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EX-32.1 - STATEMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES INC /VA/ex32-1.htm
EX-32.2 - STATEMENT OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES INC /VA/ex32-2.htm
EX-31.2 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES INC /VA/ex31-2.htm
EX-21 - SUBSIDIARIES OF THE CORPORATION - HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES INC /VA/ex-21.htm
EX-23.1 - CONSENT OF BROWN, EDWARDS & COMPANY, LLP - HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES INC /VA/ex23-1.htm
EX-13.1 - ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS - FINANCIAL STMTS - HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES INC /VA/ex13-1.htm
EX-31.1 - CERTIFICATATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES INC /VA/ex31-1.htm


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

FORM 10-K

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015


Commission File Number 000-27622

HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Virginia
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
 
54-1796693
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
340 West Main Street
Abingdon, Virginia
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
24210-1128
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (276) 628-9181


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.625 par value
(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes   No__X

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__ No_X__

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 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.  [ X ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or smaller reporting company. (See definition of “large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the 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 Act) Yes [  ] No [X ]

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. $ 26,672,616.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.  As of March 15, 2016, there were 8,112,563 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 
Consolidated Financial Report for year ended December 31, 2015 – Part II
Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders—Part III
 
 


 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
 
   
Page Number
Part I
   
     
Item 1.
Business
2
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
15
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
15
Item 2.
Properties
15
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
15
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
15
     
     
Part II
   
     
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder    Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
16
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
17
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
  and Results of Operations
17
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
36
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
36
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
  Accounting and Financial Disclosure
36
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
36
Item 9B.
Other Information
36
     
     
Part III
   
     
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
37
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
37
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management and Related Stockholder Matters
37
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
38
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
38
     
     
Part IV
   
     
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
38
     
     




 
 

 

Part I.

Item 1.  Business

History and Business
 
Highlands Bankshares, Inc. (the “Company”) is a one-bank holding company organized under the laws of Virginia in 1995 and registered under the Federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (“BHCA”). The Company conducts the majority of its business operations through its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Highlands Union Bank (the “Bank”). The Company has two direct subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015: the Bank, which was formed in 1985, and Highlands Capital Trust I (“HCTI”), a statutory business trust (the “Trust”) which was formed in 1998.
 
 
 Highlands Union Bank
 
 
The Bank is a Virginia state chartered bank that was incorporated in 1985. The Bank operates a commercial banking business from its headquarters in Abingdon, Virginia, and its thirteen area full service branch offices. The Bank offers general retail and commercial banking services to individuals, businesses and local government unit customers. These products and services include accepting deposits in the form of checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, interest-bearing demand deposit accounts, savings accounts and time deposits; making residential 1-4 family loans, owner occupied and non owner occupied commercial real estate loans, second mortgages and equity lines, consumer, commercial and industrial, credit card and agricultural loans; offering letters of credit; providing other consumer financial services, such as automatic funds transfer, collections, night depository, safe deposit, travelers checks and savings bond sales; and providing other miscellaneous services normally offered by commercial banks.
 
 
Highlands Union Insurance Services, Inc.
 
 
Highlands Union Insurance Services, Inc., (“HUIS”) a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, was formed in 1999. The Bank, through HUIS, joined a consortium of approximately forty-seven other financial institutions to form Bankers’ Insurance, LLC. Bankers’ Insurance, LLC, as of December 31, 2015, had purchased twelve full service insurance agencies across the state of Virginia. HUIS sells insurance products and services through Bankers’ Insurance, LLC.  The number of owner banks involved with Bankers’ Insurance, LLC was twenty-nine as of December 31, 2015.
 
 
Highlands Union Financial Services, Inc.
 
 
 Highlands Union Financial Services, Inc., (“HUFS”) a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank, was created to offer third party mutual funds and other financial services to its customers in all market areas served by the Bank.  The only activity in Highlands Union Financial Services Inc. now relates to commissions from the sale of life insurance. In February 2005, the Bank became an equity owner in Bankers’ Investments, LLC, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Bankers’ Investments, LLC was formed for the purpose of providing owner banks the ability to offer a full line of financial services to their customers. During 2007, Bankers Investments was acquired by Infinex, LLC, a full service provider of a wide array of investment services. Infinex, LLC is owned by member banks and banking associations.
 
 

 
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Blue Ridge Hospitality, LLC.
 
 
Blue Ridge Hospitality, LLC, was formed in June 2014 to hold and manage certain properties acquired by the Bank through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure.
 
 
Russell Road Properties, LLC.
 
Russell Road Properties, LLC, formed in March 2015 is also an entity in which the Bank has a significant interest and was created to hold and manage certain properties acquired by the Bank through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure.

Lending Activities


The Bank has written policies and procedures to help manage credit risk.   The Bank’s policy provides for three levels of lending authority.  The first level of authority is granted to individual loan officers who have various levels of approval based upon their position and experience.  The second level is the Senior Officers Loan Committee, which is comprised of senior officers of the Bank from all market areas.  The Senior Officers Loan Committee considers loans that exceed the individual loan officers’ lending authority and reviews loans to be presented to the Directors Loan Committee.  The Directors Loan Committee is comprised of five Directors, four of which are independent Directors.  The Directors Loan Committee approves new, modified and renewed credits that exceed the Senior Officer Loan Committee authorities.  The Chairman of the Directors Loan Committee is the Chairman of the Company.   A quorum is reached when four committee members are present, of which at least three must be independent Directors.  An application requires four votes to receive approval by the Committee.  In addition, monthly, the Directors Loan Committee reports all new loans reviewed and approved to the Bank’s Board of Directors.  Monthly reports shared by the Directors Loan Committee include names and amounts of all new credits extended; a watch list including names, amounts, risk rating; past due and non- accrual loans and recommended loans to be charged off and a list of overdrafts.  The Directors Loan Committee also reviews changes to lending policies as proposed by management prior to submission to the Board of Directors for approval.

The Bank has an internal Credit Review Department that reviews the Bank’s loan portfolio to identify loss exposure and to monitor compliance with the Bank’s loan policy.  An analysis of loss exposure and reports on policy compliance are presented to the Directors Loan Committee of the Board for approval on a quarterly basis.

One-to-Four-Family Residential Real Estate Lending

Residential loan opportunities may be generated by the Bank’s loan officers, referrals by real estate professionals, and by existing or new bank clients.  Loan applications are taken by a Bank loan officer.  As part of the application process, information is gathered concerning income, employment and credit history of the applicant and originations are underwritten using policy including a loan to value (“LTV”) of 80% of appraised value.  Security for the majority of one to four family residential loans is owner occupied single family dwellings. Values of residential real estate collateral are provided by independent appraisers who have been approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors.

Second mortgages and Home Equity Lines of Credit are generated, underwritten and secured like single family residential real estate loans discussed above.  However, both second mortgages and Home Equity Lines of Credit are made at higher interest rates than residential mortgages.  In the event that LTV is greater than 80%, the loan request is reviewed by the Senior Officers’ Loan Committee and the Board of Directors, depending on the amount of the loan.  Second mortgages are typically made for no more than fifteen years and equity lines mature in ten years.
 
 
 
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The Bank also originates adjustable rate products (“ARM”) secured by one to four family residential properties with a term of one, three, or five years.  These products provide another outlet instead of secondary market loans and are generated, underwritten and secured the same as single family residential real estate loans discussed above.  The Bank retains these loans in its loan portfolio.   Senior Management adjusts the ARM rates based on competitive rates within the Bank’s market area.   The ARM products contain interest rate caps at adjustment periods and rate ceilings based on a cap over and above the original interest rate. Adjustable rate mortgages are underwritten based on payment amounts at the interest rate reaching the lifetime cap.

At December 31, 2015, $208 million, or 48%, of the Bank’s loan portfolio consisted of one-to four-family residential real estate loans, second mortgages, and home equity lines.  Of the $208 million, $142 million were fixed rate mortgages while the remaining $66 million were adjustable rate mortgages.   The fixed rate loans are typically 3, 5, and 7 year balloon loans amortized over a 30 year period. In connection with residential real estate loans, the Bank requires title insurance, hazard insurance, and if required, flood insurance.  

Multifamily Residential Real Estate Lending

Loan applications for loans to be secured by multi-family residential properties are taken by a loan officer.  As part of the application process, information is gathered concerning income, employment and credit history of the applicant, as well as rent rolls, operating costs and occupancy rates of the property to be financed.  At December 31, 2015, $24 million, or 5%, of the Bank’s loan portfolio consisted of multi-family residential properties. Loan originations are underwritten using the Bank’s underwriting guidelines of a LTV of 80% and a cash flow coverage ratio of 1.10 or better.   The valuation of multifamily residential collateral is provided by independent fee appraisers who have been approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors.

The Bank originates fixed rate and adjustable rate loans secured by multi-family properties, which are retained in the Bank’s portfolio. Adjustable rate mortgages are underwritten based on payment amounts at the interest rate reaching the lifetime cap.

Commercial, Construction, Farmland, Other Land Loans and Land Development Lending

The Bank makes commercial, construction, farmland and land acquisition and development loans.  These loans generally have a higher degree of risk than residential mortgage loans, but also have higher yields.  To minimize these risks, the Bank normally obtains appropriate collateral and requires the personal guarantees from the borrower’s principal owners and monitors the financial condition of its business borrowers.  Commercial business loans typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from cash flow from its business.  As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial business loans is substantially dependent on the success of the business itself.  Furthermore, the collateral for commercial business loans may depreciate over time and generally cannot be appraised with as much precision as historically been the case with residential real estate.  
 
At December 31, 2015, commercial real estate loans aggregated $111 million, or 26%, of the Bank’s total loans.  In its underwriting of commercial real estate, the Bank may lend, under its policy, up to 75% of the secured property’s appraised value.  The Bank’s commercial real estate loan underwriting criteria require an examination of debt service coverage ratios and the borrower’s creditworthiness, prior credit history and reputation.  The Bank also evaluates the location of the secured property, and as noted above, typically requires personal guarantees or endorsements of the borrowing entity’s principal owners.
 

 
 
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Construction and Land Development loans, including acquisition and development loans, are primarily those secured by residential houses and commercial structures under construction and the underlying land for which the loan was obtained.  Over the past two years the Bank has significantly reduced the number of originations of construction and land development loans in all of its market areas in an effort to reduce portfolio risk.

At December 31, 2015, construction, farmland, and other land loans outstanding were $30 million, or 7%, of total loans. Construction lending entails significant additional risks and often involves larger loan balances concentrated with single borrowers or groups of related borrowers.  Another risk involved in construction lending is attributable to the fact that loan funds are advanced to fund construction, the value of which is estimated prior to the completion of construction on “as built” basis.  Therefore, it is difficult to accurately estimate the total loan funds required to complete the project and the completed loan-to-value ratios.  To mitigate the risks associated with construction lending, the Bank generally limits loan amounts to 75% of as built appraised value, in addition to analyzing the creditworthiness of its borrowers.  The Bank obtains a first lien on the property as security for construction loans, monitors the construction and advance process and, if a business entity, typically requires personal guarantees from the borrowing entity’s principal owners.

Commercial and Agricultural Lending-- Non-Real Estate Secured and Unsecured

The Bank makes local commercial and agricultural unsecured and non-real estate secured loans.  These loans generally have a higher degree of risk than other loans and to manage these risks, the Bank generally obtains collateral, such as inventories, accounts receivable, equipment and personal guarantees from the borrowing entity’s principal owners. In its underwriting of commercial and agricultural non-real estate secured loans, the Bank may lend, under internal policy, up to 80% of the secured collateral appraised value. The Bank’s commercial and agricultural non-real estate secured and unsecured underwriting criteria require adequate debt service coverage ratios and the borrower’s creditworthiness, prior credit history and reputation.  As commercial business and agricultural non-real estate secured loans typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from cash flow, the availability of funds for the repayment  is substantially dependent on the success of the business itself.  

At December 31, 2015, commercial and agricultural non-real estate secured loans including unsecured loans aggregated $38 million, or 9%, of the Bank’s total loans.

Consumer Lending-Non Real Estate Secured and Unsecured

The Bank offers various secured and unsecured consumer loans, including unsecured personal loans and lines of credit, automobile loans, deposit account loans made on both an installment and demand basis.  At December 31, 2015, the Bank had consumer loans of $21 million or 5% of gross loans.  Such loans are generally made to customers with whom the Bank has a pre-existing relationship, often deposit and residential mortgage relationships. The Bank only originates its consumer loans in its geographic market area. The underwriting standards employed by the Bank for consumer loans include a determination of the applicant’s payment history on other debts and an assessment of the ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan.  The stability of the applicant’s monthly income may be determined by the verification of gross monthly income from primary employment and additionally from any verifiable secondary source.  The applicant’s FICO scores are also analyzed with the credit report analysis.  Although creditworthiness of the applicant is of primary consideration, the underwriting process also includes an analysis of the value of the available collateral, if applicable.

