FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark one)

 

[X]     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September  30, 2015

 

Or

 

[   ]     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 0-25045

 

CENTRAL FEDERAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

7000 North High St.,  Worthington, Ohio  43085

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(614) 334-7979

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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 Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes [X]        No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark 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 [X]   No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer [  ]Accelerated filer [  ]  Non-accelerated filer [  ]  Smaller reporting company [X]

 

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

 

As of November  12, 2015, there were 16,033,710 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

 

 

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NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation: 

The consolidated financial statements include Central Federal Corporation (the “Holding Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, CFBank.  The Holding Company and CFBank are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Company”.  Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.  The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in compliance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  Because this report is based on an interim period, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted.

In the opinion of the management of the Company, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition and the results of operations for the periods presented.  These adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q. The financial performance reported for the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 is not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  This information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s latest Annual Report to Stockholders and Form 10-K.  Reference is made to the accounting policies of the Company described in Note 1 to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report that was filed as Exhibit 13.1 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (referred to herein as the “2014 Audited Financial Statements”).  The Company has consistently followed those policies in preparing this Form 10-Q.

Loans:  Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, adjusted for purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs and an allowance for loan losses (ALLL).  Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance.  Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level yield method without anticipating prepayments. 

The accrual of interest income on all classes of loans, except other consumer loans, is discontinued and the loan is placed on nonaccrual status at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well-secured and in process of collection.  Other consumer loans are typically charged off no later than 90 days past due.  Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan for all classes of loans.  In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.  Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days still on accrual include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans.  Commercial loans, multi-family residential real estate loans and commercial real estate loans placed on nonaccrual status are individually classified as impaired loans.

All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income in the period in which the loan is placed in a nonaccrual status.  Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual status.  Loans are considered for return to accrual status if and when all the principal and interest amounts that are contractually due are brought current, there is a current and well documented credit analysis, there is reasonable assurance of repayment of principal and interest, and the customer has demonstrated sustained, amortizing payment performance of at least six months.

Allowance for Loan Losses (ALLL):  The ALLL is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses.  Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed.  Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.  Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors.  Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off.

The allowance consists of specific and general components.  The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that CFBank will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Loans within any loan class for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, are considered troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) and classified as impaired.  

 

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Factors considered by management in determining impairment for all loan classes include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired.  Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

All loans within the commercial, multi-family residential and commercial real estate segments, regardless of size, and loans of all other classes with balances over $250 are individually evaluated for impairment when they are 90 days past due, or earlier than 90 days past due if information regarding the payment capacity of the borrower indicates that payment in full according to the loan terms is doubtful.  If a loan is impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate, or at the fair value of collateral, less costs to sell, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral.  Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as consumer and single-family residential real estate loans, are collectively evaluated for impairment, and accordingly, they are not separately identified for impairment disclosures.

TDRs of all classes of loans are separately identified for impairment disclosures and are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective rate at inception.  If a TDR is considered to be a collateral dependent loan, the loan is reported, net, at the fair value of the collateral. If the payment of the loan is dependent on the sale of the collateral, then costs to liquidate the collateral are included when determining the impairment.  For TDRs that subsequently default, the amount of reserve is determined in accordance with the accounting policy for the ALLL.

Interest income on all classes of impaired loans that are on nonaccrual status is recognized in accordance with the accounting policy on nonaccrual loans.  Cash receipts on all classes of impaired loans that are on nonaccrual status are generally applied to the principal balance outstanding.  Interest income on all classes of impaired loans that are not on nonaccrual status is recognized on the accrual method.  TDRs may be classified as accruing if the borrower has been current for a period of at least six months with respect to loan payments and management expects that the borrower will be able to continue to make payments in accordance with the terms of the restructured loan.

The general reserve component covers non-impaired loans of all classes and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors.  The historical loss experience is determined by loan class and is based on the actual loss history experienced by CFBank over a three-year period.  The general component is calculated based on CFBank’s loan balances and actual three-year historical loss rates.  For loans with little or no actual loss experience, industry estimates are used based on loan segment. This actual loss experience is supplemented with other economic and judgmental factors based on the risks present for each loan class.  These economic and judgmental factors include consideration of the following:  levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards; other changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices; experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentrations.

CFBank’s charge-off policy for commercial loans, single-family residential real estate loans, multi-family residential real estate loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans and home equity lines of credit requires management to record a specific reserve or charge-off as soon as it is apparent that the borrower is troubled and there is, or likely will be, a collateral shortfall related to the estimated value of the collateral securing the loan.  Other consumer loans are typically charged off no later than 90 days past due.

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Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share: The two-class method is used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share.  Under the two-class method, earnings available to common stockholders for the period are allocated between common stockholders and participating securities (unvested share-based payment awards) according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings.  The factors used in the earnings per share computation follow: 

 

 

 

The following securities exercisable for or convertible into common shares were anti-dilutive and not considered in computing diluted earnings (loss) per common share.

