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EX-32.01 - EXHIBIT 32.01 - Oak Valley Bancorpex32-01.htm
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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

 

 

OR

 

 

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

 

 

Commission file number 001-34142

 

OAK VALLEY BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

California

 

26-2326676

 
 

State or other jurisdiction of

 

I.R.S. Employer

 
 

incorporation or organization

 

Identification No.

 

 

125 N. Third Ave., Oakdale, CA  95361

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(209) 848-2265

Issuer’s telephone number

 

Not applicable

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the issuer (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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   No 

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer 

 

Accelerated filer 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer 

 

Smaller reporting company 

(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  No 

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

 

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:  8,088,155 shares of common stock outstanding as of May 11, 2016.

 

 
 

 

 

Oak Valley Bancorp

March 31, 2016

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Page

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

3

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

3

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

3

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three month periods Ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

4

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three month periods Ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

5

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes of Shareholders’ Equity for the Year Ended December 31, 2015 and the Three-month period Ended March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

6

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three-month periods Ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

7

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

8

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

31

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

44

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

44

 

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

45

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

45

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

45

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

45

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

45

Item 5.

Other Information

45

Item 6.

Exhibits

46

 

 

 
2

 

  

PART I – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

  

OAK VALLEY BANCORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

ASSETS

               

Cash and due from banks

  $ 154,033     $ 174,778  

Federal funds sold

    5,535       15,825  

Cash and cash equivalents

    159,568       190,603  
                 

Securities available for sale

    144,261       131,546  

Loans, net of allowance for loan loss of $7,557 and $7,356 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively

    557,573       530,394  

Bank premises and equipment, net

    14,037       14,277  

Other real estate owned

    2,066       2,066  

Interest receivable and other assets

    28,245       28,152  
                 
    $ 905,750     $ 897,038  
                 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               
                 

Deposits

  $ 822,440     $ 814,691  

Interest payable and other liabilities

    4,350       4,084  

Total liabilities

    826,790       818,775  
                 

Shareholders’ equity

               

Common stock, no par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized, 8,088,155 and 8,078,155 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively

    24,682       24,682  

Additional paid-in capital

    3,280       3,217  

Retained earnings

    49,334       48,795  

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

    1,664       1,569  

Total shareholders’ equity

    78,960       78,263  
                 
    $ 905,750     $ 897,038  

 

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

 

 
3

 

 

OAK VALLEY BANCORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

INTEREST INCOME

               

Interest and fees on loans

  $ 6,548     $ 5,403  

Interest on securities available for sale

    977       875  

Interest on federal funds sold

    9       7  

Interest on deposits with banks

    176       67  

Total interest income

    7,710       6,352  
                 

INTEREST EXPENSE

               

Deposits

    168       151  

Total interest expense

    168       151  
                 

Net interest income

    7,542       6,201  

Provision for (reversal of ) loan losses

    200       (125 )
                 

Net interest income after provision for (reversal of) loan losses

    7,342       6,326  
                 

OTHER INCOME

               

Service charges on deposits

    333       312  

Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance

    108       108  

Mortgage commissions

    46       45  

Net gain on sales and calls of securities

    6       109  

Other

    544       453  

Total non-interest income

    1,037       1,027  
                 

OTHER EXPENSES

               

Salaries and employee benefits

    3,355       2,983  

Occupancy expenses

    838       747  

Data processing fees

    471       353  

Regulatory assessments (FDIC & DBO)

    157       114  

Other operating expenses

    1,366       902  

Total non-interest expense

    6,187       5,099  
                 

Net income before provision for income taxes

    2,192       2,254  
                 

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

    683       728  

NET INCOME

  $ 1,509     $ 1,526  
                 

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

  $ 0.19     $ 0.19  
                 

NET INCOME PER DILUTED COMMON SHARE

  $ 0.19     $ 0.19  

 

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

 

 
4

 

  

OAK VALLEY BANCORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

 

   

THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2016

   

2015

 
                 

Net income

  $ 1,509     $ 1,526  

Other comprehensive income:

               

Unrealized holding gains on securities arising during the current period, net of tax effect of $69 thousand and $41 thousand for the periods ending March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively

    99       59  

Reclassification adjustment due to net gains realized on calls of securities, net of tax effect of $2 thousand and $45 thousand for March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively

    (4 )     (64 )

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    95       (5 )

Comprehensive income

  $ 1,604     $ 1,521  

  

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

 

 
5

 

  

OAK VALLEY BANCORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED) 

 

   

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2016

 
                                   

Accumulated

         
                   

Additional

           

Other

   

Total

 
   

Common Stock

   

Paid-in

   

Retained

   

Comprehensive

   

Shareholders’

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Shares

   

Amount

   

Capital

   

Earnings

   

Income (Loss)

   

Equity

 
                                                 

Balances, January 1, 2015

    8,074,855     $ 24,682     $ 2,910     $ 45,582     $ 1,867     $ 75,041  

Stock options exercised

                                            0  

Tax benefit on stock based compensation

                    46                       46  

Restricted stock issued

    6,000                                       0  

Restricted stock forfeited

    (2,700 )                                     0  

Cash dividends declared

                            (1,695 )             (1,695 )

Stock based compensation

                    261                       261  

Other comprehensive loss

                                    (298 )     (298 )

Net income

                            4,908               4,908  

Balances, December 31, 2015

    8,078,155     $ 24,682     $ 3,217     $ 48,795     $ 1,569     $ 78,263  
                                                 

Restricted stock issued

    10,000                                     $ 0  

Cash dividends declared

                            (970 )             (970 )

Stock based compensation

                    63                       63  

Other comprehensive income

                                    95       95  

Net income

                            1,509               1,509  

Balances, March 31, 2016

    8,088,155     $ 24,682     $ 3,280     $ 49,334     $ 1,664     $ 78,960  

 

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

 

 
6

 

  

OAK VALLEY BANCORP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 

   

THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2016

   

2015

 
                 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

               

Net income

  $ 1,509     $ 1,526  

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:

               

Provision (reversal of provision) for loan losses

    200       (125 )

Increase (decrease) in deferred fees/costs, net

    173       (4 )

Depreciation

    327       296  

Amortization of investment securities, net

    74       40  

Stock based compensation

    63       62  

Gain on sale of premises and equipment

    (1 )     (5 )

OREO write downs

    0       50  

Gain on sales and calls of available for sale securities

    (6 )     (109 )

Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance

    (108 )     (108 )

Increase (decrease) in interest payable and other liabilities

    266       (298 )

(Increase) decrease in interest receivable

    (33 )     181  

Increase in other assets

    (18 )     (33 )

Net cash from operating activities

    2,446       1,473  
                 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

               

Purchases of available for sale securities

    (15,775 )     (8,948 )

Proceeds from maturities, calls, and principal paydowns of securities available for sale

    3,153       9,097  

Net (increase) decrease in loans

    (27,552 )     1,305  

Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment

    1       5  

Net purchases of premises and equipment

    (87 )     (124 )

Net cash (used in) from investing activities

    (40,260 )     1,335  
                 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

               

Shareholder cash dividends paid

    (970 )     (808 )

Net increase in demand deposits and savings accounts

    7,820       3,792  

Net decrease in time deposits

    (71 )     (382 )

Net cash from financing activities

    6,779       2,602  
                 

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    (31,035 )     5,410  
                 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

    190,603       144,288  
                 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

  $ 159,568     $ 149,698  
                 
                 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

               

Cash paid during the period for:

               

Interest

  $ 170     $ 160  

Income taxes

  $ 0     $ 890  
                 

NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

               

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities

  $ 161     $ (9 )

  

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

 

 
7

 

  

OAK VALLEY BANCORP

 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

On July 3, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), a bank holding company reorganization was completed whereby Oak Valley Bancorp (“Bancorp”) became the parent holding company for Oak Valley Community Bank ( the “Bank”).  On the Effective Date, a tax-free exchange was completed whereby each outstanding share of the Company was converted into one share of Bancorp and the Company became the sole wholly-owned subsidiary of the holding company.

 

On December 23, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of Mother Lode Bank (“MLB”), a California state-chartered bank headquartered in Sonora, California, in a transaction in which Mother Lode Bank was merged with and into the Bank, with the Bank as the surviving company in the transaction. The purchase price for Mother Lode Bank was approximately $7.3 million. As of the acquisition date, Mother Lode Bank’s total assets were $78.7 million and total deposits were $71.1 million.

 

Oak Valley Community Bank is a California State chartered bank. The Company was incorporated under the laws of the state of California on May 31, 1990, and began operations in Oakdale on May 28, 1991. The Company operates branches in Oakdale, Sonora, Bridgeport, Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, Modesto, Manteca, Patterson, Turlock, Ripon, Stockton, Tracy and Escalon, California. The Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes, and Bishop branches operate as a separate division, Eastern Sierra Community Bank. The Company’s primary source of revenue is providing loans to customers who are predominantly middle-market businesses.

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bancorp and its wholly-owned bank subsidiary. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated. In the opinion of Management, the consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows.  All adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the allowance for loan losses, determination of non-accrual loans, other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, the fair value measurements, deferred compensation plans, and the determination, recognition and measurement of impaired loans. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

The interim consolidated financial statements included in this report are unaudited but reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results of a full year’s operations. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. There was no effect on net income or shareholders’ equity as a result of reclassifications. For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

   

NOTE 2 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

   

 

In September, 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement Period Adjustments (Topic 805). This ASU eliminates the requirement to restate prior period financial statements for measurement period adjustments to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The new guidance under this update requires the cumulative impact of measurement period adjustments be recognized in the period the adjustment is determined. This update does not change what constitutes a measurement period adjustment, nor does it change the length of the measurement period. The new standard is effective for interim annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and should be applied prospectively to measurement period adjustments that occur after the effective date. The adoption of this update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 
8

 

  

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendments in this ASU make improvements to GAAP related to financial instruments that include the following as applicable to us.

 

 

Equity investments, except for those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee, are required to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer.

 

 

Simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment - if impairment exists, this requires measuring the investment at fair value.

 

 

Eliminates the requirement for public companies to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is currently required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet.

 

 

Public companies will be required to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes.

 

 

Requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements.

 

 

The reporting entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity's other deferred tax assets.

 

ASU 2016-01 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This ASU will impact our financial statement disclosures, however, we do not expect this ASU to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This ASU was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities, including leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP, on the balance sheet and requiring additional disclosures of key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and requires a modified retrospective approach to adoption. Early application of the amendments is permitted. We are currently evaluating the provisions of this ASU and will be monitoring developments and additional guidance to determine the potential outcome the amendments will have on our financial condition and results of operations.

  

 
9

 

  

NOTE 3 – ACQUISITION

 

On December 23, 2015, in effort to expand our market presence and enhance shareholder value, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Mother Lode Bank ("MLB") and all unexercised options to purchase MLB common stock were cancelled, in exchange for $7,336,000 in cash (the "MLB Acquisition"). In conjunction with the MLB Acquisition, MLB was merged with and into Oak Valley Community Bank. On January 29, 2016, the two acquired MLB branches in Sonora were closed after management determined that our two existing branches in Sonora would be able to support our new customers. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed, both tangible and intangible, were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date in accordance with ASC 805. We have not identified additional information that existed at the acquisition date that would affect the measurement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Accordingly, there have been no changes in the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed since the acquisition date. The acquisition was treated as a "reorganization" within the definition of section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and is generally considered tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

The following table reflects the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed related to the MLB Acquisition:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Acquisition Date
December 23, 2015

 

Assets:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 30,804  

Loans

    42,831  

Core deposit intangible

    1,031  

Deferred tax asset

    2,651  

Goodwill

    662  

Other assets

    738  

Total assets acquired

  $ 78,717  
         

Liabilities:

       

Deposits:

       

Non-interest bearing

  $ 36,177  

Interest bearing

       

Transaction accounts

    6,112  

Savings accounts

    15,727  

Money market accounts

    7,602  

Other time accounts

    5,507  

Total deposits

    71,125  
         

Other liabilites

    256  

Total liabilities assumed

  $ 71,381  
         

Merger consideration

  $ 7,336  

 

 
10

 

 

The following table presents the net assets acquired from MLB and the estimated fair value adjustments:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Acquisition Date
December 23, 2015

 

Book value of net assets acquired from Mother Lode Bank

  $ 4,884  
         

Fair value adjustments:

       

Loans

    (2,960 )

Reversal of Allowance for Loan Loss

    1,279  

Core deposit intangible asset

    1,031  

Other assets & liabilities, net

    (210 )

Total purchase accounting adjustments

  $ (860 )
         

Deferred tax asset (tax effect of purchase accounting adjustments at 41.15%)

    354  

DTA Carryforward

    2,296  

Fair value of net assets acquired from Mother Lode Bank

  $ 6,674  
         

Merger consideration

    7,336  

Less: fair value of net assets acquired

    (6,674 )

Goodwill

  $ 662  

 

 

As a result of the MLB Acquisition, we recorded $662,000 in goodwill, which represents the excess of the total purchase price paid over the fair value of the assets acquired, net of the fair values of liabilities assumed. Goodwill mainly reflects expected value created through the combined operations of MLB and the Company. At December 31, 2015, we determined that the fair value of our traditional community banking activities (provided through our branch network) exceeded the carrying amount. Therefore, no impairment on goodwill has been recorded. The following is a description of the methods used to determine the fair values of significant assets and liabilities at acquisition date presented above.

 

Loans

 

The fair values for acquired loans were developed based upon the present values of the expected cash flows utilizing market-derived discount rates. Expected cash flows for each acquired loan were projected based on contractual cash flows adjusted for expected prepayment, expected default (i.e. probability of default and loss severity), and principal recovery.

