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, 2015
or
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______________ to _________________________.
Commission file number: 000-16084
CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
90-92 MAIN STREET, WELLSBORO, PA 16901
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
570-724-3411
(Registrant's telephone number including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes xNo ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨Accelerated filer xNon-accelerated filer ¨Smaller reporting company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ¨No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q
Index
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In Thousands) (Unaudited)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
1. BASIS OF INTERIM PRESENTATION
The consolidated financial information included herein, with the exception of the consolidated balance sheet dated December 31, 2014, is unaudited. Such information reflects all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for the interim periods; however, the information does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for a complete set of financial statements.
Operating results reported for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 might not be indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2015. The Corporation evaluates subsequent events through the date of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
2. PER SHARE DATA
Net income per share is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. The following data show the amounts used in computing basic and diluted net income per share. As shown in the table that follows, diluted earnings per share is computed using weighted average common shares outstanding, plus weighted-average common shares available from the exercise of all dilutive stock options, less the number of shares that could be repurchased with the proceeds of stock option exercises based on the average share price of the Corporation's common stock during the period.
Stock options that were anti-dilutive were excluded from net income per share calculations. Weighted-average common shares available from anti-dilutive instruments totaled 103,104 shares in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 and 138,643 shares in the three-month period ended March 31, 2014.
3. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Comprehensive income is the total of (1) net income, and (2) all other changes in equity from non-stockholder sources, which are referred to as other comprehensive income. The components of other comprehensive income, and the related tax effects, are as follows:
Changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows and are presented net of tax:
Items reclassified out of each component of other comprehensive income are as follows:
4. CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS
Cash and due from banks at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 include the following:
Certificates of deposit are issues by U.S. banks with original maturities greater than three months. Each certificate of deposit is fully FDIC-insured. The Corporation maintains cash and cash equivalents with certain financial institutions in excess of the FDIC insurance limit.
The Corporation is required to maintain reserves against deposit liabilities in the form of cash and balances with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The reserves are based on deposit levels, account activity, and other services provided by the Federal Reserve Bank. Required reserves were $15,542,000 at March 31, 2015 and $16,853,000 at December 31, 2014.
5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Corporation measures certain assets at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” establishes a framework for measuring fair value that includes a hierarchy used to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in determining valuations into three levels. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 – Fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible to the Corporation for identical assets. These generally provide the most reliable evidence and are used to measure fair value whenever available.
Level 2 – Fair value is based on significant inputs, other than Level 1 inputs, that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset through corroboration with observable market data. Level 2 inputs
include quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets, quoted market prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets and other observable inputs.
Level 3 – Fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs. Examples of valuation methodologies that would result in Level 3 classification include option pricing models, discounted cash flows and other similar techniques.
The Corporation monitors and evaluates available data relating to fair value measurements on an ongoing basis and recognizes transfers among the levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the date of an event or change in circumstances that affects the valuation method chosen. Examples of such changes may include the market for a particular asset becoming active or inactive, changes in the availability of quoted prices, or changes in the availability of other market data.
At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, assets measured at fair value and the valuation methods used are as follows:
Loans are classified as impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Foreclosed assets held for sale consist of real estate acquired by foreclosure. For impaired commercial loans secured by real estate and foreclosed assets held for sale, estimated fair values are determined primarily using values from third-party appraisals less estimated selling costs.
Management’s evaluation and selection of valuation techniques and the unobservable inputs used in determining the fair values of assets valued using Level 3 methodologies include sensitive assumptions. Other market participants might use substantially different assumptions, which could result in calculations of fair values that would be substantially different than the amount calculated by management. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, quantitative information regarding significant techniques and inputs used for assets measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3 methodologies) are as follows:
The fair value of servicing rights is affected by expected future interest rates. Increases (decreases) in future expected interest rates tend to increase (decrease) the fair value of the Corporation’s servicing rights because of changes in expected prepayment behavior by the borrowers on the underlying loans.
Following is a reconciliation of activity for Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Certain of the Corporation’s financial instruments are not measured at fair value in the consolidated financial statements. In cases where 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 estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. Certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments are excluded from disclosure requirements. Therefore, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not represent the underlying fair value of the Corporation.
The Corporation used the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments:
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - The carrying amounts of cash and short-term instruments approximate fair values.
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT - Fair values for certificates of deposit, included in cash and due from banks in the consolidated balance sheet, are based on quoted market prices for certificates of similar remaining maturities.
SECURITIES - Fair values for securities, excluding restricted equity securities, are based on quoted market prices or other methods as described above. The carrying value of restricted equity securities approximates fair value based on applicable redemption provisions.
LOANS HELD FOR SALE - Fair values of loans held for sale are determined based on applicable sale prices available under the Federal Home Loan Banks’ MPF Original or Xtra program.
LOANS - Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as commercial, commercial real estate, residential mortgage and other consumer. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and by performing and nonperforming categories. The fair value of performing loans is calculated by discounting contractual cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments based on historical experience, using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loans. Fair value of nonperforming loans is based on recent appraisals or estimates prepared by the Corporation’s lending officers.
SERVICING RIGHTS - The fair value of servicing rights, included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet, is determined through a discounted cash flow valuation. Significant inputs include expected net servicing income, the discount rate and the expected prepayment speeds of the underlying loans.
DEPOSITS - The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings, money market and interest checking accounts, is (by definition) equal to the amount payable on demand at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The fair value of time deposits, such as certificates of deposit and Individual Retirement Accounts, is 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 of deposits 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, commonly referred to as the core deposit intangible.
BORROWED FUNDS - The fair value of borrowings is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on rates currently available to the Corporation for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
ACCRUED INTEREST - The carrying amounts of accrued interest receivable and payable approximate fair values.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET COMMITMENTS - The Corporation has commitments to extend credit and has issued standby letters of credit. Standby letters of credit are conditional guarantees of performance by a customer to a third party. Estimates of the fair value of these off-balance sheet items were not made because of the short-term nature of these arrangements and the credit standing of the counterparties.
The estimated fair values, and related carrying amounts, of the Corporation’s financial instruments are as follows:
6. SECURITIES
Amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:
The following table presents gross unrealized losses and fair value of available-for-sale securities with unrealized loss positions that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, aggregated by length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
Gross realized gains and losses from available-for-sale securities were as follows:
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities by contractual maturity are shown in the following table as of March 31, 2015. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because counterparties may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
The Corporation’s mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations have stated maturities that may differ from actual maturities due to borrowers’ ability to prepay obligations. Cash flows from such investments are dependent upon the performance of the underlying mortgage loans and are generally influenced by the level of interest rates. In the table above, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations are shown in one period.
