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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

[Mark One]

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

 

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

 

 For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

 

Commission File Number 0-32637

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

IOWA

42-1039071

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

(I. R. S. Employer

Incorporation or Organization)

Identification Number)

                                                                                                                               

405 FIFTH STREET

AMES, IOWA 50010

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (515) 232-6251

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   X   No ___

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this Chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes _X _ No ____

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer____      Accelerated filer    X          Non-accelerated filer ____      Smaller reporting company ____    Emerging growth company ____ 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ____ 

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

COMMON STOCK, $2.00 PAR VALUE

9,310,913

(Class)

(Shares Outstanding at April 28, 2017)

                                                 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION

 

INDEX

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

3

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016

3

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016  

4

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 

5

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016

6

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016   

7

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements      

9

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

29

 

 

 

Item 3. 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

46

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

46

 

 

 

PART II. 

OTHER INFORMATION 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings 

47

 

 

 

Item 1.A.

Risk Factors

47

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

47

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

47

 

 

 

Item 4. 

Mine Safety Disclosures

47

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

48

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

48

 

 

 

  Signatures 49

  

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

 

   

March 31,

   

December 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
ASSETS                
                 

Cash and due from banks

  $ 24,843,933     $ 29,478,068  

Interest bearing deposits in financial institutions

    49,361,944       31,737,259  

Securities available-for-sale

    516,352,893       516,079,506  

Loans receivable, net

    759,786,001       752,181,730  

Loans held for sale

    196,145       242,618  

Bank premises and equipment, net

    15,901,957       16,049,379  

Accrued income receivable

    7,270,957       7,768,689  

Other real estate owned

    542,812       545,757  

Deferred income taxes

    2,850,082       3,485,689  

Intangible assets, net

    1,238,290       1,352,812  

Goodwill

    6,732,216       6,732,216  

Other assets

    10,228,498       799,306  
                 

Total assets

  $ 1,395,305,728     $ 1,366,453,029  
                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

               
                 

LIABILITIES

               

Deposits

               

Demand, noninterest bearing

  $ 202,797,222     $ 212,074,792  

NOW accounts

    343,459,201       310,427,812  

Savings and money market

    396,934,766       381,852,433  

Time, $250,000 and over

    37,253,819       39,031,663  

Other time

    161,227,296       166,022,165  

Total deposits

    1,141,672,304       1,109,408,865  
                 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    50,373,505       58,337,367  

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances

    14,500,000       14,500,000  

Other borrowings

    13,000,000       13,000,000  

Dividends payable

    2,048,401       1,955,292  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    5,584,808       4,146,262  

Total liabilities

    1,227,179,018       1,201,347,786  
                 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Common stock, $2 par value, authorized 18,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 9,310,913 shares as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016

    18,621,826       18,621,826  

Additional paid-in capital

    20,878,728       20,878,728  

Retained earnings

    127,743,103       126,181,376  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) - net unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale

    883,053       (576,687 )

Total stockholders' equity

    168,126,710       165,105,243  
                 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

  $ 1,395,305,728     $ 1,366,453,029  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
                 

Interest income:

               

Loans, including fees

  $ 8,115,685     $ 7,857,970  

Securities:

               

Taxable

    1,512,919       1,495,310  

Tax-exempt

    1,318,062       1,400,031  

Interest bearing deposits and federal funds sold

    137,173       95,703  

Total interest income

    11,083,839       10,849,014  
                 

Interest expense:

               

Deposits

    921,430       750,121  

Other borrowed funds

    279,401       263,370  

Total interest expense

    1,200,831       1,013,491  
                 

Net interest income

    9,883,008       9,835,523  
                 

Provision for loan losses

    397,574       192,014  
                 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

    9,485,434       9,643,509  
                 

Noninterest income:

               

Wealth management income

    698,932       787,108  

Service fees

    359,132       397,091  

Securities gains, net

    365,035       201,693  

Gain on sale of loans held for sale

    138,012       176,757  

Merchant and card fees

    315,036       344,073  

Other noninterest income

    204,471       192,750  

Total noninterest income

    2,080,618       2,099,472  
                 

Noninterest expense:

               

Salaries and employee benefits

    4,045,644       4,051,784  

Data processing

    823,779       761,132  

Occupancy expenses, net

    544,030       603,437  

FDIC insurance assessments

    103,831       163,988  

Professional fees

    298,145       267,916  

Business development

    237,741       235,160  

Other real estate owned expense (income), net

    4,134       (19,616 )

Intangible asset amortization

    98,802       95,248  

Other operating expenses, net

    320,618       275,675  

Total noninterest expense

    6,476,724       6,434,724  
                 

Income before income taxes

    5,089,328       5,308,257  
                 

Provision for income taxes

    1,479,200       1,501,166  
                 

Net income

  $ 3,610,128     $ 3,807,091  
                 

Basic and diluted earnings per share

  $ 0.39     $ 0.41  
                 

Dividends declared per share

  $ 0.22     $ 0.21  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(unaudited)

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
                 

Net income

  $ 3,610,128     $ 3,807,091  

Other comprehensive income, before tax:

               

Unrealized gains on securities before tax:

               

Unrealized holding gains arising during the period

    2,682,082       3,963,557  

Less: reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income

    365,035       201,693  

Other comprehensive income, before tax

    2,317,047       3,761,864  

Tax effect related to other comprehensive income

    (857,307 )     (1,391,890 )

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

    1,459,740       2,369,974  

Comprehensive income

  $ 5,069,868     $ 6,177,065  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016

 

   

Common

Stock

   

Additional

Paid-in-Capital

   

Retained

Earnings

   

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss),

Net of Taxes

   

Total

Stockholders'

Equity

 
                                         

Balance, December 31, 2015

  $ 18,621,826     $ 20,878,728     $ 118,267,767     $ 3,481,736     $ 161,250,057  

Net income

    -       -       3,807,091       -       3,807,091  

Other comprehensive income

    -       -       -       2,369,974       2,369,974  

Cash dividends declared, $0.21 per share

    -       -       (1,955,292 )     -       (1,955,292 )

Balance, March 31, 2016

  $ 18,621,826     $ 20,878,728     $ 120,119,566     $ 5,851,710     $ 165,471,830  
                                         

Balance, December 31, 2016

  $ 18,621,826     $ 20,878,728     $ 126,181,376     $ (576,687 )   $ 165,105,243  

Net income

    -       -       3,610,128       -       3,610,128  

Other comprehensive income

    -       -       -       1,459,740       1,459,740  

Cash dividends declared, $0.22 per share

    -       -       (2,048,401 )     -       (2,048,401 )

Balance, March 31, 2017

  $ 18,621,826     $ 20,878,728     $ 127,743,103     $ 883,053     $ 168,126,710  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016

 

   

2017

   

2016

 
                 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

               

Net income

  $ 3,610,128     $ 3,807,091  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

               

Provision for loan losses

    397,574       192,014  

Provision for off-balance sheet commitments

    10,000       20,000  

Amortization, net

    728,139       760,460  

Amortization of intangible asset

    98,802       95,248  

Depreciation

    274,347       291,393  

Deferred income taxes

    (221,700 )     23,700  

Securities gains, net

    (365,035 )     (201,693 )

Gain on sales of loans held for sale

    (138,012 )     (176,757 )

Proceeds from loans held for sale

    4,617,145       7,151,247  

Originations of loans held for sale

    (4,432,660 )     (6,878,691 )

Loss on sale of premises and equipment, net

    29,276       -  

(Gain) on sale of other real estate owned, net

    (7,024 )     (25,841 )

Change in assets and liabilities:

               

Decrease in accrued income receivable

    497,732       184,662  

(Increase) decrease in other assets

    (285,212 )     129,371  

Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities

    1,428,546       969,330  

Net cash provided by operating activities

    6,242,046       6,341,534  
                 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

               

Purchase of securities available-for-sale

    (18,797,565 )     (6,944,567 )

Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale

    1,491,070       12,365,100  

Proceeds from maturities and calls of securities available-for-sale

    9,804,453       12,090,662  

Net (increase) in interest bearing deposits in financial institutions

    (17,624,685 )     (32,745,919 )

Net (increase) decrease in loans

    (7,985,518 )     5,551,541  

Net proceeds from the sale of other real estate owned

    26,637       151,372  

Purchase of bank premises and equipment, net

    (150,578 )     (50,381 )

Other

    15,720       -  

Net cash (used in) investing activities

    (33,220,466 )     (9,582,192 )
                 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

               

Increase in deposits

    32,263,439       9,670,447  

(Decrease) in securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    (7,963,862 )     (3,910,329 )

Payments on FHLB borrowings and other borrowings

    -       (3,042,203 )

Dividends paid

    (1,955,292 )     (1,862,183 )

Net cash provided by financing activities

    22,344,285       855,732  
                 

Net (decrease) in cash and due from banks

    (4,634,135 )     (2,384,926 )
                 

CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

               

Beginning

    29,478,068       24,005,801  

Ending

  $ 24,843,933     $ 21,620,875  

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

(unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016

 

   

2017

   

2016

 
                 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW

               

INFORMATION

               

Cash payments for:

               

Interest

  $ 1,205,110     $ 1,025,880  

Income taxes

    75,459       12,000  
                 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH

               

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

               

Transfer of loans receivable to other real estate owned

  $ 16,668     $ -  

Proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale, recorded in other assets pending settlement

  $ 9,149,603     $ -  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

1.        Significant Accounting Policies

 

The consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 are unaudited. In the opinion of the management of Ames National Corporation (the "Company"), these financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly these consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for an entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in complete financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted in accordance with the requirements for interim financial statements. The interim financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the year-end audited financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the “Annual Report”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned banking subsidiaries (the “Banks”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Goodwill: Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill resulting from acquisitions is not amortized, but is tested for impairment annually or whenever events change and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that an impairment loss has occurred. Goodwill is tested for impairment using a two-step process that begins with an estimation of the fair value of a reporting unit. The second step, if necessary, measures the amount of impairment, if any.

 

Significant judgment is applied when goodwill is assessed for impairment. This judgment includes developing cash flow projections, selecting appropriate discount rates, identifying relevant market comparables, incorporating general economic and market conditions and selecting an appropriate control premium. At March 31, 2017, Company management has performed a goodwill impairment assessment and determined goodwill was not impaired.

 

New and Pending Accounting Pronouncements: In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The update enhances the reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information by updating certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. Among other changes, the update includes requiring changes in fair value of equity securities with readily determinable fair value to be recognized in net income and clarifies that entities should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available for sale securities in combination with the entities' other deferred tax assets. Among other items the ASC requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes. For public companies, this update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The ASU requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Consistent with current GAAP, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. Unlike current GAAP, which requires that only capital leases be recognized on the balance sheet, the ASC requires that both types of leases by recognized on the balance sheet. For public companies, this update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

  

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The ASU requires an organization to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. Organizations will continue to use judgment to determine which loss estimation method is appropriate for their circumstances. Additionally, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. For public companies, this update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently planning for the implementation of this accounting standard. It is too early to assess the impact that the guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Summary and Amendments that Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40) . The guidance in this update supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the industry topics of the Codification. For public companies, this update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The guidance does not apply to revenues associated with financial instruments, including loans and securities that are accounted for under U.S. GAAP. The Company does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The guidance in this update eliminates the Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. For public companies, this update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for interim and annual goodwill impairment test with a measurement date after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

2.        Dividends

 

On February 8, 2017, the Company declared a cash dividend on its common stock, payable on May 15, 2017 to stockholders of record as of May 1, 2017, equal to $0.22 per share.