 

Prepayment rates were applied to the principal outstanding based on the type of loan, where appropriate. Prepayments were based on a constant prepayment rate (“CPR”) applied across the life of a loan. The annual CPRs were between 0% and 5%, depending on the characteristics of the loan pool (e.g. construction, commercial real estate, etc.).

 

Non-credit-impaired loans with similar characteristics were grouped together and were treated in the aggregate when applying the discount rate on the expected cash flows. Aggregation factors considered included the type of loan and related collateral, risk classification, fixed or variable interest rate, term of loan and whether or not the loan was amortizing. See Note 5 for additional information.

 

Core Deposit Intangible

 

The core deposit intangible represents the estimated future benefits of acquired deposits and is booked separately from the related deposits. The value of the core deposit intangible asset was determined using a discounted cash flow approach to arrive at the cost differential between the core deposits (non-maturity deposits such as transaction, savings and money market accounts) and alternative funding sources. A core deposit intangible asset of $1,031,000 was recorded on December 23, 2015, of which $42,000 was amortized during the first quarter of 2016. The core deposit intangible is amortized on an accelerated basis over an estimated ten-year life, and it is evaluated periodically for impairment. No impairment loss was recognized as of March 31, 2016.  

 

 
11

 

 

Acquisition Related Expenses

 

Acquisition-related expenses are recognized as incurred and continue until all systems have been converted and operational functions become fully integrated. We incurred one-time third-party acquisition-related expenses in the consolidated statements of income totaling $58,000 during the first quarter of 2016. The conversion of the operating systems was completed in April 2016.

 

 

NOTE 4 – SECURITIES

 

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of debt securities as of March 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Amortized

Cost

   

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

   

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

   

Fair Value

 

Available-for-sale securities:

                               

U.S. agencies

  $ 33,823     $ 1,134     $ (45 )   $ 34,912  

Collateralized mortgage obligations

    2,566       18       (16 )     2,568  

Municipalities

    70,926       2,700       (106 )     73,520  

SBA pools

    799       0       (5 )     794  

Corporate debt

    17,343       32       (244 )     17,131  

Asset backed securities

    12,780       0       (511 )     12,269  

Mutual fund

    3,197       0       (130 )     3,067  
    $ 141,434     $ 3,884     $ (1,057 )   $ 144,261  

 

 

The following tables detail the gross unrealized losses and fair values aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2016.

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Less than 12 months

   

12 months or more

   

Total

 

Description of Securities

 

Fair

Value

   

Unrealized

Loss

   

Fair

Value

   

Unrealized

Loss

   

Fair

Value

   

Unrealized

Loss

 

U.S. agencies

  $ 7,099     $ (15 )   $ 1,817     $ (30 )   $ 8,916     $ (45 )

Collateralized mortgage obligations

    0       0       1,232       (16 )     1,232       (16 )

Municipalities

    9,374       (46 )     3,028       (60 )     12,402       (106 )

SBA pools

    0       0       794       (5 )     794       (5 )

Corporate debt

    13,287       (244 )     0       0       13,287       (244 )

Asset backed securities

    4,803       (84 )     7,466       (427 )     12,269       (511 )

Mutual fund

    0       0       3,066       (130 )     3,066       (130 )

Total temporarily impaired securities

  $ 34,563     $ (389 )   $ 17,403     $ (668 )   $ 51,966     $ (1,057 )

 

 

At March 31, 2016, there was one U.S. agency, one collateralized mortgage obligations, five municipalities, two SBA pools, three asset backed securities and one mutual fund that comprised the total securities in an unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months and three U.S. agencies, eight municipalities, ten corporate debts and four asset backed securities that make up the total securities in a loss position for less than 12 months. Management periodically evaluates each available-for-sale investment security in an unrealized loss position to determine if the impairment is temporary or other than temporary. This evaluation encompasses various factors including, the nature of the investment, the cause of the impairment, the severity and duration of the impairment, credit ratings and other credit related factors such as third party guarantees and volatility of the security’s fair value. Management has determined that no investment security is other than temporarily impaired. The unrealized losses are due primarily to interest rate changes and the Company does not intend to sell the securities and it is not likely that we will be required to sell the securities before the earlier of the forecasted recovery or the maturity of the underlying investment security.

 

 
12

 

  

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities at March 31, 2016, by contractual maturity or call date, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Amortized

   

Fair

 
   

Cost

   

Value

 

Available-for-sale securities:

               

Due in one year or less

  $ 15,109     $ 15,594  

Due after one year through five years

    44,879       46,078  

Due after five years through ten years

    51,718       52,135  

Due after ten years

    29,728       30,454  
    $ 141,434     $ 144,261  

 

 

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of debt securities as of December 31, 2015, are as follows:

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Amortized

Cost

   

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

   

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

   

Fair Value

 

Available-for-sale securities:

                               

U.S. agencies

  $ 31,815     $ 1,142     $ (89 )   $ 32,868  

Collateralized mortgage obligations

    2,729       17       (27 )     2,719  

Municipalities

    66,535       2,248       (197 )     68,586  

SBA pools

    811       0       (5 )     806  

Corporate debt

    13,497       44       (121 )     13,420  

Asset backed securities

    10,321       0       (183 )     10,138  

Mutual fund

    3,172       0       (163 )     3,009  
    $ 128,880     $ 3,451     $ (785 )   $ 131,546  

 

 

The following tables detail the gross unrealized losses and fair values aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2015.

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Less than 12 months

   

12 months or more

   

Total

 

Description of Securities

 

Fair

Value

   

Unrealized

Loss

   

Fair

Value

   

Unrealized

Loss

   

Fair

Value

   

Unrealized

Loss

 

U.S. agencies

  $ 7,129     $ (30 )   $ 1,800     $ (59 )   $ 8,929     $ (89 )

Collateralized mortgage obligations

    0       0       1,266       (27 )     1,266       (27 )

Municipalities

    11,451       (123 )     3,680       (74 )     15,131       (197 )

SBA pools

    0       0       807       (5 )     807       (5 )

Corporate debt

    9,376       (121 )     0       0       9,376       (121 )

Asset backed securities

    5,351       (78 )     4,787       (105 )     10,138       (183 )

Mutual fund

    0       0       3,009       (163 )     3,009       (163 )

Total temporarily impaired securities

  $ 33,307     $ (352 )   $ 15,349     $ (433 )   $ 48,656     $ (785 )

 

We recognized gross gains of $6,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2016, on certain available-for-sale securities that were called or sold, which compares to $109,000 in the same period of 2015. There were no securities sold during the first three months of 2016, compared to two available-for-sale securities sold during the first three months of 2015, which resulted in a loss of $32,000 on one sale and a gain of 13,000 on the other sale.

 

Securities carried at $81,063,000 and $65,902,000 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, were pledged to secure deposits of public funds.

 

 
13

 

  

NOTE 5 – LOANS

 

Our customers are primarily located in Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Inyo, and Mono Counties. As of March 31, 2016, approximately 78% of the Company’s loans are commercial real estate loans which include construction loans. Approximately 13% of the Company’s loans are for general commercial uses including professional, retail, and small business. Additionally, 6% of the Company’s loans are for residential real estate and other consumer loans. The remaining 3% are agriculture loans. Loan totals were as follows:

 

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

 

Commercial real estate:

               

Commercial real estate- construction

  $ 19,199     $ 19,363  

Commercial real estate- mortgages

    368,685       363,644  

Land

    9,520       10,239  

Farmland

    44,265       29,801  

Commercial and industrial

    72,715       63,776  

Consumer

    815       774  

Consumer residential

    32,983       32,588  

Agriculture

    20,045       20,847  

Total loans

    568,227       541,032  
                 

Less:

               

Deferred loan fees and costs, net

    (3,097 )     (3,282 )

Allowance for loan losses

    (7,557 )     (7,356 )

Net loans

  $ 557,573     $ 530,394  

 

 

Loan Origination/Risk Management. The Company has certain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income within an acceptable level of risk. Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis. A reporting system supplements the review process by providing management with frequent reports related to loan production, loan quality, concentration of credit, loan delinquencies and non-performing and potential problem loans. Diversification in the loan portfolio is a means of managing risk associated with fluctuations in economic conditions.

 

Commercial and industrial loans are underwritten after evaluating and understanding the borrower’s ability to operate profitably and prudently expand its business. Underwriting standards are designed to promote relationship banking rather than transactional banking. Once it is determined that the borrower’s management possesses sound ethics and solid business acumen, our management examines current and projected cash flows to determine the ability of the borrower to repay their obligations as agreed. Commercial and industrial loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flows of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. The cash flows of borrowers, however, may not be as expected and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. Most commercial and industrial loans are secured by the assets being financed or other business assets such as accounts receivable or inventory and may incorporate a personal guarantee; however, some short-term loans may be made on an unsecured basis. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the availability of funds for the repayment of these loans may be substantially dependent on the ability of the borrower to collect amounts due from its customers.

 

Commercial real estate loans are subject to underwriting standards and processes similar to commercial and industrial loans, in addition to those of real estate loans. These loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. Commercial real estate lending typically involves higher loan principal amounts and the repayment of these loans is generally largely dependent on the successful operation of the property securing the loan or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. Commercial real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy. The properties securing the Company’s commercial real estate portfolio are diverse in terms of type and geographic location. This diversity helps reduce the Company’s exposure to adverse economic events that affect any single market or industry. Management monitors and evaluates commercial real estate loans based on collateral, geography and risk grade criteria. As a general rule, the Company avoids financing single-purpose projects unless other underwriting factors are present to help mitigate risk. The Company also utilizes third-party experts to provide insight and guidance about economic conditions and trends affecting market areas it serves. In addition, management tracks the level of owner-occupied commercial real estate loans versus non-owner occupied loans. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, commercial real estate loans equal to approximately 40.4% and 44.3%, respectively, of the outstanding principal balance of our commercial real estate loans were secured by owner-occupied properties.

 

 
14

 

  

With respect to loans to developers and builders that are secured by non-owner occupied properties that the Company may originate from time to time, the Company generally requires the borrower to have had an existing relationship with the Company and have a proven record of success. Construction loans are underwritten utilizing feasibility studies, independent appraisal reviews, sensitivity analysis of absorption and lease rates and financial analysis of the developers and property owners. Construction loans are generally based upon estimates of costs and value associated with the complete project. These estimates may be inaccurate. Construction loans often involve the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment substantially dependent on the success of the ultimate project. Sources of repayment for these types of loans may be pre-committed permanent loans from approved long-term lenders, sales of developed property or an interim loan commitment from the Company until permanent financing is obtained. These loans are closely monitored by on-site inspections and are considered to have higher risks than other real estate loans due to their ultimate repayment being sensitive to interest rate changes, governmental regulation of real property, general economic conditions and the availability of long-term financing.

 

Agricultural production, real estate and development lending is susceptible to credit risks including adverse weather conditions, pest and disease, as well as market price fluctuations and foreign competition. Agricultural loan underwriting standards are maintained by following Company policies and procedures in place to minimize risk in this lending segment. These standards consist of limiting credit to experienced farmers who have demonstrated farm management capabilities, requiring cash flow projections displaying margins sufficient for repayment from normal farm operations along with equity injected as required by policy, as well as providing adequate secondary repayment and sponsorship including satisfactory collateral support. Credit enhancement obtained through government guarantee programs may also be used to provide further support as available. 

 

The Company originates consumer loans utilizing common underwriting criteria specified in policy. To monitor and manage consumer loan risk, policies and procedures are developed and modified, as needed, jointly by line and staff personnel. This activity, coupled with relatively small loan amounts that are spread across many individual borrowers, minimizes risk. Additionally, trend and outlook reports are reviewed by management on a regular basis. Underwriting standards for 1-4 family, home equity lines and loans follow bank policy, which include, but are not limited to, a maximum loan-to-value percentage of 80%, a maximum housing and total debt ratio of 36% and 42%, respectively and other specified credit and documentation requirements.

 

The Company maintains an independent loan review department that reviews and validates the credit risk program on a periodic basis. Results of these reviews are presented to management. The loan review process complements and reinforces the risk identification and assessment decisions made by lenders and credit personnel, as well as the Bank’s policies and procedures.

 

Purchased Credit-Impaired (“PCI”) Loans. We evaluated loans purchased in the Acquisition in accordance with accounting guidance in ASC 310-30 related to loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality. Acquired loans are considered credit-impaired if there is evidence of significant deterioration of credit quality since origination and it is probable, at the acquisition date, that we will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable. Management has determined certain loans purchased in the MLB Acquisition to be PCI loans based on credit indicators such as nonaccrual status, past due status, loan risk grade, loan-to-value ratio, etc. Revolving credit agreements (e.g., home equity lines of credit and revolving commercial loans) are not considered PCI loans as cash flows cannot be reasonably estimated.

 

For acquired loans not considered credit-impaired, the difference between the contractual amounts due (principal amount) and the fair value is accounted for subsequently through accretion. We recognize discount accretion based on the acquired loan’s contractual cash flows using an effective interest rate method. The accretion is recognized through the net interest margin.