 

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Adoption of New Accounting Standards:

In January 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU” or “Update”) 2014-01, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects (January 2014).  This Update permits entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met.  The ASU modifies the conditions that an entity must meet to be eligible to use a method other than the equity or cost methods to account for qualified affordable housing project investments.  The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014.  The amendments in this Update should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented.  Adoption of the ASU did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure (January 2014).  The objective of this Update is to reduce diversity by clarifying when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan such that the loan receivable should be derecognized and the real estate property recognized.  The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014.  The amendments in this Update may be adopted using either a modified retrospective transition method or a prospective transition method.  Adoption of the ASU did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity (April 2014).  This Update seeks to better define the groups of assets which qualify for discontinued operations, in order to ease the burden and cost for preparers and stakeholders.  This Update changed “the criteria for reporting discontinued operations” and related reporting requirements, including the provision for disclosures about the “disposal of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations presentation.”  The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014.  Early adoption is permitted only for disposals or classifications as held for sale.  The Company has adopted the methodologies prescribed by this ASU by the date required.  Adoption of the ASU did not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (May 2014).    The topic of Revenue Recognition had become broad with several other regulatory agencies issuing standards, which lacked cohesion.  The new guidance establishes a “comprehensive framework” and “reduces the number of requirements to which an entity must consider in recognizing revenue” and yet provides improved disclosures to assist stakeholders reviewing financial statements.  The amendments in this Update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  Early adoption is not permitted.  The Company will adopt the methodologies prescribed by this ASU by the date required.  Adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures (June 2014).  This Update addresses the concerns of stakeholders by changing the accounting practices surrounding repurchase agreements.  The new guidance changes the “accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and linked repurchase financings to secured borrowing accounting, which is consistent with the accounting for other repurchase agreements.”  The amendments in this Update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is prohibited.  The Company has adopted the methodologies prescribed by this ASU by the date required.  Adoption of the ASU did not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period (June 2014).  This Update defines the accounting treatment for share-based payments and “resolves the diverse accounting treatment of those awards in practice.” The new requirement mandates that “a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition.”  Compensation cost will now be recognized in the period in which it becomes likely that the performance target will be met.   The amendments in this Update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted.  The Company will adopt the methodologies prescribed by this ASU by the date required.  Adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

The FASB has issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40):  Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.  ASU 2014-15 is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures.  Under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), financial statements are prepared under the presumption that the reporting organization will continue to operate as a going concern, except in limited circumstances.  Financial reporting under this presumption is commonly referred to as the going concern basis of accounting.  The going concern basis of accounting is critical to financial reporting because it establishes the fundamental basis for measuring and classifying assets and liabilities.  Currently, GAAP lacks guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the organization’s ability to continue as a going concern or to provide related footnote disclosures. This ASU provides guidance to an organization’s management, with principles and definitions that are intended to reduce diversity in the timing and content of disclosures that are commonly provided by organizations today in the financial statement footnotes. Adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

COSO’s Internal Control Framework has been updated and enhanced.  Since its release in 1992, COSO’s Internal Control – Integrated Framework has been widely accepted and adopted around the world. The updated framework, issued on May 14, 2013, maintains the fundamental elements of the original:  five components of an internal control system—control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication—and monitoring activities supporting three categories of objectives:  effectiveness and efficiency of operations, reliability of reporting and compliance with applicable laws and regulations, structured through management’s judgment.  The five components are evaluated through principles and recommended points of focus.  A significant enhancement, however, is the expansion of the reporting objective to include nonfinancial and internal reporting objectives.  The mandatory principles have been updated to reflect today’s business environment—an environment of increased governance, regulatory and compliance demands and increased use of technology and complex business models. The original framework still may be used through December 15, 2014; beyond that date, COSO will consider the original framework obsolete. Adoption of the updated COSO Integrated Framework is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s internal control environment or financial reporting.

General Litigation

The Company is subject to claims and lawsuits that arise primarily in the ordinary course of business.  It is the opinion of management that the disposition or ultimate resolution of such claims and lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company. 

Reclassifications

Reclassification of certain amounts in the 2014 consolidated financial statements have been made to conform to the 2015 presentation.

 

NOTE 2- REGULATORY ORDER CONSIDERATIONS

Regulatory Order Considerations: On May 25, 2011, the Holding Company and CFBank each consented to the issuance of an Order to Cease and Desist (the “Holding Company Order” and the “CFBank Order”, respectively, and collectively, the “Orders”) by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the “OTS”), the primary regulator of the Holding Company and CFBank at the time the Orders were issued.  In July 2011, in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), the Federal Reserve Board (the “FRB”) replaced the OTS as the primary regulator of the Holding Company and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) replaced the OTS as the primary regulator of CFBank.

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The Orders imposed significant directives applicable to the Holding Company and CFBank, including requirements that we reduce the level of our classified and criticized assets, achieve growth and operating metrics in line with an approved business plan, and comply with restrictions on brokered deposits and on certain types of lending and prohibitions on dividends and repurchases of our capital stock.  The CFBank Order required CFBank to have 8% core capital and 12% total risk-based capital, and CFBank could not be considered well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action regulations so long as the CFBank Order remained in place, even if it met or exceeded these capital levels.    In addition, the regulators were required to approve any deviation from our business plan and certain compensation arrangements with directors and executive officers.

