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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________________________
FORM 10-Q
_____________________________________
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2014
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from             to             
Commission File No. 001-35870
_____________________________________
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_____________________________________
Maryland
90-0947148
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
 
1233 O.G. Skinner Drive, West Point, Georgia
31833
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(706) 645-1391
(Registrant’s telephone number)

N/A
(Former name or former address, 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 requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  x    NO   o.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES  x    NO  o.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
x
Non-accelerated filer
o  (Do not check if smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES  o    NO  x
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of January 30, 2015 was 16,862,905.



CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page No.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
(audited)
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
Assets
Cash and amounts due from depository institutions
$
11,132,323

 
$
10,996,959

Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions
37,599,236

 
88,465,994

Cash and cash equivalents
48,731,559

 
99,462,953

Loans held for sale, fair value of $2,247,435 and $2,090,469
2,201,343

 
2,054,722

Investment securities available for sale
191,995,254

 
188,743,273

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
3,442,900

 
3,442,900

Loans receivable:
 

 
 

Not covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements
570,662,644

 
546,570,720

Covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements
68,028,575

 
70,631,743

Allowance for loan losses (covered loans)
(1,012,679
)
 
(997,524
)
Unamortized loan origination fees, net (non-covered loans)
(1,444,721
)
 
(1,364,853
)
Allowance for loan losses (non-covered loans)
(8,494,197
)
 
(8,473,373
)
Loans receivable, net
627,739,622

 
606,366,713

Other real estate owned:
 

 
 

Not covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements
953,988

 
1,757,864

Covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements
4,554,134

 
5,557,927

Accrued interest and dividends receivable
2,498,125

 
2,459,347

Premises and equipment, net
20,316,105

 
20,571,541

Goodwill
4,325,282

 
4,325,282

Other intangible assets, net of amortization
452,548

 
423,676

Cash surrender value of life insurance
47,502,540

 
47,178,128

FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements
8,924,035

 
10,531,809

Deferred income taxes
7,854,292

 
8,231,002

Other assets
8,285,345

 
9,254,001

Total assets
$
979,777,072

 
$
1,010,361,138

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
 

 
 

Deposits
$
701,475,073

 
$
717,192,200

FHLB advances
55,000,000

 
55,000,000

Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
644,078

 
1,312,283

Other liabilities
9,472,068

 
11,901,786

Total liabilities
766,591,219

 
785,406,269

Stockholders’ equity:
 

 
 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 16,962,609 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 18,261,388 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014
169,626

 
182,614

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014

 

Additional paid-in capital
105,789,844

 
119,586,164

Unearned compensation – ESOP
(5,551,193
)
 
(5,984,317
)
Retained earnings
112,800,450

 
111,924,543

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(22,874
)
 
(754,135
)
Total stockholders’ equity
213,185,853

 
224,954,869

 


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
979,777,072

 
$
1,010,361,138


See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

1


CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Interest income:
 
 
 
Loans receivable
$
8,904,633

 
$
8,154,690

Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations
830,677

 
968,713

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
36,708

 
30,032

Other investment securities available for sale
44,853

 
18,807

Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions
41,036

 
85,297

Amortization of FDIC loss share receivable
(888,911
)
 

Total interest income
8,968,996

 
9,257,539

Interest expense:
 

 
 

Deposits
732,927

 
885,425

Borrowings
602,746

 
650,868

Total interest expense
1,335,673

 
1,536,293

Net interest income
7,633,323

 
7,721,246

Provision for loan losses, not covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements

 
300,000

Provision for covered loan losses
4,000

 
2,116

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
7,629,323

 
7,419,130

Noninterest income:
 

 
 

Service charges on deposit accounts
1,581,978

 
1,428,315

Bankcard fees
947,623

 
827,211

Gain on investment securities available for sale
684

 

Bank owned life insurance
324,413

 
307,701

Gain on sale of loans and loan servicing release fees
367,002

 
172,385

Brokerage commissions
154,304

 
144,525

FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements accretion (impairment)
47,461

 
(89,742
)
Other
142,502

 
1,326,019

Total noninterest income
3,565,967

 
4,116,414

Noninterest expenses:
 

 
 

Salaries and employee benefits
5,014,267

 
4,700,952

Occupancy
1,875,663

 
1,892,415

Legal and professional
240,626

 
553,947

Marketing
265,232

 
299,740

Federal insurance premiums and other regulatory fees
195,590

 
251,350

Net (benefit) cost of operations of real estate owned
(57,320
)
 
288,802

Furniture and equipment
150,535

 
166,022

Postage, office supplies and printing
240,607

 
225,848

Core deposit intangible amortization expense
74,308

 
106,318

Other
736,281

 
714,682

Total noninterest expenses
8,735,789

 
9,200,076

Income before income taxes
2,459,501

 
2,335,468

Income tax expense
785,998

 
698,400

Net income
$
1,673,503

 
$
1,637,068

Basic net income per share
$
0.10

 
$
0.07

Diluted net income per share
$
0.10

 
$
0.07

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
16,175,485

 
22,006,657

Weighted average number of common and potential common shares outstanding
16,709,543

 
22,527,837





See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

2


CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
1,673,503

 
$
1,637,068

Less reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income, net of taxes of $264 and $0, respectively
 
(420
)
 

Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment and mortgage securities available for sale arising during the period, net of taxes of $459,982 and $(390,877), respectively
 
731,681

 
(621,758
)
Comprehensive income
 
$
2,404,764

 
$
1,015,310














































See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

 
Common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of shares
 
Amount
 
Additional paid-in capital
 
Unearned compensation ESOP
 
Retained earnings
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
Total stockholders' equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at September 30, 2013 (audited)
22,752,214

 
$
227,522

 
$
171,729,570

 
$
(6,480,949
)
 
$
110,141,286

 
$
(1,839,593
)
 
$
273,777,836

Net income

 

 

 

 
5,955,133

 

 
5,955,133

Dividends paid, $0.20 per share

 

 

 

 
(4,171,876
)
 

 
(4,171,876
)
Change in unrealized loss on securities

 

 

 

 

 
1,085,458

 
1,085,458

Allocation of ESOP common stock

 

 
96,225

 
496,632

 

 

 
592,857

Effect of restricted stock awards

 

 
662,747

 

 

 

 
662,747

Stock option expense

 

 
291,512

 

 

 

 
291,512

Issuance of common stock, restricted stock
360,751

 
3,608

 
(3,608
)
 

 

 

 

Repurchase of shares
(4,851,577
)
 
(48,516
)
 
(53,190,282
)
 

 

 

 
(53,238,798
)
Balance at September 30, 2014 (audited)
18,261,388

 
$
182,614

 
$
119,586,164

 
$
(5,984,317
)
 
$
111,924,543

 
$
(754,135
)
 
$
224,954,869

Net income

 

 

 

 
1,673,503

 

 
1,673,503

Dividends paid, $0.05 per share

 

 

 

 
(797,596
)
 

 
(797,596
)
Change in unrealized loss on securities

 

 

 

 

 
731,261

 
731,261

Allocation of ESOP common stock

 

 
128,135

 
433,124

 

 

 
561,259

Effect of restricted stock awards

 

 
198,697

 

 

 

 
198,697

Stock option expense

 

 
82,749

 

 

 

 
82,749

Repurchase of shares
(1,298,779
)
 
(12,988
)
 
(14,205,901
)
 

 

 

 
(14,218,889
)
Balance at December 31, 2014
16,962,609

 
$
169,626

 
$
105,789,844

 
$
(5,551,193
)
 
$
112,800,450

 
$
(22,874
)
 
$
213,185,853














See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,673,503

 
$
1,637,068

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Provision for loan losses, not covered under FDIC loss sharing agreements

 
300,000

Provision for covered loan losses
4,000

 
2,116

Provision for FDIC receivable impairment

 
225,000

Depreciation and amortization
319,780

 
359,930

Accretion and amortization of premiums and discounts, net
392,788

 
532,337

Accretion of fair value discounts related to covered loans
(1,560,960
)
 
(1,191,982
)
Accretion of fair value discounts related to FDIC receivable
(47,461
)
 
(135,258
)
Amortization of FDIC loss share receivable
888,911

 

Gain on sale of loans and loan servicing release fees
(367,002
)
 
(172,385
)
Proceeds from sale of loans
12,543,287

 
7,361,855

Originations and purchases of loans held for sale
(12,322,906
)
 
(8,908,980
)
Gain on sale of mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and other investments
(684
)
 

Write down of real estate owned
11,096

 
200,165

Gain on sale of real estate owned
(137,289
)
 
(18,760
)
Gain on sale of fixed assets
(3,250
)
 

Restricted stock award expense
198,697

 
67,652

Stock option expense
82,749

 
52,082

Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance
(324,413
)
 
(307,701
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest and dividends receivable
(38,778
)
 
144,735

Decrease in other assets
865,477

 
2,483,872

Decrease in other liabilities
(1,868,459
)
 
(1,840,667
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
309,086

 
791,079

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale
6,439,319

 

Principal collections on investment securities available for sale
5,440,247

 
6,599,964

Purchase of investment securities available for sale
(18,094,730
)
 
(7,050,200
)
Proceeds from maturities or calls of investment securities available for sale
3,679,050

 
6,030,000

Net (increase) decrease in loans receivable
(20,849,620
)
 
3,411,876

Net decrease in FDIC receivable
402,154

 
4,653,085

Principal Reductions of REO
39,961

 

Proceeds from sale of real estate owned
3,291,742

 
4,138,741

Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment
3,250

 

Purchase of bank owned life insurance

 
(6,100,000
)
Disposal (purchase) of premises and equipment
9,964

 
(35,252
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(19,638,663
)
 
11,648,214

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Repurchase of shares
(14,218,889
)
 
(1,243,775
)
Dividends paid
(797,596
)
 
(1,097,904
)
Decrease in deposits
(15,717,127
)
 
(13,642,360
)
Net decrease in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
(668,205
)
 
(639,767
)

5


CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
continued
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
(31,401,817
)
 
(16,623,806
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(50,731,394
)
 
(4,184,513
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
99,462,953

 
161,452,481

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
48,731,559

 
$
157,267,968

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Interest paid
$
1,337,642

 
$
1,544,631

Income taxes paid

 
29,750

Supplemental disclosure of noncash activities:
 
 
 
Real estate acquired through foreclosure of collateral on loans receivable
$
1,033,671

 
$
765,639

Write down of real estate owned reimbursed by the FDIC
73,792

 
277,574

Gain on real estate sold payable to the FDIC
437,962

 
143,794

Provision for covered loan losses reimbursed by the FDIC
76,000

 
(529,798
)
Issuance of common stock under stock benefit plan
561,259

 
592,857

Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities available for sale, net
731,261

 
(621,758
)



































See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6


CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note 1: Nature of Operations

On April 8, 2013, Charter Financial Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“Charter Financial” or the “Company”), completed its conversion and reorganization pursuant to which First Charter, MHC, our federally chartered mutual holding company, was converted to the stock holding company form of organization. Charter Financial sold 14,289,429 shares of common stock at $10.00 per share, for gross offering proceeds of $142.9 million in its stock offering. CharterBank (the “Bank”), as of April 8, 2013, is 100% owned by Charter Financial and Charter Financial is 100% owned by public stockholders. Concurrent with the completion of the offering, shares of common stock of Charter Financial Corporation, the former federally chartered corporation (“Charter Federal”), were converted into the right to receive 1.2471 shares of Charter Financial’s common stock for each share of Charter Federal common stock that was owned immediately prior to completion of the transaction. As of April 8, 2013, Charter Federal and First Charter, MHC ceased to exist. As part of the elimination, the net asset position of First Charter, MHC, in the amount of $229,564, was assumed by Charter Financial. Any reference to the Company following April 8, 2013 refers to Charter Financial Corporation, a Maryland corporation.

Note 2: Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Charter Financial Corporation and subsidiary include the accounts of the Company and the Bank as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 (derived from audited financial statements), and for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include all necessary adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three-month period ended December 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year or any other interim period.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans, the estimates used for fair value acquisition accounting and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation receivable for loss sharing agreements, estimate of expected cash flows on purchased impaired and other acquired loans, and the assessment for other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. Certain reclassifications of prior fiscal year balances have been made to conform to classifications used in the current fiscal year. These reclassifications did not change net income or stockholders' equity.

Note 3: Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-14, Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans Upon Foreclosure (“ASU 2014-14”). This standard provides guidance on how holders of certain government-guaranteed loans (e.g., mortgage loans guaranteed by the FHA or VA) should present such loans upon foreclosure. Specifically, the ASU provides that, upon foreclosure, government-guaranteed loans within the scope of the standard should be derecognized and re-recognized as a separate other receivable (i.e., a receivable from the government entity guaranteeing the loan). The standard does not require any new disclosures about such loans. ASU 2014-14 is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s balance sheet or results of operations.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. ASU 2014-12 requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. ASU 2014-12 is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. An entity may apply the standards (1) prospectively to all share-based payment awards that are granted or modified on or after the effective date, or (2) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding

7


as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. Earlier application is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-12 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Additionally, in June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. This standard amends the guidance in ASC 860 on accounting for certain repurchase agreements (“repos”). The standard (1) requires entities to account for repurchase-to-maturity transactions as secured borrowings, (2) eliminates accounting guidance on linked repurchase financing transactions, and (3) expands disclosure requirements related to certain transfers of financial assets that are accounted for as sales and certain transfers (specifically, repos, securities lending transactions, and repurchase-to-maturity transactions) that are accounted for as secured borrowings. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s balance sheet or results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers. This standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity recognizes 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. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on its balance sheet and results of operations.

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure. The objective of this guidance is to clarify when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, that is, when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan such that the loan receivable should be derecognized and the real estate property recognized. ASU No. 2014-04 states that an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate 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, ASU No. 2014-04 requires 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 local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. ASU No. 2014-04 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of ASU No. 2014-04 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


8


Note 4: Investment Securities

Investment securities available for sale are summarized as follows:
 
December 31, 2014
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Other investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax-free municipals
$
3,213,296

 
$
61

 
$
(878
)
 
$
3,212,479

Collateralized loan obligations
18,097,002

 

 
(2,272
)
 
18,094,730

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC certificates
41,994,734

 
538,881

 
(228,219
)
 
42,305,396

FNMA certificates
116,175,652

 
589,370

 
(913,697
)
 
115,851,325

GNMA certificates
1,584,907

 
81,179

 

 
1,666,086

Collateralized mortgage obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC
43,915

 
3,454

 

 
47,369

FNMA
73,460

 
1,802

 

 
75,262

Private-label mortgage securities: (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade
1,361,538

 
7,677

 
(48,658
)
 
1,320,557

Split rating (2)
1,045,734

 

 
(6,579
)
 
1,039,155

Non-investment grade
8,439,674

 
26,959

 
(83,738
)
 
8,382,895

Total
$
192,029,912

 
$
1,249,383

 
$
(1,284,041
)
 
$
191,995,254

________________________________
(1)
Credit ratings are current as of December 31, 2014.
(2)
Bonds with split ratings represent securities with both investment and non-investment grades.
 
September 30, 2014
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Other investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax-free municipals
$
13,430,732

 
$
26,471

 
$

 
$
13,457,203

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC certificates
44,036,704

 
359,644

 
(370,420
)
 
44,025,928

FNMA certificates
119,445,041

 
499,772

 
(1,666,436
)
 
118,278,377

GNMA certificates
1,595,029

 
102,815

 

 
1,697,844

Collateralized mortgage obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC
49,425

 
4,071

 

 
53,496

FNMA
78,152

 
2,004

 

 
80,156

Private-label mortgage securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade
1,485,804

 
8,941

 
(47,887
)
 
1,446,858

Split rating (1)
1,090,524

 
3,583

 

 
1,094,107

Non-investment grade
8,674,491

 
45,243

 
(110,430
)
 
8,609,304

Total
$
189,885,902

 
$
1,052,544

 
$
(2,195,173
)
 
$
188,743,273

______________________________
(1)
Bonds with split ratings represent securities with both investment and non-investment grades.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale as of December 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. All of the municipal bonds in the table below are pre-funded and are expected to be prepaid before contractual maturity.