 

The following table presents the fair value of purchased credit-impaired and other loans acquired from Mother Lode Bank as of the acquisition date:

 

   

December 23, 2015

 

(in thousands)

 

Purchased

credit-impaired

loans

   

Other purchased

loans

   

Total

 
                         

Contractually required payments including interest

  $ 1,982     $ 44,007     $ 45,989  

Less: nonaccretable difference

    (1,103 )     0       (1,103 )

Cash flows expected to be collected (undiscounted)

    879       44,007       44,886  

Accretable yield

    (14 )     (2,041 )     (2,055 )

Fair value of purchased loans

  $ 865     $ 41,966     $ 42,831  

 

 
15

 

 

The following table reflects the outstanding balance and related carrying value of PCI loans as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

   

March 31, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

 

(in thousands)

                               

 

 

Unpaid principal balance

   

Carrying value

   

Unpaid principal balance

   

Carrying value

 
Commercial real estate:                                

Commercial real estate- construction

  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0  

Commercial real estate- mortgages

    196       118       196       118  

Land

    795       269       795       269  

Farmland

    0       0       0       0  

Commercial and industrial

    774       458       794       478  

Consumer

    0       0       0       0  

Consumer residential

    0       0       0       0  

Agriculture

    0       0       0       0  

Total purchased credit-impaired loans

  $ 1,765     $ 845     $ 1,785     $ 865  

 

 

For the PCI loans, the accretable yield represents the excess of the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition over the fair value of the loans at the acquisition date, and is accreted into interest income over the estimated remaining life of the purchased credit-impaired loans using the effective yield method, provided that the timing and amount of future cash flows is reasonably estimable. The cash flows expected to be collected are updated each quarter based on current assumptions regarding default rates, loss severities, and other factors that are reflective of current market conditions. Probable decreases in expected cash flows after acquisition result in the recognition of impairment as a specific allowance for loan losses or a charge-off to the allowance. The accretable yield balance for PCI loans was $14,000 at December 31, 2015, all of which was accreted to interest income during the first quarter of 2016, as each of the PCI loans had short-term maturities. The nonaccretable difference represents the difference between the undiscounted contractual cash flows and the undiscounted expected cash flows, and also reflects the estimated credit losses in the acquired loan portfolio at the acquisition date and can fluctuate due to changes in expected cash flows during the life of the PCI loans.

  

Non-Accrual and Past Due Loans. Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. Loans are placed on non-accrual status when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due, as well as when required by regulatory provisions. Loans may be placed on non-accrual status regardless of whether or not such loans are considered past due. When interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received in excess of principal due. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

 

Non-accrual loans, segregated by class of loans, were as follows:

 

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

 

Commercial real estate:

               

Land

    2,448       2,739  

Farmland

    1,228       51  

Commercial and industrial

    318       322  

Agriculture

    2,704       2,704  

Total non-accrual loans

  $ 6,698     $ 5,816  

 

 

(1)

Excluded from the above non-accrual loan table are the carrying values of Purchased Credit Impaired loans acquired in the MLB Acquisition.

 

Had non-accrual loans performed in accordance with their original contract terms, we would have recognized additional interest income of approximately $149,000 in the three month period ended March 31, 2016, as compared to $82,000 in the same period of 2015.  

 

 
16

 

 

The following table analyzes past due loans including the non-accrual loans in the above table, segregated by class of loans, as of March 31, 2016 (in thousands): 

March 31, 2016

 

30-59

Days

Past Due

   

60-89

Days

Past Due

   

Greater

Than 90

Days

Past Due

   

Total

Past Due

   

Current

   

Purchased Credit

Impaired

Loans

   

Total

   

Greater

Than 90

Days Past

Due and

Still

Accruing

 

Commercial real estate:

                                                               

Commercial R.E. - construction

  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 19,199     $ 0     $ 19,199     $ 0  

Commercial R.E. - mortgages

    31       0       0       31       368,535       118       368,684       0  

Land

    0       0       2,068       2,068       7,184       269       9,521       0  

Farmland

    0       0       1,228       1,228       43,037       0       44,265       0  

Commercial and industrial

    1,306       0       310       1,616       70,641       458       72,715       0  

Consumer

    0       0       0       0       815       0       815       0  

Consumer residential

    0       0       0       0       32,983       0       32,983       0  

Agriculture

    0       0       2,704       2,704       17,341       0       20,045       0  

Total

  $ 1,337     $ 0     $ 6,310     $ 7,647     $ 559,735     $ 845     $ 568,227     $ 0  

  

 

The following table analyzes past due loans including the non-accrual loans in the above table, segregated by class of loans, as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands): 

December 31, 2015

 

30-59

Days

Past Due

   

60-89

Days

Past Due

   

Greater

Than 90

Days

Past Due

   

Total

Past Due

   

Current

   

Purchased Credit

Impaired

Loans

   

Total

   

Greater

Than 90

Days Past

Due and

Still

Accruing

 

Commercial real estate:

                                                               

Commercial R.E. - construction

  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 19,363     $ 0     $ 19,363     $ 0  

Commercial R.E. - mortgages

    0       0       0       0       363,526       118       363,644       0  

Land

    0       0       2,261       2,261       7,709       269       10,239       0  

Farmland

    1,182       0       51       1,233       28,568       0       29,801       0  
Commercial and industrial     352       0       312       664       62,634       478       63,776       0  

Consumer

    0       0       0       0       774       0       774       0  

Consumer residential

    0       0       0       0       32,588       0       32,588       0  

Agriculture

    0       2,704       0       2,704       18,143       0       20,847       0  

Total

  $ 1,534     $ 2,704     $ 2,624     $ 6,862     $ 533,305     $ 865     $ 541,032     $ 0  

 

  

 

Impaired Loans. Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreement, including scheduled principal and interest payments. Impairment is evaluated in total for smaller-balance loans of a similar nature and on an individual loan basis for other loans. If a loan is impaired, a specific valuation allowance is allocated, if necessary, so that the loan is reported net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. Interest payments on impaired loans are typically applied to principal unless collectability of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest is recognized on a cash basis. There was no interest income realized on impaired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

 
17

 

  

Impaired loans as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are set forth in the following tables. PCI loans are excluded from the tables below, as they have not experienced post acquisition declines in cash flows expected to be collected.  

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Unpaid

Contractual

Principal

Balance

   

Recorded

Investment

With No

Allowance

   

Recorded

Investment

With

Allowance

   

Total

Recorded

Investment

   

Related

Allowance

 

March 31, 2016

                                       

Commercial real estate:

                                       

Commercial R.E. - construction

  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0  

Commercial R.E. - mortgages

    0       0       0       0       0  

Land

    2,795       380       2,068       2,448       680  

Farmland

    1,242       1,228       0       1,228       0  

Commercial and Industrial

    356       318       0       318       0  

Consumer

    0       0       0       0       0  

Consumer residential

    0       0       0       0       0  

Agriculture

    2,704       2,704       0       2,704       0  

Total

  $ 7,097     $ 4,630     $ 2,068     $ 6,698     $ 680  
                                         

December 31, 2015

                                       

Commercial real estate:

                                       

Commercial R.E. - construction

  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0  

Commercial R.E. - mortgages

    0       0       0       0       0  

Land

    3,060       0       2,739       2,739       722  

Farmland

    63       51       0       51       0  

Commercial and Industrial

    357       322       0       322       0  

Consumer

    0       0       0       0       0  

Consumer residential

    0       0       0       0       0  

Agriculture

    2,704       2,704       0       2,704       0  

Total

  $ 6,184     $ 3,077     $ 2,739     $ 5,816     $ 722  

 

  

Average recorded investment in impaired loans is set forth in the following table.

  

   

Average Recorded Investment for the

 

(in thousands)

 

Three Months

Ended
March 31, 2016

   

Three Months

Ended

March 31, 2015

 

Commercial real estate:

               

Commercial R.E. - construction

  $ 0     $ 0  

Commercial R.E. - mortgages

    0       648  

Land

    2,553       2,989  

Farmland

    502       69  

Commercial and Industrial

    319       849  

Consumer

    0       0  

Consumer residential

    0       0  

Agriculture

    2,704       0  

Total

  $ 6,078     $ 4,555  

 

 

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

 

At March 31, 2016, there were 5 loans that were considered to be troubled debt restructurings, all of which are considered non-accrual totaling $2,765,000. At December 31, 2015, there were 5 loans that were considered to be troubled debt restructurings, all of which are considered non-accrual totaling $3,060,000. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 there were no unfunded commitments on loans classified as a troubled debt restructures. We have allocated $680,000 and $722,000 of specific reserves to loans whose terms have been modified in troubled debt restructurings as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

 
18

 

  

The modification of the terms of such loans typically includes one or a combination of the following: a reduction of the stated interest rate of the loan; an extension of the maturity date; or a temporary payment modification in which the payment amount allocated towards principal was reduced. In some cases, a permanent reduction of the accrued interest on the loan is conceded. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, three loans were modified as troubled debt restructurings by extending the maturity dates, and there were no loans modified during the first three months of 2015.

 

The following tables presents loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings that occurred during the three month period ended March 31, 2016:

 

   

For the Three Months Ended

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

March 31, 2016

 
   

Number

of

Loans

   

Pre-

Modification

Outstanding

Recorded

Investment

   

 

Post-

Modification

Outstanding

Recorded

Investment

 
                         

Commercial real estate:

                       

Commercial R.E. - construction

    1     $ 1,090     $ 1,090  

Commercial R.E. - mortgages

    0       0       0  

Land

    1       565       565  

Farmland

    0       0       0  

Commercial and industrial

    1       599       599  

Consumer

    0       0       0  

Consumer residential

    0       0       0  

Agriculture

    0       0       0  

Total

    3     $ 2,254     $ 2,254  

 

 

The troubled debt restructuring during the three months ended March 31, 2016 did not increase the allowance for loan losses as a result of loan modifications. There were no charge-offs as a result of loan modifications, as the contractual balances outstanding were determined to be collectible.

 

There were no loans modified as troubled debt restructurings within the previous twelve months and for which there was a payment default during the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is ninety days contractually past due under the modified terms.

  

Loan Risk Grades Quality ratings (Risk Grades) are assigned to all commitments and stand-alone notes. Risk grades define the basic characteristics of commitments or stand-alone note in relation to their risk. All loans are graded using a system that maximizes the loan quality information contained in loan review grades, while ensuring that the system is compatible with the grades used by bank examiners.

 

We grade loans using the following letter system:

 

1  Exceptional Loan

2  Quality Loan

3A  Better Than Acceptable Loan

3B  Acceptable Loan

3C  Marginally Acceptable Loan

4  (W) Watch Acceptable Loan

5  Other Loans Especially Mentioned

6  Substandard Loan

7  Doubtful Loan

8  Loss

 

 
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1. Exceptional Loan - Loans with A+ credits that contain very little, if any, risk. Grade 1 loans are considered Pass. To qualify for this rating, the following characteristics must be present:

-A high level of liquidity and whose debt-servicing capacity exceeds expected obligations by a substantial margin.

-Where leverage is below average for the industry and earnings are consistent or growing without severe vulnerability to economic cycles.

-Also included in this rating (but not mandatory unless one or more of the preceding characteristics are missing) are loans that are fully secured and properly margined by our own time instruments or U.S. blue chip securities. To be properly margined cash collateral must be equal to, or greater than, 110% of the loan amount.

 

2. Quality Loan - Loans with excellent sources of repayment that conform in all respects to bank policy and regulatory requirements. These are also loans for which little repayment risk has been identified. No credit or collateral exceptions. Grade 2 loans are considered Pass. Other factors include:

-Unquestionable debt-servicing capacity to cover all obligations in the ordinary course of business from well-defined primary and secondary sources.

-Consistent strong earnings.

-A solid equity base.

 

3A. Better than Acceptable Loan - In the interest of better delineating the loan portfolio’s true credit risk for reserve allocation, further granularity has been sought by splitting the grade 3 category into three classifications. The distinction between the three are bank-defined guidelines and represent a further refinement of the regulatory definition of a pass, or grade 3 loan. Grade 3A is the stronger third of the pass category, but is not strong enough to be a grade 2 and is characterized by:

-Strong earnings with no loss in last three years and ample cash flow to service all debt well above policy guidelines.

-Long term experienced management with depth and defined management succession.

-The loan has no exceptions to policy.

-Loan-to-value on real estate secured transactions is 10% to 20% less than policy guidelines.

-Very liquid balance sheet that may have cash available to pay off our loan completely.

-Little to no debt on balance sheet.

 

3B. Acceptable Loan - 3B loans are simply defined as all loans that are less qualified than 3A loans and are stronger than 3C loans. These loans are characterized by acceptable sources of repayment that conform to bank policy and regulatory requirements. Repayment risks are acceptable for these loans. Credit or collateral exceptions are minimal, are in the process of correction, and do not represent repayment risk. These loans:

-Are those where the borrower has average financial strengths, a history of profitable operations and experienced management.

-Are those where the borrower can be expected to handle normal credit needs in a satisfactory manner.

 

3C. Marginally Acceptable - 3C loans have similar characteristics as that of 3Bs with the following additional characteristics:

Requires collateral. A credit facility where the borrower has average financial strengths, but usually lacks reliable secondary sources of repayment other than the subject collateral. Other common characteristics can include some or all of the following: minimal background experience of management, lacking continuity of management, a start-up operation, erratic historical profitability (acceptable reasons-well identified), lack of or marginal sponsorship of guarantor, and government guaranteed loans.

 

4W Watch Acceptable - Watch grade will be assigned to any credit that is adequately secured and performing but monitored for a number of indicators. These characteristics may include any unexpected short-term adverse financial performance from budgeted projections or prior period’s results (i.e., declining profits, sales, margins, cash flow, or increased reliance on leverage, including adverse balance sheet ratios, trade debt issues, etc.). Additionally, any managerial or personal problems of company management, decline in the entire industry or local economic conditions failure to provide financial information or other documentation as requested; issues regarding delinquency, overdrafts, or renewals; and any other issues that cause concern for the company. Loans to individuals or loans supported by guarantors with marginal net worth and/or marginal collateral. Weakness identified in a Watch credit is short-term in nature. Loans in this category are usually accounts the Bank would want to retain providing a positive turnaround can be expected within a reasonable time frame. Grade 4 loans are considered Pass.