Effective as of January 23, 2014, the OCC released and terminated the CFBank Order based upon the improved capital position of CFBank, among other factors.  Notwithstanding the release of the CFBank Order, CFBank is required to continue to maintain a minimum Tier 1 Leverage Capital Ratio of 8% and a Total Risk-based Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets ratio of 12%.  In addition, in connection with the release and termination of the CFBank Order, CFBank has made certain commitments to the OCC to continue to adhere to certain prudent practices, including, without limitation, maintaining a written program to continue to improve CFBank’s credit underwriting and administrative process; take actions to protect its interest in criticized assets as identified by CFBank, the OCC examiners or its external loan review process; implement its written program to effectively identify, monitor, control and continue to reduce the level of credit risk to CFBank; review and monitor progress against such plan with the Board of Directors; and continue CFBank’s aggressive workout efforts and individualized workout plans on all criticized assets greater than $250,000.

On May 15, 2014, the FRB announced the termination of the Holding Company Order, effective as of May 9, 2014.  Notwithstanding the termination of the Holding Company Order, the Holding Company is required to continue to adhere to certain requirements and restrictions based on commitments made to the FRB in connection with the termination of the Holding Company Order.  These commitments require the Holding Company, among other things, to continue to implement certain actions in accordance with the capital plan previously submitted to the FRB; not declare or pay dividends on its stock, purchase or redeem its stock, or accept dividends or other capital distributions from CFBank without the prior written approval of the FRB; not incur, increase or guarantee any debt without the prior written consent of the FRB; and provide prior written notice to the FRB with respect to certain changes in directors and senior executive officers.

The significant directives contained in the Orders and the commitments made by CFBank and the Holding Company in connection with the release and termination of the Orders have provided challenges for the operation of our business and our ability to effectively compete in our markets. In addition, the Orders and our ongoing commitments to the regulators have required that we obtain approval from our regulators for any deviations from our business plan, which has limited our flexibility to make changes to the scope of our business activities. 

Under the terms of the Holding Company Order, the Holding Company was prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends on its stock, repurchasing any of its stock, or making any capital contributions to CFBank except with the prior approval of the FRB.  In accordance with the commitments made by the Holding Company in connection with the release and termination of the Holding Company Order, the Holding Company remains subject to such restrictions and, therefore, must continue to obtain the prior approval of the FRB before making any future dividends on its common stock or Series B Preferred Stock.  The Holding Company received prior approval from the FRB for the payment of a quarterly cash dividend on its Series B Preferred Stock for the quarter ended September  30, 2015 in the aggregate amount of $187  (which dividend was paid in October 2015) and in the aggregate amount of $187 for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 (which dividend was paid in October 2014).  The Holding Company also received prior approval from the FRB for the payment of quarterly cash dividends on its Series B Preferred Stock in each of the previous quarters commencing with the first dividend payment on July 15, 2014.  See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information regarding the restrictions applicable to the payment of the dividends by the Holding Company and CFBank.

We have taken such actions as we believe are necessary to comply with all requirements of the Orders and the other regulatory requirements and commitments to which we are subject, and we continue to work toward ensuring compliance with those regulatory requirements and commitments to which we continue to be subject.

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NOTE 3 – SECURITIES

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value of the available-for-sale securities portfolio at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the corresponding amounts of unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

There was no other-than-temporary impairment recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for securities available for sale at September 30, 2015 or September 30, 2014.

There were no sales of securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 or September 30, 2014; however, there was an early redemption of a municipal security during the first quarter of 2015 which is reflected in net gain (loss) on sales of securities.

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The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities at September 30, 2015 are shown in the table below by contractual maturity.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.

 

 

 

 

Fair value of securities pledged was as follows:

 

 

At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than U.S. government-sponsored entities and agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of stockholders’ equity.

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The following table summarizes securities with unrealized losses at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 aggregated by major security type and length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position.

 

 

 

 

 

The unrealized losses in Corporate debt and U.S Treasuries at September 30, 2015 are related to two securities.  The unrealized losses in Corporate debt, State and municipal securities and U.S. Treasuries at December 31, 2014 are related to multiple securities.  Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in market conditions, and not credit quality, and because the Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is likely that it will not be required to sell these securities before their anticipated recovery, the Company did not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

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NOTE 4 – LOANS

The following table presents the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment.  The recorded investment in loans includes the principal balance outstanding adjusted for purchase premiums and discounts, and deferred loan fees and costs.

 

 

Mortgage Purchase Program

CFBank has participated in a Mortgage Purchase Program with Northpointe Bank (Northpointe), a Michigan banking corporation, since December 2012.  Pursuant to the terms of a participation agreement, CFBank purchases participation interests in loans made by Northpointe related to fully underwritten and pre-sold mortgage loans originated by various prescreened mortgage brokers located throughout the U.S.  The underlying loans are individually (MERS registered) loans which are held until funded by the end investor.  The mortgage loan investors include Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and other major financial institutions such as Wells Fargo Bank.  This process on average takes approximately 14 days.  Given the short-term holding period of the underlying loans, common credit risks (such as past due, impairment and TDR, nonperforming, and nonaccrual classification) are substantially reduced.  Therefore, no allowance is allocated by CFBank to these loans.  These purchased loans are classified as portfolio loans.  These loans are 100% risk rated for CFBank capital adequacy purposes.  Northpointe maintains an ownership interest in each loan it participates.    Effective December 18, 2014, the participation agreement was amended and CFBank agreed to increase the level of interest in loans it purchases from Northpointe from 80% to 95% of the aforementioned loans, and therefore, Northpointe now maintains a 5% (reduced from 20%) ownership interest in each loan it participates.  At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, CFBank held $38,850 and $24,996, respectively, of such loans which have been included in single-family residential loan totals above.