 

3.        Earnings Per Share

 

Earnings per share amounts were calculated using the weighted average shares outstanding during the periods presented. The weighted average outstanding shares for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were 9,310,913. The Company had no potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the periods presented. 

 

4.        Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. No material changes in the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements have occurred since December 31, 2016.

 

  

5.        Fair Value Measurements

 

Assets and liabilities carried at fair value are required to be classified and disclosed according to the process for determining fair value. There are three levels of determining fair value.

 

Level 1: Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices, unadjusted, for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and shall be used to measure fair value whenever available.

 

Level 2: Inputs to the valuation methodology include: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatility, prepayment speeds, credit risk); or inputs derived principally from or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

Level 3: Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using discounted cash flow methodologies, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

 

The following table presents the balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. (in thousands)

 

Description

 

Total

   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

 
                                 

2017

                               
                                 

U.S. government treasuries

  $ 4,405     $ 4,405     $ -     $ -  

U.S. government agencies

    109,413       -       109,413       -  

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

    81,769       -       81,769       -  

State and political subdivisions

    261,635       -       261,635       -  

Corporate bonds

    56,038       -       56,038       -  

Equity securities, other

    3,093       29       3,064       -  
                                 
    $ 516,353     $ 4,434     $ 511,919     $ -  
                                 

2016

                               
                                 

U.S. government treasuries

  $ 4,368     $ 4,368     $ -     $ -  

U.S. government agencies

    110,209       -       110,209       -  

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

    82,858       -       82,858       -  

State and political subdivisions

    264,448       -       264,448       -  

Corporate bonds

    51,184       -       51,184       -  

Equity securities, other

    3,013       -       3,013       -  
                                 
    $ 516,080     $ 4,368     $ 511,712     $ -  

 

Level 1 securities include U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets.  U.S government mortgage-backed securities, state and political subdivisions, most corporate bonds and other equity securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things.

 

  

The Company's policy is to recognize transfers between levels at the end of each reporting period, if applicable. There were no transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

 

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).  The following table presents the assets carried on the balance sheet (after specific reserves) by caption and by level within the valuation hierarchy as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. (in thousands)

 

Description

 

Total

   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

 
                                 

2017

                               
                                 

Loans receivable

  $ 576     $ -     $ -     $ 576  

Other real estate owned

    543       -       -       543  
                                 

Total

  $ 1,119     $ -     $ -     $ 1,119  
                                 

2016

                               
                                 

Loans receivable

  $ 683     $ -     $ -     $ 683  

Other real estate owned

    546       -       -       546  
                                 

Total

  $ 1,229     $ -     $ -     $ 1,229  

 

Loans Receivable: Loans in the tables above consist of impaired credits held for investment. In accordance with the loan impairment guidance, impairment was measured based on the fair value of collateral less estimated selling costs for collateral dependent loans. Fair value for impaired loans is based upon appraised values of collateral adjusted for trends observed in the market. A valuation allowance was recorded for the excess of the loan’s recorded investment over the amounts determined by the collateral value method. This valuation allowance is a component of the allowance for loan losses. The Company considers these fair value measurements as level 3.

 

Other Real Estate Owned: Other real estate owned in the table above consists of real estate obtained through foreclosure. Other real estate owned is recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs, at the date of transfer, with any impairment amount charged to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent to the transfer, other real estate owned is carried at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated selling costs, with any impairment amount recorded as a noninterest expense. The carrying value of other real estate owned is not re-measured to fair value on a recurring basis but is subject to fair value adjustments when the carrying value exceeds the fair value less estimated selling costs. Management uses appraised values and adjusts for trends observed in the market and for disposition costs in determining the value of other real estate owned. A valuation allowance was recorded for the excess of the asset’s recorded investment over the amount determined by the fair value, less estimated selling costs. This valuation allowance is a component of the allowance for other real estate owned. The valuation allowance was $321,000 as of March 31, 2017 and $331,000 as of December 31, 2016. The Company considers these fair value measurements as level 3.

 

  

The significant inputs used in the fair value measurements for Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows: (in thousands)

 

   

2017

   

Estimated

 

Valuation

 

 

Range

   

Fair Value

 

Techniques

Unobservable Inputs  

(Average)

                       

Impaired Loans

  $ 576  

Evaluation of collateral

Estimation of value

      NM*  
                       

Other real estate owned

  $ 543  

Appraisal

Appraisal adjustment

  6% - 8% (7%)

 

   

2016

   

Estimated

 

Valuation

 

 

Range

   

Fair Value

 

Techniques

Unobservable Inputs  

(Average)

                       

Impaired Loans

  $ 683  

Evaluation of collateral

Estimation of value

      NM*  
                       

Other real estate owned

  $ 546  

Appraisal

Appraisal adjustment

  6% - 10% (8%)

 

* Not Meaningful. Evaluations of the underlying assets are completed for each impaired loan with a specific reserve. The types of collateral vary widely and could include accounts receivables, inventory, a variety of equipment and real estate. Collateral evaluations are reviewed and discounted as appropriate based on knowledge of the specific type of collateral. In the case of real estate, an independent appraisal may be obtained. Types of discounts considered included aging of receivables, condition of the collateral, potential market for the collateral and estimated disposal costs. These discounts will vary from loan to loan, thus providing a range would not be meaningful.

 

GAAP requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis.  The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis are discussed above.  The methodologies for other financial assets and financial liabilities are discussed below.

 

Fair value of financial instruments: 

 

Disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, for which it is practicable to estimate that value, is required whether or not recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. In cases in which quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimate of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments. Certain financial instruments with a fair value that is not practicable to estimate and all non-financial instruments are excluded from the disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not necessarily represent the underlying value of the Company.

 

The following disclosures represent financial instruments in which the ending balances at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are not carried at fair value in their entirety on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Cash and due from banks and interest bearing deposits in financial institutions: The recorded amount of these assets approximates fair value.

 

  

Securities available-for-sale: Fair value measurement for Level 1 securities is based upon quoted prices. Fair value measurement for Level 2 securities are based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things. Level 1 securities include U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets.  U.S government mortgage-backed securities, state and political subdivisions, some corporate bonds and other equity securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs.

 

Loans receivable: The fair value of loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates, which reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan. The estimate of maturity is based on the historical experience, with repayments for each loan classification modified, as required, by an estimate of the effect of current economic and lending conditions. The effect of nonperforming loans is considered in assessing the credit risk inherent in the fair value estimate.

 

Loans held for sale: The fair value of loans held for sale is based on prevailing market prices.

 

Deposits: Fair values of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings and NOW accounts, and money market accounts, are equal to the amount payable on demand as of the respective balance sheet date. Fair values of certificates of deposit are based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The fair value estimates do not include the benefit that results from the low-cost funding provided by the deposit liabilities compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market.

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase: The carrying amounts of securities sold under agreements to repurchase approximate fair value because of the generally short-term nature of the instruments.

 

FHLB advances and other borrowings: Fair values of FHLB advances and other borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on interest rates currently being offered with similar terms.

 

Accrued income receivable and accrued interest payable: The carrying amounts of accrued income receivable and accrued interest payable approximate fair value.

 

Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit: The fair values of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreement and credit worthiness of the counterparties. The carrying value and fair value of the commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are not considered significant.

 

Limitations: Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

 

 

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as described above as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows: (in thousands)

 

     

2017

   

2016

 
 

Fair Value

         

Estimated

           

Estimated

 
 

Hierarchy

 

Carrying

   

Fair

   

Carrying

   

Fair

 
 

Level

 

Amount

   

Value

   

Amount

   

Value

 
                                   

Financial assets:

                                 

Cash and due from banks

Level 1

  $ 24,844     $ 24,844     $ 29,478     $ 29,478  

Interest bearing deposits

Level 1

    49,362       49,362       31,737       31,737  

Securities available-for-sale

See previous table

    516,353       516,353       516,080       516,080  

Loans receivable, net

Level 2

    759,786       751,602       752,182       746,580  

Loans held for sale

Level 2

    196       196       243       243  

Accrued income receivable

Level 1

    7,271       7,271       7,769       7,769  

Financial liabilities:

                                 

Deposits

Level 2

  $ 1,141,672     $ 1,141,910     $ 1,109,409     $ 1,110,211  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

Level 1

    50,373       50,373       58,337       58,337  

FHLB advances

Level 2

    14,500       14,638       14,500       14,681  

Other borrowings

Level 2

    13,000       13,306       13,000       13,386  

Accrued interest payable

Level 1

    404       404       408       408  

 

The methodologies used to determine fair value as of March 31, 2017 did not change from the methodologies described in the December 31, 2016 Annual Financial Statements.

 

 

6.        Debt and Equity Securities

 

The amortized cost of securities available-for-sale and their fair values as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized below: (in thousands)

 

2017:

         

Gross

   

Gross

         
   

Amortized

   

Unrealized

   

Unrealized

   

Estimated

 
   

Cost

   

Gains

   

Losses

   

Fair Value

 
                                 

U.S. government treasuries

  $ 4,402     $ 20     $ (17 )   $ 4,405  

U.S. government agencies

    109,256       595       (438 )     109,413  

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

    81,195       887       (313 )     81,769  

State and political subdivisions

    260,853       2,109       (1,327 )     261,635  

Corporate bonds

    56,167       253       (382 )     56,038  

Equity securities, other

    3,079       14       -       3,093  
    $ 514,952     $ 3,878     $ (2,477 )   $ 516,353  

 

2016:

         

Gross

   

Gross

         
   

Amortized

   

Unrealized

   

Unrealized

   

Estimated

 
   

Cost

   

Gains

   

Losses

   

Fair Value

 
                                 

U.S. government treasuries

  $ 4,396     $ 18     $ (46 )   $ 4,368  

U.S. government agencies

    110,372       540       (703 )     110,209  

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

    82,279       1,018       (439 )     82,858  

State and political subdivisions

    265,204       1,660       (2,416 )     264,448  

Corporate bonds

    51,731       147       (694 )     51,184  

Equity securities, other

    3,013       -       -       3,013  
    $ 516,995     $ 3,383     $ (4,298 )   $ 516,080  

 

The proceeds, gains and losses from securities available-for-sale are summarized as follows: (in thousands)

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 

Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale

  $ 10,641     $ 12,365  

Gross realized gains on securities available-for-sale

    367       208  

Gross realized losses on securities available-for-sale

    (2 )     (6 )

Tax provision applicable to net realized gains on securities available-for-sale

    128       71  

  

  

Unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position are summarized as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows: (in thousands)

 

   

Less than 12 Months

   

12 Months or More

   

Total

 

 

 

2017:

 

Estimated

Fair Value

   

Unrealized

Losses

   

Estimated

Fair Value

   

Unrealized

Losses

   

Estimated

Fair Value

   

Unrealized

Losses

 
                                                 

Securities available-for-sale:

                                               

U.S. government treasuries

  $ 2,924     $ (17 )   $ -     $ -     $ 2,924     $ (17 )