Investment securities carried at $386,936,000 at March 31, 2015 and $369,945,000 at December 31, 2014 were pledged as collateral for public deposits, trusts and certain other deposits as provided by law. See Note 8 for information concerning securities pledged to secure borrowing arrangements.
Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) whether the Corporation intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery.
A summary of information management considered in evaluating debt and equity securities for OTTI at March 31, 2015 is provided below.
Debt Securities
At March 31, 2015, management performed an assessment for possible OTTI of the Corporation’s debt securities on an issue-by-issue basis, relying on information obtained from various sources, including publicly available financial data, ratings by external agencies, brokers and other sources. The extent of individual analysis applied to each security depended on the size of the Corporation’s investment, as well as management’s perception of the credit risk associated with each security. Based on the results of the assessment, management believes impairment of debt securities, including municipal bonds with no external ratings, at March 31, 2015 to be temporary.
The credit rating agencies have withdrawn their ratings on numerous municipal bonds held by the Corporation. At March 31, 2015, the total amortized cost basis of municipal bonds with no external credit ratings was $15,704,000, with an aggregate unrealized gain of $185,000. At the time of purchase, each of these bonds was considered investment grade and had been rated by at least one credit rating agency. Most of the bonds for which credit rating agencies have
withdrawn their ratings were insured by an entity that has reported significant financial problems and declines in its regulatory capital ratios, and most of the ratings were removed in the fourth quarter 2009. However, the insurance remains in effect on the bonds. In the third quarter 2013, a credit rating agency withdrew its ratings on several bonds due to changes in its rating methodology related to credit enhancement programs provided by issuers’ state governments. However, the credit enhancement remains in effect on the bonds. None of the unrated municipal bonds has failed to make a scheduled payment.
Equity Securities
The Corporation’s marketable equity securities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted exclusively of stocks of banking companies. The Corporation had no realized gains or losses from the sale of equity securities in the first quarter of 2015 or the first quarter of 2014. At March 31, 2015, the Corporation held three stocks with an unrealized loss of $6,000 for which management determined an OTTI charge was not required.
C&N Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLB-Pittsburgh). As a member, C&N Bank is required to purchase and maintain stock in FHLB-Pittsburgh. There is no active market for FHLB-Pittsburgh stock, and it must ordinarily be redeemed by FHLB-Pittsburgh in order to be liquidated. C&N Bank’s investment in FHLB-Pittsburgh stock, included in Other Assets in the consolidated balance sheet, was $1,515,000 at March 31, 2015 and $1,454,000 at December 31, 2014. The Corporation evaluated its holding of FHLB-Pittsburgh stock for impairment and deemed the stock to not be impaired at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. In making this determination, management concluded that recovery of total outstanding par value, which equals the carrying value, is expected. The decision was based on review of financial information that FHLB-Pittsburgh has made publicly available.
7. LOANS
The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into residential mortgage, commercial and consumer loans. The residential mortgage segment includes the following classes: first and junior lien residential mortgages, home equity lines of credit and residential construction loans. The most significant classes of commercial loans are commercial loans secured by real estate, non-real estate secured commercial and industrial loans, loans to political subdivisions, commercial construction and land loans, and loans secured by farmland.
Loans outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:
The Corporation grants loans to individuals as well as commercial and tax-exempt entities. Commercial, residential and personal loans are made to customers geographically concentrated in the Pennsylvania and New York counties that comprise the market serviced by Citizens & Northern Bank. Although the Corporation has a diversified loan portfolio, a significant portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent on the local economic conditions within the region. There is no concentration of loans to borrowers engaged in similar businesses or activities that exceed 10% of total loans at either March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.
The Corporation maintains an allowance for loan losses that represents management’s estimate of the losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date and recorded as a reduction of the investment in loans. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated. Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance. The allowance is based on the Corporation’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. In the process of evaluating the loan portfolio, management also considers the Corporation’s exposure to losses from unfunded loan commitments. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, management determined that no allowance for credit losses related to unfunded loan commitments was required.
Transactions within the allowance for loan losses, summarized by segment and class, for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
In the evaluation of the loan portfolio, management determines two major components for the allowance for loan losses – (1) a specific component based on an assessment of certain larger relationships, mainly commercial purpose loans, on a loan-by-loan basis; and (2) a general component for the remainder of the portfolio based on a collective evaluation of pools of loans with similar risk characteristics. The general component is assigned to each pool of loans based on both historical net charge-off experience, and an evaluation of certain qualitative factors. An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the above methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.
In determining the larger loan relationships for detailed assessment under the specific allowance component, the Corporation uses an internal risk rating system. Under the risk rating system, the Corporation classifies problem or potential problem loans as “Special Mention,” “Substandard,” or “Doubtful” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values. Substandard loans include those characterized by the distinct possibility that the Corporation will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loans classified as Doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. Loans that do not currently expose the Corporation to sufficient risk to warrant classification as Substandard or Doubtful, but possess weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention, are deemed to be Special Mention. Risk ratings are updated any time that conditions or the situation warrants. Loans not classified are included in the “Pass” column in the table below.
The following tables summarize the aggregate credit quality classification of outstanding loans by risk rating as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
The general component of the allowance for loan losses covers pools of loans including commercial loans not considered individually impaired, as well as smaller balance homogeneous classes of loans, such as residential real estate, home equity lines of credit and other consumer loans. Accordingly, the Corporation generally does not separately identify individual consumer and residential loans for impairment disclosures, unless such loans are subject to a restructuring agreement. The pools of loans are evaluated for loss exposure based upon three-year average historical net charge-off rates for each loan class, adjusted for qualitative factors. Qualitative risk factors (described in the following paragraph) are evaluated for the impact on each of the three segments (residential mortgage, commercial and consumer) within the loan portfolio. Each qualitative factor is assigned a value to reflect improving, stable or declining conditions based on management’s judgment using relevant information available at the time of the evaluation. The adjustment for qualitative factors is applied as an increase or decrease to the three-year average net charge-off rate to each loan class within each segment.
The qualitative factors used in the general component calculations are designed to address credit risk characteristics associated with each segment. The Corporation’s credit risk associated with all of the segments is significantly impacted by these factors, which include economic conditions within its market area, the Corporation’s lending policies, changes or trends in the portfolio, risk profile, competition, regulatory requirements and other factors. Further, the residential mortgage segment is significantly affected by the values of residential real estate that provide collateral for the loans. The majority of the Corporation’s commercial segment loans (approximately 65% at March 31, 2015) is secured by real estate, and accordingly, the Corporation’s risk for the commercial segment is significantly affected by commercial real estate values. The consumer segment includes a wide mix of loans for different purposes, primarily secured loans, including loans secured by motor vehicles, manufactured housing and other types of collateral
Loans are classified as impaired, when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or 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. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial loans, by the fair value of the collateral (if the loan is collateral dependent), by future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective rate or by the loan’s observable market price.
