at June 30, 2014 and $5.0 million that was available to cover losses inherent in the portfolio at such date. The increase in the allowance allocated to specific accounts related to new specific problems identified, offset by charge-offs of $19,000 as well as the resolution of problem leases. Based on the above factors, the Company considers the allowance for credit losses of $6.5 million at June 30, 2015 adequate to cover losses specifically identified as well as inherent in the lease and loan portfolios, including the lease placed on non-accrual in July 2015. However, no assurance can be given that the Company will not, in any particular period, sustain lease and loan losses that are sizeable in relation to the amount reserved, or that subsequent evaluations of the lease portfolio, in light of factors then prevailing, including economic conditions and the on-going credit review process, will not require significant increases in the allowance for credit losses. Among other factors, a renewed economic slowdown may have an adverse impact on the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses by increasing credit risk and the risk of potential loss even further. As the Company has retained a significantly greater percentage of leases and loans in its own portfolio, this creates increased exposure to delinquencies, repossessions, foreclosures and losses than the Company has historically experienced.

 

Based on management’s evaluation of the lease and loan portfolio at each period end, management has allocated the allowance for loan and lease losses for the past five years as shown in the table below:

 

		2015								2014								2013								2012								2011
		Allowance Amount Allocated				% of Leases and Loans				Allowance Amount Allocated				% of Leases and Loans				Allowance Amount Allocated				% of Leases and Loans				Allowance Amount Allocated				% of Leases and Loans				Allowance Amount Allocated				% of Leases and Loans
Net Investment in Leases		$	3,409				55.0	%		$	3,327				71.6	%		$	3,175				82.0	%		$	3,144				75.1	%		$	2,988				68.8	%
Commercial Loans			2,936				43.6	%			1,761				26.7	%			1,561				15.8	%			1,561				20.9	%			1,561				25.9	%
Commercial Real Estate Loans			111				1.4	%			211				1.7	%			411				2.2	%			511				3.9	%			511				5.3	%
		$	6,456				100.0	%		$	5,299				100.0	%		$	5,147				100.0	%		$	5,216				100.0	%		$	5,060				100.0	%

 

While the allowance is allocated by category above, the allowance is general in nature and is available for the portfolio in its entirety.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company funds its operating activities through internally generated funds, bank deposits, borrowings and non-recourse debt. At June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $60.2 million and $40.1 million, respectively.

 

Deposits at CalFirst Bank totaled $471.9 million at June 30, 2015, up 32.6% from $355.8 million at June 30, 2014 and up 36.4% from $346.0 million at June 30, 2013. The Bank is competitive with major institutions in terms of its structure of interest rates, and generally offers interest rates on deposit accounts that are higher than the national average. Average rates paid by the Bank on deposits declined in varying degrees from 2008 through 2014 in response to the general decrease in market rates and the maturing of term deposits raised at higher rates. Average rates paid during fiscal 2015 increased due to market conditions and the Bank’s need to increase deposits to fund its growth. The following table presents average balances and average rates paid on deposits for years ended June 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

		Years ended June 30,
		2015												2014												2013
		(dollars in thousands)
		Ending Balance				Average Balance				Average Rate Paid				Ending Balance				Average Balance				Average Rate Paid				Ending Balance				Average Balance				Average Rate Paid
Non-interest bearing demand deposits		$	2,193			$	2,024				n/a			$	1,060			$	1,785				n/a			$	1,402			$	1,993				n/a
Interest-bearing demand deposits			2,715				2,023				0.20	%			1,167				1,607				0.20	%			2,205				2,399				0.20	%
Savings deposits			65,539				65,315				0.50	%			63,356				66,543				0.50	%			68,339				78,922				0.50	%
Time deposits less than $100,000			69,226				60,176				1.05	%			52,647				51,426				1.00	%			53,150				48,317				1.06	%
Time deposits, $100,000 or more		$	332,233			$	277,904				1.05	%		$	237,580			$	220,267				0.99	%		$	220,932			$	166,944				1.03	%

 

The following table shows the maturities of certificates of deposits at the dates indicated:

 

		June 30, 2015
		$250,000 Or less				More than $250,000
		(in thousands)
Under 3 months		$	54,319			$	19,374
3 – 6 months			54,059				13,834
7 – 12 months			142,651				36,920
13 – 24 months			57,389				9,950
25 – 36 months			10,883				2,080
		$	319,301			$	82,158

 

The Bank has borrowing agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB”) and as such, can take advantage of FHLB programs for overnight and term advances at published daily rates. The Bank has short-term borrowings outstanding of $42.0 million at June 30, 2015 at an average rate of 0.32%, up from $6.9 million outstanding at June 30, 2014. Under terms of the blanket collateral agreement, advances from the FHLB are collateralized by qualifying securities and real estate loans, with $27.1 million available under the agreement as of June 30, 2015. The Bank also has the authority to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) discount window amounts secured by certain lease receivables with unused borrowing availability at June 30, 2015 of approximately $100.2 million.

 

An additional source of liquidity for financing and managing the lease portfolio comes from selling, participating or assigning certain lease term payments to banks or other financial institutions. If the transaction is characterized as a sale of the financial asset or meets the parameters of a participating interest, the lease is removed from the balance sheet and a resulting gain or loss recognized. If the Company retains a controlling interest in the lease, the assignment is considered a secured borrowing with the associated financing characterized as non-recourse debt. The assigned lease payments are discounted at fixed rates such that the lease payments are sufficient to fully amortize the aggregate outstanding debt. During fiscal 2015, the Company sold or assigned net lease receivables aggregating to $73.8 million, of which $67.8 million were characterized as sales and $5.8 million were retained as assets by the Bank. This compared to leases sold or assigned of $33.5 million and $6.5 million for fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively. At June 30, 2015, the Company had outstanding non-recourse debt aggregating $10.2 million relating to property under leases assigned to unaffiliated parties. In the past, the Company has been able to obtain adequate non-recourse funding commitments, and the Company believes it will be able to do so in the future.

 

The following table presents capital and capital ratio information for the Company and CalFirst Bank as of June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014. Information for June 30, 2015 reflects the transition to the Basel III capital standard from previous regulatory capital adequacy guidelines under the Basel I framework. The Basel III capital standard phases in through 2019 and revises the definition of capital, increases minimum capital ratios, introduces regulatory capital buffers above those minimums, introduces a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio and revises the rules for calculating risk-weighted assets. Under Basel III, the Bank could make a one-time election to opt out of the requirement to include components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in common equity Tier 1 capital. The Bank has elected to opt-out of the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) requirement. The adoption of the new capital standard had an immaterial impact on capital levels and related ratios and the Company and Bank continue to exceed regulatory capital requirements and are considered “well-capitalized” under guidelines established by the FRB and OCC.

 

		June 30,
		2015									2014
		(dollars in thousands)
California First National Bancorp		Amount				Ratio					Amount				Ratio
Common equity Tier 1 capital		$	187,987				29.17	%			$	183,321				31.84	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital		$	187,987				29.17	%			$	183,321				31.84	%
Total risk-based capital		$	194,493				30.18	%			$	188,645				32.76	%
Tier 1 leverage capital		$	187,987				26.79	%			$	183,321				32.80	%
California First National Bank
Common equity Tier 1 capital		$	109,147				17.65	%			$	102,780				19.61	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital		$	109,147				17.65	%			$	102,780				19.61	%
Total risk-based capital		$	115,306				18.65	%			$	107,639				20.54	%
Tier 1 leverage capital		$	109,147				17.10	%			$	102,780				21.09	%

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

The following table summarizes various contractual obligations at June 30, 2015. Commitments to purchase property for unfunded leases are binding but generally have fixed expiration dates and other termination clauses. Commercial loan commitments are agreements to purchase participation or lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition in the contract.  These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses.  Since the Company expects some of the commitments to expire without being funded, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent the Company’s future liquidity requirements.

 

		Due by Period
Contractual Obligations		Total				Less Than 1 Year				1-5 Years				After 5 Years
		(in thousands)
Lease property purchases (1)		$	60,391			$	60,391			$	-			$	-
Commercial loan and lease purchase commitments			28,000				28,000				-				-
FHLB Borrowings			42,000				42,000				-				-
Operating lease rental payments			2,186				656				1,530				-
Total contractual commitments		$	132,577			$	131,047			$	1,530			$	-

_________________________________________________

(1)

Disbursements to purchase property on approved lease or loan commitments are estimated to be completed within one year, but it is likely that some portion could be deferred or never funded.

 

The need for cash for operating activities will increase as the Company expands. The Company believes that existing cash balances, cash flow from operations, cash flows from its financing and investing activities, and assignments (on a non-recourse basis) of lease payments will be sufficient to meet its foreseeable financing needs.

