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EX-32.01 - EXHIBIT 32.01 - CommunityOne Bancorpexhibit320033016.htm
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EX-31.01 - EXHIBIT 31.01 - CommunityOne Bancorpexhibit311033016.htm





UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 
FORM 10-Q

 
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016
 
Commission File Number 0-13823
COMMUNITYONE BANCORP
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
 
North Carolina
 
56-1456589
(State of Incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1017 E. Morehead Street
 
 
Charlotte, North Carolina
 
28204
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(336) 626-8300
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
  
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the 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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting Company  o
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

As of April 30, 2016 (the most recent practicable date), the Registrant had outstanding approximately 24,292,958 shares of Common Stock.




CommunityOne Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Report on Form 10-Q
March 31, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015
1
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
2
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
3
 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
5
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
6
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
8
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1
Item 1A
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4
Item 5
Item 6
 



i


PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.    Financial Statements
CommunityOne Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015*
Assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
 
$
22,104

 
$
23,852

Interest-bearing bank balances
 
41,474

 
15,323

Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost of $386,862 in 2016
and $398,815 in 2015)
 
385,994

 
390,434

Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (estimated fair value of $145,853 in 2016 and $145,185 in 2015)
 
145,127

 
147,967

Loans held for sale
 
4,328

 
5,403

Loans held for investment
 
1,524,406

 
1,543,795

Less: Allowance for loan losses
 
(14,240
)
 
(15,195
)
Net loans held for investment
 
1,510,166

 
1,528,600

Premises and equipment, net
 
43,634

 
44,457

Other real estate owned and property acquired in settlement of loans
 
14,158

 
16,583

Core deposit premiums and other intangibles
 
5,273

 
5,208

Goodwill
 
4,205

 
4,205

Bank-owned life insurance
 
41,195

 
40,869

Deferred tax assets, net
 
136,912

 
141,716

Other assets
 
30,755

 
32,648

Total Assets
 
$
2,385,325

 
$
2,397,265

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
 
$
391,749

 
$
386,329

Interest-bearing deposits:
 
 
 
 
Demand, savings and money market deposits
 
939,900

 
939,878

Time deposits of $250 or more
 
74,610

 
60,093

Other time deposits
 
548,931

 
561,237

Total deposits
 
1,955,190

 
1,947,537

Retail repurchase agreements
 
7,352

 
7,219

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
65,167

 
93,681

Long-term notes payable
 
5,435

 
5,415

Junior subordinated debentures
 
56,702

 
56,702

Other liabilities
 
14,328

 
13,673

Total Liabilities
 
2,104,174

 
2,124,227

Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized
 
 
 
 
   Series A, $10.00 par value; 51,500 shares issued and no shares outstanding in 2016 and 2015
 

 

   Series B, no par value, authorized 250,000 shares, no shares issued and outstanding in 2016 and 2015
 

 

Common stock, no par value; authorized 2,500,000,000 shares, issued 24,292,051 shares in 2016 and 24,292,646 in 2015
 
490,243

 
490,075

Accumulated deficit
 
(202,384
)
 
(206,298
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(6,708
)
 
(10,739
)
Total Shareholders' Equity
 
281,151

 
273,038

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
$
2,385,325

 
$
2,397,265

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
* Derived from audited consolidated financial statements.

1


CommunityOne Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Interest Income
 
 
 
Interest and fees on loans
$
16,972

 
$
15,873

Interest and dividends on investment securities
3,283

 
3,224

Other interest income
234

 
171

Total interest income
20,489

 
19,268

Interest Expense
 
 
 
Deposits
1,879

 
1,731

Retail repurchase agreements
4

 
4

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
502

 
469

Other borrowed funds
321

 
290

Total interest expense
2,706

 
2,494

Net Interest Income before Recovery of Loan Losses
17,783

 
16,774

Recovery of provision for loan losses
(535
)
 
(1,137
)
Net Interest Income after Recovery of Loan Losses
18,318

 
17,911

Noninterest Income
 
 
 
Service charges on deposit accounts
1,557

 
1,434

Mortgage loan income
2,141

 
465

Cardholder and merchant services income
1,241

 
1,125

Trust and investment services
380

 
322

Bank-owned life insurance
269

 
250

Other service charges, commissions and fees
443

 
383

Other income
292

 
55

Total noninterest income
6,323

 
4,034

Noninterest Expense
 
 
 
Personnel expense
10,138

 
10,594

Net occupancy expense
1,553

 
1,469

Furniture, equipment and data processing expense
2,130

 
1,989

Professional fees
450

 
539

Stationery, printing and supplies
160

 
176

Advertising and marketing
60

 
186

Other real estate owned expense
484

 
360

Credit/debit card expense
439

 
543

FDIC insurance
461

 
453

Loan collection expense
149

 
300

Merger-related expense
771

 

Core deposit premium intangible amortization
338

 
352

Other expense
1,268

 
1,047

Total noninterest expense
18,401

 
18,008

Income before income taxes
6,240

 
3,937

Income tax expense
2,326

 
1,418

Net income
$
3,914

 
$
2,519

 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic
24,292,004

 
24,183,396

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted
24,314,112

 
24,195,108

Net income per share - basic and diluted
$
0.16

 
$
0.10


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2


CommunityOne Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Net income
$
3,914

 
$
2,519

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
Unrealized gains arising during the period on available-for-sale securities
7,426

 
2,688

Tax effect
(2,792
)
 
(1,028
)
Unrealized gains arising during the period on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
4,634

 
1,660

Reclassification adjustment for gain on available-for-sale securities included in net income

 

    Tax effect

 

Reclassification adjustment for gain on available-for-sale securities included in net income, net of tax

 

Change in defined benefit plans liability
(86
)
 

Tax effect
32

 

Change in defined benefit plans liability, net of tax
(54
)
 

Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps
(883
)
 
(523
)
Tax effect
332

 
200

    Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax
(551
)
 
(323
)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on interest rate swaps included in net income
3

 
3

Tax effect
(1
)
 
(1
)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on interest rate swaps included in net income, net of tax
2

 
2

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
4,031

 
1,339

Comprehensive income
$
7,945

 
$
3,858

    
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3


CommunityOne Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited)
For Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
Preferred Stock
 
Common Stock
 
Accumulated
 
Comprehensive
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Deficit
 
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2014
 

 
$

 
24,185,923

 
$
487,603

 
$
(213,212
)
 
$
(7,475
)
 
$
266,916

Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 

 

 

 

 
2,519

 

 
2,519

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 

 

 

 

 

 
1,339

 
1,339

Total comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,858

Stock options and restricted stock awards:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation expense recognized
 

 

 

 
167

 

 

 
167

Issuance of restricted stock awards, net of cancellations
 

 

 
(1,737
)
 

 

 

 

Shares issued as compensation to directors
 
 
 
 
 
944

 
11

 
 
 
 
 
11

Balance, March 31, 2015
 

 
$

 
24,185,130

 
$
487,781

 
$
(210,693
)
 
$
(6,136
)
 
$
270,952

Balance, December 31, 2015
 

 
$

 
24,292,646

 
$
490,075

 
$
(206,298
)
 
$
(10,739
)
 
$
273,038

Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 

 

 

 

 
3,914

 

 
3,914

Other comprehensive income net of tax
 

 

 

 

 

 
4,031

 
4,031

Total comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7,945

Stock options and restricted stock awards:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation expense recognized
 

 

 

 
162

 

 

 
162

Issuance of restricted stock awards, net of cancellations
 

 

 
(1,200
)
 

 

 

 

Shares issued upon exercise of stock options
 

 

 
605

 
6

 

 

 
6

Balance, March 31, 2016
 

 
$

 
24,292,051

 
$
490,243

 
$
(202,384
)
 
$
(6,708
)
 
$
281,151


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.    

4


CommunityOne Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
 (dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
3,914

 
$
2,519

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
 
887

 
926

Recovery of loan losses
 
(535
)
 
(1,137
)
Deferred income taxes
 
2,326

 
1,379

Deferred loan fees and costs, net
 
21

 
(220
)
Premium amortization and discount accretion of investment securities, net
 
679

 
583

Amortization of core deposit premiums
 
338

 
352

Net accretion on acquired loans
 
(1,449
)
 
(2,099
)
Stock compensation expense
 
162

 
178

Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance, net
 
(326
)
 
(266
)
Loans held for sale:
 
 
 
 
Origination of loans held for sale
 
(16,337
)
 
(22,389
)
Net proceeds from sale of loans held for sale
 
17,560

 
17,787

Net gain on sale of loans held for sale
 
(148
)
 
(173
)
Mortgage servicing rights capitalized
 
(593
)
 
(300
)
Mortgage servicing rights amortization
 
170

 
130

Net gain on sale of premises and equipment
 

 
(88
)
Net loss on sales and write-downs of other real estate owned
 
501

 
294

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Decrease (Increase) in accrued interest receivable and other assets
 
1,271

 
(4,477
)
Increase (Decrease) in accrued interest payable and other liabilities
 
589

 
(1,834
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
9,030

 
(8,835
)
Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from maturities, calls and principal repayments
 
14,114

 
15,520

Purchases
 

 
(31,133
)
Held-to-maturity securities:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from maturities, calls and principal repayments
 

 
1,818

Net increase in loans held for investment
 
(26,547
)
 
(38,487
)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
 
1,964

 
1,490

Purchases of premises and equipment
 
(78
)
 
(687
)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment
 

 
565

Net cash received from bulk sale of loans
 
46,642

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
36,095

 
(50,914
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
Net increase in deposits
 
7,653

 
13,052

Increase (Decrease) in retail repurchase agreements
 
133

 
(1,239
)
Decrease in Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
(28,514
)
 
(13
)
Issuance of common stock, net of expense
 
6

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
(20,722
)
 
11,800

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
24,403

 
(47,949
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
 
39,175

 
95,882

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
 
$
63,578

 
$
47,933

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
 

 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
$
2,686

 
$
5,759

Income taxes, net of refunds
 
7

 
39

Noncash transactions:
 
 
 
 
Foreclosed loans transferred to other real estate owned
 
59

 
2,495

Unrealized securities gains, net of income taxes
 
4,634

 
1,660

Transfer of fixed assets to other assets
 

 
2,722

Employee benefit plan costs, net of income taxes
 
(54
)
 

Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of income taxes
 
(549
)
 
(321
)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5



CommunityOne Bancorp and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation
Nature of Operations
CommunityOne Bancorp, (“COB” or the “Company,” also referred to as “us” or “we” and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis), is
a bank holding company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and incorporated in 1984 under the laws of the State of North
Carolina. Through our ownership of CommunityOne Bank, N.A., or the “Bank,” a national banking association founded in 1907 and
headquartered in Asheboro, North Carolina, we offer a complete line of consumer, mortgage and business banking services, including
loan, deposit, treasury management, online and mobile banking services, as well as wealth management and trust services, to
individual and small and middle market businesses through financial centers located throughout central, southern and western North
Carolina. Our strategy is to grow the Company organically by focusing on meeting the financial needs of customers in our market
area by providing a suite of quality financial products and services through local and experienced bankers and lenders located in
branches and loan production offices in our customers’ local market. We also offer the convenience of online and mobile banking
capabilities. In addition to organic growth, our strategy is to grow through merger and acquisition activity in our markets, should
attractive opportunities present themselves. We define our market as communities located in North Carolina, as well as adjoining
markets in South Carolina and Virginia.

On November 22, 2015, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Merger Agreement”) with Capital Bank Financial Corp.,
a Delaware corporation (“Capital”), under which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger
Agreement, COB will merge with and into Capital (“Merger”), with Capital as the surviving corporation in the Merger.
Immediately following the Merger, the Bank will merge with and into Capital’s wholly owned bank subsidiary, with Capital’s bank subsidiary surviving the bank merger. The Merger is subject to, among other things, regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions and is currently expected to close in the second quarter of 2016. Shareholders of both COB and Capital approved the Merger on April 18, 2016.
General
In the accompanying consolidated financial statements, prepared without audit, all significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Descriptions of the organization and business of COB, accounting policies followed by COB and other relevant information are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (the "Form 10-K"), including the Notes to the consolidated financial statements filed as part of that report. This quarterly report should be read in conjunction with the Form 10-K.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain the adjustments, all of which are normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position of COB as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Use of Estimates
We have made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates subject to change in the near term include, among other items, the allowance for loan losses (“ALL”), estimated cash flows of purchased impaired loans, the carrying value of other real estate owned ("OREO"), the carrying value of investment securities and the realization of deferred tax assets.
Reclassification
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period consolidated financial statements to place them on a comparable basis with the current period consolidated financial statements. These reclassifications have no effect on net income or shareholders' equity as previously reported.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Business Combinations - In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2015-16, "Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement -Period Adjustments." The amendments in ASU 2015-16 require that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The amendments in ASU 2015-16 require that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if

6


any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendments in ASU 2015-16 also require an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

Financial Instruments - In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-1, "Financial instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10)," which requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee). The amendments in this ASU also require an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. In addition, the amendments in this ASU eliminate the requirement to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet for public business entities. The amendments in ASU 2016-1 are effective for us for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

FASB - From time to time, the FASB issues exposure drafts for proposed statements of financial accounting standards. Such exposure drafts are subject to comment from the public, to revisions by the FASB and to final issuance by the FASB as statements of financial accounting standards.
Management considers the effect of the proposed statements on the consolidated financial statements of COB and monitors the status of changes to and proposed effective dates of exposure drafts. Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
2. Acquisition by Capital Bank Financial Corp.
On November 22, 2015, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Merger Agreement”) with Capital Bank Financial Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Capital”), under which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, COB will merge with and into Capital (the “Merger”), with Capital as the surviving corporation in the Merger. Immediately following the Merger, the Bank will merge with and into Capital’s wholly-owned bank subsidiary, with Capital’s wholly-owned bank subsidiary surviving the bank merger. Shareholders of both COB and Capital approved the Merger on April 18, 2016. The Merger is subject to, among other things, regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions and is currently expected to close in the second quarter of 2016.

3. Investment Securities
Securities designated as available-for-sale are carried at fair value. However, the unrealized difference between amortized cost and fair value of securities available-for-sale is excluded from net income unless there is an other than temporary impairment and it is reported, net of deferred taxes, as a component of shareholders' equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Securities designated as held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost, as the Company has the ability, and management has the positive intent, to hold these securities to maturity. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized and accreted according to the interest method.
Our primary objective in managing the investment portfolio is to maintain a portfolio of high quality, highly liquid investments yielding competitive returns. We are required under federal regulations to maintain adequate liquidity to ensure safe and sound operations. We maintain investment balances based on a continuing assessment of cash flows, the level of loan production, current interest rate risk strategies and an assessment of the potential future direction of market interest rate changes. Investment securities differ in terms of default, interest rate, liquidity and expected rate of return risks.