 

5 Other Loans Especially Mentioned (Special Mention) - A special mention extension of credit is defined as having potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may, at some future date result in the deterioration of the repayment prospects for the credit or the institution’s credit position. Extensions of credit that might be detailed in this category include the following:

-The lending officer may be unable to properly supervise the credit because of an inadequate loan or credit agreement.

-Questions exist regarding the condition of and/or control over collateral.

-Economic or market conditions may unfavorably affect the obligor in the future.

-A declining trend in the obligor’s operations or an imbalanced position in the balance sheet exists, but not to the point that repayment is jeopardized.

 

6 Substandard Loan - A “substandard” extension of credit is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Extensions of credit so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loss potential, while existing in the aggregate amount of substandard credits, does not have to exist in individual extensions of credit classified substandard.

 

 
20

 

  

7 Doubtful Loan - An extension of credit classified “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 reasonably specific pending factors that may work to the advantage of and strengthen the credit, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined. Pending factors may include a proposed merger or acquisition, liquidation proceedings, capital injection, perfecting liens on additional collateral or refinancing plans. The entire loan need not be classified doubtful when collection of a specific portion appears highly probable. An example of proper use of the doubtful category is the case of a company being liquidated, with the trustee-in-bankruptcy indicating a minimum disbursement of 40 percent and a maximum of 65 percent to unsecured creditors, including the Bank. In this situation, estimates are based on liquidation value appraisals with actual values yet to be realized. By definition, the only portion of the credit that is doubtful is the 25 percent difference between 40 and 65 percent.

 

A proper classification of such a credit would show 40 percent substandard, 25 percent doubtful, and 35 percent loss. A credit classified as doubtful should be resolved within a ‘reasonable’ period of time. Reasonable is generally defined as the period between examinations. In other words, a credit classified doubtful at an examination should be cleared up before the next exam. However, there may be situations that warrant continuation of the doubtful classification a while longer.

 

8 Loss - Extensions of credit classified “loss” are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the credit has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather that it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off, even though partial recovery may be affected in the future. It should not be the Company’s practice to attempt long-term recoveries while the credit remains on the books. Losses should be taken in the period in which they surface as uncollectible.

 

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there are no loans that are classified with a risk grade of 8- Loss.

  

The following table presents weighted average risk grades of our loan portfolio:

 

   

March 31, 2016

   

December 31, 2015

 
   

 

Weighted Average

Risk Grade

   

Weighted Average

Risk Grade

 

Commercial real estate:

               

Commercial real estate - construction

    3.19       3.72  

Commercial real estate - mortgages

    3.15       3.16  

Land

    4.57       4.58  

Farmland

    3.20       3.12  

Commercial and industrial

    3.44       3.57  

Consumer

    2.09       1.99  

Consumer residential

    3.01       3.01  

Agriculture

    3.40       3.39  

Total gross loans

    3.22       3.25  

  

 
21

 

  

The following table presents risk grade totals by class of loans as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. Risk grades 1 through 4 have been aggregated in the “Pass” line.  

 

(in thousands)

 

Commercial R.E.

Construction

   

Commercial R.E.

Mortgages

   

Land

   

Farmland

   

Commercial and Industrial

   

Consumer

   

Consumer Residential

   

Agriculture

   

Total

 
                                                                         

March 31, 2016

                                                                       

Pass

  $ 18,095     $ 363,269     $ 5,993     $ 43,037     $ 65,889     $ 786     $ 32,928     $ 17,341     $ 547,338  

Special mention

    -       3,633       80       -       4,597       -       -       -       8,310  

Substandard

    1,104       1,783       3,167       1,228       1,979       29       55       2,704       12,049  

Doubtful

    -       -       280       -       250       -       -       -       530  

Total loans

  $ 19,199     $ 368,685     $ 9,520     $ 44,265     $ 72,715     $ 815     $ 32,983     $ 20,045     $ 568,227  
                                                                         

December 31, 2015

                                                                       

Pass

  $ 18,312     $ 357,339     $ 6,358     $ 28,568     $ 55,957     $ 745     $ 32,532     $ 18,143     $ 517,954  

Special mention

    -       4,389       110       -       6,153       -       -       -       10,652  

Substandard

    1,051       1,916       3,283       1,233       1,416       29       56       2,704       11,688  

Doubtful

    -       -       488       -       250       -       -       -       738  

Total loans

  $ 19,363     $ 363,644     $ 10,239     $ 29,801     $ 63,776     $ 774     $ 32,588     $ 20,847     $ 541,032  

 

 

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established by the Company through a provision for loan losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that have been incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan loss methodology includes allowance allocations calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 310, “Receivables” and allowance allocations calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.” Accordingly, the methodology is based on historical loss experience by type of credit and internal risk grade, specific homogeneous risk pools and specific loss allocations, with adjustments for current events and conditions. The process for determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses is designed to account for credit deterioration as it occurs. The provision for loan losses reflects loan quality trends, including the levels of and trends related to non-accrual loans, past due loans, potential problem loans, criticized loans and net charge-offs or recoveries, among other factors. The provision for loan losses also reflects the totality of actions taken on all loans for a particular period. In other words, the amount of the provision reflects not only the necessary increases in the allowance for loan losses related to newly identified criticized loans, but it also reflects actions taken related to other loans including, among other things, any necessary increases or decreases in required allowances for specific loans or loan pools.

 

The level of the allowance reflects management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations, specific credit risks, loan loss experience, current loan portfolio quality, present economic, political and regulatory conditions and unidentified losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. Portions of the allowance may be allocated for specific credits; however, the entire allowance is available for any credit that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. While management utilizes its best judgment and information available, the ultimate adequacy of the allowance is dependent upon a variety of factors beyond the Company’s control, including, among other things, the performance of the Company’s loan portfolio, the economy, changes in interest rates and the view of the regulatory authorities toward loan classifications.

 

The Company’s allowance for loan losses consists of three elements: (i) specific valuation allowances determined in accordance with ASC Topic 310 based on probable losses on specific loans; (ii) historical valuation allowances determined in accordance with ASC Topic 450 based on historical loan loss experience for similar loans with similar characteristics and trends, adjusted, as necessary, to reflect the impact of current conditions; and (iii) general valuation allowances determined in accordance with ASC Topic 450 based on general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to the Bank and the Company.

 

The allowances established for probable losses on specific loans are based on a regular analysis and evaluation of problem loans. Loans are classified based on an internal credit risk grading process that evaluates, among other things: (i) the obligor’s ability to repay; (ii) the underlying collateral, if any; and (iii) the economic environment and industry in which the borrower operates. This analysis is performed at the relationship manager level for all commercial loans. When a loan has a calculated grade of 5 or higher, a special assets officer analyzes the loan to determine whether the loan is impaired and, if impaired, the need to specifically allocate a portion of the allowance for loan losses to the loan. Specific valuation allowances are determined by analyzing the borrower’s ability to repay amounts owed, collateral deficiencies, the relative risk grade of the loan and economic conditions affecting the borrower’s industry, among other things.

 

Historical valuation allowances are calculated based on the historical loss experience of specific types of loans and the internal risk grade of such loans at the time they were charged-off. The Company calculates historical loss ratios for pools of similar loans with similar characteristics based on the proportion of actual charge-offs experienced to the total population of loans in the pool. The historical loss ratios are periodically updated based on actual charge-off experience. A historical valuation allowance is established for each pool of similar loans based upon the product of the historical loss ratio and the total dollar amount of the loans in the pool. The Company’s pools of similar loans include similarly risk-graded groups of commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, consumer real estate loans and consumer and other loans.

 

 
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General valuation allowances are based on general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to the Bank and the Company. In general, such valuation allowances are determined by evaluating, among other things: (i) the experience, ability and effectiveness of the Bank’s lending management and staff; (ii) the effectiveness of the Bank’s loan policies, procedures and internal controls; (iii) changes in asset quality; (iv) changes in loan portfolio volume; (v) the composition and concentrations of credit; (vi) the impact of competition on loan structuring and pricing; (vii) the effectiveness of the internal loan review function; (viii) the impact of environmental risks on portfolio risks; and (ix) the impact of rising interest rates on portfolio risk. Management evaluates the degree of risk that each one of these components has on the quality of the loan portfolio on a quarterly basis. Each component is determined to have either a high, moderate or low degree of risk. The results are then input into a “general allocation matrix” to determine an appropriate general valuation allowance.  

 

Included in the general valuation allowances are allocations for groups of similar loans with risk characteristics that exceed certain concentration limits established by management. Concentration risk limits have been established, among other things, for certain industry concentrations, large balance and highly leveraged credit relationships that exceed specified risk grades, and loans originated with policy exceptions that exceed specified risk grades.

 

Loans identified as losses by management, internal loan review and/or bank examiners are charged-off. Furthermore, consumer loan accounts are charged-off automatically based on regulatory requirements.

 

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015

 
                                                         

(in thousands)

 

Commercial

   

Commercial

           

Consumer

                         

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

 

Real Estate

   

and Industrial

   

Consumer

   

Residential

   

Agriculture

   

Unallocated

   

Total

 

Beginning balance

  $ 5,920     $ 627     $ 38     $ 426     $ 309     $ 36     $ 7,356  

Charge-offs

    0       0       (3 )     0       0       0       (3 )

Recoveries

    3       0       0       1       0       0       4  

Provision for (reversal of) loan losses

    75       93       9       (29 )     (7 )     59       200  

Ending balance

  $ 5,998     $ 720     $ 44     $ 398     $ 302     $ 95     $ 7,557  
                                                         

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

                                                       

Beginning balance

  $ 5,963     $ 720     $ 42     $ 388     $ 286     $ 135     $ 7,534  

Charge-offs

    -       -       (3 )     -       -       -       (3 )

Recoveries

    1       -       2       -       -       -       3  

(Reversal of) provision for loan losses

    (154 )     (35 )     9       167       (105 )     (7 )     (125 )

Ending balance

  $ 5,810     $ 685     $ 50     $ 555     $ 181     $ 128     $ 7,409  

 

 
23

 

  

The following table details the allowance for loan losses and ending gross loan balances as of March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016 summarized by collective and individual evaluation methods of impairment. 

 

(in thousands)

                                                       
   

Commercial

   

Commercial

           

Consumer

                         

March 31, 2016

 

Real Estate

   

and Industrial

   

Consumer

   

Residential

   

Agriculture

   

Unallocated

   

Total

 

Allowance for loan losses for loans:

                                                       

Individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 680     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0             $ 680  

Collectively evaluated for impairment

    5,318       720       44       398       302       95       6,877  
    $ 5,998     $ 720     $ 44     $ 398     $ 302     $ 95     $ 7,557  
                                                         

Ending gross loan balances:

                                                       

Individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 3,675     $ 318     $ 0     $ 0     $ 2,704     $ 0     $ 6,697  

Individually evaluated purchased credit impaired loans

    387       458       0       0       0       0       845  

Collectively evaluated for impairment

    437,607       71,939       815       32,983       17,341       0       560,685  
    $ 441,669     $ 72,715     $ 815     $ 32,983     $ 20,045     $ 0     $ 568,227  
                                                         

December 31, 2015

                                                       

Allowance for loan losses for loans:

                                                       

Individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 722     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0             $ 722  

Collectively evaluated for impairment

    5,198       627       38       426       309       36       6,634  
    $ 5,920     $ 627     $ 38     $ 426     $ 309     $ 36     $ 7,356  
                                                         

Ending gross loan balances:

                                                       

Individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 2,790     $ 322     $ 0     $ 0     $ 2,704     $ 0     $ 5,816  

Individually evaluated purchased credit impaired loans

    387       478       0       0       0       0       865  

Collectively evaluated for impairment

    419,870       62,976       774       32,588       18,143       0       534,351  
    $ 423,047     $ 63,776     $ 774     $ 32,588     $ 20,847     $ 0     $ 541,032  
                                                         

March 31, 2015

                                                       

Allowance for loan losses for loans:

                                                       

Individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 862     $ 95     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 957  

Collectively evaluated for impairment

    4,948       590       50       555       181       128       6,452  
    $ 5,810     $ 685     $ 50     $ 555     $ 181     $ 128     $ 7,409  
                                                         

Ending gross loan balances:

                                                       

Individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 3,050     $ 1,362     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 4,412  

Collectively evaluated for impairment

    364,506       49,466       857       24,493       9,431       0       448,753  
    $ 367,556     $ 50,828     $ 857     $ 24,493     $ 9,431     $ 0     $ 453,165  

 

 

Changes in the reserve for off-balance-sheet commitments were as follows:

 

(in thousands)

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 238     $ 218  

Provision to operations for off balance sheet commitments

    26       9  

Balance, end of period

  $ 264     $ 227  

  

The method for calculating the reserve for off-balance-sheet loan commitments is based on a reserve percentage which is less than other outstanding loan types because they are at a lower risk level.  This reserve percentage, based on many factors including historical losses and existing economic conditions, is evaluated by management periodically and is applied to the total undisbursed loan commitment balance to calculate the reserve for off-balance-sheet commitments. Reserves for off-balance-sheet commitments are recorded in interest payable and other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  

 

At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, loans carried at $568,227,000 and $541,032,000, respectively, were pledged as collateral on advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank. 

 

 
24

 

 

NOTE 6 – OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED

 

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company owned five properties classified as other real estate totalling $2,066,000, which includes one property consisting of residential land that was written down to a zero balance. Each of these properties was acquired through loan foreclosure, except for one property with a balance of $275,000 that was acquired in the Mother Lode Bank acquisition. The residential land property the Company owned at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, was written down to a zero balance because the public utilities have not been obtainable rendering these land lots unmarketable at this time. There were no sales of OREO property during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

Real estate properties acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are to be sold and are initially recorded at the lower of carrying amount of the loan or fair value of the property at the date of foreclosure less selling costs.  Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed and any subject revisions in the estimate of fair value are reported as adjustment to the carrying value of the real estate, provided the adjusted carrying amount does not exceed the original amount at foreclosure.  Revenues and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in other operating expenses.