 

Inflation has not had a significant impact upon the operations of the Company.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for disclosure of recent accounting pronouncements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from changes in market indices such as interest rates and equity prices. The Company’s principal market risk exposure is interest rate risk, which is the exposure due to differences in the repricing characteristics of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Market risk also arises from the impact that fluctuations in interest rates may have on security prices that may result in changes in the values of financial instruments, such as available-for-sale securities that are accounted for at fair value. As the banking operations of the Company have grown and securities and deposits represent a greater portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities, the Company is subject to increased market risk. The Bank has an Asset/Liability Management Committee and policies established to manage its interest rate and market risk.

 

At June 30, 2015, the Company had $61.5 million of cash or invested in securities of very short duration, with another $5.2 million of securities that mature within twelve months. The Company’s gross investment in lease payments receivable and loan principal of $571.9 million consists of leases with fixed rates and loans with fixed and variable rates, however, $364.1 million of such investment is due or will reprice within one year of June 30, 2015. This compares to the Company’s interest bearing deposit and borrowing liabilities of $511.7 million, of which 84.3%, or $431.4 million, mature within one year. Non-recourse debt does not represent an interest rate risk to the Company because it is fully amortized through direct payments from lessees to the purchaser of the lease receivable. Based on the foregoing, at June 30, 2015 the Company had assets of $430.7 million subject to changes in interest rates over the next twelve months, compared to repricing liabilities of $431.4 million.

 

The consolidated gap analysis below sets forth the maturity and repricing characteristics of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for selected time bands. The mismatch between repricings or maturities within a time band is commonly referred to as the “gap” for that period. A positive gap (asset sensitive) where interest rate sensitive assets exceed interest rate sensitive liabilities generally will result in the net interest margin increasing in a rising rate environment and decreasing in a falling rate environment. A negative gap (liability sensitive) will generally have the opposite result on the net interest margin. However, the traditional gap analysis does not assess the relative sensitivity of assets and liabilities to changes in interest rates and other factors that could have an impact on interest rate sensitivity or net interest income. Sudden and substantial increase or decrease in interest rates may adversely impact our income to the extent that the interest rates associated with the assets and liabilities do not change at the same speed, to the same extent, or on the same basis.

 

Consolidated Interest Rate Sensitivity

 

(in thousands)		3 Months or Less				Over 3 to 12 Months				Over 1 Through 5 years				Over 5 years				Non-rate Sensitive				Total
Rate Sensitive Assets (RSA):
Cash due from banks		$	60,240			$	-			$	-			$	-			$	-			$	60,240
Investment securities			1,210				5,176				51,185				26,975				-				84,546
Net investment in leases			38,239				93,503				185,218				7,820				(26,456	)			298,324
Commercial loans			231,153				1,211				14,725				-				(3,627	)			243,462
Non-interest earning assets			-				-				-				-				44,502				44,502
Totals			330,842				99,890				251,128				34,795				14,419			$	731,074
Cumulative total for RSA		$	330,842			$	430,732			$	681,860			$	716,655
Rate Sensitive Liabilities (RSL):
Demand and savings deposits		$	68,254			$	-			$	-			$	-			$	2,193			$	70,447
Time deposits			73,694				247,462				80,303				-				-				401,459
Borrowings			10,000				32,000				-				-				-				42,000
Non-interest bearing liabilities			-				-				-				-				28,950				28,950
Stockholders' equity			-				-				-				-				188,218				188,218
Totals		$	151,948			$	279,462			$	80,303			$	-			$	219,361			$	731,074
Cumulative total for RSL		$	151,948			$	431,410			$	511,713			$	511,713
Interest rate sensitivity gap		$	178,894			$	(179,572	)		$	170,825			$	34,795
Cumulative GAP		$	178,894			$	(678	)		$	170,147			$	204,942
RSA divided by RSL (cumulative)			217.73	%			99.84	%			133.25	%			140.05	%
Cumulative GAP / total assets			24.47	%			-0.09	%			23.27	%			28.03	%

 

In addition to the consolidated gap analysis, the Bank measures its asset/liability position through duration measures and sensitivity analysis, and calculates the potential effect on earnings using maturity gap analysis. The interest rate sensitivity modeling includes the creation of prospective twelve month "baseline" and "rate shocked" net interest income simulations. After a "baseline" net interest income is determined, using assumptions that the Bank deems reasonable, market interest rates are raised or lowered by 100 to 300 basis points instantaneously, parallel across the entire yield curve, and a "rate shocked" simulation is run. Interest rate sensitivity is then measured as the difference between calculated "baseline" and "rate shocked" net interest income.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

The following financial statements and supplementary financial information are included herein at the pages indicated below:

 

	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	30
Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2015 and 2014	31
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended June 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013	32
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended June 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013	33
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended June 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013	34
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013	35
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	36-54

 

---

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of California First National Bancorp

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of California First National Bancorp and Subsidiaries as of June 30, 2015 and 2014 and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2015. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of California First National Bancorp and Subsidiaries as of June 30, 2015 and 2014, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

 

Laguna Hills, California

September 22, 2015

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

		June 30,
ASSETS		2015				2014
Cash and due from banks		$	60,240			$	40,122
Investments			3,334				2,552
Securities available-for-sale			81,212				26,764
Receivables			1,174				680
Property acquired for transactions-in-process			31,340				40,578
Leases and loans:
Net investment in leases			301,733				329,935
Commercial loans			246,509				131,158
Allowance for credit losses			(6,456	)			(5,299	)
Net investment in leases and loans			541,786				455,794
Property on operating leases, less accumulated depreciation of $562 (2015) and $143 (2014)			773				1,991
Income tax receivable			231				1,658
Other assets			791				771
Discounted lease rentals assigned to lenders			10,193				8,640
		$	731,074			$	579,550
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Demand and savings deposits		$	70,447			$	65,583
Time certificates of deposit			401,459				290,227
Short-term borrowings			42,000				6,858
Accounts payable			2,635				4,655
Accrued liabilities			2,278				2,553
Lease deposits			1,900				2,005
Non-recourse debt			10,193				8,640
Deferred income taxes, net			11,944				15,284
			542,856				395,805
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock; 2,500,000 shares authorized; none issued			-				-
Common stock; $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 10,459,924 (2015) and 10,459,924 (2014) issued and outstanding			105				105
Additional paid in capital			3,376				3,372
Retained earnings			184,506				179,844
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax			231				424
			188,218				183,745
		$	731,074			$	579,550

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

		Years ended June 30,
		2015				2014				2013
Finance and loan income		$	21,489			$	18,370			$	18,995
Investment interest income			1,516				1,371				2,408
Total interest income			23,005				19,741				21,403
Interest expense
Deposits			3,883				3,036				2,664
Borrowings			62				1				-
Net interest income			19,060				16,704				18,739
Provision for credit losses			1,175				200				275
Net interest income after provision for credit losses			17,885				16,504				18,464
Non-interest income
Operating and sales-type lease income			305				2,152				1,711
Gain on sale of leases, loans and leased property			4,791				2,980				2,278
Realized gain on sale of investment securities			481				-				316
Recovery realized on TFT-LCD settlement			2,744				-				-
Other fee income			388				432				526
Total non-interest income			8,709				5,564				4,831
Non-interest expenses
Compensation and employee benefits			8,582				7,796				8,505
Occupancy			634				682				922
Professional services			664				590				585
Other general and administrative			1,899				1,927				1,598
Total non-interest expenses			11,779				10,995				11,610
Earnings before income taxes			14,815				11,073				11,685
Income taxes			5,760				4,022				4,331
Net earnings		$	9,055			$	7,051			$	7,354
Basic earnings per common share		$	0.87			$	0.67			$	0.70
Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.87			$	0.67			$	0.70
Dividends declared per common share outstanding		$	0.42			$	0.40			$	2.20
Average common shares outstanding – basic			10,459,924				10,453,107				10,446,347
Average common shares outstanding – diluted			10,459,924				10,456,359				10,453,361

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

 

 

		Years ended June 30,
		2015				2014				2013
Net earnings		$	9,055			$	7,051			$	7,354
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized gain/(loss) on securities available-for-sale			166				(266	)			157
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on securities available-for-sale			91				-				-
Reclassification adjustment of realized gain included in net income on securities available-for-sale			(572	)			-				(316	)
			(315	)			(266	)			(159	)
Tax effect			122				100				61
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)			(193	)			(166	)			(98	)
Total comprehensive income		$	8,862			$	6,885			$	7,256

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(in thousands, except for share amounts)

 

 