7


The following table summarizes the amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities and presents the related gross unrealized gains and losses:
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities-GSE
 
$
278,521

 
$
920

 
$
2,379

 
$
277,062

Residential mortgage-backed securities-Private
 
31,079

 
399

 
44

 
31,434

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-GSE
 
21,880

 
242

 

 
22,122

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-Private
 
17,858

 
140

 
150

 
17,848

Corporate notes
 
37,524

 
21

 
17

 
37,528

Total available-for-sale
 
386,862

 
1,722

 
2,590

 
385,994

Held-to-Maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities-GSE
 
118,194

 
698

 
109

 
118,783

Residential mortgage-backed securities-Private
 
16,877

 

 
32

 
16,845

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-Private
 
10,056

 
169

 

 
10,225

     Total held-to-maturity
 
145,127

 
867

 
141

 
145,853

Total investment securities
 
$
531,989

 
$
2,589

 
$
2,731

 
$
531,847

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of U.S. government sponsored enterprises
 
$
2,005

 
$
3

 
$

 
$
2,008

Residential mortgage-backed securities-GSE
 
286,057

 
339

 
8,289

 
278,107

Residential mortgage-backed securities-Private
 
33,235

 
578

 
236

 
33,577

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-GSE
 
21,980

 

 
368

 
21,612

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-Private
 
17,869

 

 
294

 
17,575

Corporate notes
 
37,669

 

 
114

 
37,555

Total available-for-sale
 
398,815

 
920

 
9,301

 
390,434

Held-to-Maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities-GSE
 
120,197

 

 
2,310

 
117,887

Residential mortgage-backed securities-Private
 
17,712

 

 
298

 
17,414

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-Private
 
10,058

 

 
174

 
9,884

     Total held-to-maturity
 
147,967

 

 
2,782

 
145,185

Total investment securities
 
$
546,782

 
$
920

 
$
12,083

 
$
535,619

As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”), the Bank is required to own capital stock in the FHLB based generally upon the balances of total assets and FHLB advances. FHLB capital stock is pledged to secure FHLB advances. This investment is carried at cost since no ready market exists for FHLB stock and there is no quoted market value. However, redemption of this stock has historically been at par value. The Bank owned a total of $4.9 million of FHLB stock at March 31, 2016 and $6.0 million at December 31, 2015. Due to the redemption provisions of FHLB stock, we have estimated that fair value approximated cost and that this investment was not impaired at March 31, 2016. FHLB stock is included in other assets at its original cost basis.
As a member bank of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (“FRBR”), the Bank also is required to own capital stock of the FRBR based upon a percentage of the Bank's common stock and surplus. This investment is carried at cost since no ready market exists for FRBR stock and there is no quoted market value. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Bank owned a total of $9.8 million and $9.9 million of FRBR stock, respectively. Because this investment is in an entity of the U.S. government, we have estimated that fair value approximated the cost and that this investment was not impaired at March 31, 2016. FRBR stock is included in other assets at its original cost basis.

8


At March 31, 2016, $161.4 million of the investment securities portfolio was pledged to secure public deposits, $16.9 million was pledged to retail repurchase agreements and $156.3 million was pledged to others, leaving $196.5 million available as pledgeable collateral.
The Bank did not sell any investment securities during the three months ended March 31, 2016 or the three months ended March 31, 2015.
The following tables show our investments' estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The change in unrealized losses during the three months ending March 31, 2016 was attributed to changes in interest rates and not to changes in the credit quality of these securities. All unrealized losses on investment securities are considered by management to be temporary given the credit quality of these investment securities or the short duration of the unrealized loss, or both.
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
(dollars in thousands)
Estimated Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Gross Unrealized Losses
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities-GSE
$

$

 
$
189,610

$
2,379

 
$
189,610

$
2,379

Residential mortgage-backed securities-Private
2,970

32

 
621

12

 
3,591

44

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-GSE


 


 


Commercial mortgage-backed securities-Private
7,399

150

 


 
7,399

150

Corporate Notes
10,224

4

 
9,994

13

 
20,218

17

Total available-for-sale
20,593

186

 
200,225

2,404

 
220,818

2,590

Held-to-Maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities-GSE


 
13,628

109

 
13,628

109

Residential mortgage-backed securities-Private
16,845

32

 


 
16,845

32

Total held-to-maturity
16,845

32

 
13,628

109

 
30,473

141

Total
$
37,438

$
218

 
$
213,853

$
2,513

 
$
251,291

$
2,731

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-Sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities-GSE
$
137,998

$
2,560

 
$
132,148

$
5,729

 
$
270,146

$
8,289

Residential mortgage-backed securities-Private
26,265

231

 
636

5

 
26,901

236

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-GSE
21,612

368

 


 
21,612

368

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-Private
17,575

294

 


 
17,575

294

Corporate notes
30,523

114

 


 
30,523

114

Total available-for-sale
233,973

3,567

 
132,784

5,734

 
366,757

9,301

Held-to-Maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities-GSE
83,014

1,481

 
34,872

829

 
117,886

2,310

Residential mortgage-backed securities-Private
17,414

298

 


 
17,414

298

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-Private
9,884

174

 


 
9,884

174

Total held-to-maturity
110,312

1,953

 
34,872

829

 
145,184

2,782

Total
$
344,285

$
5,520

 
$
167,656

$
6,563


$
511,941

$
12,083

At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were 28 and 18 securities that were in a continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or more, respectively.

9


We analyzed our securities portfolio at March 31, 2016, and considered ratings, fair value, cash flows and other factors to determine if any of the securities were other than temporarily impaired. Since none of the unrealized losses relate to the marketability of the securities or the issuer’s ability to honor redemption obligations, and we have determined that it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, none of the securities are deemed to be other than temporarily impaired.

The aggregate amortized cost and fair value of securities at March 31, 2016, by remaining contractual maturity, are shown in the following table. Actual expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay the obligations. Mortgage backed securities are grouped based on stated maturity date, but actual maturity will vary based on the actual repayment of the underlying mortgage loans.
 
 
Available-for-Sale
 
Held-to-Maturity
(dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Estimated Fair Value
U.S. government sponsored agencies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due in one year or less
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Residential mortgage-backed securities-GSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due after five years through 10 years
 
1,670

 
1,716

 

 

Due after ten years
 
276,851

 
275,346

 
118,194

 
118,783

Residential mortgage-backed securities-Private
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due after ten years
 
31,079

 
31,434

 
16,877

 
16,845

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-GSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due after one year through five years
 
21,880

 
22,122

 

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-Private
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due after ten years
 
17,858

 
17,848

 
10,056

 
10,225

Corporate notes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due in one year or less
 
20,465

 
20,461

 

 

Due after one year through five years
 
17,059

 
17,067

 

 

Total
 
$
386,862

 
$
385,994

 
$
145,127

 
$
145,853


4. Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses
General
Loans held for investment are stated at the principal amounts outstanding adjusted for purchase premiums/discounts, deferred net loan fees and costs, and unearned income.  We report our loan portfolio by segments and classes, which are disaggregations of portfolio segments.  Our portfolio segments are:  Commercial and agricultural, Real estate, and Consumer loans.  The Commercial and agricultural loan and Consumer loan portfolios are not further segregated into classes.  The classes within the Real estate portfolio segment include Real estate - construction and Real estate - mortgage, which is further broken into 1-4 family residential mortgage and Commercial real estate mortgage loans.
Loan fees and the incremental direct costs associated with originating a loan are deferred and subsequently recognized over the life of the loan as an adjustment to interest income.
In addition to originating loans, we also purchase loans. At acquisition, purchased loans are designated as either purchased contractual loans ("PC loans") or purchased impaired loans ("PI loans"). PC loans are acquired loans where management believes it is probable that it will receive all principal as of the date of acquisition.  These loans are accounted for under the contractual cash flow method, under ASC 310-20. Any discount or premium paid on PC loans is amortized and included in interest income using the effective yield method over the expected life of the loans.
PI loans are acquired loans whose purchase price has been discounted, in part, due to credit deterioration occurring subsequent to origination.  Accordingly, management believes it is probable that all contractual principal and interest on these acquired loans will not be received. PI loans are placed in homogeneous risk-based pools where accounting for projected cash flows is performed, as allowed under ASC 310-30.  Once a pool is established the individual loans within each pool do not change.  As management obtains new information related to changes in expected principal loss and expected cash flows, by pool, we record either an increase in yield when new expected cash flows increase, an allowance for loan losses when new expected cash flows decline, or a decrease in yield when there is only a timing difference in expected cash flows.

10


Loans acquired in the 2011 merger of Bank of Granite Corp. ("Granite Purchased Loans") included PI loans and PC loans. Loans designated as PC loans included performing revolving consumer and performing revolving commercial loans on the acquisition date.
The following table presents an aging analysis of accruing and nonaccruing loans as of March 31, 2016:
(dollars in thousands)
 
Accruing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30-59 days past due
 
60-89 days past due
 
More than 90 days past due
 
Nonaccrual
 
Total past due and nonaccrual
 
Current and accruing
 
Total Loans
PC and Originated Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and agricultural
 
$
58

 
$

 
$

 
$
810

 
$
868

 
$
149,401

 
$
150,269

Real estate - construction
 
48

 

 

 
84

 
132

 
95,596

 
95,728

Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
2,152

 
91

 

 
9,434

 
11,677

 
626,673

 
638,350

Commercial
 
29

 

 

 
7,509

 
7,538

 
432,113

 
439,651

Consumer
 
842

 
320

 

 
580

 
1,742

 
114,039

 
115,781

Total
 
3,129

 
411

 

 
18,417

 
21,957

 
1,417,822

 
1,439,779

PI loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and agricultural
 
47

 

 
1,637

 

 
1,684

 
3,067

 
4,751

Real estate - construction
 

 

 
1,345

 

 
1,345

 
5,929

 
7,274

Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
774

 
171

 
1,018

 

 
1,963

 
11,457

 
13,420

Commercial
 
86

 
263

 
9,165

 

 
9,514

 
48,807

 
58,321

Consumer
 

 
2

 
5

 

 
7

 
854

 
861

Total
 
907

 
436

 
13,170

 

 
14,513

 
70,114

 
84,627

Total Loans
 
$
4,036

 
$
847

 
$
13,170

 
$
18,417

 
$
36,470

 
$
1,487,936

 
$
1,524,406



11


The following table presents an aging analysis of accruing and nonaccruing loans as of December 31, 2015:
(dollars in thousands)
 
Accruing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30-59 days past due
 
60-89 days past due
 
More than 90 days past due
 
Nonaccrual
 
Total past due and nonaccrual
 
Current and accruing
 
Total Loans
PC and Originated Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and agricultural
 
$

 
$
1

 
$

 
$
1,053

 
$
1,054

 
$
146,257

 
$
147,311

Real estate - construction
 
761

 
140

 

 
110

 
1,011

 
98,247

 
99,258

Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
2,710

 
574

 
817

 
9,106

 
13,207

 
660,430

 
673,637

Commercial
 
661

 
34

 

 
7,209

 
7,904

 
421,220

 
429,124

Consumer
 
1,227

 
250

 
1

 
538

 
2,016

 
104,885

 
106,901

Total
 
5,359

 
999

 
818

 
18,016

 
25,192

 
1,431,039

 
1,456,231

PI loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and agricultural
 
102

 

 
1,618

 

 
1,720

 
3,275

 
4,995

Real estate - construction
 

 

 
1,455

 

 
1,455

 
6,289

 
7,744

Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
602

 
15

 
1,127

 

 
1,744

 
12,173

 
13,917

Commercial
 
517

 
123

 
8,819

 

 
9,459

 
50,530

 
59,989

Consumer
 
8

 

 
6

 

 
14

 
905

 
919

Total
 
1,229

 
138

 
13,025

 

 
14,392

 
73,172

 
87,564

Total Loans
 
$
6,588

 
$
1,137

 
$
13,843

 
$
18,016

 
$
39,584

 
$
1,504,211

 
$
1,543,795

All PI loans are considered to be accruing for all periods presented, in accordance with ASC 310-30.
Risk Grades
The risk-grade categories presented in the following table, which are standard categories used by the bank regulators, are:
Pass - Loans categorized as Pass are higher quality loans that have adequate sources of repayment and little risk of collection.
Special Mention - A Special Mention loan has potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the institution's credit position at some future date. Special Mention loans are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.
Substandard - A Substandard loan is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that we will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loss potential, while existing in the aggregate amount of Substandard loans, does not have to exist in individual assets classified Substandard.
Doubtful - A loan classified as Doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and reasonable specific pending factors, which may work to the advantage of strengthening of the asset, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined. Pending factors include proposed merger, acquisition, or liquidation procedures, capital injection, perfecting liens on additional collateral and refinancing plans.
Loans categorized as Special Mention, Substandard and Doubtful are considered Criticized. Loans categorized as Substandard or Doubtful are considered Classified. Purchased loans acquired in the Merger are recorded at estimated fair value on the date of acquisition without the carryover of related ALL. The table below includes $21.0 million and $27.0 million in Granite Purchased Loans categorized as Substandard or Doubtful at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

12


The following table presents loans held for investment balances by risk grade as of March 31, 2016:
(dollars in thousands)
 
Pass
 
Special Mention
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
 
 
 
(Ratings 1-5)
 
(Rating 6)
 
(Rating 7)
 
(Rating 8)
 
Total
Commercial and agricultural
 
$
151,873

 
$
570

 
$
2,577

 
$

 
$
155,020

Real estate - construction
 
96,350

 
2,639

 
4,013

 

 
103,002

Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
633,530

 
2,900

 
15,340

 

 
651,770

Commercial
 
461,100

 
10,889

 
25,983

 

 
497,972

Consumer
 
115,635

 
5

 
568

 
434

 
116,642

Total
 
$
1,458,488

 
$
17,003

 
$
48,481

 
$
434

 
$
1,524,406

The following table presents loans held for investment balances by risk grade as of December 31, 2015:
(dollars in thousands)
 
Pass
 
Special Mention
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
 
 
 
(Ratings 1-5)
 
(Rating 6)
 
(Rating 7)
 
(Rating 8)
 
Total
Commercial and agricultural
 
$
148,844

 
$
672

 
$
2,790

 
$

 
$
152,306

Real estate - construction
 
100,252

 
2,122

 
4,628

 

 
107,002

Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
669,695

 
3,508

 
14,351

 

 
687,554

Commercial
 
450,587

 
12,765

 
25,761

 

 
489,113

Consumer
 
107,008

 
4

 
553

 
255

 
107,820

Total
 
$
1,476,386

 
$
19,071

 
$
48,083

 
$
255

 
$
1,543,795

Loans included in the preceding loan composition table are net of participations sold. Loans are increased by net loan premiums of $3.4 million and $3.7 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, loans held for sale consisted of originated residential mortgage loans held for sale carried at the lower of cost or fair market value.
Loans serviced for others are not included in the consolidated balance sheet. The unpaid principal balance of loans serviced for others amounted to $361.4 million at March 31, 2016 and $304.6 million at December 31, 2015.
Loans Pledged
To borrow from the FHLB, members must pledge collateral to secure advances and letters of credit. Acceptable collateral includes, among other types of collateral, a variety of residential, multifamily, home equity lines and second mortgages, and commercial loans. Gross loans of $97.3 million and $112.6 million of investment securities, and gross loans of $102.9 million and $113.0 million of investment securities, were pledged to collateralize FHLB advances and letters of credit at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, of which there was $108.4 million and $80.8 million of credit availability for borrowing, respectively. At March 31, 2016, $4.1 million of loans and $43.8 million of securities were pledged to collateralize potential borrowings from the Federal Reserve Discount Window, of which $46.8 million was available as borrowing capacity. We could also access $302.7 million of additional borrowings from the FHLB under credit lines by pledging additional collateral.
Nonaccruing and Impaired Loans
Interest income on loans is calculated by using the interest method based on the daily outstanding balance. The recognition of interest income is discontinued when, in management's opinion, the collection of all or a portion of interest becomes doubtful. Loans are returned to accrual status when the factors indicating doubtful collectability cease to exist and the loan has performed in accordance with its terms for a demonstrated period of time. The past due status of loans is based on the contractual payment terms. Had nonaccruing loans been on accruing status, interest income would have been higher by $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, respectively. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, COB had certain impaired loans of $18.4 million and $18.0 million, respectively, which were on nonaccruing interest status.