 

 

NOTE 7 OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

 

During January 2008, the Bank awarded certain officers a salary continuation plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, the participants will be provided with a fixed annual retirement benefit for ten to twenty years after retirement. The Bank is also responsible for certain pre-retirement death benefits under the Plan. In connection with the implementation of the Plan, the Bank purchased single premium life insurance policies on the life of each of the officers covered under the Plan. The Bank is the owner and partial beneficiary of these life insurance policies. The assets of the Plan, under Internal Revenue Service regulations, are owned by the Bank and are available to satisfy the Company’s general creditors.

 

In August 2001, the Board of Directors of the Bank authorized Director Retirement Plans (“DRP”) with each director. The Bank awarded a director retirement plan to two of its directors in January 2008 and to three of its newest directors in March 2014. Under the DRP, the participants will be provided with a fixed annual retirement benefit for ten years after retirement. The Bank is also responsible for certain pre-retirement death benefits under the DRP. In connection with the implementation of the DRP, the Bank purchased single premium life insurance policies on the life of each director covered under the DRP. The Bank is the owner and partial beneficiary of these life insurance policies. The assets of the DRP, under Internal Revenue Service regulations, are the property of the Bank and are available to satisfy the Bank’s general creditors.

 

Future compensation under both plans is earned for services rendered through retirement. The Bank accrues for the salary continuation liability based on anticipated years of service and vesting schedules provided under the plans. The Bank’s current benefit liability is determined based on vesting and the present value of the benefits at a corresponding discount rate. The discount rate used is an equivalent rate for investment-grade bonds with lives matching those of the service periods remaining for the salary continuation contracts, which average approximately 10 years. The salary continuation liability as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $2,406,000 and $2,440,000, respectively, and is reported in interest payable and other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

  

During January 2008, the Bank purchased $4.7 million in bank owned life insurance policies and entered into split-dollar life insurance agreements with certain officers and directors. During March 2014, the Bank purchased an additional $1.0 million in bank owned life insurance policies and entered into split-dollar life insurance agreements with its three newest directors. In connection with the implementation of the split-dollar agreements, the Bank purchased single premium life insurance policies on the life of each of the officers and directors covered by the split-dollar life insurance agreements. The Bank is the owner of the policies and the partial beneficiary in an amount equal to the cash surrender value of the policies.

 

The combined cash surrender value of all Bank-owned life insurance policies recorded in interest receivable and other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $13,855,000 and $13,747,000 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

 

NOTE 8 — FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Fair values of financial instruments — The consolidated financial statements include various estimated fair value information as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. Such information, which pertains to the Company’s financial instruments, does not purport to represent the aggregate net fair value of the Company. Further, the fair value estimates are based on various assumptions, methodologies, and subjective considerations, which vary widely among different financial institutions and which are subject to change.

 

Fair value measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurement and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follow:

 

Level 1:  Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2:  Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3:  Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

 
25

 

  

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy.  In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.  The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized on the actual date of the event or circumstance that caused the transfer, which generally corresponds with the Company’s quarterly valuation process. There were no transfers between levels during the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 or 2015.

 

Following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities in the tables below:

 

Cash and cash equivalents The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair value and are considered a level 1 valuation.

 

Restricted Equity Securities- The carrying amounts of the stock the Company’s owns in FRB and FHLB approximate their fair value and are considered a level 2 valuation.

 

Loans receivable — For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values. The fair values for other loans (e.g., real estate construction and mortgage, commercial, and installment loans) are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. The allowance for loan losses is considered to be a reasonable estimate of loan discount due to credit risks. The Company’s fair value model takes into account many inputs including current market rates on new loans, the U.S. treasury yield curve, LIBOR yield curve, rate floors, rate ceilings, remaining maturity, and average life based on specific loan type. Net loans are considered to be a level 3 valuation.

 

Deposit liabilities — The fair values estimated for demand deposits (interest and non-interest checking, savings, and certain types of money market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e. their carrying amounts). The carrying amounts for variable-rate, fixed-term money market accounts and certificates of deposit approximate their fair values at the reporting date. Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of the aggregate expected monthly maturities on time deposits. The fair value of deposits is determined by the Company’s internal assets and liabilities modeling system that accounts for various inputs such as decay rates, rate floors, FHLB yield curve, maturities and current rates offered on new accounts. Fair value on deposits is considered a level 3 valuation.

 

Interest receivable and payable - The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate their fair value and are considered to be a level 2 valuation.

 

Off-balance-sheet instruments — Fair values for the Bank’s off-balance-sheet lending commitments are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the credit standing of the counterparties. The Company considers the Bank’s off balance sheet instruments to be a level 3 valuation.

 

 
26

 

  

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments not measured at fair value at March 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

                   

Hierarchy

 

(in thousands)

 

Carrying

   

Fair

   

Valuation

 
   

Amount

   

Value

   

Level

 

Financial assets:

                       

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 159,568       159,568       1  

Restricted equity securities

    3,716       3,716       2  

Loans, net

    557,573       563,237       3  

Interest receivable

    2,304       2,304       2  
                         

Financial liabilities:

                       

Deposits

    (882,440

)

    (745,981

)

    3  

Interest payable

    (29

)

    (29

)

    2  
                         

Off-balance-sheet assets (liabilities):

                       

Commitments and standby letters of credit

            (980

)

    3  

  

 

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments not measured at fair value at December 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

                   

Hierarchy

 

(in thousands)

 

Carrying

   

Fair

   

Valuation

 
   

Amount

   

Value

   

Level

 

Financial assets:

                       

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 190,603     $ 190,603       1  

Restricted equity securities

    3,716       3,716       2  

Loans, net

    530,394       537,761       3  

Interest receivable

    2,420       2,420       2  
                         

Financial liabilities:

                       

Deposits

    (814,691

)

    (725,982

)

    3  

Interest payable

    (36

)

    (36

)

    2  
                         

Off-balance-sheet assets (liabilities):

                       

Commitments and standby letters of credit

            (917

)

    3  

 

 
27

 

  

The following table presents the carrying value of recurring and nonrecurring financial instruments that were measured at fair value and that were still held in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at each respective period end, by level within the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

   

Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2016 Using

 

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2016

   

 

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

   

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

   

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 

Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis:

                               

Available-for-sale securities:

                               

U.S. agencies

  $ 34,912     $ 0     $ 34,912     $ 0  

Collateralized mortgage obligations

    2,568       0       2,568       0  

Municipalities

    73,520       0       73,520       0  

SBA pools

    794       0       794       0  

Corporate debt

    17,131       0       17,131       0  

Asset backed securities

    12,269       0       12,269       0  

Mutual fund

    3,067       3,067       0       0  
                                 

Assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis:

                               

Impaired loans:

                               

Land

  $ 380     $ 0     $ 0     $ 380  

Other real estate owned

    2,066       0       0       2,066  

  

 

   

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015 Using

 

(in thousands)

 

December 31,
2015

   

 

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

   

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

   

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 

Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis:

                               

Available-for-sale securities

                               

U.S. agencies

  $ 32,868     $ 0     $ 32,868     $ 0  

Collateralized mortgage obligations

    2,719       0       2,719       0  

Municipalities

    68,586       0       68,586       0  

SBA pools

    806       0       806       0  

Corporate debt

    13,420       0       10,944       2,476  

Asset backed securities

    10,138       0       10,138       0  

Mutual fund

    3,009       3,009       0       0  
                                 

Assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis:

                               

Impaired loans:

                               

Land

  $ 1,965     $ 0     $ 0     $ 1,965  

Other real estate owned

  $ 2,066     $ 0     $ 0     $ 2,066  

 

 
28

 

  

Following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value.

 

Available-for-sale securities - Investment securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted market prices, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for 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 include asset-backed securities in less liquid markets where significant inputs are unobservable.

 

Impaired loans - ASC Topic 820 applies to loans measured for impairment using the practical expedients permitted by ASC Topic 310, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan. The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired and an allowance for loan losses is established. Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired. Impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral less the cost related to liquidation of the collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, the Company records the impaired loan as non-recurring Level 3. Likewise, when an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the Company records the impaired loan as non-recurring Level 3.

 

Other Real Estate Owned - Other real estate assets (“OREO”) acquired through, or in lieu of, foreclosure are held-for-sale and are initially recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, less selling costs. Any write-downs to fair value at the time of transfer to OREO are charged to the allowance for loan losses, subsequent to foreclosure. Appraisals or evaluations are then done periodically thereafter charging any additional write-downs or valuation allowances to the appropriate expense accounts. Values are derived from appraisals of underlying collateral and discounted cash flow analysis. OREO is classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.

 

Net realizable value of the underlying collateral is the fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs and any prior liens. Appraisals, recent comparable sales, offers and listing prices are factored in when valuing the collateral. We review and verify the qualifications and licenses of the certified general appraisers used for appraising commercial properties or certified residential appraisers for residential properties. Real estate appraisals may utilize a combination of approaches including replacement cost, sales comparison and the income approach. Comparable sales and income data are analyzed by the appraisers and adjusted to reflect differences between them and the subject property such as type, leasing status and physical condition. When the appraisals are received, Management reviews the assumptions and methodology utilized in the appraisal, as well as the overall resulting value in conjunction with independent data sources such as recent market data and industry-wide statistics. We generally use a 6% discount for selling costs which is applied to all properties, regardless of size. Appraised values may be adjusted to reflect changes in market conditions that have occurred subsequent to the appraisal date, or for revised estimates regarding the timing or cost of the property sale. These adjustments are based on qualitative judgments made by management on a case-by-case basis.

 

There have been no significant changes in the valuation techniques during the period ended March 31, 2016. 

 

 
29

 

  

NOTE 9 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Earnings per share (“EPS”) are based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. The following table shows: (1) weighted average basic shares, (2) effect of dilutive securities related to stock options and non-vested restricted stock, and (3) weighted average shares of common stock and common stock equivalents. Net income available to common stockholders is calculated as net income reduced by dividends accumulated on preferred stock, if any. Basic EPS are calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period, excluding unvested restricted stock awards. Diluted EPS are calculated using the weighted average diluted shares, which reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. The dilutive shares included in year-to-date diluted EPS is a weighted average of the dilutive shares included in each quarterly diluted EPS computation under the treasury stock method. We have two forms of outstanding common stock: common stock and unvested restricted stock awards. Holders of restricted stock awards receive non-forfeitable dividends at the same rate as common stockholders and they both share equally in undistributed earnings. Therefore, under the two class method the difference in EPS is not significant for these participating securities.

 

The Company’s calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are reflected in the table below.

 

   

THREE MONTHS ENDED

 

(In thousands)

 

MARCH 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE

               
                 

Net income

  $ 1,509     $ 1,526  

Weighted average shares outstanding

    8,009       7,972  

Net income per common share

  $ 0.19     $ 0.19  
                 

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

               
                 

Net income

  $ 1,509     $ 1,526  

Weighted average shares outstanding

    8,009       7,972  

Effect of dilutive stock options

    1       2  

Effect of dilutive non-vested restricted shares

    42       51  

Weighted average shares of common stock and common stock equivalents

    8,052       8,025  

Net income per diluted common share

  $ 0.19     $ 0.19  

  

During the three month period ended March 31, 2016, anti-dilutive weighted average options to purchase 28,511 shares of common stock were outstanding, with prices ranging from $9.95 to $15.00. Anti-dilutive weighted average stock options of 54,250 were outstanding during the three month period of 2015, with prices ranging from $10.85 to $15.67. These options were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares. These options begin to expire in 2016.

 

There were no anti-dilutive non-vested restricted stock grants for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.  

 

 

 
30

 

 

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

 

The following discussion explains the significant factors affecting our operations and financial position for the periods presented. The discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes related thereto which appear or that are referenced to elsewhere in this report, and with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended. Average balances, including balances used in calculating certain financial ratios, are generally comprised of average daily balances.

  

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. This discussion and analysis includes executive management’s (“Management”) insight of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations of Oak Valley Bancorp and its subsidiary.  Unless otherwise stated, the “Company” refers to the consolidated entity, Oak Valley Bancorp, while the “Bank” refers to Oak Valley Community Bank.

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Some matters discussed in this Form 10-Q may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and therefore may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements.  These statements generally appear with words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “may,” “intend,” and “expect.”  Although management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ from results discussed in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: economic conditions (both generally and in the markets where the Company operates); competition from other providers of financial services offered by the Company; changes in government regulation and legislation; changes in interest rates; material unforeseen changes in the financial stability and liquidity of the Company’s credit customers; risks associated with concentrations in real estate related loans; changes in accounting standards and interpretations; and other risks as may be detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are difficult to predict and which may be beyond the control of the Company or the Company.  The Company undertakes no obligation to revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or changes after the date of this discussion or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

 Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

 

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

Management has determined the following five accounting policies to be critical:

 

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

Accounting for allowance for loan losses involves significant judgment and assumptions by management and is based on historical data and management’s view of the current economic environment. At least on a quarterly basis, our management reviews the methodology and adequacy of allowance for loan losses and reports its assessment to the Board of Directors for its review and approval.

 

We base our allowance for loan losses on an estimation of probable losses inherent in our loan portfolio. Our methodology for assessing loan loss allowances are intended to reduce the differences between estimated and actual losses and involves a detailed analysis of our loan portfolio in three phases:

 

the specific review of individual loans,

 

the segmenting and review of loan pools with similar characteristics, and

 

our judgmental estimate based on various subjective factors.