Consumer loans may entail significant risk, particularly if unsecured, such as lines of credit, or secured by rapidly depreciable assets such as automobiles.  In such cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance.  The remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower.  In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy.  Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans.  Such loans may also give rise to claims and defenses by a consumer borrower against an assignee of collateral securing the loan such as the Bank and a borrower may raise claims which it has against the seller of the underlying collateral to prevent collection.
 

 
 
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Participation Loans
 
The Bank will occasionally buy or sell all or a portion of a loan. The Bank will consider selling a loan or a participation in a loan, if: (i) the full amount of the loan to a single borrower will exceed the Bank's legal lending limit, which is 15 percent of the unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus of the Bank; (ii) the full amount of the loan, when combined with a borrower's previously outstanding loans, will exceed the Bank's legal lending limit to a single borrower; (iii) the Board of Directors or the Senior Officer Loan Committee believes that a particular borrower has a sufficient level of debt with the Bank; (iv) the borrower requests the sale; (v) the loan to deposit ratio is at or above the optimal level as determined by Bank management; and/or (vi) the loan may create too great a concentration of loans in one particular location, one industry or in one particular type of loan. The Bank will consider purchasing a participation in a loan from another financial institution if the loan meets all applicable credit quality standards; (i) the Bank's loan to deposit ratio is at a level where additional loans would be desirable; and/or (ii) a common customer requests the purchase.
 
 
The following table sets forth, for the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the percentage of total operating revenue contributed by each class of similar services which contributed 15% or more of total operating revenues of the Company during such periods.
 
Period
Class of Service
Percentage of Total Revenues
     
December 31, 2015
Interest and Fees on Loans
78.40%
December 31, 2014
Interest and Fees on Loans
77.72%
 
Market Area
 
 
Highlands Union Bank Market Area
 
 
The Bank’s primary market area consists of:
 
 
·  
all of Washington County, Virginia
 
 
·  
portions of Smyth County, Virginia
 
 
·  
the City of Bristol, Virginia
 
 
·  
the City of Bristol, Tennessee and adjacent portions of Sullivan County, Tennessee
 
 
·  
the Town of Rogersville, Tennessee and adjacent portions of Hawkins County,  Tennessee
 
 
·  
the City of Sevierville, Tennessee and adjacent portions of Sevier County, Tennessee,
 
 
·  
the City of Knoxville, Tennessee and adjacent portions of Knox County, Tennessee
 
 
·  
the Town of Banner Elk and adjacent portions of Avery County, North Carolina
 
 
·  
the Town of Boone and adjacent portions of Watauga County, North Carolina
 
The independent city of Bristol, Virginia is located in far southwestern Virginia and lies directly on the Virginia-Tennessee state line. Washington County surrounds Bristol to the west, north and east. In the Bristol/Washington County community, educational/health care services, manufacturing, and retail trade sectors are the largest industries, in terms of total number of jobs in 2015.  These sectors contribute in total 42.2% of the total employment. The latest unemployment figures as of December 2015 reflect an unemployment rate of 4.2% in the Bristol/Washington County, Virginia area.
 
 
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     The Bank has a branch office located in Marion which is the county seat of Smyth County, Virginia. Marion is approximately 30 miles northeast of Abingdon, Virginia.  The latest unemployment figures reflect an unemployment rate of 5.8% reported as of December 2015. In Smyth County, educational/health care services, manufacturing, and retail trade sectors are the largest industries, in terms of total number of jobs in 2015.  These sectors contribute in total 58.8% of the total employment.

Bristol, Tennessee is located in Sullivan County, Tennessee and is Bristol, Virginia’s twin city. Bristol, Tennessee’s three largest employment sectors are educational/health care services, manufacturing, and retail trade which make up 53.8% of all jobs throughout the Sullivan County. The latest unemployment figures reflect an unemployment rate of 5.5% as of December 2015.

Rogersville, Tennessee is located in Hawkins County approximately 45 miles southwest of Bristol, Tennessee. Rogersville is the county seat for Hawkins County.  Rogersville’s and Hawkins County’s largest employment sectors are educational/health care services, manufacturing, and retail trade. These sectors combined make up 58.50% of all jobs throughout the County. The latest unemployment figures for Hawkins County reflect an unemployment rate of 5.9% as of 2015.

Sevierville, Tennessee is located in Sevier County, Tennessee. Sevierville, Tennessee is located approximately 20 miles east of Knoxville, Tennessee. Sevierville serves as the county seat and is the largest city located in Sevier County. Major employers for the County include entertainment/recreation, retail trade, and educational/health care services, which make up 56.60% of all jobs throughout the County. There is some industrial base that mitigates some of the seasonal employment fluctuation from the tourism and related businesses. The latest unemployment figures for Sevier County reflect an unemployment rate of 5.3% as of December 2015.

Knoxville, Tennessee is located in Knox County, Tennessee.  Knoxville, Tennessee is located approximately 20 miles west of Sevierville, Tennessee.  Knoxville serves as the county seat and is the third largest city in the state of Tennessee.  Major employers for the County include educational/health care services, retail trade. and professional services.  These sectors contribute to 50.20% of all jobs in the County.  The latest unemployment figures reflect an unemployment rate of 4.4% for Knox County as of 2015.  Knoxville’s central location to two major interstate highways which link the eastern half of the United States continues to provide many opportunities for economic growth in the future.

Banner Elk, North Carolina is located in Avery County in the northwestern mountains of North Carolina.  In Banner Elk, educational/health care services, retail trade, and construction services are the largest industries or 50.8% of total number of jobs in 2015.  The latest unemployment figures for Avery County reflect an unemployment rate of 5.8% as of December 2015.

Boone, North Carolina is located in Watauga County in the northwestern mountains of North Carolina.  Boone’s three largest employment sectors are educational/health care services, entertainment/recreation services, and retail trade, which make up 64.5% of the total number of jobs in Boone as of 2015.  The latest unemployment figures for Watauga County reflect an unemployment rate of 4.4% as of December 2015.


Competition

The banking and financial service business in Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee generally, and in the Bank’s market areas specifically, is highly competitive. The increasingly competitive environment is a result of changes in regulation, changes in technology and product delivery systems and new competition from non-traditional financial services. The Bank competes for loans and deposits with other commercial banks, savings and loan associations, securities and brokerage companies, mortgage companies, money market funds, credit unions and other non-bank financial service providers. Many of these competitors are much larger in total assets and capitalization, have greater access to capital markets and offer a broader array of financial services than the Bank. In order to compete, the Bank relies upon service-based business philosophies, personal relationships with customers, specialized services tailored to meet customers' needs and the convenience of office locations and extended hours of operation. In addition, the Bank is generally competitive with other financial institutions in its market areas with respect to interest rates paid on deposit accounts, interest rates charged on loans and other service charges on loans and deposit accounts. Deposit market share for each of the Bank’s market areas can be found on the FDIC’s website at www.fdic.gov under the Industry Analysis/Summary of Deposits section.


 
7

 
 
Certain Regulatory Considerations

The Company and the Bank are subject to various state and federal banking laws and regulations which impose specific requirements or restrictions on and provide for general regulatory oversight with respect to virtually all aspects of operations. As a result of the substantial regulatory burdens on banking, financial institutions, including the Company and the Bank, are disadvantaged relative to other competitors who are not as highly regulated, and our costs of doing business are much higher.

The following is a summary of the material provisions of certain statutes, rules and regulations which affect the Company and the Bank. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutory and regulatory provisions referred to below, and is not intended to be an exhaustive description of the statutes or regulations which are applicable to the business of the Company and the Bank. Any change in applicable laws or regulations may have a material adverse effect on the business and prospects of the Company and the Bank.

Highlands Bankshares, Inc.

The Company is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”) and a financial institution holding company within the meaning of Chapter 7 of the Virginia Banking Act, as amended (the Virginia Banking Act). The activities of the Company also are governed by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999.

The Bank Holding Company Act. The BHCA is administered by the Federal Reserve Board, and the Company is required to file with the Federal Reserve Board an annual report and any additional information the Federal Reserve Board may require under the BHCA. The Federal Reserve Board also is authorized to examine the Company and its subsidiaries. The BHCA requires every bank holding company to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board before (i) it or any of its subsidiaries (other than a bank) acquires substantially all the assets of any bank; (ii) it acquires ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank if after the acquisition it would own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the voting shares of the bank; or (iii) it merges or consolidates with any other bank holding company.

The BHCA and the Change in Bank Control Act, together with regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board, require that, depending on the particular circumstances, either Federal Reserve Board approval must be obtained or notice must be furnished to the Federal Reserve Board and not disapproved prior to any person or company acquiring "control" of a bank holding company, such as the Company, subject to certain exemptions. Control is conclusively presumed to exist if an individual or company acquires 25% or more of any class of voting securities of the Company. Control is  presumed  to exist (but rebuttable) if a person acquires 10% or more, but less than 25%, of any class of voting securities of the Company. The regulations provide a procedure for challenging the rebuttable control presumption.

Under the BHCA, a bank holding company is generally prohibited from engaging in, or acquiring direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company engaged in non-banking activities, unless the Federal Reserve Board, by order or regulation, has found those activities to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be incident to banking. Subject to its capital requirements and certain other restrictions, the Company can borrow money to make a capital contribution to the Bank, and these loans may be repaid from dividends paid from the Bank to the Company (although the ability of the Bank to pay dividends are subject to regulatory restrictions). The Company can raise capital for contribution to the Bank by issuing securities without having to receive regulatory approval, subject to compliance with federal and state securities laws.
 
 
 
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 The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the GLBA) permits significant combinations among different sectors of the financial services industry; allows for significant expansion of financial service activities by bank holding companies and provides for a regulatory framework by various governmental authorities responsible for different financial activities; and offers certain financial privacy protections to consumers. The GLBA repealed affiliation and management interlock prohibitions of the Depression-era Glass-Steagall Act and, by amending the Bank Holding Company Act, the GLBA added new substantive provisions to the non-banking activities permitted under the BHCA with the creation of the financial holding company. The GLBA preempts most state laws that prohibit financial holding companies from engaging in insurance activities. The GLBA permits affiliations between banks and securities firms within the same holding company structure, and the GLBA permits financial holding companies to directly engage in a broad range of securities and merchant banking activities. The Company has not elected to become a financial holding company.  The GLBA has led to important changes in the manner in which financial services are delivered in the United States. Bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks are able to offer a much broader array of financial services; however, there is greater competition in all sectors of the financial services market.

The Virginia Banking Act. All Virginia bank holding companies must register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (the “Commission”) under the Virginia Banking Act. A registered bank holding company must provide the Commission with information with respect to the financial condition, operations, management and inter-company relationships of the holding company and its subsidiaries. The Commission also may require such other information as is necessary to keep informed about whether the provisions of Virginia law and the regulations and orders issued under Virginia law by the Commission have been complied with, and may make examinations of any bank holding company and its subsidiaries. The Virginia Banking Act allows bank holding companies located in any state to acquire a Virginia bank or bank holding company if the Virginia bank or bank holding company could acquire a bank holding company in their state and the Virginia bank or bank holding company to be acquired has been in existence and continuously operated for more than two years. The Virginia Banking Act permits bank holding companies from throughout the United States to enter the Virginia market, subject to federal and state approval.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “SOX Act”) implemented legislative reforms intended to address corporate and accounting fraud. In addition to the establishment of a new accounting oversight board that enforces auditing, quality control and independence standards and is funded by fees from all publicly traded companies, the law restricts provision of both auditing and consulting services by accounting firms. To ensure auditor independence, any non-audit services being provided to an audit client requires pre-approval by the issuer’s audit committee members and the SOX Act also restricts certain services that the audit firm may perform. In addition, audit partners must be rotated. The SOX Act requires chief executive officers and chief financial officers, or their equivalent, to certify to the accuracy of periodic reports filed with the SEC, subject to civil and criminal penalties if they knowingly or willfully violate this certification requirement. In addition, under the SOX Act, legal counsel is required to report evidence of a material violation of the securities laws or a breach of fiduciary duty by a company to its chief executive officer or its chief financial officer, and, if such officer does not appropriately respond, to report such evidence to the audit committee or other similar committee of the board of directors or the board itself.

Dodd-Frank Act. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which made significant changes in the regulation of financial institutions and the financial services industry.  The Dodd-Frank Act included several provisions that will affect how community banks, thrifts, and small bank and thrift holding companies will be regulated in the future.  Among other things, these provisions abolished the Office of Thrift Supervision and transferred its functions to the other federal banking agencies, relaxed rules regarding interstate branching, allowed financial institutions to pay interest on business checking accounts, changed the scope of federal deposit insurance coverage, and imposed new capital requirements on bank and thrift holding companies.  The Dodd-Frank Act also established the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, which is given the authority to promulgate consumer protection regulations applicable to all entities offering consumer financial services or products, including banks.  
 
     The Dodd-Frank Act also required the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to issue regulations requiring lenders to make a reasonable good faith determination as to a prospective borrower’s ability to repay a residential mortgage loan. The final “Ability to Repay” rules, which were effective January 4, 2013, established a “qualified mortgage” safe harbor for loans whose terms and features are deemed to make the loan less risky. In addition, on October 3, 2015, the new TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rules for mortgage closings took effect for new loan applications. These new loan forms may have the effect of lengthening the time it takes to approve mortgage loans in the short term following implementation of the rule.
 