13


All loan classes are considered past due when the contractual amounts due with respect to principal and interest are not received within 30 days of the contractual due date. When we cannot reasonably expect full and timely repayment of a loan, the loan is placed on nonaccrual.
All loan classes on which principal or interest is in default for 90 days or more are put on nonaccrual status, unless there is sufficient information to conclude that the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. A debt is "well-secured" if collateralized by liens on or pledges of real or personal property, including securities, which have a realizable value sufficient to discharge the debt in full, or by the guarantee of a financially responsible party. A debt is "in process of collection" if collection is proceeding in due course either through legal action, including judgment enforcement procedures, or, in appropriate circumstances, through collection efforts not involving legal action that are reasonably expected to result in repayment of the debt or its restoration to a current status.
Loans that are less than 90 days delinquent may also be placed on nonaccrual if deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower has increased the probability of less than full repayment.
At the time a loan is placed on nonaccrual, all accrued, unpaid interest is charged off, unless repayment of all principal and presently accrued but unpaid interest is probable. Charge-offs of accrued and unpaid interest are charged against the current year's interest income and not against the ALL.
For all loan classes, a nonaccrual loan may be returned to accrual status when we can reasonably expect continued timely payments until payment in full. All prior arrearage does not have to be eliminated, nor do all previously charged off amounts need to have been recovered, but the loan can still be returned to accrual status if the following conditions are met: (1) all principal and interest amounts contractually due (including arrearage) are reasonably assured of repayment within a reasonable period; and (2) there is a sustained period of repayment performance (generally a minimum of six months) by the borrower, in accordance with the contractual terms involving payments of cash or cash equivalents.
For all classes within all loan portfolios, cash receipts received on nonaccrual loans are generally applied entirely against principal until the loan has been collected in full, after which time any additional cash receipts are recognized as interest income.
For all loan classes, as soon as any portion of a loan becomes uncollectible, the loan will be charged down or charged off as follows:
If unsecured, the loan must be charged off in full.
If secured, the outstanding principal balance of the loan should be charged down to the net liquidation value of the collateral.
Loans are considered uncollectible when:
No regularly scheduled payment has been made within four months and the determination is made that any further payment is unlikely, or
The loan is unsecured, the borrower has filed for bankruptcy protection and there is no other (guarantor, etc.) support from an entity outside of the bankruptcy proceedings.
Based on a variety of credit, collateral and documentation issues, loans with lesser degrees of delinquency or obvious loss may also be deemed uncollectible.
A loan is considered impaired, based on current information and events, if it is probable that we will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. If the loan has been modified to provide relief to the borrower, the loan is deemed to be impaired if all principal and interest will not be repaid according to the original contract.
When a loan has been determined to be impaired, the amount of the impairment is measured using the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, the observable market price of the loan, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. When the present value of expected future cash flows is used, the effective interest rate is the original contractual interest rate of the loan adjusted for any premium or discount. When the contractual interest rate is variable, the effective interest rate of the loan changes over time. A specific reserve is established as a component of the ALL when a loan has been determined to be impaired. Subsequent to the initial measurement of impairment, if there is a significant change to the impaired loan's expected future cash flows, or if actual cash flows are significantly different from the cash flows previously estimated, we recalculate the impairment and appropriately adjust the specific reserve. Similarly, if we measure impairment based on the observable market price of an impaired loan or the fair value of the collateral of an impaired collateral-dependent loan, we will adjust the specific reserve if there is a significant change in either of those bases.
When a loan is impaired and principal and interest is in doubt when contractually due, interest income is not recognized. Cash receipts received on nonaccruing impaired loans within any class are generally applied entirely against principal until the loan has

14


been collected in full, after which time any additional cash receipts are recognized as interest income. Cash receipts received on accruing impaired loans within any class are applied in the same manner as accruing loans that are not considered impaired.
The following table summarizes information relative to impaired loans for the dates indicated:
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
(dollars in thousands)
 
Recorded Investment
 
Associated Reserves
 
Recorded Investment
 
Associated Reserves
Impaired loans, not individually reviewed for impairment
 
$
5,009

 
$

 
$
4,903

 
$

Impaired loans, individually reviewed, with no impairment
 
20,548

 

 
22,411

 

Impaired loans, individually reviewed, with impairment
 
4,525

 
384

 
3,817

 
399

Total impaired loans, excluding purchased impaired *
 
$
30,082

 
384

 
$
31,131

 
399

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased impaired loans with subsequent deterioration
 
$
81,519

 
2,754

 
$
84,329

 
2,754

Purchased impaired loans with no subsequent deterioration
 
3,108

 

 
3,235

 

Total Reserves
 
 
 
$
3,138

 
 
 
$
3,153

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average impaired loans calculated using a simple average
 
30,607

 
 
 
35,290

 
 
* Included at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were $11.7 million and $13.1 million, respectively, in restructured and performing loans.
The following table presents loans held for investment on nonaccrual status by loan class for the dates indicated:
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Loans held for investment:
 
 
 
 
Commercial and agricultural
 
$
810

 
$
1,053

Real estate - construction
 
84

 
110

Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
9,434

 
9,106

Commercial
 
7,509

 
7,209

Consumer
 
580

 
538

Total nonaccrual loans
 
18,417

 
18,016

Loans more than 90 days delinquent, still on accrual
 

 
817

Total nonperforming loans
 
$
18,417

 
$
18,833

There were no loans held for sale on nonaccrual status as of March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015.


15


The following table presents individually reviewed impaired loans and purchased impaired loans with subsequent credit deterioration, segregated by portfolio segment, and the corresponding allowance for loan losses as of March 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
Unpaid
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Recorded
 
Principal
 
Related
 
 
Investment
 
Balance
 
Allowance
Individually reviewed impaired loans with no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commercial and agricultural
 
$
392

 
$
479

 
$

  Real estate - construction
 
755

 
921

 

  Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
6,691

 
8,481

 

Commercial
 
12,710

 
17,944

 

  Consumer
 

 

 

Total
 
20,548

 
27,825

 

Individually reviewed impaired loans with an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commercial and agricultural
 

 

 

  Real estate - construction
 

 

 

  Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
4,278

 
5,376

 
380

Commercial
 
247

 
291

 
4

  Consumer
 

 

 

Total
 
4,525

 
5,667

 
384

Total individually reviewed impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commercial and agricultural
 
392

 
479

 

  Real estate - construction
 
755

 
921

 

  Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
10,969

 
13,857

 
380

Commercial
 
12,957

 
18,235

 
4

  Consumer
 

 

 

Total
 
$
25,073

 
$
33,492

 
$
384

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PI loans with subsequent credit deterioration:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commercial and agricultural
 
$
4,751

 
$
3,691

 
$
281

  Real estate - construction
 
6,934

 
7,697

 
557

  Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
     1-4 family residential
 
10,652

 
10,739

 
336

     Commercial
 
58,321

 
57,885

 
1,456

  Consumer
 
861

 
553

 
124

Total
 
$
81,519

 
$
80,565

 
$
2,754


16


The following table presents individually reviewed impaired loans, and purchased impaired loans with subsequent credit deterioration, segregated by portfolio segment, and the corresponding allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
Unpaid
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Recorded
 
Principal
 
Related
 
 
Investment
 
Balance
 
Allowance
Individually reviewed impaired loans with no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commercial and agricultural
 
$
399

 
$
479

 
$

  Real estate - construction
 
775

 
939

 

  Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
7,418

 
9,406

 

Commercial
 
13,820

 
19,116

 

  Consumer
 

 

 

Total
 
22,412

 
29,940

 

Individually reviewed impaired loans with an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commercial and agricultural
 

 

 

  Real estate - construction
 

 

 

  Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
3,817

 
4,691

 
399

Commercial
 

 

 

  Consumer
 

 

 

Total
 
3,817

 
4,691

 
399

Total individually reviewed impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commercial and agricultural
 
399

 
479

 

  Real estate - construction
 
775

 
939

 

  Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
11,235

 
14,097

 
399

Commercial
 
13,820

 
19,116

 

  Consumer
 

 

 

Total
 
$
26,229

 
$
34,631

 
$
399

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PI loans with subsequent credit deterioration:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commercial and agricultural
 
$
4,995

 
$
3,908

 
$
311

  Real estate - construction
 
7,323

 
8,121

 
579

  Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
     1-4 family residential
 
11,103

 
11,327

 
384

     Commercial
 
59,989

 
60,582

 
1,356

  Consumer
 
919

 
598

 
124

Total
 
$
84,329

 
$
84,536

 
$
2,754




17


The following summary presents individually reviewed impaired loans. Average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans, segregated by portfolio segment, is shown in the following table as of March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015:
 
 
For Three Months Ended
 
For Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
 
 
Average
 
Interest
 
Average
 
Interest
(dollars in thousands)
 
Recorded
 
Income
 
Recorded
 
Income
 
 
Investment
 
Recognized
 
Investment
 
Recognized
Individually reviewed impaired loans with no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commercial and agricultural
 
$
395

 
$

 
$
478

 
$

  Real estate - construction
 
762

 
14

 
1,276

 
11

  Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
6,717

 
27

 
7,925

 
31

Commercial
 
12,828

 
93

 
13,081

 
73

  Consumer
 

 

 

 

Total
 
20,702

 
134

 
22,760

 
115

Individually reviewed impaired loans with an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commercial and agricultural
 

 

 

 

  Real estate - construction
 

 

 

 

  Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
4,288

 
20

 
3,744

 
19

Commercial
 
249

 

 
3,830

 
52

  Consumer
 

 

 

 

Total
 
4,537

 
20

 
7,574

 
71

Total individually reviewed impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Commercial and agricultural
 
395

 

 
478

 

  Real estate - construction
 
762

 
14

 
1,276

 
11

  Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential
 
11,005

 
47

 
11,669

 
50

Commercial
 
13,077

 
93

 
16,911

 
125

  Consumer
 

 

 

 

Total
 
$
25,239

 
$
154

 
$
30,334

 
$
186

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans also include loans for which we may elect to grant a concession, providing terms more favorable than those prevalent in the market (e.g., rate, amortization term), and formally restructure due to the weakening credit status of a borrower. Restructuring is designed to facilitate a repayment plan that minimizes the potential losses that we otherwise may have to incur. If these impaired loans are on nonaccruing status as of the date of restructuring, the loans are included in nonperforming loans. Nonperforming restructured loans will remain as nonperforming until the borrower can demonstrate adherence to the restructured terms for a period of no less than six months and when it is otherwise determined that continued adherence is reasonably assured. Some restructured loans continue as accruing loans after restructuring if the borrower is not past due at the time of restructuring, adequate collateral valuations support the restructured loans, and the cash flows of the underlying business appear adequate to support the restructured debt service. Not included in nonperforming loans are loans that have been restructured that were performing as of the restructure date. At March 31, 2016, there was $17.1 million in restructured loans, of which $12.0 million were accruing. At December 31, 2015, there was $17.9 million in restructured loans, of which $13.1 million were accruing.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

18


Granite Purchased Loans
Granite Purchased Loans include PI loans and PC loans. PC loans consist of revolving consumer and commercial loans that were performing as of the acquisition date.
PI loans are segregated into pools and recorded at estimated fair value on the date of acquisition without the carryover of the related ALL. PI loans are accounted for under ASC 310-30 when the loans have evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable at the date of acquisition we will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments. Evidence of credit quality deterioration as of the date of acquisition may include statistics such as past due status, nonaccrual status and risk grade. PI loans generally meet our definition for nonaccrual status; however, even if the borrower is not currently making payments, we will classify loans as accruing if we can reasonably estimate the amount and timing of future cash flows. All Granite PI loans are presented on an accruing basis. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the non-accretable difference.
Periodically, we estimate the expected cash flows for each pool of the PI loans and evaluate whether the expected cash flows for each pool have changed from prior estimates. Decreases to the expected cash flows will generally result in a provision for loan losses. Subsequent increases in cash flows result in a reversal of the provision for loan losses to the extent of prior provisions, or reclassification from non-accretable difference to accretable yield with a positive impact on future interest income. Excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan when there is a reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of such cash flows.
We have accounted for the Granite PI loans under ASC 310-30 and the Granite PC loans under ASC 310-20.
At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our financial statements reflected a Granite PI loan ALL of $2.8 million and $2.8 million, respectively, and an ALL for Granite PC loans of $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

The following table presents the balance of all Granite Purchased Loans:
 
 
At March 31, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
 
Purchased Impaired
 
Purchased Contractual
 
Total Purchased Loans
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
Commercial and agricultural
 
$
4,751

 
$
156

 
$
4,907

 
$
3,848

Real estate - construction
 
7,274

 

 
7,274

 
8,070

Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   1-4 family residential
 
13,420

 
17,470

 
30,890

 
31,442

   Commercial
 
58,321

 

 
58,321

 
57,885

Consumer
 
861

 

 
861

 
553

       Total
 
$
84,627

 
$
17,626

 
$
102,253

 
$
101,798

 
 
At December 31, 2015
(dollars in thousands)
 
Purchased Impaired
 
Purchased Contractual
 
Total
Purchased Loans
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
Commercial and agricultural
 
$
4,995

 
$
238

 
$
5,233

 
$
4,149

Real estate - construction
 
7,744

 

 
7,744

 
8,579

Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   1-4 family residential
 
13,917

 
17,915

 
31,832

 
32,558

   Commercial
 
59,989

 

 
59,989

 
60,582

Consumer
 
919

 

 
919

 
598

       Total
 
$
87,564

 
$
18,153

 
$
105,717

 
$
106,466


19


The table below includes only those Granite Purchased Loans accounted for under the expected cash flow method (PI loans) for the periods indicated. This table does not include PC loans, including Granite PC loans or purchased residential mortgage loan pools.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For Three Months Ended
 
For Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
 
 
Purchased Impaired
 
Purchased Impaired
(dollars in thousands)
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Future
Accretion
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Future Accretion
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
87,564

 
$
15,623

 
$
122,842

 
$
24,898

  Accretion
 
1,406

 
(1,406
)
 
2,048

 
(2,048
)
Increase (Decrease) in future accretion
 

 
(2
)
 

 
(1,925
)
  Payments received
 
(4,343
)
 

 
(14,854
)
 

  Foreclosed and transferred to OREO
 

 

 
(774
)
 

Subtotal before allowance
 
84,627

 
14,215

 
109,262

 
20,925

Allowance for credit losses
 
(2,754
)
 

 
(3,194
)
 

Net carrying amount, end of period
 
$
81,873

 
$
14,215

 
$
106,068

 
$
20,925

Allowance for Loan Losses
The Company's ALL, which is utilized to absorb actual losses in the loan portfolio, is maintained at a level consistent with our best estimate of probable loan losses to be incurred as of the balance sheet date. We assess our ALL quarterly. This assessment includes a methodology that separates the total loan portfolio into homogeneous loan classifications for purposes of evaluating risk. The required allowance is calculated by applying a risk adjusted reserve requirement to the dollar volume of loans within a homogenous group. For purposes of the ALL, we have grouped our loans into pools with similar risk characteristics, including loan purpose, collateral type and borrower type. Major loan portfolio subgroups include: risk graded commercial loans, mortgage loans, home equity loans, retail loans and retail credit lines. We also analyze the loan portfolio on an ongoing basis to evaluate current risk levels, and risk grades are adjusted accordingly. While we use the best information available to make evaluations, future adjustments may be necessary, if economic or other conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used.
Historical loss rates are calculated by associating losses to the risk-graded pool to which they relate for each of the previous eight quarters. Then, using a look back period consisting of the twenty most recent quarters, loss factors are calculated for each risk-graded pool using a simple average.
In addition to our ability to use our own historical loss data and migration between risk grades, we have a rigorous process for computing the qualitative factors that impact the ALL. A committee, independent of the historical loss migration team, reviews risk factors that may impact the ALL. Some factors are statistically quantifiable, such as concentration, growth, delinquency, and nonaccrual risk by loan type, while other factors are qualitative in nature, such as staff competency, competition within our markets and economic and regulatory changes impacting the loan portfolio.
We lend primarily in North Carolina. As of March 31, 2016, a large majority of the principal amount of the loans in our portfolio was to businesses and individuals in North Carolina. This geographic concentration subjects the loan portfolio to the general economic conditions within this area. The risks created by this concentration have been considered by us in the determination of the adequacy of the ALL. We believe the ALL is adequate to cover estimated losses on loans at each balance sheet date.
During the three month period ended March 31, 2016, we charged off $1.1 million in loans and realized $0.7 million in recoveries, for $0.4 million of net charge-offs.
The ALL, as a percentage of loans held for investment, was 0.93% at March 31, 2016, compared to 1.36% at March 31, 2015. At December 31, 2015, the ALL, as a percentage of loans held for investment, was 0.98%.