U.S. government agencies

    38,542       (438 )     -       -       38,542       (438 )

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

    25,410       (313 )     -       -       25,410       (313 )

State and political subdivisions

    70,633       (1,143 )     7,284       (184 )     77,917       (1,327 )

Corporate bonds

    28,825       (382 )     -       -       28,825       (382 )
    $ 166,334     $ (2,293 )   $ 7,284     $ (184 )   $ 173,618     $ (2,477 )

 

   

Less than 12 Months

   

12 Months or More

   

Total

 

 

 

2016:

 

Fair Value

   

Unrealized

Losses

   

Fair Value

   

Unrealized

Losses

   

Fair Value

   

Unrealized

Losses

 
                                                 

Securities available-for-sale:

                                               

U.S. government treasuries

  $ 2,893     $ (46 )   $ -     $ -     $ 2,893     $ (46 )

U.S. government agencies

    48,225       (703 )     -       -       48,225       (703 )

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

    33,753       (439 )     -       -       33,753       (439 )

State and political subdivisions

    125,558       (2,226 )     6,512       (190 )     132,070       (2,416 )

Corporate bonds

    35,703       (694 )     -       -       35,703       (694 )
    $ 246,132     $ (4,108 )   $ 6,512     $ (190 )   $ 252,644     $ (4,298 )

 

Gross unrealized losses on debt securities totaled $2,477,000 as of March 31, 2017. These unrealized losses are generally due to changes in interest rates or general market conditions. In analyzing an issuer’s financial condition, management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, state or political subdivision, or corporations. Management then determines whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and reviews industry analysts’ reports. The Company’s procedures for evaluating investments in states, municipalities and political subdivisions include but are not limited to reviewing the offering statement and the most current available financial information, comparing yields to yields of bonds of similar credit quality, confirming capacity to repay, assessing operating and financial performance, evaluating the stability of tax revenues, considering debt profiles and local demographics, and for revenue bonds, assessing the source and strength of revenue structures for municipal authorities. These procedures, as applicable, are utilized for all municipal purchases and are utilized in whole or in part for monitoring the portfolio of municipal holdings. The Company does not utilize third party credit rating agencies as a primary component of determining if the municipal issuer has an adequate capacity to meet the financial commitments under the security for the projected life of the investment, and, therefore, does not compare internal assessments to those of the credit rating agencies. Credit rating downgrades are utilized as an additional indicator of credit weakness and as a reference point for historical default rates. Management concluded that the gross unrealized losses on debt securities were temporary. Due to potential changes in conditions, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in fair values and management’s assessments will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Company’s financial statements.

 

 

7.         Loans Receivable and Credit Disclosures

 

Activity in the allowance for loan losses, on a disaggregated basis, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows: (in thousands)

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

 
           

1-4 Family

                                                 
   

Construction

   

Residential

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

                   

Consumer

         
   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

   

and Other

   

Total

 

Balance, December 31, 2016

  $ 908     $ 1,711     $ 3,960     $ 861     $ 1,728     $ 1,216     $ 123     $ 10,507  

Provision (credit) for loan losses

    24       6       316       37       74       (74 )     15       398  

Recoveries of loans charged-off

    -       2       -       -       1       -       3       6  

Loans charged-off

    -       -       -       -       -       -       (9 )     (9 )

Balance, March 31, 2017

  $ 932     $ 1,719     $ 4,276     $ 898     $ 1,803     $ 1,142     $ 132     $ 10,902  

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

 
           

1-4 Family

                                                 
   

Construction

   

Residential

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

                   

Consumer

         
   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

   

and Other

   

Total

 

Balance, December 31, 2015

  $ 999     $ 1,806     $ 3,557     $ 760     $ 1,371     $ 1,256     $ 239     $ 9,988  

Provision for loan losses

    (212 )     (51 )     206       57       105       66       21       192  

Recoveries of loans charged-off

    -       2       -       -       1       -       1       4  

Loans charged-off

    -       -       -       -       (77 )     -       (5 )     (82 )

Balance, March 31, 2016

  $ 787     $ 1,757     $ 3,763     $ 817     $ 1,400     $ 1,322     $ 256     $ 10,102  

 

Allowance for loan losses disaggregated on the basis of impairment analysis method as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is as follows: (in thousands)

 

2017

         

1-4 Family

                                                 
   

Construction

   

Residential

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

                   

Consumer

         
   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

   

and Other

   

Total

 

Individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 15     $ 68     $ -     $ -     $ 639     $ -     $ 3     $ 725  

Collectively evaluated for impairment

    917       1,651       4,276       898       1,164       1,142       129       10,177  

Balance March 31, 2017

  $ 932     $ 1,719     $ 4,276     $ 898     $ 1,803     $ 1,142     $ 132     $ 10,902  

 

2016

         

1-4 Family

                                                 
   

Construction

   

Residential

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

                   

Consumer

         
   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

   

and Other

   

Total

 

Individually evaluated for impairment

  $ -     $ 76     $ -     $ -     $ 644     $ -     $ -     $ 720  

Collectively evaluated for impairment

    908       1,635       3,960       861       1,084       1,216       123       9,787  

Balance December 31, 2016

  $ 908     $ 1,711     $ 3,960     $ 861     $ 1,728     $ 1,216     $ 123     $ 10,507  

 

 

Loans receivable disaggregated on the basis of impairment analysis method as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is as follows (in thousands):

 

2017

         

1-4 Family

                                                 
   

Construction

   

Residential

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

                   

Consumer

         
   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

   

and Other

   

Total

 

Individually evaluated for impairment

  $ 64     $ 607     $ 760     $ -     $ 3,852     $ -     $ 77     $ 5,360  

Collectively evaluated for impairment

    58,821       147,810       329,930       74,269       73,576       69,723       11,268       765,397  
                                                                 

Balance March 31, 2017

  $ 58,885     $ 148,417     $ 330,690     $ 74,269     $ 77,428     $ 69,723     $ 11,345     $ 770,757  

 

2016

         

1-4 Family

                                                 
   

Construction

   

Residential

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

                   

Consumer

         
   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

   

and Other

   

Total

 

Individually evaluated for impairment

  $ -     $ 660     $ 399     $ -     $ 3,942     $ -     $ 76     $ 5,077  

Collectively evaluated for impairment

    61,042       148,847       315,303       73,032       70,436       76,994       12,054       757,708  
                                                                 

Balance December 31, 2016

  $ 61,042     $ 149,507     $ 315,702     $ 73,032     $ 74,378     $ 76,994     $ 12,130     $ 762,785  

 

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payment of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. The Company will apply its normal loan review procedures to identify loans that should be evaluated for impairment.

 

 

The following is a recap of impaired loans, on a disaggregated basis, as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016: (in thousands)   

 

   

2017

   

2016

 
           

Unpaid

                   

Unpaid

         
   

Recorded

   

Principal

   

Related

   

Recorded

   

Principal

   

Related

 
   

Investment

   

Balance

   

Allowance

   

Investment

   

Balance

   

Allowance

 

With no specific reserve recorded:

                                               

Real estate - construction

  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

    424       447       -       452       473       -  

Real estate - commercial

    760       1,395       -       399       1,025       -  

Real estate - agricultural

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Commercial

    2,801       2,811       -       2,747       2,672       -  

Agricultural

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Consumer and other

    74       76       -       76       81       -  

Total loans with no specific reserve:

    4,059       4,729       -       3,674       4,251       -  
                                                 

With an allowance recorded:

                                               

Real estate - construction

    64       64       15       -       -       -  

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

    183       335       68       208       360       76  

Real estate - commercial

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Real estate - agricultural

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Commercial

    1,051       1,064       639       1,195       1,286       644  

Agricultural

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Consumer and other

    3       3       3       -       -       -  

Total loans with specific reserve:

    1,301       1,466       725       1,403       1,646       720  
                                                 

Total

                                               

Real estate - construction

    64       64       15       -       -       -  

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

    607       782       68       660       833       76  

Real estate - commercial

    760       1,395       -       399       1,025       -  

Real estate - agricultural

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Commercial

    3,852       3,875       639       3,942       3,958       644  

Agricultural

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Consumer and other

    77       79       3       76       81       -  
                                                 
    $ 5,360     $ 6,195     $ 725     $ 5,077     $ 5,897     $ 720  

  

 

The following is a recap of the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016: (in thousands)

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
   

Average

   

Interest

   

Average

   

Interest

 
   

Recorded

   

Income

   

Recorded

   

Income

 
   

Investment

   

Recognized

   

Investment

   

Recognized

 

With no specific reserve recorded:

                               

Real estate - construction

  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

    438       3       395       1  

Real estate - commercial

    580       -       481       -  

Real estate - agricultural

    -       -       -       -  

Commercial

    2,774       -       11       -  

Agricultural

    -       -       11       -  

Consumer and other

    75       -       44       -  

Total loans with no specific reserve:

    3,867       3       942       1  
                                 

With an allowance recorded:

                               

Real estate - construction

    32       -       -       -  

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

    196       -       701       5  

Real estate - commercial

    -       -       51       -  

Real estate - agricultural

    -       -       -       -  

Commercial

    1,123       -       460       -  

Agricultural

    -       -       -       -  

Consumer and other

    2       -       -       -  

Total loans with specific reserve:

    1,353       -       1,212       5  
                                 

Total

                               

Real estate - construction

    32       -       -       -  

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

    634       3       1,096       6  

Real estate - commercial

    580       -       532       -  

Real estate - agricultural

    -       -       -       -  

Commercial

    3,897       -       471       -  

Agricultural

    -       -       11       -  

Consumer and other

    77       -       44       -  
                                 
    $ 5,220     $ 3     $ 2,154     $ 6  

 

The interest foregone on nonaccrual loans for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was approximately $98,000 and $39,000, respectively.

 

The Company had loans meeting the definition of a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) of $3,662,000 as of March 31, 2017, all of which were included in impaired loans and nonaccrual loans. The Company had TDRs of $3,672,000 as of December 31, 2016, all of which were included in impaired and nonaccrual loans.

 

 

The following table sets forth information on the Company’s TDRs, on a disaggregated basis, occurring in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016: (dollars in thousands)

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
           

Pre-Modification

   

Post-Modification

           

Pre-Modification

   

Post-Modification

 
           

Outstanding

   

Outstanding

           

Outstanding

   

Outstanding

 
   

Number of

   

Recorded

   

Recorded

   

Number of

   

Recorded

   

Recorded

 
   

Contracts

   

Investment

   

Investment

   

Contracts

   

Investment

   

Investment

 
                                                 

Real estate - construction

    -     $ -     $ -       -     $ -     $ -  

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Real estate - commercial

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Real estate - agricultural

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Commercial

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Agricultural

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Consumer and other

    -       -       -       3       70       70  
                                                 
      -     $ -     $ -       3     $ 70     $ 70  

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company did not grant concessions to any borrowers that were experiencing financial difficulties.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company granted concessions to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties for three loans. The three consumer loans were extended beyond normal terms at an interest rate below a market interest rate.

 

The Company considers TDR loans to have payment default when it is past due 60 days or more.

 

Three TDR loans modified during the twelve months ended March 31, 2017 had payment defaults. No TDR modified during the twelve months ended March 31, 2016 had payment defaults.