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Allowance for Loan Losses

The ALLL is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses in the loan portfolio based on management’s evaluation of various factors including past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and other factors. A provision for loan losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of these and other pertinent factors described in Note 1 to the 2014 Audited Financial Statements. 

The following tables present the activity in the ALLL by portfolio segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015:

 

 

 

 

 

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The following tables present the activity in the ALLL by portfolio segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The following table presents the balance in the ALLL and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and based on the impairment method as of September 30, 2015:

 

 

 

The following table presents the balance in the ALLL and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and based on the impairment method as of December 31, 2014: 

 

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The following table presents loans individually evaluated for impairment by class of loans at September 30, 2015.  The unpaid principal balance is the contractual principal balance outstanding.  The recorded investment is the unpaid principal balance adjusted for partial charge-offs, purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs.  The table presents accrual basis interest income recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.  Cash payments of interest on these loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 totaled $83 and $251, respectively.

 

 

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The following table presents loans individually evaluated for impairment by class of loans at December 31, 2014.  The unpaid principal balance is the contractual principal balance outstanding.  The recorded investment is the unpaid principal balance adjusted for partial charge-offs, purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs.  The table presents accrual basis interest income recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.  Cash payments of interest during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 totaled $52 and $157, respectively.

 

 

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The following table presents the recorded investment in nonperforming loans by class of loans:

 

 

Nonaccrual loans include both smaller balance single-family mortgage and consumer loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans.  There were no loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest at September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

 

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The following table presents the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans by class of loans as of September 30, 2015:

 

 

 

The following table presents the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans by class of loans as of December 31, 2014:

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Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs):

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, TDRs totaled $5,348 and $5,655, respectively.  The Company allocated $20 and $64 of specific reserves to loans whose terms had been modified in TDRs as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  The Company had not committed to lend any additional amounts as of September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014 to customers with outstanding loans classified as nonaccrual TDRs.

During the three months ended September 30, 2015, there were no loans modified as a TDR.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there was one single-family residential loan in the amount of $9 and one home equity line of credit in the amount of  $9 that were modified as TDRs, where concessions were granted to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties.  The home equity line of credit was paid off prior to September 30, 2015.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, no loans were modified as a TDR.

There were no TDRs in payment default or that became nonperforming during the period ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.  A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is 90 days contractually past due under the modified terms, at which time the loan is re-evaluated to determine whether an impairment loss should be recognized, either through a write-off or specific valuation allowance, so that the loan is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows, or at the fair value of collateral, less cost to sell, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral.

The terms of certain other loans were modified during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 that did not meet the definition of a TDR. These loans had a total recorded investment of $6,915 and  $2,709 as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The modification of these loans involved either a modification of the terms of a loan to borrowers who were not experiencing financial difficulties, a delay in payments that was considered to be insignificant or there were no concessions granted.

In order to determine whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, an evaluation is performed of the probability that the borrower will be in payment default on any of its debt in the foreseeable future without the modification. This evaluation is performed under the Company’s internal underwriting policy.

Nonaccrual loans include loans that were modified and identified as TDRs and the loans are not performing.  At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, nonaccrual TDRs were as follows:

 

 

 

Nonaccrual loans at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 do not include $4,978 and  $5,233, respectively, of TDRs where customers have established a sustained period of repayment performance, generally six months, the loans are current according to their modified terms and repayment of the remaining contractual payments is expected. These loans are included in total impaired loans.

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Credit Quality Indicators:

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, such as current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information and current economic trends, among other factors.  Management analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk.  This analysis includes commercial, commercial real estate and multi-family residential real estate loans.  Internal loan reviews for these loan types are performed at least annually, and more often for loans with higher credit risk. Adjustments to loan risk ratings are made based on the reviews and at any time information is received that may affect risk ratings.  The following definitions are used for risk ratings:

Special Mention.  Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of CFBank’s credit position at some future date.

Substandard.  Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt.  They are characterized by the distinct possibility that there will be some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful.  Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loans not meeting the criteria to be classified into one of the above categories are considered to be not rated or pass-rated loans.  Loans listed as not rated are primarily groups of homogeneous loans.  Past due information is the primary credit indicator for groups of homogenous loans.  Loans listed as pass-rated loans are loans that are subject to internal loan reviews and are determined not to meet the criteria required to be classified as special mention, substandard or doubtful. 

The recorded investment in loans by risk category and by class of loans as of September 30, 2015 and based on the most recent analysis performed follows.  There were no loans rated doubtful at September 30, 2015.

 

 

 

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The recorded investment in loans by risk category and by class of loans as of December 31, 2014 follows.  There were no loans rated doubtful at December 31, 2014. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE 5 - FAIR VALUE 

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2 – Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate the fair value of each type of asset and liability:

Securities available for sale:  The fair value of securities available for sale is determined using pricing models that vary based on asset class and include available trade, bid and other market information or matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2).

Derivatives:  The fair value of derivatives, which includes yield maintenance provisions, interest rate lock commitments and interest rate swaps, is based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date (Level 2).