20


An analysis of the changes in the ALL is as follows:
 
 
For Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)
 
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
15,195

 
$
20,345

Recovery of losses charged to continuing operations
 
(535
)
 
(1,137
)
Net charge-offs:
 
 
 
 
Charge-offs
 
(1,094
)
 
(994
)
Recoveries
 
674

 
794

Net charge-offs
 
(420
)
 
(200
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
14,240

 
$
19,008

Annualized net charge-offs during the period to average loans held for investment
 
0.11
%
 
0.06
%
Annualized net charge-offs during the period to ALL
 
11.83
%
 
4.27
%
Allowance for loan losses to loans held for investment
 
0.93
%
 
1.36
%
The following table presents ALL activity by portfolio segment for the three months ended March 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real Estate - Mortgage
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial and Agricultural
 
Real Estate - Construction
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Commercial
 
Consumer
 
Total
ALL:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance January 1, 2016
 
$
2,402

 
$
1,769

 
$
5,141

 
$
2,328

 
$
3,555

 
$
15,195

Charge-offs
 
(159
)
 

 
(64
)
 

 
(871
)
 
(1,094
)
Recoveries
 
253

 
136

 
130

 
40

 
115

 
674

Provision (recovery of provision)
 
(452
)
 
(609
)
 
(832
)
 
175

 
1,183

 
(535
)
Ending balance March 31, 2016
 
$
2,044

 
$
1,296

 
$
4,375

 
$
2,543

 
$
3,982

 
$
14,240

The following table presents ALL activity by portfolio segment for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real Estate - Mortgage
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial and Agricultural
 
Real Estate - Construction
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Commercial
 
Consumer
 
Total
ALL:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance January 1, 2015
 
$
3,915

 
$
3,163

 
$
5,847

 
$
4,179

 
$
3,241

 
$
20,345

Charge-offs
 
(49
)
 
(81
)
 
(125
)
 
(7
)
 
(732
)
 
(994
)
Recoveries
 
221

 
196

 
138

 
58

 
181

 
794

Provision (recovery of provision)
 
(689
)
 
(158
)
 
(237
)
 
(1,078
)
 
1,025

 
(1,137
)
Ending balance March 31, 2015
 
$
3,398

 
$
3,120

 
$
5,623

 
$
3,152

 
$
3,715

 
$
19,008

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


21


The following table details the recorded investment in loans related to each segment in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment and disaggregated on the basis of impairment evaluation methodology at March 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real Estate - Mortgage
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial and Agricultural
 
Real Estate - Construction
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Commercial
 
Consumer
 
Total
ALL:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Individually reviewed for impairment
 
$

 
$

 
$
380

 
$
4

 
$

 
$
384

  Collectively reviewed for impairment
 
1,763

 
739

 
3,659

 
1,083

 
3,858

 
11,102

  PI loans reviewed for credit impairment
 
281

 
557

 
336

 
1,456

 
124

 
2,754

  PI loans with no credit deterioration
 

 

 

 

 

 

Total ALL
 
$
2,044

 
$
1,296

 
$
4,375

 
$
2,543

 
$
3,982

 
$
14,240

Loans held for investment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Individually reviewed for impairment
 
$
392

 
$
755

 
$
10,969

 
$
12,957

 
$

 
$
25,073

  Collectively reviewed for impairment
 
149,877

 
94,973

 
627,381

 
426,694

 
115,781

 
1,414,706

  PI loans with subsequent credit deterioration
 
4,751

 
6,934

 
10,652

 
58,321

 
861

 
81,519

  PI loans with no credit deterioration
 

 
340

 
2,768

 

 

 
3,108

Total loans
 
$
155,020

 
$
103,002

 
$
651,770

 
$
497,972

 
$
116,642

 
$
1,524,406

The following table details the recorded investment in loans related to each segment in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment and disaggregated on the basis of impairment evaluation methodology at December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real Estate - Mortgage
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial and Agricultural
 
Real Estate - Construction
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Commercial
 
Consumer
 
Total
ALL:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Individually reviewed for impairment
 
$

 
$

 
$
399

 
$

 
$

 
$
399

  Collectively reviewed for impairment
 
2,091

 
1,190

 
4,358

 
972

 
3,431

 
12,042

  PI loans reviewed for credit impairment
 
311

 
579

 
384

 
1,356

 
124

 
2,754

  PI loans with no credit deterioration
 

 

 

 

 

 

Total ALL
 
$
2,402

 
$
1,769

 
$
5,141

 
$
2,328

 
$
3,555

 
$
15,195

Loans held for investment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Individually reviewed for impairment
 
$
399

 
$
775

 
$
11,235

 
$
13,820

 
$

 
$
26,229

  Collectively reviewed for impairment
 
146,912

 
98,483

 
662,402

 
415,304

 
106,901

 
1,430,002

  PI loans with subsequent credit deterioration
 
4,995

 
7,323

 
11,103

 
59,989

 
919

 
84,329

  PI loans with no credit deterioration
 

 
421

 
2,814

 

 

 
3,235

Total loans
 
$
152,306

 
$
107,002

 
$
687,554

 
$
489,113

 
$
107,820

 
$
1,543,795


22


Troubled Debt Restructuring
The following table presents a breakdown of troubled debt restructurings that were restructured during the three and three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, respectively, segregated by portfolio segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
For Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
Pre-Modification
 
Post-Modification
 
 
 
Pre-Modification
 
Post-Modification
 
 
 
 
Outstanding
 
Outstanding
 
 
 
Outstanding
 
Outstanding
(dollars in thousands)
 
Number
 
Recorded
 
Recorded
 
Number
 
Recorded
 
Recorded
 
 
of Loans
 
Investment
 
Investment
 
of Loans
 
Investment
 
Investment
Commercial and agricultural
 

 
$

 
$

 

 
$

 
$

Real estate - construction
 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate - mortgage:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   1-4 family residential
 

 

 

 

 

 

   Commercial
 
2

 
332

 
332

 

 

 

Consumer
 

 

 

 

 

 

    Total
 
2

 
$
332

 
$
332

 

 
$

 
$

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we modified two loans that were considered to be troubled debt restructurings by modifying the terms for each of these loans. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we did not modify any loans that were considered to be troubled debt restructurings.
There were no loans restructured in the twelve months prior to March 31, 2016 that went into default during the three months ended March 31, 2016. There were also no loans restructured in the twelve months prior to March 31, 2015 that went into default during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
In the determination of the ALL, management considers troubled debt restructurings and any subsequent defaults in these restructurings as impaired loans. The amount of the impairment is measured using the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the observable market price of the loan, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
Unfunded Commitments
The reserve for unfunded commitments, which is included in other liabilities, is calculated by estimating the probable amount of additional funding on the commitment and multiplying that amount by the historical loss rate (including Q&E factors). The following describes our method for determining the estimated additional funding by commitment type:
Straight Lines of Credit - Unfunded balance of line of credit (100% utilization)
Revolving Lines of Credit - Average utilization (for the last 12 months) less current utilization
Letters of Credit - 10% utilization
The reserve for unfunded commitments was $0.9 million as of March 31, 2016 and $0.8 million at December 31, 2015.
5. Other Real Estate Owned and Property Acquired in Settlement of Loans
OREO consists of real estate acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu thereof, and is classified as held for sale. The property is initially carried at fair value based on recent appraisals, less estimated costs to sell. Declines in the fair value of properties included in OREO below carrying value are recognized by a charge to income.
Total OREO and property acquired in settlement of loans decreased $2.4 million during the first three months of 2016 from $16.6 million at December 31, 2015, to $14.2 million at March 31, 2016. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, OREO and property acquired in settlement of loans represented 43% and 47% of total nonperforming assets, respectively.
The following table summarizes OREO and property acquired in settlement of loans at the periods indicated:
(dollars in thousands)
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans
 
$
13,845

 
$
16,251

Property acquired in settlement of loans
 
313

 
332

Total property acquired in settlement of loans
 
$
14,158

 
$
16,583


23


The following table summarize the changes in real estate acquired in settlement of loans at the periods indicated:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)
 
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans, beginning of period
 
$
16,251

 
$
20,122

Plus: New real estate acquired in settlement of loans
 
59

 
2,495

Less: Sales of real estate acquired in settlement of loans
 
(1,964
)
 
(1,490
)
Less: Write-downs and net loss on sales charged to expense
 
(501
)
 
(294
)
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans, end of period
 
$
13,845

 
$
20,833

At March 31, 2016, 11 assets with a net carrying amount of $3.4 million were under contract for sale. Estimated losses on these sales, if any, have been recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the first three months of 2016.
At March 31, 2016, the Company’s recorded investment in mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate properties that are in the process of foreclosure was $2.8 million and the Company’s OREO balance included $3.2 million of residential real estate.
6. Earnings Per Share
Basic net earnings per share, or basic earnings per share (“EPS”), is computed by dividing net income to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.
Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if COB's potential common stock, which consists of dilutive stock options and a common stock warrant, were issued. As required for entities with complex capital structures, a dual presentation of basic and diluted EPS is included on the face of the income statement, and a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic EPS computation to the numerator and denominator of the diluted EPS computation is provided in this note.
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
For Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
Net income
 
$
3,914

 
$
2,519

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic
 
24,292,004

 
24,183,396

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted
 
24,314,112

 
24,195,108

Net income per share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.16

 
$
0.10

During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the price of the Company's common stock (as quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market) was below the price of the common stock warrant. As a result, the warrant is considered antidilutive and thus is not included in the diluted share calculation.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, there were an average of 500,540 antidilutive shares, while for the three months ended March 31, 2015, there were 22,127 antidilutive shares. Of the antidilutive shares, the number of shares relating to stock options were 478,468 and 55 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, and March 31, 2015, respectively. The number relating to the warrant was 22,072 for all periods presented.
7. Derivatives and Financial Instruments
A derivative is a financial instrument that derives its cash flows, and therefore its value, by reference to an underlying instrument, index or referenced interest rate. These instruments include interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars, options or other financial instruments designed to hedge exposures to interest rate risk or for speculative purposes.
Accounting guidance requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet, and measure those instruments at fair value. Changes in the fair value of those derivatives are reported in current earnings or other comprehensive income depending on the purpose for which the derivative is held and whether the derivative qualifies for hedge accounting.
In connection with its asset / liability management objectives, the Company during the first quarter of 2014 entered into two interest rate swaps on $40 million of FHLB advances, each swap having a $20 million notional amount, that convert the floating rate cash flow exposure on the FHLB advances to a fixed rate cash flow. As structured, the receive-variable, pay-fixed swaps were evaluated as being cash flow hedges and have remained highly effective since inception through the quarter ending March 31, 2016. The

24


differences in cash flows in each period between the fixed rate interest payments that the Company makes and the variable rate interest payments received is reported in earnings. These interest rate swaps mature on June 15, 2020.
Mortgage banking derivatives used in the ordinary course of business consist of mandatory forward sales contracts, best-efforts forward contracts and rate lock loan commitments. The fair value of our derivative instruments is primarily measured by obtaining pricing from broker-dealers recognized to be market participants.
We have established guidelines in originating and selling loans to Fannie Mae, and retaining or selling the mortgage servicing rights. The commitments to borrowers to originate residential mortgage loans and the forward sales commitments to investors are freestanding derivative instruments. As such, they do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, and the fair value adjustments for these instruments is recorded through the Consolidated Statements of Operations in mortgage loan income. The fair market value of mortgage banking derivatives is recorded in the consolidated balance sheet in Other Assets.
 
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized
(dollars in thousands)
 
For Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
    Interest rate swap contracts - FHLB advances
 
$
(549
)
 
$
(321
)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loan rate lock commitments
 
$
1

 
$
(7
)
Mortgage loan forward sales
 
7

 
79

Total
 
$
8

 
$
72

 
 
 
 
 
8. Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities
We use fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available-for-sale, derivative assets and liabilities, mortgage loans held for sale, and mortgage servicing rights are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time-to-time, we may be required to record at fair value other assets and liabilities on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held for investment, impaired loans and certain other assets and liabilities. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets or liabilities.
Fair Value Hierarchy
We group assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:
Level 1: Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
Level 2: Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
Level 3: Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.
Disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate that value, is required. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time our entire holdings of a particular financial instrument.
Because no market exists for a portion of our financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected losses, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

25


The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value:
Investments Securities Available-for-Sale
Investment securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security's credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions. Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets and money market funds. Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored entities, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities. Securities classified as Level 3 may include asset-backed securities in less liquid markets.
Liquidity is a significant factor in the determination of the fair values of available-for-sale debt securities. Market price quotes may not be readily available for some positions, or positions within a market sector where trading activity has slowed significantly or ceased. Some of these instruments are valued using a discounted cash flow model, which estimates the fair value of the securities using internal credit risk, interest rate and prepayment risk models that incorporate management's best estimate of current key assumptions such as default rates, loss severity and prepayment rates. Principal and interest cash flows are discounted using an observable discount rate for similar instruments with adjustments that management believes a market participant would consider in determining fair value for the specific security. Underlying assets are valued using external pricing services, where available, or matrix pricing based on the vintages and ratings. Situations of illiquidity generally are triggered by the market's perception of credit uncertainty regarding a single company or a specific market sector. In these instances, fair value is determined based on limited available market information and other factors, principally from reviewing the issuer's financial statements and changes in credit ratings made by one or more ratings agencies.
Loans Held for Sale
Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Once sold, the purchasing investor has all rights of ownership, including the ability to pledge or exchange the loans. Most of the loans sold are without recourse.  However, the investor does have the ability to require CommunityOne to repurchase or indemnify a specific loan should there be inadequacies discovered in the original underwriting of that loan. Gains or losses on loan sales are recognized at the time of sale, are determined by the difference between net sales proceeds and the carrying value of the loan sold, and are included in Consolidated Statements of Operations. Since loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, the fair value of loans held for sale is based on contractual agreements with independent third party buyers. As such, we classify loans held for sale subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments as Level 2. Based on the nature of the portfolio, lack of market volatility and the short duration for which the loans are held, fair value generally exceeds cost.
Loans Held for Investment
We do not record loans held for investment at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired and the related impairment is charged against the allowance or a specific allowance is established. Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired. Once a loan is identified as impaired, we determine the fair value of the loan to quantify impairment, should such exist. The fair value of impaired loans is estimated using one of several methods, including collateral net liquidation value, market value of similar debt, enterprise value, and discounted cash flows. Those impaired loans not requiring a specific allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral meet or exceed the recorded investments in such loans. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, substantially all of the total impaired loans were reviewed based on the fair value of the collateral. Impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy. We record impaired loans as nonrecurring Level 3.
Other Real Estate Owned
OREO is adjusted to fair value upon transfer of the loans to OREO. Subsequently, OREO is carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or management's estimation of the value of the collateral. Given the lack of observable market prices for identical properties, we record OREO as nonrecurring Level 3.
Interest Rate Locks and Forward Loan Sale Commitments
We enter into interest rate lock commitments and commitments to sell mortgages. The fair value of interest rate lock commitments is based on servicing rate premium, origination income net of origination costs, fall out rates and changes in loan pricing between the commitment date and the balance sheet date. We record interest rate lock commitments as recurring level 3, and based on their immaterial value, has excluded them from the fair value table.