 

There were no charge-offs related to TDRs for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

 

An aging analysis of the recorded investments in loans, on a disaggregated basis, as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, is as follows: (in thousands)

 

2017

         

90 Days

                           

90 Days

 
    30-89    

or Greater

   

Total

                   

or Greater

 
   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Current

   

Total

   

Accruing

 
                                                 

Real estate - construction

  $ 64     $ -     $ 64     $ 58,821     $ 58,885     $ -  

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

    1,097       8       1,105       147,312       148,417       8  

Real estate - commercial

    1,676       391       2,067       328,623       330,690       -  

Real estate - agricultural

    -       -       -       74,269       74,269       -  

Commercial

    288       38       326       77,102       77,428       -  

Agricultural

    307       -       307       69,416       69,723       -  

Consumer and other

    24       -       24       11,321       11,345       -  
                                                 
    $ 3,456     $ 437     $ 3,893     $ 766,864     $ 770,757     $ 8  

 

 

2016

         

90 Days

                           

90 Days

 
    30-89    

or Greater

   

Total

                   

or Greater

 
   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Current

   

Total

   

Accruing

 
                                                 

Real estate - construction

  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 61,042     $ 61,042     $ -  

Real estate - 1 to 4 family residential

    1,577       35       1,612       147,895       149,507       19  

Real estate - commercial

    1,420       -       1,420       314,282       315,702       -  

Real estate - agricultural

    -       -       -       73,032       73,032       -  

Commercial

    84       747       831       73,547       74,378       -  

Agricultural

    -       -       -       76,994       76,994       -  

Consumer and other

    36       3       39       12,091       12,130       3  
                                                 
    $ 3,117     $ 785     $ 3,902     $ 758,883     $ 762,785     $ 22  

  

 

The credit risk profile by internally assigned grade, on a disaggregated basis, as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is as follows: (in thousands)

 

2017

 

Construction

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

                         
   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

   

Total

 
                                                 

Pass

  $ 55,209     $ 312,814     $ 52,236     $ 61,623     $ 44,967     $ 526,849  

Watch

    3,612       12,348       16,509       10,441       22,679       65,589  

Special Mention

    -       199       3,285       -       69       3,553  

Substandard

    -       4,569       2,239       1,512       1,994       10,314  

Substandard-Impaired

    64       760       -       3,852       14       4,690  
                                                 
    $ 58,885     $ 330,690     $ 74,269     $ 77,428     $ 69,723     $ 610,995  

 

2016

 

Construction

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

                         
   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Real Estate

   

Commercial

   

Agricultural

   

Total

 
                                                 

Pass

  $ 57,420     $ 288,107     $ 51,720     $ 59,506     $ 57,415     $ 514,168  

Watch

    3,245       22,833       15,251       9,512       18,938       69,779  

Special Mention

    -       204       4,228       96       75       4,603  

Substandard

    377       4,159       1,833       1,322       566       8,257  

Substandard-Impaired

    -       399       -       3,942       -       4,341  
                                                 
    $ 61,042     $ 315,702     $ 73,032     $ 74,378     $ 76,994     $ 601,148  

 

The credit risk profile based on payment activity, on a disaggregated basis, as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is as follows:

 

2017

 

1-4 Family

                 
   

Residential

   

Consumer

         
   

Real Estate

   

and Other

   

Total

 
                         

Performing

  $ 147,802     $ 11,269     $ 159,071  

Non-performing

    615       76       691  
                         
    $ 148,417     $ 11,345     $ 159,762  

 

2016

 

1-4 Family

                 
   

Residential

   

Consumer

         
   

Real Estate

   

and Other

   

Total

 
                         

Performing

  $ 148,828     $ 12,051     $ 160,879  

Non-performing

    679       79       758  
                         
    $ 149,507     $ 12,130     $ 161,637  

  

8.        Goodwill

 

Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment at least annually. For income tax purposes, goodwill is amortized over fifteen years.

 

  

9.        Intangible assets

 

The following sets forth the carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of the intangible assets at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016: (in thousands)

 

   

2017

   

2016

 
   

Gross

   

Accumulated

   

Gross

   

Accumulated

 
   

Amount

   

Amortization

   

Amount

   

Amortization

 
                                 

Core deposit intangible asset

  $ 2,518     $ 1,643     $ 2,518     $ 1,563  

Customer list

    392       29       412       14  
                                 

Total

  $ 2,910     $ 1,672     $ 2,930     $ 1,577  

  

The weighted average life of the intangible assets is 3 years as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. 

 

 

The following sets forth the activity related to core deposit intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016: (in thousands)

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
                 

Beginning intangible asset, net

  $ 1,353     $ 1,309  

Adjustment to intangible asset

    (17 )     -  

Amortization

    (98 )     (95 )
                 

Ending intangible asset, net

  $ 1,238     $ 1,214  

  

Estimated remaining amortization expense on core deposit intangible for the years ending December 31st is as follows: (in thousands)

 

2017

  $ 260  

2018

    307  

2019

    184  

2020

    127  

2021

    127  

2022

    121  

2023

    112  
         
    $ 1,238  

  

 

10.      Pledged Collateral Related to Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements

 

The following sets forth the pledged collateral at estimated fair value related to securities sold under repurchase agreements and term repurchase agreements as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016: (in thousands)

 

   

2017

   

2016

 
   

Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements

 
   

Overnight

   

Greater than

   

Total

   

Overnight

   

Greater than

   

Total

 
           

90 days

                   

90 days

         
                                                 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

                                               

U.S. government treasuries

  $ 1,481     $ -     $ 1,481     $ 1,476     $ -     $ 1,476  

U.S. government agencies

    46,641       -       46,641       46,557       -       46,557  

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

    28,358       -       28,358       30,376       -       30,376  
                                                 
                                                 

Total

  $ 76,480     $ -     $ 76,480     $ 78,409     $ -     $ 78,409  
                                                 

Term repurchase agreements (Other borrowings):

                                               

U.S. government agencies

  $ -     $ 15,126     $ 15,126     $ -     $ 15,068     $ 15,068  

U.S. government mortgage-backed securities

    -       331       331       -       354       354  
                                                 
                                                 

Total

  $ -     $ 15,457     $ 15,457     $ -     $ 15,422     $ 15,422  
                                                 

Total pledged collateral

  $ 76,480     $ 15,457     $ 91,937     $ 78,409     $ 15,422     $ 93,831  

 

In the event the repurchase agreements exceed the estimated fair value of the pledged securities available-for-sale, the Company has unpledged securities available-for-sale that may be pledged on the repurchase agreements.

 

 

11.      Regulatory Matters

 

The Company and the Banks capital amounts and ratios are as follows: (dollars in thousands)

 

                                   

To Be Well

 
                                   

Capitalized Under

 
                   

For Capital

   

Prompt Corrective

 
   

Actual

   

Adequacy Purposes *

   

Action Provisions

 
   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

 
                                                 

As of March 31, 2017:

                                               

Total capital (to risk- weighted assets):

                                               

Consolidated

  $ 171,517       17.0 %   $ 93,147       9.25 %     N/A       N/A  

Boone Bank & Trust

    15,116       16.7       8,375       9.25     $ 9,054       10.0 %

First National Bank

    79,307       14.8       49,695       9.25       53,724       10.0  

Reliance State Bank

    26,416       15.5       15,800       9.25       17,081       10.0  

State Bank & Trust

    20,200       16.4       11,410       9.25       12,335       10.0  

United Bank & Trust

    14,851       18.5       7,435       9.25       8,038       10.0  
                                                 

Tier 1 capital (to risk- weighted assets):

                                               

Consolidated

  $ 160,080       15.9 %   $ 73,007       7.25 %     N/A       N/A  

Boone Bank & Trust

    14,204       15.7       6,564       7.25     $ 7,243       8.0 %

First National Bank

    73,337       13.7       38,950       7.25       42,979       8.0  

Reliance State Bank

    24,445       14.3       12,384       7.25       13,665       8.0  

State Bank & Trust

    18,656       15.1       8,943       7.25       9,868       8.0  

United Bank & Trust

    14,029       17.5       5,828       7.25       6,431       8.0  
                                                 

Tier 1 capital (to average- weighted assets):

                                               

Consolidated

  $ 160,080       11.7 %   $ 54,575       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  

Boone Bank & Trust

    14,204       10.5       5,404       4.00     $ 6,756       5.0 %

First National Bank

    73,337       9.7       30,144       4.00       37,680       5.0  

Reliance State Bank

    24,445       11.8       8,258       4.00       10,323       5.0  

State Bank & Trust

    18,656       11.1       6,730       4.00       8,413       5.0  

United Bank & Trust

    14,029       12.5       4,496       4.00       5,620       5.0  
                                                 

Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):

                                               

Consolidated

  $ 160,080       15.9 %   $ 57,902       5.75 %     N/A       N/A  

Boone Bank & Trust

    14,204       15.7       5,206       5.75     $ 5,885       6.5 %

First National Bank

    73,337       13.7       30,891       5.75       34,920       6.5  

Reliance State Bank

    24,445       14.3       9,822       5.75       11,103       6.5  

State Bank & Trust

    18,656       15.1       7,092       5.75       8,017       6.5  

United Bank & Trust

    14,029       17.5       4,622       5.75       5,225       6.5  

 

* These ratios for March 31, 2017 include a capital conservation buffer of 1.25%, except for the Tier 1 capital to average weighted assets ratios.

 

 

                                   

To Be Well

 
                                   

Capitalized Under

 
                   

For Capital

   

Prompt Corrective

 
   

Actual

   

Adequacy Purposes

   

Action Provisions

 
   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

 
                                                 

As of December 31, 2016:

                                               

Total capital (to risk- weighted assets):

                                               

Consolidated

  $ 170,358       17.2 %   $ 85,241       8.625 %     N/A       N/A  

Boone Bank & Trust

    15,044       17.2       7,534       8.625     $ 8,735       10.0 %

First National Bank

    78,322       15.3       44,279       8.625       51,338       10.0  

Reliance State Bank

    26,095       14.1       15,927       8.625       18,466       10.0  

State Bank & Trust

    20,170       16.4       10,590       8.625       12,278       10.0  

United Bank & Trust

    14,897       19.2       6,684       8.625       7,749       10.0  
                                                 

Tier 1 capital (to risk- weighted assets):

                                               

Consolidated

  $ 159,325       16.1 %   $ 65,475       6.625 %     N/A       N/A  

Boone Bank & Trust

    14,132       16.2       5,787       6.625     $ 6,988       8.0 %

First National Bank

    72,750       14.2       34,011       6.625       41,070       8.0  

Reliance State Bank

    24,139       13.1       12,234       6.625       14,773       8.0  

State Bank & Trust

    18,633       15.2       8,134       6.625       9,822       8.0  

United Bank & Trust

    14,078       18.2       5,134       6.625       6,199       8.0  
                                                 

Tier 1 capital (to average- weighted assets):

                                               

Consolidated

  $ 159,325       12.0 %   $ 53,316       4.000 %     N/A       N/A  

Boone Bank & Trust

    14,132       10.2       5,529       4.000     $ 6,911       5.0 %

First National Bank

    72,750       10.0       29,077       4.000       36,347       5.0  

Reliance State Bank

    24,139       11.5       8,374       4.000       10,467       5.0  

State Bank & Trust

    18,633       11.6       6,449       4.000       8,061       5.0  

United Bank & Trust

    14,078       12.5       4,523       4.000       5,654       5.0  
                                                 

Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):

                                               

Consolidated

  $ 159,325       16.1 %   $ 50,650       5.125 %     N/A       N/A  

Boone Bank & Trust

    14,132       16.2       4,477       5.125     $ 5,678       6.5 %

First National Bank

    72,750       14.2       26,311       5.125       33,370       6.5  

Reliance State Bank

    24,139       13.1       9,464       5.125       12,003       6.5  

State Bank & Trust

    18,633       15.2       6,292       5.125       7,981       6.5  

United Bank & Trust

    14,078       18.2       3,972       5.125       5,037       6.5  

 

* These ratios for December 31, 2016 include a capital conservation buffer of 0.625%, except for the Tier 1 capital to average weighted assets ratios. 