										Additional								Accumulated
		Common Stock								Paid in				Retained				Comprehensive
		Shares				Amount				Capital				Earnings				Income				Total
Balance, June 30, 2012			10,433,684			$	104			$	3,044			$	192,603			$	688			$	196,439
Net earnings			-				-				-				7,354				-				7,354
Other comprehensive loss			-				-				-				-				(98	)			(98	)
Shares issued - Stock options exercised			13,543				-				164				-				-				164
Stock based compensation expense			-				-				5				-				-				5
Dividends paid			-				-				-				(22,985	)			-				(22,985	)
Balance, June 30, 2013			10,447,227				104				3,213				176,972				590				180,879
Net earnings			-				-				-				7,051				-				7,051
Other comprehensive loss			-				-				-				-				(166	)			(166	)
Shares issued - Stock options exercised			12,697				1				155				-				-				156
Stock based compensation expense			-				-				4				-				-				4
Dividends paid			-				-				-				(4,179	)			-				(4,179	)
Balance, June 30, 2014			10,459,924				105				3,372				179,844				424				183,745
Net earnings			-				-				-				9,055				-				9,055
Other comprehensive loss			-				-				-				-				(193	)			(193	)
Stock based compensation expense			-				-				4				-				-				4
Dividends paid			-				-				-				(4,393	)			-				(4,393	)
Balance, June 30, 2015			10,459,924			$	105			$	3,376			$	184,506			$	231			$	188,218

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

		Years Ended June 30,
		2015				2014				2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Earnings		$	9,055			$	7,051			$	7,354
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows provided by (used for) operating activities:
Provision for credit losses			1,175				200				275
Depreciation and net (accretion) amortization			(496	)			76				(679	)
Gain on sale of leased property and sales-type lease income			(2,033	)			(396	)			(739	)
Net gain recognized on investment securities			(481	)			-				(316	)
Deferred income taxes, including income taxes payable			(3,240	)			(3,178	)			(5,477	)
Decrease (increase) in income taxes receivable			1,427				1,643				(2,421	)
Net (decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities			(275	)			397				(643	)
Other, net			37				673				(50	)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities			5,169				6,466				(2,696	)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Investment in leases, loans and transactions in process			(381,763	)			(302,722	)			(298,982	)
Payments received on lease receivables and loans			224,830				188,965				220,756
Proceeds from sales of leased property and sales-type leases			4,457				5,796				6,545
Proceeds from sales and assignments of leases			75,926				35,573				4,835
Purchase of investment securities			(68,294	)			(8,229	)			-
Pay down on investment securities			12,067				26,188				7,515
Proceeds from sale of investment securities			994				-				10,425
Net (increase) decrease in other assets			(113	)			(1	)			240
Net cash used for investing activities			(131,896	)			(54,430	)			(48,666	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net increase in time certificates of deposit			111,232				16,145				99,942
Net increase (decrease) in demand and savings deposits			4,864				(6,363	)			(7,211	)
Net increase in short-term borrowings			35,142				6,858				-
Dividends to stockholders			(4,393	)			(4,179	)			(22,985	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			-				156				164
Net cash provided by financing activities			146,845				12,617				69,910
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			20,118				(35,347	)			18,548
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD			40,122				75,469				56,921
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD		$	60,240			$	40,122			$	75,469
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase (decrease) in lease rentals assigned to lenders and related non-recourse debt		$	1,553			$	7,872			$	(2,507	)
Estimated residual values recorded on leases		$	(2,565	)		$	(3,556	)		$	(2,050	)
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Net cash paid (refunds received) during the year for:
Interest		$	3,875			$	3,045			$	2,640
Income Taxes		$	7,573			$	5,557			$	12,229

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

 

Nature of Operations

 

California First National Bancorp, a California corporation (the “Company”) is a bank holding company with two subsidiaries, California First National Bank (“CalFirst Bank” or the “Bank”) and California First Leasing Corp. (“CalFirst Leasing”). The primary business of the Company is secured financing provided through leasing and financing capital assets, commercial loans acquired through participation in the syndicated commercial loan market, by providing non-recourse loans to third parties secured by leases and equipment, and direct commercial loans. CalFirst Bank is an Internet bank that gathers deposits from a centralized location primarily through posting rates on the Internet with all banking and other operations conducted from one central location.

 

The Company is regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”) while CalFirst Bank is subject to regulation and examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), its primary regulator. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insures the Bank’s deposit accounts up to the maximum allowable amount.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of California First National Bancorp and its wholly owned subsidiaries, CalFirst Bank and CalFirst Leasing. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Critical accounting estimates particularly susceptible to change include the allowance for credit losses, residual values and taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in banks, cash in demand deposit accounts, and money market accounts, all of which have initial maturities of less than ninety days. The Company had cash in interest-bearing accounts of $56.6 million and $36.5 at June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Included in cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2015 and 2014 was $35.5 million and $32.5 million, respectively, that was held by the Bank.

 

Securities

 

Securities are designated at the time of acquisition as available for sale or held to maturity. Securities that the Company will hold for indefinite periods of time and that might be sold in the future as part of efforts to manage interest rate risk, or in response to changes in interest rates, changes in prepayment rates, changes in market conditions or changes in economic factors are classified as available for sale and carried at fair values. Net aggregate unrealized gains or losses are reported, net of taxes, as a component of comprehensive income. Securities that the Company has the intent and ability to hold until maturity are classified as Investments “held-to-maturity” and are stated at cost adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount. The Company does not have any securities classified as trading.

 

The Company conducts a regular assessment of its securities portfolio to determine whether any are other-than-temporarily impaired. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers, among other factors, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value for a debt security is determined to be other-than-temporary, the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into (a) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to a decrease in cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security (the credit loss) and (b) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in other income. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. For equity securities, the full amount of the other-than-temporary impairment is recorded in non-interest income as an impairment loss on investment securities.

 

Leases

 

Capital Leases

 

New lease transactions are generally structured as direct financing leases. The re-lease of property that has come off lease may be accounted for as a sales-type lease or as an operating lease, depending on the terms of the re-lease. Leased property that comes off lease and is re-marketed through a sale to the lessee or a third party is accounted for as sale of leased property.

 

For leases that qualify as direct financing leases, the aggregate lease payments receivable and estimated residual value, if any, are recorded net of unearned income as net investment in leases. The unearned income is recognized as direct finance income on an internal rate of return method calculated to achieve a level yield on the Company’s investment over the lease term. There are no costs or expenses related to direct financing leases since lease income is recorded on a net basis.

 

For leases that qualify as sales-type leases, the Company recognizes profit or loss at lease inception to the extent the fair value of the property leased differs from the Company's carrying value. The difference between the discounted value of the aggregate lease payments receivable and the property cost, less the discounted value of the residual, if any, and any initial direct costs is recorded as sales-type lease income. For balance sheet purposes, the aggregate lease payments receivable and estimated residual value, if any, are recorded net of unearned income as net investment in leases. Unearned income is recognized as direct finance income over the lease term on an internal rate of return method.

 

The residual value is an estimate for accounting purposes of the fair value of the lease property at lease termination. The estimates are reviewed periodically to ensure reasonableness, however, the amounts the Company may ultimately realize could differ from the estimated amounts.

 

In some instances, the Company assigns on a nonrecourse basis or participates out the lease payments receivable related to direct financing leases to unaffiliated financial institutions at fixed interest rates. The accounting for the participation or sale of lease receivables is governed by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 860 Transfer and Servicing, which establishes a framework for determining which transactions should be treated as a sale of the financial asset by the Company or a secured borrowing through retention of the lease as an asset and reporting of non-recourse debt. For lease receivables accounted for as a sale, the Company derecognizes the lease receivable and the unearned income related to the lease is recognized as a gain from the sale of lease receivable in the period in which the lease receivable has been sold. For lease receivables accounted for as a secured borrowing, the minimum lease payments receivable is re-categorized on the balance sheet as discounted lease rentals assigned to lenders. The related obligations resulting from the discounting of the leases are recorded as non-recourse debt. The unearned income related to the lease is reduced by the interest expense from the non-recourse debt. In the event of default by a lessee, the participant or lender has a first lien against the underlying leased property with no further recourse against the Company. If this occurs, the Company may not realize its residual investment in the leased property.

 

A portion of the Company's non-interest expenses directly related to originating lease transactions is deferred through a reduction to non-interest expenses recognized in the period, with the deferred costs amortized over the lease term as a reduction to direct finance income utilizing the effective interest method.

 

Operating Leases

 

Lease contracts which do not meet the criteria of capital leases are accounted for as operating leases. Property on operating leases is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lease term to the estimated residual value at the termination of the lease. Most operating leases involve the re-lease of off-lease property and the associated cost is the Company’s estimated residual. Rental income is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

Loans

 

Loans are reported at their principal amount outstanding, net of unearned discounts and unamortized nonrefundable fees and direct costs associated with their origination or acquisition. Interest earned on loans without discounts is credited to income based on loan principal amounts outstanding at appropriate interest rates. Material origination and other nonrefundable fees net of direct costs and discounts on loans are credited to income over the terms of the loans using a method that approximates an effective yield.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses

 

The allowance for credit losses is an estimate based on management’s judgment applying the principles of ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies,” and ASC Topic 310-35, “Loan Impairment.” The determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on an assessment of the inherent loss potential in the lease and loan portfolios given the conditions at the time and are continuously reviewed for adequacy considering levels of past due payments and non-performing assets, customers’ financial condition, leased property values as well as general economic conditions and credit quality indicators. The need for reserves is subject to future events, which by their nature are uncertain. Therefore, changes in economic conditions or other events affecting specific customers or industries may necessitate additions or deductions to the allowance for credit losses or the residual valuation allowance. The allowance is maintained at a level believed to be adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the portfolios.