9


 
Amortized Cost
 
Estimated Fair Value
Due within one year
$

 
$

Due from one year to five years
628,342

 
628,345

Due after five years
20,681,956

 
20,678,864

Mortgage-backed securities
170,719,614

 
170,688,045

Total
$
192,029,912

 
$
191,995,254


Proceeds from called or matured investment securities available for sale during the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, were $3.7 million and $6.0 million, respectively. Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale during the three months ended December 31, 2014 were $6.4 million. Gross realized gains on the sale of these securities were $2,507 and gross realized losses on the sale of these securities were $1,823 for the three months ended December 31, 2014. There were no sales of investment securities during the three months ended December 31, 2013.

Investment securities available for sale with an aggregate carrying amount of $92.8 million and $101.7 million at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively, were pledged to secure FHLB advances.

Investment securities available for sale that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 are as follows:
 
December 31, 2014
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Other investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Tax-free municipals
$
2,871,135

 
$
(878
)
 
$
2,870,257

Collateralized loan obligations
18,097,002

 
(2,272
)
 
18,094,730

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
FNMA certificates
7,511,483

 
(16,358
)
 
7,495,125

Collateralized mortgage obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
Private-label mortgage securities
2,776,994

 
(73,167
)
 
2,703,827

Total
$
31,256,614

 
$
(92,675
)
 
$
31,163,939

 
September 30, 2014
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
FNMA certificates
$
6,164,452

 
$
(2,285
)
 
$
6,162,167

Collateralized mortgage obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
Private-label mortgage securities
1,900,526

 
(59,509
)
 
1,841,017

Total
$
8,064,978

 
$
(61,794
)
 
$
8,003,184



10


Investment securities available for sale that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 are as follows:
 
December 31, 2014
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC certificates
$
18,179,723

 
$
(228,219
)
 
$
17,951,504

FNMA certificates
75,306,549

 
(897,339
)
 
74,409,210

Collateralized mortgage obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
Private-label mortgage securities
4,078,669

 
(65,808
)
 
4,012,861

Total
$
97,564,941

 
$
(1,191,366
)
 
$
96,373,575

 
September 30, 2014
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC certificates
$
18,849,864

 
$
(370,420
)
 
$
18,479,444

FNMA certificates
77,274,838

 
(1,664,152
)
 
75,610,686

Collateralized mortgage obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
Private-label mortgage securities
4,188,449

 
(98,807
)
 
4,089,642

Total
$
100,313,151

 
$
(2,133,379
)
 
$
98,179,772


At December 31, 2014 the Company had approximately $139,000 of gross unrealized losses on private-label mortgage securities with aggregate amortized cost of approximately $6.9 million. During the quarter ended December 31, 2014 the Company did not record any other than temporary impairment charges. Other than what is discussed in the paragraphs below, the Company is projecting that it will receive all contractual cash flows so there is no break in yield or additional other than temporary impairment.

Regularly, the Company performs an assessment to determine whether there have been any events or economic circumstances to indicate that a security on which there is an unrealized loss is impaired other-than-temporarily. The assessment considers many factors including the severity and duration of the impairment, the Company’s intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient for recovery in value, recent events specific to the industry, and current characteristics of each security such as delinquency and foreclosure levels, credit enhancements, and projected losses and loss coverage ratios. It is possible that the underlying collateral of these securities will perform worse than current expectations, which may lead to adverse changes in cash flows on these securities and potential future other-than-temporary impairment losses. Events that may trigger material declines in fair values for these securities in the future include but are not limited to, deterioration of credit metrics, significantly higher levels of default and severity of loss on the underlying collateral, deteriorating credit enhancement and loss coverage ratios, or further illiquidity. All of these securities were evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment based on an analysis of the factors and characteristics of each security as previously enumerated. The Company considers these unrealized losses to be temporary impairment losses primarily because of continued sufficient levels of credit enhancements and credit coverage levels of less senior tranches to tranches held by the Company.

The Company previously recognized $380,000 in credit losses on its investment portfolio. The Company recorded no such credit losses during the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.


11


The following table shows issuer-specific information, including current par value, book value, fair value, credit rating and unrealized gain (loss) for the Company's portfolio of non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations as of December 31, 2014:
Cusip
 
Description
 
Credit Rating (1)
 
Cumulative Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings
 
Current Par Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Market Value
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
 
 
 
Moody
 
S&P
 
Fitch
 
(dollars in thousands)
Investment Grade
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
36228FQF6
 
GSR 2003-4F 1A2
 
n/a
 
AA+
 
BBB
 
$

 
$
168

 
$
168

 
$
171

 
$
3

55265KL80
 
MASTR 2003-8 4A1
 
n/a
 
A+
 
AAA
 

 
309

 
307

 
312

 
5

86359BVF5
 
SARM 2004-6 3A3
 
n/a
 
A+
 
n/a
 

 
886

 
887

 
838

 
(49
)
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
1,363

 
1,362

 
1,321

 
(41
)
Split Rating
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

17307GDL9
 
CMLTI 2004-HYB1 A31
 
Ba3
 
n/a
 
BBB
 

 
1,046

 
1,046

 
1,039

 
(7
)
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
1,046

 
1,046

 
1,039

 
(7
)
Non-Investment Grade
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

576433UQ7
 
MARM 2004-13 B1
 
NR
 
CCC
 
n/a
 
380

 
3,573

 
3,192

 
3,175

 
(17
)
576433VN3
 
MARM 2004-15 4A1
 
B3
 
n/a
 
B
 

 
1,731

 
1,731

 
1,665

 
(66
)
576433QD1
 
MARM 2004-7 5A1
 
Ba3
 
BB
 
n/a
 

 
3,516

 
3,517

 
3,543

 
26

 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
380

 
8,820

 
8,440

 
8,383

 
(57
)
 
 
Grand Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
380

 
$
11,229

 
$
10,848

 
$
10,743

 
$
(105
)
______________________________
(1)
Credit ratings are current as of December 31, 2014.

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income/loss by component for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are shown in the table below. All amounts are net of tax. The line item affected in the consolidated statements of income by the reclassified amounts is gain on investment securities available for sale.
 
Unrealized Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Beginning balance
$
(754,135
)
 
$
(1,839,593
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
731,681

 
(621,758
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
(420
)
 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)
731,261

 
(621,758
)
Ending balance
$
(22,874
)
 
$
(2,461,351
)


12


Note 5: Loans Receivable

Loans not covered by loss share agreements are summarized as follows:
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
Loans not covered by loss sharing agreements:
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
$
157,339,862

 
$
152,810,501

Commercial real estate
313,657,621

 
300,556,023

Commercial
27,844,426

 
24,759,682

Real estate construction
67,195,749

 
63,485,411

Consumer and other
4,624,986

 
4,959,103

Loans receivable, net of undisbursed proceeds of loans in process
570,662,644

 
546,570,720

Less:
 

 
 

Unamortized loan origination fees, net
1,444,721

 
1,364,853

Allowance for loan losses
8,494,197

 
8,473,373

Total loans not covered, net
$
560,723,726

 
$
536,732,494


The carrying amount of covered loans at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, consisted of impaired loans at acquisition date and all other acquired loans and are presented in the following tables.
 
December 31, 2014
 
Impaired Loans at Acquisition
 
All Other Acquired Loans
 
Total Covered Loans
Loans covered by loss sharing agreements:
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
$
4,617,981

 
$
6,401,924

 
$
11,019,905

Commercial real estate
31,613,031

 
32,177,894

 
63,790,925

Commercial
1,741,163

 
1,348,528

 
3,089,691

Real estate construction

 

 

Consumer and other
618

 
174,819

 
175,437

Loans receivable, gross
37,972,793

 
40,103,165

 
78,075,958

Less:
 

 
 

 
 

Nonaccretable difference
4,110,449

 
261,349

 
4,371,798

Allowance for covered loan losses

 
1,012,679

 
1,012,679

Accretable discount
3,481,806

 
2,044,436

 
5,526,242

Discount on acquired performing loans

 
130,363

 
130,363

Unamortized loan origination fees, net

 
18,980

 
18,980

Total loans covered, net
$
30,380,538

 
$
36,635,358

 
$
67,015,896


13


 
September 30, 2014
 
Impaired Loans at Acquisition
 
All Other Acquired Loans
 
Total Covered Loans
Loans covered by loss sharing agreements:
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
$
4,841,705

 
$
6,800,846

 
$
11,642,551

Commercial real estate
33,053,228

 
34,354,816

 
67,408,044

Commercial
1,871,879

 
1,800,989

 
3,672,868

Real estate construction

 

 

Consumer and other
1,418

 
177,228

 
178,646

Loans receivable, gross
39,768,230

 
43,133,879

 
82,902,109

Less:
 

 
 

 
 

Nonaccretable difference
5,993,661

 
273,024

 
6,266,685

Allowance for covered loan losses

 
997,524

 
997,524

Accretable discount
3,073,198

 
2,770,499

 
5,843,697

Discount on acquired performing loans

 
142,731

 
142,731

Unamortized loan origination fees, net

 
17,253

 
17,253

Total loans covered, net
$
30,701,371

 
$
38,932,848

 
$
69,634,219


The following table documents changes in the accretable discount on acquired FAS ASC 310-30 loans during the three months ended December 31, 2014 and the year ended September 30, 2014:
 
Impaired Loans at Acquisition
 
All Other Acquired Loans
 
Total Covered Loans
Balance, September 30, 2013
$
3,508,430

 
$
1,164,941

 
$
4,673,371

Loan accretion
(3,979,390
)
 
(2,579,144
)
 
(6,558,534
)
Transfer from nonaccretable difference
3,544,158

 
4,184,702

 
7,728,860

Balance, September 30, 2014
3,073,198

 
2,770,499

 
5,843,697

Loan accretion
(791,392
)
 
(757,202
)
 
(1,548,594
)
Transfer from nonaccretable difference
1,200,000

 
31,139

 
1,231,139

Balance, December 31, 2014
$
3,481,806

 
$
2,044,436

 
$
5,526,242


The following is a summary of transactions during the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 in the allowance for loan losses on loans covered by loss sharing:
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Balance, beginning of period
$
997,524

 
$
3,924,278

Loans charged off, gross
(64,853
)
 
(191,033
)
Recoveries on loans previously charged off
8

 
229,170

Provision (benefit) for loan losses charged (reversed) to FDIC receivable
76,000

 
(529,798
)
Provision for loan losses charged to operations
4,000

 
2,116

Balance, end of period
$
1,012,679

 
$
3,434,733



14


The following table documents changes in the carrying value of the FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements relating to covered loans and other real estate owned during the three months ended December 31, 2014 and the year ended September 30, 2014:
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31, 2014
 
Year Ended
September 30, 2014
Balance, beginning of period
$
10,531,809

 
$
29,941,862

Payments received from FDIC
(528,362
)
 
(10,954,707
)
Accretion of fair value adjustment
47,461

 
347,347

Impairment

 
(521,637
)
Amortization
(888,911
)
 
(3,507,017
)
Recovery of previous loss reimbursements
(759,500
)
 
(6,762,304
)
Increase (reduction) in previous loss estimates
76,000

 
(1,549,967
)
Provision for estimated losses on covered assets recognized in noninterest expense
73,792

 
1,426,762

External expenses qualifying under loss sharing agreements
371,746

 
2,111,470

Balance, end of period
$
8,924,035

 
$
10,531,809


During the quarterly reevaluation of cash flows on acquired loans, the Company revised its estimate of cash flows related to covered loans resulting in a transfer of $1.2 million from nonaccretable discount to accretable yield related to the MCB and FNB loss sharing agreements. In accordance with accounting guidance, the transferred amount will be accreted into income prospectively over the estimated remaining life of the loan pools. Concurrently, approximately $1.6 million which previously represented cash flows receivable from the FDIC and included in the FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements on the balance sheet will be amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan pools or the agreements with the FDIC, whichever is shorter. There was also a provision of $4,000 related to certain loans of MCB.

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

Commercial real estate loans are generally made by the Company to Georgia, Alabama or Florida panhandle entities and are secured by properties in these states. Commercial real estate lending involves additional risks compared to one- to four-family residential lending. Repayment of commercial real estate loans often depends on the successful operations and income stream of the borrowers, and commercial real estate loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers compared to residential real estate loans. The Company’s underwriting criteria for commercial real estate loans include maximum loan-to-value ratios, debt coverage ratios, secondary sources of repayment, guarantor requirements, net worth requirements and quality of cash flow. As part of the loan approval and underwriting of commercial real estate loans, management undertakes a cash flow analysis, and generally requires a debt-service coverage ratio of at least 1.15 times. In addition, management tracks the level of owner-occupied commercial real estate loans versus non-owner occupied loans. At December 31, 2014, approximately 24.1% of the outstanding principal balance of the Company’s commercial real estate loans was secured by owner-occupied properties.

The Company makes construction and land development loans primarily for the construction of one- to four-family residences but also for multi-family and nonresidential real estate projects on a select basis. The Company offers construction loans to builders including both speculative (unsold) and pre-sold loans to pre-approved local builders. The number of speculative loans that management will extend to a builder at one time depends upon the financial strength and credit history of the builder. The Company’s construction loan program is expected to remain a modest portion of the loan volume and management generally limits the number of outstanding loans on unsold homes under construction within a specific area.

The Company also originates first and second mortgage loans secured by one- to four-family residential properties within Georgia, Alabama and the Florida panhandle. Management currently originates mortgages at all branch locations, but utilizes a centralized processing location to reduce the underwriting risk. The Company originates both fixed rate and adjustable rate one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Fixed rate 30 year conforming loans are generally originated for resale into the secondary market and loans that are non-conforming due to property exceptions and that have adjustable rates are generally retained in the Company’s portfolio. The non-conforming loans originated are not considered to be subprime loans and the amount of subprime and low documentation loans held by the Company is not material.

15



The Company originates consumer loans that consist of loans on deposits, second mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, auto loans and various other installment loans. The Company primarily offers consumer loans (excluding second mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit) as an accommodation to customers. Consumer loans tend to have a higher credit risk than residential mortgage loans because they may be secured by rapidly depreciable assets, or may be unsecured. The Company’s consumer lending generally follows accepted industry standards for non-subprime lending, including credit scores and debt to income ratios. The Company also offers home equity lines of credit as a complement to one- to four-family residential mortgage lending. The underwriting standards applicable to home equity credit lines are similar to those for one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, except for slightly more stringent credit-to-income and credit score requirements. Home equity loans are generally limited to 80% of the value of the underlying property unless the loan is covered by private mortgage insurance or a loss sharing agreement. At December 31, 2014, the Company had $12.9 million of home equity lines of credit and second mortgage loans not covered by FDIC loss sharing agreements (“loss sharing”).

The Company’s commercial business loans are generally limited to terms of five years or less. Management typically collateralizes these loans with a lien on commercial real estate or, much less frequently, with a lien on business assets and equipment. Management also generally requires the personal guarantee of the business owner. Interest rates on commercial business loans are generally higher than interest rates on residential or commercial real estate loans due to the risk inherent in this type of loan. Commercial business loans are generally considered to have more risk than residential mortgage loans or commercial real estate loans because the collateral may be in the form of intangible assets and/or readily depreciable inventory. Commercial business loans may also involve relatively large loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers, with the repayment of such loans typically dependent on the successful operation and income stream of the borrower. Such risks can be significantly affected by economic conditions. In addition, commercial business lending generally requires substantially greater supervision efforts by management compared to residential mortgage or commercial real estate lending.