Some provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act involved delayed effective dates and/or require implementing regulations or have not been issued in final form. Their full impact on our operations cannot yet fully be assessed. However, the Dodd-Frank Act has resulted in increased compliance and operating expense for the Company.
 

 
9

 
 
Highlands Union Bank.

General. The Bank, as a state chartered member of the Federal Reserve, is subject to regulation and examination by the Virginia State Corporation Commission Bureau of Financial Institutions and the Federal Reserve Bank. In addition, the Bank is subject to the rules and regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Deposits in the Bank are insured by the FDIC up to a maximum amount (generally $250,000 per depositor, subject to aggregation rules). The Federal Reserve Board and the Bureau of Financial Institutions regulate or monitor all areas of the Bank’s operations, including security devices and procedures, adequacy of capitalization and loss reserves, loans, investments, borrowings, deposits, mergers, issuances of securities, payment of dividends, interest rates paid on deposits, interest rates or fees charged on loans, establishment of branches, corporate reorganizations and maintenance of books and records. The Federal Reserve Board requires the Bank to maintain certain capital ratios. The Bank is required by the Federal Reserve Board to prepare quarterly reports on the Bank’s financial condition and to conduct an annual audit of its financial affairs in compliance with minimum standards and procedures prescribed by the Federal Reserve Board. The Bank also is required by the Federal Reserve Board to adopt internal control structures and procedures in order to safeguard assets and monitor and reduce risk exposure. While appropriate for safety and soundness of banks, these requirements impact banking overhead costs.

 Under the provisions of federal law, federally insured banks are subject, with certain exceptions, to certain restrictions on extensions of credit to their affiliates, on investments in the stock or other securities of affiliates and on the taking of such stock or securities as collateral from any borrower. In addition, these banks are prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in connection with any extension of credit or the providing of any property or service. The Virginia State Corporation Commission and the Federal Reserve Board conduct regular examinations of the Bank reviewing the adequacy of the loan loss reserves, quality of the loans and investments, propriety of management practices, compliance with laws and regulations and other aspects of the bank's operations. In addition to these regular examinations, Virginia chartered banks must furnish to the Federal Reserve Board quarterly reports containing detailed financial statements and schedules.

Community Reinvestment Act. The Bank is subject to the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (the “CRA”), which requires the appropriate federal bank regulatory agency, in connection with its regular examination of a bank, to assess the bank's record in meeting the credit needs of the community served by the Bank, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods. The focus of the regulations is on the volume and distribution of a bank's loans, with particular emphasis on lending activity in low and moderate-income areas and to low and moderate-income persons. The regulations place substantial importance on a bank's product delivery system, particularly branch locations. The regulations require banks to comply with significant data collection requirements. The regulatory agency's assessment of the bank's record is made available to the public. Further, this assessment is required for any bank which has applied to, among other things, establish a new branch office that will accept deposits, relocate an existing office, or merge, consolidate with or acquire the assets or assume the liabilities of a federally regulated financial institution. Management expects that the Bank’s compliance with the CRA, as well as other fair lending laws, will face ongoing government scrutiny and that costs associated with compliance will continue to increase. The Bank received  a "Satisfactory" CRA rating in the last examination by bank regulators.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA) requires each federal banking regulatory agency to prescribe, by regulation, standards for all insured depository institutions and depository institution holding companies relating to (i) internal controls, information systems and audit systems; (ii) loan documentation; (iii) credit underwriting; (iv) interest rate exposure; (v) asset growth; (vi) compensation, fees and benefits; and (vii) such other operational and managerial standards as the agency determines to be appropriate.  The compensation standards prohibit employment contracts, compensation or benefit arrangements, stock option plans, fee arrangements or other compensatory arrangements that provide excessive compensation, fees or benefits or could lead to material financial loss.  In addition, each federal banking regulatory agency must prescribe by regulation standards specifying (i) a maximum ratio of classified assets to capital; (ii) minimum earnings sufficient to absorb losses without impairing capital; (iii) to the extent feasible, a minimum ratio of market value to book value for publicly traded shares of depository institutions and depository institution holding companies; and (iv) such other standards relating to asset quality, earnings and valuation as the agency determines to be appropriate.  If an insured institution fails to meet any of the standards promulgated by regulation, then such institution will be required to submit a plan to its federal regulatory agency specifying the steps it will take to correct the deficiency.

Prompt corrective action measures adopted in FDICIA impose significant restrictions and requirements on depository institutions that fail to meet their minimum capital requirements.  Under Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (the FDI Act), the federal banking regulatory agencies have developed a classification system pursuant to which all depository institutions are placed into one of five categories based on their capital levels and other supervisory criteria:  well capitalized, adequately capitalized; undercapitalized; significantly undercapitalized; and critically undercapitalized.
 
 
10

 

 
The Bank met the requirements at December 31, 2015 to be classified as “well-capitalized.”  This classification is determined solely for the purposes of applying the prompt corrective action regulations and may not constitute an accurate representation of the Bank’s overall financial condition.

If its principal federal regulator determines that an adequately capitalized institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition or is engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice, it may require the institution to submit a corrective action plan, restrict its asset growth and prohibit branching, new acquisitions and new lines of business.  An institution’s principal federal regulator may deem it to be engaging in unsafe or unsound practices if it receives a less than satisfactory rating for asset quality, management, earnings or liquidity in its most recent examination.

Section 36 of FDICIA requires insured depository institutions with at least $500 million but less than $1 billion in total assets to file annual reports that must include the following:

 
1.
Audited comparative annual financial statements.
 
2.
The independent public accountant’s report on the audited financial statements.
 
3.
A management report that contains a statement of management’s responsibilities for preparing the financial statement, establishing and maintaining an adequate internal control structure over financial reporting and complying with the laws and regulations designed by the FDIC and appropriate banking regulators.
 
4.
An assessment by management of the institutions compliance with the designated laws and regulations during the year.

These amendments do not relieve public companies of their obligations to comply with the SOX Act and the SEC’s rules on internal control reporting and audit committee independence.

The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (the Interstate Act) allows bank holding companies to acquire banks in any state, without regard to state law, except that if the state has a minimum requirement for the amount of time a bank must be in existence, that law must be preserved. Under the Virginia Banking Act, a Virginia bank or all of the subsidiaries of Virginia holding companies sought to be acquired must have been in continuous operation for more than two years before the date of such proposed acquisition. The Interstate Act also permits banks to acquire out-of-state branches through interstate mergers, if the state has not opted out of interstate branching. De novo branching, where an out-of-state bank holding company sets up a new branch in another state, requires a state's specific approval. An acquisition or merger is not permitted under the Interstate Act if the bank, including its insured depository affiliates, will control more than 10% of the total amount of deposits of insured depository institutions in the United States, or will control 30% or more of the total amount of deposits of insured depository institutions in any state.

Virginia has, by statute, elected to opt-in fully to interstate branching under the Interstate Act. Under the Virginia statute, Virginia state banks may, with the approval of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, establish and maintain a de novo branch or acquire one or more branches in a state other than Virginia, either separately or as part of a merger. Procedures also are established to allow out-of-state domiciled banks to establish or acquire branches in Virginia, provided the "home" state of the bank permits Virginia banks to establish or acquire branches within its borders. The activities of these branches are subject to the same laws as Virginia domiciled banks, unless such activities are prohibited by the law of the state where the bank is organized. The Virginia State Corporation Commission has the authority to examine and supervise out-of-state state banks to ensure that the branch is operating in a safe and sound manner and in compliance with the laws of Virginia. The Virginia statute authorizes the Bureau of Financial Institutions to enter into cooperative agreements with other state and federal regulators for the examination and supervision of out-of-state banks with Virginia operations, or Virginia domiciled banks with operations in other states. Likewise, national banks, with the approval of the OCC, may branch into and out of the state of Virginia. Any Virginia branch of an out-of-state state chartered bank is subject to Virginia law (enforced by the Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions) with respect to intrastate branching, consumer protection, fair lending and community reinvestment as if it were a branch of a Virginia bank, unless preempted by federal law.
 

 
 
11

 
Deposit Insurance.  The Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) of the FDIC. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, FDIC insurance coverage limits on deposits were permanently increased to $250,000.

The FDIC has adopted a risk-based assessment system to determine assessment rates to be paid by member institutions, such as the Bank.  The amount of the assessment is a function of the institution’s risk category, of which there are four, and its assessment base.  Under this system, risk is defined and measured using an institution’s supervisory ratings, combined with certain other risk measures, including certain financial ratios.  In February 2011, the FDIC revised the risk-based assessment system to set new assessment rates that were effective on April 1, 2011.  The initial base assessment rates range from 5 to 35 basis points, subject to potential adjustments based on the amount of the institution’s long-term unsecured debt and brokered deposits.  After the effect of potential base-rate adjustments, the total base assessment rate can range from 2.5 to 45 basis points.  As the DIF reserve ratio grows, the rate schedule will be adjusted downward.  Also effective April 1, 2011, the assessment base is an institution’s average consolidated total assets less its average tangible equity.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (the GLBA) allows banks, with primary regulator approval, to acquire financial subsidiaries to engage in any activity that is financial in nature or incidental to a financial activity, as defined in the Bank Holding Act, except (i) insurance underwriting, (ii) merchant or insurance portfolio investments, and (iii) real estate development or investment. Well-capitalized banks are also given the authority to engage in municipal bond underwriting.

To establish or acquire a financial subsidiary, a bank must be well-managed, and the consolidated assets of its financial subsidiary must not exceed the lesser of 45% of the consolidated total assets of the bank or $50 billion. The relationship between a bank and a financial subsidiary are subject to a variety of supervisory enhancements from regulators.

USA Patriot Act. The USA Patriot Act facilitates the sharing of information among government entities and financial institutions to combat terrorism and money laundering. The USA Patriot Act creates an obligation on banks to report customer activities that may involve terrorist activities or money laundering.

Government Policies. The operations of the Bank are affected not only by general economic conditions, but also by the policies of various regulatory authorities. In particular, the Federal Reserve Board regulates money and credit and interest rates in order to influence general economic conditions. These policies have a significant influence on overall growth and distribution of loans, investments and deposits and affect interest rates charged on loans or paid for time and savings deposits. Federal Reserve Board monetary policies have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future.

Limits on Dividends and Other Payments. The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank, virtually all of the Company’s cash reserves, and its ability to pay dividends to the Company’s shareholders, are dependent on the ability of the Bank to upstream dividends to it. As a state member bank subject to the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, the Bank must obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board for any dividend if the total of all dividends declared in any calendar year would exceed the total of its net profits, as defined by the Federal Reserve Board, for that year, combined with its retained net profits for the preceding two years. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board is authorized to determine, under certain circumstances relating to the financial condition of a state member bank, that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice and to prohibit payment thereof. The payment of dividends that depletes a bank's capital base could be deemed to constitute such an unsafe or unsound practice.

Virginia law also imposes restrictions on the ability of the Bank to pay dividends. A Virginia state bank is permitted to declare a dividend out of its "net undivided profits", after providing for all expenses, losses, interest and taxes accrued or due by the bank. In addition, a deficit in capital originally paid in must be restored to its initial level, and no dividend can be paid which could impair the Bank's paid in capital. The Bureau of Financial Institutions further has authority to limit the payment of dividends by a Virginia bank if it determines the limitation is in the public interest and is necessary to ensure the bank's financial soundness.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA) provides that no insured depository institution may make any capital distribution (which would include a cash dividend) if, after making the distribution, the institution would not satisfy one or more of its minimum capital requirements. The Federal Reserve Board has indicated that banking organizations, including bank holding companies, should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings. Federal regulators also have indicated that bank holding companies generally should pay dividends only if the organization’s net income available to company shareholders is sufficient to fully fund the dividends as well as maintaining sufficient capital levels.
 

 
 
12

 
 
Capital Requirements

The federal banking agencies adopted new regulations that implement the Basel III regulatory capital reforms and changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act.
 
Effective January 1, 2015, the Bank became subject to new capital requirements adopted by the Federal Reserve (with some changes transitioned into full effectiveness over two to four years). The new requirements created a new required ratio for common equity Tier 1 ("CETI") capital, increased the leverage and Tier 1 capital ratios, changed the risk weight of certain assets for purposes of the risk-based capital ratios, created an additional capital conservation buffer over the required capital ratios and changed what qualifies as capital for purposes of meeting these various capital requirements. Beginning in 2016, failure to maintain the required capital conservation buffer will limit the ability of the Bank to pay dividends or pay discretionary bonuses. The Company is exempt from consolidated capital requirements as those requirements do not apply to certain small bank holding companies with assets under $1 billion.

Under the new capital regulations, the minimum capital ratios are as follows:

·  
CETI capital ratio of 4.5% of risk-weighted assets (new);
·  
Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0% of risk-weighted assets (increased from 4%);
·  
Total capital ratio of 8.0% of risk-weighted assets (unchanged); and,
·  
Leverage ratio of 4.0% (unchanged).

CETI generally consists of common stock and retained earnings, subject to applicable regulatory adjustments and deductions.