 

The allowance for credit losses includes specific and general reserves. Specific reserves relate to leases and loans that are individually classified as problems or impaired. Leases are individually evaluated for impairment under ASC Topic 450, while loans are evaluated under ASC 310-35, which does not apply to leases. A lease or loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect amounts due according to the contractual terms. Factors considered in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting all amounts when due. The net book value of each non-performing or problem lease is evaluated to determine whether the carrying value is less than or equal to the expected recovery anticipated to be derived from lease payments, additional collateral or residual realization. Measurement of impairment of a loan is based on expected future cash flows of the impaired loan, which are to be discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or measured by reference to an observable market value, if one exists, or the fair value of the collateral for a collateral-dependent loan. The Company selects the measurement method on a loan-by-loan basis. The amount estimated as unrecoverable is recognized as a reserve individually identified for the lease or impaired loan.

 

General reserves are an estimate of probable or inherent losses related to the remaining portfolio. An ongoing review of all leases and loans is conducted, taking into account recent loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, levels of delinquencies, adverse situations that may affect customers’ ability to repay, trends in volume and other factors, including regulatory guidance and current and anticipated economic conditions. This portfolio analysis includes a stratification of the portfolio by the risk classifications and segments and estimation of potential losses based on risk classification or segment. The composition of the portfolio based on risk ratings is monitored, and changes in the overall risk profile of the portfolio are also factored into the evaluation of inherent risks in the portfolio. Based on the foregoing, an estimated inherent loss not based directly on specific problem assets is recorded as a collective allowance. The Company utilizes similar processes to estimate its liability for unfunded loan commitments, which is included in other liabilities and not in the allowance for credit losses. Lease receivables and loans are charged off when they are deemed completely uncollectible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

 

Property Acquired for Transactions-in-process

 

Property acquired for transactions-in-process represents partial deliveries of property which the lessee has accepted on in-process lease transactions. Such amounts are stated at cost, net of any lessee payments related to the property. Income is not recognized while a transaction is in process and prior to the commencement of the lease. At lease commencement, any pre-commencement payments are included in minimum lease payments receivable and the unearned income is recognized as direct finance income over the lease term.

 

Comprehensive Income

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income consists of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share includes the effect of the potential shares outstanding, including dilutive stock options, using the treasury stock method.

 

The following table reconciles the components of the basic net income per share calculation to diluted net income per share:

 

		Years ended June 30,
		2015				2014				2013
		(in thousands, except share and per amounts)
Net earnings		$	9,055			$	7,051			$	7,354
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding assuming no exercise of outstanding options			10,459,924				10,453,107				10,446,347
Dilutive stock options using the treasury stock method			-				3,252				7,014
Dilutive common shares outstanding			10,459,924				10,456,359				10,453,361
Basic earnings per common share		$	0.87			$	0.67			$	0.70
Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.87			$	0.67			$	0.70

 

The Company had 10,000 antidilutive stock options in its calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 and did not have any antidilutive stock options in its calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended June 30, 2013.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The ASU is a converged standard between the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board that provides a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers across transactions and industries. The new accounting guidance clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The FASB deferred this guidance, which does not apply to financial instruments, to be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company does not expect the new guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to the fiscal 2014 and 2013 financial statements to conform to the presentation of the fiscal 2015 financial statements.

 

Note 2 – Investments

 

Investments are carried at cost and consist of the following:

 

		June 30, 2015								June 30, 2014
		Carrying Cost				Fair Value				Carrying Cost				Fair Value
		(in thousands)
Federal Reserve Bank Stock		$	1,955			$	1,955			$	1,955			$	1,955
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock			1,260				1,260				475				475
Mortgage-backed investment			119				134				122				137
		$	3,334			$	3,349			$	2,552			$	2,567

 

The investment in Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB”) stock is a required investment related to CalFirst Bank’s borrowing relationship with the FHLB. The FHLB obtains its funding primarily through issuance of consolidated obligations of the Federal Home Loan Bank system. The U.S. Government does not guarantee these obligations, and each of the twelve FHLB’s are generally jointly and severally liable for repayment of each other’s debt. Therefore, the Company’s investment could be adversely impacted by the financial operations of the FHLB and actions by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. These investments have no stated maturity.

 

CalFirst Bank is required to hold Federal Reserve Bank stock equal to 6% of its capital surplus, which is defined as additional paid-in capital stock, less any gains (losses) on available for sale securities as of the current period end.

 

The mortgage-backed investment consists of one U.S. agency issued security. The Company has determined that it has the ability to hold this investment until maturity and, given the Company’s intent to do so, anticipates that it will realize the full carrying value of its investment and carries the security at amortized cost.

 

Note 3 - Securities Available for Sale:

 

Securities available-for-sale include U.S. Treasury securities, corporate and municipal bonds, U.S. government agency (“Agency”) mortgaged-backed securities (“MBS”), mutual fund and equity investments. The amortized cost, fair value, and carrying value of available-for-sale-securities were as follows:

 

		at June 30, 2015
(in thousands)		Amortized				Gross Unrealized								Fair
		Cost				Gains				Losses				Value
U.S. Treasury notes		$	47,286			$	484			$	-			$	47,770
Corporate debt securities			13,165				18				(31	)			13,152
Agency MBS			18,765				53				(149	)			18,669
Securities of state and political subdivisions			406				6				-				412
Mutual fund investments			1,215				-				(6	)			1,209
Total securities available-for-sale		$	80,837			$	561			$	(186	)		$	81,212

 

		at June 30, 2014
(in thousands)		Amortized				Gross Unrealized								Fair
		Cost				Gains				Losses				Value
U.S. Treasury notes		$	7,930			$	43				-			$	7,973
Corporate debt securities			16,030				280				-				16,310
Securities of state and political subdivisions			409				18				-				427
Mutual fund investments			1,306				-				(45	)			1,261
Equity investments			422				371				-				793
Total securities available-for-sale		$	26,097			$	712			$	(45	)		$	26,764

 

The following table presents the fair value and associated gross unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities with a gross unrealized loss at June 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

		Less than 12 Months								12 Months or More								Total
		Unrealized Loss				Estimated Fair Value				Unrealized Loss				Estimated Fair Value				Unrealized Loss				Estimated Fair Value
		(in thousands)
At June 30, 2015
Corporate debt securities		$	(31	)		$	8,388			$	-			$	-			$	(31	)		$	8,388
Agency MBS			(149	)			14,170				-				-				(149	)			14,170
Mutual fund investments			(6	)			1,209				-				-				(6	)			1,209
Total		$	(186	)		$	23,767			$	-			$	-			$	(186	)		$	23,767
At June 30, 2014
Mutual fund investment		$	-			$	-			$	(45	)		$	1,261			$	(45	)		$	1,261
Total		$	-			$	-			$	(45	)		$	1,261			$	(45	)		$	1,261

 

The Company conducts a regular assessment of its investment portfolios to determine whether any securities are other-than-temporarily impaired. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers, among other factors, length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any recovery. The $186,000 unrealized losses at June 30, 2015 relate to fluctuations in interest rates and financial markets and not credit quality. Because the Company has the intent to hold these securities and more likely than not will not need to sell them, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at June 30, 2015.

 

The $45,000 unrealized loss in the mutual fund investment at June 30, 2014 was attributable primarily to fluctuation in interest rates during fiscal year 2014, and not credit quality, and the Company did not consider the investment to be other-than-temporarily impaired at June 30, 2014. In September 2014, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $91,000 related to the mutual fund investment. While the Company had the ability and intent to retain this investment, given that the fund lowered its dividend by 11% in May 2014 and had traded below its recorded cost for over twelve months, the Company determined that an other than temporary impairment had occurred.

 

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities at June 30, 2015, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

		Amortized Cost				Fair Value
		(in thousands)
Due in three months or less		$	-			$	-
Due after three months to one year			5,152				5,176
Due after one year to five years			50,766				51,185
Due after five years			23,704				23,642
No stated maturity			1,215				1,209
Total securities available-for-sale		$	80,837			$	81,212

 

The following table presents the Company’s gross realized gains and gross realized losses on available-for-sale securities. These gains and losses were recognized using the specific identification method and were included in non-interest income.

 

(in thousands)		Available-for-sale
		For the years ended June 30,
		2015				2014				2013
Gross realized gains		$	572			$	-			$	316
Gross realized losses			-				-				-
Other than temporary impairment			(91	)			-				-
Total		$	481			$	-			$	316

 

During the twelve months ended June 30, 2015, the Company realized a gain of $572,000 from the sale of equity investments for proceeds of $994,000. The net gain is recognized using the specific identification method and is included in non-interest income. In September 2014, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $91,000 related to the mutual fund investment discussed above. During the twelve months ended June 30, 2014, the Company had no realized gains or losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities.