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

Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans. Nonaccrual loans not covered by loss sharing, segregated by class of loans were as follows:
 
December 31,
     2014 (1)
 
September 30,
    2014 (1)
1-4 family residential real estate
$
954,605

 
$
982,087

Commercial real estate
2,170,770

 
2,369,520

Commercial
148,823

 
156,474

Real estate construction

 

Consumer and other

 

Total
$
3,274,198

 
$
3,508,081

__________________________________
(1)
Acquired Neighborhood Community Bank FAS ASC 310-30 loans that are no longer covered under the commercial loss sharing agreement with the FDIC in the amount of $1.2 million and $1.3 million at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively, are excluded. Due to the recognition of accretion income established at the time of acquisition, the FAS ASC 310-30 loans that are greater than 90 days delinquent are regarded as accruing loans.


16


An age analysis of past due loans not covered by loss sharing, segregated by class of loans at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 were as follows:

December 31, 2014
 
 
30-89 Days Past Due
 
Greater than 90 Days Past Due
 
Total Past Due
 
Current
 
Total Loans
 
Loans > 90 Days Accruing (1)
1-4 family residential real estate
 
$
1,854,384

 
$
46,330

 
$
1,900,714

 
$
155,439,148

 
$
157,339,862

 
$

Commercial real estate
 
1,231,698

 
1,112,661

 
2,344,359

 
311,313,262

 
313,657,621

 
581,238

Commercial
 
239,668

 
8,425

 
248,093

 
27,596,333

 
27,844,426

 

Real estate construction
 
367,500

 

 
367,500

 
66,828,249

 
67,195,749

 

Consumer and other
 
28,852

 

 
28,852

 
4,596,134

 
4,624,986

 

Total
 
$
3,722,102

 
$
1,167,416

 
$
4,889,518

 
$
565,773,126

 
$
570,662,644

 
$
581,238

__________________________________
(1)
Previously covered loans in the amount of $517,168 are now reflected in the Greater than 90 Days Accruing column. These loans which are accounted for under ASC 310-30 are reported as accruing loans because of accretable discounts established at the time of acquisition.

September 30, 2014
 
 
30-89 Days Past Due
 
Greater than 90 Days Past Due
 
Total Past Due
 
Current
 
Total Loans
 
Loans > 90 Days Accruing
1-4 family residential real estate
 
$
1,927,860

 
$
545,179

 
$
2,473,039

 
$
150,337,462

 
$
152,810,501

 
$
516,659

Commercial real estate
 
254,423

 
1,943,161

 
2,197,584

 
298,358,439

 
300,556,023

 
1,218,188

Commercial
 
62,479

 
1,000

 
63,479

 
24,696,203

 
24,759,682

 

Real estate construction
 

 

 

 
63,485,411

 
63,485,411

 

Consumer and other
 
31,306

 
4,354

 
35,660

 
4,923,443

 
4,959,103

 
4,354

Total
 
$
2,276,068

 
$
2,493,694

 
$
4,769,762

 
$
541,800,958

 
$
546,570,720

 
$
1,739,201

__________________________________
(1)
Previously covered loans in the amount of $1,003,007 are now reflected in the Greater than 90 Days Accruing column. These loans which are accounted for under ASC 310-30 are reported as accruing loans because of accretable discounts established at the time of acquisition.

An age analysis of past due loans covered by loss sharing, segregated by class of loans at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 were as follows:

December 31, 2014
 
 
30-89 Days Past Due
 
Greater than 90 Days Past Due
 
Total Past Due
 
Current
 
Total
     Loans (1)
 
Loans > 90 Days
Accruing (2)
1-4 family residential real estate
 
$
145,572

 
$
617,099

 
$
762,671

 
$
9,319,768

 
$
10,082,439

 
$
617,099

Commercial real estate
 
283,314

 
4,346,988

 
4,630,302

 
54,878,575

 
59,508,877

 
4,346,988

Commercial
 
206,411

 
470,326

 
676,737

 
2,278,523

 
2,955,260

 
470,326

Real estate construction
 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer and other
 
49,925

 

 
49,925

 
94,980

 
144,905

 

Total
 
$
685,222

 
$
5,434,413

 
$
6,119,635

 
$
66,571,846

 
$
72,691,481

 
$
5,434,413

__________________________________
(1)
Covered loan balances are net of nonaccretable differences and allowance for covered loan losses and have not been reduced by $5,656,605 of accretable discounts and discounts on acquired performing loans.
(2)
Covered loans contractually past due greater than ninety days are reported as accruing loans because of accretable discounts established at the time of acquisition.


17


September 30, 2014
 
 
30-89 Days Past Due
 
Greater than 90 Days Past Due
 
Total Past Due
 
Current
 
Total
     Loans (1)
 
Loans > 90 Days
Accruing
(2)
1-4 family residential real estate
 
$
414,699

 
$
814,238

 
$
1,228,937

 
$
9,448,399

 
$
10,677,336

 
$
814,238

Commercial real estate
 
1,399,520

 
3,949,083

 
5,348,603

 
55,950,984

 
61,299,587

 
3,949,083

Commercial
 
387,641

 
551,721

 
939,362

 
2,573,517

 
3,512,879

 
551,721

Real estate construction
 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer and other
 

 

 

 
148,098

 
148,098

 

Total
 
$
2,201,860

 
$
5,315,042

 
$
7,516,902

 
$
68,120,998

 
$
75,637,900

 
$
5,315,042

__________________________________
(1)
Covered loan balances are net of nonaccretable differences and allowance for covered loan losses and have not been reduced by $5,986,428 of accretable discounts and discounts on acquired performing loans.
(2)
Covered loans contractually past due greater than ninety days are reported as accruing loans because of accretable discounts established at the time of acquisition.

Impaired Loans. The Company evaluates “impaired” loans, which includes nonperforming loans and accruing troubled debt restructured loans, having risk characteristics that are unique to an individual borrower on a loan-by-loan basis with balances above a specified level. For smaller loans, the allowance is calculated based on the credit grade utilizing historical loss experience and other qualitative factors.

Impaired loans not covered by loss sharing, segregated by class of loans were as follows:

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31, 2014
 
 
Recorded Investment
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Related Allowance
 
Average Investment in Impaired Loans
 
Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

1-4 family residential real estate
 
$
1,006,400

 
$
1,496,656

 
$

 
$
1,016,899

 
$
552

Commercial real estate
 
8,276,744

 
10,016,209

 

 
8,313,161

 
88,845

Commercial
 
148,823

 
199,936

 

 
152,649

 

Total:
 
$
9,431,967

 
$
11,712,801

 
$

 
$
9,482,709

 
$
89,397


There were no recorded allowances for impaired loans not covered by loss sharing at December 31, 2014. The recorded investment in accruing troubled debt restructured loans at December 31, 2014 totaled $6,093,699 and is included in the impaired loan table above.

September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended
September 30, 2014
 
 
Recorded Investment
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Related Allowance
 
Average Investment in Impaired Loans
 
Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
 
$
1,550,777

 
$
2,077,942

 
$

 
$
1,737,505

 
$
31,656

Commercial real estate
 
8,687,088

 
10,510,893

 

 
9,196,747

 
373,711

Commercial
 
156,474

 
205,625

 

 
188,458

 

Total:
 
$
10,394,339

 
$
12,794,460

 
$

 
$
11,122,710

 
$
405,367



18


There were no recorded allowances for impaired loans not covered by loss sharing at September 30, 2014. The recorded investment in accruing troubled debt restructured loans at September 30, 2014 totaled $6,154,419.52 and is included in the impaired loan table above.

Credit Quality Indicators. As part of the ongoing monitoring of the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio for both loans covered and not covered by loss sharing agreements, management tracks certain credit quality indicators including the level of classified loans, net charge-offs, nonperforming loans (see details above) and the general economic conditions in its market areas.

The Company utilizes a risk grading to assign a risk grade to each of its loans. Loans are graded on a scale of 1 to 8. The risk grade for each individual loan is determined by the loan officer and other approving officers at the time of loan origination and is changed from time to time to reflect an ongoing assessment of loan risk. Risk grades are reviewed on specific loans monthly for all delinquent loans as a part of monthly meetings held by the Loan Committee, quarterly for all nonaccrual and special reserve loans, and annually as part of the Company’s internal loan review process. In addition, individual loan risk grades are reviewed in connection with all renewals, extensions and modifications. Risk grades for covered loans are determined by officers within the Special Assets Division based on an ongoing assessment of loan risk. Such risk grades are updated in a manner consistent with non-covered loans, except the grading of such loans are assessed quarterly, as applicable, relating to revised estimates of expected cash flows.

The following table presents the risk grades of the loan portfolio not covered by loss sharing, segregated by class of loans:

December 31, 2014
 
1-4 family residential real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Commercial
 
Real estate construction
 
Consumer and other
 
Total
Pass (1-4)
$
156,254,843

 
$
285,864,679

 
$
27,416,810

 
$
67,195,749

 
$
4,613,281

 
$
541,345,362

Special Mention (5)
266,412

 
3,106,555

 
133,184

 

 

 
3,506,151

Substandard (6)
818,607

 
24,686,387

 
294,432

 

 
11,705

 
25,811,131

Doubtful (7)

 

 

 

 

 

Loss (8)

 

 

 

 

 

Total not covered loans
$
157,339,862

 
$
313,657,621

 
$
27,844,426

 
$
67,195,749

 
$
4,624,986

 
$
570,662,644


September 30, 2014
 
1-4 family residential real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Commercial
 
Real estate construction
 
Consumer and other
 
Total
Pass (1-4)
$
151,661,479

 
$
273,587,373

 
$
23,205,880

 
$
63,485,411

 
$
4,954,661

 
$
516,894,804

Special Mention (5)

 
3,325,324

 
91,000

 

 

 
3,416,324

Substandard (6)
1,149,022

 
23,643,326

 
1,462,802

 

 
4,442

 
26,259,592

Doubtful (7)

 

 

 

 

 

Loss (8)

 

 

 

 

 

Total not covered loans
$
152,810,501

 
$
300,556,023

 
$
24,759,682

 
$
63,485,411

 
$
4,959,103

 
$
546,570,720


The following table presents the risk grades, ignoring grade enhancement provided by the FDIC loss sharing, of the loan portfolio covered by loss sharing agreements, segregated by class of loans at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014. Numerical risk ratings 5-8 constitute classified assets for regulatory reporting; however, regulatory authorities consider the FDIC loss sharing percentage of either 80% or 95%, as applicable, as a reduction of the regulatory classified balance for covered loans. With respect to classified assets covered by loss sharing agreements, numerical risk ratings 5-8, for regulatory reporting purposes are done under FDIC guidance reporting the Bank’s non-reimbursable amount of the book balance of the loans as classified. The remaining reimbursable portion is classified as pass, numerical risk ratings 1-4.


19


December 31, 2014
 
1-4 family residential real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Commercial
 
Real estate construction
 
Consumer and other
 
Total
Numerical risk rating (1-4)
$
6,996,860

 
$
33,927,617

 
$
1,853,789

 
$

 
$
73,217

 
$
42,851,483

Numerical risk rating (5)
677,131

 
6,727,303

 
141,146

 

 

 
7,545,580

Numerical risk rating (6)
2,408,448

 
18,853,957

 
960,325

 

 
71,688

 
22,294,418

Numerical risk rating (7)

 

 

 

 

 

Numerical risk rating (8)

 

 

 

 

 

Total covered loans (1)
$
10,082,439

 
$
59,508,877

 
$
2,955,260

 
$

 
$
144,905

 
$
72,691,481

__________________________________
(1)
Covered loan balances are net of nonaccretable differences and allowances for covered loan losses and have not been reduced by $5,656,605 of accretable discounts and discounts on acquired performing loans.

September 30, 2014
 
1-4 family residential real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Commercial
 
Real estate construction
 
Consumer and other
 
Total
Numerical risk rating (1-4)
$
7,392,585

 
$
34,017,713

 
$
1,982,382

 
$

 
$
74,392

 
$
43,467,072

Numerical risk rating (5)
693,038

 
8,411,973

 
448,957

 

 

 
9,553,968

Numerical risk rating (6)
2,591,713

 
18,869,901

 
1,081,540

 

 
73,706

 
22,616,860

Numerical risk rating (7)

 

 

 

 

 

Numerical risk rating (8)

 

 

 

 

 

Total covered loans (1)
$
10,677,336

 
$
61,299,587

 
$
3,512,879

 
$

 
$
148,098

 
$
75,637,900

__________________________________
(1)
Covered loan balances are net of nonaccretable differences and allowances for covered loan losses and have not been reduced by $5,986,428 of accretable discounts and discounts on acquired performing loans.

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense and is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb losses on existing loans that become uncollectible, based on evaluations of the collectability of loans. The evaluations take into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, historical loss rates, overall portfolio quality, review of specific problem loans, and current economic conditions and trends that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that the collectability of the principal is unlikely and subsequent recoveries are added to the allowance.

Management’s allowance for loan losses methodology is a loan classification-based system. Management bases the required reserve on a percentage of the loan balance for each type of loan and classification level. Loans may be classified manually and are automatically classified if they are not previously classified when they reach certain levels of delinquency. Unclassified loans are reserved at different percentages based on the loan loss history of the last seven years. Reserve percentages are also adjusted based upon our estimate of the effect that the current economic environment will have on each type of loan.

Management segments its allowance for loan losses into the following four major categories: (1) specific reserves; (2) general allowances for Classified/Watch loans; (3) general allowances for loans with satisfactory ratings; and (4) an unallocated amount. Risk ratings are initially assigned in accordance with CharterBank’s loan and collection policy. An organizationally independent department reviews risk grade assignments on an ongoing basis. Management reviews current information and events regarding a borrowers’ financial condition and strengths, cash flows available for debt repayment, the related collateral supporting the loan and the effects of known and expected economic conditions. When the evaluation reflects a greater than normal risk associated with the individual loan, management classifies the loan accordingly. If the loan is determined to be impaired, management allocates a portion of the allowance for loan losses for that loan based on the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is considered collateral-dependent, as the measure for the amount of the impairment. Impaired and Classified/Watch loans are aggressively monitored.

The allowances for loans by credit grade are further subdivided by loan type. The Company has developed specific quantitative allowance factors to apply to each loan which considers loan charge-off experience over the most recent seven years by loan type. In addition, loss estimates are applied for certain qualitative allowance factors that are subjective in nature and require considerable judgment on the part of management. Such qualitative factors include economic and business conditions, the volume of past due loans, changes in the value of collateral of collateral-dependent loans, and other economic uncertainties. An unallocated

20


component of the allowance is also established for potential losses that exist in the remainder of the portfolio, but have yet to be identified.

The Company incorporates certain refinements and improvements to its allowance for loan losses methodology from time to time. During the previous fiscal year, the Company made certain refinements in its allowance methodology. The Company increased the look back period of historical losses from 24 months to 84 months as net charge-offs were not reflective of a full credit cycle for the two year period ended December 31, 2014 as compared with the seven year period ended December 31, 2014. In addition, some qualitative factors were removed and the loss allocation for qualitative risk factors was decreased. The change in the historical look back period more closely aligns the quantitative aspect of the Company's allowance methodology with the risks inherent in a full credit cycle.

An unallocated allowance is generally maintained in a range of 4% to 12% of the total allowance in recognition of the imprecision of the estimates and other factors. In times of greater economic downturn and uncertainty, the higher end of this range is provided.

Through the FDIC-assisted acquisitions of the loans of Neighborhood Community Bank (“NCB”), McIntosh Commercial Bank (“MCB”) and First National Bank of Florida (“FNB”), management established nonaccretable discounts for the acquired impaired loans and also for all other loans of MCB. These nonaccretable discounts were based on estimates of future cash flows. Subsequent to the acquisition dates, management continues to assess the experience of actual cash flows compared to estimates. When management determines that nonaccretable discounts are insufficient to cover expected losses in the applicable covered loan portfolios, the allowance for covered loans is increased with a corresponding provision for covered loan losses as a charge to earnings and an increase in the applicable FDIC receivable based on loss sharing indemnification.