There are a number of changes in what constitutes regulatory capital, some of which are subject to transition periods. These changes include the phasing-out of certain instruments as qualifying capital. The Bank does not use any of these instruments. Under the new requirements for total capital, Tier 2 capital is no longer limited to the amount of Tier 1 capital included in total capital. Mortgage servicing rights, certain deferred tax assets and investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries over designated percentages of CETI will be deducted from capital. The Bank has elected to permanently opt-out of the inclusion of accumulated other comprehensive income in our capital calculations, as permitted by the regulations. This opt-out will reduce the impact of market volatility on our regulatory capital levels.


The new requirements also include changes in the risk-weights of assets to better reflect credit risk and other risk exposures. These include a 150% risk weight (increased from 100%) for certain high volatility commercial real estate acquisition, development and construction loans and for non-residential mortgage loans that are 90 days past due or otherwise in non-accrual status; a 20% (increased from 0%) credit conversion factor for the unused portion of a commitment with an original maturity of one year or less that is not unconditionally cancellable; a 250% risk weight (increased from 100%) for mortgage servicing and deferred tax assets that are not deducted from capital; and increased risk weights (0% to 600%) for equity exposures.

In addition to the minimum CETI, Tier 1 and total capital ratios, the Bank will have to maintain a capital conservation buffer consisting of additional CETI capital greater than 2.5% of risk-weighted assets above the required minimum levels in order to avoid limitations on paying dividends or paying discretionary bonuses based on percentages of eligible retained income that could be utilized for such actions. This new capital conservation buffer requirement will be phased in beginning in January 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and increasing each year until fully implemented in January 2019.

The Federal Reserve’s prompt corrective action standards changed effective January 1, 2015. Under the new standards, in order to be considered well-capitalized, the Bank must have a CETI ratio of 6.5% (new), a Tier 1 ratio of 8.0% (increased from 6.0%), a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% (unchanged), and a leverage ratio of 5.0% (unchanged). As of December 31, 2015, the Bank meets all these new requirements, including the full capital conservation buffer.

At December 31, 2015, the Bank’s capital exceeded all applicable requirements and is considered "well-capitalized".
 
The risk-based capital standards of the Federal Reserve explicitly identify concentrations of credit risk and the risk arising from non-traditional activities, as well as an institution’s ability to manage these risks, as important factors to be taken into account by the agency in assessing an institution’s overall capital adequacy.  The capital guidelines also provide that an institution’s exposure to a decline in the economic value of its capital due to changes in interest rates be considered by the agency as a factor in evaluating a banking organization’s capital adequacy.

The FDIC may take various corrective actions against any undercapitalized bank and any bank that fails to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan or fails to implement a plan accepted by the FDIC.  These powers include, but are not limited to, requiring the institution to be recapitalized, prohibiting asset growth, restricting interest rates paid, requiring prior approval of capital distributions by any bank holding company that controls the institution, requiring divestiture by the institution of its subsidiaries or by the holding company of the institution itself, requiring new election of directors, and requiring the dismissal of directors and officers.  The Company and the Bank presently maintain sufficient capital to remain in compliance with these capital requirements.

 
13

 

Other Legislative and Regulatory Concerns

Other legislative and regulatory proposals regarding changes in banking and the regulation of banks, thrifts and other financial institutions are periodically considered by the executive branch of the federal government, Congress and various state governments, including Virginia. New proposals could significantly change the regulation of banks and the financial services industry. It cannot be predicted what might be proposed or adopted or how these proposals would affect the Company.


Formal Written Agreement

On October 13, 2010, the Company and Bank entered into a written agreement (“Written Agreement”) with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (the “Reserve Bank”).  Under the terms of the Written Agreement, the Bank has agreed to develop and submit to the Reserve Bank for approval within the time periods specified therein written plans or programs to:

·  
strengthen board oversight of the management and operations of the Bank;
·  
strengthen credit risk management and administration;
·  
provide for the effective grading of the Bank’s loan portfolio;
·  
summarize the findings of its review of the adequacy of the staffing of its loan review function;
·  
improve the Bank’s position with respect to loans, relationships, or other assets in excess of $500,000 that currently are or in the future become past due more than 90 days, on the Bank’s problem loan list, or adversely classified in any report of examination of the Bank;
·  
review and revise the Bank’s methodology for determining the allowance for loan and lease losses (“ALLL”) and maintain an adequate ALLL;
·  
maintain sufficient capital at the Company and the Bank;
·  
establish a revised written contingency funding plan;
·  
establish a revised written strategic and capital plan;
·  
establish a revised investment policy;
·  
improve the Bank’s earnings and overall condition;
·  
revise the Bank’s information technology program;
·  
establish a disaster recovery and business continuity program; and,
·  
establish a committee to monitor compliance with all aspects of the written agreement.
 
Further, both the Company and the Bank have agreed to refrain from declaring or paying dividends without prior regulatory approval.  The Company has agreed that it will not take any other form of payment representing a reduction in Bank’s capital or make any distributions of interest, principal or other sums on subordinated debentures or trust preferred securities without prior regulatory approval.  The Company also has agreed not to incur, increase or guarantee any debt or not to purchase or redeem any shares of its stock without prior regulatory approval.
 
The following summarizes the Company’s progress to comply with the items in the Written Agreement as of December 31, 2015.


·  
A new board oversight policy has been approved and implemented;
·  
Completed revising the Bank’s loan grading system and ALLL methodology;
·  
Improved credit administration policies have been established and increased the staffing in the Loan Review area
·  
Implemented Problem Loan Action reports and Problem Asset reports for all assets over $500,000. These are reviewed with the Board and forwarded to the Federal Reserve Bank on a quarterly basis;
·  
Completed revising the written contingency funding plan;
·  
Implemented stress testing of the loan portfolio;
·  
Completed revising the investment policy;
·  
Completed a three year capital plan targeted to improve the Company’s and Bank’s capital levels to include strategically reducing the risk weighted assets of the Company and improving earnings;
·  
Completed a Business Continuity Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan; and,
·  
Formed a Directors’ compliance committee to monitor the progress of each item in the written agreement. The committee meets at least quarterly and files a report with the Federal Reserve Bank.

 
 
14

 
 
Organization and Employment

The Company, the Bank, HCTI, HUFS, HUIS, Blue Ridge Hospitality, LLC, and Russell Road, LLC, are organized in a holding company/subsidiary structure. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had no employees, except for officers, and it conducted substantially all of its operations through its subsidiaries. All cash compensation paid to the Company’s officers is paid by the subsidiary bank, including fees paid to its directors. At December 31, 2015, the Bank employed 211 full time equivalent employees at its main office, operations center, support centers and branch offices. The Company’s relationship with its employees is considered to be good. Employment has remained very stable over the last several years with very little turnover. An employment contract was entered into with the Company’s CEO Timothy Schools in December 2015. The Company filed a Form 8-K discussing the agreement on December 14, 2015. This is the only employment agreement in effect at December 31, 2015.

Company Website

The Bank maintains a website at www.hubank.com. The Company makes available through the Bank’s website its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after the material is electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Not applicable

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable
 
Item 2. Properties

The Company’s and the Bank’s headquarters are located at 340 W. Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia. In addition to the Bank's Main Office location, the Bank owns thirteen branch offices: one in the Town of Abingdon, Virginia; one in Washington County, Virginia; two in the City of Bristol, Virginia; one in the Town of Glade Spring, Virginia; one in the Town of Marion, Virginia; one in the City of Bristol, Tennessee; one in the Town of Rogersville, Tennessee; one in the Town of Boone, North Carolina; one in the Town of Banner Elk, North Carolina; two in the City of Sevierville, Tennessee; and one in the City of Knoxville, Tennessee. The Bank owns the land and buildings of all of these branch offices as well as the main office for the Company and Bank.

The Bank also owns the land and two buildings used for its Collections, Human Resources, Customer Call Center, IRA Operations, Internal Audit and Facilities departments in Abingdon, Virginia as well as the land and buildings used as the Bank’s Operations Center and Technology House in Abingdon, Virginia.

The Bank owns approximately 14 acres of vacant land in Abingdon, Virginia, as well as vacant land in Washington County, Virginia for potential future expansion.

All of the existing properties are in good operating condition and are adequate for the Company’s present and anticipated future needs.

The Bank owns all its computer and data processing hardware and is a licensee of the software it utilizes.
 
Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

On December 23, 2015, James M. Brock and Jean W. Brock (together, “Brock”) filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of Grayson County, Virginia, alleging that the Bank acted negligently when it foreclosed on property adjacent to the Brock’s property and allegedly failed to remediate the foreclosed property, allegedly causing damage to Brock’s property. Brock seeks damages of $200,000 plus prejudgment interest, attorneys’ fees, and costs.  The Bank denies any wrongdoing in this matter and intends to vigorously defend itself.  No trial date has yet been set.  The Company is unable to estimate the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the amount or range of potential loss.


Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable
 

 
 
15

 
 
Part II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity,  Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Common Stock Information and Dividends

Trades in the Company’s common stock are reported on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) and in the Pinksheets by at least five broker dealers under the symbol HBKA.OB. In addition, the Company maintains a list of individuals who are interested in purchasing its common stock and connects these people with shareholders who are interested in selling their stock. These parties negotiate the per share price independent of the Company. The  Company’s stock transfer agent is Computershare.  Please refer to the table below entitled Common Stock Performance for a summary of sales prices known to the Company for each of the four quarters of 2015 and 2014.




Common Stock Performance – 2015
         
 
High
Low
Quarterly Average
Dividends per Share
         
First Quarter
$  4.39
$  3.50
$   3.74
$        -
         
Second Quarter
$  4.50
$  3.67
$   3.95
 
$        -
         
Third Quarter
$  4.37
 $  3.95
$   4.20
$        -
         
Fourth Quarter
$  4.95
$  4.22
$   4.61
 
$        -
         
         
Common Stock Performance – 2014
         
 
High
Low
Quarterly Average
Dividends per Share
         
First Quarter
$  4.00
$  3.70
$   3.96
$        -
         
Second Quarter
$  4.00
$  3.31
$   3.75
$        -
         
Third Quarter
$  3.65
 $  3.30
$   3.43
$        -
         
Fourth Quarter
$  3.50
$  3.25
$   3.34
$        -

 The Company is currently prohibited from paying dividends without regulatory approval under the terms of the Written Agreement dated October 13, 2010. For additional information regarding regulatory restrictions on the Company’s ability to pay dividends, see “Certain Regulatory Considerations - Highlands Union Bank – Limits on Dividend and Other Payments” in Item 1 above.

In connection with its capital raise in 2014, the Company issued shares of Series A Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”).  Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available therefore, non-cumulative dividends in the same per share amount as the dividends paid on a share of common stock.  The Company will not pay any dividends with respect to its common stock unless an equivalent dividend also is paid to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.

In January of 2016, the Company’s CEO, Timothy K. Schools purchased 235,294 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $4.25 per share in a private placement as disclosed on Form 4 on January 12, 2016.  In February 2016, two of the private placement purchasers participating in the capital raise in 2014, MFP Partners LP and Deerhill Pond Investment Partners, LP, each purchased another 12,744 shares of common stock at $4.25 per share which allowed them to maintain the same ownership percentage that was held immediately prior to the Mr. Schools’ purchase.

As of March 15, 2016, the Company had approximately 1,450 shareholders of record.

 
 
16

 
 
Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

The Company had no repurchases of common stock during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.  The Company does not anticipate any repurchases during 2016 as the Company currently is prohibited from repurchasing its common stock without regulatory approval under the terms of the Written Agreement dated October 13, 2010.

The Company currently has 8,112,563 shares of common stock outstanding.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

Not Applicable

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The purpose of this discussion is to provide information about the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary and other information included in this report. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
Caution About Forward-Looking Statements
 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including certain plans, expectations, goals and projections, which are inherently subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those set forth or implied in the forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks including, but not limited to, the following factors:

·  
adverse economic conditions in the market area and the impact on credit quality and risks inherent in the loan portfolio such as repayment risk and fluctuating collateral values;
·  
our inability to manage, dispose of and properly value non-performing assets and other real estate owned;
·  
further deterioration in the housing market and collateral values;
·  
our inability to assess the creditworthiness of our loan portfolio and maintain a sufficient allowance for loan losses;
·  
our inability to maintain adequate sources of funding and liquidity, including secondary sources such as Federal Home Loan Bank advances;
·  
our ability to attract and maintain capital levels adequate to support our asset levels and risk profile;
·  
our inability to comply with the written agreement, dated October 13, 2010, with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond;
·  
our successful management of interest rate risk and changes in interest rates and interest rate policies;
·  
reliance on our management team, including our ability to attract and retain key personnel;
·  
our ability to successfully manage our strategic plan;
·  
difficult market conditions in our industry;
·  
problems with technology utilized by us;
·  
our ability to successfully manage third-party vendors upon whom we are dependent;
·  
competition with other banks and financial institutions, and companies outside of the banking industry, including those companies that have substantially greater access to capital and other resources;
·  
potential impact on us of recently enacted legislation and future regulation;
·  
changes in accounting policies or standards;
·  
demand, development and acceptance of new products and services; and,
·  
changing trends in customer profiles and behavior.