26


Interest Rate Swaps
We enter into interest rate swaps to hedge the variability of interest cash flow payments on certain FHLB advances.  Changes in fair value of these cash flow hedges are recorded through other comprehensive income.  Any ineffectiveness of the hedge is included in current period earnings.  The fair value of our interest rate swaps is based on a third party valuation because there is not a readily available quoted price in the market.  We record interest rate swap commitments as recurring level 2.
Mortgage Servicing Rights
The fair value of mortgage serving rights ("MSR") is dependent upon a number of assumptions including the fee per loan, the cost to service, the expected loan prepayment rate, and the discount rate.  In determining the fair value of the existing MSR management reviews the key assumptions, analyzes pricing in the market for comparable MSR, and uses a third party provider to independently calculate the fair value of its MSR. We record mortgage servicing rights as recurring Level 3.
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2016 are summarized in the following table:
(dollars in thousands)
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government sponsored agencies
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Residential mortgage-backed securities-GSE
 
277,062

 

 
277,062

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities-Private
 
31,434

 

 
31,434

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-GSE
 
22,122

 

 
22,122

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-Private
 
17,848

 

 
17,848

 

Corporate notes
 
37,528

 

 
37,528

 

Total available-for-sale debt securities
 
385,994

 

 
385,994

 

Mortgage servicing rights
 
2,654

 

 

 
2,654

Interest rate swaps
 
(1,627
)
 

 
(1,627
)
 

Total assets at fair value
 
$
387,021

 
$

 
$
384,367

 
$
2,654

Assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2015 are summarized in the following table:
(dollars in thousands)
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government sponsored agencies
 
$
2,008

 
$

 
$
2,008

 
$

Residential mortgage-backed securities-GSE
 
278,107

 

 
278,107

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities-Private
 
33,577

 

 
33,577

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-GSE
 
21,611

 

 
21,611

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities-Private
 
17,575

 

 
17,575

 

Corporate notes
 
37,555

 

 
37,555

 

Total available-for-sale debt securities
 
390,433

 

 
390,433

 

Mortgage servicing rights
 
2,231

 

 

 
2,231

Interest rate swaps
 
(755
)
 

 
(755
)
 

Total assets at fair value
 
$
391,909

 
$

 
$
389,678

 
$
2,231


27


The following table presents a reconciliation of all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the periods indicated:
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant
 
 
Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights
(dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
2,231

 
$
1,726

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings, gross
 
593

 
300

      Less amortization
 
(170
)
 
(130
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
2,654

 
$
1,896

 
 
 
 
 

28


Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
We may be required, from time to time, to measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These include assets that are measured at the lower of cost or market that were recognized at fair value below cost at the end of the period. This is due to further deterioration in the value of the assets. There were no loans held for sale that had a fair value below cost in any periods reported.
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are included in the following table at March 31, 2016:
(dollars in thousands)
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Impaired loans, net
 
$
2,364

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,364

Other real estate owned
 
7,159

 

 

 
7,159

Total assets at fair value from continuing operations
 
$
9,523

 
$

 
$

 
$
9,523

Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are included in the following table at December 31, 2015:
(dollars in thousands)
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Impaired loans, net
 
$
3,418

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,418

Other real estate owned
 
10,630

 

 

 
10,630

Total assets at fair value from continuing operations
 
$
14,048

 
$

 
$

 
$
14,048

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
(dollars in thousands)
 
Fair Value at March 31, 2016
 
Valuation Techniques
 
Unobservable
Input
 
Range

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans, net
 
$
2,364

 
Discounted appraisals
 
Collateral discounts
 
1.00% - 30.00%
Other real estate owned
 
7,159

 
Discounted appraisals
 
Collateral discounts
 
1.00% - 30.00%
Mortgage servicing rights
 
2,654

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Prepayment rate
 
10.00% - 25.00%
Mortgage servicing rights
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
 
6.00% - 10.00%

(dollars in thousands)
 
Fair Value at
December 31, 2015
 
Valuation Techniques
 
Unobservable
Input
 
Range
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans, net
 
$
3,418

 
Discounted appraisals
 
Collateral discounts
 
1.00%-30.00%
Other real estate owned
 
10,630

 
Discounted appraisals
 
Collateral discounts
 
1.00%-30.00%
Mortgage servicing rights
 
2,231

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Prepayment rate
 
10.00% - 25.00%
Mortgage servicing rights
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
 
6.00% - 10.00%
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value for each class of COB's financial instruments.
Cash and cash equivalents. Fair value equals the carrying value of such assets due to their nature and is classified as Level 1.
Investment securities. The fair value of investment securities is based on quoted market prices, if available. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities. The fair value of equity investments in the restricted stock of the FRBR and FHLB approximates the carrying value. The fair value of investment securities is classified as Level 1 if a quoted market price is available, or Level 2 if a quoted market price is not available.
Loans held for sale. Substantially all residential mortgage loans held for sale are pre-sold and their carrying value approximates fair value. We classified the fair value of loans held for sale as Level 2.

29


Loans held for investment. The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities. We classified the fair value of loans as Level 3.
Accrued interest receivable and payable. The carrying amounts of accrued interest payable and receivable approximate fair value and are classified as Level 1, 2 or 3 based on whether the related asset or liability is classified as Level 1, 2 or 3.
Deposits. The fair value of noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits and savings are the amounts payable on demand because these products have no stated maturity. The fair value of time deposits is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities and are classified as Level 2.
Borrowed funds. The carrying value of retail repurchase agreements is considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair value. The fair value of FHLB advances and other borrowed funds is estimated using the rates currently offered for advances of similar remaining maturities and is classified as Level 2. For the long-term note payable, the current market rate for similar debt is substantially equal to the rate on this note, so its fair value approximates its carrying value.
Junior subordinated debentures. Included in junior subordinated debentures are variable rate trust preferred securities issued by COB. Fair values for the trust preferred securities were estimated by developing cash flow estimates for each of these debt instruments based on scheduled principal and interest payments and current interest rates. Once the cash flows were determined, a rate for comparable subordinated debt was used to discount the cash flows to the present value. We classified the fair value of junior subordinated debentures as Level 3.
Financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. The fair value of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk is considered to approximate carrying value, since the large majority of these future financing commitments would result in loans that have variable rates and/or relatively short terms to maturity. For other commitments, generally of a short-term nature, the carrying value is considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Interest rate swaps. The fair value of interest rate swaps are measured based on third party cash flow models discounted to the valuation date and are classified as Level 2.
Interest rate locks and forward loan sale commitments. The fair value of interest rate locks and forward loan sale commitments are measured by comparing the underlying terms of the contract with current pricing obtained from broker dealer pricing and are classified as Level 2.
The estimated fair values of financial instruments are as follows at the periods indicated:
 
 
At March 31, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
63,578

 
$
63,578

 
$
63,578

 
$

 
$

Investment securities: Available-for-sale
 
385,994

 
385,994

 

 
385,994

 

Investment securities: Held-to-maturity
 
145,127

 
145,853

 

 
145,853

 

Loans held for sale
 
4,328

 
4,328

 

 
4,328

 

Loans held for investment, net
 
1,510,166

 
1,512,307

 

 

 
1,512,307

Accrued interest receivable
 
5,421

 
5,421

 
3

 
1,522

 
3,896

Interest rate swaps
 
(1,627
)
 
(1,627
)
 

 
(1,627
)
 

Financial Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
1,955,190

 
1,956,107

 

 
1,956,107

 

Retail repurchase agreements
 
7,352

 
7,352

 

 
7,352

 

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
65,167

 
67,437

 

 
67,437

 

Long-term notes payable
 
5,435

 
5,435

 

 

 
5,435

Junior subordinated debentures
 
56,702

 
31,853

 

 

 
31,853

Accrued interest payable
 
387

 
387

 

 
368

 
19


30


 
 
At December 31, 2015
(dollars in thousands)
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
39,175

 
$
39,175

 
$
39,175

 
$

 
$

Investment securities: Available-for-sale
 
390,434

 
390,434

 

 
390,434

 

Investment securities: Held-to-maturity
 
147,967

 
145,184

 

 
145,184

 

Loans held for sale
 
5,403

 
5,403

 

 
5,403

 

Loans held for investment, net
 
1,528,600

 
1,513,226

 

 

 
1,513,226

Accrued interest receivable
 
5,305

 
5,305

 

 
1,630

 
3,675

Interest rate locks and forward loan sale commitments
 
(755
)
 
(755
)
 

 
(755
)
 

Financial Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
1,947,537

 
1,945,691

 

 
1,945,691

 

Retail repurchase agreements
 
7,219

 
7,219

 

 
7,219

 

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
93,681

 
95,781

 

 
95,781

 

Long-term notes payable
 
5,415

 
5,415

 

 

 
5,415

Junior subordinated debentures
 
56,702

 
32,536

 

 

 
32,536

Accrued interest payable
 
367

 
367

 

 
349

 
18

There were no transfers between valuation levels for any assets during the three months ended March 31, 2016. If different valuation techniques are deemed necessary, we would consider those transfers to occur at the end of the period when the assets are valued.

31


9. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following tables present the changes in our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, by component for the periods indicated:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-For-Sale Securities
 
Interest Rate Swaps
 
Defined Benefit Plan Items
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance January 1, 2016
 
$
(5,176
)
 
$
(466
)
 
$
(5,097
)
 
$
(10,739
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
4,634

 
(551
)
 
(54
)
 
4,029

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 

 
2

 

 
2

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
 
4,634

 
(549
)
 
(54
)
 
4,031

Ending balance March 31, 2016
 
$
(542
)
 
$
(1,015
)
 
$
(5,151
)
 
$
(6,708
)

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-For-Sale Securities
 
Interest Rate Swaps
 
Defined Benefit Plan Items
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance January 1, 2015
 
$
(3,017
)
 
$
(324
)
 
$
(4,134
)
 
$
(7,475
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
1,660

 
(323
)
 

 
1,337

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 

 
2

 

 
2

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
 
1,660

 
(321
)
 

 
1,339

Ending balance March 31, 2015
 
$
(1,357
)
 
$
(645
)
 
$
(4,134
)
 
$
(6,136
)

The following table presents the reclassifications out of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

(Dollars in thousands)
Amount Reclassified from AOCI
 
 
 
For Three Months Ended
 
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
 
Line Item in the Consolidated Statement of Operations
Interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
 
 
Swap ineffectiveness expense
3

 
3

 
Other expense
Income tax benefit
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
Income tax expense
Total, net of tax
2

 
2

 
 
Total reclassifications for the period
$
2

 
$
2

 
 



32


10. Repurchase Agreement Borrowings

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ("repurchase agreements") with customers represent funds deposited by customers, generally on an overnight basis, that are collateralized by investment securities owned by the Company. Repurchase agreements with customers are included in short-term borrowings on the consolidated condensed balance sheets.
All repurchase agreements are subject to terms and conditions of repurchase/security agreements between the Company and the client and are accounted for as secured borrowings. Our repurchase agreements reflected in short-term borrowings consist of customer accounts and securities which are pledged on an individual security basis.
At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our repurchase agreement borrowings totaled $7.4 million and $7.2 million respectively, and are classified as short-term debt on the consolidated condensed balance sheets. These borrowings were collateralized with residential mortgage backed securities with a market value of $16.9 million and $17.1 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Declines in the value of the collateral would require us to pledge additional securities. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 the Company had $196.5 million and $213.6 million, respectively, of available unpledged securities.
The following table presents the carrying value of repurchase agreements by remaining contractual maturity at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
 
Overnight and Continuous
 
1 - 90 days
 
Over 90 days
 
Total
Residential mortgage-backed securities-GSE
$
7,352

 
$

 
$

 
$
7,352

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
 
Overnight and Continuous
 
1 - 90 days
 
Over 90 days
 
Total
Residential mortgage-backed securities-GSE
$
7,219

 
$

 
$

 
$
7,219





























33


Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following presents management's discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of COB. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods to place them on a basis comparable with the current period presentation. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Results of operations for the periods included in this review are not necessarily indicative of results to be obtained during any future period.
Important Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements that we believe are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements generally relate to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance or business. They usually can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “believes,” “expects,” or “are expected to,” “plans,” “projects,” “goals,” “estimates,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “intends to,” “outlook” or “anticipates,” or variations of these and similar words, or by discussions of strategies that involve risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, as they are subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, those described in this quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risks and uncertainties, as well as any cautionary statements we may make. Moreover, you should treat these statements as speaking only as of the date they are made and based only on information actually known to us at the time. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of our future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions (called Future Factors), which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. Future factors include, without limitation:
Our ability to continue to grow our business internally while controlling our costs;
Having the financial and management resources in the amount, at the times and on the terms required to support our future
business;
A material delay or inability to obtain regulatory approval of the Merger and meet the other conditions to
the Merger;
The successful completion of the Merger and subsequent integration of the two businesses without material customer
disruption or decrease in revenues;
The accuracy of our assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of real estate and other assets, which could affect repayment of such borrowers' outstanding loans;
Material changes in the quality of our loan portfolio and the resulting credit related losses and expenses;
The accuracy of our assumptions relating to the establishment of our ALL;
Adverse changes in the value of real estate in our market areas;
Adverse changes in the housing markets, or an increase in interest rates, either of which may reduce demand for mortgages;
Changes in interest rates, spreads on earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the shape of the yield curve and interest rate sensitivity;
A prolonged period of low interest rates;
Declines in the value of our OREO;
The accuracy of our assumptions relating to our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards to reduce future tax payments;
The loss of one or more members of executive management and our ability to retain key lenders and other employees
particularly pending the Merger;
Less favorable general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally; resulting in, among other things, a reduced demand for our credit or other services and thus reduced origination volume;
Increased competitive pressures in the banking industry or in COB's markets affecting pricing or product and service offerings;
Our ability to respond to rapid technological developments and changes;
Disruptions in or manipulations of our operating systems;
Information security risks impacting us or our vendors, including “hacking” and “identity theft,” that could adversely affect
our business and our reputation;
The loss or disruption of the services provided by one or more of our critical vendors;
Our ability to achieve our targeted reductions in costs and expenses, particularly in light of the pending Merger;
The impact of laws and regulatory requirements, including the Basel III capital rules, Bank Secrecy Act requirements, and
regulations required by the Dodd-Frank Act;
Changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board;
Changes in accounting principles and standards; and

34


Our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made, and COB undertakes no obligation to update any statement, to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