The scope of loans evaluated individually for impairment include all loan relationships greater than $200,000 for which there is at least one extension of credit graded Special Mention, Substandard or Doubtful. Also, all loans classified as troubled debt restructurings (discussed in more detail below) and all loan relationships less than $200,000 in the aggregate, but with an estimated loss of $100,000 or more, are individually evaluated for impairment. Loans that are individually evaluated for impairment, but which are not determined to be impaired, are combined with all remaining loans that are not reviewed on a specific basis, and such loans are included within larger pools of loans based on similar risk and loss characteristics for purposes of determining the general component of the allowance. The loans that have been individually evaluated, but which have not been determined to be impaired, are included in the “Collectively Evaluated” column in the tables summarizing the allowance and associated loan balances as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
The following tables present a summary of loan balances and the related allowance for loan losses summarized by portfolio segment and class for each impairment method used as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
The average balance of impaired loans and interest income recognized on impaired loans is as follows:
Loans are placed on nonaccrual status for all classes of loans when, in the opinion of management, collection of interest is doubtful. Any unpaid interest previously accrued on those loans is reversed from income. Interest income is not recognized on specific impaired loans unless the likelihood of further loss is remote. Interest payments received on loans for which the risk of further loss is greater than remote are applied as a reduction of the loan principal balance. Interest income on other nonaccrual loans is recognized only to the extent of interest payments received. Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time (generally six months) and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. The past due status of all classes of loans receivable is determined based on contractual due dates for loan payments. Also, the amortization of deferred loan fees is discontinued when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status.
The breakdown by portfolio segment and class of nonaccrual loans and loans past due ninety days or more and still accruing is as follows:
The amounts shown in the table immediately above include loans classified as troubled debt restructurings (described in more detail below), if such loans are past due ninety days or more or nonaccrual.
The table below presents a summary of the contractual aging of loans as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
Nonaccrual loans are included in the contractual aging in the immediately preceding table. A summary of the contractual aging of nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:
Loans whose terms are modified are classified as Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs) if the Corporation grants such borrowers concessions, and it is deemed that those borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty. Loans classified as TDRs are designated as impaired. The outstanding balance of loans subject to TDRs, as well as contractual aging information at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:
TDRs that occurred during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
The TDRs in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 included an extended maturity date and a reduction in interest rate on a residential mortgage – first lien loan, a lowered interest rate and reduced payment amount on a residential mortgage – junior lien loan and a lowered interest rate and reduced payment amount on the consumer loan. There was no allowance for loan losses on these loans at March 31, 2015, and no change in the allowance for loan losses resulting from these TDRs.
The TDR in the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 reflected a reduction in interest rate and payment amount required on a residential mortgage loan. There was no allowance for loan losses on this loan at March 31, 2014, and no change in the allowance for loan losses resulting from this TDR.
In the first quarter 2015, defaults on loans for which modifications considered to be TDRs were entered into within the previous 12 months were as follows:
The events of default in the table listed above resulted from the borrowers’ failure to make timely payments under the following circumstances: (1) for one customer relationship included in the Residential first lien mortgage class, payment
was missed after the interest rate and monthly payment amount had been reduced; (2) for the other customer relationship included in the Residential first lien mortgage class, monthly payments were missed after reducing the monthly payments to interest only payments; (3) for the Commercial loan secured by real estate, monthly payments were missed after reducing the monthly payments to interest only; and (4) for the Commercial construction and land loan, monthly payments were missed after extending the term of maturity. There were no allowances for loan losses recorded on these loans at March 31, 2015.
The events of default in 2014 in the table above resulted from one borrower’s failure to make interest only monthly payments. There were no allowances for loan losses recorded on these loans at March 31, 2014.
At March 31, 2015, the carrying amount of foreclosed residential real estate properties held as a result of obtaining physical possession (included in Foreclosed assets held for sale in the unaudited consolidated balance sheet) was $761,000.
At March 31, 2015, the recorded investment of consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process was $1,366,000.
8. BORROWED FUNDS
SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
Short-term borrowings include the following:
The FHLB-Pittsburgh loan facilities are collateralized by qualifying loans secured by real estate with a book value totaling $441,803,000 at March 31, 2015 and $446,780,000 at December 31, 2014. Also, the FHLB-Pittsburgh loan facilities require the Corporation to invest in established amounts of FHLB-Pittsburgh stock. The carrying values of the Corporation’s holdings of FHLB-Pittsburgh stock (included in Other Assets) were $1,515,000 at March 31, 2015 and $1,454,000 at December 31, 2014.
The Corporation engages in repurchase agreements with certain commercial customers. These agreements provide that the Corporation sells specified investment securities to the customers on an overnight basis and repurchases them on the following business day. The weighted average rate paid by the Corporation on customer repurchase agreements was 0.10% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The carrying value of the underlying securities was $5,890,000 at March 31, 2015 and $5,590,000 at December 31, 2014.
LONG-TERM BORROWINGS
Long-term borrowings are as follows:
Repurchase agreements included in long-term borrowings are as follows:
Each of these borrowings is putable by the issuer at quarterly intervals.
Securities sold under repurchase agreements were delivered to the broker-dealer who is the counter-party to the transactions. The broker-dealer may have sold, loaned or otherwise disposed of such securities to other parties in the normal course of their operations, and has agreed to resell to the Corporation substantially identical securities at the maturities of the agreements. The Master Repurchase Agreement between the Corporation and the broker-dealer provides that the Agreement constitutes a “netting contract,” as defined; however, the Corporation and the broker-dealer have no other obligations to one another and accordingly, no netting has occurred. The carrying value of the underlying securities was $68,159,000 at March 31, 2015 and $70,982,000 at December 31, 2014.
9. DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS
The Corporation sponsors a defined benefit health care plan that provides postretirement medical benefits and life insurance to employees who meet certain age and length of service requirements. Full-time employees no longer accrue service time toward the Corporation-subsidized portion of the medical benefits. This plan contains a cost-sharing feature, which causes participants to pay for all future increases in costs related to benefit coverage. Accordingly, actuarial assumptions related to health care cost trend rates do not significantly affect the liability balance at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and are not expected to significantly affect the Corporation's future expenses. The Corporation uses a December 31 measurement date for the postretirement plan.
In an acquisition in 2007, the Corporation assumed the Citizens Trust Company Retirement Plan, a defined benefit pension plan. This plan covers certain employees who were employed by Citizens Trust Company on December 31, 2002, when the plan was amended to discontinue admittance of any future participant and to freeze benefit accruals. Information related to the Citizens Trust Company Retirement Plan has been included in the tables that follow. The Corporation uses a December 31 measurement date for this plan.