 

At June 30, 2015, U.S. Treasury notes and Agency MBS with an amortized cost of $66.1 million are pledged to secure borrowings from the FHLB (see Note 9). At June 30, 2014, U.S Treasury notes with an amortized cost of $7.9 million were pledged to secure the borrowing from the FHLB.

 

Note 4 - Receivables:

 

The Company's receivables consist of the following:

 

		June 30,
		2015				2014
		(in thousands)
Other lessee receivables		$	440			$	166
Accrued interest			734				514
		$	1,174			$	680

 

Note 5 – Net Investment in Leases:

 

The Company's net investment in leases consists of the following:

 

		June 30,
		2015				2014
		(in thousands)
Minimum lease payments receivable		$	310,960			$	340,211
Estimated residual value			13,819				12,996
Less unearned income			(23,046	)			(23,272	)
Net investment in leases before allowances			301,733				329,935
Less allowance for lease losses			(3,339	)			(3,236	)
Less valuation allowance for estimated residual value			(70	)			(80	)
Net investment in leases		$	298,324			$	326,619

 

The minimum lease payments receivable and estimated residual value are discounted using the internal rate of return method related to each specific lease. Unearned income and discounts include the offset of initial direct costs of $2.4 million and $2.5 million at June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

 

At June 30, 2015, a summary of the installments due on minimum lease payments receivable, and the expected maturity of the Company's estimated residual value are as follows:

 

Years ending June 30,		Lease Receivable				Estimated Residual Value				Total
		(in thousands)
2016		$	129,229			$	2,512			$	131,741
2017			85,589				5,002				90,591
2018			49,979				4,194				54,173
2019			27,754				1,249				29,003
2020			11,202				249				11,451
Thereafter			7,207				613				7,820
			310,960				13,819				324,779
Less unearned income			(21,237	)			(1,809	)			(23,046	)
Less allowances			(3,339	)			(70	)			(3,409	)
		$	286,384			$	11,940			$	298,324

 

Non-recourse debt, which relates to the discounting of lease receivables, bears interest at rates ranging from 2.11% to 5.76%. Maturities of such obligations at June 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

Years ending June 30,		Non-recourse Debt
		(in thousands)
2016		$	5,514
2017			4,159
2018			280
Total non-recourse debt			9,953
Deferred interest expense			240
Discounted lease rentals assigned to lenders		$	10,193

 

Deferred interest expense of $240,000 at June 30, 2015 will be amortized against direct finance income related to the Company's discounted lease rentals assigned to lenders of $10.2 million using the effective yield method over the applicable lease term.

 

Note 6 – Commercial Loans:

 

The Company’s investment in commercial loans consists of the following:

 

		June 30,
		2015				2014
		(in thousands)
Commercial term loans		$	238,973			$	121,236
Commercial real estate loans			7,531				7,920
Revolving lines of credit			585				2,471
Total commercial loans			247,089				131,627
Less unearned income and discounts			(580	)			(469	)
Less allowance for loan losses			(3,047	)			(1,972	)
Net commercial loans		$	243,462			$	129,186

 

In addition to the amount outstanding on revolving lines of credit set forth above, the Company had additional unused commitments on revolving lines of credit in the amount of $7.4 million at June 30, 2015 and $13.3 million at June 30, 2014. The Company has recorded a liability for unfunded loan commitments of $50,000 at June 30, 2015 and $25,000 at June 30, 2014 related to such commitments.

 

Note 7 – Allowance for Credit Losses:

 

The allowance for credit losses includes amounts to cover losses related to the net investment in leases, commercial loans, and transactions-in-process (“risk assets”). A summary of the allocation of the allowance for credit losses and selected statistics is as follows:

 

		June 30,
		2015				2014
		(dollars in thousands)
Allowance for credit losses at beginning of year		$	5,299			$	5,147
Charge-off of leases			(19	)			(62	)
Recovery of lease amounts previously written off			1				14
Provision for credit losses			1,175				200
Allowance for credit losses at end of year		$	6,456			$	5,299
Components of allowance for credit losses:
Allowance for lease losses		$	3,409			$	3,327
Allowance for loan losses			3,047				1,972
		$	6,456			$	5,299
Allowance for credit losses as percent of net investment in leases and loans before allowances			1.18	%			1.15	%
Net recoveries (charge-offs) as percent of averages leases and loan			0.00	%			(0.08	)%

 

In addition to the allowance for credit losses, the Company has recorded a liability for unfunded loan commitments of $50,000 and $25,000 at June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Note 8 – Credit Quality of Financing Receivables:

 

The following tables provide information on the credit profile of the components of the portfolio and allowance for credit losses related to “financing receivables” as defined under Topic 310, Receivables.  This disclosure on “financing receivables” covers the Company’s direct finance and sales-type leases and all commercial loans, but does not include operating leases and transactions in process.   The portfolio is disaggregated into segments and classifications appropriate for assessing and monitoring the portfolios’ risk and performance. This disclosure does not encompass all risk assets or the entire allowance for credit losses.

 

Portfolio segments identified by the Company include leases and loans. These segments have been disaggregated into four classes: 1) commercial leases, 2) education, government and non-profit leases, 3) commercial and industrial loans and 4) commercial real estate loans. Relevant risk characteristics for establishing these portfolio classes generally include the nature of the borrower, structure of the transaction and collateral type. The Company’s credit process includes a policy of classifying all leases and loans in accordance with a risk rating classification system consistent with regulatory models under which leases and loans may be rated as “pass”, “special mention”, “substandard”, or “doubtful”. These risk categories reflect an assessment of the ability of the borrowers to service their obligation based on current financial position, historical payment experience, and collateral adequacy, among other factors. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

 

Pass – Includes credits of the highest quality as well as credits with positive primary repayment source but one or more characteristics that are of higher than average risk.

 

Special Mention – Have a potential weakness that if left uncorrected may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the lease or loan or of the Company’s credit position at some future date.

 

Substandard – Are inadequately protected by the paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral, if any. Substandard credits have a well-defined weakness that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt or indicate the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

 

Doubtful – Based on current information and events, collection of all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the lease or loan agreement is considered highly questionable and improbable.

 

The risk classification of financing receivables by portfolio class is as follows:

 

(in thousands)		Commercial Leases				Education Government Non-profit Leases				Commercial & Industrial Loans				Commercial Real Estate Loans				Total Financing Receivable
As of June 30, 2015:
Pass		$	219,814			$	69,865			$	234,076			$	7,523			$	531,278
Special Mention			6,080				304				4,910				-				11,294
Substandard			5,435				217				-				-				5,652
Doubtful			14				4				-				-				18
		$	231,343			$	70,390			$	238,986			$	7,523			$	548,242
Non-accrual		$	37			$	4			$	-			$	-			$	41
As of June 30, 2014:
Pass		$	245,360			$	76,569			$	108,453			$	2,344			$	432,726
Special Mention			6,440				566				9,881				-				16,887
Substandard			4				972				4,917				5,563				11,456
Doubtful			20				4				-				-				24
		$	251,824			$	78,111			$	123,251			$	7,907			$	461,093
Non-accrual		$	43			$	4			$	-			$	-			$	47

 

The accrual of interest income on leases and loans will be discontinued when the customer becomes ninety days or more past due on its lease or loan payments with the Company, unless the Company believes the investment is otherwise recoverable. Leases and loans may be placed on non-accrual earlier if the Company has significant doubt about the ability of the customer to meet its lease or loan obligations, as evidenced by consistent delinquency, deterioration in the customer’s financial condition or other relevant factors. Payments received while on non-accrual are applied to reduce the Company’s recorded value. A lease with a net balance of $2.7 million was placed on non-accrual in July 2015, and is not included in past due leases at June 30, 2015.