 

The Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC issued final rules implementing the Basel III regulatory capital framework and related Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act changes in July 2013. The rules revise minimum capital requirements and adjust prompt corrective action thresholds. The final rules revise the regulatory capital elements, add a new common equity Tier I capital ratio, increase the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirements and implement a new capital conservation buffer. The rules also permit certain banking organizations to retain, through a one-time election, the existing treatment for accumulated other comprehensive income. The Company and the Banks have made the election to retain the existing treatment for accumulated other comprehensive income. The final rules took effect for the Company and the Banks on January 1, 2015, subject to a transition period for certain parts of the rules.

 

  

Beginning in 2016, an additional capital conservation buffer was added to the minimum requirements for capital adequacy purposes, subject to a three year phase-in period. The capital conservation buffer will be fully phased-in on January 1, 2019 at 2.5 percent. A banking organization with a conservation buffer of less than 2.5 percent (or the required phase-in amount in years prior to 2019) will be subject to limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. At the present time, the ratios for the Company and the Banks are sufficient to meet the fully phased-in conservation buffer.

 

12.      Subsequent Events

 

Management evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. There were no significant events or transactions occurring after March 31, 2017, but prior to May 9, 2017, that provided additional evidence about conditions that existed at March 31, 2017. There were no other significant events or transactions that provided evidence about conditions that did not exist at March 31, 2017. 

 

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

 

Overview

 

Ames National Corporation (the “Company”) is a bank holding company established in 1975 that owns and operates five bank subsidiaries in central Iowa (the “Banks”). The following discussion is provided for the consolidated operations of the Company and its Banks, First National Bank, Ames, Iowa (First National), State Bank & Trust Co. (State Bank), Boone Bank & Trust Co. (Boone Bank), Reliance State Bank (Reliance Bank), and United Bank & Trust NA (United Bank). The purpose of this discussion is to focus on significant factors affecting the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

 

The Company does not engage in any material business activities apart from its ownership of the Banks. Products and services offered by the Banks are for commercial and consumer purposes including loans, deposits and wealth management services. The Banks also offer investment services through a third-party broker-dealer. The Company employs fourteen individuals to assist with financial reporting, human resources, audit, compliance, marketing, technology systems, training and the coordination of management activities, in addition to 204 full-time equivalent individuals employed by the Banks.

 

The Company’s primary competitive strategy is to utilize seasoned and competent Bank management and local decision making authority to provide customers with faster response times and more flexibility in the products and services offered. This strategy is viewed as providing an opportunity to increase revenues through creating a competitive advantage over other financial institutions. The Company also strives to remain operationally efficient to provide better profitability while enabling the Company to offer more competitive loan and deposit rates.

 

The principal sources of Company revenues and cash flow are: (i) interest and fees earned on loans made by the Company and Banks; (ii) interest on fixed income investments held by the Company and Banks; (iii) fees on wealth management services provided by those Banks exercising trust powers; (iv) service fees on deposit accounts maintained at the Banks and (v) Merchant and card fees. The Company’s principal expenses are: (i) interest expense on deposit accounts and other borrowings; (ii) provision for loan losses; (iii) salaries and employee benefits; (iv) data processing costs associated with maintaining the Banks’ loan and deposit functions; (v) occupancy expenses for maintaining the Bank’s facilities; and (vi) professional fees. The largest component contributing to the Company’s net income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on earning assets (primarily loans and investments) and interest paid on interest bearing liabilities (primarily deposits and other borrowings). One of management’s principal functions is to manage the spread between interest earned on earning assets and interest paid on interest bearing liabilities in an effort to maximize net interest income while maintaining an appropriate level of interest rate risk.

 

  

The Company had net income of $3,610,000, or $0.39 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to net income of $3,807,000, or $0.41 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Total equity capital as of March 31, 2017 totaled $168.1 million or 12.0% of total assets.

 

 

The decrease in quarterly earnings can be primarily attributed to a higher provision for loan losses and increases in interest expense, offset in part by an increase in loan interest income.

 

Net loan charge-offs totaled $3,000 and $78,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The provision for loan losses totaled $398,000 and $192,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

The following management discussion and analysis will provide a review of important items relating to:

 

●     Challenges

●     Key Performance Indicators and Industry Results

●     Critical Accounting Policies

●     Income Statement Review

●     Balance Sheet Review

●     Asset Quality Review and Credit Risk Management

●     Liquidity and Capital Resources

●     Forward-Looking Statements and Business Risks

 

Challenges

 

Management has identified certain events or circumstances that may negatively impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations in the future and is attempting to position the Company to best respond to those challenges. These challenges are addressed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 13, 2017.

 

 

Key Performance Indicators and Industry Results

 

Certain key performance indicators for the Company and the industry are presented in the following chart. The industry figures are compiled by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and are derived from 5,913 commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the FDIC. Management reviews these indicators on a quarterly basis for purposes of comparing the Company’s performance from quarter-to-quarter against the industry as a whole.

 

Selected Indicators for the Company and the Industry 

 

   

3 Months

                                                 
   

Ended

                                                 
   

March 31,

   

Years Ended December 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

   

2015

   

2014

 
   

Company

   

Company

   

Industry*

   

Company

   

Industry

   

Company

   

Industry

 
                                                         

Return on assets

    1.05 %     1.18 %     1.04 %     1.13 %     1.04 %     1.21 %     1.01 %
                                                         

Return on equity

    8.66 %     9.38 %     9.32 %     9.44 %     9.31 %     10.09 %     9.03 %
                                                         

Net interest margin

    3.20 %     3.36 %     3.13 %     3.33 %     3.07 %     3.31 %     3.14 %
                                                         

Efficiency ratio

    54.14 %     51.95 %     58.28 %     53.59 %     59.91 %     53.37 %     61.88 %
                                                         

Capital ratio

    12.16 %     12.60 %     9.48 %     12.00 %     9.59 %     12.05 %     9.46 %

 

*Latest available data

 

Key performances indicators include:

 

●     Return on Assets

 

This ratio is calculated by dividing net income by average assets. It is used to measure how effectively the assets of the Company are being utilized in generating income. The Company's annualized return on average assets was 1.05% and 1.16% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in this ratio in 2017 from the previous period is primarily due to an increase in average assets due primarily to loan growth and a decrease in net income associated with an increased provision for loan losses and increases in interest expense, offset in part by an increase in loan interest income.

 

●     Return on Equity

 

This ratio is calculated by dividing net income by average equity. It is used to measure the net income or return the Company generated for the shareholders’ equity investment in the Company. The Company's return on average equity was at 8.66% and 9.28% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in this ratio in 2017 from the previous period is primarily due to a decrease in net income and an increase in average equity.

 

●     Net Interest Margin

 

The net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was 3.20% and 3.36%, respectively. The ratio is calculated by dividing net interest income by average earning assets. Earning assets are primarily made up of loans and investments that earn interest. This ratio is used to measure how well the Company is able to maintain interest rates on earning assets above those of interest-bearing liabilities, which is the interest expense paid on deposits and other borrowings. The decrease in this ratio in 2017 is primarily the result of a decrease in the yield on loans and an increase in the interest rates on deposits.

 

  

●     Efficiency Ratio

 

This ratio is calculated by dividing noninterest expense by net interest income and noninterest income. The ratio is a measure of the Company’s ability to manage noninterest expenses. The Company’s efficiency ratio was 54.14% and 53.91% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The efficiency ratio remained nearly unchanged.

 

●     Capital Ratio

 

The average capital ratio is calculated by dividing average total equity capital by average total assets. It measures the level of average assets that are funded by shareholders’ equity. Given an equal level of risk in the financial condition of two companies, the higher the capital ratio, generally the more financially sound the company. The Company’s capital ratio of 12.16% as of March 31, 2017 is significantly higher than the industry average as of December 31, 2016.

 

Industry Results

 

The FDIC Quarterly Banking Profile reported the following results for the fourth quarter of 2016:

 

Income Is $43.7 Billion in Fourth Quarter

 

Insured institutions reported net income of $43.7 billion for the quarter, an increase of $3.1 billion (7.7%) compared with the year before. Almost 60% of all banks reported year-over-year increases in quarterly earnings. Only 8.1% of banks were unprofitable for the quarter, down from 9.6% the previous year. The average return on assets (ROA) rose slightly to 1.04%, from 1.02% in fourth quarter 2015.

 

Full-Year 2016 Earnings Rise to $171.3 Billion

 

The industry reported $171.3 billion in net income for full-year 2016, $7.9 billion (4.9%) more than the industry earned in 2015. Almost two out of every three banks (65.2%) reported higher earnings in 2016 than in 2015. Only 4.2% of all banks had negative full-year net income. This is the lowest percentage of unprofitable banks for any year since 1995. Net operating revenue was $29 billion (4.2%) higher than in 2015, as net interest income increased by $29.8 billion (6.9%) and total noninterest income declined by $779 million (0.3%). The average net interest margin (NIM) rose to 3.13% from 3.07% in 2015. Total noninterest expenses were only $5.1 billion (1.2%) higher than a year earlier, as itemized litigation charges at a few large banks were $2.95 billion lower than in 2015. Loan-loss provisions totaled $47.8 billion, an increase of $10.7 billion (28.8%) from 2015. The average return on assets for 2016 was 1.04%, unchanged from the full-year average for 2015.

 

Net Interest Income Growth Lifts Operating Revenues

 

Net operating revenue totaled $181.8 billion in the fourth quarter, up $7.9 billion (4.6%) from the year before. Net interest income was $8.4 billion (7.6%) higher, while noninterest income declined by $480 million (0.8%). The increase in net interest income was attributable to growth in interest-bearing assets (up 5.2% over the past 12 months) and improvement in the industry’s aggregate NIM, which rose to 3.16%, from 3.12% in fourth quarter 2015. The NIM improvement was not broad-based. A majority of banks (54.3%) reported lower NIMs than the year earlier. The decline in noninterest income was driven by a $950 million drop in income from changes in fair values of financial instruments and a $432 million decline in interchange fees. Both trading income and servicing income rose $1.7 billion (39.8% and 51.4%, respectively) from fourth quarter 2015.

 

  

Noninterest Expenses Up 2.6% From a Year Before

 

Total noninterest expenses were $2.7 billion (2.6%) higher than the year before. Salary and employee benefit expenses rose $1.7 billion (3.4%), while goodwill impairment charges were $675 million higher. Expenses for premises and fixed assets were only $9 million (0.1%) higher than the year earlier.