The components of net periodic benefit costs from these defined benefit plans are as follows:
In the first three months of 2015, the Corporation funded postretirement contributions totaling $18,000, with estimated annual postretirement contributions of $65,000 expected in 2015 for the full year. Based upon the related actuarial reports, no defined benefit pension contributions are required in 2015, though the Corporation may make discretionary contributions.
10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
The Corporation has a Stock Incentive Plan for a selected group of officers. Also, the Corporation has an Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan. In the first quarter 2015, the Corporation issued restricted stock under each of the Plans. In the first quarter 2014, the Corporation issued stock options and restricted stock under each of the Plans.
In the first quarter 2015, the Corporation awarded a total of 34,800 shares of restricted stock under the Stock Incentive and Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plans. In the first quarter 2014, a total of 16,711 shares of restricted stock were awarded under the Plans. Restricted stock awards in the first quarter 2015 included the following: (1) a total of 20,298 shares to employees, vesting over a four-year term, with vesting contingent upon the Corporation meeting an annual return on average equity (“ROAE”) performance ratio, as defined; (2) a total of 2,198 shares to employees, vesting over a four-year term, with vesting dependent on satisfactory performance; (3) an award to the Chief Executive Officer of 5,174 shares, vesting over a three-year term, with vesting dependent on satisfactory performance; and (4) a total of 7,130 shares under the Independent Directors Incentive Plan, vesting over a term of one year.
Compensation cost related to restricted stock is recognized based on the market price of the stock at the grant date over the vesting period. Management has estimated restricted stock expense in the first quarter 2015 based on an assumption that the ROAE target for 2015 will be met.
In January 2014, the Corporation granted options to purchase a total of 39,027 shares of common stock. The exercise price for the 2014 awards is $20.45 per share, based on the market price as of the date of grant. Stock option expense is recognized over the vesting period of each option.
The Corporation records stock option expense based on estimated fair value calculated using an option valuation model. In calculating the 2014 fair value, the Corporation utilized the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The calculated fair value of each option granted, and significant assumptions used in the calculations, were as follows:
In calculating the estimated fair value of stock option awards, management based its estimates of volatility and dividend yield on the Corporation’s experience over the immediately prior period of time consistent with the estimated lives of the options. The risk-free interest rate was based on the published yield of zero-coupon U.S. Treasury strips with an applicable maturity as of the grant dates. The expected option lives were based on management’s estimates of the average term for all options issued under both plans. In 2014, management assumed a 34% forfeiture rate for options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan, and a 3% forfeiture rate for the Directors Stock Incentive Plan. These estimated forfeiture rates were determined based on the Corporation’s historical experience.
Total stock-based compensation expense is as follows:
11. INCOME TAXES
The net deferred tax (liability) asset at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 represents the following temporary difference components:
The provision for income tax for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is based on the Corporation’s estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year. The effective tax rates for the Corporation are as follows:
The effective tax rate for each period presented differs from the statutory rate of 35% principally because of the effects of tax-exempt interest income.
The Corporation has investments in three limited partnerships that manage affordable housing projects that have qualified for the federal low-income housing tax credit. The Corporation’s expected return from these investments is based on the receipt of tax credits and tax benefits from deductions of operating losses. The Corporation uses the effective yield method to account for these investments, with the benefits recognized as a reduction of the provision for income taxes. For two of the three limited partnership investments, the tax credits have been received in full in prior years, and the Corporation has fully realized the benefits of the credits and amortized its initial investments in the partnerships. The most recent affordable housing project was completed in 2013, and the Corporation received tax credits in 2013 and 2014 and expects to continue to receive tax credits annually through 2022. The carrying amount of the Corporation’s investment is $884,000 at March 31, 2015 and $906,000 at December 31, 2014 (included in Other Assets in the consolidated balance sheets). For the year ending December 31, 2015, the estimated amount of tax credits and other tax benefits to be received is $158,000 and the estimated amount to be recognized as a reduction of the provision for income taxes is $80,000. For the year ended December 31, 2014, tax credits and other tax benefits totaled $159,000 and the amount recognized as a reduction of the provision for income taxes for 2014 was $83,000. In the first quarters 2015 and 2014, the total reduction in the provision for income taxes resulting from this investment is $20,000 and $21,000, respectively.
The Corporation has no unrecognized tax benefits, nor pending examination issues related to tax positions taken in preparation of its income tax returns. With limited exceptions, the Corporation is no longer subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for years prior to 2010.
12. CONTINGENCIES
In the normal course of business, the Corporation may be subject to pending and threatened lawsuits in which claims for monetary damages could be asserted. In management’s opinion, the Corporation’s financial position and results of operations would not be materially affected by the outcome of these legal proceedings.
13. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The FASB issues Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) to the FASB ASC. This section provides a summary description of recent ASUs that have significant implications (elected or required) within the consolidated financial statements, or that management expects may have a significant impact on financial statements issued in the near future.