35


Financial highlights are presented in the accompanying table.
Selected Financial Data
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
As of and for Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
Income Statement Data
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
 
$
17,783

 
$
16,774

Recovery of loan losses
 
(535
)
 
(1,137
)
Noninterest income
 
6,323

 
4,034

Noninterest expense
 
18,401

 
18,008

Income before income taxes
 
6,240

 
3,937

Net income
 
3,914

 
2,519

Period End Balances
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
$
2,385,325

 
$
2,231,934

Loans held for sale
 
4,328

 
7,571

Loans held for investment (1)
 
1,524,406

 
1,395,911

Allowance for loan losses
 
14,240

 
19,008

Goodwill and other intangible assets
 
9,478

 
9,705

Deferred tax assets, net
 
136,912

 
144,223

Deposits
 
1,955,190

 
1,807,472

Borrowings
 
134,656

 
138,118

Shareholders' equity
 
281,151

 
270,952

Average Balances
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
$
2,394,540

 
$
2,202,247

Loans held for sale
 
3,417

 
2,780

Loans held for investment (1)
 
1,554,367

 
1,376,053

Allowance for loan losses
 
15,035

 
20,239

Goodwill and other intangible assets
 
9,204

 
9,697

Deferred tax assets, net
 
139,722

 
143,359

Deposits
 
1,932,007

 
1,781,534

Borrowings
 
171,262

 
138,756

Shareholders' equity
 
278,079

 
268,799

Per Common Share Data
 
 
 
 
Net income - basic and diluted
 
$
0.16

 
$
0.10

Core net income - diluted (2)
 
0.18

 
0.10

Book value (shareholders' equity)
 
11.57

 
11.20

Tangible book value (shareholders' equity) (2)
 
11.18

 
10.80

Performance Ratios
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
 
0.66
%
 
0.46
%
Core return on average assets (2)
 
0.74

 
0.46

Pre-tax return on average assets
 
1.05

 
0.73

Return on average tangible assets (2)
 
0.70

 
0.47

Return on average equity
 
5.58

 
3.80

Return on average tangible equity (2)
 
5.77

 
3.94

Net interest margin (tax equivalent)
 
3.38

 
3.54


36


Asset Quality Ratios
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses to period end loans held for investment (1)
 
0.93
%
 
1.36
%
Net annualized charge-offs to average loans held for investment (1)
 
0.11
%
 
0.06
%
Classified assets to Tier 1 capital and allowance for loan losses
 
34.0

 
38.8

Nonperforming assets to period end total assets (3)
 
1.4

 
1.9

Capital and Liquidity Ratios
 
 
 
 
Average equity to average assets
 
11.61
%
 
12.21
%
Leverage capital
 
8.54

 
8.47

Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital
 
11.81

 
11.86

Tier 1 risk-based capital
 
11.81

 
11.86

Total risk-based capital
 
13.66

 
14.40

Period end loans to period end deposits
 
78

 
77


(1) Loans held for investment, net of unearned income, before allowance for loan losses.
(2) Refer to the "Non-GAAP Measures" section and Noninterest Income and Noninterest expense discussions in Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
(3) Nonperforming loans and nonperforming assets include loans past due 90 days or more that are still accruing interest.




37


Overview
CommunityOne Bancorp, ("COB" or the "Company," also referred to as “us” or “we” and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis), is a bank holding company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and incorporated in 1984 under the laws of the State of North Carolina. Through our ownership of CommunityOne Bank, N.A. (the "Bank,") a national banking association founded in 1907 and headquartered in Asheboro, North Carolina, we offer a complete line of consumer, mortgage and business banking services, including loan, deposit and treasury management, as well as wealth management and trust services, to individual and small and middle market businesses through financial centers located throughout central, southern and western North Carolina. Our strategy is to grow the Company organically by focusing on meeting the financial needs of customers in our market area by providing a suite of quality financial products and services through local and experienced bankers and lenders located in branches and loan production offices in our customers’ local markets. We also offer the convenience of online and mobile banking capabilities. In addition to organic growth, our strategy is to grow through merger and acquisition activity in our markets, should attractive opportunities present themselves. We define our market as communities located in North Carolina, as well as adjoining markets in South Carolina and Virginia.
We earn revenue primarily from interest on loans and securities investments, mortgage banking income and fees charged for financial services provided to our customers. Offsetting these revenues are the cost of deposits and other funding sources, provision for loan losses and other operating costs such as: salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, data processing expenses, OREO and loan collection costs and income tax.
On November 22, 2015, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“Merger Agreement”) with Capital Bank Financial Corp.,
a Delaware corporation (“Capital”), under which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, COB will merge with and into Capital (the “Merger”), with Capital as the surviving corporation in the Merger. Immediately following the Merger, the Bank will merge with and into Capital’s wholly-owned bank subsidiary, with Capital’s wholly-owned bank subsidiary surviving the bank merger. The Merger is subject to, among other things, regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions and is currently expected to close in the second quarter of 2016. Shareholders of both COB and Capital approved the Merger on April 18, 2016.

Results of Operations
Net income for the three month period ended March 31, 2016 was $3.9 million, an increase of 55% from $2.5 million in the same period in 2015. Earnings per share were $0.16 in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to $0.10 in the first quarter of 2015.

Net Interest Income
Our principal source of revenue is net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income earned on interest-earning assets, primarily loans and investment securities, and interest expense paid on interest-bearing deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities. The net interest margin measures how effectively we manage the mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the difference between the interest income earned on interest-earning assets and the interest expense paid for funds to support those assets. Fluctuations within net interest income are driven by changes in the mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, changes in the interest rates earned on interest-earning assets and interest rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, the rate of growth of the interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities base, the ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities, and the management of interest rate sensitivity. An analysis of these changes is presented in the Average Balances and Net Interest Income Analysis - First Quarter for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis was $17.8 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2016, an increase of 6%, or $1.0 million, from $16.8 million for the same period in 2015. The increase in interest income is primarily a result of growth in average loan balances of $179.0 million, or 13%, partially offset by a decrease in net loan yield of 28 basis points from lower origination interest rates and a higher variable rate loan mix.
Net interest margin (taxable equivalent) declined 16 basis points from 3.54% in the first quarter of 2015 to 3.38% in the first quarter of 2016. The yield on average earning assets decreased by 18 basis points in the first quarter of 2016 to 3.89% from 4.07% in the first quarter of 2015, as improvements in asset mix from replacing lower yielding cash with higher yielding securities and loans were more than offset by lower yields on both loans and securities. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was unchanged at 0.63% in both periods. The cost of interest-bearing deposits rose 1 basis point from 0.48% for the first quarter of 2015 to 0.49% in the same period in 2016.
The following table summarizes the average balance sheets and net interest income/margin analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The interest yield earned on interest-earning assets and interest rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities shown in the table are derived by dividing interest income and expense by the average balances of interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities, respectively.

38


Average Balances and Net Interest Income Analysis - First Quarter
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
 
 
Average
(dollars in thousands)
Average
 
Income /
 
Yield /
 
Average
 
Income /
 
Yield /
 
Balance (3)
 
Expense
 
Rate
 
Balance (3)
 
Expense
 
Rate
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans (1)(2)
$
1,557,784

 
$
16,984

 
4.39
%
 
$
1,378,833

 
$
15,891

 
4.67
%
Investment securities
536,076

 
3,283

 
2.46

 
507,765

 
3,224

 
2.58

Other earning assets
25,780

 
234

 
3.65

 
35,899

 
171

 
1.93

  Total earning assets
2,119,640

 
20,501

 
3.89

 
1,922,497

 
19,286

 
4.07

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
24,734

 
 
 
 
 
26,463

 
 
 
 
Goodwill and other intangible assets
9,204

 
 
 
 
 
9,697

 
 
 
 
Other assets, net
240,962

 
 
 
 
 
243,590

 
 
 
 
  Total assets
$
2,394,540

 
 
 
 
 
$
2,202,247

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing demand deposits
$
365,877

 
$
220

 
0.24
%
 
$
350,165

 
$
255

 
0.30
%
Savings deposits
97,059

 
25

 
0.10

 
88,012

 
22

 
0.10

Money market deposits
476,207

 
394

 
0.33

 
433,370

 
313

 
0.29

Time deposits
618,032

 
1,240

 
0.81

 
587,434

 
1,141

 
0.79

  Total interest-bearing deposits
1,557,175

 
1,879

 
0.49

 
1,458,981

 
1,731

 
0.48

Retail repurchase agreements
7,334

 
4

 
0.22

 
8,480

 
5

 
0.24

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
101,804

 
502

 
1.98

 
68,229

 
469

 
2.79

Other borrowed funds
62,124

 
320

 
2.07

 
62,047

 
289

 
1.89

  Total interest-bearing liabilities
1,728,437

 
2,705

 
0.63

 
1,597,737

 
2,494

 
0.63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing liabilities and shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
374,831

 
 
 
 
 
322,553

 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
13,193

 
 
 
 
 
13,158

 
 
 
 
Shareholders' equity
278,079

 
 
 
 
 
268,799

 
 
 
 
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
2,394,540

 
 
 
 
 
$
2,202,247

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income and net yield on earning assets (4)
 
 
$
17,796

 
3.38
%
 
 
 
$
16,792

 
3.54
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate spread (5)
 
 
 
 
3.26
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.44
%
(1) The fully tax equivalent basis is computed using a federal tax rate of 35%.
(2) Average loan balances include nonaccruing loans and loans held for sale.
(3) Average balances include market adjustments to fair value for securities and loans held for sale.
(4) Net yield on earning assets is computed by dividing net interest income by average earning assets.
(5) Earning asset yield minus interest-bearing liabilities rate.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


39


Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan loss provides a level of allowance considered appropriate to absorb our estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The amount of this charge or recovery is affected by several considerations, including our evaluation of various risk factors in determining the adequacy of the allowance (see additional discussion under “Asset Quality”), actual loan loss experience and changes in the composition of the loan portfolio.
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the recovery of provision for loan losses was $0.5 million compared to a recovery of $1.1 million in the same period of 2015, primarily as a result of declining historical net loss rates. During the three month period ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, net charge-offs totaled $0.4 million and $0.2 million, or 0.11% and 0.06% of average loans on an annualized basis, respectively.
Noninterest Income
Noninterest income includes fees and service charges on deposit accounts, mortgage banking income, fees from cardholder and merchant services, fees and commissions related to trust and investment services, gains and losses on the sales of securities, and all other types of noninterest revenue.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, noninterest income was $6.3 million compared to $4.0 million for the same period in 2015, an increase of $2.3 million, or 57%, primarily the result of a $1.8 million gain in mortgage loan income on the bulk sale of $46.9 million of loans to Fannie Mae. Core noninterest income, which excludes securities gains and losses, rose $2.3 million from the first quarter of the prior year. See “Non-GAAP Measures" and the table below for further discussion. Trust and investment services income grew 18% year over year on increases in assets under management. Service charges (including other service charges, commissions and fees) during the first quarter of 2016 grew $0.2 million, or 10%, from the same period of 2015 on increased customer fee activity, especially in overdraft protection products. Cardholder and merchant services income was also improved by 10% from the first quarter a year ago.
 
Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
Noninterest Income
 
 
 
    Service charges on deposit accounts
$
1,557

 
$
1,434

    Mortgage loan income
2,141

 
465

    Cardholder and merchant services income
1,241

 
1,125

    Trust and investment services
380

 
322

    Bank-owned life insurance
269

 
250

    Other service charges, commissions and fees
443

 
383

    Other income
292

 
55

        Total noninterest income
6,323

 
4,034

Less nonrecurring items:
 
 
 
 

 

        Core noninterest income (1)
$
6,323

 
$
4,034

(1) See "Non-GAAP Measures".
Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense components include salary and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment, and other expenses associated with our operations, in addition to credit related OREO and loan collection expenses.
Noninterest expenses were $18.4 million in the first quarter of 2016 compared to $18.0 million in the same period of 2015, an increase of $0.4 million, or 2%. The increase was primarily the result of $0.8 million of merger-related expenses pertaining to the company's upcoming acquisition by Capital, partially offset by decreases in personnel expenses as a result of headcount reductions related to the Merger.
Excluding the nonrecurring merger-related expenses, core noninterest expenses were $17.6 million in the first quarter of 2016, and fell by $0.4 million, or 2%, from the same period in 2015, primarily as a result of the personnel expense reduction noted above. See the following table and "Non-GAAP Measures" for further discussion.


40


Full-time equivalent employees averaged 535 employees for the first quarter of 2016 versus 571 employees for the first quarter of 2015, a reduction of 7%.
 
Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
Noninterest Expense
 
 
 
    Personnel expense
$
10,138

 
$
10,594

    Net occupancy expense
1,553

 
1,469

    Furniture, equipment and data processing expense
2,130

 
1,989

    Professional fees
450

 
539

    Stationery, printing and supplies
160

 
176

    Advertising and marketing
60

 
186

    Other real estate owned expense
484

 
360

    Credit/debit card expense
439

 
543

    FDIC insurance
461

 
453

    Loan collection expense
149

 
300

    Merger-related expense
771

 

    Core deposit intangible amortization
338

 
352

    Other expense
1,268

 
1,047

        Total noninterest expense
18,401

 
18,008

Less nonrecurring:
 
 
 
Merger-related expense
771

 

        Core noninterest expense (1)
$
17,630

 
$
18,008

(1) See "Non-GAAP Measures".
Provision for Income Taxes
Income tax expense totaled $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to an expense of $1.4 million for the first quarter of 2015. Our provision for income taxes, as a percentage of income before income taxes, was 37.3% and 36.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
We have recorded income taxes in the first quarter of 2016 at the Company’s effective tax rate. On July 28, 2015, the State of North Carolina announced that, based on the state achieving its 2015 tax year revenue target, the corporate income tax rate would be reduced to 4% during the 2016 tax year from 5% during the 2015 tax year.