 

The following table presents the aging of the financing receivables by portfolio class:

 

(in thousands)		31-89 Days				Greater Than 90 Days				Total Past Due				Current				Total Financing Receivable				Over 90 Days & Accruing
As of June 30, 2015:
Commercial Leases		$	2,733			$	37			$	2,770			$	228,573			$	231,343			$	-
Education, Government, Non-profit Leases			8				4				12				70,378				70,390				-
Commercial and Industrial Loans			-				-				-				238,986				238,986				-
Commercial Real Estate Loans			-				-				-				7,523				7,523				-
		$	2,741			$	41			$	2,782			$	545,460			$	548,242			$	-
As of June 30, 2014:
Commercial Leases		$	-			$	43			$	43			$	251,781			$	251,824			$	-
Education, Government, Non-profit Leases			-				4				4				78,107				78,111				-
Commercial and Industrial Loans			-				-				-				123,251				123,251				-
Commercial Real Estate Loans			-				-				-				7,907				7,907				-
		$	-			$	47			$	47			$	461,046			$	461,093			$	-

 

The following table presents the allowance balances and activity in the allowance related to financing receivables, along with the recorded investment and allowance determined based on impairment method as of June 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

(in thousands)		Commercial Leases				Education Government Non-profit Leases				Commercial & Industrial Loans				Commercial Real Estate Loans				Total Financing Receivable
As of June 30, 2015:
Allowance for lease and loan losses
Balance beginning of period		$	2,510			$	817			$	1,761			$	211			$	5,299
Charge-offs			(19	)			-				-				-				(19	)
Recoveries			1				-				-				-				1
Provision			100				-				1,175				(100	)			1,175
Balance end of period		$	2,592			$	817			$	2,936			$	111			$	6,456
Individually evaluated for impairment		$	563			$	58			$	-			$	-			$	621
Collectively evaluated for impairment			2,029				759				2,936				111				5,835
Total ending allowance balance		$	2,592			$	817			$	2,936			$	111			$	6,456
Finance receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment		$	5,449			$	221			$	-			$	-			$	5,670
Collectively evaluated for impairment			225,894				70,169				238,986				7,523				542,572
Total ending finance receivable balance		$	231,343			$	70,390			$	238,986			$	7,523			$	548,242
As of June 30, 2014:
Allowance for lease and loan losses
Balance beginning of period		$	2,557			$	618			$	1,561			$	411			$	5,147
Charge-offs			(61	)			(1	)			-				-				(62	)
Recoveries			14				-				-				-				14
Provision			-				200				200				(200	)			200
Balance end of period		$	2,510			$	817			$	1,761			$	211			$	5,299
Individually evaluated for impairment		$	27			$	191			$	-			$	-			$	218
Collectively evaluated for impairment			2,483				626				1,761				211				5,081
Total ending allowance balance		$	2,510			$	817			$	1,761			$	211			$	5,299
Finance receivables
Individually evaluated for impairment		$	73			$	976			$	-			$	-			$	1,049
Collectively evaluated for impairment			251,751				77,135				123,251				7,907				460,044
Total ending finance receivable balance		$	251,824			$	78,111			$	123,251			$	7,907			$	461,093

 

Note 9 – Borrowings:

 

CalFirst Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and can take advantage of FHLB programs for overnight and term advances at published daily rates. Under terms of a blanket collateral agreement, advances from the FHLB are collateralized by qualifying real estate loans and investment securities. The Bank also has authority to borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) discount window amounts secured by certain lease receivables. Borrowing capacity from the FHLB or FRB may fluctuate based upon the acceptability and risk rating of securities, loan and lease collateral and both the FRB and FHLB could adjust advance rates applied to such collateral at their discretion. 

 

Short-term borrowings consist of funds with remaining maturities of one year or less and long-term debt consists of borrowings with remaining maturities greater than one year. The borrowings from the FHLB and weighted average interest rates at June 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

		June 30, 2015								June 30, 2014
(dollars in thousands)		Amount				Weighted Average Rate				Amount				Weighted Average Rate
Short-term borrowings
FHLB advances		$	42,000				0.32	%		$	6,858				0.27	%

 

At June 30, 2015, there was estimated available borrowing capacity from the FHLB of $27.1 million related to qualifying real estate loans of $6.7 million and securities with a carrying value of $66.4 million. There were no borrowings from the FRB, leaving availability of approximately $100.2 million secured by $128.6 million of lease receivables.

 

Note 10 – Deposits:

 

The composition of deposits is as follows:

 

		June 30, 2015								June 30, 2014
		(dollars in thousands)
Non-interest bearing deposits
Demand deposits		$	2,193				0.5	%		$	1,060				0.3	%
Interest-bearing deposits
Demand deposits			2,715				0.6	%			1,168				0.3	%
Savings deposits			65,539				13.9	%			63,355				17.8	%
Time certificates of deposits			401,459				85.0	%			290,227				81.6	%
Total Deposits		$	471,906				100.0	%		$	355,810				100.0	%

 

Included in savings deposits at June 30, 2015 is a deposit in the amount of $21.0 million from an affiliate, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, of the Company. The terms of such account are the same terms offered on similar accounts to non-affiliated depositors.

 

Time certificates of deposits with balances of more than $250,000 were $82.2 million and $47.3 million at June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

At June 30, 2015, the scheduled maturities of time certificates of deposit are as follows:

 

Years Ending:		(in thousands)
2016		$	321,157
2017			67,339
2018			12,963
Total time certificates of deposit		$	401,459

 

Note 11 – Fair Value Measurement:

 

ASC Topic 820: “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. ASC Topic 820 establishes a three-tiered value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs based on the extent to which inputs used are observable in the market and requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.  If a value is based on inputs that fall in different levels of the hierarchy, the instrument will be categorized based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value calculation. The three levels of inputs are defined as follows:

 

·

Level 1 - Valuation is based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets;

·

Level 2 - Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market;

·

Level 3 - Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use inputs not observable in the market and based on the entity’s own judgment. Level 3 valuation techniques could include the use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and rely on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

 

 

ASC 820 applies whenever other accounting pronouncements require presentation of fair value measurements, but does not change existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument is carried at fair value. As such, ASC 820 does not apply to the Company’s investment in leases. The Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis include primarily securities available-for-sale and at June 30, 2015, there were no liabilities subject to ASC 820. 

 

Securities available-for-sale include U.S. Treasury securities, corporate and municipal bonds, U.S. government agency (“Agency”) mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), mutual fund and equity investments and generally are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. The fair value of corporate and municipal bonds and the MBS are obtained from independent quotation bureaus that use computerized valuation formulas to calculate current values based on observable transactions, but not a quoted bid, or are valued using prices obtained from the custodian, who uses third party data service providers (Level 2 input). U.S. Treasury securities, mutual funds and equity investments are valued by reference to the market closing or last trade price (Level 1 inputs). In the unlikely event that no trade occurred on the applicable date, an indicative bid or the last trade most proximate to the applicable date would be used (Level 2 input).

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

Description of Assets / Liabilities		Total Fair Value				Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
		(in thousands)
As of June 30, 2015
U.S. Treasury Notes		$	47,770			$	47,770			$	-			$	-
Corporate debt securities			13,152				-				13,152				-
Agency MBS			18,669				-				18,669				-
Securities of state and political subdivisions			412				-				412				-
Mutual fund investments			1,209				1,209				-				-
		$	81,212			$	48,979			$	32,233			$	-
As of June 30, 2014
U.S. Treasury notes		$	7,973			$	7,973			$	-			$	-
Corporate debt securities			16,310				-				16,310				-
Securities of state and political subdivisions			427				-				427				-
Mutual fund investment			1,261				1,261				-				-
Equity investment			793				793				-				-
		$	26,764			$	10,027			$	16,737			$	-

 

Certain financial instruments, such as collateral dependent impaired loans, are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances, usually if there was evidence of impairment. The Company had no such assets or liabilities at June 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

Note 12 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

 

In accordance with ASC 825-50, the following table summarizes the estimated fair value of financial instruments as of June 30, 2015, and June 30, 2014, and includes financial instruments that are not accounted for or carried at fair value. In accordance with disclosure guidance, certain financial instruments, including all lease related assets and liabilities and all non-financial instruments are excluded from fair value of financial instrument disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate of the fair values presented does not represent the total underlying value of the Company. These fair value estimates are based on relevant market information and data, however, given there is no active market or observable market transactions for certain financial instruments, the Company has made estimates of fair values which are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision.  Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimated values.

 

 

For cash and cash equivalents and demand and savings deposits, because of their short-term nature, the carrying amounts approximate the fair value and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Values for investments and available-for-sale securities are determined as set forth in Note 2 and 11. The fair values of loan participations that trade regularly in the secondary market are based upon current bid prices in such market at the measurement date and are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. For other loans, the estimated fair value is calculated based on discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality and are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. These calculations have been adjusted for credit risk based on the Company’s historical credit loss experience. The fair value of certificates of deposit and short-term borrowings are estimated based on discounted cash flows using current offered market rates or interest rates for borrowings of similar maturity and are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

The estimated fair values of financial instruments were as follows:

 

		June 30, 2015								June 30, 2014
		Carrying Amount				Estimated Fair Value				Carrying Amount				Estimated Fair Value
		(in thousands)
Financial Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	60,240			$	60,240			$	40,122			$	40,122
Investments			3,334				3,349				2,552				2,567
Securities available-for-sale			81,212				81,212				26,764				26,764
Commercial loan participations			227,238				226,627				111,472				111,691
Other loans			16,224				16,381				17,714				17,929
Financial Liabilities:
Demand and savings deposits			70,447				70,447				65,583				65,583
Time certificate of deposits			401,459				401,211				290,227				290,044
Short-term borrowings		$	42,000			$	42,004			$	6,858			$	6,858

 

Note 13 – Income Taxes:

 

The Company accounts for its income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Among other provisions, this standard requires deferred tax balances to be determined using the enacted income tax rate for the years in which taxes will be paid or refunds received. The Company is subject to U.S. Federal income tax jurisdiction, as well as multiple state and local jurisdictions as a result of doing business in most states. The Company’s Federal tax returns remain subject to examination from 2013 forward, while state income tax returns are generally open from 2011 forward, and vary by individual state statute of limitation. The Company believes that its accrual for income taxes is adequate for adjustments, if any, which may result from these examinations.