 

The first phase of our methodology involves the specific review of individual loans to identify and measure impairment. We evaluate each loan by use of a risk rating system, except for homogeneous loans, such as automobile loans and home mortgages. Specific risk rated loans are deemed impaired if all amounts, including principal and interest, will likely not be collected in accordance with the contractual terms of the related loan agreement. Impairment for commercial and real estate loans is measured either based on the present value of the loan’s expected future cash flows or, if collection on the loan is collateral dependent, the estimated fair value of the collateral, less selling and holding costs.

 

 
31

 

  

The second phase involves the segmenting of the remainder of the risk rated loan portfolio into groups or pools of loans, together with loans with similar characteristics, for evaluation. We determine the calculated loss ratio to each loan pool based on its historical net losses and benchmark it against the levels of other peer banks.

 

In the third phase, we consider relevant internal and external factors that may affect the collectability of loan portfolio and each group of loan pool. The factors considered are, but are not limited to:

  

concentration of credits,

 

nature and volume of the loan portfolio,

 

delinquency trends,

 

non-accrual loan trend,

 

problem loan trend,

 

loss and recovery trend,

 

quality of loan review,

 

lending and management staff,

 

lending policies and procedures,

 

economic and business conditions, and

 

other external factors, including regulatory review.

 

Our management estimates the probable effect of such conditions based on our judgment, experience and known or anticipated trends. Such estimation may be reflected as an additional allowance to each group of loans, if necessary. Management reviews these conditions with our senior credit officers. To the extent that any of these conditions is evidenced by a specifically identifiable problem credit or portfolio segment as of the evaluation date, management’s estimate of the effect of such condition may be reflected as a specific allowance applicable to such credit or portfolio segment. Where any of these conditions is not evidenced by a specific, identifiable problem credit or portfolio segment as of the evaluation date, management’s evaluation of the inherent loss related to such condition is reflected in the unallocated allowance.

 

Central to our credit risk management and our assessment of appropriate loss allowance is our loan risk rating system. Under this system, the originating credit officer assigns borrowers an initial risk rating based on a thorough analysis of each borrower’s financial capacity in conjunction with industry and economic trends. Approvals are made based upon the amount of inherent credit risk specific to the transaction and are reviewed for appropriateness by senior line and credit administration personnel. Credits are monitored by line and credit administration personnel for deterioration in a borrower’s financial condition which may impact the ability of the borrower to perform under the contract. Although management has allocated a portion of the allowance to specific loans, specific loan pools, and off-balance sheet credit exposures (which are reported separately as part of other liabilities), the adequacy of the allowance is considered in its entirety.

 

Non-Accrual Loan Policy

 

Interest on loans is credited to income as earned and is accrued only if deemed collectible. Accrual of interest is discontinued when a loan is over 90 days delinquent or if management believes that collection is highly uncertain. Generally, payments received on non-accrual loans are recorded as principal reductions. Interest income is recognized after all principal has been repaid or an improvement in the condition of the loan has occurred that would warrant resumption of interest accruals. Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due.

 

Asset Impairment Judgments

 

Certain of our assets are carried in our consolidated balance sheets at fair value or at the lower of cost or fair value. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to recognize impairment of such assets. We periodically perform analyses to test for impairment of various assets. In addition to our impairment analyses related to loans, another significant impairment analysis relates to other than temporary declines in the value of our securities.

 

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 and are carried at fair value or below. Appraisals are done periodically on impaired loans and if required an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral less the cost related to liquidation of the collateral. In some circumstances, an impaired loan may be charged off to bring the carrying value to fair value.

 

 
32

 

  

Other real estate assets (“OREO”) acquired through, or in lieu of, foreclosure are held-for-sale and are initially recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, less selling costs. Any write-downs to fair value at the time of transfer to OREO are charged to the allowance for loan losses, subsequent to foreclosure. Appraisals or evaluations are then done periodically and any subsequent declines in the fair value of the OREO property after the date of transfer are recorded through a write-down of the asset. Any subsequent operating expenses or income, reduction in estimated fair values, and gains or losses on disposition of such properties are charged or credited to current operations.

 

Net realizable value of the underlying collateral is the fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs and any prior liens. Appraisals, recent comparable sales, offers and listing prices are factored in when valuing the collateral. We review and verify the qualifications and licenses of the certified general appraisers used for appraising commercial properties or certified residential appraisers for residential properties. Real estate appraisals may utilize a combination of approaches including replacement cost, sales comparison and the income approach. Comparable sales and income data are analyzed by the appraisers and adjusted to reflect differences between them and the subject property such as type, leasing status and physical condition. When the appraisals are received, Management reviews the assumptions and methodology utilized in the appraisal, as well as the overall resulting value in conjunction with independent data sources such as recent market data and industry-wide statistics. We generally use a 6% discount for selling costs which is applied to all properties, regardless of size. Appraised values may be adjusted to reflect changes in market conditions that have occurred subsequent to the appraisal date, or for revised estimates regarding the timing or cost of the property sale. These adjustments are based on qualitative judgments made by management on a case-by-case basis.

  

Our available for sale portfolio is carried at estimated fair value, with any unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. We conduct a periodic review and evaluation of the securities portfolio to determine if the value of any security has declined below its carrying value and whether such decline is other than temporary. If such decline is deemed other than temporary, we would adjust the carrying amount of the security by writing down the security to fair market value through a charge to current period income. The market values of our securities are significantly affected by changes in interest rates.

 

In general, as interest rates rise, the market value of fixed-rate securities will decrease; as interest rates fall, the market value of fixed-rate securities will increase. With significant changes in interest rates, we evaluate our intent and ability to hold the security for a sufficient time to recover the recorded principal balance. Estimated fair values for securities are based on published or securities dealers’ market values. Market volatility is unpredictable and may impact such values.

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

We use fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. We base our fair values on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Securities available for sale, derivatives, and loans held for sale, if any, are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, we may be required to record certain assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis, such as certain impaired loans held for investment and securities held to maturity that are other-than-temporarily impaired. These non-recurring fair value adjustments typically involve write-downs of individual assets due to application of lower-of-cost or market accounting.

 

We have established and documented a process for determining fair value. We maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements. Whenever there is no readily available market data, management uses its best estimate and assumptions in determining fair value, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management's judgment. As a result, if other assumptions had been used, our recorded earnings or disclosures could have been materially different from those reflected in these financial statements.

 

Business combinations and related matters

 

Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Under the acquisition method the acquiring entity in a business combination recognizes 100 percent of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, regardless of the percentage owned, at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets and other identifiable intangible assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed from contingencies must also be recognized at fair value, if the fair value can be determined during the measurement period. Results of operations of an acquired business are included in the statement of operations from the date of acquisition. Acquisition-related costs, including conversion charges, are expensed as incurred. The Company applied this guidance to the acquisition of Mother Lode Bank that was consummated on December 23, 2015.

 

Income Taxes

 

Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be realized or settled using the liability method. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes.

 

 
33

 

  

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and the state of California. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state/local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2011.

 

 

 

Introduction

 

Effective July 3, 2008, Oak Valley Community Bank became a subsidiary of Oak Valley Bancorp, a newly established bank holding company. Oak Valley Bancorp operates Oak Valley Community Bank as a community bank in the general commercial banking business, with our primary market encompassing the California Central Valley around Oakdale and Modesto, and the Eastern Sierras. As such, unless otherwise noted, all references are about Oak Valley Bancorp (the “Company”).

 

Oak Valley Community Bank commenced operations in May 1991.  We are an insured bank under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and are a member of the Federal Reserve.  Since its formation, the Bank has provided basic banking services to individuals and business enterprises in Oakdale, California and the surrounding areas. The focus of the Bank is to offer a range of commercial banking services designed for both individuals and small to medium-sized businesses in the two main areas of service of the Company: the Central Valley and the Eastern Sierras.

 

The Bank offers a complement of business checking and savings accounts for its business customers.  The Bank also offers commercial and real estate loans, as well as lines of credit.  Real estate loans are generally of a short-term nature for both residential and commercial purposes.  Longer-term real estate loans are generally made with adjustable interest rates and contain normal provisions for acceleration.  In addition, the Bank offers traditional residential mortgages through a third party.

 

The Bank also offers other services for both individuals and businesses including online banking, remote deposit capture, merchant services, night depository, extended hours, traveler’s checks, wire transfer of funds, note collection, and automated teller machines in a national network.  The Bank does not currently offer international banking or trust services although the Bank may make such services available to the Bank’s customers through financial institutions with which the Bank has correspondent banking relationships.  The Bank does not offer stock transfer services nor does it directly issue credit cards.

 

 

Overview of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

The purpose of this summary is to provide an overview of the items management focuses on when evaluating the condition of the Company and its success in implementing its business and shareholder value strategies. The Company’s business strategy is to operate the Bank as a well-capitalized, profitable and independent community oriented bank.  The Company’s shareholder value strategy has three major objectives: (1) enhancing shareholder value; (2) making its retail banking franchise more valuable; and (3) efficiently utilizing its capital.

 

Management believes the following were important factors in the Company’s performance during the three month period ended March 31, 2016:

 

 

The Company recognized net income of $1,509,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2016, as compared to $1,526,000 for the same period in 2015.  The factors contributing to these results will be discussed below.

 

 

 

The Company recognized loan loss provisions of $200,000, primarily due to strong loan growth during the first quarter of 2016, which compares to a $125,000 reversal of loan loss provisions during the three month period of 2015 due to a pay-off of an impaired loan.

 

 

Net interest income increased $1,341,000 or 21.6% for the three month period ended March 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015.  The increase was primarily due to the organic growth of our loan and investment security portfolios, and the $42,831,000 in loans acquired from the Mother Lode Bank acquisition.

 

 

Non-interest income increased by $10,000 or 1.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the same period in 2015. The increase was primarily from the incremental service charge fee income recognized on the Mother Lode Bank deposit accounts, which was offset in part by nonrecurring gains on called securities recorded in the first quarter of 2015.

 

 

Non-interest expense increased by $1,088,000 or 21.3% for the three month period ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the same period in 2015. The increase was mainly due to an increase in staffing necessary to support the loan and deposit growth and the opening of our Sonora branch in December 2015, as well as a $193,000 nonrecurring impaired loan expense recovery recorded during the first quarter of 2015. .

 

 

Total assets increased $8,712,000 or 1.0% from December 31, 2015.  Total net loans increased by $27,179,000 or 5.1% and investment securities increased by $12,715,000 or 9.7% from December 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016, while deposits increased by $7,749,000 or 1.0% for the same period.

  

 
34

 

  

Income Summary

 

For the three month period ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded net income of $1,509,000, representing a decrease of $17,000, as compared to the same period in 2015.  Return on average assets (annualized) was 0.67% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to 0.82%, for the same period in 2015.  Annualized return on average common equity was 7.68% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to 8.22% for the same period of 2015.

 

Net income before provisions for income taxes decreased $62,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2016, from the comparable 2015 period.  The income statement components of these variances are as follows:

 

 

Pre-Tax Income Variance Summary:

 

   

Effect on Pre-Tax

Income

 
(In thousands)  

Increase (Decrease)

 
   

Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31, 2016

 

Change from 2015 to 2016 in:

       

Net interest income

  $ 1,341  

Provision for loan losses

    (325 )

Non-interest income

    10  

Non-interest expense

    (1,088 )

Change in net income before income taxes

  $ (62 )

 

These variances will be explained in the discussion below.

 

 

Net Interest Income

 

Net interest income is the largest source of the Company’s operating income.  For the three month period ended March 31, 2016, net interest income was $7,542,000, which represented an increase of $1,341,000 or 21.6% from the comparable period in 2015. The increase is primarily due to organic loan growth while the revenue recognized from loans and deposits acquired from Mother Lode Bank further contributed.

 

The net interest margin (net interest income as a percentage of average interest earning assets) was 3.76% for the three month period ended March 31, 2016, which increased compared to 3.74% for the same period in 2015. Overall, the Company has experienced net interest margin compression since the economic downturn in 2010 for several reasons: 1) deposit interest rates have essentially reached a threshold in which they cannot reasonably be further reduced, 2) competition in the lending market has driven new loan rates down, 3) loan and investment portfolio yields continue to decrease due to contractual repricing and 4) deposit growth has out-paced loan growth and the elevated interest-bearing cash balances, which yield approximately 0.50%, have compressed our net interest margin. The net interest margin has stabilized over the past two quarters due to a shift in the earning asset mix from cash balances into new loan fundings and investment security purchases that earn a higher yield despite the continued compression of loan and investment yields .

 

Earning asset yield increased by 1 basis point for the three month period ended March 31, 2016, compared to the same period of 2015. The yield on loans has begun to stabilize due to the positive impact of the December 2015 interest rate hike on floating rate loans but still decreased by 5 basis points for the first quarter of 2016, as compared to 2015. This decrease in loan yield was primarily a result of competitive pressure on the pricing of new loan fundings. The drop in loan yield was offset by deploying a portion of the low yielding cash equivalent balances into the loan and investment portfolios which recognized average balance increases of $96.9 million and $19.2 million, respectively, in the three month period of 2016 as compared to 2015.

 

The cost of funds on interest-bearing liabilities recognized a moderate decrease of 1 basis point for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the same periods of 2015 mainly due to certificate of deposit accounts that matured and renewed at lower rates. In addition, average non-interest-bearing demand deposit balances increased by $143.1 million, for the three month period ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the same period of 2015, much of which was a result of the accounts acquired from Mother Lode Bank.  