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Impaired loans:  The fair value of impaired loans with specific allocations of the ALLL is generally based on recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

Appraisals for collateral-dependent impaired loans are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by a third-party appraisal management company approved by the Board of Directors annually. Once received, the loan officer or a member of the credit department reviews the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal as well as the overall resulting fair value in comparison with independent data sources such as recent market data or industry-wide statistics.  Appraisals are updated as needed based on facts and circumstances associated with the individual properties.  Real estate appraisals typically incorporate measures such as recent sales prices for comparable properties.  Appraisers may make adjustments to the sales prices of the comparable properties as deemed appropriate based on the age, condition or general characteristics of the subject property.  Management applies an additional discount to real estate appraised values, typically to reflect changes in market conditions since the date of the appraisal if warranted and to cover disposition costs (including selling expenses) based on the intended disposition method of the property.  Non-real estate collateral may be valued using an appraisal, net book value per the borrower’s financial statements, or aging reports, adjusted or discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of the valuation, and management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and client’s business, resulting in a Level 3 fair value classification.  Impaired loans are evaluated on a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly.

Loans held for sale:  Loans held for sale are carried at fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from third party investors (Level 2).  Loans originated as construction loans, that were subsequently transferred to held for sale, are carried at the lower of cost or market, and are excluded from the fair value measurement table; these loans totaled $0 at September 30, 2015 and $1,833 at December 31, 2014.  During the second quarter of 2015, CFBank commenced activity and signed an agreement with the intent to sell its credit card portfolio to a third party.  As a result, as of June 30, 2015, the credit card portfolio was transferred to loans held for sale at the lower of cost or market of $175,000, which approximated fair value.  As of September 30, 2015, the balance of this portfolio was $163,000, which approximates fair value.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including financial assets and liabilities for which the Company has elected the fair value option, are summarized below:

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The Company had no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis that were measured using Level 1 or Level 3 inputs at September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below:

 

 

 

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The Company had no material assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis that were measured using Level 1 or Level 2 inputs at September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014. 

Impaired loans that are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a principal balance of $804 with a valuation allowance of $7, at September 30, 2015. There were no write-downs of impaired collateral dependent loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 or 2014.  Impaired loans that are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a principal balance of $867, with a valuation allowance of $20 at December 31, 2014. 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company did not have any significant transfers of assets or liabilities between those measured using Level 1, 2 or 3 inputs.  The Company recognizes transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 and 2 inputs based on the information relating to those assets and liabilities at the end of the reporting period.

The following table presents quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements for financial instruments measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at September 30, 2015:

 

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The following table presents quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements for financial instruments measures at fair value on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2014:

 

 

 

Financial Instruments Recorded Using Fair Value Option

The Company has elected the fair value option for loans held for sale.  These loans are intended for sale and the Company believes that the fair value is the best indicator of the resolution of these loans.  Loans originated as construction loans, that were subsequently transferred to held for sale, are carried at the lower of cost or market and are not included.  Interest income is recorded based on the contractual terms of the loan and in accordance with the Company’s policy on loans held for investment.  None of these loans were 90 days or more past due or on nonaccrual as of September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014. 

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the aggregate fair value, contractual balance and gain or loss of loans held for sale were as follows:

 

The total amount of gains and losses from changes in fair value included in earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 for loans held for sale were:

 

 

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The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments at September 30, 2015 were as follows:

 

 

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments at December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

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The methods and assumptions, not previously presented, used to estimate fair values are described as follows:

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The carrying amounts of cash and short-term instruments approximate fair values and are classified as Level 1.

 

Interest-Bearing Deposits in Other Financial Institutions

The carrying amounts of interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions approximate fair values and are classified as Level 1.

 

FHLB Stock

It is not practical to determine the fair value of FHLB stock due to restrictions placed on its transferability.   

 

Loans

Fair values of loans, excluding loans held for sale, are estimated as follows:  For variable rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values resulting in a Level 3 classification. Fair values for other loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality resulting in a Level 3 classification.  Impaired loans are valued at the lower of cost or fair value as described previously. The methods utilized to estimate the fair value of loans do not necessarily represent an exit price.

 

Deposits

The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and noninterest bearing checking, passbook savings, and money market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amount) resulting in a Level 1 classification. Fair values for fixed rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flows calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits resulting in a Level 2 classification.

 

Other Borrowings

The fair values of the Company’s long-term FHLB advances are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements resulting in a Level 2 classification.

The fair values of the Company’s subordinated debentures are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements resulting in a Level 2 classification.

 

Accrued Interest Receivable/Payable

The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value resulting in a Level 1, 2 or 3 classification, consistent with the asset or liability with which they are associated.

 

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments

The fair value of off-balance-sheet items is not considered material.

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NOTE 6 – SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

In December 2003, Central Federal Capital Trust I, a trust formed by the Holding Company, closed a pooled private offering of 5,000 trust preferred securities with a liquidation amount of $1 per security.  The Holding Company issued $5,155 of subordinated debentures to the trust in exchange for ownership of all of the common stock of the trust and the proceeds of the preferred securities sold by the trust.  The Holding Company is not considered the primary beneficiary of this trust (variable interest entity); therefore, the trust is not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements, but rather the subordinated debentures are shown as a liability.  The Holding Company’s investment in the common stock of the trust was $155 and is included in other assets.