41


Balance Sheet Review
Total assets at March 31, 2016 were $2.39 billion, a decrease of $11.9 million, or 0.5%, compared to total assets of $2.40 billion at December 31, 2015.
Cash and interest-bearing balances were $63.6 million at March 31, 2016, an increase of $24.4 million, or 62%, compared to $39.2 million at December 31, 2015, primarily as a result of the cash received from the bulk sale of loans described above.
Our total investment securities portfolio decreased $7.3 million during the first three months of 2016, from $538.4 million at December 31, 2015 to $531.1 million at March 31, 2016, a decrease of 1%. The portfolio is comprised of U.S. federal agency securities and U.S. federal agency Mortgage Backed Securities ("MBS") (GSE), private residential MBS, commercial MBS (GSE), private commercial MBS, and corporate debt securities. At March 31, 2016 there were $386.0 million of investment securities designated available-for-sale and $145.1 million of securities designated held-to-maturity.
Loans held for investment decreased $19.4 million, a decrease of 1%, during the first three months of 2016, from $1,543.8 million at December 31, 2015 to $1,524.4 million at March 31, 2016. The decrease was primarily the result of the bulk sale of $46.9 million of loans to Fannie Mae described above, partially offset by loan growth in our metro markets of Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro/Winston-Salem. The pass rated loan portfolio, excluding the bulk loan sale, grew $29.0 million year to date for a 8% annualized growth rate.
Total deposits were $1.96 billion at March 31, 2016, an increase of $7.7 million, or 0.4% from $1.95 billion at December 31, 2015. Noninterest-bearing deposits increased $5.4 million, or 1%, from $386.3 million at December 31, 2015 to $391.7 million at March 31, 2016, an annualized growth rate of 6%. Low cost core deposits, which exclude all time deposits, grew $5.4 million year to date.
Shareholders' equity (book value) at March 31, 2016 was $281.2 million as compared to $273.0 million at December 31, 2015. The book value per share was $11.57 at March 31, 2016, as compared to a book value per share of $11.24 at December 31, 2015. The change in shareholders' equity reflects net income to common shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2016 of $3.9 million and $4.0 million other comprehensive income, net of tax, including the unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities described below. We did not declare common dividends during the three months ended March 31, 2016, and we do not expect to pay dividends to shareholders for the foreseeable future.
Investment Securities
We evaluate all securities on a quarterly basis, and more frequently as economic conditions warrant, to determine if an other than temporary impairment (“OTTI) exists. In evaluating the possible impairment of securities, consideration is given to the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than book value, the financial conditions and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the ability and intent of COB to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. In analyzing an issuer's financial condition, we may consider whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies or government sponsored agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and the results of reviews of the issuer's financial condition. If management determines that an investment experiences an OTTI, the loss is recognized in the income statement as a realized loss. Any recoveries related to the value of these securities are recorded as an unrealized gain (as other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders' equity) and not recognized in income until the security is ultimately sold. As of March 31, 2016, there were no securities considered to have OTTI.
During the first three months of 2016, increases in the level of market interest rates resulted in an unrealized gain of $7.4 million in our available-for-sale portfolio. The unrealized gain, net of $2.8 million tax effect, was $4.6 million for the first three months of 2016 and was recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). At March 31, 2016, there was an unrealized loss of $0.9 million on our available-for-sale portfolio. We do not expect to sell these securities and realize these losses.
Asset Quality
Management considers asset quality to be of primary importance. A formal loan review function, independent of loan origination, is used to identify and monitor problem loans. This function reports directly to the Risk Management Committee of the Board of Directors, and is independent of loan origination.
Acquired Loans
Loans acquired in the 2011 merger with Bank of Granite Corp. ("Granite Purchased Loans") include purchased impaired loans ("PI loans") and purchased contractual loans ("PC loans"). At March 31, 2016, there were $102.3 million of Granite Purchased Loans, of which $17.6 million were PC loans, and $84.6 million were PI loans, $81.5 million of which had subsequent credit deterioration.
PI loans are segregated into pools and recorded at estimated fair value on the date of acquisition without the carryover of the related ALL. PI loans are accounted for under ASC 310-30 when the loans have evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable at the date of acquisition we will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments. Evidence of credit quality deterioration as of the date of acquisition may include statistics such as past due status, nonaccrual status and risk grade. PI loans generally meet our definition for nonaccrual status, however, even if the borrower is not currently making payments, we classify

42


loans as accruing if we can reasonably estimate the amount and timing of future cash flows. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the non-accretable difference.
Generally, we estimate the expected cash flows for each pool of the PI loans and evaluate whether the expected cash flows for each pool have changed from prior estimates on a quarterly basis. Decreases to the expected cash flows will generally result in a provision for loan losses. Subsequent increases in cash flows result in a reversal of the provision for loan losses to the extent of prior charges, or reclassification from non-accretable difference to accretable yield with a positive impact on future interest income. Excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan when there is a reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of such cash flows.
We have elected to treat the Granite portfolio under ASC 310-30, with the exception of performing revolving consumer and commercial loans, which are being accounted for under ASC 310-20.
At March 31, 2016, an ALL of $2.8 million was required for the PI loans, and these loans are presented on an accruing basis.
Commercial Real Estate Secured Loans
Commercial real estate secured lending (including commercial, construction and land development) where conversion of the real estate is the primary source of repayment is a significant portion of our commercial loan portfolio. These categories constitute $601.0 million, or approximately 39%, of our total loans held for investment portfolio at March 31, 2016, unchanged from December 31, 2015. These categories are generally affected by changes in economic conditions, changes in real estate market values, fluctuations in interest rates, the availability of loans to potential purchasers, changes in tax and other laws and acts of nature.
Nonperforming Assets
Nonperforming assets are comprised of nonaccrual loans, accruing loans past due 90 days or more, property acquired in settlement of loans and OREO. Nonperforming loans are loans placed in nonaccrual status when, in management's opinion, the collection of all or a portion of interest becomes doubtful. Loans are returned to accrual status when the factors indicating doubtful collectability cease to exist and the loan has performed in accordance with its terms for a demonstrated period of time. OREO represents real estate acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure and it, and other property acquired in settlement of loans, is generally carried at fair value, less estimated costs to sell.
The level of nonperforming loans continued to decline, from $18.8 million or 1.2% of loans held for investment at December 31, 2015, to $18.4 million, or 1.2% of loans held for investment at March 31, 2016. OREO and property acquired in settlement of loans were $14.2 million at March 31, 2016, compared to $16.6 million at December 31, 2015, a decrease of $2.4 million or 14%. During the first three months of 2016, we recorded net write-downs (net of gains on sales) of OREO of $0.5 million, compared to $0.3 million in the first three months of 2015. At March 31, 2016, 18 assets with a net carrying amount of $3.4 million were under contract for sale. Estimated losses, if any, with these sales have been recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the first three months of 2016. Actual gains, if any, will be recorded at the time of sale. Total nonperforming assets declined 8% from $35.4 million at December 31, 2015 to $32.6 million at March 31, 2016, and represented 1.4% of total assets, an improvement from 1.5% at December 31, 2015.
Allowance for Loan Losses
In determining the ALL and any resulting provision to be charged against earnings, particular emphasis is placed on the results of the loan review process. Consideration is also given to a review of individual loans, historical loan loss experience, the value and adequacy of collateral, as well as the economic conditions in our market area. For loans determined to be impaired, the allowance is based on discounted cash flows using the loan's initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates, including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans that may be susceptible to significant change. In addition, as an integral part of its examination process, the OCC periodically reviews the Bank's ALL and may require the Bank to recognize changes to the allowance based on its judgments about information available to it at the time of its examinations. Loans are charged off when, in the opinion of management, they are deemed to be uncollectible. Recognized losses are charged against the allowance, and subsequent recoveries are added to the allowance.
Estimated credit losses should meet the criteria for accrual of a loss contingency, i.e. a provision to the ALL, set forth in GAAP. Our methodology for determining the ALL is based on GAAP, the Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and other regulatory and accounting pronouncements. The ALL is determined by the sum of three separate components:  (a) the impaired loan component, which addresses specific reserves for impaired loans; (b) the general reserve component, which addresses reserves for pools of homogeneous loans; and (c) an unallocated reserve component (if any) based on management's judgment and experience. The loan pools and impaired loans are mutually exclusive; any loan that is impaired is excluded from its homogenous pool for purposes of that pool's reserve calculation, regardless of the level of impairment. We have established a de minimis threshold for loan exposures that, if found to be impaired, will have impairment determined by applying the same general reserve rate as nonimpaired loans within the same pool.

43


The ALL of $15.2 million at December 31, 2015 decreased by 6% to $14.2 million at March 31, 2016. The ALL as a percentage of loans held for investment was 0.93% at March 31, 2016 compared to 0.98% at December 31, 2015. Net charge-offs were $0.4 million in the first three months of 2016, compared to net charge-offs of $0.2 million in the first three months of 2015. Annualized net charge-offs in the first three months of 2016 were 0.11% of average loans, compared to annualized net charge-offs of 0.06% in the same period of 2015.
Actual past due loans and loan charge-offs remain at low levels and we continue to diligently work to improve asset quality. We believe the ALL of $14.2 million at March 31, 2016 is adequate to cover probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio; however, assessing the adequacy of the allowance is a process that requires considerable judgment. Our judgments are based on numerous assumptions about current events that we believe to be reasonable, but which may or may not be valid. Thus, there can be no assurance that loan losses in future periods will not exceed the current allowance or that future increases in the allowance will not be required. No assurance can be given that our ongoing evaluation of the loan portfolio in light of changing economic conditions and other relevant circumstances will not require significant future additions to the allowance, thus adversely affecting the operating results of COB. Additional information on the ALL is presented in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Historical loss rates are calculated by associating losses to the risk-graded pool to which they relate for each of the previous eight quarters. Then, using a look back period consisting of the twenty most recent quarters, loss factors are calculated for each risk-graded pool using a simple average.
In addition to the Bank's ability to use its own historical loss data and migration between risk grades, it has a rigorous process for computing the qualitative factors that impact the ALL. A committee, independent of the historical loss migration team, reviews risk factors that may impact the ALL. Some factors are statistically quantifiable, such as concentration, growth, delinquency, and nonaccrual risk by loan type, while other factors are qualitative in nature, such as staff competency, competition within our markets, economic and regulatory changes impacting the loans held for investment.
The following table presents COB's investment in loans considered to be impaired and related information on those impaired loans as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
(dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
 
Associated Reserves
 
Balance
 
Associated Reserves
Impaired loans, not individually reviewed for impairment
 
$
5,009

 
$

 
$
4,903

 
$

Impaired loans, individually reviewed, with no impairment
 
20,548

 

 
22,411

 

Impaired loans, individually reviewed, with impairment
 
4,525

 
384

 
3,817

 
399

Total impaired loans *
 
$
30,082

 
384

 
$
31,131

 
399

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased impaired loans with subsequent deterioration
 
$
81,519

 
2,754

 
$
84,329

 
2,754

Purchased impaired loans with no subsequent deterioration
 
3,108

 

 
3,235

 

Total Reserves
 
 
 
$
3,138

 
 
 
$
3,153

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average impaired loans calculated using a simple average
 
30,607

 
 
 
35,290

 
 
* Included at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were $11.7 million and $13.1 million, respectively, in restructured and performing loans.
Liquidity Management
Liquidity management refers to the ability to meet day-to-day cash flow requirements based primarily on activity in loan and deposit accounts of COB's customers. Liquidity is immediately available from four major sources: (a) cash on hand and on deposit at other banks; (b) the outstanding balance of federal funds sold; (c) the market value of unpledged investment securities; and (d) availability under lines of credit. At March 31, 2016, the total amount of these four items was $415.4 million, or 17% of total assets, an increase of $35.7 million from $379.7 million, or 16% of total assets, at December 31, 2015. COB could also access $302.7 million of additional borrowings under credit lines by pledging additional collateral.
Consistent with the general approach to liquidity, loans and other assets of COB are funded primarily by local core deposits. To date, a stable retail deposit base and a modest amount of brokered deposits have been adequate to meet our loan obligations, while maintaining the desired level of immediate liquidity. Additionally, an investment securities portfolio is available for both immediate and secondary liquidity purposes.
At March 31, 2016, $161.4 million of the investment securities portfolio was pledged to secure public deposits, $16.9 million was pledged to retail repurchase agreements and $156.3 million was pledged to others, leaving $196.5 million available as lendable collateral.

44



Asset/Liability Management and Interest Rate Sensitivity
One of the primary objectives of asset/liability management is to maximize the net interest margin while minimizing the earnings risk associated with changes in interest rates. One method used to manage interest rate sensitivity is to measure, over various time periods, the interest rate sensitivity positions, or gaps. This method, however, addresses only the magnitude of timing differences and does not address earnings or market value. Therefore, management uses an earnings simulation model to prepare, on a regular basis, earnings projections based on a range of interest rate scenarios to more accurately measure interest rate risk.
COB's balance sheet continued to be asset-sensitive at March 31, 2016. During 2014, $40 million in interest rate swaps to fix the interest rate on FHLB advances offset the impact of fixed rate lending, maintaining the asset sensitivity profile. An asset-sensitive position means that net interest income will generally move in the same direction as interest rates. For instance, if interest rates increase, net interest income can be expected to increase, and if interest rates decrease, net interest income can be expected to decrease. COB's asset sensitivity is primarily derived from cash and due from banks position, variable rate commercial loans that adjust as interest rates change and the long duration of its low cost core deposits. These variable rate loans are primarily funded by deposits that are not expected to reprice as quickly as the loans. Management believes COB's risk to changes in interest rates to be moderate.

Capital Adequacy and Resources
Under revised capital rules established by the federal banking agencies, including the Federal Reserve Board and the OCC, effective for community banks as of January 1, 2015, capital adequacy is measured by certain risk-based capital ratios, supplemented by a leverage capital ratio. The new capital rules assess an institution's risk-based capital through three ratios: a common equity Tier 1 capital ("CET1") ratio, an additional Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, and a total capital ratio, which includes Tier 2 capital. CET1 is comprised of the sum of common stock instruments and related surplus net of treasury stock, retained earnings, accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and certain qualifying minority interests, less certain adjustments and deductions that include AOCI (based on an irrevocable option to neutralize the AOCI). Additional Tier 1 capital is comprised of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, tier 1minority interests, grandfathered trust preferred securities, less certain intangibles; and Tier 2 capital, which may include the ALL up to a maximum of 1.25% of risk weighted assets, qualifying subordinated debt, qualifying preferred stock and hybrid capital instruments. The requirements also define the weights assigned to assets and off-balance sheet items to determine the risk weighted asset components of the risk-based capital rules.
The revised rules require a minimum CET1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.5%, a minimum overall Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6%, and a total risk-based capital ratio of 8%. In addition, the revised rules require a capital conservation buffer of up to 2.5% above each of the capital ratio requirements (CET1, tier 1, and total risk-based capital) which must be met for a bank to be able to pay dividends, engage in share buybacks or make discretionary bonus payments to executive management without restriction. This capital conservation buffer are being phased in over a four year period starting on January 1, 2016 and was 0.625% for the first quarter of 2016. The revised rules also change the risk-weighting of certain assets, including “high volatility” commercial real estate, past due assets, structured securities and equity holdings. When fully implemented, a banking organization would need to maintain a CET1 capital ratio of at least 7%, a total Tier 1 capital ratio of at least 8.5% and a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.5% or it would be subject to restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonus payments to its executive management.
The leverage capital ratio, which serves as a minimum capital standard, considers Tier 1 capital only and is expressed as a percentage of average total assets for the most recent quarter, after reduction of those assets for goodwill and other disallowed intangible assets at the measurement date. Risks such as concentration of credit risks and the risk arising from non-traditional activities, as well as the institution's exposure to a decline in the economic value of its capital due to changes in interest rates, and an institution's ability to manage those risks are important factors that are to be taken into account by the federal banking agencies in assessing an institution's overall capital adequacy.
The prompt corrective action provisions of federal law require the federal bank agencies to take prompt corrective action to resolve problems of insured depository institutions such as the Bank. The extent of these powers depends upon whether the institution is designated as well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized or critically undercapitalized, as defined by the law. The minimum capital requirements to be characterized as “well-capitalized” and “adequately capitalized,” as defined by the applicable provisions of federal law, which were revised effective as of January 1, 2015, and COB and the Bank's capital ratios as of March 31, 2016 were as follows:


45


 
 
 
Minimum Regulatory Requirement
 
CommunityOne Bancorp
CommunityOne
Bank
Adequately
Capitalized
Well-
Capitalized
Leverage capital ratio
8.54
%
9.62
%
4.00
%
5.00
%
CET1 risk-based capital ratio
11.81