In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-01, Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects. This Update provides guidance on accounting for investments in flow-through limited liability entities that qualify for the federal low-income housing tax credit. Currently, under U.S. GAAP, a reporting entity that invests in a qualified affordable housing project may elect to account for that investment using the effective yield method if certain conditions are met, or alternatively, the investment would be accounted for under either the equity method or the cost method. Generally, investors in qualified affordable housing project investments expect to receive all of their return through the receipt of tax credits and tax deductions from operating losses, and use of the effective yield method results in recognition of the return as a reduction of income tax expense over the period of the investment. The amendments in this Update modify the conditions that a reporting entity must meet to be eligible to use a method other than the equity or cost methods to account for investments in qualified affordable housing projects. Additionally, the amendments introduce new recurring disclosure requirements about investments in qualified affordable housing projects. The amendments in this Update became effective for the Corporation for annual and interim periods beginning in the first quarter 2015, and are to be applied retrospectively. Information concerning the Corporation’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects is provided in Note 11 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure. The objective of the amendments in this Update is to reduce diversity among reporting entities by clarifying when an in substance foreclosure occurs. The amendments in this Update clarify that an in substance foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. Additionally, the amendments require interim and annual disclosure of both (1) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and (2) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to the requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. An entity can elect to adopt the amendments in this Update using either a modified retrospective transition method or a prospective transition method. Under the modified retrospective transition method, an entity would record a cumulative-effect adjustment to residential consumer mortgage loans and foreclosed residential real estate properties existing as of the beginning of the annual period for which the amendments are effective. For prospective transition, an entity would apply the amendments to all instances of an entity receiving physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing consumer mortgage loans that occur after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this Update became effective for the Corporation for annual and interim periods beginning in the first quarter 2015. The Corporation has applied the amendments to its accounting and reporting practices prospectively in the first quarter 2015. Disclosures required by the Update are provided in Note 7 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides a principles-based framework for revenue recognition that supersedes virtually all previously issued revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. Additionally, the ASU requires improved disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The core principle of the five-step revenue recognition framework is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to
customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 would be effective for all annual and interim periods beginning in the first quarter 2017; however, in April 2015 the FASB issued an Exposure Draft that (if issued after the FASB’s deliberation) would defer the effective date for the Corporation until the first quarter 2018. The amendments in the ASU should be applied either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this ASU recognized at the date of initial application. The Corporation is in the process of evaluating the potential impact of adopting this ASU, including determining which transition method to apply.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. In addition to various other amendments that will affect accounting and disclosures for transactions in which the Corporation has not engaged to date, this Update requires expanded disclosures for repurchase agreements that are accounted for as secured borrowings, including: (1) a disaggregation of the gross obligation by the class of collateral pledged, (2) the remaining contractual tenor of the agreements and (3) a discussion of the potential risks associated with the agreements and the related collateral pledged, including obligations arising from a decline in the fair value of the collateral pledged and how those risks are managed. The expanded disclosure requirements associated with repurchase agreements are effective for the Corporation for annual and interim periods beginning in the second quarter 2015. Information concerning the Corporation’s repurchase agreements is provided in Note 8 to these consolidated financial statements.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-14, Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructuring by Creditors, which requires that a mortgage loan be derecognized and that a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if the following conditions are met: (1) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure, (2) at the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under the claim and (3) at the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed. The amendments in this Update became effective for the Corporation for annual and interim periods beginning in the first quarter 2015, and the impact of the amendment was not significant to the Corporation.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Certain statements in this section and elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements. Citizens & Northern Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the Corporation) intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, which are not historical facts, are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, business objectives and expectations, and are generally identifiable by the use of words such as, "should", “likely”, "expect", “plan”, "anticipate", “target”, “forecast”, and “goal”. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, may be beyond management’s control and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors which could have a material, adverse impact on the operations and future prospects of the Corporation include, but are not limited to, the following:
These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.
EARNINGS OVERVIEW
Net income in the first quarter 2015 totaled $3,815,000, or $0.31 per basic and diluted share. Net income for the first quarter 2015 was down from $0.35 per basic share and $0.34 per diluted share in the first quarter 2014. First quarter 2015 earnings reflected an annualized return on average assets of 1.23% and an annualized return on average equity of 8.08%.
Some of the more significant fluctuations in the components of earnings between the first quarter 2015 and the first quarter 2014 are as follows:
$10.8 million (1.7%) lower in the first quarter 2015 than in the first quarter 2014. The net interest margin was 3.74% in the first quarter 2015 as compared to 3.89% in the first quarter 2014.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The presentation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect many of the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
A material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant change is the determination of the allowance for loan losses. Management believes the allowance for loan losses is adequate and reasonable. Analytical information related to the Corporation’s aggregate loans and the related allowance for loan losses is summarized by loan segment and classes of loans in Note 7 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements. Additional discussion of the Corporation’s allowance for loan losses is provided in a separate section later in Management’s Discussion and Analysis. Given the very subjective nature of identifying and valuing loan losses, it is likely that well-informed individuals could make materially different assumptions, and could, therefore calculate a materially different allowance value. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, changes in economic conditions may necessitate revisions in future years. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Corporation’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Corporation to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination.
Another material estimate is the calculation of fair values of the Corporation’s debt securities. For most of the Corporation’s debt securities, the Corporation receives estimated fair values of debt securities from an independent valuation service, or from brokers. In developing fair values, the valuation service and the brokers use estimates of cash flows, based on historical performance of similar instruments in similar interest rate environments. Based on experience, management is aware that estimated fair values of debt securities tend to vary among brokers and other valuation services.
As described in Note 6 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements, management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI). In making that evaluation, consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) whether the Corporation intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. Management’s assessments of the likelihood and potential for recovery in value of securities are subjective and based on sensitive assumptions.
NET INTEREST INCOME
The Corporation’s primary source of operating income is net interest income, which is equal to the difference between the amounts of interest income and interest expense. Tables II, III and IV include information regarding the Corporation’s net interest income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014. In each of these tables, the amounts of interest income earned on tax-exempt securities and loans have been adjusted to a fully taxable-equivalent basis. Accordingly, the net interest income amounts reflected in these tables exceed the amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements. The discussion that follows is based on amounts in the related Tables.
For the three-month periods, fully taxable equivalent net interest income was $10,668,000 in 2015, $229,000 (2.1%) lower than in 2014. As shown in Table IV, interest rate changes had the effect of decreasing net interest income $234,000 and changes in volume had the effect of increasing net interest income $5,000 in 2015 compared to 2014. The most significant components of the rate-related change in net interest income in 2015 were a decrease in interest income of $184,000 attributable to lower rates earned on loans receivable and a decrease in interest income of $89,000 attributable to lower rates earned on available-for-sale securities, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $38,000 due to lower rates paid on interest-bearing deposits. The most significant components of the volume-related change in net interest income in 2014 were a decrease in interest income of $142,000 attributable to a decline in the balance of loans receivable, partially offset by an increase in interest income of $116,000 from an increase in available-for-sale securities and a decrease in interest expense of $30,000 attributable to a reduction in the balance of interest-bearing deposits (primarily certificates of deposit). As presented in Table III, the “Interest Rate Spread” (excess of average rate of return on earning assets over average cost of funds on interest-bearing liabilities) was 3.57% in 2015, as compared to 3.72% in 2014.
INTEREST INCOME AND EARNING ASSETS
Interest income totaled $11,881,000 in 2015, a decrease of 2.5% from 2014. Interest and fees on loans receivable decreased $326,000, or 3.8%. The average balance of gross loans receivable decreased 1.7% to $624,423,000 in 2015 from $635,176,000 in 2014. The Corporation experienced contraction in the balance of loans receivable due to borrowers prepaying or refinancing existing loans combined with modest demand for new loans. The Corporation’s average rate of return on loans receivable declined to 5.35% in 2015 from 5.47% in 2014 as rates on new loans have decreased.
As indicated in Table III, average available-for-sale securities (at amortized cost) totaled $505,778,000 in 2015, an increase of $34,085,000 (7.2%) from 2014. The net increase in the Corporation’s available-for-sale securities portfolio was primarily made up of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies. The Corporation’s yield on securities was lower in 2015 than in 2014, primarily because of lower market interest rates. The average rate of return on available-for-sale securities was 2.90% for 2015 and 3.08% in 2014.
INTEREST EXPENSE AND INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Interest expense fell $75,000, or 5.8%, to $1,213,000 in 2015 from $1,288,000 in 2014. Table III shows that the overall cost of funds on interest-bearing liabilities fell to 0.59% in 2015 from 0.63% in 2014.