 

Quarterly Loss Provisions Decline From a Year Ago

 

Loan-loss provisions totaled $12.2 billion in the fourth quarter, $3 million less than banks set aside a year earlier. This marks the first time since second quarter 2014 that quarterly provision expenses have not posted a year-over-year increase. For the industry, fourth-quarter provisions represented 6.7% of the quarter’s net operating revenue, down from 7% in fourth quarter 2015.

 

Quarterly Charge-Offs Rise for a Fifth Consecutive Quarter

 

Net loan losses totaled $12.2 billion, up $1.5 billion (13.5%) from a year earlier. This is the fifth quarter in a row that net charge-offs have posted a year-over-year increase. Credit card charge-offs were $1.4 billion (24.8%) higher, while net charge-offs of loans to commercial and industrial (C&I) borrowers rose $666 million (37.9%). Charge-offs of residential mortgage loans were $576 million (75.1%) lower than in fourth quarter 2015. The average net charge-off rate rose to 0.53%, from 0.49% the year before. This is well below the high of 3.00% recorded in fourth quarter 2009.

 

Noncurrent Loan Rate at Lowest Level Since 2007

 

Noncurrent loans and leases—those 90 days or more past-due or in nonaccrual status—declined for the 26th time in the last 27 quarters, falling by $2.4 billion (1.8%) during the three months ended December 31. During the quarter, noncurrent C&I loans declined for the first time in eight quarters, falling by $1.4 billion (5.3%). Noncurrent residential mortgage loan balances fell by $2 billion (3%), while noncurrent home equity loans declined by $170 million (1.6%), and noncurrent nonfarm nonresidential real estate loans fell by $192 million (2%). These improvements exceeded the $1.1 billion (12.7%) increase in noncurrent credit card balances. The average noncurrent loan rate fell from 1.45% to 1.41%, the lowest level since year-end 2007.

 

Loan-Loss Reserves Decline for the First Time in Five Quarters

 

Banks reduced their reserves for loan and lease losses during the fourth quarter, as slightly lower loan-loss provisions were offset by higher net charge-offs. Loss reserves fell by $649 million (0.5%). At banks that itemize their reserves, which represent more than 90% of total industry reserves, the decline was driven by reductions in reserves for residential real estate loan losses, which fell by $1.2 billion (6.5%), and in reserves for commercial loan losses, which declined by $639 million (1.8%). Itemized reserves for losses on credit cards increased by $677 million (2.3%). Despite the small reduction in industry reserves, the larger decline in noncurrent loan balances caused the coverage ratio of reserves to noncurrent loans to rise from 91.1% to 92.3% in the quarter, the highest level since third quarter 2007.

 

Equity Capital Posts a Quarterly Decline as the Market Value of Available-For-Sale Securities Falls

 

Total equity capital declined by $16.8 billion (0.9%) in fourth quarter 2016, as higher interest rates caused the market values of available-for-sale securities at banks to fall. Accumulated other comprehensive income declined by $39.5 billion in the quarter, mostly as a result of the drop in securities values. Retained earnings contributed $15.1 billion to equity growth, $1.8 billion (13.5%) more than a year earlier. Banks declared $28.6 billion in dividends, a $1.3 billion (4.8%) increase over fourth quarter 2015. The average equity-to-assets ratio for the industry declined from 11.22% to 11.11%. At the end of the quarter, 99.7% of all banks, representing 99.9% of industry assets, met or exceeded the requirements for the highest regulatory capital category as defined for Prompt Corrective Action purposes.

 

  

Loan Balances Increase $72.3 Billion in the Fourth Quarter

 

Total assets rose by $13.7 billion (0.1%) during the fourth quarter. Total loan and lease balances increased by $72.3 billion (0.8%). Growth in loan balances was led by credit cards (up $38.2 billion, 5%), loans secured by nonfarm nonresidential real estate properties (up $22.8 billion, 1.7%), and real estate construction and development loans (up $10.1 billion, 3.3%). C&I loan balances fell for the first time in 26 quarters, declining $7.7 billion (0.4%). Investment securities portfolios rose by $52 billion (1.5%) during the quarter despite a $52.4 billion decline in the market values of securities available for sale. Assets in trading accounts declined by $27.3 billion (4.6%). Banks reduced their balances at Federal Reserve banks by $116.4 billion (9.6%).

 

Total Loan Balances Rise 5.3% During 2016

 

For full-year 2016, total assets increased $812.6 billion (5.1%). Total loans and leases increased by $466 billion (5.3%), as C&I loans rose by $94.2 billion (5.1%), loans secured by nonfarm nonresidential real estate were up by $92.6 billion (7.5%), and residential mortgages increased by $91.1 billion (4.8%). All major loan categories grew in 2016. Banks increased their investment securities by $205.9 billion (6.1%) in 2016, with mortgage-backed securities up $133.3 billion (7.1%) and U.S. Treasury securities up $97 billion (23%).

 

Deposits Rise by $96 Billion

 

Domestic deposit growth was relatively strong in the fourth quarter. Total deposits rose by $95.9 billion (0.7%), as deposits in domestic offices increased by $186.5 billion (1.6%), while foreign office deposits declined by $90.6 billion (6.8%). Balances in domestic interest-bearing accounts rose by $178.7 billion (2.1%), and balances in noninterest-bearing accounts grew by $7.7 billion (0.2%). Balances in consumer-oriented accounts increased by $120.5 billion (3%), while all other domestic office deposits rose by $62 billion (1%). Banks reduced their nondeposit liabilities by $65.4 billion (3.1%), as securities sold under repurchase agreements declined by $25.1 billion (10.9%), and trading account liabilities fell by $13 billion (5.1%).

 

“Problem Bank List” Continues to Improve

 

The number of FDIC-insured commercial banks and savings institutions reporting quarterly financial results fell to 5,913 in the fourth quarter, from 5,980 in the third quarter of 2016. There were 65 mergers of insured institutions during the quarter, while no insured banks failed. No new charters were added during the quarter. Banks reported 2,052,504 full-time equivalent employees, an increase of 18,777 from fourth quarter 2015. The number of insured institutions on the FDIC’s “Problem Bank List” declined from 132 to 123, as total assets of problem banks rose from $24.9 billion to $27.6 billion. For all of 2016, the number of insured institutions reporting declined by 269. Mergers absorbed 251 institutions, and 5 insured institutions failed. This is the smallest number of bank failures in a year since three FDIC-insured institutions failed in 2007. In 2015, there were eight failures.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The discussion contained in this Item 2 and other disclosures included within this report are based, in part, on the Company’s audited December 31, 2016 consolidated financial statements. These statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The financial information contained in these statements is, for the most part, based on the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred. However, the preparation of these statements requires management to make certain estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.

 

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” accompanying the Company’s audited financial statements. Based on its consideration of accounting policies that involve the most complex and subjective estimates and judgments, management has identified the allowance for loan losses, the assessment of other-than-temporary impairment for investment securities and the assessment of goodwill to be the Company’s most critical accounting policies.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses that is treated as an expense and charged against earnings. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that collectability of the principal is unlikely. The Company has policies and procedures for evaluating the overall credit quality of its loan portfolio, including timely identification of potential problem loans. On a quarterly basis, management reviews the appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses, incorporating a variety of risk considerations, both quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative factors include the Company’s historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values, known information about individual loans and other factors. Qualitative factors include various considerations regarding the general economic environment in the Company’s market area. To the extent actual results differ from forecasts and management’s judgment, the allowance for loan losses may be greater or lesser than future charge-offs. Due to potential changes in conditions, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in estimates will occur in the near term and that such changes could be material to the amounts reported in the Company’s financial statements.

 

For further discussion concerning the allowance for loan losses and the process of establishing specific reserves, see the section of the Annual Report on Form 10-K entitled “Asset Quality Review and Credit Risk Management” and “Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses”.

 

Fair Value and Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Investment Securities

 

The Company’s securities available-for-sale portfolio is carried at fair value with “fair value” being defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The price in the principal (or most advantageous) market used to measure the fair value of the asset or liability is not adjusted for transaction costs. An orderly transaction is a transaction that assumes exposure to the market for a period prior to the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets and liabilities; it is not a forced transaction. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal market that are (i) independent, (ii) knowledgeable, (iii) able to transact, and (iv) willing to transact.

 

  

Declines in the fair value of available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the intent to sell the investment securities and the more likely than not requirement that the Company will be required to sell the investment securities prior to recovery (2) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost and (3) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Due to potential changes in conditions, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in management’s assessment of other-than-temporary impairment will occur in the near term and that such changes could be material to the amounts reported in the Company’s financial statements.

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill arose in connection with two acquisitions consummated in previous periods. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment or more often if conditions indicate a possible impairment.  For the purposes of goodwill impairment testing, determination of the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions.   Impairment would arise if the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. At March 31, 2017, Company’s management has completed the goodwill impairment assessment and determined goodwill was not impaired. Actual future test results may differ from the present evaluation of impairment due to changes in the conditions used in the current evaluation.

 

 

Income Statement Review for the Three Months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016

 

The following highlights a comparative discussion of the major components of net income and their impact for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

AVERAGE BALANCES AND INTEREST RATES

 

The following two tables are used to calculate the Company’s net interest margin. The first table includes the Company’s average assets and the related income to determine the average yield on earning assets. The second table includes the average liabilities and related expense to determine the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities. The net interest margin is equal to the interest income less the interest expense divided by average earning assets.

 

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

 
                                                 
   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
                                                 
   

2017

   

2016

 
                                                 
   

Average

   

Revenue/

   

Yield/

   

Average

   

Revenue/

   

Yield/

 
   

balance

   

expense

   

rate

   

balance

   

expense

   

rate

 

ASSETS

                                               

(dollars in thousands)

                                               

Interest-earning assets

                                               

Loans 1

                                               

Commercial

  $ 75,103     $ 814       4.34 %   $ 99,726     $ 1,103       4.42 %

Agricultural

    67,383       835       4.95 %     74,668       916       4.91 %

Real estate

    601,798       6,327       4.21 %     507,753       5,642       4.44 %

Consumer and other

    11,619       140       4.83 %     22,019       196       3.57 %
                                                 

Total loans (including fees)

    755,903       8,116       4.29 %     704,166       7,857       4.46 %
                                                 

Investment securities

                                               

Taxable

    267,419       1,513       2.26 %     265,529       1,495       2.25 %

Tax-exempt 2

    249,353       2,028       3.25 %     257,369       2,155       3.35 %

Total investment securities

    516,772       3,541       2.74 %     522,898       3,650       2.79 %
                                                 

Interest bearing deposits with banks and federal funds sold

    49,763       137       1.10 %     31,750       96       1.21 %
                                                 

Total interest-earning assets

    1,322,438     $ 11,794       3.57 %     1,258,814     $ 11,603       3.69 %
                                                 

Noninterest-earning assets

    49,714                       54,239                  
                                                 

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 1,372,152                     $ 1,313,053                  

 

1 Average loan balance includes nonaccrual loans, if any. Interest income collected on nonaccrual loans has been included.

2 Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using an incremental tax rate of 35%.