 

The provision for income taxes is summarized as follows:

 

		Years ended June 30,
		2015				2014				2013
		(in thousands)
Current tax (benefit) expense:
Federal		$	8,652			$	6,299			$	8,890
State			1,067				912				721
			9,719				7,211				9,611
Deferred tax (benefit) expense:
Federal			(3,678	)			(2,792	)			(5,083	)
State			(281	)			(397	)			(197	)
			(3,959	)			(3,189	)			(5,280	)
		$	5,760			$	4,022			$	4,331

 

At June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company had an income taxes receivable balance of $231,000 and $1,658,000 respectively.

 

Deferred taxes result principally from the method of recording lease income on capital leases and depreciation methods for tax reporting, which differ from financial statement reporting. Deferred income tax liabilities (assets) are comprised of the following:

 

		June 30,
		2015				2014
		(in thousands)
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Tax operating leases		$	14,003			$	16,729
Deferred selling expenses			965				1,011
Depreciation			77				-
Other investments			19				134
Total liabilities			15,064				17,874
Deferred income tax assets:
Allowances and reserves			(2,741	)			(2,255	)
Other			-				(13	)
State income taxes			(374	)			(319	)
Stock-based compensation			(5	)			(3	)
Total assets			(3,120	)			(2,590	)
Net deferred income tax liabilities		$	11,944			$	15,284

 

The differences between the Federal statutory income tax rate and the Company's effective tax rate are as follows:

 

		Years ended June 30,
		2015				2014				2013
Federal statutory rate			35.00	%			35.00	%			35.00	%
State tax, net of Federal benefit			5.31				4.65				4.41
Other, mainly tax exempt leases			(1.41	)			(2.25	)			(2.31	)
Derecognition of uncertain tax positions			-				(1.10	)			-
Effective rate			38.90	%			36.30	%			37.10	%

 

As of June 30, 2015, there was $188,000 of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. The Company’s policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. As of June 30, 2015, accrued penalties and interest on unrecognized tax benefits are estimated to be $33,000.

 

The following table sets forth the change in unrecognized tax benefits:

 

		Years ended June 30,
		2015				2014
		(in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period		$	188			$	310
Increase for tax positions in current year			47				57
Increase (decrease)  for tax positions taken in prior years			(48	)			(146	)
Lapse of statute of limitations			-				(8	)
Increase (decrease) for interest and penalties			1				(25	)
Balance, end of period		$	188			$	188

 

At June 30, 2015, there were no material changes to the liability for uncertain tax positions and unrecognized tax benefits. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits may increase or decrease in the future for various reasons; including additions related to current year tax provisions, the expiration of the statute of limitations on open tax years, the status of examinations and changes in management judgment.

 

 

Note 14 – Capital Structure and Stock-based Compensation:

 

At June 30, 2015, the Company has 20,000,000 authorized shares of common stock and is authorized to issue 2,500,000 shares of preferred stock, from time to time, in one or more series and to fix the voting powers, designations, preferences and the relative participating, optional or other rights, if any, of any wholly unissued series of preferred stock.

 

In November 1995, the Company’s stockholders approved the 1995 Equity Participation Plan (the “1995 Plan”). The 1995 Plan provides for the granting of options, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to key employees, directors and consultants of the Company. Under the 1995 Plan, the maximum number of shares of common stock that can be issued upon the exercise of options or SARs, or upon the vesting of restricted stock awards, was initially 1,000,000, but the maximum number of available shares of common stock could increase by an amount equal to 1% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock as of June 30 of the fiscal year immediately preceding such fiscal year. Each grant or issuance under the 1995 Plan is set forth in a separate agreement and indicates, as determined by the stock option committee, the type, terms, vesting period and conditions of the award.

 

There were no option grants in fiscal years 2015 and 2014. In fiscal year 2013, the Company issued a grant for 10,000 shares. The fair value of each grant is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2013.

 

Risk free interest rate			1.60	%
Option life (in years)			10
Dividend yield			7.04	%
Volatility			32.68	%
Fair value			2.21

 

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense for the years ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 and 2013 of $4,400, $4,400 and $4,100, respectively. As of June 30, 2015, the Company had $9,200 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense to be recognized over the next 25 months.

  

The following table summarizes activity related to stock options for the periods indicated:

 

		June 30,
		2015								2014								2013
		Shares				Weighted Average Exercise Price				Shares				Weighted Average Exercise Price				Shares				Weighted Average Exercise Price
Options outstanding at beginning of period			10,000			$	16.00				22,697			$	13.91				26,240			$	12.19
Exercised			-				-				(12,697	)			12.26				(13,543	)			12.13
Granted			-				-				-				-				10,000				16.00
Options outstanding at end of period			10,000			$	16.00				10,000			$	16.00				22,697			$	13.91
Options exercisable at end of period			4,000								2,000								12,697
Shares available for issuance			2,115,246								2,010,647								1,906,175

 

As of June 30, 2015
Options Outstanding																Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise prices				Number Outstanding				Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)				Weighted Average Exercise Price				Number Exercisable				Weighted Average Exercise Price
$16.00	-	$16.00			10,000				7.08				$16.00				4,000				$16.00

 

At June 30, 2015, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and options exercisable was $0. There were no options exercised during the year ended June 30, 2015. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the year ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $35,496 and $50,809, respectively.

 

 

Note 15 – Regulatory Capital Requirements:

 

The Company and CalFirst Bank are subject to regulatory capital adequacy guidelines administered by federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in the initiation of certain actions by the federal agencies that, if undertaken, could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. The Basel III capital standard became effective January 2, 2015 and phases in through 2019. It revises the definition of capital, increases minimum capital ratios, introduces regulatory capital buffers above those minimums, introduces a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio and revises the rules for calculating risk-weighted assets. Effective January 2, 2015 Basel III capital standards require the Company and Bank to maintain minimum ratios of core capital to adjusted average assets of 4.0%, common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.5%, tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 6.0% and total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%.

 

The following table presents capital and capital ratio information for the Company and CalFirst Bank as of June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, with information for June 30, 2015 reflecting the transition to the Basel III capital standard from previous regulatory capital adequacy guidelines under the Basel I framework. Under Basel III, the Bank could make a one-time election to opt out of the requirement to include components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in common equity Tier 1 capital. The Bank has elected to opt-out of the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) requirement. The adoption of the new capital standard had an immaterial impact on capital levels and related ratios and the Company and Bank continue to exceed regulatory capital requirements and are considered “well-capitalized” under guidelines established by federal regulators.

 

		June 30,
		2015									2014
		(dollars in thousands)
California First National Bancorp		Amount				Ratio					Amount				Ratio
Common equity Tier 1 capital		$	187,987				29.17	%			$	183,321				31.84	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital		$	187,987				29.17	%			$	183,321				31.84	%
Total risk-based capital		$	194,493				30.18	%			$	188,645				32.76	%
Tier 1 leverage capital		$	187,987				26.79	%			$	183,321				32.80	%
California First National Bank
Common equity Tier 1 capital		$	109,147				17.65	%			$	102,780				19.61	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital		$	109,147				17.65	%			$	102,780				19.61	%
Total risk-based capital		$	115,306				18.65	%			$	107,639				20.54	%
Tier 1 leverage capital		$	109,147				17.10	%			$	102,780				21.09	%

 

Note 16 – Commitments and Contingencies:

 

The Company has commitments to extend credit provided there is no violation of any condition in the terms of the approval or agreement. At June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company had approved lease and loan commitments of $88.4 million and $98.1 million, respectively. These lease and loan commitments are approved transactions, but it is likely that some portion of these commitments will not fund or be completed. The Company does not issue standby letters of credit.

 

Leases

 

The Company leases its corporate offices under an operating lease that expires in fiscal 2019. Rent expense was $634,000 (2015), $680,000 (2014) and $922,000 (2013).

 

Years ending June 30,		Future minimum lease payments (in thousands)
2016		$	656
2017			689
2018			720
2019			121
		$	2,186

 

 

Litigation

 

From time to time, the Company is party to legal actions and administrative proceedings and subject to various claims arising out of the Company’s normal business activities. Management does not expect the outcome of any of these matters, individually and in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

401(k) Plan

 

Employees of the Company may participate in a voluntary defined contribution plan (the "401K Plan") qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Under the 401K Plan, employees who have met certain age and service requirements may contribute up to a certain percentage of their compensation. The Company has made contributions of $97,607 (2015), $121,889 (2014) and $117,964 (2013).