 

 
35

 

  

The following tables shows the relative impact of changes in average balances of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, and interest rates earned and paid by the Company on those assets and liabilities for the three month period ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

Net Interest Analysis

 

   

Three months ended

   

Three months ended

 
   

March 31, 2016

   

March 31, 2015

 
             

(in thousands)

 

Average

Balance

   

Interest

Income /

Expense

   

Avg

Rate/

Yield

   

Average

Balance

   

Interest

Income /

Expense

   

Avg

Rate/

Yield

 

Assets:

                                               

Earning assets:

                                               

Gross loans (1) (2)

  $ 553,048     $ 6,551       4.75 %   $ 456,124     $ 5,403       4.80 %

Investment securities (2)

    137,477       1,228       3.58 %     118,296       1,083       3.71 %

Federal funds sold

    7,783       9       0.46 %     12,466       7       0.23 %

Interest-earning deposits

    133,219       176       0.53 %     108,516       67       0.25 %

Total interest-earning assets

    831,527       7,964       3.84 %     695,402       6,560       3.83 %

Total noninterest earning assets

    69,744                       60,002                  

Total assets

    901,271                       755,404                  

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:

                                               

Interest-bearing liabilities:

                                               

Interest-earning DDA

    20,393       2       0.04 %     15,953       1       0.03 %

Money market deposits

    291,806       78       0.11 %     256,033       67       0.11 %

NOW deposits

    131,289       23       0.07 %     111,037       19       0.07 %

Savings deposits

    74,211       25       0.14 %     42,310       11       0.11 %

Time certificates of deposit $250,000 or more

    16,616       17       0.41 %     10,647       8       0.30 %

Other time deposits

    33,810       23       0.27 %     37,907       45       0.48 %

Other borrowings

    38       0       0.00 %     28       0       0.00 %

Total interest-bearing liabilities

    568,163       168       0.12 %     473,915       151       0.13 %

Noninterest-bearing liabilities:

                                               

Noninterest-bearing deposits

    250,233                       201,336                  

Other liabilities

    4,028                       4,883                  

Total noninterest-bearing liabilities

    254,261                       206,219                  

Shareholders' equity

    78,847                       75,270                  

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

  $ 901,271                     $ 755,404                  

Net interest income

          $ 7,796                     $ 6,409          

Net interest spread (3)

                    3.72 %                     3.70 %

Net interest margin (4)

                    3.76 %                     3.74 %

 

 

 

(1)  Loan fees have been included in the calculation of interest income.

(2) Yields and interest income on municipal securities and loans have been adjusted to their fully-taxable equivalents, based on a federal marginal tax rate of 34.0%.

(3) Represents the average rate earned on interest-earning assets less the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.

(4) Represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

(5) Annual interest rates are computed by dividing the interest income/expense by the number of days in the period multiplied by 365.

 

 
36

 

 

Shown in the following tables are the relative impacts on net interest income of changes in the average outstanding balances (volume) of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities and the rates earned and paid by the Company on those assets and liabilities for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.  Changes in interest income and expense that are not attributable specifically to either rate or volume are allocated to the rate column below.

 

 

Rate / Volume Variance Analysis

(In thousands)

 

   

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016 vs 2015

 
   

Increase (Decrease)

 
   

in interest income and expense

 

(in thousands)

 

due to changes in:

 
   

Volume

   

Rate

   

Total

 

Interest income:

                       

Gross loans (1) (2)

  $ 1,148     $ 0     $ 1,148  

Investment securities (2)

    208       (63 )     145  

Federal funds sold

    (3 )     5       2  

Interest-earning deposits

    15       94       109  

Total interest income

  $ 1,368     $ 36     $ 1,404  
                         

Interest expense:

                       

Interest-earning DDA

  $ -     $ 1     $ 1  

Money market deposits

    9       2       11  

NOW deposits

    3       1       4  

Savings deposits

    8       6       14  

Time CD $250K or more

    4       5       9  

Other time deposits

    (5 )     (17 )     (22 )

Other borrowings

    0       0       0  

Total interest expense

  $ 19     $ (2 )   $ 17  
                         

Change in net interest income

  $ 1,349     $ 38     $ 1,387  

 

 

(1) Loan fees have been included in the calculation of interest income.

(2) Interest income on municipal securities and loans has been adjusted to their fully-taxable equivalents, based on a federal marginal tax rate of 34.0%.

 

 

The table above reflects how the current low interest rate environment has impacted security yields adversely but overall the interest rate hike in December 2015 has impacted assets more than liabilities as indicated by the increase of $38,000 in net interest income due to the rate change for the first quarter of 2016.  The increase in earning asset balances combined with the overall change in mix of balances resulted in an increase of $1,349,000 to net interest income over the same period.

 

 

 

 Non-Interest Income

 

Non-interest income represents service charges on deposit accounts and other non-interest related charges and fees, including fees from mortgage commissions and investment service fee income.  For the three month period ended March 31, 2016, non-interest income was $1,037,000, representing an increase of $10,000 or 1.0%, compared to the same period in 2015.

 

 
37

 

 

 

The following tables show the major components of non-interest income:

 

(in thousands)

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

$ change

   

% change

 

Service charges on deposits

  $ 333     $ 312     $ 21       6.7 %

Earnings on cash surrender value of life insurance

    108       108       0       0.0 %

Mortgage commissions

    46       45       1       2.2 %

Gains on calls and sales of securities

    6       109       (103 )     (94.5% )

Other income

    544       453       91       20.1 %

Total non-interest income

  $ 1,037     $ 1,027     $ 10       1.0 %

 

 

Service charges on deposits increased by $21,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the same periods in 2015, as a result of the deposit accounts acquired from Mother Lode Bank.

 

Mortgage commissions increased by $1,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the same period of 2015, as the demand for home purchases and refinancing has stabilized.

 

Net gain on sales and calls of securities decreased by $103,000 in the first quarter of 2016, as compared to the same period in 2015, mainly due to a large nonrecurring call of one security recorded last year.

 

Other income increased by $91,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the same period of 2015, mainly as a result of the increase of $50,000 in debit card fee income as the number of transaction deposit accounts has increased.

 

 

Non-Interest Expense

 

Non-interest expense represents salaries and benefits, occupancy expenses, professional expenses, outside services, and other miscellaneous expenses necessary to conduct business.

 

The following tables show the major components of non-interest expenses:

 

(in thousands)

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

$ change

   

% change

 

Salaries and employee benefits

  $ 3,355     $ 2,983     $ 372       12.5 %

Occupancy

    838       747       91       12.2 %

Data processing fees

    471       353       118       33.4 %

Regulatory assessments (FDIC & DBO)

    157       114       43       37.7 %

Other

    1,366       902       464       51.4 %

Total non-interest expense

  $ 6,187     $ 5,099     $ 1,088       21.3 %

 

 

Non-interest expenses increased by $1,088,000 or 21.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the same period of 2015.  Salaries and employee benefits increased $372,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the same period of 2015, primarily due to full time equivalent staffing increase from 148 to 164 to support continued loan and deposit growth and the opening of our Sonora branch in December 2015.

 

Data processing fees increased by $118,000 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016, as a result of an increased number of transaction accounts including the accounts acquired from Mother Lode Bank. Other expense increased by $464,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, mainly as a result of a $193,000 recovery of impaired loan expense recorded during the first quarter of 2015, corresponding to the payoff of a non-performing loan. Also included in other expense during the first quarter of 2016, was related merger expenses and core deposit intangible amortization associated with the Mother Lode Bank acquisition totaling $58,000 and $42,000, respectively.

 

FDIC and DBO (California Department of Business Oversight) regulatory assessments increased by $43,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the same period in 2015.  The initial base assessment rate for financial institutions varies based on the overall risk profile of the institution as defined by the FDIC. The assessment rate remained at a relatively lower level than peer institutions due to our stable risk profile, but was offset by a higher deposit base in 2016 as compared to 2015, as the FDIC assessment rates are applied to average quarterly total liabilities as the primary basis.

 

 
38

 

 

Occupancy expenses increased by $91,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the same period of 2015, which is primarily due to the rent expense and general overhead associated with the Sonora branch which opened in December 2015.

 

Management anticipates that non-interest expense will continue to increase as we continue to grow.  However, management remains committed to cost-control and efficiency, and we expect to keep these increases to a minimum relative to growth.

 

 

Income Taxes

 

We reported a provision for income taxes of $683,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2016, representing a decrease of $45,000 as compared to the provisions reported in the comparable period of 2015. The effective income tax rate on income from continuing operations was 31.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to 32.3% for the comparable period of 2015. These provisions reflect accruals for taxes at the applicable rates for federal income tax and California franchise tax based upon reported pre-tax income, and adjusted for the effects of all permanent differences between income for tax and financial reporting purposes (such as earnings on qualified municipal securities, BOLI and certain tax-exempt loans). The disparity between the effective tax rates for 2016 as compared to 2015 is primarily due to tax credits from California Enterprise Zones and low income housing projects as well as tax free-income on loans within these enterprise zones and municipal securities and loans that comprise a larger proportion of pre-tax income in 2016 as compared to 2015.

  

 

Asset Quality

 

Non-performing assets consist of loans on non-accrual status, including loans restructured on non-accrual status, where the terms of repayment have been renegotiated resulting in a reduction or deferral of interest or principal, loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest and other real estate owned (“OREO”).

 

Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when they become 90 days past due, unless management believes the loan is adequately collateralized and in the process of collection. The past due loans may or may not be adequately collateralized, but collection efforts are continuously pursued. Loans may be restructured by management when a borrower has experienced some changes in financial status, causing an inability to meet the original repayment terms, and where we believe the borrower will eventually overcome those circumstances and repay the loan in full. OREO consists of properties acquired by foreclosure or similar means and which management intends to offer for sale.

 

Non-accrual loans totaled $6.70 million at March 31, 2016, as compared to $5.82 million at December 31, 2015.  The non-accrual loans as of March 31, 2016 are loans made to five borrowers primarily for purposes of agriculture and commercial real estate. As of March 31, 2016, we had five loans considered troubled debt restructurings totaling $2.77 million, all of which are included in non-accrual loans.

 

OREO as of March 31, 2016 consisted of five properties, one of which was a residential land acquired through foreclosure that was written down to a zero balance because the public utilities have not been obtainable rendering these land lots unmarketable at this time. The other OREO properties consisted of two commercial real estate properties and one residential property totaling $1,791,000 that were acquired through foreclosure and one residential land property with a balance of $275,000 that was acquired from Mother Lode Bank.

 

The following table presents information about the Bank’s non-performing assets, including asset quality ratios as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

 

Non-Performing Assets

 

(in thousands)

 

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Loans in non-accrual status

  $ 6,697     $ 5,816  

Loans past due 90 days or more and accruing

    0       0  

Total non-performing loans

    6,697       5,816  

Other real estate owned

    2,066       2,066  

Total non-performing assets

  $ 8,763     $ 7,882  
                 

Allowance for loan losses

  $ 7,557     $ 7,534  
                 

Asset quality ratios:

               

Non-performing assets to total assets

    0.97

%

    0.88

%

Non-performing loans to total loans

    1.18

%

    1.07

%

Allowance for loan losses to total loans

    1.33

%

    1.36

%

Allowance for loan losses to total non-performing loans

    112.8

%

    126.5

%

 

Non-performing assets increased by $881,000 as of March 31, 2016, as compared to December 31, 2015, as a result of 3 loans from one borrower totaling $1,182,000 that were placed on non-accrual status which was offset by principal payments totaling $300,000 during the first quarter of 2016. There were no fair value adjustments to OREO properties during the first three months of 2016, as the Company continued to hold the five properties mentioned above.

 

 
39

 

 

 

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (“ALLL”)

 

Due to credit risk inherent in our lending business, we routinely set aside allowances through charges to earnings. Such charges are not only made for the outstanding loan portfolio, but also for off-balance sheet items, such as commitments to extend credits or letters of credit. Charges made for the outstanding loan portfolio have been credited to the allowance for loan losses, whereas charges for off-balance sheet items have been credited to the reserve for off-balance sheet items, which is presented as a component of other liabilities.  The Company recorded loan loss provisions of $200,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to a $125,000 reversal of loan loss provisions for the three months ended March 31, 2015 .

 

The allowance for loan losses increased by $201,000 or 2.7%, to $7,557,000 at March 31, 2016, as compared to $7,356,000 at December 31, 2015.  The Company recognized the increase in the allowance for loan losses during the first three months of the year due to the $200,000 loan loss provision as previously described, and the net loan recovery of $1,000. The increase to the allowance for loan losses was outpaced by the increase in gross loans resulting in a decrease in the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans to 1.33% at March 31, 2016, as compared to 1.36% at December 31, 2015.

 

The Company will continue to monitor the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and make additions to the allowance in accordance with the analysis referred to above. Because of uncertainties inherent in estimating the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses, actual results may differ from management’s estimate of credit losses and the related allowance.

 

The Company makes provisions for loan losses when required to bring the total allowance for loan and lease losses to a level deemed appropriate for the level of risk in the loan portfolio.  At least quarterly, management conducts an assessment of the overall quality of the loan portfolio and general economic trends in the local market.  The determination of the appropriate level for the allowance is based on that review, considering such factors as historical experience, the volume and type of lending conducted, the amount of and identified potential loss associated with specific non-performing loans, regulatory policies, general economic conditions, and other factors related to the collectability of loans in the portfolio.

 

Although management believes the allowance at March 31, 2016 was adequate to absorb probable losses from any known and inherent risks in the portfolio, no assurance can be given that the adverse effect of current and future economic conditions on our service areas, or other variables, will not result in increased losses in the loan portfolio in the future.