 
17

 

Overview

At December 31, 2015, the Bank separately (on a non-consolidated basis) had total assets of $617.52 million. Total deposits at this date were $495.56 million. The Bank’s net income for 2015 was $1.43 million which produced a return on average assets of 0.23% and a return on average stockholders' equity of 2.67%. Refer to Note 21 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Bank’s risk-based capital ratios.

The Bank offers general retail and commercial banking services to individuals, businesses and local government units. These products and services include accepting deposits in the form of checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, interest-bearing demand deposit accounts, savings accounts and time deposits; making real estate, commercial, revolving, consumer, credit card and agricultural loans; offering letters of credit; providing other consumer financial services, such as automatic funds transfer, collections, night depository, safe deposit, travelers checks and savings bond sales; and, providing other miscellaneous services normally offered by commercial banks.

The Bank makes money primarily by earning an interest rate spread between the interest rates it earns on loans and securities and interest rates it pays on deposits and other borrowed money. The Bank also earns money through fees, service charges and other non-interest income.

Critical Accounting Policies

General

The financial condition and results of operations presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements, accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and management’s discussion and analysis are, to a large degree, dependent upon the accounting policies of the Company.  The selection and application of these accounting policies involve judgments, estimates, and uncertainties that are susceptible to change.

Presented below is a discussion of the Accounting Policies that management believes are important to the understanding of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.  These critical accounting policies require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain.  In the event that different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, and depending upon the severity of such changes, the possibility of materially different financial condition or results of operations is a reasonable likelihood.  See also Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company monitors and maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb the estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio.  The allowance for loan losses is based on management’s judgment and analysis of current and historical loss experience, risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, concentrations of credit and asset quality, as well as other internal and external factors, such as general economic conditions. The Company recognizes the inherent imprecision in estimates of losses due to various uncertainties, and variability related to the factors used. If different assumptions or conditions were to prevail and it is determined that the allowance is not adequate to absorb the new estimate of probable losses, an additional provision for loan losses would be made, which amount may be material to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Performance Summary

The following table shows the Company’s key performance ratios for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 
           2015
           2014
 
       
Return on Average Assets
0.22%
0.42%
 
Return on Average Equity
2.48%
5.46%
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
$   0.17
$   0.36
 
Fully Diluted Earnings per share
$   0.13
$   0.28
 
Net Interest Margin (1)
3.41%
3.38%
 
Average Equity to Average Assets Ratio
8.78%
7.63%
 

(1) Net Interest Margin - Year-to-date tax equivalent net interest income divided by year-to-date average earning assets
 
 
 
18

 
 
Balance Sheet Summary

The following table shows the Company’s key balance sheet indicators at December 31, 2015 and 2014:

(dollar amounts in thousands)


 
                2015
 2014
 
       
Securities
      $      79,860
     $      84,335
 
Loans, net
      $    426,429
     $    401,520
 
Deposits
      $    494,912
     $    483,497
 
Assets
      $    616,982
     $    605,114
 


Asset Quality

The following table shows the Company’s key asset quality indicators at December 31, 2015 and 2014:

      (dollar amounts in thousands)

 
2015
2014
 
 
Non-accrual loans
 
 $9,456
 
 $11,644
 
Loans past due over 90 days and still accruing interest
 
-
 
22
 
 
Other real estate owned, net
                 5,694
                 6,685
 
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
              1.31%
              1.35%
 
 
Net charge-off ratio
                0.31%
                0.66%
 

For further information see the discussion under "Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses" below.
 
Results of Operations

Net Interest Income
(dollar amounts in thousands)

Net interest income for 2015 was $18,206 or an increase of $259 from 2014. During 2015 interest income decreased by $408. This was a result of existing interest earning assets re-pricing at lower rates, and new loans made and securities purchased with lower yields. Average interest earning assets increased approximately $1,043 from 2014. Interest-bearing liabilities also re-priced downward, causing a decrease in interest expense of $667. The net result of these changes was an increase in the Company’s net interest margin from 3.38% in 2014 to 3.41% in 2015. During 2014 and 2015, the Federal Reserve Board continued to maintain rates at historical lows. The Board did increase the fed funds rate in December 2015 by 25 basis points. This marked the first rate increase in 9 years.
 
The tax equivalent yield on earning assets for 2015 was 4.26%, decreasing 9 basis points as compared to 2014. During the same period, the yield on interest bearing liabilities was 1.04%, which was a decrease of 13 basis points. Average interest bearing liabilities decreased $7,707 from 2014. The Company continued to lower time deposit rates throughout the year in an effort to reduce its cost of funds as well as to reduce total assets. The reduction in the average rates on interest earning assets was partially offset by the reduction in rates paid on interest bearing deposits, primarily time deposits. The Company also paid off its Holding Company Loan with Community Bankers Bank in April 2014 and redeemed its Trust Preferred Securities in July 2014 which accounted for a significant amount of the reduction in interest expense as compared to the previous year.
 
 
 
19

 
 
Analysis of Net Interest Earnings

The following table shows the major categories of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the interest earned or paid, the average yield or rate on the average balance outstanding, net interest income and net yield on average interest-earning assets and average interest spread for the years indicated.

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
2014
2013
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
Average
Balance
Interest Income/ Expense
 
Yield/
Rate
 
Average
Balance
Interest Income/ Expense
 
Yield/
Rate
 
Average
Balance
Interest Income/ Expense
 
Yield/
Rate
 
ASSETS
                 
Interest earning assets
  (taxable-equivalent basis):
                 
 
Loans (net of unearned
  discount (1)
 
 
$416,584
 
 
$ 20,930
 
 
5.02%
 
 
$405,751
 
 
$ 21,332
 
 
5.26%
 
 
$398,055
 
 
$ 21,599
 
 
5.43%
Securities (2)(3)
90,835
1,748
  2.13
73,486
1,703
  2.66
66,931
1,441
  2.58
Federal funds sold
      31,926
85
  0.27
      59,065
136
  0.23
      62,800
146
  0.23
 
Total interest-earning
  assets
 
 
$ 539,345
 
 
$  22,763
 
 
4.26%
 
 
$ 538,302
 
 
$  23,171
 
 
4.35%
 
 
$ 527,786
 
 
$  23,186
 
 
4.45%
 
LIABILITIES
                 
Interest bearing
  liabilities:
                 
 
Interest bearing deposits
 
$369,389
 
$ 2,169
 
 .59%
 
$374,049
 
$ 2,539
 
 .68%
 
$380,808
 
$ 2,951
 
 .77%
 
Other interest bearing
  liabilities
 
 
67,780
 
 
    2,388
 
 
     3.52
 
 
70,827
 
 
    2,685
 
 
     3.79
 
 
74,534
 
 
    3,143
 
 
     4.22
 
Total interest-bearing
  liabilities
 
 
$437,169
 
 
$  4,557
 
 
1.04%
 
 
$444,876
 
 
$  5,224
 
 
1.17%
 
 
$455,342
 
 
$  6,094
 
 
1.34%
 
Net interest income
 
 
$ 18,206
   
 
$ 17,947
   
 
$ 17,092
 
Net margin on interest
  earning assets on a
  tax equivalent basis
   
 
 
3.41%
   
 
 
3.38%
   
 
 
3.29%
 
Average interest spread
   
 
  3.22%
   
 
  3.18%
   
 
  3.11%
                   
(1)  For the purposes of these computations, non-accruing loans are included in the daily average loan amounts outstanding.
 
(2) Tax equivalent adjustments (using 34% federal tax rates) have been made in calculating yields on tax-free investments. Virginia banks are exempt from state income tax.
 
(3) The yield on securities classified as available – for - sale is computed based on the average balance of the historical amortized cost balance without the effects of the fair value adjustment required by ASC 320.
 
 
 
 
20

 

 
Analysis of Changes in Interest Income and Interest Expense

The Company's primary source of revenue is net interest income, which is the difference between the interest and fees earned on loans and investments and the interest paid on deposits and other funds. The Company's net interest income is affected by changes in the amount and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and by changes in yields earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in average asset and liability balances (volume) and changes in average interest rates (rate).  The increase (decrease) due to change in volume is computed using the change in the average balances between 2015 and 2014, and 2014 and 2013 multiplied by the corresponding current year average rates. The remaining increase or decrease in net interest income is allocated to the change in rate.
 
Increase/(Decrease) Due to Volume and Rate
 

 
2015 Compared to 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease) in
Increase (decrease) due to change in volume
Increase (decrease) due to change in rate
 
 
Net increase
(decrease)
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
INTEREST INCOME
Securities
 
 
   $          369
 
 
   $       (324)
 
 
$            45
 
Federal funds sold
              (72)
                 21
           (51)
 
Loans
               544
            (946)
         ( 402)
 
 
Total Income Change
 
   $         841
 
   $    (1,249)
 
  $       (408)
 
 
INTEREST EXPENSE
Savings and time deposits
 
 
   $        (27)
 
 
   $      (343)
 
 
$       (370)
 
Other interest-bearing
  liabilities
 
            (108)
 
            (189)
 
        (297)
 
 
Total Expense Change
 
   $      ( 135)
 
   $       (532)
 
$      (667)
 
 
Increase (Decrease) in
  Net Interest Income
 
 
   $          976
 
 
   $       (717)
 
 
$      259
 

 
2014 Compared to 2013
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease) in
Increase (decrease) due to change in volume
Increase (decrease) due to change in rate
 
 
Net increase
(decrease)
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
INTEREST INCOME
Securities
 
 
   $          174
 
 
   $          88
 
 
$        262
 
Federal funds sold
                (9)
               (1)
          (10)
 
Loans
             405
           (672)
        (267)
 
 
Total Income Change
 
   $         570
 
   $      (585)
 
  $      (15)
 
 
INTEREST EXPENSE
Savings and time deposits
 
 
   $        (46)
 
 
   $      (366)
 
 
$      (412)
 
Other interest-bearing
  liabilities
 
            (140)
 
           (318)
 
        (458)
 
 
Total Expense Change
 
   $       (186)
 
   $      (684)
 
$      (870)
 
 
Increase (Decrease) in
  Net Interest Income
 
 
   $          756
 
 
   $         99
 
 
$        855
 
 

 
 
21

 
Non-interest Income
(dollar amounts in thousands)

The Company’s non-interest income decreased by $343 from 2014 to 2015. Service charges on deposit accounts, primarily overdraft fees, decreased $230 from 2014. Earnings related to the Company’s holdings of Bank Owned Life Insurance totaled $402 and $410 for 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Life insurance proceeds, net of payments to beneficiaries, from Bank Owned Life Insurance totaled $0 and $130 for 2015 and 2014, respectively. Visa debit card interchange income totaled $1,312 and 1,280 for 2015 and 2014 respectively.

Non-interest Expense
(dollar amounts in thousands)

Non-interest expense is comprised of salaries and employee benefit costs, occupancy expenses, furniture and equipment expenses, other operating expenses, and expenses related to foreclosed assets. Non-interest expense for 2015 was $20,537, an increase of $1,388 compared to 2014. Salaries and employee benefits increased by 2.16%, or $217 primarily due to additional staff added in the information technology department. FDIC premiums totaled $863 in 2015 compared to $1,202 in 2014, as a result of reduced premium rates due to the improved condition of the Bank. OREO (other real estate owned) write-downs, net losses on sales and OREO expenses totaled $1,745 in 2015 compared to $1,533 in 2014.  During 2015, the Company conducted several on-site auctions on several OREO properties which resulted in sales totaling $1,100. Approximately $600 of the $1,745 represents write-downs on three commercial properties in the Company’s southwestern Virginia market area as result of updated appraisals or market evaluations as well as the age and condition of those properties.
 
Also during the third quarter of 2015, the Bank settled a lawsuit for $425 which is reflected in other losses (non-interest expense) for the year ended December 31, 2015.
 
Income Taxes
(dollar amounts in thousands)

Income tax benefits in 2015 totaled $1,205 compared to $777 in 2014. In the second quarter of 2015, the Company reversed the remaining balance of the valuation allowance that was established against the deferred tax assets (“DTA”) during the fourth quarter of 2011. The valuation allowance was established during 2011 due to uncertainty at the time regarding the ability to generate sufficient future taxable income to fully realize the benefit of the net DTA. Subsequent to 2011, earnings performance and asset quality have improved resulting in greater expected realization of the DTA. In addition, the Company raised $16,123 in net proceeds of new capital in 2014 which allowed the Company to pay off two high rate debt instruments (the Company’s Community Bankers Bank note and Trust Preferred Securities) improving future earnings potential.  As a result of these factors, the Company reversed $1,000 of the DTA in the second quarter of 2014, and due to the continued improvements in asset quality and earnings performance the remaining $1,000 of the DTA valuation allowance was reversed in the second quarter of 2015. In assessing the realizability of DTA, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the DTA will not be realized. The Company evaluates the carrying amount of its DTA on a quarterly basis in accordance with the guidance provided in FASB ASC Topic 740 (“ASC 740”), in particular, applying the criteria set forth therein to determine whether it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of the DTA will not be realized within its life cycle, based on the weight of available evidence. In most cases, the realization of the DTA is dependent upon the Company generating a sufficient level of taxable income in future periods, which can be difficult to predict.  If the Company’s forecast of taxable income within the carry forward periods available under applicable law is not sufficient to cover the amount of net deferred assets, such assets may be impaired. Management considers the reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carry-back and carry-forward periods), projected future taxable income and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment.