The Company maintained its allowance for loan losses for non-covered loans for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 in response to continued weak economic conditions, net charge-offs, financial indicators for borrowers in the real estate sectors, continuing low collateral values of commercial and residential real estate, and nonaccrual and impaired loans. However, the Company did not make a provision in the quarter ended December 31, 2014 due to the long term trend of declining net charge-offs and overall improvement in the credit quality of the loan portfolio. The following table details the allowance for loan losses on loans not covered by loss sharing by portfolio segment for the quarters ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude availability to absorb losses in other categories.

The following tables are a summary of transactions in the allowance for loan losses on loans not covered by loss sharing by portfolio segment:
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
 
1-4 family real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Commercial
 
Real estate construction
 
Consumer and other
 
Unallocated
 
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Balance at beginning of period
$
812,130

 
$
5,969,819

 
$
400,883

 
$
492,903

 
$
13,990

 
$
783,648

 
$
8,473,373

Charge-offs
(78,670
)
 

 

 

 
(9,622
)
 

 
(88,292
)
Recoveries
3,379

 
94,299

 
9,478

 

 
1,960

 

 
109,116

Provision
73,958

 
(176,910
)
 
(18,744
)
 
(22,534
)
 
7,816

 
136,414

 

Balance at end of period
$
810,797

 
$
5,887,208

 
$
391,617

 
$
470,369

 
$
14,144

 
$
920,062

 
$
8,494,197

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 

 
$

Loans:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
1,006,400

 
$
8,276,744

 
$
148,823

 
$

 
$

 
 

 
$
9,431,967

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
156,333,462

 
305,380,877

 
27,695,603

 
67,195,749

 
4,624,986

 
 
 
561,230,677

Ending balance
$
157,339,862

 
$
313,657,621

 
$
27,844,426

 
$
67,195,749

 
$
4,624,986

 
 

 
$
570,662,644



21


 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
 
1-4 family real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Commercial
 
Real estate construction
 
Consumer and other
 
Unallocated
 
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
862,043

 
$
5,446,357

 
$
455,833

 
$
387,302

 
$
124,717

 
$
912,644

 
$
8,188,896

Charge-offs
(41,409
)
 

 
(22,035
)
 

 
(4,550
)
 

 
(67,994
)
Recoveries

 
61,120

 
10,010

 

 
2,380

 

 
73,510

Provision
(80,870
)
 
495,487

 
240,777

 
(24,711
)
 
(68,480
)
 
(262,203
)
 
300,000

Balance at end of period
$
739,764

 
$
6,002,964

 
$
684,585

 
$
362,591

 
$
54,067

 
$
650,441

 
$
8,494,412

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 

 
$

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
1,569,836

 
$
11,572,702

 
$
341,064

 
$

 
$

 
 

 
$
13,483,602

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
131,760,904

 
256,244,979

 
22,452,271

 
45,199,612

 
16,908,814

 
 
 
472,566,580

Ending balance
$
133,330,740

 
$
267,817,681

 
$
22,793,335

 
$
45,199,612

 
$
16,908,814

 
 

 
$
486,050,182


There were no new troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) in the three month period ended December 31, 2014. For the three month period ended December 31, 2013, the following table presents a breakdown of the types of concessions determined to be troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) during the period by loan class:
 
Accruing Loans
 
Nonaccrual Loans
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
 
Number of Loans
 
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
 
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
 
Number of Loans
 
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
 
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Payment structure modification:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
1
 
$
552,961

 
$
552,961

 
 
$

 
$

Total
1
 
$
552,961

 
$
552,961

 
 
$

 
$


Loans are classified as restructured by the Company when certain modifications are made to the loan terms and concessions are granted to the borrowers due to financial difficulty experienced by those borrowers. The Company only restructures loans for borrowers in financial difficulty that have presented a viable business plan to fully pay off all obligations, including outstanding debt, interest, and fees, either by generating additional income from the business or through liquidation of assets. Generally, these loans are restructured to provide the borrower additional time to execute upon their plans. The concessions granted on TDRs generally include terms to reduce the interest rate or extend the term of the debt obligation.

Loans on nonaccrual status at the date of modification are initially classified as nonaccrual TDRs. Loans on accruing status at the date of concession are initially classified as accruing TDRs if the loan is reasonably assured of repayment and performance is expected in accordance with its modified terms. Such loans may be designated as nonaccrual loans subsequent to the concession date if reasonable doubt exists as to the collection of interest or principal under the restructuring agreement. TDRs are returned to accruing status when there is economic substance to the restructuring, there is documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition, the remaining balance is reasonably assured of repayment in accordance with its modified terms, and the borrower has demonstrated sustained repayment performance in accordance with the modified terms for a reasonable period of time (generally a minimum of six months).

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no loans that defaulted within twelve months after their restructure.


22


Note 6: Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Previously, the Bank entered into interest rate swap contracts in connection with its hedging of specific loans. During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, the Bank entered into interest rate swaps totaling approximately $4.4 million using a receive-variable swap to mitigate the exposure to changes in the fair value attributable to the benchmark interest rate (fixed rate) and the hedged items (loans receivable) from the effective date of the hedged instruments. During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, the Company closed out its interest rate contract with an unwind date of August 26, 2013. A gain position of $189,054 was realized on the termination of this contract which is accreting into income as an adjustment to yield over the remaining life of the loans.

Note 7: Income Per Share

Basic net income per share for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was computed by dividing net income to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, which consists of issued shares less unallocated ESOP shares and unvested restricted shares.

Diluted net income per share for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was computed by dividing net income by weighted average shares outstanding plus potential common shares resulting from dilutive stock options and unvested restricted shares, determined using the treasury stock method.
 
Three Months Ended 
 December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Numerator:
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,673,503

 
$
1,637,068

Denominator:
 

 
 

Weighted average common shares outstanding
16,175,485

 
22,006,657

Common stock equivalents
534,058

 
521,180

Diluted shares
$
16,709,543

 
$
22,527,837

Net income per share:
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.10

 
$
0.07

Diluted
$
0.10

 
$
0.07


For the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 there were 219,864 and 142,523, respectively, of dilutive stock options. For the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 there were 314,194 and 378,657 shares, respectively, of unvested restricted stock which were also dilutive. There were no shares which were subject to options issued with exercise prices in excess of the average market value per share during the three months ended December 31, 2014. The Company excluded 971,680 shares from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2013 which were subject to options issued with exercise prices in excess of the average market value per share during that period.

Note 8: Real Estate Owned

The following is a summary of transactions in real estate owned:
Non-covered real estate owned:
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
 
Year Ended September 30, 2014
Balance, beginning of period
$
1,757,864

 
$
1,615,036

Real estate acquired through foreclosure of loans receivable
598,774

 
2,121,865

Proceeds from real estate sold
(1,621,378
)
 
(2,161,103
)
Write down of real estate owned
(1,390
)
 
(268,696
)
Gain on sale of real estate owned
74,321

 
80,762

Transfer of previously covered NCB non-single family OREO

 
420,000

Gain on real estate sold payable to the FDIC (1)
145,797

 

Principal reductions

 
(50,000
)
Balance, end of period
$
953,988

 
$
1,757,864


23


__________________________________
(1)
A percentage of the gain on the sale of OREO transferred from covered to non-covered upon the expiration of the NCB non-single family loss sharing agreement must be shared with the FDIC.

Covered real estate owned:
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
 
Year Ended September 30, 2014
Balance, beginning of period
$
5,557,927

 
$
14,068,846

Real estate acquired through foreclosure of loans receivable
434,897

 
4,405,516

Proceeds from real estate sold
(1,670,364
)
 
(12,348,078
)
Gain on real estate sold recognized in noninterest expense
62,968

 
217,408

Gain on real estate sold payable to the FDIC
292,165

 
1,349,676

Provision for losses on real estate owned recognized in noninterest expense
(9,706
)
 
(254,408
)
Increase of FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements
(73,792
)
 
(1,330,943
)
Principal reductions
(39,961
)
 
(130,090
)
Transfer of previously covered NCB non-single family OREO

 
(420,000
)
Balance, end of period
$
4,554,134

 
$
5,557,927


Note 9: Employee Benefits

The Company has a 2002 stock option plan which allows for stock option awards of the Company’s common stock to eligible directors and key employees of the Company. The option price is determined by a committee of the board of directors at the time of the grant and may not be less than 100% of the market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. For options granted under the 2002 stock option plan, when granted, the options vest over periods up to 4 or 5 years from grant date or upon death, disability, or qualified retirement. All options must be exercised within a 10-year period from grant date. The Company may grant either incentive stock options, which qualify for special federal income tax treatment, or nonqualified stock options, which do not receive such tax treatment. The Company’s stockholders have authorized 882,876 shares for the plan of which 72,154 have been issued or retired upon the exercise of the option granted under the plan, 656,059 are granted and outstanding and no shares are available to be granted at December 31, 2014 within this plan. All share and share amounts related to employee benefits have been updated to reflect the completion of the second-step conversion on April 8, 2013 at a conversion ratio of 1.2471. As of December 31, 2014, 395,540 shares have vested under this plan.

In addition to the plan above, on December 19, 2013, the Company's stockholders approved the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan which allows for stock option awards of the Company’s common stock to eligible directors and key employees of the Company. The option price is determined by a committee of the board of directors at the time of the grant and may not be less than 100% of the market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. When granted, the options vest over periods no less than 5 years from grant date or upon death or disability. All options must be exercised within a 10-year period from grant date. The Company may grant either incentive stock options, which qualify for special federal income tax treatment, or nonqualified stock options, which do not receive such tax treatment. The Company’s stockholders have authorized 1,428,943 shares for the plan of which 971,680 were granted and outstanding as of December 31, 2014, with the remaining 457,263 shares available to be granted at December 31, 2014. During the three months ended December 31, 2014, 194,330 options from this plan vested.

The following table summarizes activity for shares under option and weighted average exercise price per share:
 
Shares
 
Weighted average exercise price/share
 
Weighted average remaining life (years)
Options outstanding – September 30, 2014
1,627,739

 
$
9.90

 
8

Options exercised

 

 

Options forfeited

 

 

Options granted

 

 

Options outstanding – December 31, 2014
1,627,739

 
$
9.90

 
7

Options exercisable at end of year – December 31, 2014
589,870

 
$
9.50

 
6



24


The stock price at December 31, 2014 was greater than the exercise prices on 1,627,739 options outstanding and therefore had an intrinsic value of $2,517,441. The total intrinsic value of all 589,870 shares exercisable at December 31, 2014 was $1,150,193.

Stock option expense was $82,749 and $52,082 for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The following table summarizes information about the options outstanding at December 31, 2014:
 
Number of options outstanding at December 31, 2014
 
 
 
Remaining contractual life in years
 
 
 
Exercise price per share
 
 
 
393,545

 
 
 
 
4
 
 
 
$
8.82

 
 
 
174,594

 
 
 
 
6
 
 
 
$
8.18

 
 
 
66,720

 
 
 
 
6
 
 
 
$
7.22

 
 
 
16,212

 
 
 
 
7
 
 
 
$
7.34

 
 
 
4,988

 
 
 
 
7
 
 
 
$
7.79

 
 
 
971,680

 
 
 
 
9
 
 
 
$
10.89

 
 
 
1,627,739

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

The Company has a Charter Financial Corporation 2001 Recognition and Retention Plan and has granted 14,965 shares of restricted stock to key employees and directors, 5,610 of which were vested as of December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, 9,355 shares remain in the trust and have not yet vested.

In addition to the above, the Company implemented the Charter Financial Corporation 2013 Equity Incentive Plan as described above, which has 571,577 shares authorized, and during the year ended September 30, 2014, the Company granted 360,092 shares of restricted stock to key employees and directors. During the three months ended December 31, 2014, 72,015 shares vested. The remaining 211,485 shares are available to be granted at December 31, 2014.
 
Shares
 
Weighted average grant date fair 
value per award
Unvested restricted stock awards - September 30, 2014
369,447

 
$
10.82

Granted

 

Vested
72,015

 
10.89

Canceled or expired

 

Unvested restricted stock awards – December 31, 2014
297,432

 
$
10.80


Grants between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2013 will be expensed to the earlier of scheduled vesting or substantive vesting which is when the recipient becomes qualified for retirement at age 65. Grants subsequent to December 1, 2013 will be expensed to the scheduled vesting.

Note 10: Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

In the normal course of business, the Company makes various commitments and incurs certain contingent liabilities, which are not reflected in the accompanying financial statements. The commitments and contingent liabilities include guarantees, commitments to extend credit, and standby letters of credit. At December 31, 2014, commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit totaled $145.7 million. The Company does not anticipate any material losses as a result of these transactions.

In the normal course of business, the Company is party (both as plaintiff and defendant) to certain matters of litigation. In the opinion of management, none of these matters should have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operation.

Note 11: Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement

Accounting standards define fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Accounting standards also establish a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The applicable standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in

25


active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date. Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The Company evaluates fair value measurement inputs on an ongoing basis in order to determine if there is a change of sufficient significance to warrant a transfer between levels. For example, changes in market activity or the addition of new unobservable inputs could, in the Company’s judgment, cause a transfer to either a higher or lower level. For the three months ended December 31, 2014, there were no transfers between levels.

At December 31, 2014, the Company holds, as part of its investment portfolio, available for sale securities reported at fair value consisting of municipal securities, collateralized loan obligations, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. The fair value of the majority of these securities is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including matrix pricing and broker-quote based applications. Inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, issuer spreads, prepayment speeds and other relevant items. These are inputs used by a third-party pricing service used by the Company. To validate the appropriateness of the valuations provided by the third party, the Company regularly updates its understanding of the inputs used and compares valuations to an additional third party source.

All of the Company’s available for sale securities fall into Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. These securities are priced via independent service providers. In obtaining such valuation information, the Company has evaluated the valuation methodologies used to develop the fair values.

The Company also holds assets available for sale reported at fair value consisting of three former branches, a parcel of land adjacent to a current branch and a parcel of land initially acquired as a proposed branch site that are included in other assets. These assets are included in other assets on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The fair value of these assets is determined using current appraisals adjusted at management’s discretion to reflect any decline in the fair value of the properties since the time the appraisal was performed. Appraisal values are reviewed and monitored internally and fair value is reassessed at least quarterly or more frequently when circumstances occur that indicate a change in fair value. All of the Company’s assets held for sale fall into level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Previously, the Company used interest-rate swaps to provide long-term fixed rate funding to its customers. The majority of these derivatives were exchange-traded or traded within highly active dealer markets. In order to determine the fair value of these instruments, the Company utilized the exchange price or dealer market price for the particular derivative contract. Therefore, these derivative contracts were classified as Level 2. The Company utilized an independent third party valuation company to validate the dealer prices. In cases where significant credit valuation adjustments were incorporated into the estimation of fair value, reported amounts were considered as Level 3 inputs. The Company also utilized this approach to estimate its own credit risk on derivative liability positions. To date, the Company has not realized any losses due to a counterparty’s inability to pay any net uncollateralized position. As of September 30, 2013, the Company exited its interest rate swap contracts (see Note 6 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities for additional detail).


26


Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis:

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below.
 
December 31, 2014
 
Estimated fair value
 
Quoted prices in active
markets for identical assets
(Level 1 inputs)
 
Quoted prices for similar assets
(Level 2 inputs)
 
Significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3 inputs)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax-free municipals
$
3,212,479

 
$

 
$
3,212,479

 
$

Collateralized loan obligations
18,094,730

 

 
18,094,730

 

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC certificates
42,305,396

 

 
42,305,396

 

FNMA certificates
115,851,325

 

 
115,851,325

 

GNMA certificates
1,666,086

 

 
1,666,086

 

Collateralized mortgage obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC
47,369

 

 
47,369

 

FNMA
75,262

 

 
75,262

 

Private-label mortgage securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade
1,320,557

 

 
1,320,557

 

Split rating (1)
1,039,155

 

 
1,039,155

 

Non-investment grade
8,382,895

 

 
8,382,895

 

Total investment securities available for sale
191,995,254

 

 
191,995,254

 

Assets held for sale
1,744,584

 

 

 
1,744,584

Total recurring assets at fair value
$
193,739,838

 
$

 
$
191,995,254

 
$
1,744,584

__________________________________
(1)
Bonds with split ratings represent securities with both investment and non-investment grades.