  

 

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND INTEREST RATES

 
                                                 
   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
                                                 
   

2017

   

2016

 
                                                 
   

Average

   

Revenue/

   

Yield/

   

Average

   

Revenue/

   

Yield/

 
   

balance

   

expense

   

rate

   

balance

   

expense

   

rate

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

                                               

(dollars in thousands)

                                               

Interest-bearing liabilities

                                               

Deposits

                                               

NOW, savings accounts and money markets

  $ 712,439     $ 480       0.27 %   $ 652,629     $ 310       0.19 %

Time deposits > $100,000

    82,701       209       1.01 %     90,306       199       0.88 %

Time deposits < $100,000

    118,758       233       0.78 %     127,918       241       0.75 %

Total deposits

    913,898       922       0.40 %     870,853       750       0.34 %

Other borrowed funds

    79,035       279       1.41 %     80,098       263       1.32 %
                                                 

Total Interest-bearing liabilities

    992,934       1,201       0.48 %     950,951       1,013       0.43 %
                                                 

Noninterest-bearing liabilities

                                               

Demand deposits

    204,661                       191,189                  

Other liabilities

    7,768                       6,745                  
                                                 

Stockholders' equity

    166,790                       164,168                  
                                                 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

  $ 1,372,152                     $ 1,313,053                  
                                                 
                                                 

Net interest income

          $ 10,593       3.20 %           $ 10,588       3.36 %
                                                 

Spread Analysis

                                               

Interest income/average assets

  $ 11,794       3.44 %           $ 11,603       3.53 %        

Interest expense/average assets

  $ 1,201       0.35 %           $ 1,013       0.31 %        

Net interest income/average assets

  $ 10,593       3.09 %           $ 10,588       3.23 %        

 

Net Interest Income

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company's net interest margin adjusted for tax exempt income was 3.20% and 3.36%, respectively. Net interest income, prior to the adjustment for tax-exempt income, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 totaled $9,883,000 compared to $9,835,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, interest income increased $235,000, or 2%, when compared to the same period in 2016. The increase from 2016 was primarily attributable to higher average balance of loans, offset in part by lower yields on loans. The higher average balances of loans were due primarily to favorable economic conditions in our market areas. The lower yields on loans were due primarily to the low interest rate environment.

 

  

Interest expense increased $187,000, or 18%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 when compared to the same period in 2016. The higher interest expense for the period is primarily attributable to higher rates on core deposits due to competitive pressures.

 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

The Company’s provision for loan losses was $398,000 and $192,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Net loan charge-offs were $3,000 and $78,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in the provision for loan losses was due primarily to the growth in the loan portfolio. However, the Iowa agricultural economy remains weak as a result of the current low grain prices; however, favorable crop yields provided better than break even cash flows in 2016 even with low crop prices for most of the Company’s farm customers

 

Noninterest Income and Expense

 

Noninterest income decreased $19,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. The decrease in noninterest income is primarily due to lower wealth management income and to a lesser extent lower gains on the sale of loans, service fees, and merchant and card fees, offset in part by higher security gains. The lower wealth management income was primarily due to lower one time estate fees, offset in part by increases in assets under management. The decline in the gain on sale of loans was due to lower loan volume driven by lower refinance activity in central Iowa. Exclusive of realized securities gains, noninterest income was 10% lower in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.

 

Noninterest expense increased $42,000 or 1% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 primarily as a result of increases in data processing costs, professional fees and other expenses, offset in part by decreases in FDIC insurance assessments and building occupancy costs. Data processing increases was due to increasing technology costs. The increase in other expenses was due to higher deposit account costs. The lower FDIC insurance assessment is due to lower assessment rates. The lower building occupancy costs are due to lower property taxes and lower utility costs due to a milder winter. The efficiency ratio was 54.14% for the first quarter of 2017 as compared to 53.91% in 2016.  

 

Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $1,479,000 and $1,501,000, respectively, representing an effective tax rate of 29% and 28%, respectively. The increase is the effective tax rate is primarily due to a decrease in tax-exempt interest income.

 

Balance Sheet Review

 

As of March 31, 2017, total assets were $1,395,306,000, a $28,853,000 increase compared to December 31, 2016. The increase in assets was due primarily to an increase in interest bearing deposits, loans and other assets.

 

Investment Portfolio

 

The investment portfolio totaled $516,353,000 as of March 31, 2017, an increase of $273,000 from the December 31, 2016 balance of $516,080,000. The increase in the investment portfolio was primarily due purchases of corporate bonds offset in part by sales, calls and maturities of state and political subdivision.

 

  

On a quarterly basis, the investment portfolio is reviewed for other-than-temporary impairment. As of March 31, 2017, gross unrealized losses of $2,477,000, are considered to be temporary in nature due to the interest rate environment of 2017 and other general economic factors. As a result of the Company’s favorable liquidity position, the Company does not have the intent to sell securities with an unrealized loss at the present time. In addition, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will hold these securities until recovery of their fair value to cost basis and avoid considering present unrealized loss positions to be other-than-temporary.

 

At March 31, 2017, the Company’s investment securities portfolio included securities issued by 272 government municipalities and agencies located within 25 states with a fair value of $261.6 million. At December 31, 2016, the Company’s investment securities portfolio included securities issued by 286 government municipalities and agencies located within 25 states with a fair value of $264.4 million. No one municipality or agency represents a concentration within this segment of the investment portfolio. The largest exposure to any one municipality or agency as of March 31, 2017 was $5.1 million (approximately 1.9 % of the fair value of the governmental municipalities and agencies) represented by the Dubuque, Iowa Community School District to be repaid by sales tax revenues and property taxes.

 

The Company’s procedures for evaluating investments in states, municipalities and political subdivisions include but are not limited to reviewing the offering statement and the most current available financial information, comparing yields to yields of bonds of similar credit quality, confirming capacity to repay, assessing operating and financial performance, evaluating the stability of tax revenues, considering debt profiles and local demographics, and for revenue bonds, assessing the source and strength of revenue structures for municipal authorities. These procedures, as applicable, are utilized for all municipal purchases and are utilized in whole or in part for monitoring the portfolio of municipal holdings. The Company does not utilize third party credit rating agencies as a primary component of determining if the municipal issuer has an adequate capacity to meet the financial commitments under the security for the projected life of the investment, and, therefore, does not compare internal assessments to those of the credit rating agencies. Credit rating downgrades are utilized as an additional indicator of credit weakness and as a reference point for historical default rates.

 

 

The following table summarizes the total general obligation and revenue bonds in the Company’s investment securities portfolios as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 identifying the state in which the issuing government municipality or agency operates. (Dollars in thousands)

 

   

2017

   

2016

 
           

Estimated

           

Estimated

 
   

Amortized

   

Fair

   

Amortized

   

Fair

 
   

Cost

   

Value

   

Cost

   

Value

 
                                 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions:

                               

General Obligation bonds:

                               

Iowa

  $ 71,226     $ 71,004     $ 75,142     $ 74,408  

Texas

    11,057       11,136       11,091       11,065  

Pennsylvania

    8,725       8,716       8,728       8,654  

Washington

    7,193       7,018       7,221       6,957  

Other (2017: 17 states; 2016: 17 states)

    25,162       25,507       28,064       28,258  
                                 

Total general obligation bonds

  $ 123,363     $ 123,381     $ 130,246     $ 129,342  
                                 

Revenue bonds:

                               

Iowa

  $ 129,301     $ 130,063     $ 126,750     $ 126,964  

Other (2017: 7 states; 2016: 9 states)

    8,189       8,191       8,208       8,142  
                                 

Total revenue bonds

  $ 137,490     $ 138,254     $ 134,958     $ 135,106  
                                 

Total obligations of states and political subdivisions

  $ 260,853     $ 261,635     $ 265,204     $ 264,448  

 

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the revenue bonds in the Company’s investment securities portfolios were issued by government municipalities and agencies to fund public services such as community school facilities, college and university dormitory facilities, water utilities and electrical utilities. The revenue bonds are to be paid from primarily 8 revenue sources. The revenue sources that represent 5% or more, individually, as a percent of the total revenue bonds are summarized in the following table. (in thousands)

 

   

2017

   

2016

 
           

Estimated

           

Estimated

 
   

Amortized

   

Fair

   

Amortized

   

Fair

 
   

Cost

   

Value

   

Cost

   

Value

 
                                 

Revenue bonds by revenue source

                               

Sales tax

  $ 76,173     $ 77,040     $ 77,586     $ 78,085  

Water

    14,095       14,019       11,283       11,296  

College and universities, primarily dormitory revenues

    11,279       11,341       14,105       13,907  

Leases

    9,091       9,027       9,106       8,960  

Electric

    8,440       8,505       8,446       8,459  

Other

    18,412       18,322       14,432       14,399  
                                 

Total revenue bonds by revenue source

  $ 137,490     $ 138,254     $ 134,958     $ 135,106  

 

Loan Portfolio

 

The loan portfolio, net of the allowance for loan losses of $10,902,000, totaled $759,786,000 as of March 31, 2017, an increase of $7,604,000, or 1%, from the December 31, 2016 balance of $752,182,000. The increase in the loan portfolio is primarily due to steady loan demand for most of our affiliate banks. The Company’s expansion into the Des Moines metro market was a significant factor in obtaining this growth.

 

 

Other Assets

 

Other assets totaled $10,228,000 as of March 31, 2017, an increase of $9,429,000 from the December 31, 2016 balance of $799,000. The increase was due primarily to receivables from two brokers related to the sale of securities available-for-sale.

 

Deposits

 

Deposits totaled $1,141,672,000 as of March 31, 2017, an increase of $32,263,000, or 3%, from the December 31, 2016 balance of $1,109,409,000. The increase in deposits was primarily due to increases in NOW, savings and money market account balances.

 

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaled $50,374,000 as of March 31, 2017, a decrease of $7,963,000, or 14%, from the December 31, 2016 balance of $58,337,000 associated with one commercial account.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. No material changes in the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements have occurred since December 31, 2016.

 

Asset Quality Review and Credit Risk Management

 

The Company’s credit risk is historically centered in the loan portfolio, which on March 31, 2017 totaled $759,786,000 compared to $752,182,000 as of December 31, 2016. Net loans comprise 54.5% of total assets as of March 31, 2017. The object in managing loan portfolio risk is to reduce the risk of loss resulting from a customer’s failure to perform according to the terms of a transaction and to quantify and manage credit risk on a portfolio basis. The Company’s level of problem loans (consisting of nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days or more) as a percentage of total loans was 0.70% at March 31, 2017, as compared to 0.67% at December 31, 2016 and 0.35% at March 31, 2016. The Company’s level of problem loans as a percentage of total loans at March 31, 2017 of 0.70% is lower than the Company’s peer group (328 bank holding companies with assets of $1 billion to $3 billion) of 0.79% as of December 31, 2016.

 

Impaired loans, net of specific reserves, totaled $4,635,000 as of March 31, 2017 and have increased $278,000 as compared to the impaired loans of $4,357,000 as of December 31, 2016.

 

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payment of principal and interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. The Company applies its normal loan review procedures to identify loans that should be evaluated for impairment.

 

The Company had TDRs of $3,662,000 as of March 31, 2017, all of which were included in impaired loans and on nonaccrual status. The Company had TDRs of $3,672,000 as of December 31, 2016, all of which were included in impaired and nonaccrual loans.