Management, in conjunction with the board of directors, will continue to evaluate the carrying value of the Company’s DTA on a quarterly basis, in accordance with ASC 740, and will determine any need for a valuation allowance based upon circumstances and expectations then in existence. 
 

 
 
22

 
 
Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses
(dollar amounts in thousands)

The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on management's judgment and analysis of current and historical loss experience, risk characteristics of the loan portfolio, concentrations of credit and asset quality, as well as other internal and external factors, such as general economic conditions.  The internal credit review department performs pre-approval analyses of large credits and also conducts credit review activities that provide management with an early warning of loan deterioration. The senior credit administration officer prepares quarterly analyses of the adequacy of the allowance for loans losses. These analyses include individual loans considered impaired for direct exposure. In addition, potential losses on loan pools and pool allocations are based upon historical losses and other factors, as adjusted, for various loan types. To calculate the anticipated loan loss in each call report category for ASC 450 loans, the Bank begins with the net loss in each category for each of the last twelve quarters. The Bank uses a rolling twelve quarter weighted historical loss average where the most recent quarters are weighted heavier than the earlier quarters so that the calculation reflects current risk trends within the portfolio.  The weighting used by the Bank is similar to the Rule of 78’s with the net losses of the most recent quarter weighted at 12/78ths and those in the first quarter in the twelve quarter period weighted at 1/78th. Therefore, the net losses of the most recent year represent approximately 54% of the calculation compared with 33% if a simple average of losses over the three-year period was used. The total of weighted factors for each call report category is applied to the current outstanding loan balance in each category to calculate expected loss based on historical data for a group of loans with similar risk characteristics.  The same weighting is applied to all loan types.  In addition to the change in the period of historical losses included in the calculation, additional amounts were allocated based upon internal and external factors such as changing trends in the loan mix, the effects of changes in business conditions in our market areas, unemployment trends, the effects of any changes in loan policies, competition, regulatory factors, and environmental factors related to our loan portfolio. The calculation for allowance for loan losses is reviewed by both the Credit Administration Committee and the Board of Directors. There can be no assurance however that additional provisions for loan losses will not be required in the future as a result of adverse changes in the economy, or further decreases in real estate values which will affect management’s future assumptions and allowance methodology.The Company’s allowance for loan losses includes an unallocated portion totaling $1,543 primarily due to factors such as the Company’s elevated past due rate and level of non-performing loans.

The Company’s allowance for loan losses to total loans was 1.31% and 1.35%, respectively at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the internal credit review department as well as management determined that the Company's allowance for loan losses is sufficient and is appropriate based on the requirements of US generally accepted accounting principles.
 

 
 
23

 
The following table presents the Company’s loan loss experience for the past five years:


 
Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
2015
 
2014
2013
2012
2011
Allowance for loan losses at  beginning of year
$    5,477
$    6,825
$    7,449
$    9,024
$    10,320
 
Loans charged off:
         
  Residential 1-4 Family
360
258
452
584
971
  Multifamily
-
-
-
246
246
  Construction and Land Loans
                 12
               18
               127
            518
           1,857
  Commercial, Owner Occupied
              407
               345
               52
               686
              517
  Commercial, Non-owner occupied
12
1,239
408
183
276
  Second Mortgages
3
25
134
90
351
  Equity Lines of Credit
-
116
3
23
25
  Farmland
                    -
                 -
40
4
272
           
Secured (other ) and unsecured
         
   Personal
662
315
274
300
412
  Commercial
257
177
408
592
934
  Agricultural
                   -
               230
                 12
                2
                            98
 
  Overdrafts
 
134
 
229
 
170
 
153
 
173
          Total
1,847
2,952
2,080
3,381
6,132
 
Recoveries of loans previously
  charged off:
         
           
  Residential 1-4 Family
3
                1
               19
               161
                  19
  Multifamily
-
-
-
-
-
  Construction and Land Loans
41
17
5
453
53
  Commercial, Owner Occupied
376
132
-
5
-
  Commercial, Non-owner occupied
6
1
-
2
-
  Second Mortgages
-
-
-
3
10
  Equity Lines of Credit
41
-
-
-
-
  Farmland
3
-
-
2
20
           
  Secured (other ) and unsecured
         
  Personal
76
90
75
74
69
 Commercial
                   9
                 39
               31
               144
                 16
 Agricultural
-
-
6
4
1
 Overdrafts
-
-
-
-
-
           
            Total
555
280
136
848
188
 
         
Net loans charged off
1,292
2,672
1,944
2,533
5,944
Provision for loan losses
1,469
1,324
1,320
958
4,648
 
Allowance for loan losses end of year
 
$ 5,654
 
$ 5,477
 
$ 6,825
 
$ 7,449
 
$ 9,024
 
Average total loans (net of deferred fees)
 
$ 416,584
 
$ 405,751
 
$ 398,055
 
$ 400,361
 
$ 428,811
 
Total loans (net of deferred fees) at year-end
 
 $ 432,083
 
 $ 406,997
 
 $ 403,786
 
 $ 390,498
 
 $ 407,804
 
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans
 
0.31%
 
0.66%
 
0.49%
 
0.63%
 
1.39%
 
Ratio of provision for loan losses to average loans
 
0.35%
 
0.33%
 
0.33%
 
0.24%
 
1.08%
 
Ratio of provision for loan losses to net charge-off
 
113.70%
 
49.55%
 
67.90%
 
37.82%
 
78.20%
 
Allowance for loan losses to year-end loans
 
1.31%
 
1.35%
 
1.69%
 
1.91%
 
2.21%
           


 
24

 

Non-performing loans
(dollar amounts in thousands)

The loan portfolio of the Bank is reviewed regularly by both senior officers and the credit review department to monitor loan performance. The frequency of the review is based on the size of the loan relationship, performance, the rating of credit worthiness of the borrower utilizing various factors such as net worth, credit history and customer relationship. The evaluations emphasize different factors depending upon the type of loan involved. Commercial and real estate loans are reviewed on the basis of projections of cash flow and estimated net realizable value through an evaluation of collateral and the financial strength of the borrower. Installment loans are evaluated largely on the basis of delinquency data because of the large number of such loans and relatively small size of each individual loan.

Management’s review of commercial and other loans may result in a determination that a loan should be placed on non-accrual. It is the policy of the Bank to discontinue the accrual of interest on any loan on which full repayment of principal and / or interest is doubtful. Subsequent collection of interest is recognized as income on a cash basis upon receipt or a reduction of the  principal balance if the collection of all principal is not certain. Placing a loan on non-accrual status for the purpose of income recognition is not in itself a reliable indication of potential loss of principal. Other factors, such as the value of the collateral securing the loan and the financial condition of the borrower serve as more reliable indicators of potential loss of principal.
 
The policy of the Bank is that non-performing loans consist of loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis and loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more in regards to interest and/or principal payments. The following table presents non-performing loans at December 31.
 

 
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
 
(Amounts in thousands)
           
Non-performing loans
$     9,456
$     11,666
$     10,986
$    10,550
$     20,795
           
Non-accrual loans
$     9,456
$     11,644
$     10,984
$    10,544
$    19,345
           
Loans past-due 90 days and more and still accruing
$              -
$              22
$              2
$             6
$        1,450
           
Interest income lost on non-accruing loans
$          449
$          618
$          620
$        725
$        1,187
           

The Company has seen the greatest deterioration of its commercial real estate loan portfolio in the Sevierville, Tennessee and North Carolina market areas.

Due to the significant increase in non-performing loans the Company significantly increased its loan loss provisions from 2009 to 2011 as compared to previous years. The allowance for loan losses to total loans decreased from 1.35% to 1.31% during 2015. This was primarily due to the loan growth achieved during the year and to loans being transferred into OREO and/or liquidated and subsequently written down to current market values out of specific reserves allocated to such loans.

It is management’s opinion that at December 31, 2015, the allowance for loan losses was determined to be in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles and is adequate. The allowance for loan losses is reviewed and approved quarterly by the Board of Directors.
 
 
 
25

 
 
Allocation of the allowance for loan losses

The following table provides an allocation of the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010 and 2011.

 
 
 
December 31,
Percent of Loans on each Category
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
2015
 
2014
2013
 
Allowance for
Loan Loss
Percentage of Total Allowance
Percentage of
Total Loans
Allowance for
Loan Loss
Percentage of Total Allowance
Percentage of
Total Loans
Allowance for
Loan Loss
Percentage of Total Allowance
Percentage of
Total Loans
 
Residential 1-4 Family
 
$        654
 
11.57 %
 
44.88%
 
$        995
 
18.17%
 
45.83%
 
$        975
 
14.29%
 
43.49%
Multifamily
 
0.00
    5.52
20
0.37
    5.18
143
2.09
    5.09
Construction and Land Loans
37
0.66
      4.43
87
1.59
      4.54
230
3.37
      4.58
Commercial – Owner Occupied
          1,012
17.90
16.87
          409
7.47
17.35
          1,029
15.08
17.66
Commercial  Non Owner Occupied
             748
        13.23
8.78
          1,063
        19.41
7.89
          1,415
        20.73
9.18
Second Mortgages
43
0.76
1.89
67
1.22
1.98
153
2.24
1.96
Equity Line of Credit
20
0.35
1.39
74
1.35
1.60
50
0.73
1.95
 Farmland
7
0.12
2.61
12
0.22
2.02
65
0.95
2.31
                   
Personal
704
12.45
4.80
665
12.14
5.13
483
7.08
5.06
Commercial
798
14.11
8.12
852
15.55
7.75
1,193
17.48
7.81
Agricultural
88
1.56
0.68
130
2.37
0.66
71
1.04
0.83
                   
Overdrafts
-
-
0.03
-
-
0.07
-
-
0.08
Unallocated
          1,543
27.29
-
          1,103
20.14
-
          1,018
14.92
-
                   
 
Total
 
$    5,654
 
100.00%
 
100.00%
 
$    5,477
 
100.00%
 
100.00%
 
$    6,825
 
100.00%
 
100.00%



 
26

 


           
 
December 31,
Percent of Loans on each Category
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
   
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
Allowance for
Loan Loss
Percentage of Total Allowance
Percentage of
Total Loans
Allowance for
Loan Loss
Percentage of Total Allowance
Percentage of
Total Loans
 
 
Residential 1-4 Family
 
$        1,242
 
16.67%
 
42.90%
 
$        1,618
 
17.93%
 
41.39%
 
Multifamily
280
3.76
    4.44
477
    5.29
3.77
 
Construction and Land Loans
823
11.05
      4.90
1,746
19.35
      5.70
 
Commercial – Owner Occupied
          1,039
        13.95
16.50
          1,209
13.40
   17.48
 
Commercial  Non Owner Occupied
1,075
14.43
9.09
400
4.43
8.94
 
Second Mortgages
161
2.16
2.38
371
4.11
3.00
 
Equity Line of Credit
30
0.40
2.12
69
0.76
2.23
 
 Farmland
97
1.30
2.86
336
3.72
2.99
 
               
Personal
486
6.53
5.72
764
8.47
5.83
 
Commercial
1,530
20.54
8.15
1,620
17.95
7.94
 
Agricultural
-
-
0.86
-
-
0.68
 
               
Overdrafts
-
-
0.08
-
-
0.05
 
Unallocated
686
9.21
-
414
4.59
-
 
               
 
Total
 
$    7,449
 
100.00%
 
100.00%
 
$    9,024
 
100.00%
 
100.00%
 


Financial Condition

Balance Sheet
(dollar amounts in thousands)

Total assets of the Company increased slightly by $11,868 or 1.96% in 2015.  Average interest earning assets increased approximately $1,043 from 2014. The Company’s current strategy over the next couple of years is to moderately grow loans using existing federal funds sold, cash on hand or new deposits. Average interest bearing liabilities decreased by $7,707 from 2014. The Company paid off its holding company loan with Community Bankers Bank in April 2014 and redeemed its Trust Preferred Securities in July 2014 which accounted for the majority of the reduction. Total deposits increased $11,415 or 2.36% as the Company continued to see a increase in checking and savings account balances.
 

 
 
27

 
 
Loans
(dollar amounts in thousands)

Loans net of unearned income and deferred fees increased by $25,086 or 6.16% in 2015. The majority of this increase was growth in residential and commercial real estate loans. 2013 represented the first year since the recession that loan growth occurred. Loans decreased approximately $100 million during the 2009 through 2012 time period due to stagnant loan demand and the Company’s plan to reduce higher risk weighted assets, primarily commercial real estate loans and other commercial loans.

Prior to the economic downturn, the Company’s portfolio of commercial, construction and land development loans had experienced significant growth. As construction and commercial lending has slowed significantly in the last six years, a diligent effort has been made to concentrate on permanent financing for residential mortgages.