27


 
September 30, 2014
 
Estimated fair value
 
Quoted prices in active
markets for identical assets
(Level 1 inputs)
 
Quoted prices for similar assets
(Level 2 inputs)
 
Significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3 inputs)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax free municipals
$
13,457,203

 
$

 
$
13,457,203

 
$

Mortgage–backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC certificates
44,025,928

 

 
44,025,928

 

FNMA certificates
118,278,377

 

 
118,278,377

 

GNMA certificates
1,697,844

 

 
1,697,844

 

Collateralized mortgage obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLMC
53,496

 

 
53,496

 

FNMA
80,156

 

 
80,156

 

Private-label mortgage securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment grade
1,446,858

 

 
1,446,858

 

Split rating (1)
1,094,107

 

 
1,094,107

 

Non-investment grade
8,609,304

 

 
8,609,304

 

Total investment securities available for sale
188,743,273

 

 
188,743,273

 

Assets held for sale
1,744,584

 

 

 
1,744,584

Total recurring assets at fair value
$
190,487,857

 
$

 
$
188,743,273

 
$
1,744,584

__________________________________
(1)
Bonds with split ratings represent securities with both investment and non-investment grades.
When a determination is made to classify a financial instrument within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy, the determination is based upon the significance of the unobservable factors to the overall fair value measurement. However, since Level 3 financial instruments typically include, in addition to the unobservable or Level 3 components, observable components (that is, components that are actively quoted and can be validated to external sources), the losses below include changes in fair value due in part to observable factors that are part of the valuation methodology.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of Level 3 assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
 
Year Ended September 30, 2014
Fair value, beginning balance
$
1,744,584

 
$
1,744,584

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Settlements

 

Change in unrealized loss recognized in other comprehensive income

 

Valuation loss recognized in noninterest expense

 

Total realized losses included in income

 

Transfers in and/or out of level 3

 

Fair value, ending balance
$
1,744,584

 
$
1,744,584



28


Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis:

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized below.
 
 
 
 Fair value measurements using:
 
 
 
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
 
Quoted prices for similar assets
 
Significant unobservable inputs
 
Fair value
 
(Level 1 inputs)
 
(Level 2 inputs)
 
(Level 3 inputs)
December 31, 2014

 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Not covered under loss share
$
2,942,968

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,942,968

Other real estate owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Not covered under loss share
953,988

 

 

 
953,988

Covered under loss share
4,554,134

 

 

 
4,554,134

September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Not covered under loss share
3,174,410

 

 

 
3,174,410

Other real estate owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Not covered under loss share
1,757,864

 

 

 
1,757,864

Covered under loss share
5,557,927

 

 

 
5,557,927


Loans considered impaired are loans for which, based on current information and events, it is probable that the creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are subject to nonrecurring fair value adjustments to reflect write-downs that are based on the market price or current appraised value of the collateral, adjusted to reflect local market conditions or other economic factors. After evaluating the underlying collateral, the fair value of the impaired loans is determined by allocating specific reserves from the allowance for loan and lease losses to the loans. Thus, the fair value reflects the loan balance, which is net of partial charge-offs. Certain collateral-dependent impaired loans are reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral. Impairment is measured based on the fair value of the collateral, which is typically derived from appraisals that take into consideration prices in observed transactions involving similar assets and similar locations. Each appraisal is updated on an annual basis, either through a new appraisal or through the Company’s comprehensive internal review process. Appraised values are reviewed and monitored internally and fair value is re-assessed at least quarterly or more frequently when circumstances occur that indicate a change in fair value. The fair value of impaired loans that are not collateral dependent is measured using a discounted cash flow analysis considered to be a Level 3 input.

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) is initially accounted for at fair value, less estimated costs to dispose of the property. Any excess of the recorded investment over fair value, less costs to dispose, is charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses at the time of foreclosure. A provision is charged to earnings for subsequent losses on other real estate owned when market conditions indicate such losses have occurred. The ability of the Company to recover the carrying value of other real estate owned is based upon future sales of the real estate. The ability to affect such sales is subject to market conditions and other factors beyond the Company's control, and future declines in the value of the real estate would result in a charge to earnings. The recognition of sales and gain on sales is dependent upon whether the nature and terms of the sales, including possible future involvement of the Company, if any, meet certain defined requirements. If those requirements are not met, sale and gain recognition is deferred. OREO represents real property taken by the Company either through foreclosure or through a deed in lieu thereof from the borrower. The fair value of OREO is based on property appraisals adjusted at management’s discretion to reflect a further decline in the fair value of properties since the time the appraisal analysis was performed. It has been the Company’s experience that appraisals may become outdated due to the volatile real-estate environment. Appraised values are reviewed and monitored internally and fair value is re-assessed at least quarterly or more frequently when circumstances occur that indicate a change in fair value. Therefore, the inputs used to determine the fair value of OREO and repossessed assets fall within Level 3. The Company may include within OREO other repossessed assets received as partial satisfaction of a loan. These assets are not material and do not typically have readily determinable market values and are considered Level 3 inputs.

29



The following table provides information describing the valuation processes used to determine recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2014:
 
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
General Range (Discount)
 
Average Discount
Impaired Loans
$
2,942,968

 
Property appraisals
 
Management discount for property type and recent market volatility
 
18%
 
 
45%
 
29%
OREO
$
5,508,122

 
Property appraisals
 
Management discount for property type and recent market volatility
 
23%
 
 
36%
 
33%
Assets Held for Sale
$
1,744,584

 
Valuation analysis
 
Management discount for property type and recent market volatility
 
0%
 
 
50%
 
34%

Accounting standards require disclosures of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the Statement of Condition, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is 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. 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 instrument. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. Also, the fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to Management as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

INVESTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND FHLB STOCK – The fair value of investments and mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations available for sale is estimated based on bid quotations received from securities dealers. The FHLB stock is considered a restricted stock and is carried at cost which approximates its fair value.

LOANS RECEIVABLE – Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type. The fair value of performing loans is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit risk inherent in the loan. The estimate of maturity is based on the Company’s historical experience with repayments for each loan classification, modified, as required, by an estimate of the effect of the current economic and lending conditions.

Fair value for significant nonperforming loans is based on recent external appraisals. If appraisals are not available, estimated cash flows are discounted using a rate commensurate with the risk associated with the estimated cash flows. Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows, and discount rates are determined using available market information and specific borrower information. In prior periods, the Company affected estimated fair value by a liquidation discount of 5.5%. Due to the continued stabilization of the whole loan market, this liquidation discount was discontinued during the year ended September 30, 2014.

LOANS HELD FOR SALE – Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or market value. The fair values of loans held for sale are based on commitments on hand from investors within the secondary market for loans with similar characteristics.

CASH SURRENDER VALUE OF LIFE INSURANCE – The Company’s cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance approximates its fair value.

FDIC RECEIVABLE FOR LOSS SHARING AGREEMENTS – Fair value is estimated based on discounted future cash flows using current discount rates for instruments with similar risk and cash flow volatility.

ASSETS HELD FOR SALE – The fair value of assets held for sale by the Company is generally based on the most recent appraisals of the asset or other market information as it becomes available to management.


30


DEPOSITS – The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings, NOW accounts, and money market and checking accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand. The fair value of time deposits 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.

BORROWINGS – The fair value of the Company’s Federal Home Loan Bank advances is estimated based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The fair value of securities sold under agreements to repurchase approximates the carrying amount because of the short maturity of these borrowings. The discount rate is estimated using rates quoted for the same or similar issues or the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities.

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES – The Company has used interest-rate swaps to provide long-term fixed rate funding to its customers. The majority of these derivatives were exchange-traded or traded within highly active dealer markets. In order to determine the fair value of these instruments, the Company utilized the exchange price or dealer market price for the particular derivative contract. Therefore, these derivative contracts were classified as Level 2. The Company utilized an independent third party valuation company to validate the dealer prices. In cases where significant credit valuation adjustments were incorporated into the estimation of fair value, reported amounts were classified as Level 3.

ACCRUED INTEREST AND DIVIDENDS RECEIVABLE AND PAYABLE – The carrying amount of accrued interest and dividends receivable on loans and investments and payable on borrowings and deposits approximate their fair values.

COMMITMENTS TO EXTEND CREDIT AND STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT – The value of these unrecognized financial instruments is estimated based on the fee income associated with the commitments which, in the absence of credit exposure, is considered to approximate their settlement value. Since no significant credit exposure existed, and because such fee income is not material to the Company's financial statements at December 31, 2014 and at September 30, 2014, the fair value of these commitments is not presented.

Many of the Company's assets and liabilities are short-term financial instruments whose carrying amounts reported in the Statement of Condition approximate fair value. These items include cash and due from banks, interest-bearing bank balances, federal funds sold, other short-term borrowings and accrued interest receivable and payable balances. The estimated fair value of the Company’s remaining on-balance sheet financial instruments as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 is summarized below:
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Total Estimated Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
48,731,559

 
$
48,731,559

 
$
48,731,559

 
$

 
$

Investments available for sale
191,995,254

 
191,995,254

 

 
191,995,254

 

FHLB stock
3,442,900

 
3,442,900

 

 
3,442,900

 

Loans receivable, net
627,739,622

 
625,340,418

 

 

 
625,340,418

Loans held for sale
2,201,343

 
2,247,435

 

 
2,247,435

 

FDIC receivable for loss sharing arrangements
8,924,035

 
7,311,188

 

 

 
7,311,188

Assets held for sale
1,744,584

 
1,744,584

 

 

 
1,744,584

Accrued interest and dividends receivable
2,498,125

 
2,498,125

 

 
551,496

 
1,946,629

Financial liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits
$
701,475,073

 
$
702,645,205

 
$

 
$
702,645,205

 
$

FHLB advances
55,000,000

 
59,181,648

 

 
59,181,648

 

Accrued interest payable
180,229

 
180,229

 

 
180,229

 



31


 
September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Total Estimated Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
99,462,953

 
$
99,462,953

 
$
99,462,953

 
$

 
$

Investments available for sale
188,743,273

 
188,743,273

 

 
188,743,273

 

FHLB stock
3,442,900

 
3,442,900

 

 
3,442,900

 

Loans receivable, net
606,366,713

 
607,754,670

 

 

 
607,754,670

Loans held for sale
2,054,722

 
2,090,469

 

 
2,090,469

 

FDIC receivable for loss sharing arrangements
10,531,809

 
7,658,896

 

 

 
7,658,896

Assets held for sale
1,744,584

 
1,744,584

 

 

 
1,744,584

Accrued interest and dividends receivable
2,459,347

 
2,459,347

 

 
538,043

 
1,921,304

Financial liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits
$
717,192,200

 
$
718,935,248

 
$

 
$
718,935,248

 
$

FHLB advances
55,000,000

 
59,391,540

 

 
59,391,540

 

Accrued interest payable
182,198

 
182,198

 

 
182,198

 



32


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

Management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations at and for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 is intended to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions and may describe future plans, strategies and expectations of the Company. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Company include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected; competition among depository and other financial institutions; changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments; adverse changes in the securities markets; changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees and capital requirements; our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities; our ability to successfully integrate acquired entities; our incurring higher than expected loan charge-offs with respect to assets acquired in FDIC-assisted acquisitions; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies and the Financial Accounting Standards Board; and changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2014 under Part I Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release publicly the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Overview

Our results of operations depend primarily on our net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, consisting primarily of loans, investment securities, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and other interest-earning assets (primarily cash and cash equivalents), and the interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank advances.

Our principal business consists of attracting deposits from the general public and investing those funds primarily in loans. We make commercial real estate loans, loans secured by first mortgages on owner-occupied, one- to four-family residences, consumer loans, loans secured by first mortgages on non-owner-occupied one- to four-family residences, construction loans secured by one- to four-family residences, commercial business loans and multi-family real estate loans. While our primary business is the origination of loans funded through retail deposits, we also invest in certain investment securities and mortgage-backed securities, and use FHLB advances and other borrowings as additional funding sources or for contingency funding.

The Company is significantly affected by prevailing general and local economic conditions, particularly market interest rates, and by government policies concerning, among other things, monetary and fiscal affairs and the federal regulation of financial institutions. Deposit balances are influenced by a number of factors, including interest rates paid on competing personal investment products, the level of personal income, and the personal rate of savings within our market areas. Lending activities are influenced by the demand for housing and other loans, changing loan underwriting guidelines, as well as interest rate pricing competition from other lending institutions. The primary sources of funds for lending activities include deposits, loan repayments, investment income, borrowings, and funds provided from operations.

On a weekly basis, management reviews deposit flows, loan demand, cash levels, and changes in several market rates to assess all pricing strategies. Generally, deposit pricing is based upon a survey of competitors in the Bank’s market areas, and the need to attract funding and retain maturing deposits.

During the first three months of fiscal year 2015, the national economy continued to show signs of recovery, as evidenced by increases in consumer spending and the stabilization of the labor market, the housing sector, and financial markets. The housing market remains inconsistent nationwide with areas of strength and areas of weakness. The local economy continues to experience some of these same positive trends but seems to be lagging the national economy in exhibiting many of the recovery signs mentioned above. In an effort to support mortgage lending and housing market recovery, and to help improve credit conditions overall, the

33


Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has maintained the overnight lending rate between zero and 25 basis points since December 2008. Additionally, the Federal Reserve purchased mortgage-backed securities and treasuries on a monthly basis but began to scale back the amount purchased during late 2013. During the quarter ended December 31, 2014, the Federal Reserve announced the end of its bond buying program and has indicated that they may start raising rates next year.

Net income was $1.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $36,000.

Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are those that involve significant judgments and assessments by management, and which could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. As discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, the Company considers its critical accounting policies to be the allowance for loan losses, other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, real estate owned, goodwill and other intangible assets, deferred income taxes, receivable from FDIC under loss sharing agreements, and estimation of fair value. There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies during the three months ended December 31, 2014.

Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014

Assets. Total assets decreased by $30.6 million, or 3.0%, to $979.8 million at December 31, 2014. This decrease was primarily due to a decline in cash and cash equivalents of $50.7 million, partially offset by an increase in net loans receivable of $21.4 million.

Cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents declined to $48.7 million at December 31, 2014, down from $99.5 million at September 30, 2014. This decrease was primarily due to the repurchase of shares under the ongoing stock buyback programs as well as funding the increase in total loans.

Loans. At December 31, 2014, net loans were $627.7 million, or 64.1% of total assets. As indicated by the table below, during the three months ended December 31, 2014, our loan portfolio increased by $21.4 million, or 3.5%. Loans not covered by loss share agreements, net, increased $24.0 million, or 4.5%, to $560.7 million at December 31, 2014 from $536.7 million at September 30, 2014. The increase in net loans not covered by loss sharing agreements consisted of increases in one- to four-family residential real estate, commercial real estate, commercial non-real estate and real estate construction loans of $4.5 million, $13.1 million, $3.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively, partially offset by a $334,000 decrease in consumer and other loans. These increases were partially offset by loans covered by loss share agreements, net, that decreased $2.6 million, or 3.8%, to $67.0 million at December 31, 2014 from $69.6 million at September 30, 2014. The covered loans decreased as we continue to progress through the resolution process on loss share assets as well as due to the expired agreement mentioned previously.