The subordinated debentures mature on December 30, 2033.  The Holding Company may redeem the subordinated debentures, in whole or in part, in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1, at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.  The subordinated debentures are also redeemable in whole or in part from time to time, upon the occurrence of specific events defined within the trust indenture.  There are no required principal payments on the subordinated debentures over the next five years. The Holding Company has the option to defer interest payments on the subordinated debentures for a period not to exceed five consecutive years.

The Holding Company’s Board of Directors elected to defer interest payments on the subordinated debentures from time to time since 2010.  However, in June 2014, the Holding Company paid all deferred and current interest payments in the amount of $293, with the prior approval of the FRB.  The Holding Company subsequently paid the interest current on the subordinated debentures as of September 30, 2014, December 31, 2014,  March 31, 2015, June 30, 2015 and September 30, 2015, after receiving the prior approval or written non-objection of the FRB to make such payments as required by the terms of the Holding Company Order and the subsequent commitments made by the Company following the termination of the Holding Company Order.

The subordinated debentures have a variable rate of interest, reset quarterly, equal to the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate plus 2.85%, which was 3.13% at September 30, 2015 and 3.11% at December 31, 2014.

 

NOTE 7 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has issued awards under three stock-based compensation plans (the “Plans”), as described below.  Total compensation cost that has been charged against income for those Plans totaled $31 and $102, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and $69 and $218, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The total income tax effect was not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

The Plans are all stockholder-approved and provide for stock option grants and restricted stock awards to be made to directors, officers and employees.  The 1999 Stock-Based Incentive Plan, which expired July 13, 2009, provided 38,778 shares of common stock for stock option grants and 15,511 shares of common stock for restricted stock awards.  The 2003 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2003 Plan”), as amended and restated, provided an aggregate of 100,000 shares for stock option grants and restricted stock awards, of which up to 30,000 shares could be awarded in the form of restricted stock awards.  The 2009 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2009 Plan”), which was approved by stockholders on May 21, 2009, replaced the 2003 Plan and provided for 200,000 shares, plus any remaining shares available to grant or that are later forfeited or expire under the 2003 Plan, to be made available to be issued as stock option grants, stock appreciation rights or restricted stock awards.  On May 16, 2013, the Company’s stockholders approved the First Amendment to the 2009 Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for stock option grants and restricted stock awards thereunder to 1,500,000.  

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Stock Options

The Plans permit the grant of stock options to directors, officers and employees of the Holding Company and CFBank.  Option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, generally have vesting periods ranging from one to three years, and are exercisable for ten years from the date of grant.  Unvested stock options immediately vest upon a change of control. 

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a closed form option valuation (Black-Scholes) model that uses the assumptions noted in the table below.  Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of the Company’s common stock.  The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and post-vesting termination behavior.  Employee and management options are tracked separately.  The expected term of options granted is based on historical data and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding, which takes into account that the options are not transferable.  The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.

There were no options granted or exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014. 

A summary of stock option activity in the Plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 follows:

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were 7,867 stock options canceled or forfeited.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, there were 16,490 stock options canceled or forfeited.  Previously recognized expense associated with nonvested forfeited shares was reversed.

As of September 30, 2015, there was $48 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options granted under the Plans.  The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.9 years.  Substantially all of the 302,330 nonvested stock options at September 30, 2015 are expected to vest.

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Restricted Stock Awards

The Plans permit the grant of restricted stock awards to directors, officers and employees. Compensation is recognized over the vesting period of the awards based on the fair value of the stock at grant date.  The fair value of the stock is determined using the closing share price on the date of grant and shares generally have vesting periods of one to three years.    There were no shares of restricted stock issued during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.  As of September 30, 2015, there were no nonvested shares of restricted stock outstanding.

There were no shares of restricted stock forfeited during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.  Also, there were no shares vested during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. 

There were 962,509 shares remaining available for stock option grants and restricted stock awards under the 2009 Plan at September 30, 2015.

 

NOTE 8 – REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS 

CFBank is subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies.  Prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. 

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications for banking organizations:  well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition.  If a banking organization is classified as adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits.  If a banking organization is classified as undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required.

In July 2013, the Holding Company’s primary federal regulator, the FRB, published final rules (the “Basel III Capital Rules”) establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations.  The rules implement the Basel Committee's December 2010 framework known as “Basel III” for strengthening international capital standards as well as certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.  The implementation of the Basel III Capital Rules result in higher capital requirements and more restrictive leverage and liquidity ratios than those previously in place.  In addition, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions, such as dividend payments and certain bonus payments to executive officers, the Basel III Capital Rules require insured financial institutions to hold a capital conservation buffer of common equity tier 1 capital above the minimum risk-based capital requirements.  The capital conservation buffer will be phased in over time, becoming effective on January 1, 2019, and will consist of an additional amount of common equity equal to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets.  The Basel III Capital Rules revise the regulatory agencies' prompt corrective action framework by incorporating the new regulatory capital minimums and updating the definition of common equity.  The Basel III Capital Rules became effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, and will be fully phased in by January 1, 2019.  The Company’s implementation of the new rules on January 1, 2015 did not have a material impact on our capital needs or classifications.