 

  

TDRs are monitored and reported on a quarterly basis. Certain TDRs are on nonaccrual status at the time of restructuring. These borrowings are typically returned to accrual status after the following: sustained repayment performance in accordance with the restructuring agreement for a reasonable period of at least six months; and, management is reasonably assured of future performance. If the TDR meets these performance criteria and the interest rate granted at the modification is equal to or greater than the rate that the Company was willing to accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk, then the loan will return to performing status.

 

For TDRs that were on nonaccrual status before the modification, a specific reserve may already be recorded. In periods subsequent to modification, the Company will continue to evaluate all TDRs for possible impairment and, as necessary, recognize impairment through the allowance. The Company had no charge-off related to TDRs for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

Loans past due 90 days or more that are still accruing interest are reviewed no less frequently than quarterly to determine if there is a strong reason that the credit should not be placed on non-accrual. As of March 31, 2017, non-accrual loans totaled $5,358,000 and there were a $8,000 loan past due 90 days and still accruing. This compares to non-accrual loans of $5,077,000 and loans past due 90 days and still accruing totaled $22,000 as of December 31, 2016. Other real estate owned totaled $543,000 as of March 31, 2017 and $546,000 as of December 31, 2016.

 

The agricultural real estate and agricultural operating loan portfolio classifications remain in a weakened position. The watch and special mention loans in these categories are $42,542,000 as of March 31, 2017 as compared to $38,492,000 as of December 31, 2016. The substandard loans in these categories are $4,233,000 as of March 31, 2017 as compared to $2,399,000 as of December 31, 2016. The increase in these categories is primarily due to low grain prices, mitigated by favorable yields.

 

The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of outstanding loans as of March 31, 2017 was 1.41%, as compared to 1.38% at December 31, 2016. The allowance for loan losses totaled $10,902,000 and $10,507,000 as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Net charge-offs of loans totaled $3,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to net charge-offs of loans of $78,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016. 

 

The allowance for loan losses is management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. Factors considered in establishing an appropriate allowance include: an assessment of the financial condition of the borrower, a realistic determination of value and adequacy of underlying collateral, the condition of the local economy and the condition of the specific industry of the borrower, an analysis of the levels and trends of loan categories and a review of delinquent and classified loans.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity management is the process by which the Company, through its Banks’ Asset and Liability Committees (ALCO), ensures that adequate liquid funds are available to meet its financial commitments on a timely basis, at a reasonable cost and within acceptable risk tolerances. These commitments include funding credit obligations to borrowers, funding of mortgage originations pending delivery to the secondary market, withdrawals by depositors, maintaining adequate collateral for pledging for public funds, trust deposits and borrowings, paying dividends to shareholders, payment of operating expenses, funding capital expenditures and maintaining deposit reserve requirements.

 

  

Liquidity is derived primarily from core deposit growth and retention; principal and interest payments on loans; principal and interest payments, sale, maturity and prepayment of securities available-for-sale; net cash provided from operations; and access to other funding sources. Other funding sources include federal funds purchased lines, FHLB advances and other capital market sources.

 

As of March 31, 2017, the level of liquidity and capital resources of the Company remain at a satisfactory level. Management believes that the Company's liquidity sources will be sufficient to support its existing operations for the foreseeable future.

 

The liquidity and capital resources discussion will cover the following topics:

   

  Review of the Company’s Current Liquidity Sources
  Review of Statements of Cash Flows
  Company Only Cash Flows
 

Review of Commitments for Capital Expenditures, Cash Flow Uncertainties and Known Trends in Liquidity and Cash Flows Needs

 

Capital Resources

 

Review of the Company’s Current Liquidity Sources

 

Liquid assets of cash and due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 totaled $74,206,000 and $61,215,000, respectively, and provide an adequate level of liquidity given current economic conditions.

 

Other sources of liquidity available to the Banks as of March 31, 2017 include outstanding lines of credit with the FHLB of Des Moines, Iowa of $189,281,000, with $14,500,000 of outstanding FHLB advances. Federal funds borrowing capacity at correspondent banks was $109,319,000, with no outstanding federal fund purchase balances as of March 31, 2017. The Company had securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaling $50,374,000 and term repurchase agreements of $13,000,000 as of March 31, 2017.

 

Total investments as of March 31, 2017 were $516,353,000 compared to $516,080,000 as of December 31, 2016. These investments provide the Company with a significant amount of liquidity since all of the investments are classified as available-for-sale as of March 31, 2017.

 

The investment portfolio serves an important role in the overall context of balance sheet management in terms of balancing capital utilization and liquidity. The decision to purchase or sell securities is based upon the current assessment of economic and financial conditions, including the interest rate environment, liquidity and credit considerations. The portfolio’s scheduled maturities and payments represent a significant source of liquidity.

 

Review of Statements of Cash Flows

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 totaled $6,242,000 and was comparable to the $6,342,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $33,220,000 compared to $9,582,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase of $23,638,000 in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to a higher level of purchases of securities available-for-sale of $18,798,000 in 2017 compared to $6,945,000 in 2016; lower levels of proceeds from the sale of securities available-for-sale of $1,491,000 in 2017 compared to $12,365,000 in 2016; and a net increase in the loan portfolio, offset by a decrease in the change in interest bearing deposits.

 

  

Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 totaled $22,344,000 compared to $856,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The change of $21,488,000 in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to an increase in deposits in 2017 of $32,263,000 as compared to an increase in deposits of $9,670,000 in 2016. As of March 31, 2017, the Company did not have any external debt financing, off-balance sheet financing arrangements, or derivative instruments linked to its stock.

 

Company Only Cash Flows

 

The Company’s liquidity on an unconsolidated basis is heavily dependent upon dividends paid to the Company by the Banks. The Banks provide adequate liquidity to pay the Company’s expenses and stockholder dividends. Dividends paid by the Banks to the Company amounted to $2,600,000 and $2,150,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Various federal and state statutory provisions limit the amounts of dividends banking subsidiaries are permitted to pay to their holding companies without regulatory approval. Federal Reserve policy further limits the circumstances under which bank holding companies may declare dividends. For example, a bank holding company should not continue its existing rate of cash dividends on its common stock unless its net income is sufficient to fully fund each dividend and its prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with its capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. In addition, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC have issued policy statements, which provide that insured banks and bank holding companies should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings. Federal and state banking regulators may also restrict the payment of dividends by order. The quarterly dividend declared by the Company increased to $0.22 per share in 2017 from $0.21 per share in 2016.   

 

The Company, on an unconsolidated basis, has interest bearing deposits totaling $12,281,000 as of March 31, 2017 that are presently available to provide additional liquidity to the Banks.

 

Review of Commitments for Capital Expenditures, Cash Flow Uncertainties and Known Trends in Liquidity and Cash Flows Needs

 

No other material capital expenditures or material changes in the capital resource mix are anticipated at this time. The primary cash flow uncertainty would be a sudden decline in deposits causing the Banks to liquidate securities. Historically, the Banks have maintained an adequate level of short-term marketable investments to fund the temporary declines in deposit balances. There are no known trends in liquidity and cash flow needs as of March 31, 2017 that are of concern to management.

 

Capital Resources

 

The Company’s total stockholders’ equity as of March 31, 2017 totaled $168,127,000 and was $3,022,000 higher than the $165,105,000 recorded as of December 31, 2016. The increase in stockholders’ equity was primarily due to net income and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income, reduced by dividends declared. The increase in other comprehensive income is created by 2017 market interest rates trending lower, which resulted in higher fair values in the securities available-for-sale portfolio. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, stockholders’ equity as a percentage of total assets was 12.05% and 12.08%, respectively. The capital levels of the Company exceed applicable regulatory guidelines as of March 31, 2017.

 

  

Forward-Looking Statements and Business Risks

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides the Company with the opportunity to make cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report, including forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s future financial performance and asset quality. Any forward-looking statement contained in this Quarterly Report is based on management’s current beliefs, assumptions and expectations of the Company’s future performance, taking into account all information currently available to management. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to management. If a change occurs, the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, asset quality, plans and objectives may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of the Company include, but are not limited to, the following: economic conditions, particularly in the concentrated geographic area in which the Company and its affiliate banks operate; competitive products and pricing available in the marketplace; changes in credit and other risks posed by the Company’s loan and investment portfolios, including declines in commercial or residential real estate values or changes in the allowance for loan losses dictated by new market conditions or regulatory requirements; fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. government; changes in governmental regulations affecting financial institutions (including regulatory fees and capital requirements); changes in prevailing interest rates; credit risk management and asset/liability management; the financial and securities markets; the availability of and cost associated with sources of liquidity; and other risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business, including those discussed under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements and Business Risks” in the Company’s Annual Report. Management intends to identify forward-looking statements when using words such as “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “should” or similar expressions. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update such forward-looking statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

Item 3.          Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

The Company's market risk is comprised primarily of interest rate risk arising from its core banking activities of lending and deposit taking. Interest rate risk results from the changes in market interest rates which may adversely affect the Company's net interest income. Management continually develops and applies strategies to mitigate this risk. Management does not believe that the Company's primary market risk exposure and how it has been managed year-to-date in 2017 changed significantly when compared to 2016.

 

Item 4.          Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

  

PART II.      OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.         Legal Proceedings

 

 Not applicable

 

 

Item 1.A.     Risk Factors

 

 None.

 

Item 2.        Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

In November, 2016, the Company approved a Stock Repurchase Plan which provided for the repurchase of up to 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. As of March 31, 2017, there were 100,000 shares remaining to be purchased under the plan.

 

The following table provides information with respect to purchase made by or on behalf of the Company or any “affiliated purchases” (as defined in rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of the Company’s common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

 

                   

Total

         
                   

Number

   

Maximum

 
                   

of Shares

   

Number of

 
                   

Purchased as

   

Shares that

 
   

Total

           

Part of

   

May Yet Be

 
   

Number

   

Average

   

Publicly

   

Purchased

 
   

of Shares

   

Price Paid

   

Announced

   

Under

 

Period

 

Purchased

   

Per Share

   

Plans

   

The Plan

 
                                 

January 1, 2017 to January 31, 2017

    -     $ -       -       100,000  
                                 

February 1, 2017 to February 28, 2017

    -     $ -       -       100,000  
                                 

March 1, 2017 to March 31, 2017

    -     $ -       -       100,000  
                                 

Total

    -               -          

 

Item 3.        Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

 Not applicable

 

Item 4.        Mine Safety Disclosures

 

 Not applicable

 

 

Item 5.         Other information

 

 Not applicable

 

Item 6.         Exhibits

 

 

31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  32.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
  32.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
     
  101.INS XBRL Instance Document (1)
  101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (1)
  101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (1)
  101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (1)
  101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (1)
  101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (1)

   

(1)     These interactive date files shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

 

AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

DATE: May 9, 2017

By:

/s/ Thomas H. Pohlman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas H. Pohlman, Chief Executive Officer and President

 

       
  By: /s/ John P. Nelson  
       
  John P. Nelson, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President  

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

 

  Exhibit No. Description
  ----------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002

 

31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002

  32.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
  32.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
  101.INS XBRL Instance Document (1)
  101.SCH  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (1)
  101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (1)
  101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (1)
  101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (1)
  101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (1)

   

(1)   These interactive date files shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under those sections. 

 

 

 

50