13.07

4.50

6.50

Total Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
11.81

13.07

6.00

8.00

Total risk-based capital ratio
13.66

13.97

8.00

10.00

Based on these ratios, the Bank is considered “well-capitalized” under the applicable provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
Our accounting policies are in accordance with GAAP and with general practice within the banking industry and are fundamental to understanding management's discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition. Our significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as amended ("Form 10-K"), and are described below.
Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, valuation of OREO, carrying value of investment securities, estimated cash flows for purchased impaired loans and treatment of deferred tax assets.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The ALL, which is utilized to absorb actual losses in the loan portfolio, is maintained at a level consistent with our best estimate of probable loan losses incurred as of the balance sheet date. We assess our ALL quarterly. This assessment includes a methodology that separates the total loan portfolio into homogeneous loan classifications for purposes of evaluating risk. The required allowance is calculated by applying a risk adjusted reserve requirement to the dollar volume of loans within a homogenous group. We have grouped our loans into pools with similar risk characteristics, including loan purpose, collateral type and borrower type. We analyze the loan portfolio on an ongoing basis to evaluate current risk levels, and risk grades are adjusted accordingly. While we use the best information available to make evaluations, future adjustments may be necessary, if economic or other conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used. See additional discussion under "Asset Quality".
Valuation of Other Real Estate Owned
Other real estate owned represents properties acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu thereof. The property is classified as held for sale and is carried at fair value based on recent appraisals, less estimated costs to sell. Declines in the fair value of properties included in other real estate below carrying value are recognized by a charge to income. An increase in fair value is not recognized until the property is sold.
Carrying Value of Securities
Securities designated as available-for-sale are carried at fair value. However, the unrealized difference between amortized cost and fair value of securities available-for-sale is excluded from net income unless there is an other than temporary impairment and is reported, net of deferred taxes, as a component of shareholders' equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Securities held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost, as the Bank has the ability, and management has the positive intent, to hold these securities to maturity. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized and accreted according to the interest method.
Purchased Loans Accounting
Purchased impaired ("PI") loans are recorded at fair value at acquisition date. Therefore, amounts deemed uncollectible at acquisition date become part of the fair value determination and are excluded from the allowance for loan and lease losses. Following acquisition, we periodically reforecast expected cash flows for PI loans. Subsequent decreases in the amount expected to be collected result in a provision for loan losses with a corresponding increase in the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent increases in the amount expected to be collected result in a reversal of any previously recorded provision for loan losses and related allowance for loan losses, if any, or prospective adjustment to the accretable yield if no provision for loan losses had been recorded.
Realization of Deferred Tax Assets
We regularly evaluate the likelihood that the Company will be able to realize its deferred tax assets and the need for a valuation allowance, if any. Prior to December 31, 2014, we determined that sufficient evidence was not available to conclude that it was more likely than not that all of our deferred tax assets could be realized, requiring a valuation allowance for certain of our deferred tax assets. At December 31, 2014, we determined, based on all available positive and negative evidence, that it is more likely than not that future taxable income will be available during the carryforward periods to absorb all of the consolidated federal net operating loss

46


carryforward and all but a small portion of our North Carolina net economic loss carryforward. As a result of this determination, $142.5 million of valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets was reversed.
Our analysis as of March 31, 2016 continues to support the position that future taxable income will be available during the carryforward periods to absorb all of the consolidated federal net operating loss carryforward and our North Carolina net economic loss carryforward.
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 net deferred income tax assets totaling $136.9 million and $141.7 million, respectively, are recorded on the Company’s balance sheet.
On July 23, 2013, the State of North Carolina lowered the North Carolina corporate income tax rate from 6.9% to 6% effective 2014 and to 5% effective 2015. On July 28, 2015, North Carolina announced that, based on the state achieving its 2015 tax year revenue target, the rate will be reduced to 4% during the 2016 tax year. The rate will be further reduced to 3% for post-2016 tax years provided that additional revenue growth targets are reached. The rate reduction trigger resulted in a $2.3 million reduction in deferred income tax assets. The Company recorded the impact of this legislation as a reduction in deferred income tax assets as of September 30, 2015 and a charge to income tax expense in the third quarter of 2015.
At September 30, 2015, we determined that it is more likely than not that future taxable income will be available during applicable carryforward periods to absorb all of the remaining North Carolina net economic loss carryforwards, and accordingly, the remaining $0.7 million deferred tax asset valuation allowance was reversed as a reduction in income tax expense. We have recorded income taxes in the first three months of 2016 at the Company’s effective tax rate.
The Merger resulted in an ownership change for Bank of Granite Corp. under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 and the Regulations
thereunder. Accordingly, the Company is required to apply a limitation against Bank of Granite Corp.’s pre-acquisition net operating loss carryforwards and net unrealized built-in losses.
Summary
Management believes the accounting estimates related to the ALL, the valuation of OREO, the carrying value of securities, purchased loan accounting, and the realization of deferred tax assets are “critical accounting estimates” because: (1) the estimates are highly susceptible to change from period to period as they require management to make assumptions concerning the changes in the types and volumes of the portfolios and anticipated economic conditions, and (2) the impact of recognizing an impairment valuation allowance or loan loss could have a material effect on the COB's assets reported on the balance sheet as well as its net earnings.

Non-GAAP Measures
This quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with GAAP. We use these non-GAAP measures in our analysis of COB's performance. Some of these non-GAAP measures exclude goodwill, core deposit premiums and other intangibles from the calculations of return on average assets and return on average equity. We believe presentations of financial measures excluding the impact of goodwill, core deposit premiums and other intangible assets provide useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the operating results of our core businesses. In addition, certain designated net interest income amounts are presented on a taxable equivalent basis. We believe that the presentation of net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis aids in the comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources. We believe that other non-GAAP measures that exclude nonrecurring income and expenses provide useful supplemental information that enhances the understanding of our operating results.
These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.
The non-GAAP financial measures used in this Report are defined below.

“Average tangible shareholders’ equity” is average shareholders’ equity reduced by average recorded goodwill, and average
other intangible assets.
“Average tangible assets” are average total assets reduced by average recorded goodwill and average other intangible assets.
“Tangible shareholders’ equity” is shareholders’ equity reduced by recorded goodwill and other intangible assets
“Tangible assets” are total assets reduced by recorded goodwill and other intangible assets.
“Tangible book value” is defined as total equity reduced by recorded goodwill, other intangible assets and preferred stock
divided by total common shares outstanding. This measure discloses changes from period-to-period in book value per share
exclusive of changes in intangible assets and preferred stock. Goodwill, an intangible asset that is recorded in a purchase
business combination, has the effect of increasing total book value while not increasing the tangible assets of a company.
Companies utilizing purchase accounting in a business combination, as required by GAAP, must record goodwill related to
such transactions.
"Core Noninterest Expense" ("Core NIE") is defined as total noninterest expense reduced by noninterest expense items which are nonrecurring in nature.

47


“Core Noninterest Income "("NII") is defined as total noninterest income reduced by items which are nonrecurring in
nature.
"Core net income before tax" is defined as income (loss), before income taxes, adjusted by noninterest income items and noninterest expense items which are nonrecurring in nature.
"Core income tax expense" is defined as income taxes, adjusted by tax related items which are nonrecurring in nature.
"Core net income" is defined as core net income before tax less core income tax expense.
"Core return on average assets" is defined as annualized core net income divided by total average assets
"Core net income per share" is defined as core net income divided by average shares outstanding for the period.

The following tables provide a more detailed analysis of these non-GAAP measures:
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
As of and for the Three Months ended March 31, 2016
 
As of and for the Year ended December 31, 2015
 
As of and for the Three Months ended March 31, 2015
Total average shareholders' equity
 
$
278,079

 
$
271,821

 
$
268,799

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average goodwill
 
(4,205
)
 
(4,205
)
 
(4,205
)
Average core deposit and other intangibles
 
(4,999
)
 
(5,327
)
 
(5,492
)
Average tangible shareholders' equity (non-GAAP)
 
$
268,875

 
$
262,289

 
$
259,102

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total average assets
 
$
2,394,540

 
$
2,290,090

 
$
2,202,247

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average goodwill
 
(4,205
)
 
(4,205
)
 
(4,205
)
Average core deposit and other intangibles
 
(4,999
)
 
(5,327
)
 
(5,492
)
Average tangible assets (non-GAAP)
 
$
2,385,336

 
$
2,280,558

 
$
2,192,550

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total shareholders' equity
 
$
281,151

 
$
273,038

 
$
270,952

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
(4,205
)
 
(4,205
)
 
(4,205
)
Core deposit and other intangibles
 
(5,273
)
 
(5,208
)
 
(5,500
)
Tangible shareholders' equity (non-GAAP)
 
$
271,673

 
$
263,625

 
$
261,247

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
 
$
2,385,325

 
$
2,397,265

 
$
2,231,934

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
(4,205
)
 
(4,205
)
 
(4,205
)
Core deposit and other intangibles
 
(5,273
)
 
(5,208
)
 
(5,500
)
Tangible assets (non-GAAP)
 
$
2,375,847

 
$
2,387,852

 
$
2,222,229

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Book value per common share
 
$
11.57

 
$
11.24

 
$
11.20

Effect of intangible assets
 
(0.39
)
 
(0.39
)
 
(0.40
)
Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)
 
$
11.18

 
$
10.85

 
$
10.80




48


(dollars in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
Income before income taxes
 
$
6,240

 
$
3,937

Less nonrecurring:
 
 
 
 
     Merger-related expense
 
(771
)
 

     Gain on bulk sale of loans
 

 

   Core net income before tax (non-GAAP)
 
$
7,011

 
$
3,937

 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
 
$
2,326

 
$
1,418

Less nonrecurring tax items and adjustments:
 
 
 
 
     Tax effect of nonrecurring items (1)
 
(253
)
 

   Core income tax expense (non-GAAP)
 
$
2,579

 
$
1,418

   Core net income (non-GAAP)
 
$
4,432

 
$
2,519

 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
 
0.66
%
 
0.46
%
Effect of adjustments to arrive at core net income
 
0.08

 

Core return on average assets (non-GAAP)
 
0.74
%
 
0.46
%
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share - diluted
 
$
0.16

 
$
0.10

Effect of adjustments to arrive at core net income
 
0.02

 

Core net income per share - diluted (non-GAAP)
 
$
0.18

 
$
0.10


(1) Tax effected at an income tax rate of 33% in 2016

(dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
Total noninterest income
$
6,323

 
$
4,034

Less nonrecurring items:
 
 
 
 

 

        Core noninterest income (non-GAAP)
$
6,323

 
$
4,034

 
 
 
 
Total noninterest expense
$
18,401

 
$
18,008

Less nonrecurring items:
 
 
 
    Merger-related expense
771

 

        Core noninterest expense (non-GAAP)
$
17,630

 
$
18,008


Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Management considers interest rate risk our most significant market risk. Interest rate risk is the exposure to adverse changes in net interest income due to changes in interest rates. Consistency of our net interest income is largely dependent upon the effective management of interest rate risk.
COB's Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”), which includes senior management representatives and reports to the Board of Directors, monitors and manages interest rate risk. See "Asset/Liability Management and Interest Rate Sensitivity" in Item 2 of this Form 10-Q for further discussion.
The objective of asset/liability management is the maximization of net interest income within our risk guidelines. This objective is accomplished through management of our balance sheet composition, maturities, liquidity, and interest rate risk exposures arising from changing economic conditions, interest rates and customer preferences.

49


To identify and manage its interest rate risk, we employ an earnings simulation model to analyze net interest income sensitivity to changing interest rates. The model is based on contractual cash flows and repricing characteristics and incorporates market-based assumptions regarding the effect of changing interest rates on the prepayment rates of certain assets and liabilities. The model also includes management projections for activity levels in each of the product lines offered by the Bank. Assumptions are inherently uncertain and the measurement of net interest income or the impact of rate fluctuations on net interest income cannot be precisely predicted. Actual results may differ from simulated results due to timing, magnitude, and frequency of interest changes as well as changes in market conditions and management strategies.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Sections 13(a)-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of COB's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and several other members of senior management as of March 31, 2016, the last day of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. COB's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2016 in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (a) accumulated and communicated to management (including COB's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) in a timely manner, and (b) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.
Internal Control Changes
We assess the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting quarterly and enhance our internal controls in response to internal control assessments and internal and external audit and regulatory recommendations. No control enhancements during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, COB’s internal control over financial reporting.



50


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of operations, COB is party to various legal proceedings. As previously disclosed in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus dated March 15, 2016, a case captioned Robert Garfield v. Capital Bank Financial Corp., et al., No. 2016-001194-CA-01 (the “Garfield Action”) was filed on January 16, 2016 in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade County, Florida on behalf of a putative class of Capital shareholders against Capital, its directors, and the Company. The complaint in the Garfield Action alleges, among other things, that the Capital director defendants breached their fiduciary duties by approving the merger, that the Company aided and abetted such breaches, and that Capital, its directors and the Company failed to disclose material information in connection with the merger. Also as previously disclosed, a case captioned Curtis R. Pendleton v. Robert L. Reid, et al., No. 5:16-cv-00037 (the “Pendleton Action”), was filed on February 29, 2016 in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina on behalf of a putative class of Company shareholders against the Company, its directors, and Capital, and on March 14, 2016, a case captioned Floyd Scrogham v. Robert L. Reid, et al., No. 5:16-cv-00045 (the “Scrogham Action”) was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina on behalf of a putative class of Company shareholders against the Company, its directors, and Capital. The complaint in the Scrogham Action, like the complaint in the Pendleton Action, alleges, among other things, that certain defendants violated Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by issuing a Registration/Joint Proxy Statement that, plaintiffs allege, is materially incomplete and misleading. The Garfield, Pendleton and Scrogham Actions seek, among other things, an order enjoining the merger, as well as other equitable relief and/or money damages, interest, costs, fees (including attorneys’ fees) and expenses. On March 31, 2016, the Pendleton and Scrogham Actions were consolidated for all purposes under the caption In re CommunityOne Bancorp Consolidated Stockholder Litigation, No. 5:16-cv-00037 (the “Consolidated WDNC Action”).
On April 1, 2016, the parties to the Consolidated WDNC Action filed with the Court a memorandum of understanding in which the parties agreed on the terms of a settlement of those lawsuits. The memorandum of understanding provides that CommunityOne will make certain supplemental disclosures related to the merger, which was done on April 6, 2016. On April 4, 2016, the parties to the Garfield Action entered into a stipulation of settlement providing for the settlement of the Garfield Action (the “Garfield Stipulation”). Including that Capital will make certain supplemental disclosures related to the merger, which was done on April 6, 2016. The proposed settlements are conditioned upon, among other things, the parties in the Consolidated WDNC Action entering into a stipulation of settlement, consummation of the merger and final approval of the proposed settlement by the court. There can be no assurance that the parties to the Consolidated WDNC Action will ultimately enter into a stipulation of settlement or that the court will approve the settlement even if the parties were to enter into such stipulation. If the proposed settlements are approved by the court, it will release all claims in the actions that were or could have been brought challenging any aspect of the merger and any disclosures made in connection therewith and preclude further proceedings.
Other than the foregoing, COB is not involved in, nor has it terminated during the three months ended March 31, 2016, any pending legal proceedings other than routine, nonmaterial proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business.
Item 1A.     Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the risk factors that we have previously disclosed in Item 1A - “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K.
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Repurchases
Not Applicable
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not Applicable
Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable
Item 5. Other Information
None
Item 6.    Exhibits
Exhibits to this report are listed in the Index to Exhibits section of this report.

51


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                            

 
 
CommunityOne Bancorp
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Date: May 6, 2016
By:
/s/ DAVID L. NIELSEN
 
 
David L. Nielsen
 
 
Executive Vice President and
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)



52


INDEX TO EXHIBITS
            
Exhibit No.
Description of Exhibit
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32
Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101
Financial Statements submitted in XBRL format




53