The CFBank Order required CFBank to have an 8% Tier 1 (Core) Capital to adjusted total assets and 12% Total Capital to risk weighted assets.  Although the CFBank Order was terminated by the OCC effective January 23, 2014, CFBank remains subject to the heightened capital requirements imposed by the OCC and is required to maintain an 8% Tier 1 (core) Capital ratio to adjusted total assets and 12% Total Capital to risk weighted assets.  CFBank met the heightened capital requirements imposed by the OCC at September  30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  See Note 2-Regulatory Order Considerations for additional information.

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Actual and required capital amounts and ratios of CFBank are presented below: 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Qualified Thrift Lender test requires CFBank to maintain at least 65% of assets in housing‑related finance and other specified areas.  If this test is not met, limits are placed on growth, branching, new investments, FHLB advances and dividends.  Management believes that this test was met by CFBank at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

CFBank converted from a mutual to a stock institution in 1998, and a “liquidation account” was established in the amount of $14,300, which was the net worth reported in the conversion prospectus.  The liquidation account represents a calculated amount for the purposes described below, and it does not represent actual funds included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company.  Eligible depositors who have maintained their accounts, less annual reductions to the extent they have reduced their deposits, would receive a distribution from this account if CFBank liquidated and its assets exceeded its liabilities.  Dividends may not reduce CFBank’s stockholder’s equity below the required liquidation account balance.

Dividend Restrictions

The Holding Company’s principal source of funds for dividend payments is dividends received from CFBank. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid by CFBank without prior approval of regulatory agencies. Under these regulations, the amount of dividends that may be paid in any calendar year is limited to the current year’s net profits, combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years, subject to the capital requirements described above.  As of September 30, 2015, CFBank was not permitted to declare or pay dividends or make any other capital distributions without receiving the prior written approval of the OCC.  Future dividend payments by CFBank to the Holding Company would be based on future earnings and regulatory approval.  The payment of dividends from CFBank to the Holding Company is not likely to be approved by regulators until CFBank is able to generate consistent earnings.

Any future dividends by the Holding Company on its common stock or Series B Preferred Stock, and any dividends or capital contributions by CFBank to the Holding Company, are also subject to prior regulatory approval in accordance with the commitments made in connection with the release and termination of the Orders.  The Holding Company received prior approval from the FRB for the payment of quarterly cash dividends on its Series B Preferred Stock for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 in the aggregate amount of $187  (which dividend was paid in October 2015).  The Holding Company also received prior approval from the FRB for the payment of quarterly cash dividends on its Series B Preferred Stock in each of the previous quarters commencing with the first dividend payment on July 15, 2014.

The Holding Company’s ability to pay dividends on its stock is also conditioned upon the payment, on a current basis, of quarterly interest payments on the subordinated debentures underlying the Company’s trust preferred securities, which also requires the written non-objection of the FRB.  Additionally, so long as the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock remains outstanding, the Holding Company will be prohibited from paying dividends (other than dividends payable solely in shares) on the Company’s common stock for the then-current dividend period, unless full dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock have been paid or set aside for payment.  Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock are non-cumulative, which means that if for any reason we do not declare cash dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock for a quarterly dividend period we will have no obligation to pay any dividends for that period (i.e., the dividends will not accrue or cumulate), whether or not we declare dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock for any subsequent dividend period.

Additionally, CFBank does not intend to make distributions to the Holding Company that would result in a recapture of any portion of its thrift bad debt reserve as discussed in Note 10-Income taxes.

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NOTE 9 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS 

Interest-rate swaps:

CFBank utilizes interest-rate swaps as part of its asset/liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position, and does not use derivatives for trading purposes.  The notional amount of the interest-rate swaps does not represent amounts exchanged by the parties.  The amount exchanged is determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the individual interest-rate swap agreements.  CFBank was party to interest-rate swaps with a combined notional amount of $2,904 at September 30, 2015 and $3,811 at December 31, 2014.

The objective of the interest-rate swaps is to protect the related fixed-rate commercial real estate loans from changes in fair value due to changes in interest rates.  CFBank has a program whereby it lends to its borrowers at a fixed rate with the loan agreement containing a two-way yield maintenance provision, which will be invoked in the event of prepayment of the loan, and is expected to exactly offset the fair value of unwinding the swap.  The yield maintenance provision represents an embedded derivative which is bifurcated from the host loan contract and, as such, the swaps and embedded derivatives are not designated as hedges.  Accordingly, both instruments are carried at fair value and changes in fair value are reported in current period earnings.    CFBank currently does not have any derivatives designated as hedges. 

Contingent Features:

The counterparty to CFBank’s interest-rate swaps is exposed to credit risk whenever the interest-rate swaps are in a liability position.  At September 30, 2015, CFBank had $789 in securities and cash pledged as collateral for these derivatives.    Should the liability increase, CFBank will be required to pledge additional collateral. 

Additionally, CFBank’s interest-rate swap instruments contain provisions that require CFBank to remain well capitalized under regulatory capital standards.  The interest-rate swaps may be called by the counterparty if CFBank fails to maintain well-capitalized status under regulatory capital standards.  As of September 30, 2015, CFBank was well-capitalized under regulatory capital standards

Summary information about the derivative instruments is as follows:

 

The fair value of the yield maintenance provisions and interest-rate swaps is recorded in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheet.  Changes in the fair value of the yield maintenance provisions and interest-rate swaps are reported currently in earnings, as other noninterest income in the consolidated statements of operations.  There were no net gains or losses recognized in earnings related to yield maintenance provisions and interest-rate swaps for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 or 2014.  