Total average deposits (interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing) increased 2.2%, to $966,027,000 in 2015 from $945,178,000 in 2014. Increases in the average balances of interest checking, savings accounts and noninterest-bearing demand deposit accounts were partially offset by decreases in certificates of deposit, Individual Retirement Accounts, and money market accounts. Consistent with continuing low short-term market interest rate, the average rate incurred on certificates of deposit decreased in 2015 as compared to 2014.
Total average borrowed funds decreased $4,312,000 to $79,037,000 in 2015 from $83,349,000 in 2014.
TABLE II - ANALYSIS OF INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE
Note: Interest income from tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis, using the Corporation’s marginal federal income tax rate of 35%.
TABLE III - ANALYSIS OF AVERAGE DAILY BALANCES AND RATES
(Dollars in Thousands)
(1) Rates of return on tax-exempt securities and loans are presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, using the Corporation’s marginal federal income tax rate of 35%.
(2) Nonaccrual loans have been included with loans for the purpose of analyzing net interest earnings.
TABLE IV - ANALYSIS OF VOLUME AND RATE CHANGES
(1) Changes in income on tax-exempt securities and loans are presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis, using the Corporation’s marginal federal income tax rate of 35%.
(2) The change in interest due to both volume and rates has been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amount of the change in each.
TABLE V - COMPARISON OF NONINTEREST INCOME
(In Thousands)
Table V excludes realized gains on available-for-sale securities, which are discussed in the “Earnings Overview” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis. Total noninterest income shown in Table V decreased $264,000 or 7.0%, in the first three months of 2015 as compared to the first three months of 2014. The most significant variances include the following:
As shown in Table VI, total noninterest expense decreased $60,000 or 0.7% in the first three months of 2015 as compared to the first three months of 2014. Significant variances include the following:
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Significant changes in the average balances of the Corporation’s earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities are described in the “Net Interest Income” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis. Other significant balance sheet items, including the allowance for loan losses and stockholders’ equity, are discussed in separate sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
Management does not expect capital expenditures to have a material, detrimental effect on the Corporation’s financial condition in 2015.
PROVISION AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The Corporation maintains an allowance for loan losses that represents management’s estimate of the losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date and recorded as a reduction of the investment in loans. Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements provides an overview of the process management uses for evaluating and determining the allowance for loan losses.
While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, changes in economic conditions may necessitate revisions in future years. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Corporation’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Corporation to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination.
The allowance for loan losses was $7,134,000 at March 31, 2015, down from $7,336,000 at December 31, 2014. As shown in Table VIII, the specific allowance on impaired loans totaled $700,000 at March 31, 2015, which was $69,000 lower than the total specific allowance at December 31, 2014. Table VIII also shows the collectively determined components of the allowance for residential, commercial and consumer loans were $132,000 lower at March 31, 2015 than at December 31, 2014. The collectively determined components of these segments decreased primarily because the qualitative factors used to determine a portion of the collectively determined allowance were lower at March 31, 2015 as compared to December 31, 2014. The management committee that evaluates qualitative factors each quarter determined that slight reductions in some of the factors were appropriate in light of perceived improvements in portfolio credit quality and in economic conditions in the Corporation’s market area.
The provision (credit) for loan losses by segment in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
The provision for loan losses in the first quarter 2015 includes the net effect of a decrease in qualitative factor percentages used in determining the collectively evaluated portions of the allowance for loan losses, lower loan balances and a reduction in the specific allowance on impaired loans of $69,000, which were partially offset by increases in net charge-off percentages used in determining the collectively evaluated portions of the allowance for loan losses. The credit for loan losses in the first quarter 2014 included the net effect of a reduction in specific allowances on impaired loans of $143,000, while net charge-offs totaled only $9,000. The $135,000 credit for the commercial segment in the first quarter 2014 included the effect of recoveries totaling $251,000 on previously charged-off loans.
Table IX presents information related to past due and impaired loans, and loans that have been modified under terms that are considered troubled debt restructurings (TDRs). Table IX shows total impaired loans of $13,163,000 at March 31, 2015, up from the corresponding amount at December 31, 2014 of $12,316,000. Table IX shows that total impaired loans at December 31, 2013 was significantly higher than the corresponding amounts from 2010-2012, and that the amount of impaired loans (as well as nonperforming loans as reflected in the table) has remained higher through March 31, 2015 as compared to the earlier years included in the table. The increase in impaired and nonperforming loans reflects the classification as nonperforming of two large commercial loans with outstanding balances totaling $6,960,000 at March 31, 2015, $6,995,000 at December 31, 2014 and $7,599,000 at December 31, 2013. The total of the specific allowance for loan losses on those two loans amounted to $211,000 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and $1,624,000 at December 31, 2013. As described in the following paragraph, during the second quarter 2014, a charge-off of $1,486,000 was made related to one of these commercial loan relationships resulting in the decrease in the specific allowance for these credits.
As shown in Table IX, loans classified as TDRs totaled $7,124,000 at March 31, 2015 down from $7,195,000 at December 31, 2014. The balance of TDRs at December 31, 2014 had increased from $4,175,000 at December 31, 2013, mainly due to a restructuring agreement with one commercial borrower. The Corporation entered into a forbearance agreement with this commercial borrower which includes a reduction in monthly payment amounts over a fifteen-month period. At the end of the fifteen-month period, the monthly payment amounts would revert to the original amounts, unless the forbearance agreement is extended or the payment requirements are otherwise modified. The Corporation recorded a charge-off of $1,486,000 in the second quarter 2014 as a result of these modifications, as the payment amounts based on the forbearance agreement are not sufficient to fully amortize the contractual amount of principal outstanding on the loans. The amount of the charge-off was determined based on the excess of the contractual principal due over the present value of the payment amounts provided for in the forbearance agreement, assuming the revised payment amounts would continue until maturity, at the contractual interest rates.
Table IX reflects a lower amount of total loans past due 30-89 days and still accruing interest at March 31, 2015 of $5,722,000 as compared to the December 31, 2014 total of $7,121,000, mainly due to a lower amount of past due residential mortgage loans as well as commercial loans secured by real estate. Total loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest was up at March 31, 2015 to $3,086,000 from $2,843,000. As part of its normal quarterly procedures, management reviewed loans past due 90 days or more at March 31, 2015, and determined the loans remaining in accrual status to be well secured and in the process of collection. Each period presented in Table IX includes a few large commercial relationships that have required significant monitoring and workout efforts. As a result, a limited number of relationships may significantly impact the total amount of allowance required on impaired loans, and may significantly impact the amount of total charge-offs reported in any one period.