 

Note 17 – Segment Reporting:

 

The Company’s leasing subsidiary, CalFirst Leasing, and banking subsidiary, CalFirst Bank, are considered to be two different business segments. The accounting policies of each segment are the same as those described in “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” (see Note 1). Below is a summary of each segment’s financial results for 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

		CalFirst Bank				CalFirst Leasing				Bancorp and Eliminating Entries				Consolidated
		(in thousands)
Year end June 30, 2015:
Total interest income		$	21,092			$	1,912			$	1			$	23,005
Net interest income after provision for credit losses			15,730				2,154				1				17,885
Non-interest income			3,947				4,762				-				8,709
Net earnings			6,367				3,577				(889	)			9,055
Total assets		$	671,785			$	90,337			$	(31,048	)		$	731,074
Year end June 30, 2014:
Total interest income		$	17,062			$	2,678			$	1			$	19,741
Net interest income after provision for credit losses			13,783				2,720				1				16,504
Non-interest income			2,520				3,044				-				5,564
Net earnings			5,081				2,817				(847	)			7,051
Total assets		$	518,940			$	92,787			$	(32,177	)		$	579,550
Year end June 30, 2013:
Total interest income		$	16,905			$	4,493			$	5			$	21,403
Net interest income after provision for credit losses			13,590				4,869				5				18,464
Non-interest income			2,020				2,811				0				4,831
Net earnings			4,960				2,817				(423	)			7,354
Total assets		$	464,864			$	89,342			$	4,697			$	558,903

 

Note 18 – California First National Bancorp (Parent Only) Financial Information:

 

The condensed financial statements of California First National Bancorp as of June 30, 2015 and 2014 and for the years ended June 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are presented as follows:

 

Condensed Balance Sheets		June 30,
(in thousands, except share amounts)		2015				2014
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	3,091			$	2,796
Intercompany receivable			69				32
Investment in banking subsidiary			109,382				103,000
Investment in nonbanking subsidiaries			75,706				77,337
Intercompany note receivable			-				-
Other assets			664				1,170
Premises and other fixed assets			197				261
		$	189,109			$	184,596
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Accrued liabilities		$	492			$	495
Intercompany payable			120				126
Income taxes payable- deferred			279				230
			891				851
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock; 2,500,000 shares authorized; none issued			-				-
Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 10,459,924 (2015) and 10,459,924 (2014) issued and outstanding			105				105
Additional paid in capital			3,376				3,372
Retained earnings			184,506				179,844
Other comprehensive income, net of tax			231				424
			188,218				183,745
		$	189,109			$	184,596

 

Condensed Statements of Earnings		Years Ended June 30,
(in thousands)		2015				2014				2013
Income:
Dividends from non-bank subsidiary		$	5,000			$	-			$	-
Management fee income bank subsidiary			676				569				336
Management fee income non-bank subsidiaries			151				151				628
Interest income non-bank subsidiaries			-				22				331
Other interest income			1				1				5
			5,828				743				1,300
Non-interest Expenses:
Salaries & benefits			1,209				1,186				1,332
Occupancy			95				140				142
Professional services			244				274				282
Other general & administrative			322				488				171
			1,870				2,088				1,927
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries			3,958				(1,345	)			(627	)
Income tax expense			(154	)			(498	)			(204	)
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries			4,943				7,898				7,777
Net Income		$	9,055			$	7,051			$	7,354

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows		Years Ended June 30,
(in thousands)		2015				2014				2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income		$	9,055			$	7,051			$	7,354
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows:
Deferred income taxes			49				(706	)			558
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries			(4,943	)			(7,898	)			(7,777	)
Net change in other liabilities			(3	)			74				(797	)
Net change in other assets			510				37				(347	)
Other, net			64				(68	)			(25	)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities			4,732				(1,510	)			(1,034	)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for investments in and (advances to) subsidiaries			(44	)			3,745				22,192
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities			(44	)			3,745				22,192
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			-				156				164
Dividends paid			(4,393	)			(4,179	)			(22,985	)
Net cash used for financing activities			(4,393	)			(4,023	)			(22,821	)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			295				(1,788	)			(1,663	)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD			2,796				4,584				6,247
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD		$	3,091			$	2,796			$	4,584

 

Note 19 – Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited):

 

Summarized quarterly financial data for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

 

		Three Months Ended
		September 30,				December 31,				March 31,				June 30,
2015
Total interest income		$	5,257			$	5,714			$	5,787			$	6,247
Net interest income after provision for credit losses			4,124				4,403				4,674				4,684
Non-interest income			2,547				4,665				967				530
Net earnings		$	2,459			$	3,557			$	1,678			$	1,360
Basic earnings per common share		$	0.24			$	0.34			$	0.16			$	0.13
Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.24			$	0.34			$	0.16			$	0.13
Dividends declared per common share		$	-			$	0.42			$	-			$	-

 

2014
Total finance and loan income		$	5,012			$	4,877			$	4,849			$	5,003
Net interest income after provision for credit losses			4,220				4,113				4,121				4,050
Non-interest income			1,412				2,190				626				1,336
Net earnings		$	1,831			$	2,184			$	1,190			$	1,846
Basic earnings per common share		$	0.18			$	0.21			$	0.11			$	0.18
Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.18			$	0.21			$	0.11			$	0.18
Dividends declared per common share		$	-			$	0.40			$	-			$	-

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company's management, including its principal executive officer and its principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective for the purposes set forth in the definition in Exchange Act rules.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

The management of California First National Bancorp is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

 

·

Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

·

Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

·

Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2015. In making its assessment, management used the criteria set forth in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). The assessment included the documentation and understanding of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Management evaluated the design effectiveness and tested the operating effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting to form its conclusion.

 

Based on this evaluation, management concluded that, as of June 30, 2015, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective to provide reasonable assurance that the Company’s financial statements are fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Vavrinek, Trine, Day and Co., LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, is not required to nor has it reported on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2015.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no significant changes made during the most recent fiscal year to the Company's internal controls or other factors that could significantly affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement to be filed not later than October 28, 2015 with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

We have a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics within the meaning of Item 406 of Regulation S-K adopted by the SEC under the Exchange Act that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial and accounting officer. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on the Company’s website (www.calfirstbancorp.com), and we intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our code of ethics by posting such information on our website. The information contained on the Company’s website is not part of this or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC and is not incorporated by reference herein.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement to be filed not later than October 28, 2015 with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement to be filed not later than October 28, 2015 with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement to be filed not later than October 28, 2015 with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement to be filed not later than October 28, 2015 with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a)

Financial Statements and Schedules

All financial statements are set forth under Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K. Financial statement schedules have been omitted since they are either not required, not applicable, or the information is otherwise included.

(b)

Exhibits:

 

Exhibit #		Description of Exhibit		Page No.
2.1		Agreement of Merger dated as of May 22, 2001 among Amplicon, Inc., California First National Bancorp and CFNB Merger Sub (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Registrant's Statement on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2001)
3.1		Articles of Incorporation of California First National Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Statement on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2001)
3.2		Bylaws of California First National Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's Statement on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2001)
10.1		1995 Equity Participation Plan, as amended to date (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Statement on Form S-8 File No. 333-15683)
10.2		Capital Assurances and Liquidity Maintenance Agreement between California First National Bancorp and California First National Bank, effective as of May 23, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Statement on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2001)
10.3		Agreement by and between California First National Bank and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency dated as of May 23, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant's Statement on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2001)
10.4		Business Loan Agreement between California First Leasing Corporation and Bank of America dated as of March 25, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Registrant's Statement on Form 8-K dated April 20, 2010)
10.5		Second Amendment to the Business Loan Agreement between California First Leasing Corporation and Bank of America dated as of April 26, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Registrant's March 31, 2011 10-Q)
10.6		Third Amendment to the Business Loan Agreement between California First Leasing Corporation and Bank of America dated as of April 20, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Registrant's March 31, 2012 10-Q)
31.1		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer		59
31.2		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications of Principal Financial Officer		60
32.0		Section 1350 Certifications by Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer		61

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

CALIFORNIA FIRST NATIONAL BANCORP

 

 

By:		/s/ S. Leslie Jewett		Date:		September 22, 2015
		S. Leslie Jewett Executive Vice President (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes each of Patrick E. Paddon, S. Leslie Jewett and Glen T. Tsuma as attorney-in-fact to sign on his behalf, individually in each capacity stated below, and to file all amendments and/or supplements to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Patrick E. Paddon		President, Chief Executive		September 22, 2015
Patrick E. Paddon		Officer and Director
/s/ Glen T. Tsuma		Vice President, Chief Operating		September 22, 2015
Glen T. Tsuma		Officer and Director
/s/ S. Leslie Jewett		Executive Vice President		September 22, 2015
S. Leslie Jewett		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Michael H. Lowry		Director		September 22, 2015
Michael H. Lowry
/s/ Harris Ravine		Director		September 22, 2015
Harris Ravine
/s/ Danilo Cacciamatta		Director		September 22, 2015
Danilo Cacciamatta

 

 

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