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Mortgage banking derivatives:

Commitments to fund certain mortgage loans (interest rate locks) to be sold into the secondary market are considered derivatives.  These mortgage banking derivatives are not designated in hedge relationships.  The Company had approximately $1,754 and $2,964 of interest rate lock commitments related to residential mortgage loans at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  The fair value of these mortgage banking derivatives was reflected by a derivative asset of $10 and $25 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, which was included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Fair values were estimated based on anticipated gains on the sale of the underlying loans. Changes in the fair values of these mortgage banking derivatives are included in net gains on sales of loans.

 

NOTE 10 – INCOME TAXES 

The Company maintained a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets at September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, based on its estimate of future reversal and utilization. When determining the amount of deferred tax assets that are more-likely-than-not to be realized, and therefore recorded as a benefit, the Company conducts a regular assessment of all available information. This information includes, but is not limited to, taxable income in prior periods, projected future income and projected future reversals of deferred tax items. Based on these criteria, the Company determined that it was necessary to maintain a full valuation allowance against the entire net deferred tax asset.

In 2012, a recapitalization program through the sale of $22.5 million in common stock improved the capital levels of CFBank and provided working capital for the Holding Company. The result of the change in stock ownership associated with the stock offering, within the guidelines of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, was that the Company incurred an ownership change. At year-end 2014, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of $26,732, which expire at various dates from 2024 to 2033, and has alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards of $75, which do not expire. As a result of the ownership change, the Company's ability to utilize carryforwards that arose before the stock offering closed is limited to $163 per year. Due to this limitation, management determined it is more likely than not that $20,520 of net operating loss carryforwards will expire unutilized. As required by accounting standards, the Company reduced the carrying value of deferred tax assets, and the corresponding valuation allowance, by the $6,977 tax effect of this lost realizability.

Federal income tax laws provided additional deductions, totaling $2,250, for thrift bad debt reserves established before 1988.  Accounting standards do not require a deferred tax liability to be recorded on this amount, which otherwise would total $765 at year-end 2014.  However, if CFBank were wholly or partially liquidated or otherwise ceases to be a bank, or if tax laws were to change, this amount would have to be recaptured and a tax liability recorded.   Additionally, any distributions in excess of CFBank’s current or accumulated earnings and profits would reduce amounts allocated to its bad debt reserve and create a tax liability for CFBank. The amount of additional taxable income created by such a distribution is an amount that, when reduced by the tax attributable to the income, is equal to the amount of the distribution. Thus, if CFBank makes a distribution that reduces the amount allocated to its bad debt reserve, then approximately one and one-half times the amount used would be includible in gross income for federal income tax purposes, assuming a 34% corporate income tax rate. CFBank does not intend to make distributions that would result in a recapture of any portion of its bad debt reserve.

At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits recorded.  On a quarterly basis, the Company assesses the facts and circumstances to determine if the recognition of the deferred tax asset is appropriate.  The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax and is no longer subject to federal examination for years prior to 2011.  

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NOTE 11- ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The following table summarizes the changes within each classification of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and summarizes the significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

NOTE 12- PREFERRED STOCK

Commencing in April 2014, the Company conducted a private placement of 6.25% Non-Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B (“Series B Preferred Stock”) for an offering price of $25.00 per share (the “Private Placement”).  Pursuant to the Private Placement, the Company sold an aggregate of 480,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock on May 12, 2014 and July 15, 2014, for an aggregate offering price of $12,000.  The Series B Preferred Stock was sold by the Company with the assistance of McDonald Partners, LLC, as placement agent, on a best efforts basis.  After payment of approximately $482 in placement fees to McDonald Partners, LLC and approximately $149 of other offering expenses, the Company’s net proceeds from its sale of the 480,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock in the Private Placement were approximately $11,369.  

For each share of Series B Preferred Stock sold in the Private Placement, the Company also agreed to issue, at no additional charge, a Warrant to purchase (i) 2.00 shares of common stock of the Company if the purchaser purchased less than $700  (28,000 shares) of Series B Preferred Stock in the Private Placement, or (ii) 3.25 shares of common stock if the purchaser purchased $700  (28,000 shares) or more of Series B Preferred Stock in the Private Placement.   See Note 13- Warrants for additional information.  

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The Series B Preferred Stock and Warrants have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or under the securities laws of any state in reliance upon exemptions from registration thereunder, including the exemptions provided under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder.  The Series B Preferred Stock and Warrants were sold solely to “accredited investors” as defined in Rule 501(a), and neither the Series B Preferred Stock or Warrants, nor any shares of common stock of the Company into which the Series B Preferred Stock may be converted or for which the Warrants may be exercised, may be resold for a period of at least six months from the date of issue without registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.  However, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights to the holders of the Warrants pursuant to the terms of a Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and each purchaser of Series B Preferred Stock and Warrants in the Private Placement. 

 

NOTE 13- COMMON STOCK WARRANTS

The Company issued Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,152,125 shares of common stock to the purchasers of the 480,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock sold in the Private Placement.  Subject to certain limitations, the Warrants are exercisable until July 15, 2019, at a cash purchase price of $1.85 per share of common stock.