Management believes it has been conservative in its decisions concerning identification of impaired loans, estimates of loss, and nonaccrual status; however, the actual losses realized from these relationships could vary materially from the allowances calculated as of March 31, 2015. Management continues to closely monitor its commercial loan relationships for possible credit losses, and will adjust its estimates of loss and decisions concerning nonaccrual status, if appropriate.
Tables VII through X present historical data related to loans and the allowance for loan losses.
TABLE VIII - COMPONENTS OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The above allocation is based on estimates and subjective judgments and is not necessarily indicative of the specific amounts or loan categories in which losses may occur.
TABLE IX - PAST DUE AND IMPAIRED LOANS, NONPERFORMING ASSETS
AND TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCTURINGS (TDRs)
TABLE X - SUMMARY OF LOANS BY TYPE
Summary of Loans by Type
LIQUIDITY
Liquidity is the ability to quickly raise cash at a reasonable cost. An adequate liquidity position permits the Corporation to pay creditors, compensate for unforeseen deposit fluctuations and fund unexpected loan demand. At March 31, 2015, the Corporation maintained overnight interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and other correspondent banks totaling $14,434,000.
The Corporation maintains overnight borrowing facilities with several correspondent banks that provide a source of day-to-day liquidity. Also, the Corporation maintains borrowing facilities with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, secured by various mortgage loans.
The Corporation has a line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Discount Window. Management intends to use this line of credit as a contingency funding source. As collateral for the line, the Corporation has pledged available-for-sale securities with a carrying value of $25,114,000 at March 31, 2015.
The Corporation’s outstanding, available, and total credit facilities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:
At March 31, 2015, the Corporation’s outstanding credit facilities with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh consisted of long-term borrowings with a total amount of $11,988,000. At December 31, 2014, the Corporation’s outstanding credit facilities with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh included long-term borrowings with a total amount of $12,060,000. Additional information regarding borrowed funds is included in Note 8 of the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Additionally, the Corporation uses repurchase agreements placed with brokers to borrow funds secured by investment assets and “RepoSweep” arrangements to borrow funds from commercial banking customers on an overnight basis. If required to raise cash in an emergency situation, the Corporation could sell available-for-sale securities to meet its obligations. At March 31, 2015, the carrying value of available-for-sale securities in excess of amounts required to meet pledging or repurchase agreement obligations was $303,539,000.
Management believes the Corporation is well-positioned to meet its short-term and long-term obligations.
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND CAPITAL ADEQUACY
The Corporation and C&N Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Details concerning capital ratios at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented below. Management believes, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, that the Corporation and C&N Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
Management expects the Corporation and C&N Bank to maintain capital levels that exceed the regulatory standards for well-capitalized institutions for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future. Planned capital expenditures are not expected to have a significantly detrimental effect on capital ratios.
Future dividend payments will depend upon maintenance of a strong financial condition, future earnings and capital and regulatory requirements. As described in more detail in the section below titled “New Capital Rule," the Corporation and C&N Bank are subject to restrictions on the amount of dividends that may be paid without approval of banking regulatory authorities.
The Corporation’s total stockholders’ equity is affected by fluctuations in the fair values of available-for-sale securities. The difference between amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of deferred income tax, is included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) within stockholders’ equity. The balance in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income related to unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred income tax, amounted to $7,654,000 at March 31, 2015 and $5,281,000 at December 31, 2014. Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income are excluded from earnings and directly increase or decrease stockholders’ equity. If available-for-sale securities are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, unrealized losses are recorded as a charge against earnings, and amortized cost for the affected securities is reduced. Note 6 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements provides additional information concerning management’s evaluation of available-for-sale securities for other-than-temporary impairment at March 31, 2015.
Stockholders’ equity is also affected by the underfunded or overfunded status of defined benefit pension and postretirement plans. The balance in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income related to defined benefit plans, net of deferred income tax, was $12,000 at March 31, 2015 and $79,000 at December 31, 2014.
NEW CAPITAL RULE
In July 2013, the federal regulatory authorities issued a new capital rule based, in part, on revisions developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision to the Basel capital framework (Basel III). The Corporation and C&N Bank are subject to the new rule on January 1, 2015. Generally, the new rule implements higher minimum capital requirements, revises the definition of regulatory capital components and related calculations, adds a new common equity tier 1 capital ratio, implements a new capital conservation buffer, increases the risk weighting for past due loans and provides a transition period for several aspects of the new rule.
A summarized comparison of the prior capital requirements with requirements under the current (new) rule is as follows:
The current (new) capital rule provides that, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers, a banking organization must hold a capital conservation buffer composed of common equity tier 1 capital above its minimum risk-based capital requirements. The buffer is measured relative to risk-weighted assets. Phase-in of the capital conservation buffer requirements will begin January 1, 2016. The transition schedule for new ratios, including the capital conservation buffer, is as follows:
As fully phased in, a banking organization with a buffer greater than 2.5% would not be subject to additional limits on dividend payments or discretionary bonus payments; however, a banking organization with a buffer less than 2.5% would be subject to increasingly stringent limitations as the buffer approaches zero. The new rule also prohibits a banking organization from making dividend payments or discretionary bonus payments if its eligible retained income is negative in that quarter and its capital conservation buffer ratio was less than 2.5% as of the beginning of that quarter. Eligible net income is defined as net income for the four calendar quarters preceding the current calendar quarter, net of any distributions and associated tax effects not already reflected in net income. A summary of payout restrictions based on the capital conservation buffer is as follows:
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Comprehensive Income is the total of (1) net income, and (2) all other changes in equity from non-stockholder sources, which are referred to as Other Comprehensive Income. Changes in the components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are included in Other Comprehensive Income, and for the Corporation, consist of changes in unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities and changes in underfunded or overfunded defined benefit plans.
Comprehensive Income totaled $6,121,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to $7,823,000 in the first three months of 2014. In the first three months of 2015, Comprehensive Income included: (1) Net Income of $3,815,000, which was $473,000 lower than in the first three months of 2014; (2) Other Comprehensive Income from unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred income tax, of $2,373,000 as compared to Other Comprehensive Income of $3,446,000 in the first three months of 2014; and (3) Other Comprehensive Loss from defined benefit plans, net of deferred income tax, of ($67,000) in the first three months of 2015 as compared to Other Comprehensive Income of $89,000 in the first three months of 2014.
INCOME TAXES
The effective income tax rate was 24.37% in the first quarter 2015, down slightly from 24.99% in the year ended December 31, 2014 and 24.60% in the first quarter 2014. The reduction in the effective tax rate in the first quarter 2015 resulted mainly from the marginal effect of lower pre-tax income. The provision for income tax for interim periods is based on the Corporation’s estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year. The Corporation’s effective tax rates differ from the statutory rate of 35% principally because of the effects of tax-exempt interest income.