 

 

Investment Activities

 

Investments are a key source of interest income. Management of our investment portfolio is set in accordance with strategies developed and overseen by our Investment Committee. Investment balances, including cash equivalents and interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions, are subject to change over time based on our asset/liability funding needs and interest rate risk management objectives. Our liquidity levels take into consideration anticipated future cash flows and all available sources of credits, and are maintained at levels management believes are appropriate to assure future flexibility in meeting anticipated funding needs.

 

Cash Equivalents

 

The Company holds federal funds sold, unpledged available-for-sale securities and salable government guaranteed loans to help meet liquidity requirements and provide temporary holdings until the funds can be otherwise deployed or invested. As of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, we had $159,568,000 and $190,603,000, respectively, in cash and cash equivalents.

 

Investment Securities

 

Management of our investment securities portfolio focuses on providing an adequate level of liquidity and establishing an interest rate-sensitive position, while earning an adequate level of investment income without taking undue risk. Investment securities that we intend to hold until maturity are classified as held-to-maturity securities, and all other investment securities are classified as available-for-sale.  Currently, all of our investment securities are classified as available-for-sale. The carrying values of available-for-sale investment securities are adjusted for unrealized gains or losses as a valuation allowance and any gain or loss is reported on an after-tax basis as a component of other comprehensive income.

 

Management has evaluated the investment securities portfolio to determine if the impairment of any security in an unrealized loss position is temporary or other than temporary.  We conduct a periodic review and evaluation of the securities portfolio to determine if the value of any security has declined below its carrying value. If such decline is deemed other than temporary, we would adjust the carrying amount of the security by writing down the security to fair value through a charge to current period income or a charge to accumulated other comprehensive income depending on the nature of the impairment and managements intent or requirement to sell the security. Management has determined that no investment security is other than temporarily impaired.  The unrealized losses are due primarily to interest rate changes.

 

 
40

 

 

Deposits

 

Total deposits at March 31, 2016 were $822,440,000, a $7,749,000 or 1.0% increase from the deposit total of $814,691,000 at December 31, 2015.  Average deposits increased $143,135,000 to $818,358,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015, due in part to the $71,125,000 acquired from Mother Lode Bank in December 2015. We attracted deposits due to the safety and soundness of the Bank and our focus on customer service.

 

Deposits Outstanding

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

   

Three month change

 

(in thousands)

 

2016

   

2015

    $    

%

 
                                 

Demand

  $ 260,873     $ 279,367     $ (18,494 )     (6.6% )

NOW

    145,825       130,674       15,151       11.6 %

MMDA

    290,558       282,449       8,109       2.9 %

Savings

    74,682       71,627       3,055       4.3 %

Time < $250K

    33,881       35,482       (1,601 )     (4.5% )

Time > $250K

    16,621       15,092       1,529       10.1 %
                                 
    $ 822,440     $ 814,691     $ 7,749       1.0 %

 

 

Because our client base is comprised primarily of commercial and industrial accounts, individual account balances are generally higher than those of consumer-oriented banks. Five of our clients carry deposit balances of more than 1% of our total deposits, one of which had a deposit balance of more than 3% of total deposits at March 31, 2016.

 

Since our deposit growth strategy emphasizes core deposit growth we have avoided relying on brokered deposits as a consistent source of funds. The Company had $75,000 and $1,001,000 in brokered deposits as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The only brokered deposits the Bank holds are from CDARS and ICS, a certificate of deposit and money market account program, respectively, that exchanges funds with other network banks to offer full FDIC insurance coverage to the customer.

  

 

Borrowings

 

Although deposits are the primary source of funds for our lending and investment activities and for general business purposes, we may obtain advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB”) as an alternative to retail deposit funds. Our outstanding FHLB advances remained a zero balance at December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016, as we continue to rely on deposit growth as our primary source of funding. See “Liquidity Management” below for the details on the FHLB borrowings program.

 

 

Capital Ratios

 

The Company is regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) and is subject to the securities registration and public reporting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a California-state chartered bank, our banking subsidiary is subject to primary supervision, examination and regulation by the California Department of Business Oversight (DBO) and the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board is the primary federal regulator of state member banks. The Bank is also subject to regulation by the FDIC, which insures the Bank’s deposits as permitted by law. We are not aware of any recommendations of regulatory authorities or otherwise which, if they were to be implemented, would have a material effect on our liquidity, capital resources, or operations.

 

The Company must comply with regulatory capital requirements established by the FRB. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Our capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. These capital standards require us to maintain minimum ratios of “Tier 1” capital to total risk-weighted assets and total capital to risk-weighted assets of 6.00% and 8.00%, respectively. Tier 1 capital is comprised of total shareholders’ equity calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), less intangible assets, and total capital is comprised of Tier 1 capital plus certain adjustments, the largest of which is our allowance for loan losses. Risk-weighted assets refer to our on- and off-balance sheet exposures, adjusted for their related risk levels using formulas set forth in FRB and FDIC regulations.

 

 
41

 

 

In addition to the risk-based capital requirements described above, we are subject to a leverage capital requirement, which calls for a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital (as defined above) to quarterly average total assets of 4.00%.

 

In July 2013, the U.S. banking agencies approved the U.S. version of Basel III. The federal bank regulatory agencies adopted version of Basel III revises the risk-based and leverage capital requirements and the method for calculating risk-weighted assets to make them consistent with Basel III and to meet the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. Although many of the rules contained in these final regulations are applicable only to large, internationally active banks, some of them will apply on a phased in basis to all banking organizations, including the Company and the Bank. Among other things, the rules establish a new minimum common equity Tier 1 ratio (4.5% of risk-weighted assets), a higher minimum Tier 1 risk-based capital requirement (6.0% of risk-weighted assets) and a minimum non-risk-based leverage ratio (4.00% eliminating a 3.00% exception for higher rated banks). The new additional capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk weighted assets over each of the required capital ratios will be phased in from 2016 to 2019 and must be met to avoid limitations on the ability of the Bank to pay dividends, repurchase shares or pay discretionary bonuses. The additional “countercyclical capital buffer” is also required for larger and more complex institutions. The new rules assign higher risk weighting to exposures that are more than 90 days past due or are on nonaccrual status and certain commercial real estate facilities that finance the acquisition, development or construction of real property. The rules also change the permitted composition of Tier 1 capital to exclude trust preferred securities, mortgage servicing rights and certain deferred tax assets and include unrealized gains and losses on available for sale debt and equity securities (with a one-time opt out option for Standardized Banks (banks with less than $250 billion of total consolidated assets and less than $10 billion of foreign exposures)). The rules, including alternative requirements for smaller community financial institutions like the Company, would be phased in through 2019. The implementation of the Basel III framework for the Company and the Bank commenced on January 1, 2015.

 

Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can trigger regulatory actions that could have a material adverse effect on our financial statements and operations. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, we must meet specific capital guidelines that rely on quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Our capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

 

 
42

 

 

The following table shows our capital ratios, as calculated under regulatory guidelines, compared to the regulatory minimum capital ratios and the regulatory minimum capital ratios needed to qualify as a “well-capitalized” institution at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

                                   

To be well

 
                                   

capitalized under

 

(in thousands)

                 

For capital

   

prompt corrective

 
   

Actual

   

adequacy purposes

   

action provisions

 

Capital ratios for Bank:

 

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

 
                                                 

As of March 31, 2016

                                               

Total capital (to Risk- Weighted Assets)

  $ 82,234       11.5 %   $ 61,514       >8.625 %   $ 71,321       >10.0 %

Tier I capital (to Risk- Weighted Assets)

  $ 74,413       10.4 %   $ 47,250       >6.625 %   $ 57,057       >8.0 %

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)

  $ 74,413       10.4 %   $ 36,552       >5.515 %   $ 46,359       >6.5 %

Tier I capital (to Average Assets)

  $ 74,413       8.3 %   $ 35,951       >4.0 %   $ 44,939       >5.0 %
                                                 

As of December 31, 2015

                                               

Total capital (to Risk- Weighted Assets)

  $ 81,462       12.2 %   $ 53,348       >8.0 %   $ 66,685       >10.0 %

Tier I capital (to Risk- Weighted Assets)

  $ 73,868       11.1 %   $ 40,011       >6.0 %   $ 53,348       >8.0 %

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)

  $ 73,868       11.1 %   $ 30,008       >4.5 %   $ 43,345       >6.5 %

Tier I capital (to Average Assets)

  $ 73,868       9.1 %   $ 32,475       >4.0 %   $ 40,593       >5.0 %
                                                 

Capital ratios for Bancorp:

                                               
                                                 

As of March 31, 2016

                                               

Total capital (to Risk- Weighted Assets)

  $ 82,603       11.6 %   $ 61,526       >8.625 %     N/A       N/A  

Tier I capital (to Risk- Weighted Assets)

  $ 74,782       10.5 %   $ 47,259       >6.625 %     N/A       N/A  

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)

  $ 74,782       10.5 %   $ 36,559       >5.515 %     N/A       N/A  

Tier I capital (to Average Assets)

  $ 74,782       8.3 %   $ 35,956       >4.0 %     N/A       N/A  
                                                 

As of December 31, 2015

                                               

Total capital (to Risk- Weighted Assets)

  $ 81,852       12.3 %   $ 53,353       >8.0 %     N/A       N/A  

Tier I capital (to Risk- Weighted Assets)

  $ 74,258       11.1 %   $ 40,014       >6.0 %     N/A       N/A  

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)

  $ 74,258       11.1 %   $ 30,011       >4.5 %                

Tier I capital (to Average Assets)

  $ 74,258       9.2 %   $ 32,478       >4.0 %     N/A       N/A  

 

 

Our bank subsidiary is also subject to capital requirements similar to those discussed above. The bank subsidiary’s capital ratios do not vary materially from our capital ratios presented above. At March 31, 2016, our bank subsidiary exceeded the minimum ratios established by the FRB.

 

 

Liquidity Management

 

Since the Company is a holding company and does not conduct regular banking operations, its primary sources of liquidity are dividends from the Bank. Under the California Financial Code, payment of a dividend from the Bank to the Company is restricted to the lesser of the Bank’s retained earnings or the amount of the Bank’s undistributed net profits from the previous three fiscal years. The primary uses of funds for the Company are stockholder dividends, investment in the Bank and ordinary operating expenses. Management anticipates that there will be sufficient earnings at the Bank level to provide dividends to the Company to meet its funding requirements for the foreseeable future.

 

Maintenance of adequate liquidity requires that sufficient resources be available at all times to meet our cash flow requirements. Liquidity in a banking institution is required primarily to provide for deposit withdrawals and the credit needs of its customers and to take advantage of investment opportunities as they arise. Liquidity management involves our ability to convert assets into cash or cash equivalents without incurring significant loss, and to raise cash or maintain funds without incurring excessive additional cost. For this purpose, we maintain a portion of our funds in cash and cash equivalents, salable government guaranteed loans and securities available for sale. We obtain funds from the repayment and maturity of loans as well as deposit inflows, investment security maturities and paydowns, Federal funds purchased, FHLB advances, and other borrowings. Our primary uses of funds are the origination of loans, the purchase of investment securities, withdrawals of deposits, maturity of certificate of deposits, repayment of borrowings and dividends to common and preferred stockholders. Our liquid assets at March 31, 2016 were $231.0 million compared to $269.3 million at December 31, 2015.  Our liquidity level measured as the percentage of liquid assets to total assets was 25.5% and 30.0% at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. We anticipate that cash and cash equivalents on hand and other sources of funds will provide adequate liquidity for our operating, investing and financing needs and our regulatory liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future. Management monitors our liquidity position daily, balancing loan funding/payments with changes in deposit activity and overnight investments.

 

 
43

 

 

As a secondary source of liquidity, we rely on advances from the FHLB to supplement our supply of lendable funds and to meet deposit withdrawal requirements. Advances from the FHLB are typically secured by a portion of our loan portfolio. The FHLB determines limitations on the amount of advances by assigning a percentage to each eligible loan category that will count towards the borrowing capacity. As of March 31, 2016, our borrowing capacity from the FHLB was approximately $253.6 million and there were no outstanding advances. We also maintain 3 lines of credit with correspondent banks to purchase up to $43 million in federal funds, for which there were no advances as of March 31, 2016.

 

 

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements

 

During the ordinary course of business, we provide various forms of credit lines to meet the financing needs of our customers. These commitments, which represent a credit risk to us, are not represented in any form on our balance sheets.

 

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had commitments to extend credit of $98.0 million and $91.7 million, respectively, which includes obligations under letters of credit of $1.6 million for both periods.

 

The effect on our revenues, expenses, cash flows and liquidity from the unused portion of the commitments to provide credit cannot be reasonably predicted because there is no guarantee that the lines of credit will be used.

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Not applicable.

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13 a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”) have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to the Company would be made known to them by others within the Company, particularly during the period in which this report was being prepared.  Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting subsequent to the Evaluation Date, nor were there any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in such controls requiring corrective actions.

 

 
44

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

There are no pending, or to management's knowledge, any threatened, material legal proceedings to which we are a defendant, or to which any of our properties are subject. There are no material legal proceedings to which any director, any nominee for election as a director, any executive officer, or any associate of any such director, nominee or officer is a party adverse to us.

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

None.

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

None.

 

 
45

 

 

 

Item 6.                                                                     Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report or hereby incorporated by reference to filings previously made with the SEC:

 

Exhibit

No.

 

Exhibit Description

     

31.01

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.02

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.01

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS*

 

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

*In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the information in these exhibits is “furnished” and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

 
46

 

  

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

Oak Valley Bancorp

Date: May 13, 2016

By:

/s/    JEFFREY A. GALL

 

 

Jeffrey A. Gall

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer and duly authorized signatory)

 

 
47

 

  

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

Exhibit

Description

     
 

31.01

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.02

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.01

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

 

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document