Non-covered and Covered Loans, net
 
 Non-covered (1)
 
  Covered (2)
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Loan Balances:
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
$
560,724

 
$
67,016

 
$
627,740

September 30, 2014
536,732

 
69,635

 
606,367

June 30, 2014 (3)
511,176

 
71,227

 
582,403

March 31, 2014
481,907

 
90,133

 
572,040

December 31, 2013
476,466

 
100,101

 
576,567

September 30, 2013
470,863

 
108,991

 
579,854

June 30, 2013
443,581

 
120,712

 
564,293

March 31, 2013
421,175

 
131,359

 
552,534

December 31, 2012
426,370

 
149,268

 
575,638

__________________________________
(1)
Non-covered loans are shown net of deferred loan fees and allowance for loan losses.
(2)
Covered loans are shown net of deferred loan fees, allowances, nonaccretable differences and accretable discounts.
(3)
$8.6 million of non-single family loans, net, were transferred from covered to non-covered loans due to the expiration of the NCB non-single family loss sharing agreement with the FDIC in June 2014.


34


FDIC Receivable for Loss Share Agreements. As of December 31, 2014, 10.7% of our outstanding principal balance of loans and 82.7% of our other real estate owned assets were covered under loss share agreements with the FDIC in which the FDIC has agreed to reimburse us for 80% or 95%, depending on the contract, of all losses incurred in connection with those assets. We estimated the FDIC reimbursement that will result from losses incurred as we dispose of covered loans and other real estate owned assets, and we recorded the estimate as a receivable from the FDIC. The FDIC receivable for loss share agreements was $8.9 million as of December 31, 2014 and $10.5 million as of September 30, 2014. The decrease in the amount of FDIC receivable was attributable to cash proceeds received from the FDIC and an $889,000 charge due to the amortization of the indemnification asset all during the three months ended December 31, 2014. The amortization is related to improved cash flows associated with the acquired loans for the MCB and FNB loss sharing agreements. The current and prior year impairment and amortization charges have been based on this analysis and the probability of those expected losses recognized prior to the end of loss share.

Investment Securities Portfolio. At December 31, 2014, our investment securities portfolio totaled $192.0 million, compared to $188.7 million at September 30, 2014. The increase was attributable to $18.1 million in collateralized loan obligations purchased and a $1.1 million decrease in unrealized losses on available for sale securities, partially offset by $3.7 million in securities that were called or matured, $6.4 million in net sales of municipal securities and $5.8 million in principal paydowns during the first three months of fiscal 2015.

During the first three months of fiscal 2015, we had no additional other-than-temporary impairment charges on non-agency collateralized mortgage backed securities. Through December 31, 2014, we had recorded a cumulative $380,000 of other-than-temporary impairment charges with respect to one private label security. No other non-agency collateralized mortgage backed securities in our investment portfolio were other- than- temporarily impaired at December 31, 2014.

Bank Owned Life Insurance. The total cash surrender values of bank owned life insurance policies at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 were $47.5 million and $47.2 million, respectively.

Deposits. Total deposits decreased $15.7 million, or 2.2%, to $701.5 million at December 31, 2014 from $717.2 million at September 30, 2014. The decrease was caused primarily by a decline in certificates of deposit of $12.8 million along with a $2.9 million decrease in total core deposits. In recent quarters, we have reduced the rates paid on certificates of deposit to better match the balance of our interest-bearing liabilities with the balance of our interest-bearing assets. At December 31, 2014, all $701.5 million of deposits were retail deposits. We currently have no deposits classified as wholesale deposits, which are funds on deposit from internet services and brokered deposits. The following table shows deposit fees earned and deposit balances by category for the quarter end periods indicated:
 
 
 
Deposit Balances
 
Deposit & Bankcard Fees
 
Transaction Accounts
 
Savings
 
Money Market
 
Total Core Deposits
 
Retail Certificates of Deposit
 
Wholesale Certificates of Deposit
 
Total Deposits
 
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2014
$
2,530

 
$
310,891

 
$
48,380

 
$
124,017

 
$
483,288

 
$
218,187

 
$

 
$
701,475

September 30, 2014
2,512

 
314,201

 
48,486

 
123,561

 
486,248

 
230,944

 

 
717,192

June 30, 2014
2,370

 
312,962

 
48,752

 
124,678

 
486,392

 
243,217

 

 
729,609

March 31, 2014
2,235

 
314,788

 
48,775

 
128,022

 
491,585

 
250,479

 

 
742,064

December 31, 2013
2,256

 
295,848

 
47,531

 
131,010

 
474,389

 
258,265

 
5,000

 
737,654

September 30, 2013
2,011

 
296,453

 
48,324

 
130,649

 
475,426

 
270,475

 
5,396

 
751,297

June 30, 2013
1,915

 
302,471

 
49,681

 
129,078

 
481,230

 
280,372

 
8,179

 
769,781

March 31, 2013 (1)
1,878

 
293,143

 
49,890

 
131,523

 
474,556

 
292,650

 
13,215

 
780,421

December 31, 2012
1,950

 
284,509

 
48,685

 
130,151

 
463,345

 
312,026

 
30,747

 
806,118

__________________________________
(1)
March 31, 2013 core deposits were reduced by $138.6 million of deposits held by the Bank for stock orders from the second-step conversion which closed on April 8, 2013.

Borrowings. Our borrowings consist of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. At December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, borrowings totaled $55.0 million.

Based upon available investment and loan collateral except cash, additional advances of $164.6 million were available from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta at December 31, 2014.


35


At December 31, 2014, approximately $65.8 million of a line of credit was available to us at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta based on loan collateral pledged. The line of credit at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta was not used other than periodic tests to ensure the line was functional.

Stockholders’ Equity. At December 31, 2014, total stockholders’ equity totaled $213.2 million, or $12.57 per net share, an $11.8 million decline from September 30, 2014 due to $14.2 million of shares repurchased and $798,000 of cash dividends paid, partially offset by $1.7 million of net income and a $731,000 decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss during the quarter ended December 31, 2014. Despite the decrease in total stockholders’ equity, tangible book value increased to $12.29 per share at December 31, 2014 compared with $12.06 per share at September 30, 2014, due to the stock repurchases and associated reduced weighted average share count for the quarter ended December 31, 2014.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013

General. Net income increased $36,000, or 2.2%, to $1.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 from $1.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The slight increase was due to decreases in interest expense, non-covered loan loss provision and noninterest expense, almost completely offset by decreases in total interest income and noninterest income.

Interest income decreased in the quarter ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in fiscal 2014, primarily due to lower net discount accretion and amortization, despite an increase of 12 basis points in average yield on interest-earning assets. Interest expense decreased 13.1% primarily due to decreases in interest-bearing deposits and borrowings along with the continued low market interest rates. Net interest margin, excluding accretion and amortization of loss share receivable, was 3.14% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, compared with 2.77% for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. Meanwhile, net interest margin, including the impact of loss share accounting, increased to 3.47% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, compared with 3.29% for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. No provision for non-covered loan losses was recorded for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 compared to $300,000 for the same quarter in the prior fiscal year due to the overall improvement in the non-covered loan portfolio. Excluding a one-time receipt related to the true-up of a processing contract of $1.1 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2013, noninterest income increased by $570,000 due to increases in deposit and bankcard fee income as well as gain on sale of loans. Additionally, noninterest expense decreased 5.0% in the quarter ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in fiscal 2014.

Interest Income. Total interest income decreased $289,000, or 3.1%, to $9.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 from $9.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 due primarily to the decline in net discount accretion and amortization on acquired covered loans. Loans receivable interest income increased $750,000, or 9.2%, to $8.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 partially due to an increase in non-covered loans as well as an increase in accretion income. These increases were more than offset by amortization of the indemnification asset of $889,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014. The average yield on loans declined to 5.14% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 compared to 5.55% for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. Our loans acquired through FDIC acquisitions carry higher yields than our legacy loan portfolio. Due to lower purchase discount accretion and amortization of the indemnification asset in our covered loan portfolio, average yields decreased during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the prior year period. Additionally, as our purchase discount accretion declines and additional amortization is expensed in future periods, our net interest margin could be negatively impacted.

During the most recent quarterly reevaluation of cash flows on acquired loans, the Company revised its estimate of cash flows related to covered loans resulting in a transfer of $1.2 million from nonaccretable discount to accretable yield related to the McIntosh Commercial Bank and First National Bank of Florida loss share agreements. In accordance with accounting guidance, the transferred amount will be accreted into income prospectively over the estimated remaining life of the loan pools. There was also a $4,000 loan provision related to certain loans of MCB. Concurrently, an estimate of approximately $1.6 million which previously represented cash flows receivable from the FDIC and included in the FDIC receivable for loss sharing agreements on the balance sheet will be amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan pools or the agreements with the FDIC, whichever is shorter and approximately $5.7 million of remaining discount accretion that will be accreted into interest income.


36


The table below shows discount accretion included in income over the past five years and for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 and the remaining discount to be recognized as of December 31, 2014:
 
 
Loan Accretion (Amortization) Income
 
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
 
1Q 2015
 
 
Remaining (1)
 
 
(in thousands)
NCB
 
$
1,698

 
$
4,519

 
$
2,272

 
$
751

 
$
844

 
$
239

 
 
$
28

 
 
$
39

MCB
 

 
3,242

 
5,742

 
3,740

 
3,086

 
3,110

 
 
856

 
 
2,237

FNB
 

 

 
252

 
4,497

 
4,993

 
3,245

 
 
677

 
 
3,381

Total
 
1,698

 
7,761

 
8,266

 
8,988

 
8,923

 
6,594

 
 
1,561

 
 
5,657

Amortization (2)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(3,507
)
 
 
(889
)
 
 
(1,626
)
Net
 
$
1,698

 
$
7,761

 
$
8,266

 
$
8,988

 
$
8,923

 
$
3,087

 
 
$
672

 
 
$
4,031

__________________________________
(1)
Based on revised estimated cash flows related to covered loans, as of December 31, 2014, it was determined that approximately $1.6 million of the FDIC indemnification asset will be amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the acquired loan pools or the agreements with the FDIC, whichever is shorter. $889,000 was amortized as an offset to loan interest income in the quarter ended December 31, 2014.
(2)
Amortization of the FDIC indemnification asset due to improved estimated cash flows related to covered loans.

Interest on mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations decreased $138,000 to $831,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 from $969,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 primarily attributable to a 10 basis point decrease in average yield to 1.91%. Additionally, the decrease in interest income was the result of a $19.0 million, or 9.9%, decrease in the average balance of such securities to $173.6 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2014.

Interest on other investment securities, which consisted of agency securities, municipal securities and collateralized loan obligations increased $26,000 to $45,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 from $19,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 as other investment securities average balances declined $4.1 million to $15.5 million but the average yield increased to 1.15% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 from 0.38% for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 as municipal securities were sold and replaced with higher yielding collateralized loan obligations.

Interest on interest earning deposits decreased $44,000 to $41,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 from $85,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 as average balances on interest earning deposits decreased $69.4 million due to the ongoing stock buyback programs as well as funding the increase in total loans.

The following table shows selected average yield and cost information for the quarter end periods indicated:
 
 Three Months Ended
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
 
June 30, 2014
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
Yield on loans
5.14
%
 
5.05
%
 
5.44
%
 
5.41
%
 
5.55
%
Yield on securities
1.91
%
 
1.89
%
 
1.98
%
 
2.06
%
 
2.01
%
Yield on assets
4.07
%
 
3.75
%
 
3.85
%
 
3.78
%
 
3.95
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of deposits
0.48
%
 
0.49
%
 
0.49
%
 
0.49
%
 
0.53
%
Cost of CD's
1.04
%
 
1.06
%
 
1.04
%
 
1.02
%
 
1.09
%
Cost of NOW accounts
0.13
%
 
0.10
%
 
0.11
%
 
0.11
%
 
0.11
%
Cost of bank rewarded checking
0.23
%
 
0.23
%
 
0.24
%
 
0.24
%
 
0.25
%
Cost of savings
0.02
%
 
0.02
%
 
0.02
%
 
0.02
%
 
0.03
%
Cost of MMDA
0.22
%
 
0.23
%
 
0.21
%
 
0.23
%
 
0.21
%
Cost of borrowings
4.35
%
 
4.38
%
 
4.33
%
 
4.25
%
 
4.34
%
Cost of liabilities
0.80
%
 
0.80
%
 
0.79
%
 
0.79
%
 
0.85
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan/deposit spread
4.66
%
 
4.56
%
 
4.95
%
 
4.92
%
 
5.02
%
Asset/liability spread
3.27
%
 
2.95
%
 
3.06
%
 
2.99
%
 
3.10
%


37


Interest Expense. Total interest expense decreased $201,000, or 13.1%, to $1.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 compared to $1.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. Interest expense declined due to a 5 basis point, or 5.9%, decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 0.80% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 from 0.85% for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, reflecting continued low market interest rates. Additionally, the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities decreased by $58.7 million, or 8.1%, to $666.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 compared to $725.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 primarily as a result of a reduction in higher cost certificates of deposit acquired in FDIC acquisitions and higher costing FHLB advances that matured and were repaid.

Interest expense on deposits decreased $152,000, or 17.2%, to $733,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 compared to $885,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The decrease was primarily due to a 5 basis point decrease in the average cost of deposits to 0.48% for the current quarter compared to 0.53% for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in the average cost of deposits was largely due to low market interest rates and a decrease in higher costing certificates of deposit. Interest expense on certificates of deposit decreased $154,000 to $581,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, from $735,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, reflecting the $44.4 million, or 16.5%, decrease in the average balance of such deposits and a 5 basis point decrease in the average cost of certificates of deposit to 1.04%. The expense related to NOW accounts increased slightly due to a 2 basis point increase in average cost to 0.13% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, despite a decrease of $3.5 million in the average balance of NOW accounts. The average cost of bank rewarded checking declined 2 basis points to 0.23% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 compared to 0.25% for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. Bank rewarded checking is a premium rate demand account based on average balance, electronic transaction activity, and other criteria. The average cost of savings accounts decreased 1 basis point to 0.02% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, compared to 0.03% for the quarter ended December 31, 2013.

Interest expense on FHLB advances decreased $48,000 to $603,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 compared to $651,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, due to a decrease of $4.6 million, or 7.7%, in the average balance of advances. The average cost of advances increased slightly for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2013 due to lower costing advances maturing in March 2014 and September 2013, leaving us with higher rate advances at December 31, 2014.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income decreased $88,000, or 1.1%, to $7.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, from $7.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The net decrease was due to a decrease in interest income of $289,000, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $201,000. Interest income decreased largely due to lower average yields on loans and a $520,000 decrease in net accretion and amortization on covered loans. Interest income was also negatively impacted by a $57.0 million decrease in average interest-earning assets primarily due to the decrease in interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions. The average balance of loans receivable did, however, increase $36.0 million to $624.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 as the growth in non-covered portfolio continued to outpace the resolution and pay off of covered loans.

The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decrease of $58.7 million in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the same prior year quarter. In addition, the average cost of total interest bearing deposits decreased 5 basis points to 0.48% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 from 0.53% for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. As the table below indicates, our net interest margin increased 18 basis points to 3.47% for the December quarter of 2014 from 3.29% for the December quarter of 2013, while our net interest rate spread increased 17 basis points to 3.27% for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 from 3.10% for the first quarter of fiscal 2014. Lower average rates paid on interest bearing deposits, partially offset by lower average yields on loans outstanding, contributed to the slight increase in net interest margin. Additionally, net interest margin excluding the effects of purchase accounting was 3.14% for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 compared to 2.77% for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2014, there was $5.7 million of discount remaining to accrete into interest income over the remaining life of the covered loans with the accretion heavily weighted towards the early quarters based on current cash flow projections. This $5.7 million discount will be partially offset by an estimated $1.6 million overstatement of FDIC indemnification asset that will be amortized over the remaining life of the acquired loan pools or the agreements with the FDIC, whichever is shorter.