The Company has also implemented a separate credit analysis department to review larger loan requests, typically loan requests in excess of $250,000. This department operates separately from the loan origination arm of the Bank and completes independent and unbiased reviews of each new loan request. The senior officer of this department meets monthly with the Loan Committee of the Board of Directors.

Loan Portfolio

The table below classifies gross loans by major category and percentage distribution at December 31, for each of the past five years:


 
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
 
Amount
Percentage
Amount
Percentage
Amount
Percentage
Amount
Percentage
Amount
Percentage
Real Estate Secured:
                   
  Residential 1-4 family
  $ 194,287
44.88%
$ 186,829   
45.83%
$ 175,860   
43.49%
  $  167,777   
42.90%
$ 169,027   
41.39%
  Multi-family
23,895
    5.52
21,131
    5.18
 20,592
5.09
17,348
4.44
  15,375
3.77
 Construction and Land Loans
 
19,163
 
4.43
 
18,518
 
 4.54
 
18,509
 
  4.58
 
19,161
 
  4.90
 
23,295
 
  5.70
 Commercial, Owner Occ.
73,031
16.87
70,748
17.35
71,459
    17.66
64,504
    16.50
71,367
    17.48
Commercial, Non Owner   Occupied
 
38,025
 
8.78
 
32,173
 
7.  89
 
37,117
 
9.18
 
35,536
 
9.09
 
36,489
 
8.94
Second Mortgages
8,169
1.89
8,075
1.98
7,934
1.96
9,298
2.38
12,247
3.00
Equity Lines of Credit
6,000
1.39
6,499
1.60
7,884
1.95
8,287
2.12
9,126
2.23
Farmland
11,283
          2.61
8,246
            2.02   
9,322
       2.31  
11,180
       2.86   
12,207
          2.99
 
$373,853
86.37%
$352,219
86.39%
$348,677
86.22%
$333,091
85.19%
$349,133
85.50%
                     
 
Secured, Other and Unsecured
                   
  Personal
$   20,775
4.80%
$   20,901
5.13%
$   20,472
5.06%
$   22,358
5.72%
$   23,824
5.83%
  Commercial
35,144
8.12
31,586
7.75
31,575
7.81
31,927
8.15
  32,407
         7.94
  Agricultural
2,959
0.68
2,683
0.66
3,376
0.83
3,372
0.86
2,784
0.68
 
$   58,878
  13.60%
$   55,170
  13.54%
$   55,423
  13.70%
$   57,657
  14.73%
$   59,015
  14.45%
                     
Overdrafts
$   139
    0.03%
$   285
    0.07%
$   304
    0.08%
$   297
    0.08%
$   207
    0.05%
                     
Loans, gross
$ 432,870
100.00%
$ 407,674
100.00%
$ 404,404
100.00%
$ 391,045
100.00%
$ 408,355
100.00%
                     



 
28

 

 
The following table shows the maturity of loans outstanding, inclusive of expected prepayments and contractual amortization, at December 31,
2015:     (Non-accrual loan balances are reflected in the immediate time period)

 
December 31, 2015
(Amounts in Thousands)
 
Within One Year
After One Year But Within Five Years
After Five Years
 
 
Fixed
Floating
Fixed
Floating
Fixed
Floating
Total
               
Real Estate Secured:
             
Residential 1-4 Family
 
$  34,738
 
$ 13,910
 
$  83,868
 
$  32,219
 
$         17,419
 
$  9,439
$ 191,593
Multi-family
4,731
948
8,845
2,824
4,246
2,302
23,896
Construction and Land Loans
8,224
                 801
4,641
1,067
              2,133
2,226
19,092
Commercial , Owner Occupied
12,443
3,056
30,967
4,072
8,140
8,496
67,174
Commercial, Non-Owner      Occupied
6,477
1,591
19,179
2,120
4,237
4,422
38,026
Second Mortgages
               2,067
              1,261
3,816
776
-
245
8,165
Equity Line of Credit
-
1,403
-
3,881
-
                 715
5.999
Farmland
1,749
1,515
4,686
 1,182
-
1,848
10,980
Secured, Other and Unsecured
       
 
   
Personal
6,901
3,372
8,813
888
-
638
20,612
Commercial
11,652
5,400
17,289
304
-
133
34,778
Agricultural
                  978
453
1,492
26
-
11
2,960
Overdrafts
139
-
-
-
-
-
139
               
Non Accrual Loans
9,456
-
-
-
-
-
9,456
               
Loans, Gross
 
 
 
 
$ 99,555
 
 
 
 
$ 33,710
 
 
 
 
$ 183,596
 
 
 
 
$  49,359
 
 
 
 
$  36,175
 
 
 
 
$  30,475
 
 
 
 
 
$ 432,870
               
               
               
               



 
29

 

 

Foreclosed Assets (Other Real Estate Owned)
(dollar amounts in thousands)

At December 31, 2015 OREO balances were $5,694 and consisted of 28 relationships. At December 31, 2014 OREO balances were $6,685 and consisted of 31 relationships. The following chart details each category type, number of relationships and balance.


OREO Property at 12/31/2015
   
     
OREO Description
Number
Balance at 12/31/15
   
(in thousands)
Land Development  - Vacant Land
11
$              1,287
1-4 Family
10
                1,295
Commercial Real Estate
 7
                3,112
     
Total
28
$              5,694
     

OREO Property at 12/31/2014
   
     
OREO Description
Number
Balance at 12/31/14
   
(in thousands)
Land Development  - Vacant Land
12
$              1,723
1-4 Family
13
                2,382
Commercial Real Estate
6
                2,580
     
Total
31
$              6,685
     

The following table shows the activity related to OREO for the periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

     
     
OREO Description
2015
2014
     
Beginning balance, January 1
$     6,685
$        7,834         
Additions
        4,131
 3,304
Deletions
      (5,122)
(4,453)
Ending Balance, December 31
$      5,694
$         6,685        
 
   

The Company’s major markets are Southwestern Virginia, Tri-city Tennessee, Sevierville and Knoxville, Tennessee, and Boone and Banner Elk, North Carolina. The following table provides information about properties owned in each geographic area, the number of individual properties and book value.


 
30

 


   
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
             
 
Geographic Area
Number
Value (in thousands)
 
Number
Value (in thousands)
             
 
Sevierville and Knoxville TN Area
 8
$1,179
 
 7
$2,041
 
Southwest VA and Tri-city TN Area
      17       
4,248
 
 14
2,986
 
Boone and Banner Elk NC Area
 3
267
 
 10
1,658
             
 
Total
28
$5,694
 
31
$6,685

The Company formed a special assets committee to focus directly on selling OREO properties and reducing other non-performing assets. The committee is comprised of lending officers from all of the Bank’s three market areas. The ability to sell OREO which has been negatively affected by the current economic climate and the resulting reduction of non-performing assets, will to a large degree, depend upon continued saturation in specific market areas and strengthened local economies. Management has allocated significant resources to facilitate sales of OREO to reduce the Company’s non-performing assets. Two commercial properties totaling approximately $2,000 represent a large portion of the OREO additions in 2015. Both of these properties are located in the Bank’s Southwest Virginia market. The Bank is actively marketing all of its property through its website, listing agents, and other marketing methods.


Securities
(dollar amounts in thousands)

Investment securities available for sale and other investments decreased $4,650 (market value) from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015.  The Company made a significant number of GNMA purchases during 2014 primarily due to the Company’s strategy to invest existing overnight funds into higher yielding securities. This strategy resulted in increasing the Company’s securities portfolio by approximately $30,000 over year end 2013. During 2015, the Company reduced its securities portfolio due in part to the growth achieved in the loan portfolio. As shown in the table below, for 2015, the average taxable equivalent yield on fixed rate mortgage backed securities was approximately 1.84% versus earning an average yield of 0.23% on overnight funds at the Federal Reserve.



 
31

 


Investment Portfolio

The following tables present the maturity distribution, market value, amortized cost and approximate tax equivalent yield (assuming a 34% federal income tax rate) of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 
December 31, 2015
(Dollars in Thousands)
   
 
Within One
Year
One Year
Through
Five Years
Five Years
Through
Ten Years
After Ten
Years
Yield
Market
Value
 
 
Amortized
Cost
               
Mortgage-backed Sec – fixed rate
$           -    
$            -    
$         6,877    
$   49,250    
    1.84%    
$  56,127    
$ 56,395    
Mtg.-backed Sec – variable rate
-    
-    
                  3    
       6,464    
    1.03    
      6,467    
     6,517    
State & Municipal’s –  tax exempt
-    
376    
                  -    
        4,973    
    6.46    
      5,349    
     5,239    
State & Municipal’s –  taxable
-    
1,096    
                  -    
          512    
    2.00    
      1,608    
     1,594    
Single Issue Trust Preferred
-    
-    
                 -    
               -    
          -    
              -    
             -    
SBA bonds – fixed rate
 
1,192    
                 -    
        9,110    
    1.94    
    10,302    
   10,487    
SBA bonds – variable rate
  -  
-
                7    
            -    
    0.83    
           7    
         7
 
TOTAL
$           -    
$     2,664   
$       6,887    
$  70,309    
 
$   79,860  
$  80,239    
Total fixed rate securities
$           -    
$      2,664  
$       6,877    
$  63,845    
 
$   73,386  
$  73,715    
 
Total variable rate securities
$           -    
$             -   
$             10    
$    6,464    
 
$     6,474  
$   6,524    
 
 
December 21, 2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
Within One
Year
 
One Year
Through
Five Years
 
Five Years
Through
Ten Years
 
 
After Ten
Years
 
 
 
Yield
 
 
Market
Value
 
 
Amortized
Cost
Mortgage-backed Sec – fixed rate
$          -
$            -
$       2,740
$  51,360
   1.91%
$  54,100
$   53,850
Mtg.-backed Sec – variable rate
-
-
3
7,620
    0.91
7,623
7,626
State & Municipal’s –  tax exempt
-
218
557
7,270
    6.22
8,045
7,911
State & Municipal’s –  taxable
-
1,123
-
533
    1.97
1,656
1,635
Single Issue Trust Preferred
-
-
-
488
    6.30
488
500
SBA bonds – fixed rate
   
1,562
10,627
    1.85
12,402
12,648
SBA bonds – variable rate
-
213
-
21
    0.83
21
21
SLMA
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
 
TOTAL
 
-
 
$    1,554
 
$      4,862
 
$  77,919
 
 
$  84,335
 
$   84,191
Total fixed rate securities
 
$    1,554
$      4,859
$  70,278
 
$  76,691
$   76,544
 
Total variable rate securities
 
-
 
-
 
3
 
$   7,641
 
 
$   7,644
 
$   7,647
 
 
Mortgage backed securities / CMOs- All of the MBS / CMOs listed above are agency (FHLMC, FNMA, GNMA) issues. The Company does not hold any non-agency mortgage backed securities.
 

 
 
32

 
 
State and Municipals - A breakdown of the Company’s municipal bond portfolio at December 31, 2015 is shown in the following table segregated by credit rating (Moody’s or S & P).


Credit Rating
Fair Value
    Amortized Cost
 
AA+
            $         1,608
         $     1,594
 
AA
            $            820
         $        805
 
AA-
            $            830
         $        808
 
Aa2
            $            281
         $        275
 
Aa1
            $            509
         $        502
 
A3
            $          1,002
         $      1,000
 
A2
            $            580
         $        555
 
A1
            $            241
         $       240
 
BBB+
            $              95
         $         85
 
NR
            $            992
         $       970
 
TOTAL
            $         6,958
         $    6,834
 
       

Both of the above non-rated securities were rated investment grade when purchased by the Company. Due to the financial crisis, a significant number of municipal bonds are no longer rated by the various rating agencies, even though they do have underlying credit support. One of the two remaining non-rated munis above totaling $750 thousand has had a subsequent parity issue that has been rated investment grade. The Company performs periodic credit reviews on any non-rated munis that additionally have not had a subsequent parity issued currently rated “investment grade.”

SBA Pools - All of the SBA pools owned by the Company have the full faith and credit of the US government and carry a zero risk weighting.


 
33

 

Deposits / Funding
(dollar amounts in thousands)

Total deposits increased by $11,415 or 2.36% in 2015. Non-interest bearing demand deposits increased by $11,077. Interest bearing demand deposits increased by $8,260. Total time deposits decreased by $14,090. Savings accounts increased by $6,168 during the year. The decrease in time deposits is primarily a result of the Company’s actions to reduce its higher cost CD’s in an effort to lower its overall cost of funds. The Company has experienced a significant increase in demand deposits.

Prior to the economic downturn, the Company over the years used its alternative funding sources (primarily FHLB advances) to help facilitate growth.  As of December 31, 2015, the Company had $67,750 of FHLB borrowings. The Company secures the FHLB advances with a selected group of residential mortgage loans and commercial real estate loans as well as a specific group of securities available for sale.