The Corporation recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. At March 31, 2015, the net deferred tax (liability) was $14,000, compared to a deferred tax asset of $1,688,000 at December 31, 2014. At March 31, 2015, the deferred tax liability associated with unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities was $4,122,000 as compared to $2,844,000 at December 31, 2014.
The Corporation regularly reviews deferred tax assets for recoverability based on history of earnings, expectations for future earnings and expected timing of reversals of temporary differences. Realization of deferred tax assets ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income, including taxable income in prior carryback years, as well as future taxable income.
Additional information related to income taxes is presented in Note 11 to the unaudited, consolidated financial statements.
INFLATION
The Corporation is significantly affected by the Federal Reserve Board’s efforts to control inflation through changes in short-term interest rates. Beginning in September 2007, in response to concerns about weakness in the U.S. economy, the Federal Reserve lowered the fed funds target rate numerous times; in December 2008, it established a target range of 0% to 0.25%, which it has maintained through March 31, 2015. Also, the Federal Reserve has injected massive amounts of liquidity into the nation’s monetary system through a variety of programs. The Federal Reserve has purchased large amounts of securities in an effort to keep interest rates low and stimulate economic growth. Beginning in late 2013, the Federal Reserve began reducing the amount of securities purchased under its asset purchase program and then ended the program in October 2014, though still reinvesting principal payments from its holdings of agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities in agency mortgage-backed securities and continued to roll over maturing Treasury securities at auction. The Federal Reserve is expected to continue its highly accommodative monetary policy in the form of low short-term interest rates for the foreseeable future, though many observers believe the fed funds target rate may be raised above its current level in 2015.
Despite the current low short-term rate environment, inflation statistics indicate that the overall rate of inflation is unlikely to significantly affect the Corporation’s operations within the near future. Although management cannot predict future changes in the rates of inflation, management monitors the impact of economic trends, including any indicators of inflationary pressures, in managing interest rate and other financial risks.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
MARKET RISK
Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices of the Corporation’s financial instruments. In addition to the effects of interest rates, the market prices of the Corporation’s debt securities within the available-for-sale securities portfolio are affected by fluctuations in the risk premiums (amounts of spread over risk-free rates) demanded by investors. Management attempts to limit the risk that economic conditions would force the Corporation to sell securities for realized losses by maintaining a strong capital position (discussed in the “Stockholders’ Equity and Capital Adequacy” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis) and ample sources of liquidity (discussed in the “Liquidity” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis).
The Corporation’s two major categories of market risk are interest rate risk and equity securities risk, which are discussed in the following sections.
INTEREST RATE RISK
Business risk arising from changes in interest rates is an inherent factor in operating a bank. The Corporation’s assets are predominantly long-term, fixed-rate loans and debt securities. Funding for these assets comes principally from shorter-term deposits and borrowed funds. Accordingly, there is an inherent risk of lower future earnings or decline in fair value of the Corporation’s financial instruments when interest rates change.
The Corporation uses a simulation model to calculate the potential effects of interest rate fluctuations on net interest income and the market value of portfolio equity. For purposes of these calculations, the market value of portfolio equity includes the fair values of financial instruments, such as securities, loans, deposits and borrowed funds, and the book values of nonfinancial assets and liabilities, such as premises and equipment and accrued expenses. The model measures and projects potential changes in net interest income, and calculates the discounted present value of anticipated cash flows of financial instruments, assuming an immediate increase or decrease in interest rates. Management ordinarily runs a variety of scenarios within a range of plus or minus 100-400 basis points of current rates.
The model makes estimates, at each level of interest rate change, regarding cash flows from principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities and call activity on other investment securities. Actual results could vary significantly from these estimates, which could result in significant differences in the calculations of projected changes in net interest income and market value of portfolio equity. Also, the model does not make estimates related to changes in the composition of the deposit portfolio that could occur due to rate competition, and the table does not necessarily reflect changes that management would make to realign the portfolio as a result of changes in interest rates.
The Corporation’s Board of Directors has established policy guidelines for acceptable levels of interest rate risk, based on an immediate increase or decrease in interest rates. The policy limits acceptable fluctuations in net interest income from the baseline (flat rates) one-year scenario and variances in the market value of portfolio equity from the baseline values based on current rates.
Table XIII, which follows this discussion, is based on the results of calculations performed using the simulation model as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014. The table shows that as of the respective dates, the changes in net interest income and changes in market value were within the policy limits in all scenarios.
TABLE XI - THE EFFECT OF HYPOTHETICAL CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES
EQUITY SECURITIES RISK
The Corporation’s equity securities portfolio consists of investments in stocks of banks and bank holding companies. Investments in bank stocks are subject to risk factors that affect the banking industry in general, including credit risk, competition from non-bank entities, interest rate risk and other factors, which could result in a decline in market prices. Also, losses could occur in individual stocks held by the Corporation because of specific circumstances related to each bank.
Equity securities held as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented in Table XII. Table XII presents quantitative data concerning the effects of a decline in fair value of the Corporation’s equity securities of 10% or 20%. The data in Table XII does not reflect the effects of any appreciation in value that may occur, nor does it present the Corporation’s maximum exposure to loss on equity securities, which would be 100% of their fair value as of March 31, 2015.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Corporation’s management, under the supervision of and with the participation of the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has carried out an evaluation of the design and effectiveness of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all material information required to be disclosed in reports the Corporation files or submits under the 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 were no significant changes in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
The Corporation and C&N Bank are involved in various legal proceedings incidental to their business. Management believes the aggregate liability, if any, resulting from such pending and threatened legal proceedings will not have a material, adverse effect on the Corporation’s financial condition or results of operations.
There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of the Corporation’s Form 10-K filed February 26, 2015.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Effective July 17, 2014, the Corporation terminated its existing treasury stock repurchase programs and approved a new treasury stock repurchase program. Under the new program, the Corporation is authorized to repurchase up to 622,500 shares of the Corporation’s common stock, or approximately 5% of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding shares at July 16, 2014. As permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements and subject to market conditions and other factors, purchases under the new program may be made from time to time in the open market at prevailing prices, or through privately negotiated transactions.
Consistent with previous programs, the Board of Directors’ July 17, 2014 authorization provides that: (1) the new treasury stock repurchase program shall be effective when publicly announced and shall continue thereafter until suspended or terminated by the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion; and (2) all shares of common stock repurchased pursuant to the new program shall be held as treasury shares and be available for use and reissuance for purposes as and when determined by the Board of Directors including, without limitation, pursuant to the Corporation’s Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan and its equity compensation program. Through March 31, 2015, 364,100 shares had been repurchased for a total cost of $7,024,000
The following table sets forth a summary of the purchases by the Corporation, on the open market, of its equity securities during the first quarter 2015:
None
Not applicable
Signatures
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.