38


 
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Average Yield/Cost (10)
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Average Yield/Cost (10)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions
$
63,892

 
$
41

 
0.26
%
 
$
133,312

 
$
85

 
0.26
%
FHLB common stock and other equity securities
3,460

 
37

 
4.24

 
3,940

 
30

 
3.05

Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations available for sale
173,610

 
831

 
1.91

 
192,594

 
969

 
2.01

Other investment securities available for sale (1)
15,549

 
45

 
1.15

 
19,629

 
19

 
0.38

Loans receivable (1)(2)(3)(4)
624,082

 
7,343

 
4.71

 
588,105

 
6,962

 
4.74

Accretion and amortization of loss share loans receivable (5)
 
 
672

 
0.43

 
 
 
1,192

 
0.80

Total interest-earning assets
880,593

 
8,969

 
4.07

 
937,580

 
9,257

 
3.95

Total noninterest-earning assets
110,087

 
 
 
 

 
147,546

 
 
 
 

Total assets
$
990,680

 
 
 
 

 
$
1,085,126

 
 
 
 

Liabilities and Equity:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

NOW accounts
$
166,124

 
$
54

 
0.13
%
 
$
169,631

 
$
47

 
0.11
%
Bank rewarded checking
47,313

 
27

 
0.23

 
48,738

 
30

 
0.25

Savings accounts
48,232

 
2

 
0.02

 
47,877

 
3

 
0.03

Money market deposit accounts
125,302

 
69

 
0.22

 
130,433

 
70

 
0.21

Certificate of deposit accounts
224,592

 
581

 
1.04

 
268,962

 
735

 
1.09

Total interest-bearing deposits
611,563

 
733

 
0.48

 
665,641

 
885

 
0.53

Borrowed funds
55,381

 
603

 
4.35

 
60,000

 
651

 
4.34

Total interest-bearing liabilities
666,944

 
1,336

 
0.80

 
725,641

 
1,536

 
0.85

Noninterest-bearing deposits
95,240

 
 
 
 

 
73,201

 
 
 
 

Other noninterest-bearing liabilities
11,630

 
 
 
 

 
11,801

 
 
 
 

Total noninterest-bearing liabilities
106,870

 
 
 
 

 
85,002

 
 
 
 

Total liabilities
773,814

 
 
 
 

 
810,643

 
 
 
 

Total stockholders' equity
216,866

 
 
 
 

 
274,483

 
 
 
 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
990,680

 
 
 
 

 
$
1,085,126

 
 
 
 

Net interest income
 

 
$
7,633

 
 

 
 

 
$
7,721

 
 

Net interest-earning assets (6)
 

 
$
213,649

 
 

 
 

 
$
211,939

 
 

Net interest rate spread (7)
 

 
 

 
3.27
%
 
 

 
 

 
3.10
%
Net interest margin (8)
 

 
 

 
3.47
%
 
 

 
 

 
3.29
%
Net interest margin, excluding the effects of purchase accounting (9)
 
 
 
 
3.14
%
 
 
 
 
 
2.77
%
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
 
 
 
 
132.03
%
 
 
 
 
 
129.21
%
__________________________________
(1)
Tax exempt or tax-advantaged securities and loans are shown at their contractual yields and are not shown at a tax equivalent yield.
(2)
Includes net loan fees deferred and accreted pursuant to applicable accounting requirements.
(3)
Interest income on loans is interest income as recorded in the income statement and, therefore, does not include interest income on nonaccrual loans.
(4)
Interest income on loans excludes discount accretion and amortization of the indemnification asset.
(5)
Accretion of accretable purchase discount on loans acquired in FDIC-assisted acquisitions and amortization of the overstatement of FDIC indemnification asset.
(6)
Net interest-earning assets represent total average interest-earning assets less total average interest-bearing liabilities.
(7)
Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(8)
Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
(9)
Net interest margin, excluding the effects of purchase accounting represents net interest income excluding accretion and amortization of loss share loans receivable as a percentage of average net interest earning assets excluding loan accretable discounts in the amount of $5.5 million and $4.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
(10)
Annualized.

39



Rate/Volume Analysis. The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the periods indicated. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rates (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The combined column represents the net change in volume between the two periods multiplied by the net change in rate between the two periods. The net column represents the sum of the prior columns.
 
For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
Compared to the Three Months Ended December 31, 2013
 
Increase/(Decrease) Due to
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Combined
 
Net
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions
$
(44
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(44
)
FHLB common stock and other equity securities
(4
)
 
12

 
(1
)
 
7

Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations available for sale
(95
)
 
(47
)
 
4

 
(138
)
Other investment securities available for sale
(4
)
 
38

 
(8
)
 
26

Loans receivable
499

 
(601
)
 
(37
)
 
(139
)
Total interest-earning assets
$
352

 
$
(598
)
 
$
(42
)
 
$
(288
)
Interest Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOW accounts
$
(2
)
 
$
7

 
$
(1
)
 
$
4

Savings accounts

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Money market deposit accounts
(3
)
 
2

 

 
(1
)
Certificate of deposit accounts
(121
)
 
(38
)
 
5

 
(154
)
Total interest-bearing deposits
(126
)
 
(30
)
 
4

 
(152
)
Borrowed funds
(50
)
 
2

 

 
(48
)
Total interest-bearing liabilities
$
(176
)
 
$
(28
)
 
$
4

 
$
(200
)
Net change in net interest income
$
528

 
$
(570
)
 
$
(46
)
 
$
(88
)

Provision for Non-Covered Loan Losses. There was no provision for loan losses for non-covered loans for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 compared to $300,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The Company did not make a provision in the quarter ended December 31, 2014 due to the trend of declining net charge-offs and nonperforming loans along with an overall improvement in the loan portfolio in recent quarters. We had net recoveries on non-covered loans of $21,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, compared to net recoveries of $5,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The allowance for loan losses for non-covered loans was $8.5 million, or 1.49% of total non-covered loans receivable at December 31, 2014 compared to $8.5 million, or 1.74% of total non-covered loans receivable, at December 31, 2013. Our nonperforming loans decreased to $3.3 million or 0.59% of total non-covered loans at December 31, 2014 from $5.0 million or 1.02% of total non-covered loans at December 31, 2013. As a result, our allowance as a percent of nonperforming loans increased to 254.47% at December 31, 2014 compared with 170.7% at December 31, 2013.

Provision for Covered Loan Losses. For the quarter ended December 31, 2014, the provision for covered loan losses was $4,000 compared to a provision of $2,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The NCB non-single family loss sharing agreement with the FDIC expired in June 2014 while the MCB non-single family loss sharing agreement with the FDIC will expire March 2015. If future losses occur due to declines in the market during the periods covered by loss share agreements, the losses on loans acquired and still covered under loss share from both NCB and MCB will be reimbursed at 95% and FNB at 80%, based on the terms of the FDIC loss sharing agreements. At December 31, 2014 covered loans totaled $67.0 million and are net of $11.0 million in related nonaccretable and accretable discounts and allowances.

Noninterest Income. Noninterest income decreased $550,000, or 13.4%, to $3.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 from $4.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The decrease was primarily attributable to a one-time true-up receipt from the completion and renegotiation of a processing contract of approximately $1.1 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The net decrease was partially offset by increases in gain on sale of loans, bankcard fees and other deposit fees. Additionally, there was no impairment recorded on the FDIC indemnification asset during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 compared with a $225,000 impairment in the prior year period.

40



The following table shows noninterest income by category for the periods indicated.
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
 
June 30, 2014
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
(dollars in thousands)
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
1,582

 
$
1,552

 
$
1,464

 
$
1,372

 
$
1,428

Bankcard fees
948

 
960

 
906

 
863

 
828

Gain on sale of loans and loan servicing release fees
367

 
366

 
298

 
266

 
172

Brokerage commissions
154

 
138

 
124

 
184

 
145

Bank owned life insurance
324

 
327

 
278

 
339

 
308

Gain on investment securities available for sale
1

 

 
201

 

 

FDIC receivable accretion (net impairment)
47

 
(236
)
 
68

 
83

 
(90
)
Other
143

 
601

 
(103
)
 
110

 
1,325

Total noninterest income
$
3,566

 
$
3,708

 
$
3,236

 
$
3,217

 
$
4,116


Noninterest Expense. Total noninterest expense decreased $464,000, or 5.0% to $8.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, compared to $9.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. The net decrease was attributable to a decrease of $346,000 in the net cost of real estate owned and a decrease of $313,000 in legal and professional fees, partially offset by a $313,000 increase in salaries and employee benefits for the quarter ended December 31, 2014.

The following table shows noninterest expense by category for the periods indicated:
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
December 31, 2014
 
September 30, 2014
 
June 30, 2014
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
(dollars in thousands)
Salaries and employee benefits
$
5,014

 
$
5,241

 
$
4,969

 
$
4,852

 
$
4,701

Occupancy
1,876

 
1,847

 
1,863

 
1,874

 
1,892

Legal and professional
241

 
372

 
369

 
387

 
554

Marketing
265

 
470

 
340

 
337

 
300

Furniture and equipment
151

 
177

 
226

 
158

 
166

Postage, office supplies, and printing
241

 
219

 
240

 
181

 
226

Core deposit intangible amortization expense
74

 
80

 
94

 
100

 
106

Federal insurance premiums and other regulatory fees
196

 
190

 
199

 
251

 
251

Net cost (benefit) of operations of other real estate owned
(57
)
 
60

 
88

 
(2
)
 
289

Other
735

 
738

 
647

 
442

 
715

Total noninterest expense
$
8,736

 
$
9,394

 
$
9,035

 
$
8,580

 
$
9,200


Income Taxes. Income taxes increased to $786,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 from $698,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013. Our effective tax rate was 32.0% in the quarter ended December 31, 2014 and 29.9% in the quarter ended December 31, 2013.


41


Asset Quality

Delinquent Loans and Foreclosed Assets. Our policies require that management continuously monitor the status of the loan portfolio and report to the Loan Committee of the Board of Directors on a monthly basis. These reports include information on delinquent loans and foreclosed real estate, and our actions and plans to cure the delinquent status of the loans and to dispose of the foreclosed property. The Loan Committee consists of three outside directors comprised of the chairman, a permanent position, and the other two positions, which alternate between four outside directors. Additionally, two inside directors serve as ex officio members of the committee.

We generally stop accruing interest income when we consider the timely collectability of interest or principal to be doubtful. We generally stop accruing for loans that are 90 days or more past due unless the loan is well secured and we determine that the ultimate collection of all principal and interest is not in doubt. When we designate loans as nonaccrual, we reverse all outstanding interest that we had previously credited. These loans remain on nonaccrual status until a regular pattern of timely payments is established.

Impaired loans are individually assessed to determine whether the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the collateral or the present value of the expected cash flows to be received. Smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as residential mortgage loans and consumer loans, are collectively evaluated for impairment.

Real estate acquired as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure is classified as real estate owned until it is sold. When real estate is acquired through foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure, it is recorded at the lower of the related loan balance or its fair value as determined by an appraisal, less estimated costs of disposal. If the value of the property is less than the loan, less any related specific loan loss reserve allocations, the difference is charged against the allowance for loan losses. Any subsequent write-down of real estate owned or loss at the time of disposition is charged against earnings.

As of December 31, 2014, our nonperforming non-covered assets totaled $4.3 million and consisted of $3.3 million of nonaccrual loans, $64,000 of loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing and other real estate owned of $1.0 million. The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of our non-covered nonperforming assets at the dates indicated.

42


 
At December 31, 2014
 
At September 30, 2014
 
(dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans: (1)
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
$
954

 
$
982

Commercial real estate
2,171

 
2,370

Commercial
149

 
156

Real estate construction

 

Consumer and other loans

 

Total nonaccrual loans
3,274

 
3,508

Loans delinquent 90 days or greater and still accruing: (2)
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate

 
517

Commercial real estate
64

 
215

Commercial

 

Real estate construction

 

Consumer and other loans

 
4

Total loans delinquent 90 days or greater and still accruing
64

 
736

Total nonperforming loans
$
3,338

 
$
4,244

Other real estate owned: (3)
 
 
 
1-4 family residential real estate
$
650

 
$
586

Commercial real estate
304

 
862

Commercial

 
310

Real estate construction

 

Consumer and other loans

 

Total real estate owned
954

 
1,758

Total nonperforming assets
$
4,292

 
$
6,002

Ratios:
 
 
 
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total non-covered loans
0.59
%
 
0.78
%
Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total non-covered assets
0.48
%
 
0.65
%
__________________________________
(1)
Included in nonaccrual loans is $1.7 million of non-accruing troubled debt restructured loans at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively.
(2)
Acquired NCB FAS ASC 310-30 loans that are no longer covered under the non-single family loss sharing agreement with the FDIC in the amount of $0.5 million and $1.0 million are not included in this table as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively. Due to the recognition of accretion income related to these loans, FAS ASC 310-30 loans that are greater than 90 days delinquent or designated nonaccrual status are regarded as accruing loans.
(3)
Includes other real estate owned in the amount of $363,400 at September 30, 2014 that is no longer covered under the non-single family loss sharing agreement with the FDIC that expired in fiscal 2014. At December 31, 2014, there is no other real estate owned formerly covered under the loss sharing agreement with the FDIC included in this table.

Nonperforming assets not covered by loss share declined $1.7 million, or 28.5%, to $4.3 million at December 31, 2014 from $6.0 million at September 30, 2014. The decrease was due to a $906,000 decrease in nonperforming non-covered loans and an $804,000 decrease in non-covered OREO. We have 22 non-covered loans that remain nonperforming at December 31, 2014, and the largest nonperforming non-covered loan had a balance of $1.5 million at December 31, 2014 and was secured by commercial real estate. OREO declined primarily due to the disposition of $1.6 million of real estate owned by CharterBank, partially offset by $599,000 of real estate acquired through foreclosure during the quarter ended December 31, 2014.

Covered nonperforming assets, consisting of covered OREO and covered loans greater than 90 days delinquent, decreased to $10.0 million at December 31, 2014 from $10.9 million at September 30, 2014. The purchased loans and commitments (“covered loans”) and other real estate owned (“covered other real estate”) acquired in the MCB, NCB and FNB acquisitions, less the NCB non-single family loans, are covered by loss sharing agreements between the FDIC and CharterBank. Under these agreements, with respect to the NCB acquisition, the FDIC will assume 80% of losses and share 80% of loss recoveries on the first $82.0 million of losses, and assume 95% of losses and share 95% of loss recoveries on losses exceeding that amount; with respect to the MCB acquisition, the FDIC will assume 80% of losses and share 80% of loss recoveries on the first $106.0 million of losses, and assume 95% of losses and share 95% of loss recoveries on losses exceeding that amount. We have exceeded the threshold

43


level that results in 95% loss sharing with respect to the NCB and MCB acquisitions; with respect to the FNB acquisition, the FDIC will assume 80% of all losses and share 80% of all loss recoveries. As discussed previously, the loss sharing portion of the NCB non-single family loss sharing agreement with the FDIC expired in June of 2014 with the three year recovery period starting. All non-single family loans were transferred into the non-covered loan portfolio on the date of expiration. Additionally, the loss sharing portion of the MCB non-single family loss sharing agreement with the FDIC will expire in March 2015 with the three year recovery period starting at that time.

Allowance for Loan Losses on Non-covered Loans. The allowance for loan losses on non-covered loans represents a reserve for probable loan losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated periodically based on a review of all significant loans with particular emphasis on impaired, nonaccruing, past due and other loans that management believes require special attention. The determination of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting policy.

Additions to the allowance for loan losses are made periodically to maintain the allowance at an appropriate level based on management’s analysis of loss inherent in the loan portfolio. The amount of the provision for loan losses is determined by an evaluation of the level of loans outstanding, loss risk as determined based on a loan grading system, the level of nonperforming loans, historical loss experience, delinquency trends, the amount of losses charged to the allowance in a given period, and an assessment of economic conditions. Management believes the current allowance for loan losses is adequate based on its analysis of the estimated losses in the portfolio.