The following table provides a breakdown of deposits at December 31 as indicated:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
(Dollars  in Thousands)
 
 
          2015
          2014
 
       
Non-interest bearing demand deposits
$ 129,634
$    118,557
 
Interest bearing demand deposits
119,787
111,527
 
Savings deposits
89,776
83,608
 
Time deposits
155,715
169,805
 
 
Total Deposits
 
$  494,912
 
$  483,497
 

    The average daily amount of deposits and rates paid on such deposits is summarized for the periods indicated in the following table:


 
 
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
 
 
2015
2014
2013
 
 
 
Amount
 
 
Rate
 
Amount
 
 
Rate
 
Amount
 
 
Rate
 
 
Non-interest bearing
  demand deposits
 
 
$  120,459
 
 
 
0.00%
 
 
$  112,070
 
 
 
0.00%
 
 
$  105,560
 
 
 
0.00%
 
Interest-bearing demand
  deposits
 
119,838
 
 
0.42
 
112,511
 
 
0.41
 
107,940
 
 
0.41
 
Savings deposits
86,520
 
0.20
83,502
 
0.24
78,623
 
0.25
 
Time deposits
163,032
 
0.92
178,036
 
1.05
194,245
 
1.19
 
 
Total
 
$ 489,849
   
 
$ 486,119
   
 
$ 486,368
     


The remaining maturities of time deposits greater than or equal to $100,000 at December 31, 2015 are as follows (Amount in thousands):

    Maturity
 Amount
 
3 months or less
$     6,681
 
Over 3 months through 6 months
6,883
 
Over 6 months through 12 months
7,281
 
Over 12 months
      28,397
 
Total
$    49,242
 
 
 

 
 
34

 
 
Effects of Inflation

The Company's consolidated statements of income generally reflect the effects of inflation. Since interest rates, loan demand, and deposit levels are related to inflation, the resulting changes are included in net income. The most significant item which does not reflect the effects of inflation is depreciation expense. Historical dollar values used to determine depreciation expense do not reflect the effects of inflation on the market value of depreciable assets after their acquisition.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
(dollar amounts in whole dollars)

Liquidity is the measure of the Bank’s ability to generate sufficient funds in order to meet customers’ demands for withdrawal of deposit balances and for the funding of loan requests. The Bank maintains cash reserves, in accordance with Federal Reserve Bank guidelines, and has sufficient flow of funds from investment security payments as well as loan payments to meet current liquidity needs.

Management of the Bank continuously monitors and plans the Bank’s liquidity position for the future. Liquidity is provided from cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, loan and investment security payments, core deposits, the national certificate of deposit market, lines of credit with correspondent banks and lines of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank. Management believes that the current cash on hand and other sources of funds provide sufficient and timely liquidity for the foreseeable future. The Bank currently has approximately $61,000,000 of available credit with the FHLB and approximately $7,000,000 of available credit with its correspondent banks. The Bank also as of December 31, 2015 has $48,505,000 (market value) in unencumbered securities available for sale.

The Company’s liquidity ultimately depends on dividends paid by the Bank, its wholly owned subsidiary.  The Company and the Bank are currently prohibited from paying a dividend without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Bank.

On April 16, 2014, management and board of directors of Highlands Bankshares, Inc. announced the completion of a $16,525 private placement capital raise. Purchasers in the private placement included outside investors, as well as certain directors and executive officers of the Company. The Company sold 2,673,249 newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock at $3.50 per share, and 2,048,179 shares of Series-A convertible perpetual preferred stock at $3.50 per share. The private placement was disclosed on Form 8-K on April 16, 2014. The Company immediately paid off a Holding Company Loan in the amount of $3,440 to Community Bankers Bank on April 16, 2014 with the funds received from the capital raise. The Company also paid off the remaining $3,150 of its trust preferred securities including accrued interest. The payoff totaling $4,802 was completed on July 15, 2014. The Company down-streamed to the subsidiary Bank in June 2014 $7,500 of funds received from the capital raise. During the third quarter of 2014, the Company also conducted a rights offering to its existing shareholders other than directors and executive officers. The Company raised a total of $556 as a result of the offering. The Company immediately down-streamed $400 of the $556 to the Bank in September of 2014. In October 2014, one of the private placement purchasers, TNH Financial Fund, LP, purchased another $183 of common and preferred stock which allowed them to maintain the same ownership percentage that was held immediately prior to the rights offering. Net proceeds received from the private placement issues and rights offering totaled $16,123. In January of 2016, the Company’s CEO, Timothy K. Schools purchased 235,294 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $4.25 per share in a private placement as disclosed on Form 4 on January 12, 2016.  In February 2016, two of the private placement purchasers participating in the capital raise in 2014, MFP Partners LP and Deerhill Pond Investment Partners, LP, each purchased another 12,744 shares of common stock at $4.25 per share which allowed them to maintain the same ownership percentage that was held immediately prior to the Mr. Schools’ purchase. These proceeds were also down-streamed to the Bank.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information relating to recent accounting pronouncements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

See Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information relating to Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.

 
 
35

 
 
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not Applicable

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The following financial statements are incorporated by reference from the Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on the Financial Statements;
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014;
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014;
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014;
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014;
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014; and
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for December 31, 2015


Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.


Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
 
On an on-going basis, senior management monitors and reviews the internal controls established for the various operating activities of the Company. Additionally, the Company has created a Disclosure Review Committee to review not only internal controls but the information used by Company’s financial officers to prepare the Company’s periodic SEC filings and corresponding financial statements. The Committee is comprised of the Senior Management Team of the Company and meets at least quarterly.  Internal audits conducted by the Company’s internal audit department are also reviewed by senior officers to assist them in assessing the adequacy of the Company’s internal control structure. These audits are also discussed in detail with the Company’s Audit Committee.
 
We have carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”) as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that (a) the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (b) such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting is incorporated by  reference from the Consolidated Financial Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

There were not any changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the fourth fiscal quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

None

 
36

 
 
Part III.

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information contained under the headings “The Nominees,” “Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “The Board of Directors and its Committees” and “Code of Ethics” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information contained under the headings  “Executive Compensation” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information contained under the heading “Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.

The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2015, with respect to compensation plans under which shares of Common Stock are authorized for issuance.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Plan Category
Number of Securities to Be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
Weighted Average
Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
Number of Securities Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans (a)
       
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Shareholders
-
-
--
       
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Shareholders (b)
-
-
200,000
       
Total
-
-
200,000

(a)
Amounts exclude any securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights.
(b)
On September 13, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the Highlands Bankshares, Inc. 2006 Equity Compensation Plan (the Plan).  The Plan authorizes the Personnel and Compensation Committee (the Committee) of the Board of Directors to grant options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards and stock units to directors, officers, key employees, consultants and advisors to the Company and its subsidiaries who are designated by the Committee.  The Company is authorized to issue under the Plan up to 200,000 shares of its Common Stock.  Generally, if an award is forfeited, expires or terminates, the shares allocated to that award under the Plan may be reallocated to new awards under the Plan.  Shares surrendered pursuant to the exercise of a stock option or other award or in satisfaction of tax withholding requirements under the Plan may also be reallocated to other awards.
 
 
 
37

 

 
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information contained under the heading “Transactions with Related Parties” and “The Board of Directors and its Committees” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information contained under the headings “Services and Fees” and “Pre-Approved Policies and Procedures” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.

Part IV.

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)  (1)                      The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted as a separate section of this report.
 
 
   (2)  All applicable financial statement schedules required by Regulation S-X are included in the Notes to the 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements.
     
 
(3)
Exhibits:
  3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Highlands Bankshares, Inc., filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
3.2
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Highlands Bankshares, Inc. (attached as Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
3.3
Bylaws of the Company, as amended and restated November 12, 2014 (attached as Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 18, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
10.1
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 14, 2014, by and between Highlands Bankshares, Inc. and TNH Financials Fund, L.P. (attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
10.2
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 14, 2014, by and among Highlands Bankshares, Inc. and certain institutional investors (attached as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
10.3
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 14, 2014, by and among Highlands Bankshares, Inc. and certain institutional investors (attached as Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
10.4
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 14, 2014, by and among Highlands Bankshares, Inc. and certain directors and executive officers (attached as Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
10.5
Form of Director Indemnification Agreement (attached as Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
10.6
Highlands Union Bank 1995 Stock Option Plan, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 000-27622, incorporated herein by reference.*
 
10.7
Highlands Bankshares, Inc. 2006 Equity Compensation Plan, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 000-27622, filed with the Commission on September 20, 2006, incorporated herein by reference.*
 
10.8
Written Agreement, dated October 13, 2010, between Highlands Bankshares, Inc., Highlands Union Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on  Form 8-K, File No. 000-27622, filed with the  Commission on October 19, 2010, incorporated herein by reference.
 
10.9
Employment Agreement, dated December 9, 2015, between Highlands Bankshares,    Inc., and Timothy K. Schools, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 000-27622, filed with the Commission on December 14, 2015, incorporated herein by reference.*
 
10.10
Consulting Agreement, dated February 15, 2016, between Highlands Bankshares, Inc., and Samuel L. Neese, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 000-27622, filed with the Commission on February 19, 2016, incorporated herein by reference.*
 
  * Indicates management contracts, compensatory plans or arrangements with the Company.
 
 
 
 
38

 
 
 
 
 
13.1
Annual Report to Shareholders – Financial Statements
 
 
21
Subsidiaries of the Corporation.
 
 
23.1
Consent of Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P.
 
 
31.1
Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
 
31.2
Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation
 
 
32.1
Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350.
 
 
32.2
Statement of Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350.
 
 
101
The following materials from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), include: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (v) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and (vi) related notes (furnished herewith).
 
(b)           Exhibits.

The response to this portion of Item 15 as listed in Item 15(a)(3) above is submitted  as a separate section of this report.
 
       (c)         Financial Statement Schedules. The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted as a separate section of this   report.

 
39

 

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.

 
HIGHLANDS BANKSHARES, INC.
       
Date: March 30, 2016
BY:
 /s/ Timothy K. Schools
 
   
Timothy K. Schools
 
   
Chief Executive Officer
 
       
       
 
BY:
 /s/ James R. Edmondson
 
   
James R. Edmondson
 
   
Chief Financial Officer
 
   
Principal Accounting Officer
 


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 and in the capacities and on the dates indicated on March 30, 2016.
 
 
Signature
Title
Date
 
/s/ Dr. James D. Moore, Jr.
Dr. James D. Moore, Jr.
 
Chairman of the Board, and Director
March 30, 2016
/s/ Timothy K. Schools
Timothy K. Schools
 
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer), and Director
 
March 30, 2016
/s/ James R. Edmondson
James R. Edmondson
 
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)
 
March 30, 2016
/s/ E. Craig Kendrick
E. Craig Kendrick
Director
 
 
March 30, 2016
/s/ Clydes B. Kiser
Cydes B. Kiser
 
Director
March 30, 2016
/s/ Charles P. Olinger
Charles P. Olinger
 
Director
March 30, 2016
/s/ H. Ramsey White, Jr.
H. Ramsey White, Jr.
 
Director
March 30, 2016
/s/ Edward M. Rosinus
Edward M. Rosinus
 
Director
March 30, 2016
/s/ Jon C. Lundberg
Jon C. Lundberg
Director
March 30, 2016
 
 
 

 
 
40

 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
    Exhibit No.
Description
 
  3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Highlands Bankshares, Inc., filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2009 and incorporated by reference herein.
 
3.2
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Highlands Bankshares, Inc. (attached as Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
3.3
Bylaws of the Company, as amended and restated November 12, 2014 (attached as Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 18, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
10.1
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 14, 2014, by and between Highlands Bankshares, Inc. and TNH Financials Fund, L.P. (attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
10.2
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 14, 2014, by and among Highlands Bankshares, Inc. and certain institutional investors (attached as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
10.3
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 14, 2014, by and among Highlands Bankshares, Inc. and certain institutional investors (attached as Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
10.4
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 14, 2014, by and among Highlands Bankshares, Inc. and certain directors and executive officers (attached as Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
10.5
Form of Director Indemnification Agreement (attached as Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 16, 2014 and incorporated by reference herein).
 
10.6
Highlands Union Bank 1995 Stock Option Plan, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 000-27622, incorporated herein by reference.*
 
10.7
Highlands Bankshares, Inc. 2006 Equity Compensation Plan, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 000-27622, filed with the Commission on September 20, 2006, incorporated herein by reference.*
 
10.8
Written Agreement, dated October 13, 2010, between Highlands Bankshares, Inc., Highlands Union Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on  Form 8-K, File No. 000-27622, filed with the  Commission on October 19, 2010, incorporated herein by reference.
 
10.9
Employment Agreement, dated December 9, 2015, between Highlands Bankshares,    Inc., and Timothy K. Schools, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 000-27622, filed with the Commission on December 14, 2015, incorporated herein by reference.*
 
10.10
Consulting Agreement, dated February 15, 2016, between Highlands Bankshares, Inc., and Samuel L. Neese, attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, File No. 000-27622, filed with the Commission on February 19, 2016, incorporated herein by reference.*
 
13.1
Annual Report to Shareholders – Financial Statements
 
21
Subsidiaries of the Corporation.
 
23.1
Consent of Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P.
 
31.1
Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
31.2
Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation
 
32.1
Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350.
 
32.2
Statement of Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350.
 
101
The following materials from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), include: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (v) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and (vi) related notes (furnished herewith).
     
  * Indicates management contracts, compensatory plans or arrangements with the Company.
 
 
 

 

 

 

 


 
41