The Company did not make a provision in the quarters ended December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 due to the long term trend of declining net charge-offs and overall improvement in the credit quality of the loan portfolio. The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for loan losses for the period indicated. Loans covered by the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC are excluded from the table.
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
 
1-4 family real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Commercial
 
Real estate construction
 
Consumer and other
 
Unallocated
 
Total
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
812,130

 
$
5,969,819

 
$
400,883

 
$
492,903

 
$
13,990

 
$
783,648

 
$
8,473,373

Charge-offs
(78,670
)
 

 

 

 
(9,622
)
 

 
(88,292
)
Recoveries
3,379

 
94,299

 
9,478

 

 
1,960

 

 
109,116

Provision
73,958

 
(176,910
)
 
(18,744
)
 
(22,534
)
 
7,816

 
136,414

 

Transfer of allowance on previously covered NCB non-single family loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period
$
810,797

 
$
5,887,208

 
$
391,617

 
$
470,369

 
$
14,144

 
$
920,062

 
$
8,494,197

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 

 
$

Loans:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
1,006,400

 
$
8,276,744

 
$
148,823

 
$

 
$

 
 

 
$
9,431,967

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
156,333,462

 
305,380,877

 
27,695,603

 
67,195,749

 
4,624,986

 
 
 
561,230,677

Ending balance
$
157,339,862

 
$
313,657,621

 
$
27,844,426

 
$
67,195,749

 
$
4,624,986

 
 

 
$
570,662,644


Our allowance for loan loss methodology is a loan classification-based system. Our allowance for loan losses is segmented into the following four major categories: (1) specific reserves; (2) general allowances for Classified/Watch loans; (3) general allowances for loans with satisfactory ratings; and (4) an unallocated amount. We base the required reserve on a percentage of the loan balance for each type of loan and classification level. Loans may be classified manually and are automatically classified if they are not previously classified when they reach certain levels of delinquency. Unclassified loans are reserved at different percentages based on our loan loss history for the last seven years. Reserve percentages are also adjusted based upon our estimate of the effect that the current economic environment will have on each type of loan.

Potential problem loans are non-covered loans that management has serious doubts as to the ability of the borrowers to comply with present repayment terms. Management classifies potential problem loans as either special mention, substandard, or

44


loss. Potential problem loans at December 31, 2014 aggregated $29.3 million with $3.5 million classified special mention and $25.8 million classified substandard compared to potential problem loans at September 30, 2014 which aggregated $29.7 million with $3.4 million classified special mention and $26.3 million classified substandard.

Our largest substandard loan relationship at December 31, 2014 had a balance of $5.1 million. As of December 31, 2014, all loans in the relationship were current and interest due has been paid. The loan relationship is collateralized by multiple properties located in Alabama. We believe we are adequately collateralized, even at lower current real estate values.

The allowance for loan losses represented 254.47% and 170.74% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. This increase was due to lower nonperforming loans in the current period. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-covered loans was 1.49% and 1.74% at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Management continues to retain an unallocated allowance to maintain the overall allowance at a level reflective of continued economic uncertainties. Management reviews the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on a continuous basis. Management considered the allowance for loan losses on non-covered loans adequate at December 31, 2014 to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. However, adverse economic circumstances or other events, including additional loan review, future regulatory examination findings or changes in borrowers' financial conditions, could result in increased losses in the loan portfolio or in the need for increases in the allowance for loan losses.

Nonaccretable Differences and Allowance for Loan Losses on Covered Loans. Through the FDIC-assisted acquisitions of the loans of NCB, MCB and FNB, management established nonaccretable discounts for the acquired impaired loans and also for all other loans of MCB. These nonaccretable discounts were based on estimates of future cash flows. Subsequent to the acquisition dates, management continues to assess the experience of actual cash flows compared to estimates. When management determines that nonaccretable discounts are insufficient to cover expected losses in the applicable covered loan portfolios, the allowance for covered loans is increased with a corresponding provision for covered loan losses as a charge to earnings and an increase in the applicable FDIC receivable based on additional future cash expected to be received from the FDIC due to loss sharing indemnification.

The total nonaccretable discount and allowance for covered loans as a percentage of the ending contractual balance of acquired loans was 6.9% at December 31, 2014, compared to 8.8% at September 30, 2014. This decrease during the three month period ended December 31, 2014 was related to charge-off activity on covered loans with such losses subject to applicable loss sharing agreements with the FDIC and the transfer of $1.2 million from nonaccretable discount to accretable discount related to the MCB and FNB loss share agreements. There was also a $4,000 loan provision related to certain loans of MCB during the three months ended December 31, 2014. It is expected that the ratio of nonaccretable discounts and allowance for covered loan losses to contractual covered principal outstanding will continue to trend downward as the more significant problem loans are charged-off and submitted for loss sharing reimbursement from the FDIC as well as the reduction of current loss estimates in which the outcome would be increased accretion income and related amortization of the FDIC receivable. Management considered the nonaccretable discounts and allowance for covered loan losses adequate at December 31, 2014 to absorb probable losses inherent in the covered loan portfolio.

Liquidity Management. Liquidity is the ability to meet current and future short-term financial obligations. Our primary sources of funds consist of deposit inflows, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank, loan payments and prepayments, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations repayments and maturities and sales of loans and other securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions and competition. Our Asset/Liability Management Committee is responsible for establishing and monitoring our liquidity targets and strategies in order to ensure that sufficient liquidity exists for meeting the borrowing needs of our customers as well as unanticipated contingencies. At December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, we had access to immediately available funds of approximately $279.1 million and $334.1 million, respectively, including overnight funds, FHLB borrowing capacity and a Federal Reserve line of credit.

We regularly adjust our investments in liquid assets based upon our assessment of expected loan demand, expected deposit flows, yields available on interest-earning deposits and securities, and the objectives of our asset/liability management program. Excess liquid assets are invested generally in interest-earning deposits and short- and intermediate-term securities.

Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents. The levels of these assets are subject to our operating, financing, lending and investing activities during any given period. At December 31, 2014, cash and cash equivalents totaled $48.7 million. Securities classified as available-for-sale, which provide additional sources of liquidity, totaled $192.0 million. At December 31, 2014, we had $55.0 million in advances outstanding from the FHLB. Based on available collateral other than cash, additional advances would be limited to $164.6 million at December 31, 2014.


45


Our cash flows are derived from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities as reported in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

At December 31, 2014, we had $44.5 million of new loan commitments outstanding, and $63.1 million of unfunded construction and development loans. In addition to commitments to originate loans, we had $38.1 million of unused lines of credit to borrowers. Certificates of deposit due within one year of December 31, 2014 totaled $156.1 million, or 22.3% of total deposits. If these deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including other certificates of deposit and Federal Home Loan Bank advances. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit due on or before December 31, 2015. We believe, however, based on past experience that a significant portion of our certificates of deposit will remain with us. We have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered.

Our primary investing activities are the origination of loans and the purchase of securities. During the three months ended December 31, 2014, we originated $91.7 million of loans and purchased $18.1 million of securities and other investments.

Financing activities consist primarily of additions to deposit accounts and Federal Home Loan Bank advances. We experienced a net decrease in total deposits of $15.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to a $12.8 million decline in certificates of deposit, as well as a $3.3 million decline transaction accounts. Deposit flows are affected by the overall level of interest rates, the interest rates and products offered by us and our local competitors and other factors.

Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of business management. If we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, borrowing agreements exist with the Federal Home Loan Bank which provides an additional source of funds. Federal Home Loan Bank advances have been used primarily to fund loan demand and to purchase securities.

Capital Management and Resources. CharterBank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, including a risk-based capital measure. The risk-based capital guidelines include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating risk-weighted assets by assigning balance sheet assets and off-balance sheet items to broad risk categories. At December 31, 2014, CharterBank exceeded all of its regulatory capital requirements. CharterBank is considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines.
 
 
Actual
 
For Capital Adequacy Purposes
 
To be Well Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
 
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
$
186,731

 
26.5
%
 
$
56,453

 
8.0
%
 
$
70,566

 
10.0
%
Tier 1 risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
177,902

 
25.2

 
28,226

 
4.0

 
42,340

 
6.0

Tier 1 leverage (to average assets)
 
177,902

 
18.3

 
38,869

 
4.0

 
48,586

 
5.0

September 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
$
186,154

 
27.9
%
 
$
53,368

 
8.0
%
 
$
66,710

 
10.0
%
Tier 1 risk-based capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
177,801

 
26.7

 
26,684

 
4.0

 
40,026

 
6.0

Tier 1 leverage (to average assets)
 
177,801

 
17.7

 
40,255

 
4.0

 
50,318

 
5.0


The Company continues to seek strategic means to deploy the additional capital from the stock offering completed in 2013. This may include stock buybacks, dividends, additional lending when available and appropriately priced acquisitions of other financial institutions.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. In the normal course of operations, we engage in a variety of financial transactions that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, are not recorded in our consolidated financial statements. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate and liquidity risk. Such transactions are used primarily to manage customers’ requests for funding and take the form of loan commitments and lines of credit.

For the three months ended December 31, 2014, we did not engage in any off-balance sheet transactions reasonably likely to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.


46


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Qualitative Aspects of Market Risk. The Company’s most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. We manage the interest rate sensitivity of our interest-bearing liabilities and interest-earning assets in an effort to minimize the adverse effects of changes in the interest rate environment. Deposit accounts typically react more quickly to changes in market interest rates than mortgage loans because of the shorter maturities of deposits. As a result, sharp increases in interest rates may adversely affect our earnings. We employ several strategies to manage the interest rate risk inherent in our mix of assets and liabilities, including:

selling fixed rate mortgages we originate to the secondary market;
maintaining the diversity of our existing loan portfolio by originating commercial real estate and consumer loans, which typically have adjustable rates and/or shorter terms than residential mortgages;
emphasizing loans with adjustable interest rates;
maintaining fixed rate borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta; and
increasing retail transaction deposit accounts, which typically have long durations.

We have an Asset/Liability Management Committee to communicate, coordinate and control all aspects involving asset/liability management. The committee establishes and monitors the volume, maturities, pricing and mix of assets and funding sources with the objective of managing assets and funding sources to provide results that are consistent with liquidity, growth, risk limits and profitability goals.

Quantitative Aspects of Market Risk. We compute the amounts by which the difference between the present value of an institution's assets and liabilities (the institution's net portfolio value or “NPV”) would change in the event of a range of assumed changes in market interest rates. Our simulation model uses a discounted cash flow analysis to measure the interest rate sensitivity of NPV. Depending on current market interest rates we historically have estimated the economic value of these assets and liabilities under the assumption that interest rates experience an instantaneous and sustained increase of 100, 200, or 300 basis points, or a decrease of 100 and 200 basis points. A basis point equals one-hundredth of one percent, and 100 basis points equals one percent. An increase in interest rates from 3% to 4% would mean, for example, a 100 basis point increase in the “Change in Interest Rates” column below. Given the current relatively low level of market interest rates, a NPV calculation for an interest rate decrease of greater than 100 basis points has not been prepared.

The table below sets forth, as of December 31, 2014, our calculation of the estimated changes in CharterBank’s net portfolio value that would result from the designated instantaneous parallel shift in the interest rate yield curve.
Change in Interest Rates (bp) (1)
 
Estimated NPV (2)
 
Estimated Increase (Decrease) in NPV
 
Percentage Change in NPV
 
NPV Ratio as a Percent of Present Value of Assets (3)(4)
 
Increase (Decrease) in NPV Ratio as a Percent or Present Value of Assets (3)(4)
(dollars in thousands)
300
 
$
213,904

 
$
(3,118
)
 
(1.4)%
 
21.9%
 
(0.3)%
200
 
$
215,418

 
$
(1,604
)
 
(0.7)%
 
22.0%
 
(0.2)%
100
 
$
216,522

 
$
(500
)
 
(0.2)%
 
22.2%
 
—%
 
$
217,022

 
$

 
—%
 
22.2%
 
—%
(100)
 
$
210,362

 
$
(6,661
)
 
(3.1)%
 
21.5%
 
(0.7)%
__________________________________
(1)
Assumes an instantaneous uniform change in interest rates at all maturities.
(2)
NPV is the difference between the present value of an institution’s assets and liabilities.
(3)
Present value of assets represents the discounted present value of incoming cash flows on interest-earning assets.
(4)
NPV Ratio represents NPV divided by the present value of assets.

The table above indicates that at December 31, 2014, in the event of a 200 basis point increase in interest rates, we would experience a 0.7% decrease in net portfolio value. In the event of a 100 basis point decrease in interest rates, we would experience a 3.1% decrease in net portfolio value. Additionally, our internal policy states that our minimum NPV of estimated present value of assets and liabilities shall range from a low of 5.5% for a 300 basis point change in rates to 7.5% for no change in interest rates. As of December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with our Board approved policy limits.

The effects of interest rates on net portfolio value and net interest income are not predictable. Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, prepayments, and deposit run-offs, and should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results. Certain shortcomings are inherent in these computations. Although some assets and liabilities may have similar maturity or periods of repricing, they may react at

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different times and in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Rates on other types of assets and liabilities may lag behind changes in market interest rates. Assets, such as adjustable rate mortgages, generally have features that restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset. After a change in interest rates, prepayments and early withdrawal levels could deviate significantly from those assumed in making the calculations set forth above. Additionally, increased credit risk may result if our borrowers are unable to meet their repayment obligations as interest rates increase.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective for the purpose of ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (1) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (2) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In addition, no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we may be party to various legal proceedings incident to our business. At December 31, 2014, we were not a party to any pending legal proceedings that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Risk factors that may affect future results were discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 and in Charter Federal or Charter Financial’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. We do not believe that there have been any material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. of Part I in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2014.

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

(a)
Not applicable
(b)
Not applicable
(c)
The following table presents a summary of the Company's share repurchases during the quarter ended December 31, 2014:
Shares repurchased during the period:
 
Total number of share repurchases
 
Average price paid per share
 
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced program (1)
 
Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the program (1)
October 1 - October 31, 2014
 
1,202,611

 
$
10.92

 
6,054,188

 
622,389

November 1 - November 30, 2014
 
19,456

 
11.23

 
6,073,644

 
602,933

December 1 - December 31, 2014
 
76,712

 
11.27

 
6,150,356

 
526,221

Total
 
1,298,779

 
$
10.95

 
6,150,356

 
526,221

__________________________________
(1) In September 2014, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, the fourth approved and announced program since December 2013, allowing the repurchase of up to 1.8 million shares, or approximately 10% of the Company's outstanding shares. During fiscal 2014 and the first quarter of fiscal 2015, shares were repurchased at a total cost of approximately $67.5 million.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.


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Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit No.
 
Description
3.1
 
Articles of Incorporation of Charter Financial Corporation (1)
 
 
 
3.2
 
Bylaws of Charter Financial Corporation (2)
 
 
 
4.1
 
Specimen Stock Certificate of Charter Financial Corporation (3)
 
 
 
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(c) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(c) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
32.1
 
Section 1350 Certifications
 
 
 
101
 
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, (ii) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, (iii) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and the year ended September 30, 2014 (iv) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Comprehensive Income for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, (v) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and (vi) the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
__________________________________
(1)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-185482) of Charter Financial Corporation, a Maryland corporation, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2012.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-185482) of Charter Financial Corporation, a Maryland corporation, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2012.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.0 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-185482) of Charter Financial Corporation, a Maryland corporation, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2012.





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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.

 
 
CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
February 9, 2015
By:
/s/ Robert L. Johnson
 
 
 
 
Robert L. Johnson
 
 
 
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
February 9, 2015
By:
/s/ Curtis R. Kollar
 
 
 
 
Curtis R. Kollar
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 









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